Articles by "book flight"
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- August 03, 2018 0


Making the decision to book a flight to Europe is one that most people don't take lightly. After all, it's a big financial commitment. Before you bite the bullet and part with your hard earned cash, take a look at five things I think you should know before you book your flight to Europe.

1. Flexibility may reduce the price
If you're ready to book your flights you're going to be fairly sure of the dates you want to travel but it's always a good idea to compare the price of the same flight a few days either side of your preferred travel date.

Mid-week flights can sometimes be cheaper than those on weekends, and airline prices vary, too, so if you can be a little flexible you might end up saving some money.

Altering your preferred departure date from Australia might also mean you travel in a different 'season'. A 'shoulder season' fare might be a couple of hundred dollars less than a 'peak season' fare so if you can be flexible it might be worth your while.


2. Payment deadlines
Airlines have strict payment deadlines. Generally speaking, if you book your flight online, either on the airline's own website or via a booking site such as Expedia, you'll have to make your payment straight away using a credit card.

Travel agents can usually hold your flights for either 3 or 7 days (depending on the airline you are flying with) before the full payment is due.


3. Passenger names
You'll need to know the correct names of all those in your travelling party exactly as they are shown on each individual's passport. If you've always known your friend as Charlie but his passport say Charles, then Charles it has to be on his airline ticket.

Name changes are usually not allowed once an airline ticket has been issued, so get it right from the start or you may be up for a ticket re-issue fee. When you get to the airport, if the passenger's passport and airline ticket don't match, they can be refused carriage.

4. Know your itinerary
Know the city that you would like to fly in and out of, as well as your exact dates of travel.
Airlines do charge for amendments to itineraries, including travel dates, so before you hand over your payment, make sure you're happy with your flight route and dates, and know the penalties should you need to alter your travel plans.


5. Cancellation fees
Should the unexpected happen and you need to cancel your flight after you've paid for your ticket, you can expect to pay a cancellation fee.

Fees can differ depending on the airline and the type of fare you have purchased, so check the cancellation conditions and make sure you have adequate travel insurance to cover you if the unexpected does occur.
Further reading: How to choose the right travel insurance policy for your trip

Armed with all the above information, you should be able to book your flight to Europe with confidence.


Bon voyage!

Author: Carolyn
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- August 02, 2018 0


This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
Deciding what is the best time of year to travel to Europe for your holiday can be one of the hardest parts of the decision-making process, particularly for the first-time traveller.  There’s no single ‘best’ time to visit Europe as every traveller’s preferences are different but there are a number of things to consider before you book yourself on that flight.

Best time to visit Europe weather-wise
The kind of weather you'd like to experience is going to be a major consideration of your holiday planning. Are you hoping to experience a white Christmas in Europe or the beautiful snowy scenes of a northern winter or would you prefer to travel when it's warmer and you can enjoy the longer daylight hours?


Your response to this question should help you to decide when the best time to travel to Europe from Australia is for you.
The best season to go to Europe is going to be different for everyone so I’ve listed a few of the pros and cons of travelling in the various seasons below.

Pros and cons of travelling to Europe in winter

If a European winter experience is what you're after, some of the pros of travelling at this time (December/January/February) include missing the Australian summer, experiencing scenery and Christmas food and traditions totally different to what we are used to at home (in Australia) such as the amazing Christmas markets.

Mid-December through to the end of February - and sometimes even into March - is definitely the best time to visit Europe for snow.


Every year it seems that Europe’s Christmas markets become more and more popular with tourists and they are a wonderful reason to visit Europe at this time of year.  Many markets open from late November until just after Christmas, with some trading until early January.


Of course you also have to consider the downsides - shorter daylight hours, some attractions (particularly in rural areas) may be closed for the winter, heavy snowfalls can cause transport delays and make driving difficult, and there's the cold weather and bulky clothing that you’ll need to take to contemplate, too.

Tour and cruise companies also tend to have a reduced number of itineraries on offer during the colder months, however train services still run frequently.

Further reading: Tips for travelling to Europe in winter


Christmas market in Tallinn
Christmas markets are a major reason for tourists to visit Europe in winter time. This one is in the Estonian capital, Tallinn.

Pros and cons of travelling to Europe in summer
During the European summer there's a pretty fair chance you'll enjoy some warm weather. Southern countries like Spain, Italy and Greece (and the south of France) tend to have much higher temperatures than central and northern Europe, but there can be some surprises.
I have experienced temperatures well above 35 degrees Celcius on numerous occasions in parts of Europe that we don’t normally associate with having high summer temperatures (Austria and northern France, for example).


I’ve often joked that the summer-loving Europeans should pay me to travel to Europe as I always tend to attract the hot weather!  August is usually the hottest month in Europe - I mostly travel in June and July but have experienced some really hot days during those months.

If you are visiting one of the southern regions, temperatures can be stifling hot – so check in advance that your accommodation has air-conditioning.

Another advantage of travelling during the European summer (June/July/August) is the longer daylight hours - with daylight saving it is generally light until at least 9.30pm, and much later in the Scandinavian countries.

Timetables for ferries, lake cruises, cable car rides, etc are also generally expanded over the summer months.

I also find there's an air of vitality in Europe during summer - with window boxes bursting with colour, the freshest produce available at the markets, and Europeans out and about and enjoying the weather.

During the summer months, motorways can also be extremely busy, particularly on weekends, as European holiday-makers head off on their annual break.



Flower boxes in Riquewihr
Colourful flower boxes are at their blooming best during the European summer.

What about Autumn (Fall) and Spring?

Autumn and Spring are popular times to travel for those who don't enjoy extreme temperatures.  Early Autumn and Late Spring, in particular, can still offer warmish days without being either too hot or too cold so this is considered by many to be the best time to visit southern Europe.

No matter how carefully you plan, though, unseasonal weather can occur. Major flooding in Germany, Hungary and Poland in June 2013 caused havoc and upset lots of holiday plans, not to mention livelihoods.

On the other hand, expected snow falls can fail to eventuate as early in the season as normal - your snowy Christmas might turn out to be more of a 'slushy' one!


The table below shows the (approximate) average monthly temperatures for some of Europe’s major cities.


                 Jan        Mar       May      Jul         Sep       Nov
Vienna 1°C        9°C        19°C      26°C      20°C      7°C
Rome    12°C      15°C      22°C      29°C      26°C      17°C
Zurich   -1°C       5°C        13°C      18°C      14°C        4°C
Paris      3.5°C     10°C      15°C      19°C      16°C      12°C
Berlin    -0.5°C   4°C        14°C      19°C      15°C      5°C
London    5°C      10°C      17°C      22°C      19°C      5°C


If the weather isn’t the major factor in determining the best time to travel for you to travel to Europe, there are some other considerations to keep in mind.


Special events
If you are heading to Europe to attend a special function like a wedding or are hoping to catch a major event such as the Tour de France or the tulip display at Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens, you are obviously going to have to be in a particular place on a specific date.

Keep in mind that when major events occur (like the Olympic Games or Rugby World Cup, for example), accommodation, flights and other travel services can be stretched to the limit - and prices can increase significantly.


Tour de France
Major events can have a big impact on the price and availability of accommodation and flights.


Crowds
If you do prefer to travel when it's warmer, be wary of travelling during August. This is the month when many Europeans take their summer holidays (a lot of professional offices in Paris actually close for the whole month!) so wherever you go it is likely to be extremely busy.

If you don’t like crowds, August is definitely NOT the best month to visit Europe.

Major sights and attractions can be a nightmare during August with queues of two hours or more just to buy entry tickets not unheard of!!  I always recommend pre-purchasing tickets to attractions you know you will definitely visit, but particularly so if visiting in the peak summer months.

The late European spring (April/May) and early autumn (September/October) can make a good alternative. If you're not too fussed about high temperatures and definitely want to avoid the crowds, these are good months to visit to Europe.


Price
Another factor to consider when planning when you are going to visit is price. I've previously written about some of the tips you should know before you book your flight to Europe, and one of these is that travelling just outside of the airline's 'peak' season can save you a few hundred dollars.

By departing Australia in May, for example, you might save yourself some money by missing the June 'peak' fares and still be able to enjoy the warmer early-summer days in Europe.


To start planning your travel to Europe, order complimentary European travel brochures and read all my tips for planning a holiday to Europe here.

What other factors do you consider when deciding what is the best time to visit Europe? I'd love to hear your comments below.

Author: Carolyn

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- August 01, 2018 0



Step one: slow down. Take your time.

It's tempting when you plan that big first trip to Europe, to try to do everything, to fit every single highlight into a whirlwind tour around perhaps the planet's most diverse continent. You want to eat pasta in Rome, and stand on top of the Eiffel Tower, and smoke a joint in Amsterdam, and party in Dubrovnik, and, and...

You can't do it all. Unless you've got years up your sleeve, you're going to have to do some culling. That's one of the keys to enjoying your first stint.

I got an email a few weeks ago from a guy who's about to set off on his first overseas adventure. His question – "Got any tips for a first-time visitor to Europe?" – sounded like a perfect topic. So here we go.

First, the culling. Europe is an incredibly diverse continent full of bucket-list, postcard locations, and you can't do them all. If you even attempt to do them all you'll spend more time on buses, trains and planes that you will actually seeing things.

So here's a tip: choose a top five, your must-dos for that first OS adventure. Maybe it's drinking in the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, or eating tapas in Barcelona, or visiting the Tate Modern in London. Whatever it is, mark those down and plan your trip around them. The between bits will start to fall into place.

Then you have to figure out how you're getting around. Gnarled old travel dudes like me will tell you to forget about tours and go independent, but that's not necessarily the case. Think about what's right for you. People might sneer at the drunken tour passengers, but the drunken tour passengers are having a ball.

Maybe start off with a short tour, a 10-dayer, to find your feet in Europe and meet some people. If you fancy the idea of an organised tour like a Contiki or a Topdeck, go for it. If you'd rather a bit more freedom, think about something like Busabout – your transfers and accommodation are organised, but you have far more spare time to explore.

Prefer to go independent? It's easy enough in Europe. Book hostels ahead using sites like HostelBookers and HostelWorld. Book train tickets online. Book budget flights well in advance. And remember that using intercity buses is often much cheaper than trains or planes.

Don't avoid the clichés. The Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower and Charles Bridge are all extremely popular with tourists for a reason: they're amazing. Don't feel you have to get off the beaten track just for the sake of it. If the big-ticket items appeal to you, then go and see them.

By the same token, don't do everything the guidebook tells you. It might say the Louvre is an absolute must-do on a trip to Paris, but maybe you'd have a better day searching for Blek le Rat pieces on alley walls.

Travel in the shoulder seasons. July, August and September are mental in Europe, when you'll be sharing every single experience with millions and millions of your closest friends. Accommodation will be booked out, or expensive. Trains will be full.

Think about going in autumn or spring. Or better yet, if you don't mind the cold, go in winter. You'll feel like you have the place to yourself.

Another thing to consider when you're timing your trip, however, is festivals. Europe does a mean festival, from Oktoberfest to San Fermin to La Tomatina to Biennale to Glastonbury to Exit to Tomorrowland. Get along to any one of those and your holiday just became a lot more memorable.

Be wary of scams. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That hot Eastern European girl isn't necessarily talking to you because you're so charming. Those guys aren't befriending you because you seem like such a cool Aussie. Go with your instincts.

Try to get to at least one of Budapest, Krakow or Lisbon. They're all amazing, and underrated. (Although when planning this, take the "do what you want" paragraphs into account.)

Learn at least a tiny bit of the local language. Even if it's just asking, "Do you speak English?" This very small amount of effort will get you a long way.

Pack light. You don't need three pairs of jeans in a European summer. You don't need a big tub of laundry detergent. You don't need special "travel" clothes with extra zips bought from some rip-off store.

You do, however, need a towel. And at least one set of decent clothes to wear when you decide to go for that fancy dinner and don't want to look like a backpacker for a night.

Lash out on a few amazing experiences that are out of your price range. Budget travel will make your trip last longer but if you plan for one expensive dinner, or a night in a big hotel, or gondola ride in Venice, or high tea in London, or anything similar, you'll never forget it.

And on that note, my last tip is probably the most important: take lots of money. Lots of money. As much as you can possibly save. And then some more. Don't be the people drinking in the hostel lounge at night because they can't afford to go out. You didn't come all this way to not see the sights.

Take a few more months to save before you go. Be stingy at home so you can lash out when you're away.

And most of all: have fun.

What are your tips for people planning their first trip to Europe? Post your comments below. Are you yet to go to Europe? Post your questions too and let's see if our community of travellers can't answer them.


Author: bengroundwater

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- July 31, 2018 0


Are you planning to go on a Europe Vacation someday? If so, you have picked an excellent place to venture to, as Europe has great cultural and historical significance, making it a hot locale for travelers. Places like Berlin, London, Venice, Nice, and Paris are very popular for people taking trips abroad. I have some tips for you, expert information, about how you can make your trip to Europe an experience you will never forget.

Keep an Open Mind

You should never settle on a rigid itinerary for your vacation. By traveling to a foreign location, you are giving yourself the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture and lifestyle than what you are accustomed to. For that reason, you should try looking into short-term rentals on homes and apartments. It is actually a very common practice in that part of the world, and you will find that renting is much cheaper than hotels or resorts. This will give you the opportunity to go into the streets and meet people, allowing you to learn more about the people and lifestyle of that country.

That is the best way to have an unforgettable experience.

Stability

If you are looking for a more stable vacation, perhaps you should contact a travel agent and purchase a vacation package. Packages range in price, but you may be able to find a sale if you look hard enough. A discount package price will allow you to save more money for spending while you're in Europe. The benefit of vacation packages is that they will make sure you are on tours that explore all of the major attractions of a location, allowing for a worry- free vacation.

Bargain Vacations

The true key to getting a discount on a vacation, no matter where you go, is flexibility. You can save a great deal by taking advantage of bargains that only come up at certain times of the year and at certain places. These vacations are great if you can be flexible with:

* Which of the airlines you choose

* Which cruises you want to go on

* What you want to eat

* Where you want to stay

* When you want you to leave

For example, if you have no particular goal in mind, but you just want to see Europe, then you will be able to find cheaper rates for traveling and staying in certain nations. Don't wait until the last-minute to start planning your vacation!

Stretching Every Dollar (or Euro)

Keep in mind that in other countries, prices are often times negotiable. Depending on where you go, especially in countries with weaker economies, you can often time haggle on the prices of your purchases, which will help you save a lot. This usually does not work with large-scale franchise businesses, but will almost always work with small local businesses.

Also, if you choose to eat at restaurants, a local restaurant is good in this respect because they will generally offer you lower prices then places that you are accustomed to seeing in America. Remember, if you truly want to make the most of your European vacation, then save money every chance you get, it will allow you to spend more on the things you like!

Author: Remy Jirek                                        

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- July 20, 2018 0


Traveling with itineraries provided by travel agencies or your travel club is a common practice, and these packages usually come with a free ride. However, there are still some merits in renting a car when you are on vacation. Some travelers worry about the cost because of the common misconception that car rentals usually cost an arm and a leg, but if you combine this with the advantages that we will discuss in a bit, you will find that renting a car is actually more cost-efficient.
To give you a better picture of the gains of renting a car, we came up with a list of the things you get to enjoy should you choose to rent one on your next vacation, whether it is domestic or in another country.

You get to choose which car to use, and this is an opportunity to save up on gas money. By renting a car, you give yourself the liberty of choosing a car that does not use up a lot of gas. Can you imagine what other fun things you could do with your family with the extra money you have because you did not have to shell it all out for gas?

It makes visiting foreign countries such a breeze. To make the experience more worthwhile, particularly if you have visited that particular country before, renting a car is an ideal option. Getting lost is unlikely, even if it was your first time to visit that country because you can simply go for rentals in vacation packages that are bundled with GPS services.

Rented cars are often in better shape that your own car. Since these cars are used for a living, or for some travel deals, and does not simply exist for the sheer purpose of getting you around, you would think that the owners invest more on maintenance, and are serviced more frequently than your own car.

You get to tailor-fit your mode of transport to the nature of your vacation, or the members of the family. Let's say your family decided to go hiking. You know what this entails-a lot of off-road driving. For that, you will need a 4x4 ride, otherwise, you're going to risk having your car break down in the middle of the trip, or spend more money for maintenance after.

Renting cars make the experience better. We know we could not stress this enough, but when you rent a car, you find that you are more in-charge of the trip that usual. You can make as many pit stops as you want, take the route you want to take, and even take a detour if you please. What's even better is that you get to do all these without having to worry that you might hurt your car's mileage, because guess what-the car is rented!

There is not clear cut formula for best family vacations, but at least having one that is hassle-free, cost efficient, and one that gives you more room for spontaneity definitely makes it better.

Finally, a business you can manage even at home where you can get real money and real results. Discover the breakthrough work from home opportunity that builds income without any special skills, knowledge, or know-how, whatsoever. 


Author: By B. Boyd

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- July 19, 2018 0



Family vacations can sometimes be stressful, particularly picking the best family vacation destination. How do you accommodate the wants and interests of every member of your family? Do you go to the beach? the mountains? or a new city to embrace the culture? Planning a vacation doesn't have to be stressful, by following these tips, the only decision you will need to make is your footwear!

The Time Element
One of the biggest factors in choosing a destination is how much time you have to vacation. Do you have a full two-weeks off? Will this be a weekend or day trip? This is due to the fact that travel can eat up a lot of time and energy, no matter whether you are flying, driving or boarding a train. The amount of time you have off also has a direct relationship with the complexity of your travel plans.

The Budget
While everyone wants to take a luxurious vacation, you do not have to break the bank doing it. And, let's face it, how much stress is your vacation going to alleviate when you return home to a massive credit card bill. Instead, budget for maximum enjoyment of your time off. You would be amazed at the variety of cheap or completely free activities there are in any destination you choose. From
state parks and museums to hikes through nature.

Discussing Options with Family Members
Now comes the tough part, negotiating on the best destination for every member of the family. Best practices indicate that full transparency is the best policy. Be clear about what the constraints are, namely time and money, and then start discussing options that exist within a radius friendly to those constraints. Often it helps to have identified a few locations that might be ideal for your family, and to research those places together.

Planning Activities
Once a destination has been decided upon, the real fun begins. Consider giving the kids the job of researching the attractions and amenities in the area. While some oversight will undoubtedly be necessary, allowing the children to research and learn about the place they will soon visit will not only help you decide what to do, but will also get them jazzed about going!

Getting Buy-In
Even with the best approach to deciding on a destination as a family, sometimes not everyone will be one-hundred percent enthused about the end choice. However, this does not mean that your plan or negotiating tactics have failed, it means you are only getting started. For instance, if one child is upset about the location chosen, consider providing options that could sweeten the deal for her, such as bringing a friend.

Don't Try to Do Too Much
One more piece of advice to implement once you are already in your chosen destination: try not to jam pack your schedule so much that you don't enjoy being there. Instead, plan one major activity each day, and leave the rest of the time for casual exploration. Sometimes having a rigorous itinerary can be stressful, and more stress is definitely not what you need while on vacation.
For more information on the best family vacation destinations, look no further than liftswest.com!

Author: By Clinton Rhodes  

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- July 18, 2018 0

You may be wondering what in the world you can do to make this year's vacation the best one yet. Never fear because there are many, many places you can go that will spark the imaginations of everyone in your family. Why not try something different this year and spend a few days at a dude ranch? These are some of the best family vacation destinations around and they can be found all over the United States. Most of them cater to families and everyone in your brood will have the time of their lives.

Experiencing the great outdoors is the goal of any dude ranch. They specialize in keeping their visitors well fed with wonderful home-cooked meals that are often cooked over an open campfire under the stars. Many ranches are kept in rustic condition making them seem like authentic old western towns. Other dude ranches are fancier, with high-end spas, massages and 5-star meals and accommodations. Many of them have programs for children that keep the young ones entertained and busy all day, every day.

A dude ranch vacation experience is something that will not only be enjoyable but build character and confidence as well. Most of these ranches give the feeling of the old west and have real cowboys who ride rodeos, run cattle, brand livestock and do crop harvesting. These cowboys include their guests in many of the ranch's activities and often take them along to do some of the daily chores. If nothing else, guests leave feeling invigorated and ready to tackle any mundane chore that may be waiting for them at home!

Dude ranches have activities for all the members in your family. Everything from horseback riding to simply relaxing in front of a fire is provided. Guests often enjoy western-style dancing and hay rides along with cattle rustling and hiking. Children are given special chores to do such as brushing and feeding livestock as well as helping with daily feeding of farm animals. Most dude ranches have swimming pools or lakes that give "the young uns" some well-earned relaxation at the end of the day.

Dude ranches provide some of the best family vacation destinations around and there is sure to be one that will appeal to your "inner cowboy".

Author: By Matt Murren

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- June 22, 2018 0

Source: Free range


It is often tiresome to search for cheap airfare between European cities and has been near hopeless for a number of years. Travelers were told that Europeans didn't bother offering cheap airfare. Instead of by air, they traveled at a low cost within Europe using the railway system or rented cars to get around if required.

However, now there are situations where cheap airfares within Europe are in fact the only option, peculiarly when time is of the essence. Some travelers cannot afford to pay not-so-cheap prices to get from Point A to Point B using airfare within Europe, but they often require to get there faster than say, by car.

The primary point to consider when researching cheap airfares within Europe is to look and see if you can arrive and depart from cities different than your originals. Why? Because a different terminal may be cheaper to fly from, or to, when planning airfare within Europe. Restructuring a trip to admit for a little more travel isn't terribly bad, especially IF there are giant savings, yes?

The problem with really cheap airfares within Europe is that there can be strings attached.

Perhaps your return trip will be almost twice the cost of the one that got you there in the first place. Or the dates you can choose to travel may be very restrictive. And don't forget that the tax on some of these cheap airfares within Europe is as a rule more than the flight itself.

Also, be sure to bear in mind that shopping for cheap European airfares isn't the same as in North America. There aren't many connecting flights in Europe and the majority of cheap airfares are straight, city to city runs.

Places to Look for Cheap Airfares within Europe

It may be important to note that we are not supporting any of the following airlines. It's a reasonable starting point for cheap European airfare, however. Here are some of the movers and shakers in the cheap European airfare game so you can get started with your cheap airfare within Europe research.

Basiq Air - Has a home base in Holland and flies to 20 cities, give or take. Flights from Amsterdam run anywhere between 30-60 EUR ($37-74 USD).

BMI Baby Airlines - Offers routes across Europe.

Simple Jet - A very large amount of routes across Europe. However, there is an extra burden if you book with a credit card, and there are no refunds, unless there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. death of a family member).

Germania Express - Discount flights between Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece.

Sky Europe - Apparently the cardinal deduct airline in middle Europe.

Snowflake - Caters for the Mediterranean from Europe.

Continent Express - Taxes and fees at this locale are incomparably higher than the authentic fares.

Volare Airlines - An Italian based airline.

Wizz Air - A new airline, but quite prolific with it's customers. Travels between Warsaw and Athens.

Finding doesn't have to be an uphill battle. As long as you're armed with the correct facts and appropriate resources, you're on your way to finding that cheap airfare!


Author: Zahid Saddique
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- June 16, 2018 0





There’s no denying that it has become more and more difficult to fly without running into snags or problems with the airport or the airlines. Enduring the line at the security check point in some airports is enough to put some passengers in a bad mood. However, despite all of the inconveniences that come with flying, it is a necessity. There are several things that can be done to make flying easier and more hassle free, and all that is involved is a little bit of common sense and planning.

1. Get to the Airport Early

Arriving at the airport early is a no-brainer, especially when the airlines tell passengers to arrive at least two hours prior to a flight’s departure time. However, there are many people who refuse to heed this request, and arrive at the airport just several minutes before a flight is scheduled to leave. If there is a line at the check-in counter or at security, this can create a very stressful situation. Not only may the flight be missed, but a new flight must be booked, and the passengers will probably have to travel stand-by on a later flight with no guarantee of a seat until the very last minute.

2. Take a Morning Flight.

Leaving on an early flight does not necessarily mean a 4 a.m. flight must be chosen. However, flights that leave first thing in the morning are less likely to be running late, and they are less likely to be affected by weather problems across the country and/or other planes that may be delayed at other airports. Also, if for some reason the first flight of the day is canceled or delayed, there will probably be several other flights throughout the day that, if necessary, can be taken instead.

3. Try Not to Fly During “Rush Hour”

Airports, like highways, have rush hours. Typically, rush hour in the morning is from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and in the afternoon from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These are the hours when airports are the most crowded with people waiting for flights. Crowds mean longer lines at the security check points, more people in the restrooms, more people waiting in restaurant lines, and more people taking up seats in the waiting areas. Flying at a NON-rush hour time of day can alleviate the need to stand in lines and sit with crowds.

4. Try to Take Non-Stop Flights

Obviously, when a non-stop flight is taken, there is less risk of being delayed. Taking off and landing both take quite a bit of time, so avoiding having to do this twice is recommended. There will always be destinations when a non-stop flight is not available, but there are plenty of cities where non-stop flights are just as common as those that stop. It may even be worth a few extra dollars to book a non-stop flight to avoid an unneeded hassle and the possibility of being delayed.

5. Book Connections with Enough Time

If a non-stop flight is not available to a desired destination, make sure to schedule enough time in between flights. When airlines book flights, they often have a layover requirement of 30 or 45 minutes between connections. However, this is often not enough time if the original flight arrives late. In order to avoid this stress, try to schedule connecting flights with at least an hour to spare between the arrival time of the first flight and the departure time of the connecting flight.

 

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- June 14, 2018 0



A discount travel package allows you to visit your favorite destinations at lower than normal rates. In short you dream vacation with your family is no more a dream, it has come alive. Being able to travel cheaply does not mean that you will always get the best deal. Therefore, it becomes very important to plan and evaluate different discount travel packages and select the one that fits within your budget and needs.

A discount travel package is one way saving your money on trips to popular destinations. Travel agencies can help you decide on a package that suits your pocket. they have multiple packages and you get a handful of options in front of you.

A travel agent can even customize you travel package according to your background. This includes, the time and duration of stay, popular places in and around your destination and even accommodation. These things should be taken into account when you decide on a travel package. Also, due to immense competition in this industry, one should always compare packages with other agents. This will give you bargaining power, if possible.

It is not necessary that a discount travel package will have all those things which you have in your mind. Guesswork or assumption might not help here, so speak up and inquire properly, say “yes” only when you are 100% convinced with the details mentioned in the package brochure.

To be on a safer side, you can contact your friends or relatives who have been on discount travel package. They will definitely have something important to share with you. Their experiences can guide you to prevent unscrupulous people from offering cheap discount travel packages and literally taking you for a ride!


Remember, a travel package that is well planned and managed can lighten your traveling load and make the trip more valuable and fun.

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- June 13, 2018 0





The growth of the Internet and budget airlines has turned last-minute flights into a huge industry – you can just be surfing around, and then, right there, there’s a flight cheap enough for you to buy on impulse and go away this weekend. If you’re thinking about booking last minute flights, however, there are a few things you need to know.

An important point to make is that you can’t trust the prices you see quoted in advertising for last minute flights. This is because of the common practice of excluding booking fees, airport taxes and all sorts of other little extras from the price – these all get added on just when you’ve got your card out and you’re ready to pay, in the hope that by then you won’t want to back out.

Also, you should realise that just because a flight says it goes to a big city like London or Paris, it doesn’t mean that the airport is actually anywhere near. Budget airlines use smaller airports to avoid paying the higher airport charges at the larger ones, and these smaller airports can be as much as two hours away from the city centre by often unreliable public transport. In some cases, you can end up paying as much as you did for your plane tickets just to get a train to the place you thought was your destination.
On airlines that take bookings for seats, it is also worth noting that last minute flights will only have the seats that no-one else wanted, which usually means the ones in the middle of the row. This can be very important if you get airsick, or if you really want to sit together as a couple or family.

The biggest gotcha is that last-minute flights are always non-refundable. If you are going to buy one on impulse, make sure you can actually make it first, as there won’t be any backing out of the deal afterwards.

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- June 11, 2018 0






So finally, the sun has shown its sprightly vivacious rays on the green, green grass, on Mrs. Wilson’s flowering shrubs next door and on you! It is now the time to spruce up and get yourself set to enjoy that much desired summer vacation, no more waking up at six o’clock in the morning to prepare for school, no more being tied up in classroom learning about the life of Attila, the Hun and no more chemical explosions in the chemical laboratory. This is the moment to bask and have fun in the sun. There are a myriad of ways wherein which you can make the most out of your vacation. Here are a few ideas in making your sunny break the best ever yet.

Leave off your inhibitions and go wild. Its summer, you can go and indulge in whatever you want. You are free from schoolwork and have literally control over how you spend your time. Do not waste it being a couch potato and prosecute yourself to watch boring reruns and ads on television. Get creative. Try something new. Go for the outdoors. Save your staring at the boob tube when it is raining or when the snow comes. The sun is here; make the most out of it. Get yourself in the water. The beach has always and is a favorite summer getaway, and why not. The beach offers a dozen of possibilities. You can try to go and learn how to surf or better yet, try scuba diving and get to know those wonderful corals under the sea. Get your gang of sun-loving friends together and play a game of Frisbee or beach volleyball and even soccer. This will be like hitting two birds with one stone.


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- June 10, 2018 0


The Maldives Islands located in the midst of the Indian Ocean make a delightful destination for any vacationer, and have gained a reputation for providing a tropical holiday that may be unmatched anywhere in the world. The sun, sand and sea of the Maldives never fail to delight the visitor. Acclaimed as one of the world's most romantic honeymoon destinations, of late many of the Maldives' resorts have begun to provide special attractions for children, with the objective of making the islands a pleasurable experience for the entire family.

Many Maldives resorts offer such amenities as a special children's menu, babysitting services and kids' clubs. Older children may engage in such activities as snorkeling and diving since the shallow lagoons of the Maldives provide an entirely safe environment. Adult scuba divers may explore the offshore coral formations with the colourful exotic fish and other marine life providing an unforgettable experience.

For families with young children who would prefer to keep their feet dry, an excursion on a glass-bottomed boat will provide the opportunity to observe vivid marine life at close hand in absolute safety. An adventurous choice would be a trip underwater in the Whale Submarine, the biggest passenger submarine on the globe, which submerges to a depth of 36 meters underwater.

Both children and adults will be thrilled by the whale watching and fishing trips that can be readily arranged in the Maldives. The Maldives Islands have the distinction of being one of the top 5 whale and dolphin watching areas in the world, with numerous blue, pilot and sperm whales to be seen in the area.

If your children have ever shown an interest in surfing, the Maldives is a perfect place for them to gain some surfing skills, with the North Male Atoll's Eastern Reef having gained a reputation as a suitable spot for novices. More challenging locations for accomplished surfers are also available.

A variety of delectable cuisine including international favourites can be found in the Maldives, with many establishments offering menus specially designed for children.
When selecting a Maldives island resort the Kuramathi Island Resort offers an enjoyable holiday for the entire family. One of the outstanding Maldives resorts this fine establishment offers excellent accommodations and attentive service to pamper every family member.

PushpithaWijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Author: PushpithaWijesinghe

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