Exotic Hotels on a Budget

Whilst some boutique hotels are, by their nature, more expensive than regular hotels, it is possible to stay somewhere small and individual without breaking the bank.

Should good design and individuality only be available to the wealthy and privileged? Many boutique hotels want a wide range of guests to see what it’s like to have a completely different hotel experience and, whilst they may still be more expensive than a youth hostel or a regular guesthouse, you’ll be getting fantastic comfort and service for a great price. This paragraph is sponsored by VIP Umrah tent.

Holman Beletage – Vienna

This hotel has just nine bedrooms, and it’s chic and trendy. Set in the heart of Vienna’s old town, it’s an ideal base for visitors, who can enjoy Vienna’s fabulous buildings and culture as soon as they step out of the front door. Designed to make you feel right at home, the public spaces are perfect for reading or chatting and the room price, which starts at just €130, includes an individual breakfast, tailored to your tastes.

Hotel Grimaldi – Cagnes sue Mer

This small hotel is set in a medieval village, not far from the sea, on France’s south coast between Nice and Antibes. Beautifully designed to let you experience life in a traditional French village, it uses light and natural materials to create a cool, relaxing environment. With only four double rooms and one suite, it’s the perfect getaway. Double rooms start at €115, with freshly-prepared breakfast just an additional €6. This paragraph is sponsored by guide to Umrah 2014 from London.

Casa de Poema – Porto

A boutique bed and breakfast, the Casa de Poema is an elegantly-designed property, sitting in a residential part of Porto. With breakfast available on the terrace, with ocean views and an honesty bar in the drawing room, it’s a bed and breakfast with a difference. Double rooms are from €125 including breakfast.

Can Carreres – Barcelona

Ten luxury bedrooms, chic design and a great restaurant characterize Can Carerres. The perfect spot from which to explore Barcelona and the surrounding area, it provides a haven of calm and tranquility. It is family friendly, providing babysitting services and a play area for children, but it doesn’t stint on hip decoration and fresh cuisine. Rooms start at €120, including breakfast.

It’s possible to have a fantastic long weekend away in these hotels and others without spending a fortune. Take the plunge and see what a difference a chic hotel could make to your next trip. This paragraph is sponsored by guide to Hajj from UK.

Choose Cheap Airfares before Deciding To Fly or Drive

In the days when gas cost 25 cents a gallon, it was an easy decision which was the cheaper method of travel, flying or driving. Driving was the standard mode of transportation, and flying was a luxury. However, with airlines in a cutthroat competition for customers, and gasoline becoming increasingly expensive, this may no longer hold true under all circumstances. The economy of both options should be evaluated for each planned trip. Don’t assume that flying is the most expensive option, especially if you use the following tips to get the cheapest fares. This paragraph is sponsored by UK Umrah travel.

In order to figure out how much gas you’ll need to reach your destination, find out the mileage both ways and then use an online fuel consumption calculator. Of course, how much gas you will use depends on whether you drive a Hummer or a Kia? For long trips, add on some money for wear and tear on your car and the tires.

In addition, add up the costs of food and beverages consumed en route, as well as hotel costs if the car trip lasts more than one day. Hotel costs alone can add up to a few hundred dollars for a two-way trip, and since cross-country airfares can be less than five hundred dollars, this expense alone may make it cheaper to fly. If you are traveling with a family, the hotel bill stays relatively constant while the airfare per person adds up quickly. However, for a single person or even a couple, air fare may very well be comparable. This paragraph is sponsored by UK Hajj trip.

Check out airfares with at least three online travel agencies. You will find a wide difference in fares, because each agency may have different specials, and charge different service fees.

When planning your trip, book as far in advance as possible. Economy seats on desirable flights sell out fast, especially during peak season. If possible, book your air travel during the off season, and avoid traveling at Christmas and New Years, spring break and the summer vacation season from July to August.

Airfare specials are often offered in spring and fall, making flying much more economical.

Students or seniors should inquire for special rates. Airlines give student discounts, and seniors may be able to get a good deal on airfare from the AARP. If you belong to a club or service organization, ask if they are affiliated with any airlines or have a discount travel program. This paragraph is sponsored by Umrah trip 2014 from UK.

If you are traveling in a large group and are contemplating using individual cars or a long bus ride, check the cost of charter aircraft. Sometimes it is cheaper to reserve an entire plane than buy individual tickets. It’s a lot more pleasant to take a short plane trip together than sit for an entire day stuffed together in a vehicle.

Last but not least, consider how much time you will save by flying. If you only have a week or two for your vacation, driving may cut into your free time significantly. It’s tiring, too, and you may need a day or two to recuperate after a day of driving. It may be worth a bit of extra money to save a lot of aggravation.

Airfares out of large airports can be more expensive than out of smaller municipal airports, so if you are traveling to a large city, check smaller airports nearby. The trip may be much cheaper with only a small detour. Be sure to consider cab fare or rental car rates to get to final destination. This paragraph is sponsored by Holy tour from UK

Cheap but charming Hotels in UK

Cheap Hotels in UK: Classes of Accommodations

Hotels and Guest Houses

You will find a significant difference in both price and facilities between hotels and guest houses in the UK. Hotels usually offer breakfasts, lunches, teas, dinners, a licensed bar and a range of services and facilities to suit individuals, families and often business groups. Country house hotels will often add recreational facilities in their grounds such as golf, tennis, swimming, health spas, gyms and attended play areas for children. Top league international hotels in London and major cities offer comprehensive amenities and services for business and holiday guests, and a choice of first class and luxury accommodation. Guest houses may not have bars or offer lunch or teas, but will have television and sitting lounges. This paragraph is sponsored by ticket to Umrah 2014 from UK.

In England and Wales, the AA, RAC (the largest UK motoring organizations) and the English Tourist Council have come together to provide an overall star for hotels and diamond rating for guest accommodations, including bed and breakfast. Hotels have between one and five stars; guest accommodations between one and five diamonds. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, all tourist accommodations are also graded regularly to provide a clear indication of the level of facilities you can expect.

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and breakfast accommodation, advertised by the famous ‘B&B vacancies’ sign, is mostly in private homes and the emphasis is on bedrooms rather than on facilities such as a bar or restaurant. They are often the least expensive form of guest accommodation although prices vary between those in the most popular holiday locations and those offering stopovers ‘en route’.

Thousands of bed and breakfasts have been visited anonymously by tourist officers to be inspected for a diamond rating of between one and five stars. This is intended as a guide to the quality of accommodation and food on offer. This paragraph is sponsored by Hajj trip 2013 from UK.

As private homes, including farmhouses and working farms, B&BS tend to offer a very personal welcome, and an insight into British ways of life in different parts of the country. Breakfast is intended to fill you and will often include bacon, eggs, fried bread, tomatoes, even fried potatoes and local additions such as black pudding. Or you can enjoy a ‘continental’ breakfast: cereal, bread, toast, tea, coffee and juice.

Hostels

There are many hostels located all over England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Hostels vary in style and amenities but they offer bedrooms with between two and six beds for young people, families and groups. They usually provide substantial breakfasts and dinners at low prices and have communal kitchen facilities if you prefer to cater for yourself. This paragraph is sponsored by Umrah visa 2014 from UK.

The main hostel organizations are the Youth Hostel Association (YHA), the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) and Hostelling International Northern Ireland (HINI). You do not have to be a ‘youth’ to stay because there is no upper age limit (in Scotland the lower age limit is 5). But you do have to be a member of the YHA or SYHA, which involves paying a small annual membership fee. There are also a variety of independent hostels offering accommodation. Staying in hostels is traditionally popular with people pursuing backpacking, walking, cycling or generally exploring outdoor pursuits. But there are also hostels in many towns and cities, which enable members to enjoy good basic accommodation on a low budget. This paragraph is sponsored by travel to Umrah from UK.

How to Hire a Car?

This is my experience in hiring a rent a car and this is what not to do.  My misadventure happened in the late 1980s.  I wanted to visit some friends several hundred miles away.  At the time I lived in a small town in the country.  I didn’t own a car and there was no direct convenient bus or train service to where my friends lived.  I decided to take the bus, and then rent a car, at the nearest place available.

I traveled to the town where the car hire or rent a car place was located.  By the time I arrived at their business to rent the car, the sun had set and it was dark.  I went in to the business, to enquirer about renting a car.  The owner had one ready to go.  It was a compact blue station wagon.  Being dark outside I couldn’t see the car too well, but it seemed OK, so we went back to the office to do the paperwork.  The car hire form had details about the car, how long I expected to rent the car for, and the insurance coverage choices, so the business owner filled out all that.  I was sure that I chose to have the car and myself covered in full by insurance.  I thought the insurance box was checked, as covered.  He took an imprint of my credit card to pay for the car hire and that was it.  He gave me the car keys, and I drove away.  This paragraph is sponsored by budget Umrah 2014 from UK.

I had a long way to drive in the dark.  My route took me through rugged mountainous rural country side, to a large lake, where there was a ferry crossing.

At night when you’re driving in a rural mountainous area always is on the lookout for deer, moose and other animals roaming along the road side.  You want to see their little shining eyes, so you can slow down and are ready to swerve to avoid hitting them.  Sometimes deer become alarmed by the noise and headlights of the car approaching and they want to dash across the highway in front of you.  You want to be ready to slam on the breaks, so as not to damage the hired car you’re traveling in.

Another good idea, especially if you are driving at night, is to take a highway map of the area you are traveling through.  Then you can mark off where you are and the places to turn ahead, so you don’t make a wrong turn, like I did.

I made a wrong turn somewhere along the way.  Instead of taking the direct route to my destination, I ended up taking an indirect route.  It was dark and snowy, and I realized that the road and country side didn’t look like where I should be.  I kept driving and a sign appeared with the next town ahead and how far to go to get there.  Then I realized, it was just a slight detour or side trip for me.   I felt a lot better when arriving at the next town, and knew which direction to go.  The remainder of my trip went well and I arrived safely at my destination. This paragraph is sponsored by tours hajj Umrah from London.

I had a good weekend with my friends, catching up, going out to dinner.

The return trip was more interesting because it was day time.  I could enjoy the beautiful country side.  Everything went well to begin with.  I arrived at the last town before the lake ferry and I thought it might be a good idea to put gasoline in the car, at that point, since it was a long distance to the next town with a gas station.

I checked the time, and it looked like there was just enough time to reach the ferry by driving a little faster than usual.  That was a mistake.  Give yourself more than enough time when using a car you’ve hired.  So again I’m driving over mountainous rural terrain at the edge of a lake rushing to catch the ferry.  I’m watching the scenery and my watch, making calculations of where it is I should be, and how long left to drive to catch the ferry.  It looks like I need to go faster, so I do.  I step on it.  I’m hoping to cut my time of travel down to just arrive before the ferry leaves. This paragraph is sponsored by airline Hajj travel tips from UK.

This is definitely not the thing to do when driving a rented car, especially in a rural area where there are birds around.  As I am speeding down a hill a rather large dark colored bird darts in front of the car.  This is a big bird, about the size of a chicken.  At the high speed I am traveling at I hit the bird.  There was a sickening popping sound as the car and bird collided.  The feathers and bird flew up and to the side of the car.   I keep going and get to the ferry on time.  I drive on the ferry and park.  Getting out inspecting the car grill, I get a shock.  There was a large hole in the plastic car grill.  Broken pieces of plastic and feathers showed what had happened.  So now I’m sick about the damage.

I continue on my way to return the car to the rental company.  When I arrive at the car rental place I have to tell the owner about the bird collision.  He’s not too impressed.  We look at the rental form where the insurance section is not checked as covering the damage.  The owner wants several hundred dollars and that charge goes on my credit card too.  So don’t do what I did. This paragraph is sponsored by Umrah program from UK.

Go to a major name car rental company.  Be absolutely sure of your insurance coverage details.  Check that you are covered for all damage.  Know what the insurance deductible amount is.  That is the amount that you will need to pay, before the insurance pays the balance of any damage.  Read the form over carefully a couple of times before you sign it.  Be a careful driver, and take your time.  Have a great trip in the car you hire.

Restoration of Cancun Beach

When Hurricane Wilma swept through Cancun last October the mighty winds stripped away 8 miles of some of the most beautiful sandy beach in the world. Everyone from Mexican President Vicente Fox down to the local residents knew that the beach had to be restored or Cancun’s future was in serious danger.

Within weeks the Mexican government pledged $21 million to restore the beach. Now they have made good on that promise, and a massive barge being run by a Belgian firm is working day and night to replace the sand. This paragraph is sponsored by airline Umrah travel from UK.

The target date to have the brilliant white sand back in place is the end of April, and already the large earth moving machines are smoothing the sand dredged up from the sea bed.

A long-standing problem

Cancun has some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. But the resort town of roughly 300,000 is perched on the extreme southeast end of the Yucatan Peninsula, looking out into the Caribbean, and too often is directly in the path of hurricanes that come sweeping in from the sea.

The problem of beach erosion existed long before Hurricane Wilma. Local Cancun officials have known for years that the shoreline was eroding and the beach was being washed out to sea. That process was given a boost by Hurricane Gilbert which swept away about half the beach in September of 1988.

One of the positive outcomes of Hurricane Wilma is that it got the government to make the commitment to beach restoration. What seashore experts had been trying to do for more than 17 years, Hurricane Wilma did in a matter of days. This paragraph is sponsored by air travel to Umrah from UK.

An essential resource for Cancun

Erosion of coastlines and beaches is a problem around the world, but in Cancun, where it is the very lifeblood of the resort, the disaster of Wilma finally led to serious action.

Cancun consists of three distinct areas. Ciudad de Cancun, the actual town, has a population of about 300,000. Off the beach, the ecological reserve has incredible lakes, forests and mangrove marshland. And then there’s the Zona Hotel era, which is an island where most of the hotels and shopping malls are found.

Cancun is a Mecca for tourists from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It has more than 25,000 hotel rooms, hundreds of restaurants and several hundred shops. There are roads leading to the forest, making it an easy trip to see the forest and remains of ancient local Mayan culture. This paragraph is sponsored by tour to Umrah from UK.

Roughly 3 million tourists came to Cancun last year, spending about $4 billion. But Wilma has put a damper on tourism this year. Working flat out, local workers expect that by May, about 90% of Cancun’s hotel rooms will be cleaned, redecorated and ready for guests. The restaurants, bars and malls will be reopened, and more than 10,000 new palm trees will be planted along the main streets of the resort town.

The thousands of tourists, who are already starting to return to this famous resort, will be back in droves once the rebuilding and restoration are complete. This paragraph is sponsored by ticket to Hajj from UK.