Travel News

A friend of mine up north injured his ankle and was pretty distraught about having to be totally immobile during the healing process.  However he did some research and learned about an assisted mobility device called a knee walker.  This knee walker device allows him to place the injured knee on a padded rest that sits atop the rolling frame and push off with his good leg.

Alot of the sites that he found only allowed for a purchase of the knee walker but he did find one for a knee walker rental.  Now he only has to pay for the amount of time that he will actually need the knee walker rental to get around until his ankle heals.

I was surprised that after I talked to him about this that in two days time I saw three people using similar knee walker and roll about devices in the dowtown area where I live.  I think it is a great idea for someone who is going through a foot or ankle injury and these things could be invaluable to someone who has lost a limb.

I know that if I ever have an injury of my own that I will certainly consider a knee walker rental.

Technorati Tags: knee walker rental, roll about

Happy Monday!

It’s the end of the month, and for us in the retail travel industry, it means a lot of fussing around, reconciling accounts and auditing figures. It’s more fun than your average trip to the proctologist, let me tell you.

Today started out with a real cracker though. A lady of Asian descent approached me not long after we had opened, and asked me “Where is the snow, and where can I find ski hire”. This was followed by her husband requesting accommodation for ”Lovely Ski chalet, with many happy, snow playing events”.

Now, if you look at the map, the man of the manor and I live on the Gold Coast, in the state of Queensland, in Australia. The last time there was any snow here, was possibly when Tyrannosaurus Rex had his own high rise cavern in Surfers Paradise. If it ever does start snowing in this part of the world, one can safely assume that those who rubbish the idea of Global warming, will be sending Al Gore a Hallmark card saying “Ooops …Our Bad”.

What my two Japanese friends were looking for was actually “Queenstown”.

A simple mistake to make for sure, and easily rectified by jumping on a plane and flying four hours south to the South Island of New Zealand.

Kudos to their Travel Agent!

Everyone has probably heard of the story about a travel agent who picked up a call from a woman trying to make a domestic flight in the US.
“I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York” she said.
The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent: “Are you sure that’s the name of the town?”
“Yes, what flights do you have?” replied the customer.
After some searching, the agent came back with, “I’m sorry, ma’am, I’ve looked up every airport code in the country and can’t find a Hippopotamus anywhere.” The customer retorted, “Oh don’t be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!” The agent
scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, “You don’t mean Buffalo, do you?” The woman paused, and then exclaimed happily “That’s it! I knew it was a big animal!”

You may think this is quite absurd, but the sheer volume of similar stories which have made their way to my ears from colleagues, is scary, to say the least. I have encountered a surprisingly large amount of unusual (read: Sorry but are you on crack?) queries myself.

I have been working in travel in one capacity or another, for quite a few years now, and it is quite a rewarding career. The opportunities for personal travel are terrific, as long as you don’t mind turning prematurely gray in the process.

Over the years, I have had clients from Brisbane ask me innocently whether they require a visa for Hobart, or what exciting Australian sights they might see on their walk from Alice Springs to Darwin (The obvious answer being: A lot of bones from previous tourists who had the same bright idea!).

Now, I do realise, that some people may be very new to the whole travel thing, and patience must be exercised with those who are just a little nervy about taking the first steps to seeing the world outside of the Rooty Hill RSL.
It is, however, a little difficult to keep a straight face when the first question out of a client’s mouth is “Does Social Security have its own airline for people on the dole?” (The appropriate answer to this is: Yes, but be prepared to wear your sturdiest runners, as that tarmac can get a little hot on the soles during that run-up.)

To be fair, it is not just clients that are eligible for the all-hallowed ‘D’OH” award.

A few years ago, one of my esteemed colleagues, who will remain nameless, greeted a most distressed women who stumbled into the store in tears, needing to get to a funeral, in Panama City.
We get ‘compassionate’ flight requests all the time, and they are never pleasant, so my colleague jumped on the system, found the lady flights, booked and sent the tickets straight to the airport, to try and make the arrangements as smooth as possible for the grieving woman.

Fast Forward to 24 hours later….

I received a phone call from the same lady who advised me that ,whilst my associate had been most prompt and sensitive in her service, she was currently in Panama City…Panama.

The funeral was in Panama City….Florida/US.

She noted that, even though the airport facilities were somewhat clean, and the dozens or roaming militia men carrying Tommy guns were not hassling her at present, she really needed to be at least another 10,000 miles away to attend the service.
I think I can safely speak for the rest of my workmates, that our collective and immediate response was a loud and panicked expletive (Think: Duck…one consonant replaced)

Even I have managed to stuff up my own travel arrangements (You know how it is – mechanics have the worst cars, plumbers always have a dripping tap…dentists with breath that could kill a man at ten paces).
On a recent trip to Singapore, I thought I would be a bit of a smarty-pants and book my own accommodation online (Even though the internet is a travel consultant’s mortal enemy). I found a great hotel, smack bang in the middle of China Town called the “Royal Peacock”…elegant looking suites, cheap rate and breakfast included. Giddy Up!

After an 8-hour flight and arriving at 05:45 in the morning, those lush looking suites and hot breakfast was about all I could think about.

When our cab driver dropped us off, I thought perhaps he had made a mistake.

No, there was the sign “Royal Peacock”, slightly obscured by boards covering two of the main windows.

It wasn’t until we had checked in and put our bags in a room with no sheets on the beds, and a smell that really, could only be urine (no matter what positive spin you put on it, urine is urine) that I thought perhaps, my choice might have less than inspired.

Eager to keep our distance from the large, unidentifiable green stain on the curtains, we decided that we would grab the freebie breakfast and then maybe look for another hotel.

My friend who was traveling with me at the time, is not a bad looking bloke, but even he was rather surprised to find several women hanging onto his shoulder and offering their hotel “turn down” services over cold rice porridge and crackers.

And when I say turn-down services, I am not talking about a little chocolate on your pillow.

Only a travel agent could book herself into a brothel!

Considering this, I kindly explained the “Queenstown/Queensland” situation to my new-found friends and re-routed their ticket to Christchurch, free of charge.

Lord only knows, I may possibly need some similar treatment down the track if/when I send an unsuspecting thick-accented American to Auckland , and not…Oakland.

Kylie Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/thank-you-for-booking-with-travel-agent-xhave-a-safe-flightto-wherever-you-may-end-up-678918.html

The next time you travel, plan vacations or buy airline tickets, use OptiFly.com to map the best routes and find cheap flights. We consider all low cost carriers, budget airlines, and major commercial airways to find your the best travel deals and airfares. Whether you want to visit a beach resort, take a business trip, or just embark on a relaxing vacation away from home, let Optifly find you the best flight price at the greatest discount to save time and money. By finding the optimal route based on least connections and shortest distance as well as visualizing all flight possibilities and showing the best airfare options, Optifly.com is a true breath of fresh air compared to other search tools like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity.

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http://www.cheapcharlieshotels.com/ Singapore trains cheap and easy from anywhere including airport and ferry to Geylend Singapore cheap hotels

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Technorati Tags: cheap, hotels, singapore, trains, travel

Every Celebrity cruise is meticulously put together, just for you. And the evenings are no exception when you’ll find the ambience on our ships becomes even more special. For your dining, Master Chef Michel Roux and Celebrity have worked together to bring you cuisine that’s won us accolade after accolade. Then there’s entertainment that includes the latest in glamorous West End style shows, a new and exclusive performance by Cirque du Soleil® , live music and dancing. Throughout your ship, you’ll find intimate and elegant cocktail bars and lounges to relax in – places like Michael’s Club, a sophisticated piano bar, or the Martini Bar. And every sunrise begins yet another day of discovery with a wide variety of activities, many designed to complement and enhance the places you’ll be visiting

or 2007-2008 Celebrity Cruises has increased its European destinations significantly, allowing you to experience an even broader range of cultural and exotic European destinations in the style and comfort of a Celebrity Cruise.Itinerary highlights include: Sailing on Constellation –12 night Transatlantic sailing calling at Cornwall and Dover and a 14 night Scandinavia and Russia cruise calling at the ancient walled town of Visby in Sweden. Sailing on Galaxy –Two exotic 14 night Mediterranean and Black Sea cruises, offering Celebrity ’s first cruise through the beautiful Bosporus Strait, which forms the boundary between the European and Asian ports of Turkey and a 14 night cruise calling at Limassol in Cyprus and the historic Alexandria in Egypt. Sailings on Millennium –12 night sailings from Barcelona to Venice calling for the first time at Morrocan ports Tangier and Casablanca. Sailings on Century –From Amsterdam, the first 9 night cruise sailing around Scotland and Ireland. Ports of call include Edinburgh, Inverness/Loch Ness and Kirkwall.

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Technorati Tags: adventure, celebrity, cruise, gocruise, gocruiseholidays, holiday, Ship, travel

http://www.WatchMojo.com presents… A look at the city of Stockholm and what to check out if visiting!

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Technorati Tags: attractions, scandinavia, stockholm, sweden, travel, vacation

The luxury travel market is bigger to day than over before. Increasing affluence in the late 1990s and 2000s has greatly expended the market and there appears to be no end in sight.

The recent economic climate has increased the wealth and purchasing power of many reflected in the arrival of luxury brands such as  Gucci, Vertu, Louis Vuitton and Lacoste. As Viet Nam’s economy strengthens, the tourism industry is inevitably expanding its own horizons. Once considered a backpacker destination, Viet Nam is now attracting a different kind of tourist with growing high – end options.

Golfing holidays have developed fast over the last couple of years, with fourteen golf courses already in place from the north to the south and more under development. Spa, wine and food, beach vacations, family travel, cruise, honeymoon and romance travel are all becoming favorites for upscale travelers. Historically, travel has been synonymous with luxury. Travel for the sake of curiosity and fun was the domain of the wealthy. The average family rarely ventured beyond their own village. How things have changed !

Thomas Cook started what is arguably the first modern travel agency in the 19th century, selling cruise ship tickets to leisure travels. Viet Nam experienced it’s first taste of luxury travel in the early 19th Century, with the arrival of the Emeraude paddle steamer. Cruising the grottos of Ha Long Bay, for the most part, the Emeraude serviced wealthy French travelers visiting Indochina and beyond.

This type of travel was only available to a small percentage of the population. Indeed, real luxury travel as we think of it today was only for the very elite until 1950s when business travel became more common and popular. Initially, most business travelers went by land. The advent of air travel made the world smaller, allowing people to travel further and faster. This style of transport, however, was still expensive, exotic and dangerous.

These days, the whole idea of luxury has moved up a notch. What was considered “Luxury” just a few years before is now available to a much larger slice of the population. Branded hotels, cruises lines, international resorts and luxury tours companies continue to create new products to meet the demand of the disceming travels. Viet Nam’s tourism authority should focus on the market segment; the amount each tourist spends, rather than just the number of tourists traveling in Viet Nam.

According to Mr. Pham. CEO of Luxury Travel Viet Nam, “the Viet Nam’s tourism authority must think outside the box and get out of the image crisis about Viet Nam as a destination; they should aim to promote a luxury image of this country”.

Viet Nam’s first luxury tour company commenced operation in 2004 to satisfy the increasing number of luxury travelers coming to the country for leisure and business. “ We recently returned from our wonderful 15 day journey to Viet Nam and Cambodia arranged by Luxury Travel Viet Nam,” said Pamela Solvang, Shark TV, Texas, USA. “ We have used the best luxury travel companies in the US and else where and can attest that Luxury Travel Vietnam provides excellent services!”

Luxury Travel Viet Nam

05 Nguyen Truong To Str., Ba Dinh Dist, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

26 Dong Khoi Street, Dist 1, Saigon

Phone: +84.4.39274120 Exit 108

Fax:  + 84.4.39274118

www. Luxury Travel Vietnam.com

Pham Ha
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/do-you-know-luxury-travel-history-680551.html

Like millions of other world travelers, anyone planning to travel to Egypt will have a great deal to do before they even set out on their journey. First they must be certain to have the proper documentation and clearance to ensure easy entry across its borders or through its airports. Most visitors can simply submit visa applications when arriving, but there are some groups that are required to do more, and it is a good choice to investigate this issue long before departure.

                               

Travel to Egypt can take many forms; it can be a journey through the ancient Pharaonic past or a relaxing cruise up or down the Nile. A trip to Egypt can have the beautiful Gulf of Suez or Aqaba as its destination, where white sand beaches and pristine waters await. Travel to Egypt can also be directed towards the religious history of the Sinai Peninsula where some of the world’s oldest original monasteries still stand, and still serve as houses of worship. There are even those who travel to Egypt to witness for themselves the baking sands of the western deserts and the beauty of the many large oases they contain.

Planning a single destination or itinerary for travel to Egypt is unnecessary as the ease of transportation around the country allows a variety of sightseeing and destinations to be included in anyone’s arrangements. For example, many full-time residents in Cairo make the coastal town of Hurghada their chosen location for rest and relaxation. Because of this there are frequent flights in and out of the area, and a visitor to the city could easily spend a weekend along the beautiful “Red Sea Riviera” as part of their trip.

There are dozens of travel and tour companies and thousands of accommodations providers making travel to Egypt affordable and easy for almost any budget. It is simply a matter of deciding which locations and areas to visit, and what to during a stay. The most common reasons that tourists travel to Egypt are the historical sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Luxor temple complex, the cities of Cairo and Alexandria and even far-reaching areas such as Abu Simbel or Aswan. Additionally, many take advantage of the Sinai Peninsula and eastern shore’s wonderful water activities and luxurious resorts. In fact, this entire region is becoming such a “hot spot” that development is taking place at an advanced rate, making more hotels and resorts available each year. There are many other reasons people travel to Egypt, and it only continues to grow in popularity as the years pass!

Amar Mahallati
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/planning-to-travel-to-egypt-685074.html

If you want to see the countryside and its many shades, traveling by train is one way to do it without having to worry about the cost of gas, reading a map, or taking alternative routes. When you board a train, you will be able to put your luggage away and relax in a cozy seat near the window. With snack cars, sleeping cars, and dining cars, traveling by train takes away the anxiety of travel and leaves you with some great vacation memories.

Train travel is not as popular as it once was in the United States, but there are train stations in every large city and in many small cities along the way. Train travel has decreased thanks to car travel and traveling by airplane. When traveling by train, you have to leave plenty of time to get to your destination as it will take longer than you are used to. But for those who are looking to enjoy not only reaching their destination, but also the journey, train travel is by far the best.

Major cities including New York, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Dallas all have train stations that operate every day. With many smaller connecting stops throughout the US, you can go also most anywhere by train. Prices for tickets will vary depending on where you want to go and which type of car you want to stay in.

traveling through Europe by train is more common than in the United States in part because train tickets are less expensive. Ride the Eurorail for one low price anywhere you want. With a Eurorail pass, you can stop in various countries and see the sights. Passes can be used over and over again, which will give you the opportunity to see more without having to spend money on train tickets. If you want to visit France one day and Spain the next, you can. Many college students and others take advantage of the low prices and are able to see many sights in Europe. The United Kingdom has a similar pass called the Britrail pass, which allows travelers to see much of the UK without having to spend much money.

Using the train as a mode of transportation when taking vacations will save money and allow you to see landscape you never thought existed. Train trips can last from a few hours to a few days depending on where you are going. If you are looking for a new way to travel, or you want to see more while traveling, train travel is the way to go. Plan your vacation in advance to allow time for travel. If traveling through Europe on a Eurorail pass, you should keep a schedule handy so you can come and go as you please in order to see as much as you can. For those who have never travelled by train before, once you have, you will want to use trains more often.

Jerry K. Blackburn
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/inexpensive-vacations-when-traveling-by-train-189909.html

While you’re unlikely to get an all-expenses-paid trip unless you win a game show, you can still get portions your trip for free if you book certain promotions or take advantage of some alternative modes of travel. Here are my picks for top limited-time and long-term “free” travel deals worth checking out.

1. Kids Fly Free to French Polynesia

Never considered French Polynesia for family vacation? Maybe Air Tahiti Nui’s kids-fly-free deal will persuade you. When you book two adult Air Tahiti Nui fares from Los Angeles to French Polynesia from January 12 to May 31, 2009, you’ll get two free fares for kids ages 11 or younger. The deal is valid for flights to Papeete, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, and Fakarava. Adult fares start at $1,428, including all taxes. You’ll still be responsible for paying taxes on the free children’s fares.

2. Organize a Group Tour, Travel for Free

If you organize a group of people to book a package tour together, many tour companies will allow you, the group leader, to travel for free. You can choose to accept the freebie or spread some savings out to everyone in your group. Either way, it’s a good deal. Each tour operator’s group tour policy varies a bit, but most require you to put together a group with at least 10 paying individuals before you’ll get a free spot.

For example, Grand Circle Tours, a company that runs trips geared towards mature travelers on six continents, lets a group leader travel for free with 10 paid travelers on river cruises or 16 paid travelers on land tours. Go Ahead Tours, a similar operator, gives two free spots for every group of 12 or more paying guests. Be sure to ask your tour company if they offer similar deals.

3. Pay for Three Nights, Get Seven at Club Med

Club Med’s recurring “Seven-Day Weekend” package is back, promising seven nights for the price of three at eight of its all-inclusive resorts. The deal is valid at family-friendly Club Meds in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Cancun and Ixtapa, Mexico; Sandpiper, Fla.; Caravelle, Guadeloupe; and Buccaneer’s Creek, Martinique; as well as adult-only Clubs Meds on Columbus Isle, Bahamas, and on Turks and Caicos. You must book by December 15 and travel by February 13 to take advantage of the promotion. Seven-Day Weekend prices range from $793 per person (normally $1,190) at the Sandpiper, Florida Club Med to $1,065 per person (normally $1,610) at the Buccaneer’s Creek, Martinque Club Med.

4. Free Weekend Rental Days From Hertz

Hertz knows the only the thing better than a weekend away is a three-day weekend away. The company makes it easier for renters to take longer weekend trips by offering the first day free when you rent a car for three or more weekend days, including a Saturday overnight. The deal applies to economy- through premium-class cars rented through March 31, 2009, in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Hawaii

5. Kids-Fly-and-Ski-Free Packages

For the past several winters, United and American Airlines have partnered with popular Western ski resorts to offer kids-fly-and-ski-free vacation packages. Generally, these promotions allow children 12 and under to fly and ski for free when an adult pays for an air-hotel-ski package at a participating resort. While not all fly-and-ski-free promotions have been announced yet for the 2008-2009 ski season, Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado is already advertising its package, which requires a two-night minimum stay at a ResortQuest Steamboat vacation rental. Valid travel dates and blackout periods apply. Be sure to check the American Vacations and United vacations websites in the days to come to see if other resorts join the promotion.

6. Swap Homes, Stay Free

Why not swap your apartment in New York for a cottage in the English countryside? Or maybe my Utah ski condo for your second home in Costa Rica?

By participating in a home exchange, you can get free use of another person’s house if you’re willing to let them stay in yours. It’s a common practice for a certain segment of travelers who prefer staying in vacation homes over hotels and are a bit flexible with where and when they travel. Essentially, two home owners in different places agree to switch places for vacation, using one another’s homes for no charge. Home exchange websites make it easy to find and make arrangements with other home owners, with the website usually charging a membership fee in order for you to make contact with potential exchange partners. HomeExchange.com is one of the largest of such sites, including more than 24,000 listings in destinations across the globe. A one-year membership costs $100.

7. Free Universal Orlando Theme Park Passes

This coming fall and winter, Universal Orlando is giving kids ages 3 to 9 free Unlimited Admission theme park passes when parents book four or more nights at a participating hotel and buy adult Unlimited Admission tickets. Unlimited Admission passes grant the holder seven days of access to both Universal parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Passes cost $95 each for both kids and adults, so the free child’s ticket is a big savings.

To get the free passes, you must book a stay of four or more nights at one of six local hotels, including the onsite Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Valid travel dates and blackout periods vary by hotel, but all require bookings to be made by the end of December.

8. Free Airfare for Crystal Cruises Panama Canal Sailings

When you book one of three Crystal Cruises’ Panama Canal sailings, you’ll receive free airfare between Los Angeles and Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach, Fla. The cruises, which range from 14 to 16 days, sail between Miami and Los Angeles, so Crystal is essentially promising a free flight home from the final port. Departures include January 6, February 16, and May 7, 2009. Cruise fares start at $3,595 per person, not including taxes and fees.

9. Skip the Hostel, Couch Surf for Free

For young budget travelers, sometimes hostels just aren’t cheap enough. In that case, why not crash for free with one of the nearly 800,000 members of the Couch Surfing Project, a worldwide network that helps travelers link up with hosts offering free accommodations. The mission of the network is to promote cultural exchange through free hosted overnight stays. Travelers can find and request stays with potential hosts on the CouchSurfing website. Hosts offer a free place to sleep and oftentimes show guests around or share advice on places to visit nearby. As a member, you can request places to stay and host guests as you please. The site has some checks in place to help ensure the safety and trustworthiness of hosts and surfers.

10. Free Meals and Attractions for Kids in Hawaii

Families staying at ResortQuest Hawaii hotels can take advantage of free meals and free attractions admissions for kids year round. There are 26 participating hotels and condo resorts located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Upon checking into a ResortQuest property, children ages 12 and under receive a special ID card good for the length of your stay. With the ID, kids get free meals and admissions at dozens of island restaurants and attractions when accompanied by a paying adult. For example, on Oahu, kids get in free to the Polynesian Cultural Center and Honolulu Zoo with an adult admission. On Maui, children eat free with the purchase of an adult entree at the Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and the Beach Club Restaurant.

104Inc.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/10-almost-free-travel-deals-681415.html