Posted by ajc on Feb 26, 2009 in
Travel Advice 
When you head out of town for any reason, one thing you almost always give up is the ability to jump in your car and drive anywhere you want unless, of course, you drive to your destination. Since few people do this, many decide to rent a car when they arrive. This makes getting to their hotel from the airport very easy, plus it means you can go to different sights and locations without paying for a taxi or trying to figure out the public transportation system. This makes things a lot less stressful.
When it comes to renting a car, however, there are some things you have to keep in mind. First, just like purchasing your aeroplane ticket or reserving your hotel room, you need to secure your rental car as soon as you can. Rental car companies do run out of available cars, and while they rarely have any cars left, they often only have the most expensive rental cars left. If you don’t need one of these large cars or a luxury car, you don’t really want to pay for one. Getting your reservation in early guarantees that you can get the car you want.
You also want to look at the rates before you rent. Sometimes, you can actually rent a car for an entire week at a cheaper rate. Even though you may not need the car that entire time, if you’ll need it for five or six days, it might be cheaper to go ahead and rent it for seven.
Also, be sure you know where you will pick up and return your rental car so there’s no confusion when you arrive. The last thing you want is to have to pay for a taxi to get to the rental car lot.
Tags: hotel, hotel room, rent a car, rental car
Posted by ajc on Feb 19, 2009 in
Travel Locations 
While most Rome hotels may seem modern and have all the conveniences you’d expect, the rest of the city shows its age. In fact, you can actually walk through the city and pick out when certain sites were build by their architecture. It’s a very fascinating way to get to know a new city.
Ancient Rome is easily spotted and personified by the Coliseum. Built before 100 AD, it’s a huge amphitheatre that could originally seat about 60,000. This is where all the gladiators battled for the entertainment of the ruling class. Other Ancient Roman buildings include the Roman Forum, the catacombs, the Circus Maximus, and the mausoleum of Augustus.
During the Medieval period, many different basilicas were built in Rome. They include the Santa Maria Maggiore, the San Paolo Fuori le Mura, and the Santa Prassede. Many of these contain ancient mosaics and other pieces of artwork. The Torre delle Milizie, a large tower, is also a site of note, as is the staircase that provides entry to the Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.
The Renaissance period centred around Italy, especially Rome and Florence. During this time, Michelangelo worked on the Piazze del Campidoglio, a huge plaza. Several of the more powerful families in Rome spent much of their fortune on building huge homes, including the Palazzo del Quirinale, the building that is now the main office of the Italian president, and the Palazzo Chigi, which now serves as the office of the Prime Minister.
Many of Rome’s famous squares were also built during this time, including Piazza della Minerva, Campo de’Fiori, and Piazza Navona. The Fontana di Trevi, Palazzo Madama (currently the meeting place of Italy’s senate), and the Palazzo Montecitorio feature some of Rome’s most well-known Baroque art and architecture.
Finally, the neoclassical period is reflected in buildings built during the time of the Kingdom of Italy. Many different government buildings were constructed during this time, as were embassies. One of the most famous includes the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, a monument to the Italian soldiers who died in World War I
Tags: Ancient Rome, Circus Maximus, Coliseum, hotel, Italy, mausoleum of Augustus, Roman Forum, Rome
Posted by ajc on Feb 13, 2009 in
Travel Advice 
Looking for a different sort of holiday? Why not choose a cruise? A cruise can be a lot of fun for the entire family, and while some think it’s very expensive, it doesn’t have to be. A cruise can actually be cheaper than other forms of holiday if you know what to look for. One of the things that you should first research is where cruises begin. In the United States, for example, most cruises leave from Texas, Florida, or California. If you don’t live near these locations, you will have to pay for transportation and, possibly, a hotel room. This can add a large amount of extra expense to your trip and may make it too expensive. However, if that’s not an issue, you should look at cruise packages. Remember that interior rooms (rooms without windows, basically) are going to be much cheaper than rooms with a view. Balcony rooms are going to be the most expensive. However, they do provide quite a view, so if you have the money, you may want to upgrade. Remember that your room price includes more than just your lodging. It also includes all your food and on-ship events. Even though it will look expensive, you have to take this into account when looking at prices. However, note that your room price does not include any shore excursions. These excursions are events the cruise company offers at each port the cruise stops at. You don’t have to book any excursions if you don’t want to - if you don’t, you’re free to get off the ship at each port and explore it on your own. You may even find alternate things to do that are cheaper than the offered excursions. One of the greatest things about a cruise is that there are events going on all the time. Many ships have on-board pools, casinos, and scheduled events and activates. These include things like trivia contests, dances, performers, and even things like yoga groups. Cruises usually offer unique activities around the holidays, and you may even find special theme cruises available at certain times a year. If you want to relax in the sun, see amazing locations, and have a stress-free holiday, you just might find a cruise is exactly what you need.
Tags: California, cruise, cruise company, cruise packages, Florida, holiday, hotel, hotel room, Texas, United States
Posted by ajc on Feb 13, 2009 in
Travel Advice While it rarely happens, sometime a traveller’s worst nightmare comes true: they find themselves stranded somewhere. If this happens to you, your first reaction is going to be to panic. Don’t. Take a couple of deep breaths and remember these helpful tips.
First, always leave a copy of your itinerary and all important phone numbers with someone. This way, if you are stranded and are unable to contact your family, they will at least have an idea of where you should be. They can give this information to the authorities. If you’re leaving the country, give them your passport number or make a photocopy of it. You should also take a copy of your birth certificate with you. Do not, however, carry it in your wallet or purse since these items can be stolen.
Be sure to immediately report any theft to the police, especially if you’ve lost your passport. That can prevent you from returning home, so it’s imperative that the police begin their search for it as soon as possible. You will also need to contact the local embassy so you can begin the paperwork to get a new passport in the event that yours cannot be found.
You may also need to contact your family in order to get home, especially if your money and credit cards have been stolen. The embassy can help facilitate a money transfer. You will also need to contact your bank and your credit card companies to report the theft. If your airline tickets were stolen, call the airport as soon as you can. They may be able to stall the thief if he or she attempts to use your tickets.
The Traveller’s Aid Society or the Salvation Army may be able to assist you with accommodations and other necessities while you work with the authorities to get home.
Again, remember to stay calm. You will be able to get home, but it may take several days. Don’t get angry with the police or the embassy staff. They will be doing everything they can to assist you, but the process is not instantaneous.
Posted by ajc on Feb 13, 2009 in
Travel Locations 
The happiest place on earth, Disneyland, is situated in Anaheim, California, a part of Los Angeles. Located near the centre of Los Angeles, Disneyland gets hundreds of visitors a day, and there’s a great reason for this. It is one of the first major theme parks in the United States, if not the world, and it has continued to grow and change over the years.
Disneyland offers a lot of kids of all ages and adults. There are a number of rides, including the classic Dumbo ride, the teacup ride, and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. New rides and attractions have been added to the park over the years as well, and new attractions are regularly added. However, Disneyland isn’t as huge as Disney World, its Florida counterpart, mainly because Disney World has more space to spread out.
Besides the rides and the shopping, another thing to look forward to is meeting your favourite cartoon stars. Mickey Mouse and all of his friends wander through the park every day, and they’re always ready to pose with their fans for a quick picture or two.
If you’re going to visit Disneyland, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the traffic is likely to be heavy. To get around this, you may want to stay at the Disneyland hotel. This hotel is a part of the park, and once you’re checked in, you can go straight to Disneyland from the hotel via shuttle. While the Disneyland hotel is, as expected, a bit more expensive than other hotels in Los Angeles, it may be worth it to avoid the traffic.
Tags: Anaheim, California, Disney World, Disneyland, Florida, hotel, Los Angeles, Mickey Mouse, theme park, United States
Posted by ajc on Jan 22, 2009 in
Travel Advice 
When you go out of town for a week or more, you may want to hire a house sitter to take care of your home. Even if you don’t hire someone to live in your house while you’re gone, you will probably want someone to at least stop by and check on your home on a regular basis. You may have several different chores for them to do.
If you have pets, you’ll want someone to feed and water them. You may also want someone to spend some time with your pets. Some pets get very upset when their owners are out of town, and having someone there to show them affection can help them handle your trip better. It’s also better to leave pets like this in their home—some get even more withdrawn if they’re boarded at a kennel. You may also want your house sitter to clean out the litter boxes.
Likewise, you may want someone to water your plants, flowers, and garden while you’re away. Be sure to leave instructions regarding how much water each plant needs and when they should be watered. You might also need specific blinds or curtains opened during the day so your indoor plants get enough sunlight.
You might want your house sitter to turn on and off lights each day, giving the impression that someone is still at home. If your house sitter is actually staying in your home, this won’t be an issue. However, if he or she is only stopping by each day, be sure he/she knows to do this.
Your house sitter can also collect your mail if you decide not to have it held at the post office. They can watch out for specific letters or packages and let you know when they arrive. They can also post letters and packages during the time you’re gone if you don’t want to post them early.
Remember, the more you ask your house sitter to do, the more you may be expected to pay. If you plan on asking your house sitter to do many chores, be ready to pay.
Tags: house sitter
Posted by ajc on Jan 22, 2009 in
Travel Advice No one wants to cancel their holiday. After all, you’ve planned and planned for your trip, and you’ve probably invested a good amount of money in it, too. But sometimes, you must cancel your holiday for whatever reason. If that’s the case, there are several things you need to be aware of. First, you need to know when cancellation penalties come into play. Some airlines, hotels, and events will allow you to cancel a week or so in advance with a full refund. Others, however, may require you to cancel much earlier. If you don’t cancel before these deadlines, you will lose some or all of your money. If it looks like you’ll lose a large amount of your deposit, you may want to look at rescheduling or transferring your reservations. Some places will let you change your dates, although again, you often have to change your dates in advance. If you know someone in the area or were going to be travelling with others, you may be able to transfer your reservation to their name. While you will still be out the money, at least someone you know will get to use your airline tickets, hotel room, or event tickets. It’s not a total waste. If you can’t get back your deposits and don’t know of anyone who could use your tickets, airfare, or hotel, you may want to consider going on your holiday anyway. Of course, you may not be able to if other events conflict. However, if you’re considering cancelling your trip because of some other reason, you should take into account how much money you might lose. If possible, taking your vacation may be the best thing for you to do.
Tags: holiday, hotel, travelling
Posted by ajc on Jan 8, 2009 in
Travel Locations Vienna is the capital city of Austria and its largest city. Vienna is also the political, economic, and, most importantly for tourists, the cultural centre of the country. Some of its major cultural contributions to the world have been in the areas of music and opera, and Vienna is still known for both.
There are several great theatres in Vienna, many of which present live music, ballet, and other performances on a nightly basis. They include the Burgtheater, which many critics consider one of the top theatres in Europe. The Akademietheater, a branch of the Burgtheater, is also well-respected. Two other famous Vienna theatres are the Theatre in der Josefstadt and the Volkstheater Wien. In addition to these four large theatres, there are a variety of smaller ones that often feature experimental plays and cabaret. The Theatre an der Wien has recently become known for hosting the premiere performances of musicals.
Vienna features many opera houses too. The Theatre an der Wien, in addition to musicals, often hosts opera performances. Other opera houses include the Staatsoper and the Volksoper. The Volksoper features operettas written by famous Viennese playwrights in addition to other types of performances. Most Vienna hotels will be able to give you some ideas on places to visit and advise you.
For concerts, tourists want to check out the Weiner Konzerthaus and the Wiener Musikverein, the concert hall that serves as the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Many of these concert halls, especially those that cater to tourists, perform pieces of music composed by famous Austrian composers such as Johann Strauss and Mozart.
Tags: Austria, Europe, Johann Strauss, Mozart, theatres, Vienna, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Posted by ajc on Jan 7, 2009 in
Travel Advice Travelling with a laptop computer has become almost the norm these days, but you do run a risk if you take your computer with you on holiday. It can easily be stolen, especially if you take it out with you to many different places. However, if you follow these safety tips, you shouldn’t have any issues with your computer.
First, it’s important to keep your laptop in your sight at all times if you take it with you outside of your lodging. If you’re sitting in a café or restaurant with your laptop and decide to use the restroom, for example, don’t leave your computer on the table. Restaurant servers and other employees are not responsible for your personal property, and while they should stop someone who attempts to steal your computer, they may not notice. While it’s a hassle, you should pack up your laptop and take it to the restroom with you.
Another concern is transportation. If you’re taking a bus somewhere, always take your laptop with you when you get off the bus. Don’t leave it in your seat or even put it under your seat—an unattended bag is too tempting a target for thieves. When flying, never leave your laptop (or any baggage) unattended in the terminal, and keep a watch on your laptop when sending it through security.
Don’t make yourself an easy target, either. If possible, use a bag that is not immediately identifiable as a laptop bag, such as a backpack. Backpacks are harder to steal, especially while you are walking, and they may actually give you more room for your laptop accessories. If you don’t want a backpack, at least make certain that you carry your laptop bag in a secure fashion and that it can’t easily be pulled off your shoulder.
Finally, make certain your laptop and laptop bag have some form of identification on them. Write down your laptop serial number and carry it in a safe place while travelling (some place other than your laptop bag, obviously). This way, even if your computer is stolen, you’ll be able to give the authorities the necessary information that will, hopefully, lead to its recovery.
Tags: baggage, holiday, transportation, travelling
Posted by ajc on Jan 6, 2009 in
Travel Advice When travelling, you don’t always want to leave behind your faithful dog or cat. In fact, many people include them in all their family outings, including holidays. However, this adds an extra layer of work to planning your holiday getaway. Here are some things that you’ll have to deal with when travelling with a pet.
First, arranging travel can be difficult. If you’re flying, you’ll need to learn what kinds of carriers are allowed. Your pet will be placed in the checked baggage section, and while the utmost care will be taken with your pet, it may not be a smooth ride. There may also be extra charges and such, so be ready to pay more. Travelling abroad with a pet is very difficult due to quarantine issues. If you’re planning to travel abroad, you will most likely need to leave your pet behind.
Lodging is another issue. Some hotels simply do not allow pets, while other do but charge a much higher rate. Check into what you’ll need to pay to have your pet accompany you, and be ready to deal with complaints if your pet is loud or tears up something in the room. You’ll also need to think about what you plan to do on your trip. If you’re looking at many activities that are not pet-friendly, you’ll need to be sure you can take your pet outside several times a day or have some form of litter box available.
As far as packing goes, you’ll need to be sure to take some pet food, a bowl, and perhaps a small litter box. While some people prefer to buy these when they arrive and simply throw them away when they leave, that does cost extra money. Plus, it involves immediately going out in search of a store when you arrive, which can be tiring.
Travelling by car is by far the easiest way of travelling with a pet. It’s easy to pack their food and other items, plus you get to pet them and reassure them during travel. However, it does mean that you have to be careful when stopping to eat and do other things. If it’s very hot or cold, you can’t simply leave your animal in the car. It also means finding multiple hotels that accept pets if you will be driving for multiple days.
Tags: baggage, hotels, packing, quarantine, travelling