Archive for March, 2008
Travel tips and ideas for South East Asia Trip?
nagyagi81 asked:
Trying to find some people with surface travel experience for a trip from Singapore to Bangkok (via KL, Penang and Phuket).
Trying to find some people with surface travel experience for a trip from Singapore to Bangkok (via KL, Penang and Phuket).
Things I’m interested in is:
Best time of year to travel.
Best way of transportation.
Things to see.
How much do we need a day (USD) for a budget trip (2 ppl traveling together)
Tricks and tips.
Any help/input would be great.
Arndt
WINTER TRAVEL TIPS
dwjtelevision asked:
Winter travel peaks in January and February when ski slopes beckon the hearty, outdoor travelers while millions of others just want a break from the cold, sailing the sea or sitting on the sand in tropical climates.
So whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive cruise getaway or just a nice trip to the Caribbean, Tracy Gallagher has some great ideas for thinking out of the box. Being adventurous is a good way to beat the winter blues, according to Gallagher.
Gallagher also has some great common sense tips for winter travelers like how to stay healthy and make sure the winter weather doesn’t destroy your well thought out plans.
For more information on winter travel getaways, go to www.moreaboutthat.info, click on our Winter Travel segment and then download our podcast.
If you are a news station and have access to Pathfire, this story is also available on Pathfire DMG. Click on the binoculars, select advanced search tab, highlight DWJ archive, and use keywords: WINTER TRAVEL.
Belden
Five Travel Tips for Florence
1 The Uffizi Gallery Tip
The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the most important and greatest art collections in the world. It is also the world’s oldest museum. Most tour guide books and online travel sites will urge you to ensure that a visit to the Uffiizi is included as part of any Florence vacation, no matter how short. What most of them fail to tell you, or at least stress with sufficient emphasis, is that without a pre-booked ticket, you may not be able to visit the Uffizi at all!
My wife and I had a three day holiday in Florence at the beginning of April 2005. We had planned on visiting the Uffizi Gallery and as soon as we checked in at our hotel we telephoned the gallery to purchase tickets. After several attempts without our calls being answered, we asked the hotel reception to do the booking for us. They explained that it was nearly always difficult to get through on the booking line and that our three day stay might not provide sufficient notice to make a booking possible. Despite this, the hotel staff were most happy to keep trying whilst we enjoyed the other wonders of Florence. We decided to check out the situation for ourselves the next day but discovered queues that hardly seemed to move, stretching for an enormous distance around the area of the Uffizi. Queuing all day was certainly not the way we wanted to spend our time in Florence, so we decided to leave things in the capable hands of the reception staff whilst we enjoyed the other attractions that we had come to see. The following evening, we were informed that after many fruitless attempts at getting through on the booking line, success had finally been achieved but only to receive information that all tickets were sold for the following day. We consequently missed out on seeing many of Florence’s greatest art treasures and our top travel tip for anyone visiting Florence on a short stay vacation is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online some time before their holiday.
2 The Inside Tip for the Duomo
Another of the wonders of Florence not to be missed is the Duomo. Actually, it is impossible to miss this magnificent building because it dominates the city and can be seen from virtually everywhere. Savour the views of it whilst enjoying a coffee at one of the cafes in the surrounding piazza. Walk around it, pausing every now and then to appreciate it from every aspect. View it from more distant, elevated, positions around the city. This was once the largest cathedral in the world and even now, nearly six hundred years after it was built, it is the fourth largest. Florence always insisted on everything being the biggest and the best but what really makes the Duomo unique is its dome or “Cupola”. When Fillipo Brunelleschi undertook this masterpiece of renaissance architecture, no one believed that such a dome was possible. The secret had been lost for over a thousand years but Brunelleschi travelled to Rome to unravel it by examining the dome of the ancient Pantheon.
My tip for the Duomo is to ascend this incredible feat of engineering. You can do so by entering a stairway that leads up inside the dome, between its inner and outer shells. When you reach the top, you can step outside onto an external gallery that provides magnificent views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. This gallery was never finished however, so your views are restricted to northerly and westerly directions.
3 Palazzo Vecchio – David’s Copy Tip
Perhaps the next most famous landmark of Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio. Once again, it is a building worth enjoying from every aspect on the outside before entering to explore its fascinating, art filled, interior.
My tip for the Palazzo Vecchio is to spare a few minutes looking at the pollution-streaked COPY of the world’s most famous statue, realizing that although the original Michelangelo’s David is safely inside the Accademia, the copy is standing just where the original once stood.
4 River Arno Cross Over Tip
This tip is to retreat from the busiest tourist attractions of the city centre and to cross the Arno river via the Ponte Vecchio. The crowds on this wonderful, historic bridge will probably be even more tightly packed than in the central Piazzas you have just left but within a hundred metres of the other side, they will have thinned out and you can explore the delights of the Boboli gardens and the Palazzo Pitti before walking up the meandering paths to the Piazzo Michelangelo which stands on a beautiful hill overlooking Florence and its surrounds.
5 A final Florence travel tip – Avoiding “Stendhal Sydrome”
Florence has so much beauty that every year, there are a few tourists who have to be treated at local hospitals for a condition known as “Stendhal Syndrome”. Symptoms range from feeling faint to complete exhaustion. Stendhal was a French tourist whose nineteenth century tour of Florence overloaded his senses so much that he collapsed with these symptoms.
My final travel tip for a short vacation in Florence is not to try to pack too much in. Even if Florence’s wealth of art treasures, beauty, and architectural achievements don’t actually send you running for medical help, they can easily overwhelm a tourist who fails to heed this advice.
By: Stewart Palmer
About the Author:
The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the most important and greatest art collections in the world. It is also the world’s oldest museum. Most tour guide books and online travel sites will urge you to ensure that a visit to the Uffiizi is included as part of any Florence vacation, no matter how short. What most of them fail to tell you, or at least stress with sufficient emphasis, is that without a pre-booked ticket, you may not be able to visit the Uffizi at all!
My wife and I had a three day holiday in Florence at the beginning of April 2005. We had planned on visiting the Uffizi Gallery and as soon as we checked in at our hotel we telephoned the gallery to purchase tickets. After several attempts without our calls being answered, we asked the hotel reception to do the booking for us. They explained that it was nearly always difficult to get through on the booking line and that our three day stay might not provide sufficient notice to make a booking possible. Despite this, the hotel staff were most happy to keep trying whilst we enjoyed the other wonders of Florence. We decided to check out the situation for ourselves the next day but discovered queues that hardly seemed to move, stretching for an enormous distance around the area of the Uffizi. Queuing all day was certainly not the way we wanted to spend our time in Florence, so we decided to leave things in the capable hands of the reception staff whilst we enjoyed the other attractions that we had come to see. The following evening, we were informed that after many fruitless attempts at getting through on the booking line, success had finally been achieved but only to receive information that all tickets were sold for the following day. We consequently missed out on seeing many of Florence’s greatest art treasures and our top travel tip for anyone visiting Florence on a short stay vacation is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online some time before their holiday.
2 The Inside Tip for the Duomo
Another of the wonders of Florence not to be missed is the Duomo. Actually, it is impossible to miss this magnificent building because it dominates the city and can be seen from virtually everywhere. Savour the views of it whilst enjoying a coffee at one of the cafes in the surrounding piazza. Walk around it, pausing every now and then to appreciate it from every aspect. View it from more distant, elevated, positions around the city. This was once the largest cathedral in the world and even now, nearly six hundred years after it was built, it is the fourth largest. Florence always insisted on everything being the biggest and the best but what really makes the Duomo unique is its dome or “Cupola”. When Fillipo Brunelleschi undertook this masterpiece of renaissance architecture, no one believed that such a dome was possible. The secret had been lost for over a thousand years but Brunelleschi travelled to Rome to unravel it by examining the dome of the ancient Pantheon.
My tip for the Duomo is to ascend this incredible feat of engineering. You can do so by entering a stairway that leads up inside the dome, between its inner and outer shells. When you reach the top, you can step outside onto an external gallery that provides magnificent views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. This gallery was never finished however, so your views are restricted to northerly and westerly directions.
3 Palazzo Vecchio – David’s Copy Tip
Perhaps the next most famous landmark of Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio. Once again, it is a building worth enjoying from every aspect on the outside before entering to explore its fascinating, art filled, interior.
My tip for the Palazzo Vecchio is to spare a few minutes looking at the pollution-streaked COPY of the world’s most famous statue, realizing that although the original Michelangelo’s David is safely inside the Accademia, the copy is standing just where the original once stood.
4 River Arno Cross Over Tip
This tip is to retreat from the busiest tourist attractions of the city centre and to cross the Arno river via the Ponte Vecchio. The crowds on this wonderful, historic bridge will probably be even more tightly packed than in the central Piazzas you have just left but within a hundred metres of the other side, they will have thinned out and you can explore the delights of the Boboli gardens and the Palazzo Pitti before walking up the meandering paths to the Piazzo Michelangelo which stands on a beautiful hill overlooking Florence and its surrounds.
5 A final Florence travel tip – Avoiding “Stendhal Sydrome”
Florence has so much beauty that every year, there are a few tourists who have to be treated at local hospitals for a condition known as “Stendhal Syndrome”. Symptoms range from feeling faint to complete exhaustion. Stendhal was a French tourist whose nineteenth century tour of Florence overloaded his senses so much that he collapsed with these symptoms.
My final travel tip for a short vacation in Florence is not to try to pack too much in. Even if Florence’s wealth of art treasures, beauty, and architectural achievements don’t actually send you running for medical help, they can easily overwhelm a tourist who fails to heed this advice.
By: Stewart Palmer
About the Author:
Stewart is very passionate about travel. He is a travel article writer and runs a travel-tip website, which aims to provide travel tips and information about holiday vacation destinations worldwide.
He travels a great deal and derives enormous pleasure from visiting as many of the world’s favourite travel destinations as possible.
Austin
I am planning to travel with kids Any tips?
reema_simer asked:
I am planning to travel with kids. Any tips
Anastazio
I am planning to travel with kids. Any tips
Anastazio
5 Argentina Travel Tips for the Foreign Study Traveler
Have you ever thought of hopping a plane for spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to study Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn the Tango in Mendoza? Too difficult, you say? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when traveling abroad. Take advantage of the following top five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and make it an experience to remember.
1. PASSPORTS – Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. — Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).
2. CURRENCY – The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler’s checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.
3. CAR RENTALS – Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.
4. ELECTRICITY – Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called “Locuturios” are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.
5. SEASONS – While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.
These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country’s culture only brings people closer together.
Argentina is waiting for you, start planning your trip today?
By: Casey Markee
About the Author:
1. PASSPORTS – Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. — Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).
2. CURRENCY – The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler’s checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.
3. CAR RENTALS – Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.
4. ELECTRICITY – Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called “Locuturios” are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.
5. SEASONS – While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.
These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country’s culture only brings people closer together.
Argentina is waiting for you, start planning your trip today?
By: Casey Markee
About the Author:
Casey Markee is a consultant with GIC Argentina a study Spanish in Argentina program provider. Visit them online for detailed information on Spanish study abroad programs in Argentina and plan your next trip to Buenos Aires, Patagonia or Mendoza today.
Erland