There are 2 words that many timeshare owners fail to understand that keeps them from getting good exchanges with RCI and Interval International.
How many times have you requested an exchange only to have them tell you that it’s “not available?”  Well, if you’re typical, then probably the majority of the time. Many people interpret “not  available” to mean that it will never be available.  So they hang up the phone thinking that the exchange process doesn’t work and the whole thing is a scam.  Their frustration stems from the fact that their salesperson made it sound like doing an exchange would be just as easy as reserving a hotel room. But it’s not!
It’s much easier getting hotel rooms because there are so many of them and they are generally only 65% occupied. More importantly, hotels know their availability in advance unlike RCI and Interval International.  
But doing a timeshare exchange isn’t the same as reserving a hotel. As timeshare owners we trade off the ease, availability and expense of reserving a hotel room to get larger more comfortable condos for our family.  And when a timeshare exchange is done right, we get to stay in really nice resorts for a fraction of what we would normally have to pay.
But neither RCI nor Interval International know the availability of any timeshare resort in advance.  They have to wait until the owners in the timeshare resorts deposit their weeks into their exchange pools before they can offer it us.  
If every timeshare owner deposited their weeks on or before Jan 1 of each year, then doing a timeshare exchange would be easier and more like making a reservation in a hotel.  But in the real world both exchange companies receive deposits throughout the entire year and not all at one time.  
That’s the reason that owners are told that their request is “not available” nearly every time they want to do a timeshare exchange.   The important thing to understand is that just because you’re request isn’t available the day you ask doesn’t mean it won’t become available at a later date.
You see “not available” in timeshare speak really means that there’s a waiting list of people who have already requested the EXACT same thing as you.  So whenever you hear “not available” you should immediately ask to be put on the waiting list.  RCI and Interval International call that doing a pending search or request.
Now, WHETHER your request becomes available will depend on WHERE you come in on that waiting list and is another very important aspect of doing a timeshare exchange.
So one of the keys to getting a good timeshare exchange is in understanding that there will ALWAYS be a waiting list for the best resorts and/or peak travel periods.  Rather than being frustrated with it, accept it and learn how to work it to your benefit.  Frankly, the more people that don’t understand what “not available” really means, the better your chances of getting what you want on exchange.

There is no better time than now to take a cheap flight out and travel to Europe. With today’s low rates, it virtually costs nothing to travel to Europe or also take flights to Cancun! Besides getting cheap airline tickets, there is plenty more you must know about traveling than just having a cheap flight.
Regardless of whether you are using airlines in Mexico or an airline beginning from another destination, there are a few things you must do to prepare yourself before you go to Europe. One thing you should have regardless where you’re traveling is a economic plan. Ensuring you have adequate money to hit all of your places, having cash for food, accommodation, and for souvenirs are crucial for having a great vacation. Besides making sure you have sufficient cash for each activity and commodity, you will wish to make certain that you have the right type of currency for your holiday package. If you travel to Europe, you will find that different countries utilize different currency and each currency has its individual conversation rate. You will want to include each nation’s exchange rate in your budget when you make your financial plan. After all, if the currency rate exchange is not very good, it will severely cut into your budget.
The next thing you’ll want to look at before you travel to Europe is the dates that you want to go. Depending where you desire to travel and when you want to travel, the flights might be less costly or a lot more costly. Another thing you will want to remember is how busy things will be. If you travel during the summer season, there will be many more people on the flights and at the travel locations as more people usually have time off during the summer. If this doesn’t bother you, that is fine but it is something to consider if you do not like large crowds.
If you know that you want to voyage to Europe but you do not desire to have to plan out what you are going to do and you don’t want to worry about the travel dates, getting a holiday package from Mexicana airlines is the way to go. Not only would it consist of inexpensive airline tickets, it will even consist of things such as hotel reservations. It could also include site seeing packages, should you so desire. They’ll even assist you discover the best places to get a good currency exchange rate and would have many other money saving travel suggestions for while you’re out and about. If you want to travel to Europe and you want to do it right, there is no better place than Mexicana airlines for huge deals and wonderful vacation packages.

London is expensive, so how can you save money? Look for things to enjoy in London for free! Those ticket prices add up in a hurry when you have to pay admission.

Remember whenever it costs you 10 Pounds, that’s really about 14.00 US Dollars and 11 Euros — give or take — with today’s exchange rate…. And you’ll find plenty of admissions that are 10 or 15 Pounds and more. You will want to see the Tower of London… and you should, but the admission fee is 17 Pounds… that’s $25.00 or 20 Euros!

So what can you see in London for free? Lots of things. First of all think museums. Almost all of the museums in London are free. The British Museum, the Tate Britain, and the Tate Modern. Also the National Galley in Trafalgar Square. It’s full of old master’s paintings.

See Trafalgar Square itself with its column monument to Lord Nelson. St. Martin-in-the-Fields church is in one corner of Trafalgar Square. Admiralty Arch marks the entrance to the square. If you go through Admiralty Arch you end up on the Mall.

Walk down The Mall to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Join the crowds at the fence. The ceremony takes place at 11:30, but to get a good vantage point you’ll want to arrive earlier. If there isn’t a crowd, you’ll know you’re there on the wrong day. They don’t preform the ceremony everyday. Check the schedule before you go and stand around.

You could go in another direction from Trafalgar Square and walk down Whitehall Street. Stop in a pub for a pint… you’ll have to pay for that, but you do have to eat, and Whitehall connects Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. Pause to peer through the fence at Downing Street, see if you can catch a glimpse of 10 Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives.

The Bobbies probably won’t let you pause for long though. At Parliament Square you can see the outside of the Parliament Building, take pictures of Big Ben, and walk the Westminster Bridge for free.

Westminster Abbey is across the street from Parliament. There is an admission fee… they need it to maintain the building, but the Abbey says they will never turn away worshipers. There are free organ recitals on Sundays, check their website to see details.

You can wander around in any of the London Parks and Gardens. St. James Park offers some of the best views of Buckingham Palace in London. Enjoy the show as speakers get up on their soapbox at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. Free speech is alive and well, and some of it may sound a little tedious, but there will be plenty of hecklers to spice up that action. The Diana Memorial Statue is also in Hyde Park.

Another fun thing to do is to walk the Victoria Embankment along the River Thames and take pictures of all the famous sights along the river. Take in the shops and theaters around Piccadilly Circus.

Use your walking tour and your time seeing London for free to choose what you want to spend your hard earned vacation money on.

There are a number of places that you can go and visit in Brazil, South America. There is only one place that is truly unforgettable Grande Sert?o Veredas Park is that place. Its landscapes are covered with enormous amounts of bio and ecological diversity. Along with some of the local towns you can experience some of the historic buildings and cobblestone streets.

Along with visiting these places I do have a couple of suggestions for you.

* One of the premier places to visit is the The Amazonia National Park which is also known to the locals as ‘The Green Inferno’  It is named this because of the great expanse of natural ecological and biological diversity that covers a great majority of the Brazilian landscape.

* The Pantanal, is another location in the same area that is great for watching the local wildlife emerge from there hiding places. It is amazing to see, hear and experience wildlife in their natural habitat.

As you travel in brazil another place that is a must sea is the Atlantic coast and its beaches but be arned in the summer time the water off the coast can be notoriously rough and cold due to the currents and under-tones.

In most of the surrounding country you are looking at around 30 dollars for accommodations, about 20 for food, ect… so if you do plan to stay for awhile in Brazil a month or so it may be best to keep around 1500 on a credit card or bank account which you can remove via ATM as spending money. But if you go off the beaten track a little bit and stay away from the touristy spots you can expect to pay much less for the same services.  

Only carry as much as you are comfortable carrying with you in terms of money and valuables. You will need cash and not simply Credit cards, Travelers checques, ect… you can save quite a bit by using it. But Brazil in areas is still a small country and not everyone will take credit cards outside the cities. So make sure you do plan accordingly. Traveler’s cheques can be a hassle because there is only a couple of banks (Banco de Brazil, etc) in Brazil where you can exchange them commission free.

But these places and with a little planning you can have a experience of a lifetime in Brazil. If you would like more information regarding brazil. Places to see, visit, eat, or even move as an expat. Or just the local news please visit and book mark my website on brazil at  www.brazilgringo.com

Accommodation

This Delhi hotel offers luxurious stay in the heart of the bustling city. It incorporates 96 fully air-conditioned guest rooms, 10 non-smoking rooms and 1 room for physically challenged with all the facilities and luxury that you would expect in a 4 star hotel such as 24-hour room service, Plasma Television, Coffee/tea maker, High- Speed Internet access (Wi-Fi), Direct dial telephone, Complimentary breakfast, Morning newspaper, channel music and much more.

Dining

The Terrazzo, a multi cuisine restaurant serves lip smacking array of continental specialties and the finest quality wine. The Grill serves mouth watering Indian and continental cuisines. The 24 hrs coffee shop offers some fabulous snacks and beverages. The Bar serves top-quality cocktails and liquor which provides a unique twist to the dining experience.

Recreational activities

To rejuvenate your body soul, mind and reduces stress while your stay at this Delhi hotel The Qutab hotel offers an array of recreational activities such as: Outdoor swimming Pool Aromatherapy Massage Ambika Pillai Salon Tennis court Steam bath Sauna Gymnasium

Other Facilities
Baby sitter
Banking facilities
Shopping Arcade
Currency exchange
Doctor on call
All major credit cards accepted

Accessibility
Located in South Delhi at Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg (Qutab Institutional Area), the Qutab Hotel is easily accessible from major tourist spots and Gurgaon- industrial and financial center.
International Airport: 15 km
Railway station: 15 km

Location of The Qutab hotel, New Delhi

Located in South Delhi at Qutab Institutional Area, the Qutab Hotel is easily accessible from major tourist spots and Gurgaon-the business and financial hub.

• IGI Airport : 15 km
• Railway Station : 15 km

Well you won’t be traveling to Monaco and staying at a five star resort on a budget, will you? Maybe so!  Mostly, traveling on a budget means finding the cheapest price for the experience you want.

When traveling on a budget it’s best to keep in mind the following points:

1. Travel in the off-peak seasons. You can save up to as much as fifty per cent off air flights and accommodation costs if you plan to travel in low season times.

2. Stay away from popular tourist spots (unless they are on your ‘must-see’ list). If you can go off the beaten track with your destinations, things can be cheaper to see and do and your cultural experiences will be richer.

3. Try camping. Not only is it the cheapest form of accommodation it’s a great way to get up close and personal to nature. It’s the best way to see National Parks and Heritage listed areas. 

4. Look for special travel offers (or packages). But make sure you check everything that they include – and don’t include.

5. Invest in a travel pass where you are able. Most developed countries have a rail or bus transport system where you can obtain day, week or monthly passes that will get you around cheaply.

6. Get a work permit if you aim to gain employment while traveling overseas. Working can help subsidize places that aren’t so cheap, such as Europe and Australia.

7. Look for good exchange rates on the dollar. This may help you decide which country to travel to.

8. Think about shortening your visit to destinations that are expensive and increasing your length of stay in cheaper places.

9. Where possible use your credit card. The exchange rate is better.

10. When staying in a hotel, avoid paying for ‘extras’. Don’t touch anything from the honor bar. Don’t watch the in-house movies and don’t use the hotel phone. And try not to use room service too much!

On the world scene there are some great places to travel on a budget for under thirty dollars a day. In Asia you can try India, Laos, China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Thailand, Sumatra and Burma. In Central and South America you can visit El Salvador, Bolivia and Ecuador. If you are after a budget experience in the Pacific, try Fiji or New Zealand. Over in Africa there are some great budget destinations such as Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Don’t forget the Middle East where places like Iran, Syria and Turkey provide excellent value for money and wonderful experiences for the budget traveler.

There is no ‘best place’ to travel on a budget. Just be prepared to look around, avoid the pitfalls of unwanted costs in package deals or hotel bookings. If you want to travel and your budget doesn’t meet your expectations, be flexible and see if there is somewhere cheaper you might like to experience. You could be pleasantly surprised with your stay in India or Iran, when you thought you wanted to go to Tahiti.

This article was provided by:

Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Travel Guru

http://www.stuartstravel.com

Situated on the beautiful North Norfolk coast, Sheringham is ideally placed to truly enjoy the best of Norfolk. It is the perfect, traditional seaside town with all the attractions one would expect. If you are looking for a great UK family destination which harks back to yesteryear, then this is definitely it.

Perennially popular with families throughout the ages, Sheringham is a superb UK family holiday destination. This is now more true than ever, given the exchange rate which means that UK holidays are far more attractive than in the Eurozone.

The town focuses around the main high street where you will find some wonderful shops and some excellent fish and chip restaurants and ice cream parlours selling just about every flavour imaginable. There are also several quaint antiques and bric-a-brac shops in which you can spend countless hours browsing and hunting out collectibles.  At one end of the town you will find a small train station where you can board the North Norfolk Railway. At the other end, take a stroll along the cliff tops and from here you will get great views down to the beach, made up of a ridge of pebbles and beautiful clean washed sands. A great place for families to get away from it all and re-connect.

Sheringham is also well placed to enjoy the North Norfolk area and there is plenty to do. The National Trust locations of Sheringham Park, Felbrigg Hall and Blickling Hall are all nearby.

Just two miles south of Sheringham is the stunning Sheringham Park. It is a super place for the whole family with acres of woodland to explore either on foot or on bike, magnificent views of the coast from the viewing towers and displays of rhododendrons and azalea blooms in May and June.

Part of the National Trust, Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park is a striking estate but a short distance away. It is one of the finest 17th Century country houses in the UK with much to explore inside and out with several lakeside and natural trails to explore through the parkland.

Searching for Sheringham cottages need not be a chore.

Whether you are looking for a coastal property which affords you the opportunity to go on lots of bracing walks along the North Norfolk coast, or searching for self-catering accommodation inland, there is choice for all tastes.

To find Sheringham Cottages just go to www.kettcountrycottages.co.uk

Everyday Etiquette: France

Meeting People

In general the French prefer to be introduced to strangers, if at all possible wait for a third party introduction when meeting someone new. When speaking with someone it is common to use their title plus their family name (Madame Brown) until given permission to do otherwise.

Personal compliments and comments on physical appearance (I love your dress) are not appropriate as they are considered overly personal.

The exchange of business cards is a common practice when first meeting someone

Physical Greetings

When greeting someone a handshake accompanied by a “Pleased to meet you” is appropriate. When departing be sure to shake everyone’s hand, a general group wave as is often done in the United States is not looked on favorably.

An “air kiss” is an appropriate greeting once you have established a relationship with someone.

Physical Space

The French are comfortable with standing slightly closer to one another than Americans do.

Eye Contact

Intense direct eye contact is common, looking away is a sign of disinterest and/or that you are behaving rude.

Good Topics of Discussion

Politics, issues of controversy, current events, soccer, arts and anything that results in a good debate.

Bad Topics of Discussion

Avoid the common American question of “what do you do?” as it is considered rude and too personal. Also avoid commenting on specific “French” things unless you are an expert on the topic.

Communication Style

Moments of silence in France are rare once a conversation gets rolling. Initially upon meeting the French are politely restrained but once they get to know you they can be loud and highly animated.

The French are a combination of the logical North and the passionate South and as a result they are often able to process and explain their points quite logically, however when an issue arises of which they are passionate about a highly dramatic outburst can occur.

Waiting in Line

In general the French are not fantastic about waiting in line. A friendship with the banker at a bank might allow you to bypass the line altogether.

Walking

France is a country of walkers; the majority of errands are done on foot.

Shopping

Customer service is not as “in your face” as it is in the United States. Generally a salesclerk will ignore you until eye contact is made signaling service is required. A person who is dressed nicely will get more respect and better treatment than a person who is dressed in sweats and a t-shirt.

When shopping at the grocery store be aware that if you touch the fruits or vegetables—you buy them.

Public Transportation

When on the bus or train it is polite to give up your seat for the elderly, handicapped, pregnant women and parents with children.

Casual conversations with strangers on public transportation is not common or overly welcome.

Tipping

The tip is generally already included in the price at a restaurant. A standard tip for a taxi driver is 10 percent. Bellmen usually receive 1 Euro per bag.

Appropriate Dress

The French are very thoughtful in their style of dress and value taste and quality. What one chooses to wear in the morning is always very well thought out. In general the French dress more formally than Americans do.

Women are very concerned with their skin (facials begin at a young age) and hairstyles. Accessories are a must and unique color combining is common.

Meal Time

Breakfast is typically from 7 to 9 AM.

A traditional French Breakfast is a cup of coffee along with a croissant.

Lunch is typically from 12 to 2 PM

Traditionally lunch is the largest meal of the day and can be quite elaborate. Nowadays a typical lunch is often sandwiches or salads, and meat and vegetable plates. Desert, wine and coffee almost always accompany the meal.

Dinner is typically from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.

Dinner consists of an appetizer, soup, a main course, dessert, coffee and chocolates. Wine is carefully selected and always served.

Table Manners

The French do not switch their knife and fork as people do in the States. The fork remains in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. Almost everything in France is eaten with a knife and fork.

Placing your utensils down on your plate signifies to wait staff that you are finished.

When not in use keep your hands in your lap and pass dishes to the left.

Who Pays?

In general the person who did the inviting is the person that pays.

Punctuality

Arriving “fashionably late” (15-20 minutes) is acceptable.

For more Travel Tips, check out Glamour Getaways at http://www.glamourgetaways.com

Mumbai – formerly Bombay – is a city that is built on a long, thin strip of island that lies just off the west coast of Maharashtra, western India. Mumbai is the business and financial centre of the country and has an eclectic mix of old and new, where glittering skyscrapers and designer boutiques intertwine with grand colonial structures and relics.
Usually people traveling to India from London (UK) book air ticket to there in hurry without enquiring about the discounted airline deals and cheap air fares. But the fact is that, if you take out some time and thoroughly inquire about the airlines to Indonesia, you can really get exciting deals on air ticket and get cheap ticket to Mumbai.

Several leading international airlines offer cheap flight to Indonesia from USA. Many airlines from UK operate daily flights for major cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad.

Sight Seeing: There are numerous attractions and market places that attract millions of travelers round the year like Marine Drive, Cowpat Beach, Airman Point, Crawford Market, Fort Bombay Stock Exchange, Gateway of India, Hanging Garden, Collabra, Prince of Wales Museum, Essel World, Film City, Haji Ali, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Kalbadevi etc
India has always been an important destination for travelers, be it for business, tourism, spiritual or adventure. During the last 8-10 years there has been tremendous growth in tourism industry. There are ample numbers of accommodation from 5 star hotel chains to 3 star and the budget motels.
Most other sites make offers of low prices like myvacations, but they come up short. A flight from London to Mumbai is at $354 on Oman Air. The plane and airlines is top notch but the price is not necessarily cheap and there is a stopover in Muscat.

There are many pro’s and con’s when it comes to booking last minute deals. The thought of them sound fantastic, but realistically they are not for everyone, especially not the faint hearted. If you’re like me then forget it, book well in advance! I like to know when I’m going, where I’m going and for how long. I like to be prepared well in advance and hate dashing around last minute trying to sort everything out. For instance;

Car Parking – I book my car parking well in advance to ensure I get the best possible price, availability can go quickly and I’d hate to think I was turning up at the airport without having pre booked it and having to pay those dreadful gate prices!

Travel Insurance – I always book my travel insurance the minute I’ve booked my holiday, I keep my insurance policy documents together with my holiday booking details, my passports, my car parking voucher etc. Booking it last minute may not leave me enough time to receive the appropriate documents I’ll need and then what will I do if anything happens and I don’t have my paperwork?!

Holiday shopping – I don’t know about you, but I think the prices of sun cream are extortionate, I mean, it’s something we all need so how they get away with pricing it so high is beyond me. Anyway, I always compare prices of a few brands and check which shops have the best offers on and buy it well in advance. There’s nothing worse than having to buy it when abroad, you’ll come away feeling well and truly ripped off!

Currency – Comparing currency rates can save you a few pounds, however, there is not a lot you can do about the rate of currency exchange. It is what it is and is usually best to exchange before you travel, the airports always give a lower rate as do most holiday resorts.

Packing your suitcase – Packing your case can be a fairly traumatic experience. Will it be too heavy? Have I packed everything I need? Should I really take that? Do I roll or do I fold? It’s an absolute nightmare! So packing early like I do is a necessity. Not only will it leave you feeling satisfied that you’ve packed everything you need, but you can relax before you travel instead of running around last minute shoving stuff in where you can.

My views, although slightly erratic, do work for me. However, I may actually end up paying more. But if you hold out and bide your time, there’s plenty of late deals to be had. But take my advice and prepare whatever you can before hand. If you see sun cream on offer but haven’t booked your holiday yet, buy it anyway, you’re getting a great deal. Last minute packing can be made easier with a holiday drawer, have everything ready in one place to plonk straight in the case. As long as you book your holiday a day or two before you travel, nip down to the post office to change your currency, they usually have great rates. You can actually book travel insurance the day before you travel, just ensure you have your policy number and an emergency contact number in case you need to use it. There are loads of last minute deals out there just waiting to be found, all it takes is some hard work and patience and you could end up saving a fortune!