It’s good to be open-minded about your destination when booking a last minute holiday. Broaden your scope and you may well end up at a wonderful destination you never dreamed of visiting.
 
A last minute holiday can provide two fundamental advantages for a holidaymaker these days.
 
1.             You can get holidays cheaper at the last minute.
2.             You can be more confident in your operator if you book only days before you travel.
 
Economic times are difficult these days. There can’t be many of us who have not suffered the financial pinch. Budgets have to be reduced, belts tightened, things given up. Yet, we all value our holidays, and who can blame us? It’s a chance to get away from it all, to see a brighter side of life, and to re-charge our batteries.
 
The trouble is that most pre-booked holidays can get a little expensive, and we’d all rather keep the costs down if we can. In addition, with the demise of some airlines in the past year, it would be tragic to see your pre-booked holiday vanish before your eyes. Waiting for a last minute holiday can reduce the chances of failure, and keep your costs down.
 
When you are looking for last minute holiday deal, it is best to be open-minded about your destination. If you have your heart set on a particular location, then waiting for a last minute holiday is probably going to leave you disappointed. However, if you have aims of, say: sun, sea, nightlife, then a last minute deal will almost certainly satisfy those aims. Or if it’s skiing, mountains, within three hours, then, equally, there’s probably something available for you.
 
Some bargain deals are available in travel agent shop windows, but shop around to get the best deals. The Internet also has plenty to offer. You might even get an exciting destination that you never thought you’d visit!
 
So, tell your family to dust off the sun hat, swimming costume and flip-flops; you’re off on holiday and there’s no time to lose!

 Summer Palace Beijing

The Summer Palace landscape, dominated mainly by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is under water. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, gardens and other ancient-style architectural structures. Well known for its large and priceless collection of cultural relics, it was among the first group of historical and cultural heritage sites in China to be placed under special state protection. If you take Beijing travel, the Summer Palace is absolute a must!

The Summer Palace, originally named Qingyi Yuan or the Garden of Clear Ripples, was first constructed in 1750. It was razed to the ground by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860. The Government of the Qing Dynasty started to rebuild it in 1886 with funds that it had misappropriated from the Imperial Navy and other sources. Renamed two years later as Yihe Yuan or the Garden of Health and Harmony, it was supposed to serve as a summer resort for the Empress Dowager Cixi. Known also as the Summer Palace, it was ravaged by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers that invaded China in 1900. The damage was repaired in 1902. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Summer Palace has undergone several major renovations. Its major attractions such as the Four Great Regions, Suzhou Street, the Pavilion of Bright Scenery, the Hall of Serenity, the Wenchang Galleries and the Plowing and Weaving Scenery Area have been successively restored. A well-planned Beijing tour will be memorable.

The Summer Palace is a monument to classical Chinese architecture, in terms of both garden design and construction. Borrowing scenes from surrounding landscapes, it radiates not only the grandeur of an imperial garden but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination that best illustrates the guiding principle of traditional Chinese garden design: ?°The works of men should match the works of Heaven.

Arranging a wedding can be awfully stressfull and leave you with little money to spend on your honeymoon. You honeymoon should be one of the most memorable trips of your life and you do not need to short change your experience because absence of funds. Read below on how to economize for your honeymoon so you may have the trip of your dreams.
1. Start with a Budget
The first step is to put together a budget of what you can realisitly spend on your honeymoon. Be precise with guess costs for hostels, food, activities and anything else you plan on doing.
2. Sacrifice
It may not be fun now but sacrificing now will enable you to have fun later. This can mean watching a DVD at home instead of going to the flicks. Cutting down on services or subscriptions ( cell phone, wire, facials, manicures, etc ). The little sacrifices add up quickly in your vacation fund.
3. Brown Bag it
Let’s face it, we all like to eat out. As good as it could be it does a job on our savings. The average couple spends $300 per month on eating out. That’s money that would easily be put into your honeymoon fund by eating out less or bringing a bag lunch to work. If you’ve got a tough time giving up eating use vouchers or check out local deals. ( buy one get one free dinners ).
4. EBay
a great way to start your new life together is out with the old and in with the new, why don’t you make money cleaning out your stuff. EBay has become the ultimate site to sell your possessions and earn cash. If you do not want to deal with the trouble of eBay there is always the old fashion way, a garage sale.
5. Reward Cards
Reward cards are a good way to let visa cards pay you back. In the months prior to your wedding, use a Visa card that amasses points ( most well-liked are cash or travel rewards ) for everything you can. It should not be tricky to quickly accumulate points with all your marriage expenses. Once the reward points have piled up you can cash them in for plane tickets, hotel rooms, gift certificates or cash.
What you simply learned about Honeymoons is just the beginning. To get more ideas, read stories, check out pictures and videos go to http://www.HoneymoonNation.com or check out my squidoo Honeymoon Nation.
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In present times, Barcelona is definitely a cultural metropolis – ‘a cultural crossroad’ – with excellent, carefully organized events and festivals reflecting this diversity. Some of these include the Sonar Festival, the International Jazz Festival, Asian film festivals, Fashion Week, the “Grec Festival”, The Catalonian Moto GP, Formula One: Spanish Grand Prix and many others. Let’s talk more about these events.

The fifteenth edition of Barcelona’s Advanced Music and Multimedia Art SONAR festival takes place in June 2008. Barcelona is home to S?NAR, the International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia, which brings together contemporary art, technology and music, providing a packed program of live acts and top DJs.

Taking place largely at the CCCB, Asian film festival in Barcelona will be the tenth edition of one of Europe’s top Asian film festivals. Why an Asian film festival in Barcelona? Well, for one thing Barcelona is now home to a large number of Asian immigrants. Languages: English and Spanish.

The “Teaching and Continuous Training” trade fair, formerly aka the “Sal? de l’Ensenyament” and now known as “Estudia”, is one of Barcelona’s big local trade fairs.

Barcelona likes to think itself as always at the height of fashion and its Fashion Week, the Pasarela Gaud? is its big annual event. “Moda Barcelona’s” next big event is June’s “BCN Bridal Week”.

Barcelona is one of the cultural capitals of Europe and there are always a number of exciting shows, pop, rock and classical concerts and exhibitions on each month. Summer is serious party time and busy time for Barcelona hotels, with week-long fiesta fun. But year-round the city sizzles – it’s always on the biting edge of architecture, food, fashion, style, music and good times. Tourists can find all types of holiday requirement – from economical Barcelona hotels to grand luxury and the very best in services and facilities.

Popularly known as the “Grec Festival”, Barcelona’s summer arts extravaganza is the most important cultural event of the season. Events take place at venues across the city including the Teatre Grec, Fundaci? Joan Mir? and Pla?a del Rei.

The Barcelona International Jazz Festival is one of Europe’s longest-running and most well-respected events. It takes place in the autumn, a perfect time to visit the city as the summer heat has subsided and there are less tourists and more hotels in Barcelona are available. The music comes in a wide variety of styles, from big bands and bebop to gospel and Latin jazz, consistently attracting a great line-up of international performers.

The Catalonian Moto GP is one of the most popular rounds of the World Championship. Taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya close to Barcelona, it attracts holidaymakers and race fans alike. The modern circuit has a capacity of 100,000, so the atmosphere is always electric.

Formula One is the king of motor sports. Since its inauguration in 1950, it has attracted the very best talents in the world of motor racing, hungry for the fabulous riches and unrivalled prestige it offers. The Circuit de Catalunya, just outside Barcelona, hosts the Gran Premio De Espana Telefonica 2008, otherwise known as the Spanish Grand Prix, the fourth race of the 2008 Formula One season.

And of course Christmas is a big event in Barcelona. If you are visiting Barcelona and going to be decorating the house for Christmas – particularly if you have a crib (Nativity scene), don’t miss the Feria de Santa Lucia, in the square in front of the Cathedral.

For those who can afford to travel in style, luxury car hire in South Africa offers the ideal way to explore the country in comfort, class and opulence – cruising through the country’s top destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg or the Garden Route in a dream car that oozes sophistication and chic. Some may be able to consider long term rental, while the majority can enjoy a stunning car just for a day or weekend. With the FIFA World Cup just a few months away, many travellers are now able to travel through South Africa, taking in the multitude of attractions. A luxury car hire will ensure that you travel in the best possible means of transport available, causing admiring stares and much envy amongst fellow motorists and passers by.

Some of the most famous and popular luxury cars on offer to hire on your travels could include the following dream machines:

• Audi TT: Sleek, stylish and built for the road, the Audi TT convertible is ideal for those who enjoy a powerful car that looks as good as it drives. This car is perfect for special occasions, evening cocktail events, exploring the country’s top nightlife hot spots and any other time you wish to send the right impression.
• Porsche Cayman S: Ranked one of the top cars across the world, the Porsche Cayman is a classic vehicle with a reputation for speed, style and power. This coupe is the perfect car hire option for car lovers who appreciate a fine car as wine fundis appreciate an aged wine. The stylish look and the smooth driving experience ensure that you have the ride of your life, causing stares wherever you go. This car is also best suited for city driving and tarred roads.
• Bentley Continental GT: As one of the most coveted and desirable cars on the planet, Bentleys are all about status, comfort and true luxury – surpassing even some of the most well-known brands in terms of opulence and class. Only the very wealthy and elite can consider Bentleys for luxury car rental or purchase, which even further adds to the intrigue of this car.
• Ferrari F1 Spider: For those who like to take things to the max and experience the ultimate thrill, a bright red Ferrari is the ideal option for you. Explore the sights of South Africa in one of the world’s most eye-catching and impressive cars, and experience true power. This is one of the greatest cars ever created, and is sure to impress anyone you may choose to share the experience with as you leave passers by staring in disbelief and awe.
• Hummer H2: If you prefer to travel off the beaten path, but you still want a status car that allows you to venture into South Africa’s wilderness in class, then the Hummer H2 is the ideal car for you. Huge, tank-like and equipped with every luxury and amenity you could every hope to imagine, the Hummer is four wheeled drive as you have never experienced it before. Get the best and explore the countryside in your ultra stylish and super equipped luxury car rental South Africa that is ready to take on any terrain.

Ayodhya is known for being the birth place of Lord Rama. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centers situated in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. An ancient city as per being mentioned in the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya has all the traits of the old world charm. Since Lord Ram is one of the most venerated deities in India, Ayodhya holds a special place in the hearts of the Hindus in India. The visitor’s guide to Ayodhya will tell you more about the places to visit and also how you can reach this city.

You can feel the divinity in the air as you pass through the lanes of Ayodhya. Mainly Hindu tourists flock to this place in thousands in the festive seasons like Ram Navami (Lord Ram’s birthday). The visitor’s guide to Ayodhya will brief you about the tourist attractions at this place. Ramkot is the chief place of worship in the city of Ayodhya where the Lord’s birth is celebrated pompously. The Hanuman temple is also a major tourist attraction at this place. If you want a walk in the past, you can visit the museums which showcase all kinds of prehistoric specimens and scriptures, safely guarded.

The visitor’s guide to Ayodhya will also tell you more about how to reach the city. The nearest airport is in Lucknow, 135 km away. The airport is well connected by flights with the rest of the country and you have the option to choose from Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara. The nearest railhead is located in the district of Faizabad, 6 km away from Ayodhya. Regular bus services are available from the neighboring cities and districts. So if you are planning to fly to this place, get off at the Lucknow Airport and you can reach Ayodhya by either train or bus.

The visitor’s guide to Ayodhya will also cover the climatic conditions of the city. Though the temperatures are quite mild throughout the year, it is best advised that you travel to this place in the winter months of November to February to avoid the summer heat. Though Ayodhya maybe an ancient city, it doesn’t mean that it hasn’t developed much. There are quite a good number of hotels here with the government sanctioning funds to improve the tourism department of this place. The hotels are all well equipped meeting international standards.

What is the real secret to cheap international travel? It is the same as the secret to doing anything for less. Learn to be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers get to travel more, see more and do more. Of course, you can ignore this advice if you have unlimited funds.

I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, aren’t there many interesting places in this world? Why not choose one you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, and you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.

Cheap Countries

Ecuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, since that’s conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes Mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you’ll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and inexpensive.

South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to its recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.

In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.

In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the Asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.

Cheap International Travel Tips

Wherever you go; there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) and packaged snacks from grocery stores.

Visit the free and cheap attractions first. It’s possible you’ll have so much fun that you’ll never get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.

Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. Walking is even cheaper, and it’s a great way to learn about a city. Just ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander too far.

For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don’t mind sharing a room. They’re much more common overseas.

Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If one is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

In my many years as a traveler, I have managed to gather wide experience in not just the destinations I have visited but also in the means of getting to those places including getting cheap flights to Dubai. Travelling across borders is one of the most thrilling experiences you can ever have and I have had my own fair share of the very best of them. When I decided to start documenting my travels and giving people the benefit of my knowledge about people and places, I was surprised to receive emails from people who wanted to know how I had managed to fund such travels. Some asked if I inherited a huge sum of money from a relative or won a lottery. Some even asked if I married a rich man’s daughter and just live off the fortune. I really wish I had the fortune of marrying a rich man’s kid (hope my wife doesn’t read this). I answered some of the mails and I have decided to reproduce the answers I provided here for the benefit of those who wish to know how to get cheap flights to allow you get the cheap holidays you so much desire.
1. I have made it a point to use a particular airline as frequently as possible in order to get the
cheapest airfare. This is partly because I am a loyal customer but largely because I want them to get to know me well enough to note me as a frequent flyer in their system. This ensures that I am qualified for any promos they may have for those who fly often with them. You won’t believe how many precious pounds Sterling getting a cheap flight to Europe this has saved me. So I advise you to try to make sure that you use the same airline as frequently as possible and assure yourself of the cheapest flights.
2. If you compare holidays you’ll see that I am a chronic traveler but then, I travel pretty light. This is not to say that I don’t carry anything. I need to carry my cameras as well as some other essential stuff but then I keep them to a very manageable minimum. The reason is that many airlines charge for checked bags. This translates to the fact that you are better off with a carry-on bag instead of hauling bags around with you on your travels. Little drops of water they say, makes a mighty ocean.
3. Now, this point applies particular to the short hauls and by this, I means those flights which don’t last more than three to four hours. I guess flights within the UK and then from the UK to a number of European countries will fall into this category. It’s like this…avoid eating in-flight. Simple, right? That’s it. I make sure that I eat at home before embarking on the flight so I avoid having to buy food on the plane or for that matter, at the expensive outlets in the airports.
4. I make it a point to book my air tickets on the internet so I can compare flight prices. In my years of experience, I have to know that this saves me a lot of pounds particularly as I compare cheap flights.

Vacationing Normally requires a good deal of funds. However it is possible to travel throughout the United States on a tight budget. It may even be attainable on a shoe string budget. If you employ the right methods that you will uncover in this article, your budget might get you even further than you assumed it could. You might be pleasantly surprised. Also, vacationing on a tight budget can be exciting as you don’t know what you can come across right around the corner. You could find this little place that creates the most tasty omelettes ever! Or you could find a little retreat that won’t cost anything to visit but is the most peaceful place you have ever visited.
So, keep reading and get yourself all set for an awesome experience.
Airplane Bargains
Do you have family members who are working for the airlines? If that’s the case, perhaps they will be kind enough to obtain a ticket for you. They are typically authorized to provide a set number of tickets to companions and relatives per calendar year. Furthermore, consider websites like Travelocity and Orbitz for bargains on plane tickets. Red eye flights and flights with more than one stop are commonly a whole lot less costly. Additionally, do an web lookup to determine if any of the online websites have promotion codes offered. You can cut back possibly more by managing that. Make sure to at all times buy ahead of time. Sometimes when you get at the flight terminal, they will ask you whether you desire to relinquish your seat for a different traveler. In case you prefer to take the risk, you could cede your place and catch the next plane. Air carriers will generally compensate you with an additional ticket you can use at any time, anywhere or they will grant you a check for a couple hundred dollars depending on where you are flying to.
If you are intending on visiting two states via flying, you can research a flight journey that has a layover in the other place you would like to check out. See if the fare is the similar if you stayed for a number of days at the stop. Normally you could purchase it for the same price and you can wind up visiting both places on a single ticket.
Car Rentals
Each time you book a vehicle, take into consideration the category of car and how efficient the fuel mileage is. At times car rental companies may have a very good deal on a larger size vehicle but you need to take into account the additional charge in fuel as well. Do some calculations to find out if the savings are greater compared to what you might gain in fuel by going with the more compact one.
Regularly seek on the web to see if there are discount codes for car rentals.
In the event that you possess a credit card, determine if they give car insurance for rental cars. If so, then all you need to do is pay for the rental with that card and make sure you decline the insurance fee.
Entertainment
Go check out the tourist center wherever you might be as they will usually provide a coupon book full of coupons from area shops and also discounts for theme parks and activities you carry out.

Are you putting off taking a vacation because your funds are limited? Many families put off taking a vacation because they think that taking a trip has to be pricey. No doubt it is expensive but with some research you can find deals that can make your dream vacation a reality.

First off, take some time to decide on a holiday that will suit your entire family. As a parent, you have the task of figuring out what everyone will enjoy. While pleasing everyone is difficult, there are holidays that include something for all ages. Some options may be impossible on a budget but you can come up with alternatives that will make an enjoyable cheap holiday. For example, if your family wants to take an African safari maybe you could consider a trip to San Diego which has the famous San Diego Zoo, a wildlife park and Sea World.

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Christmas and Holiday Tips

short days and long cold nights, Christmas is coming. When you are ready to escape the cold and spend this Christmas in the UK, in some East Asian countries, under the sun and enjoy Christmas the most, here are the two best options.

Thailand:

Thailand attracts more tourists and visitors in the Far East. Spend Christmas vacation in Thailand means to explore and enjoy beautiful landscapes with colorful and rich culture. Thailand has amuch to offer every tourist to visit during Christmas.

Thailand is a breathtaking building, exotic beaches and natural beauty attracts many tourists throughout the year showed fresh.

Suitable for all tourists, from those who are looking for a budget Christmas holidays, to those seeking a luxury holiday.

The Thai people lead a very traditional, the modern lifestyle. During Christmas, the weather is dry and clear, without signs ofShower or moisture. With ideal weather conditions for the enjoyment of a great Christmas with photography

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