Shillong is a land full of waterfalls and churches. The most beautiful churches in Shillong being the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians located on the Laitumkhrah hill. As described in the visitor’s guide to Shillong, the high arches and stained glass windows add to the beauty of this Church. Very close to this church lies the Grotto Church that is carved out of the hills. Right opposite the Central Library of Shillong lies the The All Saints Church made of plaster and wood; this is one of the most revered shrines in Shillong and attracts the maximum number of tourists.

The Visitor’s guide to Shillong is a very handy guide that you can take along with you in case you are not looking to save some money that you would need to pay the agents on guided tours. This book has all information regarding the places that you may not want to give a miss while visiting Shillong. The most popular tourist spots around Shillong are Cherrapunjee, Mawphlang, Nartiang, Umiam Lake that offers a lot of water sports such as water scooter, water skiing and sailing, Jakrem that is a popular health resort that has hot springs of sulphur that have curative powers.

The beautiful 18-hole Golf Course is a must see while in Shillong, it is one of the biggest golf courses in the North east. The Butterfly Museum showcases some of the rarest and finest species of moths and butterflies. The museum also gives information on the life cycles of the butterflies.  According to the Visitor’s guide to Shillong, the Beadon Falls is one of the most beautiful falls of this town. The crystal clear water stream and its picturesque surroundings make it a perfect spot to go on a picnic with your loved ones in the lap of nature.

You can also get more information regarding the other places of interest in the Visitor’s guide to Shillong that offers a comprehensive detailed explanation about each tourist destination in and around Shillong. The guide also offers information on the easiest ways to get to these spots also. You can choose from the various travel agents that are listed in the book in order to find the best travel guide for you. If you are looking for some good restaurants to dine in, browse through the list of restaurants listed in this book to choose the one that best suits your palate.

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!

Rajasthan is a coveted tourist destination offering a diverse array of tour options such as heritage tours, forts tours, palaces tours, wildlife tours, adventure tours, culture tour etc. Tourists from across the world step into this magical land to bask in its beauty and luxury. Endowed with various flavours, it has something for every tourist. Be it the urban or rural area, each destination here offers its own share of enchanting attractions.

If you are the one who has a fetish for luxury and royalty, then come to Rajasthan, which will please your senses to the hilt with its royal attractions. The royalty of this wonderland can be best experienced in the following luxurious establishments.

Lake Palace, Udaipur

It is a celestial establishment, which has been meticulously craved out of white marble. Overlooking the mesmerizing lake Pichola, the palace is like a romantic poetry waiting to leave the visitors enchanted. Sitting pretty on the Jag Niwas Island, the palace is one of the most famous heritage hotels of India. This five-star palace promises to offer you a five-star stay and that too in a royal style. The fabulous carved arches, lively paintings, shimmering crystal work and stained glass work are the striking features of the Palace.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Built with a special type of sandstone, Umaid Bhawan Palace was once the largest private residence in the world. It is an architectural marvel, which now serves as a stunning heritage hotel offering state-of-the-art facilities and services. The traditional Rajput style of architecture of the palace deserves mention. The exquisitely carved balconies, arresting courtyards, beautiful terraces and lush green gardens evokes an urge to plan a stay here. The museum of the palaces houses a wide range of artefacts belonging to the kings of the bygone era.

Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Jaisalmer

Sprawling over acres of land, Patwon-Ki-Haveli is an exquisitely carved haveli in Jaisalmer. The beautifully carved jharokhas (balconies), amazing stone work, arresting architecture and brilliant paintings of the haveli are notable. The beauty of the haveli earned it a great title—“The Taj Mahal Of Jaisalmer”.

The City Palace, Jaipur

Reflecting the magnificent combination of the traditional Rajasthani and Mughal style of architecture, the City Palace is an assortment of several fascinating palaces. The beautiful and regal interiors of the City Palace will transport you to the age of the Maharaja.

The City Palace, Udaipur

Occupying a great place on the tourist map of India, the City Palace, Udaipur invites you to experience the grandeur of the Royal era. Overlooking lake Pichola, the palace is a perfect combination of Medieval, European and Chinese architectural style. Its lavish aura will leave you spell bound. The palace abounds in several attractions.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Beautifully carved out in red sandstone, Hawa Mahal with its 963 windows is truly a wonder. Overlooking the bustling streets of Jaipur, it was especially built to allow the royal ladies to view the various processions held in the streets.

This royal land of Raja-Maharajas is truly a wonder in itself and so are its attractions. Pack your bags and embark on a journey to explore the ‘wonders of Rajasthan’.

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes ‘sight-seeing’. – Daniel J. Boorstin

Practical information

If you want to get inspiration for what to see go to a place that sells postcards an check out the things which seem interesting.

Take some snacks (e.g. an apple) with you while sightseeing to keep your energy level going.

You can sometimes pay entrance fee only once and then return on consecutive days without having to pay again. In order to be able to do this you may have to get a special stamp with the date or write your name on the back of the ticket. In some destinations such as Cancun, Mexico there are time share agents. They can offer you free food, discount tickets or even cash if you go and listen to a presentation (and to the endless argumentation from sales guys afterwards). If you can handle this it can be a good way to save money, but you have to look reasonably rich in order for them to give you the offer.

Personal Experience – The Punjab Plague Ploy

In Dehli a very nice gentlemen approached me as I was trying to find a place to buy train tickets. He kindly informed me that he came from the “Official Tourist Office” – something the metal badge strapped around his arm ensured. Perplexed by his badge and a being a newcomer in India I nicely took a stroll to the “Official Tourist Office”, which turned out to be nothing more than a regular travel agency. I said I wanted a train ticket to Punjab. People in the office were shaking their heads. “No, no, you can’t go to Punjab. People are dying there!” They were referring to a plague of some kind. And quickly offered a 10-day sightseeing tour to Rajastan instead. Well, I realized in time this was a bunch of crooks and found my way down to the official ticket office. Not surprisingly situated at the railway station, a few steps away from where he hooked me up.

In general, showing up at times when there are few people there is usually rewarding. Going to Taj Mahal in India in the early morning can offer great photo opportunities, while going there in the afternoon will give you a tourist invasion to cope with.

Tours

If you plan to visit sites which are visited on day tours (e.g. Petra in Jordan) but would like to avoid the crowds you can consider taking the tour day 1, stay overnight in a local hotel, go to the site early before the tour buses arrive day 2 and go back with the tour company on day 2. If you want to take tours the advice from fellow travellers is worth a lot more than that of the tour operators (who will try to sell you the tour where they get the highest commission).

If you travel alone going on a tour is a great way to meet people and to get advice on other things to do.

Personal Experience – The Balaton Blunder

I was staying in a private home near lake Balaton in Hungary. The house consisted of two floors with a common entrance door. The owner of the house showed me around the place and left me the key before he left. I was preparing for a nice afternoon sightseeing trek but when I tried to open the front door I found it locked. I tried to unlock it but the key did not work, the owner had left me the wrong key! The windows did not open and here was no back door. I gave up trying to pick the lock (I am an honest guy after all) and proceeded to yell out the window and wave. There were several people passing by but they all just smiled at me and waved back. After one hour the neighbour started to wonder what all the noise was about and finally got hold of the owner who came back and unlocked the door.

Baby cars seats are designed to protect your child from injury should you be involved in an accident. To further protect your child, the law states that all children under the age of twelve must ride in the back seat. From the day you leave the hospital with your new baby, he or she must be placed in a car safety seat. Infants must ride in a rear-facing seat until they weigh at least twenty pounds or reach the age of one.
The most common way to select a Chicago car service is by utilizing online services. This has become more popular because it is fast, convenient and reliable. The problem is, there are scam artists online just as there are in real life. These are the sites you want to stay away from. Some things you must pay attention to on the site is the information they provide, a phone number and whether or not you can find their information online. In other words, you need to make sure they are a reputable company. If their site looks unprofessional and suspicious, they are probably not a good company to deal with.
All kids are different but in general don’t drive as far as the adults can go in one day, try to keep car travel to a 6 to 8 hour range of time. Don’t fill the inside of the car to the brim causing less space for the kids, instead consider a car topper for safe keeping of your belongings.
Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Before you hit the road, be honest with yourself about what you and your children can handle in the way of a road trip. While older children might be capable of dealing with 10+ hours in the family van, chances are your 4-year-old isn’t. Generally speaking, young children should not be subjected to confinement in a car for more than six hours a day. This is just as much for your sanity as it is for theirs.
Stuff to amuse even the fussiest traveler – no matter what age – and what to put in that bottomless bag of tricks to keep the little ones occupied.
Choosing the right car seat can be an overwhelming task. It’s best to begin researching them when you first find out you are expecting. You should, however, wait until about a month before your baby is due to actually purchase your car seat. From the time they are manufactured, car seats start to lose their life and the longer they sit unused, the shorter their lifespan.
Any time that your baby is awake and behaving nicely (quiet, jabbering, looking around, etc.), make sure that you interact with your baby. In this way, your baby will learn to enjoy automobile travel because you are fun to ride with. You can try singing or humming songs, talking about what you are doing or where you are going. If your baby has a favorite blanket, place it next to or in the safety seat within his reach.

Disneyland is one of the most popular attractions that people from all over the world love going to. In fact, there are some that even travel halfway around the world just to get there. You can expect that not a day goes by that the park is empty.

Due to the number of people visiting the park, long lines are always expected. Disney’s management has devised a way to solve this problem.

The Resolution

Aurora Lillo Editor of the “Best Hotel Deals” website — http://www.BestHotelDeals.biz — pointed out;

“…To help reduce long lines for popular attractions, Disney launched an innovative system in 1999. This system is called the FastPass. From the first day it was used up until now, it has been very successful…”

This pass is available to everybody. You do not need to have a special ticket to get one. As long as you have a ticket to the park, then you are entitled to a FastPass. This pass is not to be bought. It is already included with your admission fee. If a stranger approaches you and tries to sell you a pass, decline it.

The Mechanics

If you see a FastPass Attraction, you will notice 2 clocks. One will inform you on how long the wait is for entrances. The other will tell you the time that you come back if you have a FastPass ticket already.

Basically, FastPass is a system that can reserve you a ride while you go do something else. In this way, you will not have to waste your magical park time waiting in long lines. Once you get a FastPass for a certain attraction, you can go to other attractions. You can shop. You can eat. Do whatever you want to do. You still get to see the attraction as long as you go back at the specified time.

How To Get A FastPass Ticket

At the entrance of an attraction, you can spot the FastPass machine for that attraction. Approach the FastPass machine and present your admission ticket. Insert the card to the card slot. Do not force the card inside. Your FastPass ticket will be out in no time!

What Is Written In Your FastPass?

On your FastPass ticket, you will see some encoded information. Take note of these important details. The ticket will indicate the time frame that you can go back to that attraction. That is the period of time that you can return for the ride/attraction.

Do not forget that there are some attractions that have a window of only 10-15 minutes, like the Little Mermaid Show and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. It is better for you to just wait or simply stay within the area, so that you will not be late when your window comes around.

What To Do When It’s Your Window Already

As soon as your FastPass window or time frame arrives, it is important that you go back to the attraction. Go to the FastPass holders line. Make sure that you have secured your ticket and have your FastPass ready. Show it to the Cast Member. While waiting in line, a Cast Member will actually get your FASTPASS ticket.

Important Things To Remember

There are some important things that you should remember when using FastPass. If you have a FastPass, this doesn’t entitle you to bring your crew with you. They will need to get a FastPass ticket too. Nevertheless, getting a FastPass ticket can be done by one person only, as long as they have the admission tickets for everyone in the group.

“…If you have a baby or a toddler that came into the park for free, there is no need to get them a FastPass. You cannot go FastPass Hopping to different attractions. All ticketing machines issuing the pass are linked together. A machine will not issue you another, if you have not used the previous pass that you just received for a different attraction…” added A. Lillo.

Further information about the cheapest rates on hotels all around the world by visiting; http://www.BestHotelRates.me

Holland certainly has a reputation with travelers. Known for having a very liberal attitude on social issues such as prostitution and drugs, the reputation is not always deserved. Yes, marijuana and prostitution is legal, but there is so much more to the country. Many look at Amsterdam as Holland, but visitors know there is much more. If you desire to travel to Holland, also known as the Netherlands, don’t miss these attractions.

Amsterdam

Simply put, Amsterdam has something for everyone. The city is an incredibly beautiful collection of old world European architecture elegantly partitioned by canals. In truth, the city is built on roughly 90 small islands, although you can hardly tell. Transportation is best undertaken on foot or by bicycle. With a cool climate, you’ll barely break a sweat.

Contrary to popular opinion, Amsterdam is not just a city of liberal policies. Yes, coffee bars sell things other then just coffee. Yes, there are women in windows that are awfully friendly. Still, there is so much more to experience in the city.

Van Gogh Museum

The Rijksmuseum Vincent van Gogh houses the world’s largest collection of the work of Vincent van Gogh. From his early work, the museum contains 700 artistic works and 850 letters. After moving to Paris in 1886, van Gogh entered an impressionist period, of which the museum contains a large collection. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the collection is the organization. The entire collection is arranged chronologically from the first to last work. As you walk, you can clearly see the evolution of this master’s skill.

Anne Frank House

Who hasn’t read the intense diary of Anne Frank? Hiding from the Nazis, she and her family lived in an annexed section of an apartment in Amsterdam for two years. In 1957, the house was donated to the Anne Frank Foundation and turned into a museum. A visit will send chills through your spine. The museum contains films, the annexed area and the original notes of Anne Frank. A must see for anyone traveling to Amsterdam.

Beyond Amsterdam

For those needing a break from Amsterdam, there is much to be seen in Holland. If you are looking for a color explosion, consider taking the bulb cycling tour out of Noordwijk. Windmills your thing? Head to the De Zaan district to see them in action. Prefer to spend a night in a castle? Try the Castle Hotel Engelenburg, which even lets you ruin a good walk by playing golf.

Travel to Holland and you won’t regret it. Whether you want to “investigate” the countries liberal policies or simply bike through fields of tulips, Holland will satisfy.

We all were shocked and concerned when we found out that US Airways flight 1549 was forced to land in New York’s Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Apparently geese were sucked into one or both of the airplane’s engines, causing the plane to go down. For quite some time now, airports and airline companies have known that birds can pose quite a threat to an airplanes engine, and many airports have come up with different ways to combat the issues.
For example, in Amsterdam at the Schipol Airport, a robotic hawk flies around scaring all of the birds away so that airplanes can safely take off and land. However, if you’d like an even stranger job within the travel industry, head on over to the Zurich Airport. Here, they employ three hunters to shoot down potentially damaging creatures. When we travel it’s easy to overlook these strange jobs that are necessary, but it is because of these jobs that we are able to travel safely.
Airport hunters are just one of the strangest jobs that you’ll find out there. Don’t be surprised if you feel that some of these other jobs are even stranger.
Many travel-industry jobs are all about keeping Mother Nature at bay.You’ll find jobs ranging from keeping pesky seagulls from invading the Four Seasons’ pool in Santa Barbara, to keeping pigeons from freckling monuments with their droppings in Italy, to keeping monkeys from stealing guests cookies in India.
“Monkey Men” are what they are called. These men are employed by a plush resort in India and spend their day chasing primates who are prone to stealing guests’ cookies. Who knows, maybe the monkey’s need a few extra cookies for their tea party on the other side of the resorts stone wall.
Coconut Safety Engineer
At the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas Virgin Islands a man by the name of Shaka shimmies up the resorts palm trees, which tower between 20 to 60 feet high to pick ripe coconuts. There have been a few studies that have found that ripened falling coconuts can cause severe head injuries and even death, so it is up to Shaka to take care of the problem. As he climbs up the trees, he isn’t just putting on a show for the guests, he is helping to keep them safe. Onlookers may even get the chance to sample some fresh coconut when he cracks one open after his descent. Shaka also shares the fruits of his labors poolside at a sunset get together announced by the blowing of the conch shell.
Karaoke Taxi Drivers
In Helsinki, Finland, you’ll find Karaoke taxi drivers, who will entertain you as you ride along. No more are the days of shallow chitchat with your cab driver; here in these brightly colored Mercedes minivans, you’ll have the opportunity to join in the fun and sing a song of your own. These taxis seat from eight to thirteen riders and are equipped with 5,000 songs. These type of taxis are rare to find just waiting to be hailed on the street, no you’ll have to book in advance over the phone for this unique experience.
Sewer Guide
In Paris, smell-tolerant visitors can visit the Museum of the Sewers, which has been a hit since it first opened in the 19th century. Most often, sewer guides are ex-sewer workers, so they have developed a threshold for the aromatic hazards. The sewer museum has long been held as the underground masterpiece of Paris, where sewer lines correspond by name to the streets above. You may even have the chance to see pipes emptying from the corresponding homes. At only $6 for entrance,  you’ll have an interesting and memory building experience.
LEGO Professional Gluer
We all remember as kids building towers out of Legos, so the biggest draw for Lego fans is Miniland USA, which is where professional Lego engineers and gluers, erect models of the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Vegas strip. The team of Master Model Builders divvies up the responsibilities of designing, building, and maintaining the models. The group that maintains the models periodically go around and clean or add UV coating to the models, and the builders are the ones who painstakingly glue the bricks together based on the designer’s plans. At Miniland USA, the Master Model Builders have become their own exhibit, featuring a giant window on one side of their workshop. Here, you’ll have the chance to see the builders at work and discover how those intricate models are actually made.
Manners Police
In Venice, birds and their droppings on statues and monuments have been a thorn in the side of officials. Even though they have to watch over the bird population, these days there is an even bigger pest that needs monitoring. The manners police, who are referred to as “Volunteer Angels”, try to keep at bay uncouth tourists who may be traipsing around shirtless or who sit down in the middle of the sidewalk to eat a sandwich. These “angels” have been on duty for a couple of years to intervene in any flagrant pec-flashing or sandwich-eating. The volunteer crew is made up of 50 people, mainly locals and mainly women ranging in age from 20 to 60. Usually they’l give offenders a friendly warning, but if needs be, they will flag a traffic cop to fine the offenders. So, next time you visit Venice, make sure to keep your shirt on and do not eat a sandwich in the middle of the sidewalk.
These are just a few of the strange jobs found within the travel industry. With the bad economy and record unemployment, who knows, we may just see more people flocking to fill positions such as these. These days, if you can think up a potential job, it probably exists somewhere out there.

Wake up in Bangkok and know that anything is possible. My perfect day would begin with a walk down the busy streets to select the best egg noodle soup with wontons and red pork, a delicious, ubiquitous dish and an excellent hangover cure. A trip down the river is next on the cards, a wonderful breezy way to see the city and its monuments without choking to death.

Our trip to Thailand had been long awaited, originally planned for the winter of 94/95. The balloon was ready at Thunder and Colt with a heavy duty basket tailor made for hard use overseas. And then they went bust. The delay meant that we missed the relatively short window available for flying in Thailand. So it was rainy old England for most of the winter and a rethink of the plan for us.

So after a fantastic summer passenger flying in England, it was off on a Quantas Jumbo from a snowy December Heathrow. We caught a connecting flight from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, a city in the North which was hosting the South East Asia Games, ( SEA games ) our first port of call. Jon, returning from SAGA, was there for three days to ease us into things.

Our hosts had managed to find sponsor’s a cell phone company and we had a busy schedule ahead. The city was humming with activity related to the games and it was great fun to be there. We generally flew across the city in the mornings and over the main stadium in the evenings.

The stadium itself was about 10km from the centre of the city and lay under an east facing slope which of course moved into shade in the evening allowing us to fly over the stadium and away into open countryside, the mornings had the ability to take us up the slope and away to the west which was not a good idea as there was about 50km of forest and national park before the next road.

It was always fairly calm and finding places to land was not a problem. We were not alone in the air a Carlsburg balloon had been shipped in from Europe and a Cameron Gas airship from America. Strangely neither thought to visit or call the international airport 8km south of the stadium. This caused some amount of trouble as Thai’s love complicated permissions to fly and neither had any. As we did have permission we were contactable and received some amount of flack from their CAA. We smoothed the path quite well for them, prison was mentioned on more than one occasion!

The airship did a fantastic job seemingly never out of the air and carrying a TV camera beaming live pictures from the stadium. During the evening we tethered next to the stadium and the airship still plodded around dropping leaflets.

Thai’s are football fanatics and the Asian cup was also held during the games in the evening. Our tethers coincided with all the home team games. As Thailand progressed through the ranks tickets sold out and it started to get ugly at the gates. For the semi final the fans burnt down the ticket tents in protest and several thousand extra tried to get in causing an outbreak of police brutality.

We all know that London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom and its the most important cultural, business and financial centres. It is the most populous city in the the Europe. Every year thousands of visitors accross the world come to see London city with the annual expenditure of around ? 15 billion.

London offers many tourist attractions like Leicester Square, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, The London Eye , Madame Tussauds, British Museum and many more, with so many things to see in london why not book a coach with us and enjoy the ride of this beautiful and the bussiest city in the world.

London is excellent for a day visit as well and thus we will provide you with the best of coaches that we have and that too at a competative rates, we not only look after customers needs but also looks after their comfort and safety.

All our coaches are fitted with Seat belts, Toilets, Reading lights, Recling Seat, Carpeted Floor, Air Conditioning , Full air suspension,  Tinted Windows, Curtains / Blinds, Toilet,  Radio/Cassette or CD/DVD Player and electronic tracking devices to ensure your coach arrives and departs on time. Our Coach are from 16, 24, 49 to 75 passenger seats, all our luxurious coaches are available for private coach hire and business hire. We use the most up-to-date, bespoke technology to ensure that your coach hire booking goes as smoothly as possible.

You will find all our customer service managers helpful and professional, they will ensure that your trip to the Great London city will not only be excellent but also a memorable one.
We pride ourselves in providing A-1 service in London city and nationwide.