Ways to Save Money for Holiday Travel

Many people want to travel for the holidays but they don’t feel like they can because their budget doesn’t allow for it. Yet there are plenty of ways you can raise money to be able to do so. The sooner you start making a plan and determining how much money you will need the more successful you will be. Come up with as accurate of an amount as you can so you wont’ fall short. If you overestimate the amount of money you need for holiday travel then you can enjoy it later on.

Make a commitment not to touch the money you save for holiday travel under and circumstances. Place it in the bank or in a piggy bank that you have to break to get into. This way you won’t be tempted to remove any of the money for another purpose. The money you save for holiday travel will safely continue to grow until you are ready to travel.

Everyone needs to remove clutter from their home now and then so get it done and have a yard sale. Price the items cheap so that you won’t have to haul it all back into your home again. Making some money off the items you no longer need is better than not making any at all. You may want to place some of the items on the various online auctions so that you can get a better price for them. Do your research to see what is selling on these sites so you can have a good chance of selling yours.

Take a close look at your income and think about how much of it you can reasonably put away for holiday travel. Even if it is only $10 a week you can start putting it away and it will add up quickly. If you get paid every two weeks there will be months when you get three pay checks. Make a plan to save at least ? of those paychecks for your holiday travel plans.

You may find making some adjustments to your family’s budget can help you to save enough money for holiday travel as well. Instead of paying for a cup of coffee on the way to work each day make your own. Rather than going out to dinner and to a movie consider ordering a pizza and renting a movie. All the extra money that you save needs to go towards your holiday travel plans.

Ask your boss about any additional shifts or overtime hours you can have in order to save money for holiday travel. This means you may have to give up some of your free time but it will be a worthwhile sacrifice. Let other people know you are for hire too so they can pay you to baby sit, clean their house, or paint their garage. These little projects can be very fun and add up to some nice cash for the holiday travel plans you have.

If you are traveling for the holidays to see your family or friends ask them about a no gift rule if you want to go for Christmas. Explain to them that you will be saving all your money towards coming to see them for the holidays. The amount of money you will save on gifts quickly adds up, and being able to spend time with your family and friends will be a gift you can’t put a price on.

Look for excellent deals on holiday travel as well. It will be wonderful if you find a cheap flight or a discount of the train or bus. This means you will have less money to save up for your holiday travel. It may take some effort and some sacrifices but it will be well worth it when the holiday of your choice rolls around and you are able to go where you want to go.

Ваш отзыв , 19 Jan 2012

Accommodation at Holiday Parks

There are many reasons why leaving the usual Christmas day routine and going to a holiday park is a good idea including the range of activities and shows that are available for all the family. These activities are complimented by the great festive shows that are put on during Christmas to get everyone in the mood.

When you choose to go to one of the holiday parks you will need to select the type of accommodation you require and there are several types to suit an array of requirements both budget and dietary. Whichever option you choose you can be sure you will have somewhere to rest your head after a day experiencing what the holiday parks have to offer.

There are some special hotels that have been erected in some areas that provide visitors with the highest quality accommodation with dining facilities that are second to none. If you want to really treat your family then these are the places to stay if you have the budget to do so. Alternatively there are some fantastic places to stay that offer dinner, bed and breakfast and these come in different standard accommodation.

The deluxe suites come fully equipped with everything you need to relax after a fun-filled day or shows and activities. TV in the master bedroom, mini fridge, personal safe for your belongings, patio with comfortable chairs and table and Egyptian cotton bed linen finish off nicely meaning you can get a great night sleep ready to do it all again. For those on a budget there are more standard rooms that offer the basics but still have a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and a nicely designed bathroom.

You can also choose self catering facilities if you have certain dietary requirements as you have your own kitchen so you can make your own food. It is like having a home from home when you stay in one the fine self catering accommodations and is the preferred option for many families. Again like the catered accommodations there are different types to suit each budget but you are sure to find one that matches your requirement and your wallet.

UK family breaks in the winter can get your mind off the terrible weather and with plenty going on you will soon forget about it. Accommodation like Bognor Regis hotels provides all you need for comfort.

Ваш отзыв , 19 Jan 2012

Nairobi Safari Experience

Nairobi more than lives up to its name of ‘Safari Capital of the World’ with scores and scores of exotic safari options. The city will definitely satiate the ones bitten by the nature bug.  After all, it is an unthinkable but nonetheless welcome break to play one of those daredevil Discovery Channel hosts by coming across a pride of lions in the desert of wilderness after the monotonous routine of city life in London. This destination is the gateway to different wildlife reserves of Kenya.

Your once in a lifetime will more than make up for the cost of those air tickets to Nairobi. Start your itinerary with a visit to the Nairobi Safari Walk facility for unforgettable memories of the wild. This walk takes one through forest, savannah, and wetland landscapes. The wetland serves as the entrance and its terraced layout accommodates a bewildering array of flora life. As one moves to the ground floor level, a captivating sight of exotic fauna life greets the onlooker. Right from the relatively tamer varieties like antelopes, zebras, and wilbeests, one can come up close to cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos, and hyenas. Rigid standards of safety are maintained but the experience leaves nothing to the imagination as one gets to behold animals roaming in simulated but absolutely natural habitats.

Further ahead is a release boma serving as a rhino enclosure. As one proceeds to the tropical dry forest, a melody of sounds from a colourful variety of bird life treats the ear. Here, it is a good idea to spend serene idyllic moments on one of the benches. The walking route opens into a look out zone offering mesmerising views of a water hole in the Nairobi National Park. Here, the lucky ones can spy on every type of animal. A board walk at tree top level finally caps the walk. There is a leopard blind here and you can behold the animal without the constraint of a glass barrier. The entire 1.5 km stretch of walk safari spells sheer natural bliss.

Though every wildlife reserve is a jewel in the crown for Kenya, the most widely known ones are Nairobi National Park, Tsavo National Park, Samburu and Shaba National Parks, and Maasai Mara National Park. As you take a safari through these wonderful gifts of nature, it appears that you have entered an overpopulated thriving city. The only difference is that these are green cities, where towering trees replace skyscrapers and exotic animals, both tame and aggressive, replace human beings.  Watching these animals from the confines of your vehicle gives an unparalleled high.

To make the most of your cheap air tickets to Nairobi, try to stay in one of the theme accommodations. One place that immediately comes to mind is the The Giraffe Manor. In this 120 acre property, you can feed giraffes right from the dining table of your second floor room. A safari in Nairobi cannot be described. It has to be experienced to be felt.

Ваш отзыв , 18 Jan 2012

Live Like A King At Rajasthan Palaces On Your Rajasthan Tour

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’.

Ваш отзыв , 17 Jan 2012

How To Avoid Pig Balls In Your Noodles

The great thing about most Asian countries is that the food is delicious and cheap, and Malaysia is no different. Of course you can find McDonalds and Burger King if you are so inclined, but for a real good feed that is dirt cheap, head to the local hawkers. I haven’t really seen a western equivalent, but I guess it is like the restaurants we get in food courts, only they stand alone and don’t have entry door. Most are sheltered though with roofs and an open air door. You’ll know them when you see them, and they are everywhere. Most sell the same type of things but with slight differences depending on where the owner comes from, e.g. Halal, Chinese, Malaysian, Indian etc (halal won’t serve pork).

As a general tip, go to the ones that are packed with locals, however, certain stalls are ‘famous’ for certain foods. There is one in KK that is famous for boiled eggs. It is ALWAYS packed, but only serves bread, boiled eggs and drinks, and the eggs aren’t anything special (they’re just boiled eggs!) Apparently it has been running like this for over 40 years!

Now most of the ‘waitresses’ in these Hawkers don’t speak too much English so you will need to know how to order. Also, as I found out, you should specify exactly what you want otherwise you may get a few surprises. If the place your at is famous for their Birds Nest Soup, then that is what you’ll get in your soup unless you say ‘No Birds Nest Please” Below are a few useful words when ordering. I’m not to sure about the spelling so Ive spelled it phonetically, which is generally how things are spelled in Malay anyway.

Mee – Noodles
Mee Hoon – Thin Noodles
Mee Goreng – Fried Noodles
Mee Hoon Sup – Thin Noodle Soup
Daging Babi – Pork (Daging means meat)
Nasi – Rice
Ayam – Chicken
Nasi Ayam – Chicken Rice (A popular ‘take-away’ style meal)
Nasi Lemak – Another type of rice dish
Ikan – Fish
Perut – Stomach (Tripe)
Tidak – No
Sila – Please
Dilarang – Don’t
Saya Mao – I want
Saya tidak mao perut – I don’t want stomach
Sayur – Vegetables
Tandas – Toilet
Roti Canai – A pankake type bread dish usually served with some type of curry
Minum – Drink
Makan – Eat, Food
Minum Air – Drinking Water (Make sure it is bottled)
Kopi – Coffee
Gorang Manis – Less Sweet (Malays like sugar in their hot drinks, probably more than you are used to)
Te – Tea
Kopi Ping – Iced Coffee
Bir – Beer
ABC Special – A desert or snack type food usually consisting of jelly cubes, ice cream, mung beans and fruit, Try it if you see it on a menu

There isn’t too many words above but when it comes to food that’s about as much as I know. Everything else is just point at the menu and try your luck!

One more word that is not food related, and may not even be Malay (possibly Cadasan) is Aramati — It means ‘I FEEL GOOD!’

Bon Appetite!

P.S. Go visit Labuan, it is a small tax free island off KK. VB is cheaper there than it is in Australia! (VB is an Australian brand of beer)

More travel related articles can be found here

Ваш отзыв , 17 Jan 2012

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