1.  New Zealand
New Zealand is a favorite spot when it comes to the friendliness of locals and hostels.  There are over 350 hostels in New Zealand.  The benefits of staying in a hostel include safety at night, hot showers, full kitchens, internet access and a place to meet fellow backpackers.  Attractions in New Zealand include the mud baths of Rotorua, the Franz Josef Glacier and the Lord of the Rings Tour in Queenstown.

2.  Hungary
Hungary has more English-speaking people than any other country in Eastern Europe, lots of hostels and good public transportation.  More good reasons to backpack here include the Great Plain, Lake Balaton and the world’s largest thermal lake, Lake Hévíz.  Attractions include the Caves under Budapest, Margaret Island and soaking in one of the other thermal places in the country (80% of Hungary has thermal places).  Friendly people and great food are more pluses.  Check with destination guides for info such as weather and currency.

3.  Costa Rica
With a coastline that is 800 miles long, Costa Rica is great place if you want beaches.  Playa Jacó is known for waves, surfers and backpackers.  There are a number of hostels close to the beach at really low costs.  The Osa Peninsula and Quepos are two more great beach destinations for backpackers that are know for safety, friendliness and beauty.  Attractions in Costa Rica include the Pura Vida Waterfalls and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

4.  Indonesia
While all of Indonesia is great, Kuta and Obud are known as safe places for backpackers.  Kuta has tons of hostels, surfing beaches, shopping and good nightlife.  Attractions include the Bali Shell Museum, voyaging on the Odyssey Submarine and spas.

Ubud is quieter and prettier.  Attractions include the Ubud Monkey Forest, rafting on the Sobek Ayung River and the intricate rice paddies around the town.  Destination guides are a big help in foreign places because they can inform you on currency, the best times to visit and upcoming festivals.

5.  North Carolina (plus some)
The Appalachian Trail is around 2,181 miles long and extends through 14 states in the United States.  It is known as the “longest continuously marked footpath in the world”.  The A.T. has over 250 campsites and shelters for backpackers and receives around 2 to 3 million each year.  All portions of the trail are checked frequently which makes this a pretty safe place for backpacking.  Attractions are the many types of flora and fauna that backpackers get to see.

6.  India
India is known as pure adventure to backpackers.  The splendor of the Himalayans, the exotic beaches of Goa, the friendly people and the spicy food bring scores of backpackers to India every year.  The key to safety in India is the buddy system, which is common sense anyway.  Attractions in India include the Taj Mahal, the Elephanta Caves and the Backwaters of Kerala.

7.  Iceland
Regardless of the name, Iceland is actually known for hot springs, lava flows and steaming geysers.  The Laugevegur Trail is a favorite of backpackers who are ready for a 4-day trek that goes hut to hut.  Surrounded by barren hills, steaming vents and the arctic wind, it is easy to feel like you are on a different planet.  The Laugevegur is safe for backpackers and full of adventure.  Other Icelandic attractions include the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Waterfall. (Ryan)

Bali may be small in size – you can drive around the entire coast in one long day – but its prominence as a destination is huge, and rightfully so. Ask travellers what Bali means to them and you’ll get as many answers as there are flowers on a frangipani tree. Virescent rice terraces, pulse-pounding surf, enchanting temple ceremonies, mesmerising dance performances and ribbons of beaches are just some of the images people cherish.

Small obviously doesn’t mean limited. The manic whirl of Kuta segues into the luxury of Seminyak. The artistic swirl of Ubud is a counterpoint to misty treks amid the volcanoes. Mellow beach towns like Amed, Lovina and Pemuteran can be found right round the coast and just offshore is the laid-back idyll of Nusa Lembongan.

As you stumble upon the exquisite little offerings left all over the island that materialise as if by magic, you’ll see that the tiny tapestry of colours and textures is a metaphor for Bali itself.

And those are just some of the more obvious qualities. A visit to Bali means that you are in the most visitor-friendly island of Indonesia. There are pleasures of the body, whether a massage on the beach or a hedonistic interlude in a sybaritic spa. Shopping that will put ‘extra bag’ at the top of your list. Food and drink ranging from the freshest local cuisine bursting with the flavours of the markets to food from around the globe, often prepared by chefs and served in restaurants that are world class. From a cold Bintang at sunset to an epic night clubbing in Kuta, your social whirl is limited only by your own fortitude.

Since then, anime has become a hot commodity,  a growing worldwide industry with the US market alone worth over US$4 billion dollars. Anime culture is closely tied to video games and manga, evolving from 1960s through the pokemon phenomenon in the late 1990s to the film Spirited Away, which won an Academy Award in 2003.

Though the Japanese government gave little thought to exporting culture in the past, in 2002 it declared itself an Intelectual Property-based Nation, and it is now gung ho about actively sharing the art of animewith the world as well as pre-serving its tradition for future generations. There are some who believe that anime may even be just the thing to boost the economy and help build a robust  future for Japan.

Incorporating art with entertainment, the anime museum experince tend to be whimsical, occasionally interactive and a great fun way to discover Japan. The website of the Fujiko F.Fujio museum, for example, invite us to “come and feel the “fun mind” of Fujiko F. Fujio. “Fujio was the creator of the ubiquitous Doraemon, a robotic cat from the future with a fourth dimensional pocket that contains all sorts of useful- and not so useful – tools that he uses to create havoc in the life of his nerdy and incompetent  companion.

Wherever you are in Japan, there’s strong possibility you’ll find yourself close to an anime museum, galery or anime related attraction. Though it may be popular “low” culture rather than high, the art of anime can take you on a whirlwind ride through the playground of your mind. I enjoy the attitude of Hayao Miyazaki, the director of “Spirited Away” and the man behind the Ghibli Museum, who explicity states on the institution’s website that he does not want the museum to be “pretentious”  or “arrogant.”  The Ghibli  has no follow this arrow route:each visitor is expected to experience the museum at his/her own place in his/her own way. The “Where a Film is born” exhibit begins with a room full of books and toys, it walls littered with sketches and ilustrations that invite you to linger. This is a place where you can seek out treasures hidden in desk drawers, see what the creation process of Japanese animation entails and discover how the Ghibli films were created from the time they were just twinkle in Miyazaki’s eye. (Deborah Desnoo)

Incoming search terms:

• anime aviation
• anime museums

Look for travel agents who run more services to your destination

Not all travel agents run services equally to all places. Many of them have their own niche regions that they service more often. In other words, they have deals with more number of flights flying in a particular direction. The travel agents will be able to get you tickets at very cheap rates is your destination matches their niche and you would enjoy cheap air tickets booking.

Buy directly from the airline website

You can make good purchases by buying tickets directly from websites of the airlines. You can obtain tickets at good prices without the commissions that are charged by intermediaries. The sites are regularly upgraded to include discount packages or any kind of special offers.

Get special credit cards for airlines

Airline credit cards are one of the best ways to obtain a good deal. These credit cards are a result of an understanding between financial institutions and airline services. By using the airline credit cards, you can get tickets at low rates and you will also be eligible for cash back offers. These cards reduce the cost of flying considerably for people who have to travel frequently.

Try to Be Flexible about Airlines

Restricting yourself to flying a particular airline may make your tickets more expensive.

Try to Be Flexible About Travel Dates

If you restrict yourself to flying on a particular date and at a particular time, it can be expensive. On the other hand, if you’re prepared to be flexible about your travel arrangements, you will have a wide range of ticketing options to consider, some of which may be considerably cheaper. (Ritvi Jha)

As our pets have become more and more a part of our lives, an increasing number of airlines have begun to allow pets to travel in the cabin with their owners. Although pets traveling as cargo are generally safe, knowing you are close by will reduce the stress of flying for your pet, and allows you to attend to their physical needs.

You will most likely have to pay an extra fee to take your pet on the plane, whether it stays with you in the cabin, or flies as cargo. Fees vary, but domestic flights generally charge between $100 and $250. On international flights, these fees can go as high as $500. Also, many airlines limit the number of pets in their cabin at any one time.

You must make a reservation for your pet on these airlines, and you’ll want to do so as soon as possible to avoid being “overbooked”. Also, the pet itself must meet certain requirements. Aside from breed considerations mentioned above, most airlines require that pets be at least 8 weeks of age to travel. They must be fully vaccinated, licensed, and be in good health- you may need to prove this with a bill of health from a veterinarian. Also, pets that behave aggressively may be turned away, even if all other requirements have been met. If you are not confident that your pet is sufficiently mature and well-trained to behave well on a plane trip, make other arrangements! Once you’ve fully understood and met all the requirements to bring your pet on board a plane, you can begin preparing for your flight. Pets who fly as checked luggage or as cargo must be housed in carriers meeting specific requirements, which can be found at the IATA website.

In short, however, pets traveling as cargo must be in a hard pet crate with ventilation on at least two sides, large enough for the pet to turn around and stand up in, and must have food and water bowls attached to the interior in such a way that they can be refilled from the outside if necessary. Requirements for carriers for pets traveling in the cabin are less restrictive. They only require that the pet be fully enclosed- no purses that let the pet’s head poke out- and that the carrier fit under the seat, as normal for carry-on luggage. For this purpose, a soft dog crate is ideal, as it will flex somewhat to fit better under the seat. Soft dog crates are also collapsible, lighter, and more convenient to travel with in general. Once the takeoff has been completed, you may remove the carrier from under the seat, but pets must remain inside the carrier at all times. Some pet owners believe that the compassionate thing to do for a pet who may be stressed or scared by the experience of flight is to administer sedative prior to the flight. This is a bad idea for several reasons. First off, it won’t be terribly effective. Taking a bit of Nyquil isn’t going to keep you relaxed in the middle of a burning building- the adrenaline overpowers the sedative. The same applies to your dog. All sedatives will do is disorient your pet, causing it to lose its balance and possibly injure itself.

 On top of that, the combination of sedatives and pressure changes can cause potentially fatal respiratory malfunctions, especially in snub-nosed breeds of dogs and cats. A better way to prepare your pet is to take it for a good long exercise beforehand. Not only will this leave it exhausted, and less likely to become stressed in-flight, but it’ll help make sure the pet eliminates waste before getting on the plane. In any case, being prepared for an “accident” is important. Make sure your carrier is waterproof, and lay a disposable “puppy pad” or the like inside, with extras to spare, in case the pet loses bowel or bladder control. Being prepared to take care of a mess your pet creates is only the considerate, responsible thing to do. By the same token, make certain that your pet is as well-groomed and clean as possible before boarding. Not only will this spare other passengers from dealing with an unpleasant odor, but it may help those with allergies from become affected by your pet. Being a considerate and responsible pet passenger isn’t only the right thing to do, but a constructive step toward more tolerant airline policies toward pets.

As pet owners show that they are able to travel with pets without causing harm or discomfort to their pets, themselves, or other passengers, airlines will most likely reduce or eliminate fees for pets. These fees are there in large part to offset the costs of legal fees, upholstery cleaning, and flight delays caused by careless pet owners. By observing the rules and practicing good common sense, we may one day live in a world where Fido can fly for free. (Andrew Massaro)

When deciding which way you are going to fly, there are some important things to take into consideration. And which direction to fly in isn’t the only decision that you are going to have to make. Sometimes the direction or destination is chosen for you, for instance if you are traveling for work, or if your spouse plans a trip that you have no involvement in.

But most of the time, you have the choices laid out before you, you have the decisions to make, not just the decision of where you are going, but how you’re going to get there. You can go along with the status quo, follow the herd and do what everybody else is doing, namely booking flights on commercial airliners. But there is another choice, a better way to fly, even better than first class. You’re probably asking yourself what could be better than first class, but you most likely already know.

Of course it is booking a flight on a private air charter. Private jets offer all of the amenities and benefits that used to be synonymous with the glamour and thrill of flying. You are in charge of what you want and who you want to be on the aircraft with you, flying used to fun and exciting and even a little bit glamorous and thrilling. It has lost all of those qualities over the past couple of decades, and has become tedious and quite frankly, a big hassle.
Almost everything about flying has gotten to the point that the negatives outweigh the positives. With so many negatives, it makes it difficult to pick out the good stuff. But what might have seemed fun and adventurous in the past, but lost its sheen, can be made to feel that way again when flying with a private carrier. A private jet offers everything that you could possible need or want when it comes to air travel.

It is convenient, it is comfortable and all of the choices are up to you, not left in the hands of a large cooperate entity that is looking at the bottom line and not the customer. The main consideration for flying on a private jet may be cost for many people, and the cost is higher, but for people that are used to flying first class, the difference is not that astronomical. For many people though, the cost will be prohibitive, but then again, flying with a private carrier is not for everybody. (Patrick Daniels)

Taking the steps necessary to insure that everything goes off without a hitch is important in helping you create the perfect holiday experience. After all, when you think about it, it is always best to make sure that you have everything in order because if you arrive overseas having forgot just one document or important piece of identifying information more than half your trip could revolve around this one blunder.
Ensuring that you cover all the bases when it comes to international travel can be challenging because some internet resources are not as reliable as others and while you will likely get trustworthy information from travel agencies, airlines, hotel chains, and of course government informational websites, informational articles could potentially have gaps. So if you are seeking information about international travel online then it is best to use several unique information resources to make sure that you receive all the information that you will need to have.
Factors to consider very carefully include rules about passports and information regarding insurance, both travelers health insurance and car insurance as well as information about an International Driving Permit as well. This information is something that varies considerably from country to country and while reciprocity exists between some countries it is not a given in any location.

Getting all of your paperwork in order will just help to ensure that you have an excellent travel experience. It doesn’t matter where you travel in the world you will also want to make sure and make contact with the embassy and let them know. These days with so much unrest in the world it is just best to make sure your country and family has knowledge of your whereabouts and how to contact you in case of an emergency. Communication many times between countries isn’t very good and therefore it is important to makes sure that someone is expecting to hear from you at regular intervals throughout your trip and a copy of your itinerary should be kept at home just in case any questions or problems occur.

]]> http://www.air-van.com/the-international-holiday-checklist.html/feed 0 http://www.air-van.com/take-advantage-of-the-good-deals-in-the-off-season.html http://www.air-van.com/take-advantage-of-the-good-deals-in-the-off-season.html#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:12:50 +0000 admin http://www.air-van.com/?p=66 When it comes to getting a travel deal there is no better way to go about it then to shop around during the off season and find the bargains. There is always a cutoff date between peak season prices and off season prices and if you stay close enough to the outskirts of the season you can very likely have the same vacation stay that you could have during the season but for a whole lot less.
Most seasoned travelers know this and even when they book their holiday stay at the beach resorts they always make sure they shoot for just a week or two into the off season. During this period of time you will likely find that the cost of your holiday is cut nearly in half because not only will you be able to book a beach front hotel room for a lot less but you will likely find that everything from airfare to car rentals are also extremely low in this region during the same period.
Food prices are pretty much the only thing that holds relatively steadfast from season to season and as a result this is probably the only place that you won’t get a huge deal. As a matter of fact you will very likely find that even most local attractions will offer discounts in the off-season as well.
If you are not sure about when the off peak time is for a particular location you can usually access this information online or you can contact a local hotel for more information. They will normally be glad to share with you the peak times as well as off peak reservation prices to help you ascertain the holiday deal that is best for you. Having this information is important to making the best deals on your hotel and other holiday arrangements. Knowing and understanding the differences in the weather and attraction availability is also something that you may want to discuss with these knowledgeable persons.
Nowadays getting a deal is well worth your while with the soaring price of everything. To make sure that you don’t get taken for a ride make sure that even when you are making reservations during the off season that you are making sure to research prices. Even in the off-peak times you will find some hotel chains and airlines are still looking to take advantage of the anxious shopper, so take your time, you will save some money and be glad you did. (Patrick Daniels)

No matter how simple booking your own reservations can be there are still many people who will always choose the simplicity of contacting a travel agent over doing some legwork themselves.  This is simply human nature.  For those of us who do not mind getting our hands dirty in pursuit of a good deal, however, the internet is an incredible resource and one that offers endless opportunities to save, save, save, when it comes to both domestic and international travel.   Internet research can be a bit overwhelming if you are not sure what you are looking for so it is always best to set up some criteria before you begin looking around.  This will help you focus on the task at hand and will help you to not be led astray by all the internet advertising which could have you clicking around to destinations unknown in no time flat.  As a matter of fact all that advertising could take your beach getaway weekend and turn it into a ski weekend in no time.  This is why it is very important really narrow down some of the basics before shopping around.   Things you are going to most without a doubt want to consider is the when and where of your travel.  Being somewhat flexible is always better when it comes to booking the best price on a hotel stay and airfare but you most unquestionably want to lay out certain guidelines to your travel to help you narrow down the tremendous number of choices that you will access on the web.  Coming up with a general where as in a larger scope of area will help provide you with some options while still having the vacation experience you’re looking for. Discount travel websites can be of tremendous assistance when you are planning a holiday and you are going to most likely find that you can get most of your shopping done just using one or two of these sites to assist you.  Of course, you’ll still want to check in with each business directly to find out exactly what they are offering but in most cases you’ll likely find that using a discount travel site will offer you the added bonus of allowing you to book all of your reservations at the same time and will usually afford you an extra discount if you book your airfare, hotel accommodations, and car rental all at the same time and through the same site. For those who still want to call a travel agent by all means do so.  More than likely, however, you can come up with just as good a deal on your own by using the internet to shop around and by using a discount travel site to book your trip. (Patrick Daniels)

Part of a vacation getaways ultimate appeal is the chance to try all of the different activities that are available at the resort. Fun, relaxing, invigorating and energizing experiences such as hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, sitting around a bonfire at night and whatever else may be discovered while there, each needs to be experienced at least once, because it may prove to be a really good time and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Often times travelers are drawn to location getaways at a resort style hotel that is known to have luxurious amenities like beautifully appointed rooms with a fireplace, a balcony or veranda, crisp high thread count linens, thick bath towels and spa tubs. An onsite spa that offers guests access to manicures, pedicures and the indulgence of a massage is an additional bonus that many guests will enjoy making use of throughout their stay.

Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the getaways beautiful scenery, peaceful atmosphere, relaxing location, attentive staff and the wonderful overall ambiance. Some hotels will boast of having a gourmet chef on staff to provide fabulous meals in the restaurant and private dining through room service. They will ensure the privacy of their guests is protected, even offering the use of a private airstrip to those individuals able to fly in via private plane. Hotel employees are highly trained to be professional, discreet and eager to provide top notch hospitality while they strive to meet any need that may arise for one of their guests.

Vacation getaways are an experience that many people long to partake of, but with time and finances posing a possible obstacle, or in short supply, planning a trip as an individual or family can prove to be a daunting undertaking. Selecting the hotel, resort and the location for the trip, knowing every aspect must be evaluated so the best choice to fit the budget allowed for the outing will be maximized, can become stressful. But in the end the getaway will be an amazing experience that will conjure wonderful memories for many years to come. (Anders Abadie)