Posts Tagged ‘Thailand’

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Finding Places to Stay When Visiting Hong Kong


2010
04.11

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Hong Kong is an eclectic mix of Chinese and British influences mixed with a massive amount of adrenaline. Fortunately, you can find places to stay when visiting Hong Kong without much problem.

Finding Places to Stay When Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong is both a modern and ancient city. First appearances reveal a modern metropolis teaming with commerce, crowds and traffic you would expect to find in any major city in the world. Walk down an alley, however, and you will find all kinds of oddities and a feel for the underlying currents of the city. Big business is done in Hong Kong, but so is a unique way of life. Whichever you pursue, you will need a good base to survive this hectic city.

Place to stay in Hong Kong come in all types of quality, shapes and prices. There are really cheap youth hostels with lots of character and five star luxury hotels that would make an emperor blush. Universally, the accommodations are smaller than you would expect in other parts of the world. You can expect rooms to be smaller than Thailand, but a bit bigger than what you find in Japan for corresponding prices.

Luxury lodgings are primarily located on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island is the central area of Hong Kong, the location you see in pictures of the massive skyline. It is situated on an amazingly thin strip of land between the ocean and mountains. If you are doing business in Hong Kong, this is where you want to stay as most of the major commerce centers are on the island. There are a bevy of five star places offering accommodations. In truth, your choice is limited only by your budget.

If you are looking for cheaper accommodations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New territories offer a variety of sources. You can even find hostels on Hong Kong Island. Put another way, accommodations are plentiful regardless of where you are. Hong Kong is a major transportation hub for Asia, so it caters to all budgets.

Finding a place to stay in Hong Kong is a piece of cake. Figure out where you want to stay and then shop around to find the best prices.

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Getting Around in Bangkok


2010
04.02

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Once you arrive in Bangkok, you will need to find transportation from Suvarnabhumi, the International Airport, to your hotel. If you have booked transportation ahead of time, your only chore will be finding your driver in the mass of humanity standing outside of the luggage claim area.

If you havent already booked your ride you have a few choices. Staying at a 5-star hotel may qualify you for free transportation to your hotel but most likely you will pay one way or the other.

If you have time and know where the heck you are going you can catch a bus to your hotel. This is not recommended for the first time traveler. Catching a taxi is the way to go.

You can book a taxi ahead of time online simply by sending an email. Most Bangkok forums can recommend a good driver at a reasonable rate. The only difficulty is finding your driver upon arrival. If you have his cell phone number and an unlocked, tri-band phone with a Thai SIM card, you can just call to find his location.

If you havent booked ahead, then you will face the taxi mafia right outside of the luggage area. You will be pestered by men and women with clipboards asking where you go? They are difficult to fight through if you have two suitcases and carry on bags. But, if you persist and ignore them you need to make your way to the down escalator.

Arrivals are on the 2nd floor of the airport, and the official taxi stand is located on the first floor. Just take the escalator down and you will see the tables set up to book your ride. These folks speak reasonable English and know most of the hotels in the city. Just tell them where you are going and they will log it and give you a receipt. You will pay 50 baht for this service, but it is worth it as the taxi drivers are registered.

Your taxi is supposed to use his meter but he may request that he doesnt use the meter and will offer you a price. You can agree, negotiate, or insist on the meter. It is up to you. I recommend you go with the meter and give a small tip for good service. A 20 or 40 baht tip is sufficient if you got a good, safe ride and your driver helped with your bags.

Once you become familiar with Bangkok, you can ride around on the BTS. This is the Bangkok Transportation System. It is the overhead train and can save you an immense amount of time bypassing millions of cars on the Bangkok roads. There is also a subway system for you to ride around in.

Buses are the main means of transportation for the masses in Bangkok. They are cheap but they are usually packed to the gills and dont have air conditioning. Unless you are dirt poor, I dont recommend the bus.

There is also walking. If you are only going a short distance, walking can be a unique experience in Bangkok. You never know what is at the next street corner. A new shopping experience, a food vendor, or a new restaurant to try out. I love to walk around in Thailand and experience the sights, sounds and smells. Every corner is different.

Whatever mode of transportation you decide to use, you will see a fantastic city. Bangkok is truly the City of Angels.

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Cheap Vacation Travel Packages versus Independent Budget Travel


2010
03.29

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When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

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Where should you look at for a very different Holiday or Vacation ?


2010
03.12

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On occasions people call our offices having previously only travelled to very normal and un-adventurous destinations. As the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours heres my suggestion for a few places you may consider for your next holiday or vacation.

1. Egypt – Egypt is a great destination to go to if you are looking for your first very different holiday or vacation. The main places to look to vist are without a doubt, Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor. All these places not only have amazing historical sites, but they all off great places to eat and both exciting and relaxing things to do.

And if you want to combine your adventure holiday with a bit if traditional rest and relaxation, then you can also add a few days and one of a number of resorts along the Red Sea Coast, also known as the Red Sea Riviera

2. Jordan – Jordan actually borders Egypt so this is a great country to either visit in its own right or to double up with an Egypt tour. Another great advantage to Jordan is its a relatively small country and all the major sites follow a north to south (or the other way around) route. Jordans capital city is well worth a few days alone and by the time you add in Petra and the Dead sea, then a holiday of a lifetime awaits you.

3. China – China really just has to be seen to be believed. It has everything and is a country of total extremes. At any one time all the seasons are available, so instead of having to visit at different times of year to see the different faces of mother nature. You can go any time and just visit different areas and see them all in one trip.

Places to definitely include in your visit are Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and if you have time a Yangtze River Cruise is well worth the time (about 3 days).

4. Hong Kong – Hong Kong may be small, but what it lacks in size in more than makes up for in passion and excitement. Hong Kong has a skyline thats unmistakable and a feel thats like no where else. The other great thing about this place is that its a perfect gateway into China, so you can definitely consider combining these two unique destinations. 3 or 4 days in Hong Kong is just about perfect and while there make sure you take in Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Stanley Market, a ride on the Star Ferry plus Lantau and Lamma Islands and for the shoppers amongst you – make 100% sure to visit the Temple Street Night Market.

5. Thailand – Thailand is a Mecca for shoppers and sun worshipers alike. It also has wonderful sites to see, incredibly friendly locals and also is very easy on the wallet. Many of our clients take in Hong Kong, China and Thailand, as its relatively close by plane and again wont cost you an arm and a leg. Bangkok alone is worth a good few days as theres lots to see and one hidden gem is Tiger Temple. Not for the faint hearted, but if you want a once in lifetime adventure, in this place you can go in with live tigers, there not chained so (technically) you take your live in your hands !

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Top 5 Cities to see during a Holiday in Thailand


2010
03.11

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In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, so here are my top 5 suggestions for cities to visit in Thailand during your holiday.

1.Bangkok is a fascinating city which has managed to keep its ancient eastern traditions whilst embracing the modern progression of the western world. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and offers a host of experiences which include floating markets, modern bars, top of the range shopping, gastronomical delights and ancient temples steeped in the citys history.

The Chao Phraya River separates the city and has a series of canals. The new Sky train railway is something which should be experienced whilst in the city should you fancy avoiding the bustling traffic.

One of the largest floating markets is on the outskirts of Bangkok and youll greeted by the aromatic smells and the age old tradition of the locals and their way of making a living along the busy canals.

There is an array of beautiful and ancient buildings not to be missed whilst in Thailand. Although I did not personally experience all of the nightlife, it was made obvious to me that all of my entertainment needs would be taken care of by all well informed taxi drivers wishing to proudly show off their culture.

2. Phuket is the biggest island attraction that Thailand has to offer. It is the perfect place to retreat to and enjoy a tropical paradise. Although the west coast of the island was almost destroyed by the tsunami of 2004, there is very little evidence remaining to show that it occurred.

Not to be missed are:

Old Phuket Town. Chinese immigrants from the 19th century, who were lured in the past by the tin mines, left behind them a host of amazing Sino-Portuguese mansions along Dibu and Thalang roads.

Thai Boxing. A personal favourite of mine, this national sport is violent and very fast paced. For regular matches the Saphan Him Stadium in Phuket City is the place to be.

3.Krabi. Krabi Province is in the middle southern part of Thailand. It is situated in the aquamarine water of the Andaman Sea. It is one of the most stunning places in all of Thailand.

Krabi Town is situated near the mouth of the Krabi River. The Mangrove forest is something to experience and is a must for avid bird watchers. Krabi Resort is set among a curtain of palm trees on the Ao-PhraNang beach. This is a delightful place to be if you are looking to soak up the natural beauty that surrounds you.

4. Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a city full of traditional heritage that shares its secrets with all who wish to discover them. It is a city with stunning natural beauty. It is amazing to see plants that we have to protect from the frost, growing in their scores, naturally along the roadside.

The people of Chiang Mai are a wonder in themselves with exceptional handicraft skills producing magical souvenirs for the endless throng of visitors. Chiang Mai houses the Inthanon Mountain, standing 8,448 feet above sea level making it the highest mountain Thailand.

5.Sukhothai. When visiting Sukhothai the main attractions for the area are Phra Mae Ya Shirne which is located in the Muang District. You will see a long haired figure made of stone that resembles an ancient queen. There is also a museum and National park as well as monuments of great interest inside the city walls.

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