1). Bay Of Fire, Tasmania

Chances are you have never heard of this little paradise off the coast of St. Helen’s, a small whaling town in the lesser traveled portion of Tasmania. But with crystal clear waters, clean, sandy beaches, and some cozy little cottages for rent right on the shoreline, this known vacation spot it’s sure to give you the perfect island getaway.

2). Basque Country, France and Spain

Both France and Spain have always been the favorite European vacation spots, with some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever witness. But the Basque costa is an especially lovely area with some amazing travel packages that can take you to one of the most beautiful areas of the world, while still letting you keep some cash for souvenirs.

3). Chiloe, Chile

Chile is a country rich in culture and adventure, and in recent years it has been able to maintain it’s wonderful traditions, while still modernizing the region. Chiloe is an especially impressive example of this mix, with their aging architecture, traditional ghost stories, and an increasing tourist market that includes plenty of adventure tours that will take you on some of the wildest treks of your life.

4). Ko Tao, Thailand

Rich, green landscapes as far as the eye can see, incredible diving locations, and the chance to come in contact with the marine and wildlife of the island, it’s no wonder this is one of the top 10 locations of 2009. If you love the ocean, and the idea of roughing it a little bit while still maintaining a few of the comforts of a resort, then this is the place for you.

5). Languedoc, France

With so much of France conquered by frequent tourism and mass modernization, Languedoc is still a tucked away little spot that offers a little solace from the gaudy gift shops and tourist traps of modern travel. With some lovely hotels, fine dining restaurants, and some great cruise options that take you along the Canal du Midi, this is a nice alternative to the usual French getaway.

6). Nam Ha, Laos

When you think of vacations, Laos is certainly not the first location that comes to mind. However, Nam Ha is one of the most culturally satisfying trips you could ever take. From home stays with the local people, treks through the mountains, and guided tours by locals to the waterfalls and through the jungles, it’s an experience you will never forget.

7). The Big Island, Hawaii

Who doesn’t want to visit Hawaii? It has been one of the most popular beach vacation spots for the last several decades. But the draw of The Big Island is different then that of it’s smaller siblings. With reach active volcanic lava wastes, beaches filled with white, black, and green sand, and ample time to spend in a less crowded, much more affordable area, this is a less popular, but much more appealing, Hawaiian vacation.

8). San Andres and Providencia, Colombia

Columbia gets a bit of a bad rep, and in some areas it’s warranted. But the two main islands of San Andres and Providencia are two beautiful, tourist-friendly areas that are dedicated to long days spent fishing, hiking, diving, or on submarine tours through the deeps to witness the modern marine life.

9). Svalbard, Norway

Norway is a country rich with tourist opportunities, which is why it has such a crowded holiday life. But the Cold Coast is a lesser known area that is full of dark fjords and mystery. If you like cooler temperatures and polar boat tours, then you will love Svalbard.

10). Yunnan, China

Home of the legendary Tiger Leaping trek, jungle tours, and the scenery of an environmentally rich land, with scattered ancient temples and small towns, this is the ultimate Asian hot spot. Expect the unexpected in Yunnan.

First, you need to choose your destination. That’s the very first step in trip planning.  It’s obvious, and it may seem simple, but let’s take a look at the things you need to think about as you do your trip planning and make your decision.

What factors should you bear in  mind when you’re choosing your destination?  Just so you don’t make any mistakes, let’s list some of the major concerns.

You have some vacation time.  Is that a set time of year that you can’t change?  The time of year will play a role in choosing your destination.  Do you want to go some place where it’s hot so you can sit on the beach?  ….Or cold so you can ski?  Are you planning it around a festival or trying to avoid crowds?  Do you want to take a cruise?

Do you want to be active… skiing or hiking?  …Or do you just want to sit and relax? Go sightseeing, explore museums or shop?  Or do you want to have the options to go either way.  Do you have kids or other family members to consider?  It’s always good to make this a family decision.

And speaking of others… do you want to travel on your own or join a tour group where everything is planned for you?

Second, you need to decide how long your trip will be.  If you only have a week, that will limit what you can do.  If you have two or three weeks or even more, you have far more options when choosing your destination.  You can go further, plan for more activities… or more relaxing time.  Some people say it takes a week to unwind… so even if you just want to relax for a few days, you may need more than a week to get into that relaxed mode.

Choosing a destination that offers a relaxing venue will help… a beach, a spa, a cabin on a nice quiet lake.  For some people (like me), shopping is relaxing.

A third factor we all have to take into account is money.  If you’re rolling in it, the sky is the limit when choosing your destination… you can go to Europe and stay in castles; go to Africa and fly from safari camp to safari camp; go to Asia or Australia or Antarctica!  You can go to all of those places on a budget too, but it takes more planning and legwork on your part.

If money is really tight, you can economize and go camping… or even (if they’ll invite you) stay with friends or relatives.  Do you want to go by car, train or plane?  If you are afraid of flying that definitely limits your options.

So where will it be?  Notice that I haven’t given you any destinations to choose from.  That would take some of the fun out of it.  Where would you like to go?  What would you like to do?   Use our comment form below to tell us all about it.

Average temperatures in Hawaii are pretty consistent all year. There are only two seasons, summer and winter. The average daily temperature only changes slightly each month. Expect approximately 85 degrees in the summer and 78 degrees in the winter. Furthermore, while it rains every day up in the high mountains, the rain is very focused. Even if it’s raining where you are, traveling a slight distance means you can probably find a sunny spot on a beach not too far away.

If you’re heading to Hawaii for a vacation, you need to decide which of the several islands you might want to see. Your search may turn up a Kauai vacation package, possibly a Maui vacation packages, and more than one Big Island of Hawaii vacation package. Inter-island travel is generally done by small planes, so please be sure the price is figured into your package.

No matter which package you choose, be prepared to do research into activities on that island. Besides asking your travel agent and engaging in Internet research, you can also ask those who have been to Hawaii about their trip and what they enjoyed most. The personal experience of others can always be taken into consideration as long as you remember that every experience is different and yours will be too.

Generally, the brochures for Hawaii travel packages will not include any information about non-tourist attractions. The Big Island of Hawaii has a number of smaller towns along the shorelines that are equally enjoyable for anyone wanting to get away from the large touristy beach resorts.

Your travel agent can set you up with Hawaii travel packages including a variety of exciting activities which will make your trip memorable. These highlights include helicopter rides, para-sailing, guided touring, hiking, and even surfing lessons. The novelty of these activities, although at additional cost, is well worth experiencing. This is a decision you won’t regret.

1. Determining the best value for your money

More often than not, consumers would like to save when they engage a service provider for their needs. This is a valid concern- everyone wants to save money whenever they can. However, there is the question of value when it comes to the most inexpensive choices when it comes to limousine services.

More often than not, prices are low when the vehicle being used is old- which is something that you might want to reconsider if you wish to arrive in style. If you want something memorable for your wedding, then getting the most inexpensive limousine might prove to be a mistake-because in the drive to save money, you run the risk of embarrassing yourself on your special day.

2. Setting the schedule right

Of course you want to arrive on time. But how do you set the right coordinates when it comes to time? The trick is planning ahead- way ahead of the actual time of use of the limousine. If you’re leaving for the airport in two weeks time, then it would be a good idea if you schedule for the limousine service to arrive on the appointed date but reserve for a limousine a week before that date.

In doing so, not only would you be holding the limousine service fully responsible for any kind of mistake, but you would be able to cancel if you wanted to. Getting the limousine service “just in the nick of time” would be a waste of money.

The reason for this is that there would be a chance that only the lousiest units would be available for immediate use. You wouldn’t want to go to an airport a hundred miles away on a clunker that was made in the seventies and looks exactly like its purported date of creation.

Always remember that not all limousine service providers take extremely good care of their vehicles. To an extent what they do on a regular basis is to simply maintain a degree of cleanliness- but as for the physical maintenance, that depends largely on what kind of limousine service provider you are looking at.

3. Choosing the right limousine service

If you’re in a company and had been bestowed the responsibility to take care of a particularly important client, then chances are, you would want that client to travel in style and in comfort. So you hire a limousine to take care of your client as he stays in your humble city.

How can this dreamy scenario turn into a nightmare with a blink of an eye? Two distinct ways, and both are connected to the package that you pay for and the kind of limousine service you choose. This is still largely connected to the relation between inexpensive limousine service and the quality of service that you should expect from “saving” a few dollars.

The first way this scenario can play out badly is when the chauffeur fails to take care of your client during the duration of the service. The chauffeur may become discourteous, or may fail to adequately deliver the kind of quality driving that a VIP would want to experience. If you saved a few more dollars than the next least expensive limousine service, then there might also be a chance that you have an inexperienced driver in your hands.

The second way is that of course, the vehicle may break down in the middle of a trip, and you lose your client.

Las Vegas Travel Tips: First and foremost, the biggest mistake many travelers to Las Vegas make in planning a trip is to book the cheapest air fare/hotel package “available anywhere”. These are offered everywhere from your hometown newspaper to television ads to especially, e-mail spam. Beware!

Why? A Cheap Las Vegas Vacation is good, we agree! BUT, did you know virtually all Las Vegas Hotels have 2- 3 levels of room quality (or options)? Now, we mean even many of the five star, “big ones” many of these are just plain substandard rooms, maybe with a nice view of the air conditioning system! (This actually happened to me personally, and was it Loud!)

Things like older bed mattresses, no safes, old decorating, long walks to the casino, restraunts, shows, or even a taxi. Did you know there are monorail trains running right behind some of the rooms? How about a roller coaster right outside your window? And lots more. Just remember “cheapest” is just that. Ask at the front desk at check-in exactly where your room is, look at it before signing in if possible.

We aren’t pushing for only high dollar rooms here, just get the best quality room your budget will allow, you will be very glad you did.

Why book your Hotel first? Las Vegas is booked up an average of 94% year round, so plan ahead (at least 30+ days is recommended) to get the exact days you want, where you want, room quality you want. Plus, usually it’s less expensive to book well in advance. Did you know that Sunday through Thursday is less expensive? When you get your selected Las Vegas Hotel booked, then you can book a flight to fit the days in and out to fit YOUR schedule.

Makes sense doesn’t it?

Once you get your Las Vegas Hotel booked first. Then you can book the Las Vegas Shows that you want, when you want. Be sure to check to see if your particular show choice isn’t “dark” on your selected days. Holidays are a good example of dark days.

Then book your Las Vegas Tour. (If you have never experienced the thrill of a Helicopter Ride at night over “Glitter Gulch and Downtown”, or a daytime trip over the Boulder Dam and Grand Canyon this is something you will never forget!) It isn’t as expensive as you might think! Check our tours links for prices and times.

This is the entertainment capital of the World, so allow yourself enough time to take in as many attractions (dozens are free) as possible, it will make your Las Vegas Vacation much more memorable. If possible, book an extra night stay just to allow for a special Las Vegas Tour or a day of Las Vegas Golf.

Las Vegas Gambling Tips:

Gambling is the lifeblood of Las Vegas. You didn’t really think those billion dollar hotels were built by “winners” did you? Set a daily budget for gambling and stick to it! You do have a good chance at winning. Hundreds if not thousands of “Hand Pay Jackpots” are paid every day. Be careful though, those chips, tokens and ticket-in/ticket-out seem too much like “play money” they are not they are your real money! Stick to your budget! Did I say that already?

Get a “players card” everywhere you go and use it, or if you are a “table player” ask the pit boss to “rank” or “rate” you. They will track your play and comp you accordingly with all kinds of free stuff. Such as meals, rooms, clothing, limos, gift shop points and even cash. These really help put the odds in your favor.

Seems like my “budget” is always too small, but try your best to set a reasonable daily goal and stick to it, don’t tap into tomorrows budget! Just maybe you’ll walk away a big winner! It happens every day. Remember the phrase: “Walk away when ahead”!

It’s not my place to preach, but here are some very useful Las Vegas tips on handling your money. All that cash in the casinos you see everywhere attracts some pretty shady characters (read Crooks!) Security is excellent, but there are always a few, and it just takes one to ruin a perfect vacation.

Las Vegas Security:

Ladies, bring or buy a small purse with a neck strap or waste pouch, or fanny pack, something that is comfortable enough to keep on your person all the time. Never ever set your purse on the floor or next to a machine, or on a stool next to you. This is a magnet for thieves! Keep that strap around your neck.

Most thieves work in pairs, one to distract you, the other to snag your purse. Just a couple types of distractions they use are: one will drop a coin or dollar bill or two near you on the floor and ask you “is that your cash on the floor?” while the other grabs your stuff, or overly talkative “players” will sit down next to you and jabber to get your attention, while their partner grabs your stuff, or hits the payout button and walks away with your ticket. Believe me. This does happen. They are very slick and fast, so just be aware.

When you do accumulate a couple winning tickets, hide them in your wallet or purse until you are ready to cash them in, and then stash the cash. Remember the “walk away” tip?

Men: It isn’t degrading to wear a waste pouch. Okay, if you just don’t want to, then fold your bills and keep them in your front pants pocket. If they “pickpocket” your wallet with all your credit cards in it at least you’ll have your cash, or vice versa, just keep them seperated. And, watch those tickets.

If you do hit a good size jackpot, take the money to the safe in your room or take it to the Hotel desk for safekeeping. Or, ask for a Security escort to your room or car. They are happy to provide this service. Don’t walk around the casino or streets with a big wad of cash!

The Security at all Hotels and Casinos is excellent. With all those thousands of cameras (Eyes in the sky) every inch of the casino is being taped continuously. (Did you know that Nevada law requires casinos to have this level of security?) It is for your protection as well as the Hotel/Casino.

Now please understand, we are not trying to scare you away here, but rather just make you aware! It is real easy to get caught up in all the flashing lights, noise, overhead shows, people watching and normal distractions of a casino. Just don’t give them an opportunity to ruin your fun.

Follow these Las Vegas Travel Tips and they will make your Las Vegas Vacation a lifetime memory.

1. One of the most convenient ways to take a vacation is to travel to a familiar place. You can visit an aunt or your grandparents at another state. You and your friends can visit one of your pals’ hometown. This type of vacation is more comfortable since you don’t need to think about the lodging and how to visit the different tourist spots in the place. You’ll basically have a free lodge and a tourist guide.
2. Visiting a new and unfamiliar place is another way to have a great break in your life. Choose a place that you really like to visit or find a destination that will not only entertain you but your travel mates as well. It’s also better to find a place that can be fun and educational too. If all of you are beach lovers then you can find an awesome beach destination such as in Acapulco or in the Asian region. If some of you want to experience art and fashion then you can travel to Europe. Just make sure to find a place that will not spoil your vacation spirit.
3. When you’re making your airline bookings make sure to look at the different airlines. More often than not, airlines do special discounts and promotions even during peak or off seasons. If there’s one airline with a promo then you can bet that there’s another with a discounted fare. Check everything first so you can get the best deal for your vacation. Some airline companies even have a group discount so make sure to grab that if you’re traveling with friends. If you have a schedule on when to be back, it’s also practical to get a two way reservations.
4. When you arrive on your destination, make sure that you have all the necessary papers, requirements and documents with you. These are your passports, reservation receipts, cash and credit cards. That’s the first thing that you need to grab. Make sure that you also have your maps and guide books with you. Now, if your hotel or lodging doesn’t offer pick ups at the airport then don’t fret. Just make sure that you and friends take a cab in the taxi queue and not on the cabs that are loiters the area.
5. Before leaving your home, make sure that you tell someone your travel essentials. It can be your parents, a housemate, a special someone. Just make sure to tell someone that you can trust your vacation itinerary and the people that you are with. So that in case of emergency, someone will notify the right people regarding your whereabouts. Also make sure to inform your landlady or whoever authority that you’re going out. You also need to pay your bills such as telephone and electric. And inform your credit card company that you’re going out of the country and you’ll be using the card.

Planning a summer vacation can be an easy task, but at the same time it can be difficult. It all depends on what you need and want to get out of your summer vacation. The first step in planning your summer vacation is not necessarily to choose a destination, but to choose a scenery. Would you like to go camping in the woods, sailing on the water, or be relaxing at the beach? The things that you want to do on your vacation are vital to the selecting the perfect summer vacation destination.

Does riding a rollercoaster, sailing on the water, or relaxing at the beach all sound exciting? If each of these activities offers you excitement, you may have a difficult time narrowing down your search to just one destination. To decide on the perfect vacation destination, you are encouraged to research a number of popular vacation hotspots.”

Information and travel brochures can easily be found or ordered online. Brochures can be ordered from most large cities and popular vacation destinations in the United States or overseas. A large number of these brochures are free and are filled with valuable information. If you want to take the time to research a number of popular summer vacation destinations, you are encouraged to request these brochures well in advance.

Researching a collection of summer vacation destinations is a great way to plan your own vacation; however, it can become a long and difficult process. This process becomes even more difficult if you searching for a unique vacation destination. To save time and money, you may want to consider researching the most popular destinations in the India.

It is likely that you already know a number of popular summer vacation destinations off the top of your head. You are encouraged to perform a standard internet search on each of these destinations. You may also want to order a number of travel brochures. It is important to remember that it may take a few weeks for your travel packets to arrive.

As previously mentioned, it is likely that you may know of a number of popular vacation destinations. If you are only able to remember a limited number of locations, you may want to rely on suggestions from others. These suggestions should be closely examined before booking a vacation. You never know what vacation ideas you could get just by speaking to friend, family member, or co-worker.

If you and your family are interested in a simple vacation, you could vacation at an amusement park. There are a large number of amusement parks located all across the India. You could visit a local amusement park or you could travel across the country to find one; your options are literally unlimited.

If a vacation on a beach is more your style, you have a number of options to choose from.

There are a large number of destination located along the India coasts and overseas. It is also important to note that beach vacations do not have to be limited to the coast. There are a number of popular destination in India.

It is easy to see that you have an unlimited number of options when it comes to choosing a summer vacation destination. Taking the time to seriously consider each destination may result in the vacation of your dreams.

About.com’s Guide to Student Travel does a great job at finding the relevant sites, analyzing them, and updating special airfare offers specifically geared towards the student traveler.

Choose Your Student Airfare “Travel Agency”

Finding cheap student airfare is complex – student airfare discounts seem varied but most websites purporting to offer student discount airfare really proffer the same thing – a fare search engine. Enter your departure and destination cities (all sites walk you through the process) and the search engine will return a number of itinerary and price options. You can then choose one and book online.

Below is a list of websites that largely do truly cater to student travelers looking for the best student airfare deals. (You may have to provide proof that you’re a student to get the best student airfares.)

FRONT ROW

STA Travel

STA Travel is the world’s largest student travel agency with “Fares That Rock,” and they do have a great student airfare search engine; the site also provides plenty of student travel tidbits and core information — check out STA’s weekly student airfare deals, too.

Student Universe

Student Universe is a good pick as a great student airfare finder. Student Universe’s motto is: “Students Fly Cheaper”. And they live up to that claim. Student Universe is no fly-by-night affair; the company is registered with the Better Business Bureau and has thousands of testimonials to its superlative service. You must sign up to use their service, but sign up is free – typical of their great commitment to customer service. The website includes this caveat: “Only college students and faculty can buy Student Airfares. You have to be a student or faculty member to qualify for Student Airfares. A Student Airfare is an airline ticket that can only be purchased by students or faculty verified by StudentUniverse.” This means that Student Universe will check to see that you are indeed a student and therefore eligible for student airfares; your enrollment status is verified through your school via email. Big plus with Student Universe: advertised discount student airfare prices usually include all fees and taxes. Check out Student Universe’s daily Go Deal, too.

Travelosophy

Travelosophy’s web site reads, “Student travel is easy with our special fares to students, youths and teachers traveling abroad for stays of up to 1 year. These fares offer our student travelers great flexibility, such as one-way fares, date changes, open return dates and an entire network of destinations.” Travelosophy does live up to that billing.

Travel Cuts

A Canadian-based student travel agency, Travel Cuts has some unique features besides the usual flight finder, like links to adventure tours and (my favorite) a festival and event search engine. Put events like Kenya’s annual Rhino Charge into your itinerary before you leave.

Second Row

International Student

International Student’s website reads: “Our Travel Center has been established to provide students with low cost, discounted prices!”. Very true. The site also offers info on travel insurance and other important concerns, but mainly targets the U.K. and Australia.

Premier Travel

Premier Travel bills itself as a full service travel agency specializing in student and international travel. According to their website: “We are affiliated with USTN (University and Student Travel Nationwide) a consortium of travel agencies specializing in Student Travel.” No fare search engine but a homey feel (the company is based in Oregon) and some goodies like a currency exchange calculator.

Coach

Orbitz Student Airfare

Orbitz has worked hard to make itself the first choice for airfare choices of any kind, but unlike companies such as Expedia and Travelocity, they have made an effort to cater to students through partnering with Student Universe. Worth a shot as you may also spot special deals Orbitz is offering that may be better than student airfares.

For instance, a blurb on Orbitz’s site reads: “(A) way to save is with weekend Web Fares. These special, last-minute travel deals for the coming weekend’s flights are published on Orbitz every Wednesday morning, just after midnight. If you’re flexible with your student travel plans, and thinking about a surprise trip home, this is one way to make it a reality.”

Priceline

Priceline is not geared toward student travel but does have some pretty hot deals.

Bottom Line

Bookmark this page and use it to compare student airfares. Many student airfare finder links have other valuable student travel info, as well.

Have a great flight!

Reference: – www.about.com

Airline Travel Tips: Flying Doesn’t Always Lead to Disaster

Can you feel your teeth grinding as you imagine flying to your destination? If you’re traveling a great distance over the holidays, the last thing you need is a stressful airport experience to start your vacation on the wrong foot. Consider some of the simplest airline travel tips that can alleviate your worries.

Plan ahead for your own sanity. Waiting to the last minute always leaves a great deal of your trip up to happenstance. Of all of the top winter travel tips you may find, this is the one piece of advice that will be well worth spending the extra time and effort. Contact your travel agent to book your vacation in advance as soon as you can manage. Then, you’ll be able to avoid peak travel dates, get lower airfare, fly direct (or minimize your connections) and fly early or late in the day to avoid the bigger crowds.

Leave at least an extra hour earlier. As you prepare for your winter vacation, give yourself more time than usual in order to anticipate the peripheral delays that could occur. Remember to bring some reading material while you wait in the security line or at your departure gate. In cities with snow or ice, arrival delays can exceed two to three hours and de-icing procedures can take an hour before takeoff.

Pack as light as possible for your holiday travel. Since more airlines are getting stricter on baggage limits and weight allowances, packing less and lighter suitcases could save you money and time. If you’re planning holiday travel to be with your family and friends, consider shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This strategy will help cut down on luggage and minimize the risk of losing any special gifts.

Steer clear of influenza. Winter travel can be a frequent contributor to the cold and flu time of year, adding a miserable element to your winter or holiday travel stress. Before you leave, visit your doctor’s office to get the flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine, which is only available for ages 5-49. Most germs will spread by contact, so wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer constantly.

Stretch your legs often. If you find yourself in cramped quarters or passing time on long flights, there’s the possibility you could develop Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), leading to blood clotting in your legs. So, remember this essential airline travel tip on your next flight — take some time to walk around and stretch your arms and legs once every hour.

Reference: - http://www.travelsense.org/tips/wintertraveltips.cfm