Thursday, December 9, 2010

Travel Cheap to Thailand

Thailand is for many people one of the favorite destinations. And the reasons are pretty much obvious. Even if tourism has really grown during the recent years, Thailand still offers some pretty much unspoiled territories, precious beaches and an amazing cultural shock that you will probably prefer to miss your plane back home rather than coming back to your everyday's life. But to travel cheap to Thailand you really need to find out the right places or you will be abused as most tourists are.

Travel deals when it comes to flying there are many, as competence for Thailand is very high and in this case travel agencies are strongly fighting one with each other. This, in the end, lets us find some very good deals. The idea of the article is in a general way to encourage you to always look for this special offers in order to travel cheap to Thailand and to anywhere in the world, to never limit yourself to what you see on your first searches, but furthermore, and being aware that this is a limited time offer, I wanted to share with you for free one of my findings early this morning.

This offer is specially good for all Europeans, as departures are from London, and as I never get tired to say, you can reach London for 20 Euros the round trip with everything included with Ryanair. From there, with flights included and 14 nights in hotels in Thailand, you will get it for the price of 585 UK Pounds (813 Euros) I could kill myself for promoting offers like this for free, as I have no relationship with any travel agency at all, but certainly I am convinced that everybody should have the goal to help people, so here we are.

The way you can book in this case is not online, but online you will find a web-page that offers you the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand and a number in the UK that you can call to get more information. I haven't tried, but I imagine that you will be able to make the booking by telephone.

Together the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand, this guys have other interesting things specially related with traveling to Asia, but also many other offers to other regions, as flights to Auckland for 934 Euros, which is by far the best offer I have ever seen in the market from Europe to New Zealand. Also you can find 21 days campervan plus the flights to Auckland for just 1152 Euros. Again, is the best offer I have ever seen to get to the region. All this offers are generally valid until the 15th of June 2008, but if you wait for the beginning of January, the new offers for the summer and the first September discounted vacations will begin to appear.

They are also offering many possibilities to discover Africa, including some Safari packages, for relatively low prices. Africa is not my area of expertise, so I won't promise they have the cheapest option, but the numbers look pretty good compared to what I have seen up till now.

In any case, just feel free to take a look at their page and you will find out which offer adapts best to your needs if you are planning to travel Asia, Africa or the South Pacific from Europe.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Know Everything About Cheap Air Tickets

Travelers throughout the world are struggling to find cheap air ticket. Whenever travelers plan a trip to any place in the world, they quickly search for some discount air tickets and with no time in hand; end up in booking the costly ones. Moreover last minute traveling is normally expensive. If you are also one of them who want to travel in a cheap flight, you should conduct some research in the internet.

If proper research is done then you will find a number of ways to avail cheap air tickets. Travel industry is facing a tough competition and you can take advantage of this. Many travel sites offer cheap air ticket and discount deals. Sometimes you may even get the last minute offers to avail cheap air tickets. You have to be very sharp to find out the fluctuating prices. You have to find out when and who provide these cheap tickets.

Many travel services companies offer discount airline tickets to the popular tourist destinations and many other places of the world. Once you learn the trick to research in the internet, you will be able to know a lot about online booking and cheap air ticket. You can read the tips and tricks of the trade and will be able to book online cheap air tickets without spending on the local agents. You have to read the reviews on the places and about the experiences of travelers who have traveled in the past. You can learn a lot and use this for booking cheap air ticket.

Certain things that you have to concentrate are when these travel sites offer cheap tickets. Time of booking plays a vital role in fetching air tickets. For example, if you have planned to travel to Bangkok then you have to look for flights for Bangkok and find out on which occasions and in what time cheap tickets are available for Bangkok. You just have to enter few details like the place of depart, your destination etc and you will get a long list of all the flights to Bangkok.

With constant practice you will get a good grip over the travel sites and how things work in it. Booking in advance is one of the best ways to avail cheap tickets. Booking tickets after mid night is another way. You will be able to know more if you constantly get into the practice of following the reviews, blog writing, comments and other such travel related stuff.

Cheap air tickets to almost all international tourist destinations are made available. Sometimes airlines give discount offers to senior citizens or defense personals. If you belong to such privileged category then you must be vigilant enough to use such opportunities. You will be able to find out all about such discounts if you keep yourself abreast with the changing trends.

Southeast Asian Holidays

Australia's neighbouring countries in the ASEAN region are ideal holiday destinations. The region known as Southeast Asia lies to the south of China and north of the Australian mainland. It includes, amongst others, the countries Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. With distinct cultures and varied natural sights and attractions, this relatively small area is crammed with diverse attractions, history, and opportunities for a unique and memorable holiday experience. Even better, with the favourable exchange rate the area is perfect for cheap holidays. Here are a few reasons why South-east Asia makes for an ideal holiday destination:



Affordable: With the living costs in most of these nations much lower than in Australia, the day to day living costs - accommodation, food and transport - of travelling or holidaying in Southeast Asia is very reasonable. This translates favourably into holiday package prices. Thailand holiday packages, for example will include flights, accommodation, food and transport for a fraction of the price of an Australian package holiday equivalent.

Cheap flights: Although you're still covering a sizable distance, flying to the South-east of Asia can be very inexpensive. A range of budget airlines and holiday deals are slashing the prices of international flights, which means travelling abroad can sometimes be more economical than travelling within Australia.

Beautiful scenery: This Asian region boasts stunning beaches and coastlines, bustling and historically and culturally rich cities, and jungle laced interiors. A diverse range of landscapes and destinations will please a range of aesthetic tastes.

Weather: You can enjoys a tropical climate, which means warm, fine weather. Although parts of Southeast Asia experience a rainy season, usually the sudden downpour once a day is a welcome reprieve from the heat and humidity! Southeast Asia is a perfect destination for beach lovers and sun seekers.

Proximity to Australia: Australia's relative isolation from the rest of the world means that holidays often involve long flying times and jetlag. As a region, Southeast Asia is one of Australia's closest neighbours, and with shorter flight times and time differences than other overseas destinations you'll be able to spend more time enjoying your holiday than worrying about your sleeping patterns and the long flight home.
Take advantage of the affordability, proximity, attractions and beauty of the South-east Asian region on your next holiday. Ideal for all ages, visitors won't be disappointed with the friendly locals, amazing cuisine and endless list of sights and experiences awaiting the holiday maker in Southeast Asia.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The Chao Praya River in Bangkok - So Much to See and Do

When traveling to Bangkok, a great way to take in a lot of sights at once is to hop on the Chao Praya River Express. Instead of catching a cab or hiring a guide, take this cheap and easy tourist boat along the Chao Praya River and hop off at any of the major tourist attractions. For 20baht (less than $1 USD) you can take a relaxing ride away from all of the noise and pollution of the city. For 100 baht ($3 USD), you can buy an all day pass giving you an unlimited amount of rides to hop on and off whenever you please.

Make your way to the river and you can catch this boat at any pier. Public Buses, the sky train, taxis and tuk tuks, they will know where to take you. The boats run in either direction from the Taksin Bridge to The Banglampu District near Khao San Road. Both the tourist boat and the public boat leave from these piers. If you really want to save money and travel like a local, catch the public boat for only 8 baht. It is more crowded and there are no tour guides, but it will get you to where you want to go just fine.

But if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok I recommend the tourist boat. It is quieter, the seats are comfortable and it doesn't spew exhaust that chokes you as ride along. A tour guide will talk to you about the sights on the shores and you can sit and listen all the way to the end of the line. However, you will want to jump off a lot, because this boat stops at every major tourist attraction along the river. These sights are some of the most spectacular in the city and a must for every tourist.

You can hop off at China Town, the National Museum, Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. The Maritime Museum, the Gemstone Market, the Oriental Hotel and of course the Grand Palace, Bangkok's most popular destination.

It is an efficient and well-run system. At each pier the deck hand ties the boat up as he blows his whistle relentlessly to let the captain know what is going on. Once the boat is safely secure, you can step off onto the pier to explore the area in front of you. Once you are done, you can catch the next boat that comes by. Between the tourist boat and the local boat, you can get to your next destination in minutes. They run just like a bus or subway system. If you don't have the 1-day pass, you will have to pay again, but the price is so little, you won't feel bad, especially if you ride the local boat.

You could spend days in Bangkok and never leave the stream. Each station is on the banks of the river, or a short walk from the pier. The temples are amazing and Wat Pho is a must see destination. The oldest temple in Bangkok, is home to the 46 meter long reclining Buddha. Lying is 15 meters high.

Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of Dawn is majestic. It is located on the opposite side of the river the other attractions and its tower stands overlooking the water. Chinatownvibrant and exciting and you can make your way to the Temple of the Golden Buddha. A solid gold Buddha sit in its walls and it has an interesting story. For 20 years it was sitting in storage hidden within a plaster Buddha. It was discovered when a crane accidentally dropped it to reveal this great treasure that is now on display for your viewing.

Last but not least is the Grand Palace. Built in 1782 it houses the Royal Temple containing the Emerald Buddha. Walk around its beautiful grounds and take in its grandeur. This is by far the most visited temple in all of Bangkok.

When visiting the Wat's, make sure to dress properly. Have respect for the Buddhist culture and follow the guidelines. In places like the grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho wear a long sleeved shirt and a sarong or long skirt. Men should wear long pants and have their shoulders covered. These temples are open to the public and people pray and worship within their walls. Have respect for their beliefs and do not disrupt them.

Once you are done your day of sight seeing, you can hop back on the tourist or local boat and make your way to the Taksin Bridge where you can catch the sky train back to anywhere that you are staying in the city. Be it Siam Square, or Sukhumvit. The sky train is quick, efficient, cheap and fast.

Or better yet, hire a tuk tuk to experience a true Thailand tradition. Zip through the streets in a three-wheeler motorcar and feel the energy of the city. Barter hard however and never fall for the scam of a free or cheap 10 baht ride because they will take you to every gem market until you buy something. Once they have their commission, you may not have a lift back to your hotel.

With a good map, a guide book and a firm resolve to stick to your plans, getting around Bangkok can be a lot of fun and a few days by the river can be a rejuvenating experience.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Last Minute Airline Upgrades on Longer Flights

Flying is a necessary evil if you want to get from one place to another. The level of evil you must submit to, however, is directly proportional to the class of seating you have. First class seating on a long flight is simply heaven on earth.

First class. Ah.... People feeding you grapes and fanning you with big palm leaves. Okay, maybe not. Still first class is where you find seats made for the human body and stewardesses that don't act like French waiters. On a long flight, first class is where you want to be.

Make no mistake, flying these days is nearly as calming as a trip to the dentist. You don't want to go, but you know there is no avoiding it. From long security checks to late takeoffs to outright flight cancellations, it is enough to make anyone crabby.

As with many bad situations, there can be a silver lining found in the current joke that is known as the airline industry. What is it? The last minute upgrade. It is the stuff of legend and luxury. Pull it off and you will become that annoying person at the party that just can't shut up as you tell friends over and over how you flew back from some destination in the lap of luxury.

So, how exactly do you get a last minute upgrade? Simple. You ask for it. On domestic flights, your chances depend on the flight. Is it late at night, a full plane and so on? In general, you can expect to pull it off maybe 20 percent of the time. That 20 percent, however, will be well worth your effort.

On international flights, the stakes are higher. You are going to sit on a plane for 8 to 25 hours depending on where you are going. The difference between sitting with the heard or riding in first class is extreme. Well, you will be happy to learn it is easier to upgrade to first class. For some reason, first class is rarely filled unless it is a major city to major city flight such as New York to New York. Even then, you have a good chance.

So, what are examples of such upgrades? Here are a few I've pulled off. $75 to upgrade to first class on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles. $56 for Bangkok to Los Angeles, which is a very long flight with a stop in Japan. $90 for San Francisco to Seoul, Korea. $35 from Costa Rica to Houston.

Can you do this? Yes. Almost nobody asks for upgrades at the gate. The worst that can happen is they say no. The best is you are eating grapes in first class with a breeze from the palm leaves moving through you hair!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Capital of Thailand - Bangkok

Thailand attracts many visitors from all over the world. Most countries in Southeast Asia can say that. The combination of beautiful nature, hospitality of the local people, the inspiring temples are a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

Whether you want to be on the beach under palm trees and enjoy the sunset view or enjoy the exotic nature and finish with a visit to the ancient Buddhist temples, Thailand is the place, where you can do it all. The best finish of the day is to go to a stormy party on the beach. The perfect time to Thailand is between October and February, when it is not raining so much, in the period between March and June there is not much rain but it is much warmer.

Thailand is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is divided into four natural regions: the mountain and the forests to the north; vast rice fields in the central part and fertile lands in the northeast; the tropical islands and extensive coastline are on the southern peninsula. The country includes seventy-six provinces. The capital Bangkok is the residence of the Thai royal family. The head of the state is Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX. He is the longest-ruling king, for more than a century.

In order to visit all the famous places in Bangkok, you will need at least one week. There are very good and cheap hotels in the capital.

Bangkok is a culinary paradise. Here you can taste the traditional cuisine of many countries around the world while being in only one restaurant. Usually these places are opened all the time-day and night.

Transport in Thailand is very well organized and it will make your vacation there more convenient. The different islands and cities are connected to each other and visitors can move easily from one point to another. It is better to book a ticket in advance to avoid the rush in the last minute. As you arrive at the airport, it will be more convenient to catch a taxi to the hotel where you are staying in Bangkok. There is also a bus line but the buses are not air conditioned and your journey will not be very pleasant.

There is no way to go to Bangkok without visiting the ancient temples of the Golden Buddha and the Marble Temple. Do not miss to walk around the town floating with a boat on the Chao Phraya River. There is a wonderful view of shabby huts next to ultra-modern skyscrapers and majestic temples. You should also visit the floating market, located about 100 km away from Bangkok. The market is put on a wooden platform, submerged in the water.

That's the way Bangkok looks. If you come once, you leave a part of yourself here and you want to come back and experience again all the moments that you have spent in the "City of Angels".

Friday, December 3, 2010

Cambodia Buses - A New Asia Scenic Attraction?

When the first of the bohemians first started rediscovering the Cambodian kingdom after the Vietnam war, using the term roads was merely an easy way for saying improved tracks of endless quagmire; axel snapping, oil pan crushing quagmire, at that

A soon to be announced major scenic attraction millions of years in the making, is the road between Sre Amble and the Thai border at Had Lek as you will cruise through one of the largest, only slightly plundered, primal jungle forests left in the world. This vast tract covers million of acres, with several very distinct water sheds. You will be mesmerized by ripples of dense foliage that fade from black and silver green into grays that ultimately merge with the clouds with few if any signs of mans presence.

Today 3 of the 4 major bridges that were memorable river crossings in the past are open with the 4th promised to be online by Khmer New Year. The adventure of these river crossings will be missed, while at the same time it will be possible to make it from Phnom Penh to Bangkok in a little over 12 hours; today the best you can do is around 16 hours.

Considering the distance traveled, bus travel is still easily the cheapest way to go to Bangkok , expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $30 for instance from Phnom Penh to Bangkok compared to $75+ with fuel surcharges tax's airport fees to Bangkok cheap flights on Air Asia or Bangkok Air.

Enjoying the scenery has always been one of the real treasures of travel in Cambodia, as you skim along side the shimmering ponds of rice with sugar palm sentinels allowing you to take mental pictures for lasting memories of this exotic land.