Holiday Hotels and Villas

Things To Do In Boston In April On A Budget

Travel Writer — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:20:07 +0000

There are plenty of things to do in Boston in April, even if you are on a budget. You should not miss out on all the fun to be had simply because times are tough. Here are some things you can find to do in the month of April.

1. Catch a Red Sox game. Fenway Park during a Red Sox game is an exciting place to be. Players are starting a fresh season and everyone is anxious for a great one. While you are there, perhaps you can arrive early enough to take a tour of Fenway Park, which costs less than $20.

2. Tour the city. Starting in April, whale watching cruises and duck boats become a popular tourist attraction. On Boston sightseeing tours like the duck boats, you get to see parts of the city from a unique perspective, including historic districts like Beacon Hill. Going on Whale watching cruises allow you to get up close and personal with the amazing creatures.

3. Watch a reenactment of the Civil War. On Patriots Day, which is April 19, local historical societies and Minutemen reenact battles from the Civil War. These most take place in Concord and Lexington, since those are the sites of actual battles. You can also see a reenactment of Paul Revere running to announce that the British were coming.

4. Support the Patriots Day Marathon runners. Every year the Boston Marathon takes place on Patriots Day. There are plenty of places to watch the race and get swept up in the cheer and merriment of the crowds. The best part about this activity is that it is free.

5. Go sailing. One of the more popular activities in Boston in springtime is going sailing. Rent a boat and go out on Boston Harbor or Charles River to enjoy being outdoors.

Whatever you choose to do, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Boston in Spring. Make plans with your family or a group of friends and choose one of the many things to do in Boston in April. You will have a blast without lightening your wallet.

Top 5 Reasons To Vacation In Negril

Travel Writer — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:41:13 +0000

Beautiful Scenery

Many things make Negril the ideal vacation spot. Many people that have vacationed there call it blissful, and beyond compare. Some areas that you might enjoy are the rugged and beautiful terrain of the cliffs near the lighthouse, and the West End area.

One of the most charming things about Negril is its layout. The whole town is located along one single road that runs right along the foreshore and beach, and there is always a lovely view to behold. The most prominent landmark in Negril is the lighthouse.

Friendly People

Hippies have always held a prominent role in the Negril lifestyle. They have influenced the official island pace, and dictated the behavioral norm, which is carefree, and easy going. Overall, the people of Negril are friendly and enjoy meeting and spending time with new people. You might even come away from the island with new friends for life.

Pricing and Variety

There are so many different types of Negril resorts and hotels. Many of the resorts have excellent, well priced, vacation packages. Negril vacations are excellent for couples and groups of singles. In addition, different resorts target different audiences. If you get all-inclusive packages, you will likely save a lot of money.

Another popular reason for people to visit Negril is to get married. Whether on the cliffs or on the famous beach, it’s the perfect backdrop for your Negril wedding.

A Place for the Free Wheeling

Families are welcome in Negril; however, parents should be aware that many Negril resorts cater to the freewheeling adult community. You will find beaches where clothing is optional. If you are the sort of person that enjoys experimentation and new experiences, then Negril definitely has resorts to meet your needs.

Local Art and Craftwork

In the middle of the town is a roundabout that that features local stores and shops. You will find another roundabout framed with shops on the hotel strip as well. You will also find a lot of local art, jewelry, and creative craftwork for sale throughout the community.

Five Great Cafes to Try in London

Travel Writer — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:56:02 +0000

London has many visitors every year and many come to see the sights. Many also do a bit of shopping and some want to try out some local cuisine. Some stay for a long or short break and if you are looking to stay in more original accommodation why not try booking into cool hotels London or unsusual hotels London? There are many jokes about English food but in reality the UK’s capital offers some great places to eat out. Here are five great cafes to try out during your trip:

The Farm Collective – A great place for ethical foodies where you can be sure of great quality and ethically produced food. Its only a small café but they offer a great atmosphere and only use very local Square Mile coffee beans!

Bea’s of Bloomsbury – This is a London Institution, the beautifully quirky Bea’s is located in prestigious part of Bloomsbury. It’s high quality tea and coffee are a real treat but it’s the gorgeous cupcakes which makes this place really stand out.

Milk Bar – The Milk Bar is a cute but quirky coffee shop located in the city. An alternative to star bucks the frappuccinos are lovingly made and they manage to get it just right. The café is also a cool place to meet with mates, art adorns every wall and the décor is just sublime. They also serve some great lunches.

Café Emm – This is great homely café/restaurant located in the heart of Soho of Greek street. It’s a place popular with unpretentious locals and those in the know. A cosy place with wooden seats and tables, great hearty food is served such as burgers and homemade pies. A real winner for sure.

Vitaorganic – A place which every health conscious person should know about. This café is great for raw and super healthy vegan food but also allergy free shakes and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Get the Best Insurance for Traveling – Marks and Spencer Travel Insurance

Travel Writer — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:30:18 +0000

Whenever you travel, there are many risk factors involved so it is quite necessary to have the travel insurance. Usually families and couples plan to travel in holidays and due to this reason, holiday insurance is important so that you may be protected from various threats. Among the various insurances, Marks and Spencer travel insurance is quite famous. Following are some of the advantages for choosing this insurance plan:

- Covers Medical Expenses.

The best thing about choosing the Mark and Spencer insurance plan is that it covers the medical expenses. Like if you fall sick during travel, this insurance will pay for all of your medical expenses.

-Luggage and Documents Security

Your holiday insurance is necessary as during travel there is a risk that you may lose your luggage or documents in the flight or in the hotel or it may get stolen. So with the Mark and Spencer insurance at your side, you don’t need to worry for anything as they are responsible for providing back your lost items.

- Single and Multi-trip Insurance

The insurance is not only for a single trip but for multi-trips as well. If you travel frequently than you should go for the multi-trip insurance or else select the single trip insurance policy.

- Cancellation Backups

While traveling sometimes, the flight gets delayed or even cancels at times due to weather conditions or some other matters, many holiday insurances are not responsible for the cancellation of the flights but Marks and Spencer also covers this aspect.

- Hotels and Restaurants services

When you have the insurance of Marks and Spencer, you also get the facility of choosing various hotels and restaurants. They cover for the various hotels and provide many facilities to their clients.

So if you are an adventurous person and love to travel often then Marks and Spencer travel insurance is what you need to have a safe journey with the major travel expenses under cover.

Starter Camping Checklist

Travel Writer — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:40:08 +0000

If you are planning a camping trip with friends or family, you definitely need to be prepared and bring everything that you need. Something that helps a lot of people is creating a check list of things to do or bring before packing.

This way, if they think of something weeks ahead of time or the day before, it can be added to the list so it is not forgotten. More often than not, without a list, people wind up forgetting one thing or another because there is just too much to think and worry about the day of packing and the day of leaving. Here is a short list of things to think about bringing on a camping trip.

If you don’t have an RV, bring a tent, tarps, sleeping bag, airbed, and pillow.
To cook your food, bring a pot, pan, dishes, and silverware. Also, be sure to bring materials that will start a fire, such as waterproof matches or a lighter of some sort. Extra paper or kindling would help with this as well.
Food: Food is essential. So if there is food that needs to be cold, put it in a cooler with ice so it does not spoil. Bring everything you need for a meal. This includes the main meat, side dishes, and drinks. Easily prepared food is best. Don’t forget snacks as well. Energy rich snacks are good for camping.
Bring water! Everyone needs plenty of water each day, so bring enough for each person for every day. You may also need water to clean your pots and pans or hands. Or maybe you may use the water to cook some of the food.
A utility knife can be essential for some people. It has many uses on a camping trip.
Clothing: Make sure to bring a set of clothes for each day, plus at least one extra set in case something gets wet or dirty. Cover all the basics: shoes, socks, pants/shorts, underwear, short and long sleeved shirts, jacket, hat, and even more. Definitely bring clothes that you can layer because night time can be a little chilly at times.
Games can be brought to have fun and spend time with the group.
Hand sanitizer and soap should be brought. It’s better to keep things clean right away then let dishes sit dirty until you get home. In the outdoors, you will get dirty so the sanitizer can keep you healthy.
If you plan on doing any outdoor activities, bring the gear you will need, whether it’s fishing gear, hiking gear, or hunting gear.

Depending on what you will be doing and where you’ll be going, you may need more or less than this, but this is a start to a list of things to pack when going camping.

Best Value Accommodation in Thong Nai Pan

Travel Writer — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:40:03 +0000

Thong Nai Pan is a magical double bay with 2 gorgeous white sand beaches situated in the north east of the tropical island of Koh Phangan. The two beaches are surrounded by lush mountains where sea eagles and black eagles can be seen sporting in the thermals. The beaches are in pristine condition and are fringed with towering coconut palms. It is a place of unspoiled nature far away from the noise and traffic of the more populated areas on the island like Haad Rin and Thongsala.

Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai have long been favorites with backpackers and old South East Asian hands. They have now also been ‘discovered’ by package tourists and those who prefer wheelie suitcases to backpacks. This is because Thong Nai Pan Noi has the three best hotels on the island – Rasananda, Santhiya and Panviman. These hotels offer unparalleled luxury for Koh Phangan with private pools and Jacuzzis, spa services, excellent service and good Thai and Western cuisine. The prices for a room at a hotel on Thong Nai Pan Noi start at 2,000 Thai Baht and go up to 50,000 Thai Baht.

Faced with many places to stay and a wide range of prices on Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai it is hard to decide where to stay; to decide which resort offers the best value for money.

If you are looking for the comforts and amenities of a hotel at a reasonable price my recommendations are Panviman on Thong Nai Pan Noi and Havana Resort on Thong Nai Pan Yai. Both these places offer rooms between 2,000 and 5,000 Thai Baht a night. They have swimming pools, good restaurants, spa services and are near the beach.

If you want a good air-con bungalow in a quiet and peaceful locale with a friendly Thai atmosphere the best choice is definitely Thong Tapan Resort on Thong Nai Pan Noi. This is a local run business with rooms starting at 1,000 Thai Baht a night.

It is hoped that this brief guide to accommodation on Thong Nai Pan has given you a better idea which places to look at when booking accommodation.

Kahala Hilton Hotel

Travel Writer — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:35:07 +0000

Coming back from Caribbean island of San Andres, where we spent two weeks in the best San Andres hotels, I have decided to stop by the famous Kahala Hilton Hotel in Hawaii.

President Reagan, Nancy, and entourage took a brief holiday here on their way to China. Many of the Kahala Hilton’s guests would agree it was an impeccable choice. The Kahala is on Oahu, which makes it convenient. It is away from the congestion of Waikiki on the other side of Diamond Head, and surrounded on three sides by the Waiala Country Club. The secret service must have applauded that. The efficient management is European; the Hawaiian staff, fast and friendly. The setting is glorious, the beach a treasure, and the cuisine, superb.

The Kahala Hotel is accustomed to heads of state dropping by. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, and Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia spent part of their honeymoon here. Finally, the presidential suite looks like the real thing. For the merely affluent, the Kahala is a cornucopia of pleasures. There are 370 rooms in the resort complex, though it feels smaller and more intimate. The main building is handsome, its whiteness complemented by bougainvillea. The light, airy 30 foot high lobby has a copper sculpture surrounded by orchids, and two huge glass chandeliers.

There is a lagoon that is home to two penguins, sea turtles, a variety of rockfish, and four dolphins that put on a lively show for guests at their thrice daily feedings. A two storey wing overlooks the lagoon, and there are beachside bungalows, both well worth the additional tariff. On the grounds are more than 50 varieties of flora, including such delights as torch and shell ginger, bird of paradise. Tahitian gardenias and silver ganzania. A lovely touch; huge searchlights play out on the water at night so the white breakers are clearly visible.

The Maile Restaurant has an elegant atmosphere, and ladies in kimonos serve up such specialties as fresh mahi-mahi wrapped in romaine leaves and steamed in white wine, and opakapapa baked with fresh vegetables and dash of Pernod. For breakfast or lunch the open-air Hala Terrace has a great ocean view and does wonderful pancakes with coconut syrup. At night on the terrace, the Danny Kalekini Show has been a hit since 1967.

An Environmental Vacation

Travel Writer — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:06:17 +0000

Vacations are synonymous to relaxation and entertainment. When the people living in the bustling city search for the place to go for holidays the key factor is, the place should be far from the bustling and fast paced city. Kenya holidays are a similar type of holidays where you could relax your mind by the beautiful creations of nature like exotic animals and birds. Beautiful beaches, various types of Safari excursions, cruises from river Nile, culinary delights and flamingos are the specialities of Kenya Holidays. If you want more than nothing could be better than the log cabin holidays in Kenya providing you a distinct experience of living.

Kenya holidays are actually the original safari holidays as Kenya is one of the most popular destinations of world for safari. East Africa is the birth place of the concept of Safari. Kenya and Tanzania are two well known places of East Africa. The highest peak of Africa that is the Mount Kilimanjaro provides its best view from Kenya. This is one of the beautiful natural scenery. For more remote and wild experiences there are parks in the north of Kenya like Marsabit National Park. The most distinct experience for you in Kenya is its beaches with elephants.

The log cabin holidays in Kenya are perfect if you want escape from winter blues. They provide you with the dual experience of both artificial and natural life style, artificial in the sense that the temperature in the cabin is kept low by artificial means like AC. However the natural atmosphere of higher temperature is waiting for you outside the cabin. The interior of cabins is well design, comfortable and cosy. The facilities provided by the log cabins are fantastic indoor swimming pool and leisure complexes with spas, saunas and Jacuzzi. Log cabin holidays in Kenya are perfect for your family to enjoy the nature from close.

Broadway over 70 – things to consider

Travel Writer — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:22:06 +0000

If you enjoy musicals, live comedy, theater, or extemporaneous performances, you’d be lucky to find a better destination than New York’s Broadway theater district. World famous for its artistry, production quality, and star power, Broadway tops the list of any theater lover’s dream destinations.

As you begin to fit your Broadway travel plans together, try to remain flexible with your travel dates in order to take advantage of the best deals available. You can find quite a few bargains on the internet, or if you still frequent a travel agency, they’ll be able to help as well.

As you get ready to see the Big Apple, it can be beneficial to keep a few important considerations in mind. First, New York is an extremely expensive city to visit, so you should plan to bring along plenty of extra spending cash. It will be quickly gobbled by cab fare, valet tips, restaurant meals, and the like.

Equally as important, because you’ll be spending a good bit of money on your New York holiday, it makes financial sense to protect your investment. Travel insurance can prevent financial hardship due to expenses that could come up if you need to cancel your trip at the last minute, or if you experience unexpected itinerary changes. It can also reimburse you for costs related to missed flights, lost personal effects, or medical emergencies.

Last, if you’re like many travelers above the age of 70, you might be a little intimidated about finding over 70 travel insurance. This need not be the case, as there are travel agencies specializing in the mature traveler market, and you’ll likely quickly find an agent with the expertise to meet your particular travel insurance needs.

Your New York extravaganza can be the trip of a lifetime. Just be sure to get your financial and insurance planning done early.

Use a Timeshare to Get Your Best Vacation Experience

Travel Writer — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:34:13 +0000

Timeshares represent an ideal opportunity for you to own a week at your favorite vacation destination. It could be in almost location you like, depending on where you enjoy vacationing. There are so many choices that you could become quite puzzled. However, there are some simple tips to follow when you are looking for the best timeshares to own.

First off, it would be wise to look at location. You would not want someone else to tell you that the best timeshares to own would be near the sea when in actuality, for you, the best one would be in the mountains because you love to Ski, or just enjoy the fresh and cool mountain air in the summertime. So it’s best to figure out not only yours, but your families likes and dislikes before you make the choice. Keep in mind though, that if you buy at timeshare that is a member of an exchange group, like RCI Travel, then you don’t have to worry about getting bored with your favorite destination. You can always exchange to visit somewhere else.

Timeshare resales can offer you some great prices if you are careful. However, at this point of time, it would be necessary to mention that timeshares are not in point of fact a great investment per se. If you want value for your money then invest in stocks. But if you want value for your comfort and that of your family then look at timeshares.

Now before you go ahead and make that purchase, be certain that the resort actually has everything that is being offered. You’ll want to check the sales listing and then call up the resort and have them confirm that everything is correct, including the specific week and unit size. It could also be something as simple as confirming that the resort has free self-parking, or offers valet parking for guest who don’t want the hassle. While on holiday the last thing you want to do is have to fight for car space. You do that on any given day of your work life.