Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is also the largest city in the country. Bangkok is one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in Asia and has a population of around 11 million. It is widely known as Bangkok's political, spiritual and cultural hub. The city is huge in terms of space and population. It is also known as a traveler friendly city with bustling commercial and political centers located around the various districts dividing the city.

Climate

Bangkok has a tropical climate and rain lashes the city quite frequently. Due to the humidity, the city remains hot and humid most of the time. Foreign visitors would be well advised to book a hotel with around the clock air conditioning as the summers can be extremely hot. The city is often covered with haze contributed by the weather and the air pollution generated by the hundreds of vehicles. The people of Bangkok are known for their hospitality and that is why, despite the climate issue, thousands of visitors throng to the various attractions of the city.

Getting Here
Most of the visitors arrive in the city through the Suvarnabhumi Airport, as it has now become the busiest airport of the country. The airport offers all the international airport facilities like travelers lounge, internet and telephone services etc. From the airport, most of the people use taxis to move to their destinations around the city. Metered taxis are also available for cheap traveling around the city.

Moving Around
Inside the city, the travel options are huge for a first time traveler. Public bus transport system is available in the city and is a cheap option for moving around. You can also move around in private cars but be aware that the traffic in Bangkok is quite hectic and messy. In order to ease the traffic congestion, Bangkok has recently introduced the sky train. The sky train covers most of the downtown Bangkok areas and towns, and gives you some relief from the traffic congestion. Bangkok also has the metro which can be used in place of the sky train. Boat rides around the city are also very common and will take you to various points around the city in least possible time. Tuk Tuk is also a very common transport means around the city.

Major Attractions
Some of the major attractions of the city include a visit to the old city areas. You can visit various temples of Bangkok; the most famous being Grand Palace, which is one of the biggest in the city according to its size. Wat pho is also a must visit temple, which houses largest reclining image of Buddha. Other temples include the Golden Mount and Wat Rajnadda. You can also visit the various museums in the city which gives an insight into the cities past and history. You can visit the National Museum and the Museum of Siam in order to relive some history of the city. Lumpini Park is one of the largest parks in the city and can be visited in order to get away from the congestion of the city.

Food
Bangkok is famous for its Thai cuisine. Food is relatively expensive in the city and it is of high international standard. You will also find top class international cuisine in the city which will surely add to the flavor of the foods. Phad Thai, Northeastern Thai, Ya Dong and bugs are some of Bangkok traditional food items. Dinner cruises are also quite famous among visitors, and eating while on boat ride in Chao Phraya is one of the experiences that should not be missed.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Bangkok Hotels Near Red Light Districts - A Travel Guide For First Timers

Finding a hotel in Bangkok for the first time can be quite confusing. After all there are so many hotels in Bangkok to choose. But if you know you want to stay in or near Bangkok's hottest red light districts then you're halfway there as I'll help you decide which hotels to stay in.

There are three red light districts located in central Bangkok. All are easily accessible by the many modes of transportation in Bangkok. And the hotels in Bangkok range from the no frills budget accommodations to luxury properties with classy service.

The first red light district is called Patpong. Like the rest of the nightlife action in Bangkok, Patpong starts and heats up after 7pm, especially when the night market opens up. Patpong is filled with go-go bars and clubs of various sorts. The volume of venues here is quite vast as businesses cater to mostly male customers either straight, gay or both. The most notable go-go bar names are King's Castle and Queen's Castle group located in Patpong one. And if you're looking for some bizarre amusement then check out the ping pong sex shows the area is so famous for. Just make sure you know what you'll be paying for.

Here are the names of a few hotels in Patpong worth staying in:

The Montien Hotel
Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel
Bally's Suite Silom Hotel

The next red light districts are located close to each other and they're called Soi Cowboy and Nana. Soi Cowboy is the smallest out of the three but it has the most well known go-go bars in Bangkok. I'm talking about Long Gun and Rawhide, two very big time go-go bars. Even though Soi Cowboy is small it still packs quite a huge entertainment value.

Nana is the final red light district and the biggest attraction because there are so many things to do around there. Most start off with Nana Entertainment Plaza. NEP is a small four story building stacked with go-go bars upon more go-go bars. You can't miss NEP especially at night when its filled with so many tourist from all over the world. The area surrounding Nana has a wide selection of places to eat and drink from many international choices. You'll find lots of open beer gardens too and bars to hang out and just people watch.

Here are the names of a few popular hotels to stay near Soi Cowboy and Nana:

Grand President Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Nana Hotel

Most hotels located near the red light districts of Soi Cowboy and Nana are guest friendly. This means that the hotel does not charge an extra fee or a joiner fee for taking a companion back to the hotel rooms. Joiner fees can range from 500THB up to 1500THB. So as you can see guest friendly hotels in Bangkok are very popular and should be booked in advance.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Cambodia Cheap Travel "Motodops" Buses Taxis and Cheap Flights

In the last few years travel in Cambodia has become much less arduous than in years gone by with the continual improvement of the roads Buses taxis and "Motodops" (shortened to moto's) are running at faster speeds and they are not the body shaking, teeth rattling odysseys anymore for the most part. The major exceptions would be the route from Poipet to Angkor Wat voted worst road in the world for over ten years and the overland route to Sihanoukville from Bangkok via Trat Thailand. With more tourism, which has been growing in double digits for many years now, the flights and air routes into Cambodia have more potential passengers, which have increased the competition, which has resulted in some of the cheapest flights in Cambodia in quite a while.

Cambodia buses both the mini bus and the big commercial busses are getting to be a higher quality, and new bus companies are forcing the older companies to improve their equipment in order to compete. Taxis like wise are improving as the western tourist demand a better quality, you can be fairly certain of getting a taxi that meets a minimum standard that is much improved from the old days. I remember one time that they had taken the seat belt and secured it behind the molding of the door frame, making it totally useless, this kind of modification was not unusual, nor was it unusual to be suffer from a massive headache in a mini bus due to sucking on exhaust fumes for hours on end from the open rear door.

"Moto's" still tend to aggravate tourists mostly for the constant rip offs and now there is a lot of "took tooks" these guys are just as bad as the "touk touks" drivers in Bangkok and if you can avoid using one you will be that much happier on your travels.

In Cambodia cheap flights are now more common and there are more flights both within Cambodia as well as flight to the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam and Singapore which serves as a regional hub for the discount flights.

As always in Cambodia remember to be vigilant when you travel if it seems wrong often times it is trust your intuition and do the smart thing.

Friday, October 29, 2010

N. Thailand - What are the prospects for cheap flights and travel in Asia?

With the onset of winter for most of the northern hemisphere, many wonder how long concern is the situation in Thailand, and what are the options for low cost flights Asia, which they use for the winter, so the need for respite be on guard in Asia.

When looking for cheap flights to Asia, I make a point of control for a number of airports, several airlines. Also, when you come from the United States, Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco(SFO) and many times from Seattle, the best wagers are the China Air and EVA Air and Asiana Air recently, it seems, that actually offers a couple of flights to Bangkok, if you're in the value of frequent flyer miles for calculations .

Today, it is the best choice for cheap I do not see the possibility of Bangkok in Thailand to Singapore. KL and Singapore are slightly more expensive to fly in early February with a 2-3 week stay. I was always reaching rates that were$ 50 USD higher for Singapore and a little 'more to KL. Against this situation, I was in those airports and on some occasions I saw him rewarded with low cost flights from Asia. Once I flew from Bangkok to Singapore, a 2 hour break and then back to Bangkok to catch a flight from South-East Asia.

Saigon is also one that I consider. I have a flight from Saigon in the last minute which was several hundred Euros cheaper to comethat the usual routes. The big problem with Vietnam is that you have a visa before you have to get there, and if the transit in both directions, they make you buy two visas and can not be at the same time, a huge pain in the seat cushion. You can also Tokyo, but the budget carriers are not players in this market, so the adults can have it. Hong Kong is also without action of Air Asia, Tiger and Cebu Pacific Air, which are more expensive to recruitExpenses for travel to Asia on low cost flights.

So, for the winter season if you wanted to get a passport in Thailand this year, where would you take to travel? I would look in Cambodia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Cambodia is now one of the safest countries in the region if you ignore a traffic accident. The beaches of Sihanoukville offer everything to get what one in Thailand, and are excited to be there. Vietnam has also a problem of road accidents, butalso very safe for tourists, but not quite friendly and a bit 'more expensive. The Philippines has allot of crime in the city, but when on the beaches, you are more likely to have a great time, as the locals are very friendly and the prices are reasonable in their season, which I think refers more to Hotel owners more likely that the number of tourists. Awarded pressure on concerns that were much the southern islands, but people who knowIt 'been said recently traveled, this is old news.

I would also be a very tough Indonesia, except for the fact that in its monsoon season. For those with a boycott of Myanmar (Burma) do not agree, it is also very high on my list. North of Malaysia would be on my list when I searched for the most beaches. The Perhentian Islands offer some of the best resorts in Asia. All of these decisions on security, offer a lot of culture, and cheapPrices.

Before this crisis, there was a burnout in Thailand as the cost of living there will stop rising, and there is no increase in value. From Bali to Phuket for a good head to head comparison to a longer stay if you're on a tight budget, Bali is a much better deal with the culture and assign more with the exception of the Internet, a much better infrastructure. The only big negative here in Indonesia is the Visa and the Traffic Police, the foreigners to be seen as a mobile ATM. If youmake the mistake of complaining that they unfairly targeted, double or quadruple normal "tea money", which only aggravates the tourists even more. I am very interested, Bali is the safest place in Asia, hands down safely.

Many decisions will be interesting to see with the end of the winter season as it plays. Everyone hopes that Thailand get back to normal, to make it all irrelevant.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Europe - Europe Travel Budget Budget

We all want to travel in Europe on the cheap these days.

discount price airlines and budget years ago in almost all European countries in the past - they are all fighting furiously with each other too busy to provide the best price of the ticket. But are we really benefit from these discount prices Travel European make, or the disadvantages of trying to travel cheaply in Europe outweigh the benefits? If the cheap air fares us blind to the additional commitmentthat low prices may be hidden? Let's look at some of the current European travel deals and see what we find.

Almost every European country now has at least one airline with no frills. Easy Jet and Ryan Air are becoming well known and popular in Great Britain and Ireland. Germany has four or five airlines and fares cheapest air specialist. Meanwhile, in Sweden, SAS have just the budget offshoot called Snowflake created.

At first glance,, Fees that airlines charge these seem ridiculous, and Ryan Air have given their flights away almost for free in the past - even if you have to pay to the airport for a sum of twenty pounds. But what's the catch? Is there a trick? Can you really travel Europe by plane to spend without breaking the bank?

Here's the point, if you want to travel budget flights in Europe:

First, low-cost airlines in Europe, almost always out of town provincial airports - oftenmore than forty or fifty miles from the center of the two cities. This allows up to two hours of driving time to your journey ends. You also have to pay for the bus or train to get from your airport to downtown. Make sure you add this price in the ticket price when comparing low cost flights and airlines pay the price of the mainstream. In most cases the main airlines that fly in the center of the city to the airport, thereby reducing travel timeand the costs of any additional traffic.

If you're unlucky, you might miss a flight then literally stuck in a very rural airport overnight with all foods are closed and there is no way back to the city or town.

Secondly, you only get what you pay for. The European budget airlines can not offer the service in-flight food and beverages. Or, if they do, you will be charged a premium rate. Coffee, sandwiches and beer can be very expensive indeed. To be honest,Many of the flights are only one or two hours duration as snacks and drinks can not be a big problem.

Thirdly - figure out the total travel time and compare that cost. For example, five hours from the center of Glasgow, Scotland, in central London by train, and costs about £ 25 each way.

Well - it could take a cheap flight from Glasgow to London, only to discover that the two airports are 40 miles from Downtown. That immediately adds three hours for the journey, not counting waiting time at airports, the baggage handling, all the extra effort that goes with it. You have to pay separately for the bus or train from the airport to the center and vice versa. If the flight is extremely cheap you might as well spend more money in the long term for a less comfortable journey. Check it all out carefully in advance if you can.

Fourthly, the quoted> Ticket prices are economical only for travelers APEX. Maybe you have to pay extra if you need a lot of time, change your flight -. Low cost air fares are typically available only when you buy in advance the purchase the day before or the day the price will be an added bonus in big. The baggage allowance is also on the side of the media - often no more than 15 kg or 20 kg per person. Even more than the ticket and you will face a very strong premium on the price.

InSummary - you can travel Europe cheaply by choosing carefully the economic package. But try to weigh up all the hidden extras, as you compare the prices of airline tickets. You should also bring additional travel time that arriving at a provincial airport may be a factor.

Remember, not to get all hung up!

Travel in Europe is fun - but you do.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Travel on Promos

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Have you disconnected for a month to get away from the stress of work and go to a nice vacation somewhere in Europe or Asia? Are you excited, but a little 'about what is going to have to spend, worry? Do not worry, today's trip should not be expensive. have, even with a weakening economy slow, you can still go and enjoy the trip awaited backpacking on a budget. In any case, this is the digital age. Promos, you seeonline more than help your cause.

Just surf the internet and see what I mean. Book your ticket online, you will be surprised that the air companies, despite rising fuel costs, provide many good deals. If you are not picky airplane seats or food or a leg and a seat that can be several dollars cheaper than maintaining a first class at a cost.

And it would be this light pack. Excess baggage is literally a heavy load on aTourists shoulders. It also does not occur with additional costs at check-in at the airport wear, or walk around a strange land Munchkin five bags at once. Just pack the essentials. Body care, you can get on the street corner, or the local supermarket.

Any experienced travelers will tell you two things: the research and to make reservations in advance. Find the best value for money hotel in the place where to stay. Read the various clientsContributions on the Internet. Not only do I read the references to the cleanliness and customer service, where if there are any promotions, or as a free night for all three received "a breakfast buffet each day. Hotel management is not always advertise these services in the lobby, and then a quick search on-line is necessary.

In deciding what to do - swim at the beach? take a tour of history? Visit the local gallery? - Be on the lookoutout for vacation packages and recreation, the local tourist offer to their visitors. Not only do these packages allow you to see so much of the local attractions as possible, even to save time and money that would otherwise be spent to ask for directions, or looking for tourist guides in the street. Not be automatically thrown away in the travel brochures or close the window on travel websites. You never know how useful they are.

During your trip, youVisitors can stumble-friendly novelty shops and souvenir shops have their accreditation. Do not be drawn too easily. Chances are, they're there to capture the attention of visitors, with well-padded prices on products may not even know it. If you intend to buy on impulse, at least shop around before buying. Make sure you know what you really want to take home with you. And then the Internet for the best shopping district in the area,Here you can haggle with retailers, and where the best promotions and discounts. She is not cheap, you are just wise with your money.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

With Thailand's travel hub in Southeast Asia

Sooner or later you have to visit in Southeast Asia, when you see, to enjoy the world. There just is not doing too many unique landmarks and fascinating cultural aspect. If you go, you can always find a little 'difficult to focus on Thailand as a hub.

Asia is a fascinating area, which seem to be. From the towers of Angkor Wat, the relief shows off the coast of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, there is something for everyone. The road like a topTarget, a currency in late 1990 led to travel problems in Southeast Asia as very cheap. Yes, even with the dollar hit.

There's only one hang up when it goes in this field trip. In short, it is difficult to get from here to there. The quality, size and frequency of transport systems in various countries very dramatic. Consider the contrast between the two countries share a long border - Thailand and Cambodia.

Thailandmust act together. There are many buses, trams and trains in the vibrant city of Bangkok. You can also night trains from the city for most of the destinations of the country. If you have any Euros to spare, you can usually fly out of major cities in the country of destination, as Chang Mai, $ 40 to $ 80 When you are ready, the region in first place in another country for international flights from Bangkok are plentiful and cheap.

Cambodiain sharp contrast with Thailand. For the most part, the use of the word "roads" questionable. Things are difficult. Much of the northern region of the country is very difficult to access. In fact, one of the most popular ways across the country, if possible, by ferry. It is strongly recommended that this type of traffic heading to Angkor Wat or use your kidneys and back is an absolute disaster. Flying around Cambodia in domestic and international flights is almost impossibleare rare and very expensive.

Lest you think I'm unfair to criticize Cambodia is to point out that there is a significant reason for the problems of the country's infrastructure. The Khmer Rouge, of course. This group of Pol Pot led the attempts to bring the country to an agrarian society. In addition to killing nearly a third of the population has the infrastructure of a beating.

This contrast may seem extreme, but it can be found in other countries. Laos is wonderful, but very rural.Indonesia is also cheaper than Cambodia and Thailand, but travel within the country can be physically hard. The contrast for long.

If you travel to Southeast Asia, you need a place to make your base. Thailand is an excellent choice in my travels in the region. It 's very cheap, but the infrastructure is excellent. It 's just a great place to start any exploration of the region.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Cambodia Cheap Travel "Motodops" bus and taxi flights

travel in recent years in Cambodia has a lot less stressful than the years of continuous improvement of roads and taxi buses "Motodops" (in short: Moto) teeth went running at higher speeds and not the body was trembling, talking odyssey more for the most part. The main exceptions would be the path of Angkor Wat Poipet to be voted the worst road in the world for over ten years and the land route from Bangkok to Trat to SihanoukvilleThailand. With more tourism, which is growing at double-digit for many years, some of the flights and flight paths in Cambodia passengers more potential than the competition that has resulted in some of the cheapest flights to Cambodia for a long time have increased.

Cambodia coaches, is the mini-bus and bus big business are always forced to a higher quality and new bus companies to improve their old set to compete. Taxis as, Are such as improved Western tourist demand better quality, you can be pretty sure there is a taxi that a minimum standard that is much improved from ancient times has encountered. I remember one time he took a seat belt and fastened behind the shapes of the doorframe, so that it is completely useless, this type of change was not unusual, nor was it uncommon to suffer from massive headaches in a mini-bus from sucking exhaust fumes for hours and hours of open backDoor.

"Moto" still tend to be mostly tourists worse for the constant rip-off and now there are a lot of "you wrote" These guys are just as bad as the "Touk Touk" driver in Bangkok, and if you avoid to use that you will be much happier in their travels.

Cambodia Cheap flights are now common and there are more flights within Cambodia, and the flight to neighboring Thailand and Vietnam and Singapore, which serves as a regionalHub for low cost flights.

As always in Cambodia, alert, where you will notice if something seems wrong, it is often trust your intuition and do the smart thing.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

What happens if I am sick and do not travel insurance?

The likelihood of becoming ill or has an accident on holiday is always something of a traveler is thinking when planning a trip abroad. They assume that you fit and healthy. However, no one can predict what will happen from one day to another, particularly when you are away from home. All Australians need to purchase travel insurance before embarking on a journey, especially if you travel abroad.

Most Australians have a fantastic time while traveling abroad. They recognize only some of themevery day of the year, everything has to work with the Australian Consulate's tragic death, injury or hospitalization of their countrymen who are abroad. More than 20,000 different cases should be treated with more than 700 shelters have moved more than 600 deaths and 100 evacuations of Australians, in another place for their medical needs. Most of these people do not have any form of travel insurance, so they have to do with a personal tragedy, and ashould not have large bill.

It can be very expensive to stay for an Australian in any other country in the clinic or be medically evacuated. For example, in South-East Asia, it is typical to have more than $ 800, and the return of someone just for a day in the hospital remains in Europe can cost more than $ 10,000. may undergo a medical evacuation of the United States anywhere from $ 75,000 to $ 95,000. Depending on where the patient is at home, and what must be done to the patienthow the cost can reach $ 300,000. However, the distance is not always a sign that the evacuation would be cheaper. There were medical evacuations from our neighborhood, "neighbor", Bali, which has the consulate, which had been treated that cost more than $ 60,000!

What is really sad that most of these cases occurred in people who have no travel insurance. Travelers who are not covered by insurance for the payment of their medical bills and related expenses. Peoplehad to sell their family home or your pension fund, to transport their loved ones at home in Australia so they can get treatment.

The message I'm trying to convey, long trip to Australia is to keep out one of these frightening statistics. Since the disease and accidents are impossible to avoid completely, you definitely need travel insurance! A good insurance also protects against theft and loss of personal effects duringTravel. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says that "if they can not afford travel insurance, can not afford to travel."

If you choose a travel insurance policy, you must ensure that insurance claims that are made in countries with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice, no one to cover. You can stay up-to date travel advice from consulting and being monitored on its website.

Here are some examples ofThe cases that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade resolved.

* An Australian who was in Bangkok holiday travel has been hit by a car while he enjoyed a motorcycle. He broke his leg really bad, and he was caught and admitted to the nearest hospital. His wife was on the journey with him. This man did not have any kind of travel insurance, so he has no choice as to what had been taken to hospital, or type of treatment he received. The hospitalThe doctors on staff, how to do something for these people, if not clean the wound knew. Three weeks passed. The man asked the woman's message of support for her husband. All of his tibia was actually dead, and the broken ends do not care. The message from them, aided by man medically evacuated to Australia for admission to the hospital. All this cost his family a substantial amount of money.

* Five Australians had a mini-van accident in Bali, and all wereinjured. The only thing to do to help the consulate was to provide support and care for routine contact with next of kin had. All Australians involved had travel insurance. Travel insurance paid the medical bills in Bali and made again for their medical evacuation to Australia.

* A young Australian had worked at a ski resort in the United States for about four months. Then he left the place to go and see the United States. He knowingly lethis travel insurance that had taken over a period of 12 months of falling a few days before leaving to return home was. He somehow managed to cross a street by a car. The young man had serious head injuries and was unconscious, as defined in the ICU. He must have had a lot of specialized care until he was transported in a position to return to Australia. He had not regained consciousness and went home on a stretcher. It cost her family $ 80,000 per doctorEvacuation. They were forced to obtain a second mortgage on their house, get more money.

* A young man from Australia came to the United States for an amateur surf contest. He was an expert surfer, but misjudged a wave during a training session. The wave threw him over a cliff and was seriously injured. He was in a local hospital, where he had undergone two major operations flown. The young Australian hospital bill was $ 290,000. It 'was a stroke wellFortunately for parents of young insisted that travel insurance before leaving Australia. The insurance covered the huge bill and his family can spend the time to watch the young man with a recovery taking place around how to pay the hospital.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Thailand - The Land of Smiles and low cost travel

Bangkok Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, which is surprising in light of congestion. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can not beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is a strange mixture of opposites. It can be very stressful when trying to log in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while the installation on any of the beaches inhabit the coast of the country. Whatever the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smilingregardless of what you ask, or how to ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as a backdrop for hundreds of movies, come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi are modeled after traditional seaside areas as might be in a place like Cancun, Mexico, or located in Tamarindo, Costa Rica the other end of the scale are more rustic beach areas in places as the island of Ko Chang where you want to have a pair of beachBungalows, a few bars and one or two stores. If you are looking for a bit 'of both styles, just to ask.

From North

Infatuated with beach life fail, many people in the country when climbing in Thailand. This is a mistake, as in the North is the host to places like the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting small villages. For lovers, rafting, hiking, mountain biking very popular and widelyavailable.

Prices

If you're on a budget, Thailand is the ideal destination. Somehow, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight Korean Airlines round trip of about $ 650. Once in the country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a caution is necessary at this point. Please be careful. If you decide to travel in Thailand, do not want to return to your home. However, they will return in any caseThailand!