As one of the most popular destinations for European tourists, Sardinia experiences a deluge of traffic through its three main airports every year. Situated in the south of this glorious island is Cagliari-Elmas Airport, the largest of the three. Last year it welcomed over 2.6 million passengers and was recently expanded to accommodate the increased masses that are expected to arrive over the next decade.
Calgiari Airport has 2 runways, a 3 storey terminal building and offers direct flights to over 30 cities, including Barcelona, London and Madrid. Flights from the UK go from Edinburgh, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester and are provided by British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa and Ryanair.
The Cagliari Airport arrivals hall is on the ground floor and other then baggage reclaim, it houses a variety of bars and restaurants, a post office, bank, lost and found and police and customs offices. Business services are also on offer. On the second floor is the Calgiari Airport departures hall which features a fabulous shopping gallery, open all year round, as well as a chapel, Wi-fi internet points, airline counters and 2 VIP lounges with self service bar, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and flight information monitors, all of which are provided free.
For onward travel, by far the most popular choice of transport is the Calgiari Aiport hire car as it allows you to truly explore this fascinating region with its wealth of archaeological sites and awe inspiring beaches. The Cagliari Airport car hire firms are based in arrivals and are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Easycar, Eurorent, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, Ruvioli and Sardinya.
If you´re not hiring a car then here are several other transportation options available and if you determined to arrive at your destination in the holiday spirit, completely stress free and unruffled, then arranging one of the Cagliari Airport Transfers is your best bet. A driver meets you in arrivals and escorts you straight to your waiting car, or for a less expensive option you could always reserve a seat on a private shuttle bus from Cagliari Airport.
Regular buses run every 30 minutes into the city centre and takes around 10 minutes. Tickets can not be bought on the bus but must be purchased in the newsstand/bookstore on the ground floor and the bus stops are located outside arrivals and departures. Although there are no Cagliari Airport Trains, the bus terminal in Cagliari is right next to the train station.
Taxis are always a fail safe way of getting to your accommodation as they take the least amount of pre-planning but you can often end up paying for this as Italian taxi drivers frequently overcharge tourists. Cagliari Airport Taxes are situated outside arrivals.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Forget Exotic Ski Resorts, France is Still Favourite With Brits
The world of skiing is becoming increasingly more interesting as new ski frontiers open up, offering snow sport fans the chance to ski in more exotic locations than ever before. Japan, Chile, Lebanon, Slovakia, Bulgaria and many more countries not renowned for their mountains are attracting British skiers who are looking for a ski experience that's a little out of the ordinary.
However, despite the availability of these new destinations, which are gaining a bigger slice of the ski market, France still remains the most popular location to ski for the Brits and it's not hard to see why.
France offers arguably the best skiing in Europe, with dozens of huge resorts in the Alps, not to mention the lesser known range of the Pyrenees. It also has one of the best cuisines in the world and due to having the highest mountains in Europe, (with resorts like Val Thorens), you can be fairly certain that you'll actually have real snow to ski on, even in this age of global warming which is threatening the survival of ski areas situated at lower altitudes. And on top of all this, France's close proximity to the UK and the huge number of cheap flights now available means that skiers can be on the slopes in just a few hours.
Resorts like Brides Les Bains, Tignes Val Claret, Morzine, La Clusaz, Chamonix, Thollon and Les Arcs are all close to major airports, and with ever more airlines offering low prices on flights to Lyon and Geneva, getting to these resorts is quick and easy and won't break the bank.
France also offers skiing in the lesser known ranges of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, mountains that are completely separate from the Alps. Although not as famous or fashionable as the better known French resorts, these areas can offer cheaper and often quieter alternatives to the old favourites.
So, although some skiing and snowboarding adventurists are seeking snow further a field, France's close proximity to the UK, its ease of access and the low cost of travelling there, are likely to keep it at the number one spot as the Brit's favourite ski playground.
However, despite the availability of these new destinations, which are gaining a bigger slice of the ski market, France still remains the most popular location to ski for the Brits and it's not hard to see why.
France offers arguably the best skiing in Europe, with dozens of huge resorts in the Alps, not to mention the lesser known range of the Pyrenees. It also has one of the best cuisines in the world and due to having the highest mountains in Europe, (with resorts like Val Thorens), you can be fairly certain that you'll actually have real snow to ski on, even in this age of global warming which is threatening the survival of ski areas situated at lower altitudes. And on top of all this, France's close proximity to the UK and the huge number of cheap flights now available means that skiers can be on the slopes in just a few hours.
Resorts like Brides Les Bains, Tignes Val Claret, Morzine, La Clusaz, Chamonix, Thollon and Les Arcs are all close to major airports, and with ever more airlines offering low prices on flights to Lyon and Geneva, getting to these resorts is quick and easy and won't break the bank.
France also offers skiing in the lesser known ranges of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, mountains that are completely separate from the Alps. Although not as famous or fashionable as the better known French resorts, these areas can offer cheaper and often quieter alternatives to the old favourites.
So, although some skiing and snowboarding adventurists are seeking snow further a field, France's close proximity to the UK, its ease of access and the low cost of travelling there, are likely to keep it at the number one spot as the Brit's favourite ski playground.
My Best Business Travel Tips
Business travel has actually increased considerably in the last ten years as companies are able to sell more readily to markets all around the world; the Internet has ensured that even tiny companies can have a customer base that is truly global! It is business travelers though who are feeling the strain with increasing stress and fatigue levels. With that in mind, this business travel tips article highlights some useful information that could make your business journeys more pleasurable.
Sometimes for instance, baggage goes missing; that is an unfortunate fact of travel and whilst it is distressing enough on a family holiday, on a business trip it can be disastrous. An easy remedy to this is to pack as much as possible that you absolutely must have for you meeting, in your hand luggage.
This means that even if your main luggage is lost your trip does not have to be wasted; your meeting can still take place despite any inconvenience that has been caused. Regular travelers know that the main business travel tip when packing is to keep things simple by only including exactly what you need for the journey and that way you won't go far wrong if luggage goes missing.
If you only take enough business clothes for the trip and then all that is left is some casual wear for the evenings, just two pairs of shoes; one casual pair, and one pair for business should be enough. The remaining items to pack will be toilet essentials and any other work related documents that aren't important.
A clever business travel tip, to reduce the size of bag you require, is too roll your clothes up instead of folding them; apart for taking up less space they are not so creased when they are unpacked. The last thing you want on a business trip is having clothes laundered because something was spilt on them, this can easily be avoided by wearing dark clothes which are able to absorb stains more easily.
Of course if you are working to a tight schedule and the inevitable delay happens then you want to know you can attend a meeting at a moments notice and the way to freshen up is by using those hand and face wipes that come in travel packs. Cell phones and other related equipment normally have good battery life but don't forget to take a charger if you are going to be somewhere for more than a few days.
As it is possible to carry out work while you fly, by making the best use of this time you will be able to spend some time relaxing in the evening and perhaps a little site seeing. These tips make sure that no matter what happens when you travel on business you will be able to continue with your plans and will not be left wondering what to do next.
Business trips do not have to be boring and stressful if you apply the business travel tips in this article as they will allow you the opportunity to enjoy your free time even more.
Sometimes for instance, baggage goes missing; that is an unfortunate fact of travel and whilst it is distressing enough on a family holiday, on a business trip it can be disastrous. An easy remedy to this is to pack as much as possible that you absolutely must have for you meeting, in your hand luggage.
This means that even if your main luggage is lost your trip does not have to be wasted; your meeting can still take place despite any inconvenience that has been caused. Regular travelers know that the main business travel tip when packing is to keep things simple by only including exactly what you need for the journey and that way you won't go far wrong if luggage goes missing.
If you only take enough business clothes for the trip and then all that is left is some casual wear for the evenings, just two pairs of shoes; one casual pair, and one pair for business should be enough. The remaining items to pack will be toilet essentials and any other work related documents that aren't important.
A clever business travel tip, to reduce the size of bag you require, is too roll your clothes up instead of folding them; apart for taking up less space they are not so creased when they are unpacked. The last thing you want on a business trip is having clothes laundered because something was spilt on them, this can easily be avoided by wearing dark clothes which are able to absorb stains more easily.
Of course if you are working to a tight schedule and the inevitable delay happens then you want to know you can attend a meeting at a moments notice and the way to freshen up is by using those hand and face wipes that come in travel packs. Cell phones and other related equipment normally have good battery life but don't forget to take a charger if you are going to be somewhere for more than a few days.
As it is possible to carry out work while you fly, by making the best use of this time you will be able to spend some time relaxing in the evening and perhaps a little site seeing. These tips make sure that no matter what happens when you travel on business you will be able to continue with your plans and will not be left wondering what to do next.
Business trips do not have to be boring and stressful if you apply the business travel tips in this article as they will allow you the opportunity to enjoy your free time even more.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Download Journey to the Center of the Earth Full Movie: No Problem
Heard about the cool new Journey to the Center of the Earth the movie? There are lots of online sites that allow you to download Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie for a small fee. This movie is based on the classic Jules Verne popular science fiction novel with the same title.
It stars Brendan Fraser (Crash, The Mummy) as a science professor whose untraditional hypotheses have made him the laughing stock of the intellectual society. It is about the journey deep beneath the Earth’s surface, where the science professor and his nephew travel through never-before-seen worlds and encounter an array of strange creatures.
There are quite a good number of sites which allow you to download Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie and these sites normally offer two types of payment options. Some sites may require you to pay a one time fee for unlimited downloads while some may operate via a pay per download method. Among the two, the best option is one time payment because it'll permit you to download an unlimited number of movies for just one small fee.
You can also find some sites when you search for movie downloads, which will allow free downloads but you must avoid such sites as they are most probably illegal. While downloading Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie, quality is certainly significant aspect. Not all download sites offer DVD clarity downloads. DVD quality pictures will ensure an awesome movie watching experience, so choose only sites that offer it but never choose random sites you found on the search engine, if you choose the wrong one, there is a possiblity that you can't even download.
Speed is the second aspect which needs to be checked before downloading the full movie Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. A faster download is important criteria for a successful download as it will decrease the possibility of broken network connections.
You must also be careful about spyware, adware and virus. But you can rest assured if you are joining a quality site that i am about to introduce you.
Number of titles offered for download is also a yardstick with which to measure the movie downloading sites. Some sites offer several millions of titles. Choose such a site as it ensures entertainment for many years to come and soon, you would have built your own personal movie library. So go ahead and have a great movie experience!
Visit Download Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie for a fine, safe, legal, and quality downloads today at 30 percent off.
It stars Brendan Fraser (Crash, The Mummy) as a science professor whose untraditional hypotheses have made him the laughing stock of the intellectual society. It is about the journey deep beneath the Earth’s surface, where the science professor and his nephew travel through never-before-seen worlds and encounter an array of strange creatures.
There are quite a good number of sites which allow you to download Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie and these sites normally offer two types of payment options. Some sites may require you to pay a one time fee for unlimited downloads while some may operate via a pay per download method. Among the two, the best option is one time payment because it'll permit you to download an unlimited number of movies for just one small fee.
You can also find some sites when you search for movie downloads, which will allow free downloads but you must avoid such sites as they are most probably illegal. While downloading Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie, quality is certainly significant aspect. Not all download sites offer DVD clarity downloads. DVD quality pictures will ensure an awesome movie watching experience, so choose only sites that offer it but never choose random sites you found on the search engine, if you choose the wrong one, there is a possiblity that you can't even download.
Speed is the second aspect which needs to be checked before downloading the full movie Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. A faster download is important criteria for a successful download as it will decrease the possibility of broken network connections.
You must also be careful about spyware, adware and virus. But you can rest assured if you are joining a quality site that i am about to introduce you.
Number of titles offered for download is also a yardstick with which to measure the movie downloading sites. Some sites offer several millions of titles. Choose such a site as it ensures entertainment for many years to come and soon, you would have built your own personal movie library. So go ahead and have a great movie experience!
Visit Download Journey to the Center of the Earth full movie for a fine, safe, legal, and quality downloads today at 30 percent off.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Florence City Tour by the Florence Airport Guide
The vibrant, romantic city of Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region, famed for its Renaissance architecture, Chianti wine and truffles. Those escaping for a short break here will find Florence bursting with life and packed full of interesting and intriguing sites to see. After landing at Florence Firenze Airport there is no better way to start the weekend then by arranging to be met by Florence Airport Transfers, so you are whisked straight to your car from arrivals and off to your accommodation without the need to be part of the rugby scrum that consists the taxi and bus queues.
Top of the list of attractions in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery which features work from such old masters as Da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli. It is the oldest and most famous museum in the world and is a work of art in itself, which is why it is so popular and 4 or 5 hour queues are not unheard of. The best way to avoid this is to book tickets in advance, available by visiting Museum Ticket. Based in an old prison and barracks is the Bargello. It is like the sculpture equivalent of the Uffizi and infact houses many of statues passed on from it as the gallery´s collection grew too big. A tour of the art exhibitions would not be complete without a trip to the Galleria dell´Accademia, which holds works from the 13th-16th centuries and is home to Michelangelo´s David, possibly the most famous sculpture ever.
For a sample of some of Florence´s best architecture, the Duomo of the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore takes some beating. Started in 1296, the Gothic dome dominates the Florence landscape and is a masterpiece of green, pink and white marble. It has 463 steps leading up to the top which can be climbed for a small fee. A simillar feast to the eye is the 11th century Baptistry with its mosaics and marble pavement of the zodiac. For breath taking views though, visit the neighbouring Campinile, or bell tower, to walk up the 414 steps up to see breath-taking vistas out over the city, cathedral and beyond.
If you want a break from any major sight-seeing, the Piazza della Signoria gives you a chance to absorb the history of Florence without moving a muscle. This fabulous square situated in the heart of the old city, boasts an open-air sculpture exhibit and cafes and restaurants from which to wile away an afternoon sipping coffee and indulging in some gelato (ice cream). Situated on the piazza is the Palazza Vecchio, a medieval fortress now used as the seat of council and as a museum.
For something a little bit more out there, the Museum of Zoology & Natural History should definitely be on your list. Located inside in what was once an astronomical observatory, is La Specola, and it is this part of the museum in particular that arouses the most interest. It consists 30 rooms full of fossils, stuffed animals and anatomical human models made of wax. Initially made in the 18th century to aid medical students, the wax models were molded on real cadavers so are eerily realistic and first went on display to the public in 1775.
The museum is positioned next to the Pitti Palace, Florence´s grandest palazzo. Not only can you explore within this historical building and see examples of relevant art, costume and jewellery, but the Giardino di Boboli, which was once the private gardens of the palace, is now a huge park full of fountains and beautiful displays and is open to be meandered through and admired. The route to the palace is via the Ponte Vecchio and is a sight in itself. Built in 1345, it was the first bridge built over the Arno River in Florence and is lined with shops selling jewellery.
One of the main draws to Florence for many people though is the shopping, as it has some of the best in Europe. Whether you are looking to buy superb leather goods or exquisitely designed clothes, there is a store to fulfill every shopaholic´s dream. While for those that like to search out the best deals, Florence boasts some great markets. The most prominent of these is the San Lorenzo Market which encompasses the maze of streets that encircle San Lorenzo church. It runs every day except Sunday, from 07.30 to 19.00.
Top of the list of attractions in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery which features work from such old masters as Da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli. It is the oldest and most famous museum in the world and is a work of art in itself, which is why it is so popular and 4 or 5 hour queues are not unheard of. The best way to avoid this is to book tickets in advance, available by visiting Museum Ticket. Based in an old prison and barracks is the Bargello. It is like the sculpture equivalent of the Uffizi and infact houses many of statues passed on from it as the gallery´s collection grew too big. A tour of the art exhibitions would not be complete without a trip to the Galleria dell´Accademia, which holds works from the 13th-16th centuries and is home to Michelangelo´s David, possibly the most famous sculpture ever.
For a sample of some of Florence´s best architecture, the Duomo of the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore takes some beating. Started in 1296, the Gothic dome dominates the Florence landscape and is a masterpiece of green, pink and white marble. It has 463 steps leading up to the top which can be climbed for a small fee. A simillar feast to the eye is the 11th century Baptistry with its mosaics and marble pavement of the zodiac. For breath taking views though, visit the neighbouring Campinile, or bell tower, to walk up the 414 steps up to see breath-taking vistas out over the city, cathedral and beyond.
If you want a break from any major sight-seeing, the Piazza della Signoria gives you a chance to absorb the history of Florence without moving a muscle. This fabulous square situated in the heart of the old city, boasts an open-air sculpture exhibit and cafes and restaurants from which to wile away an afternoon sipping coffee and indulging in some gelato (ice cream). Situated on the piazza is the Palazza Vecchio, a medieval fortress now used as the seat of council and as a museum.
For something a little bit more out there, the Museum of Zoology & Natural History should definitely be on your list. Located inside in what was once an astronomical observatory, is La Specola, and it is this part of the museum in particular that arouses the most interest. It consists 30 rooms full of fossils, stuffed animals and anatomical human models made of wax. Initially made in the 18th century to aid medical students, the wax models were molded on real cadavers so are eerily realistic and first went on display to the public in 1775.
The museum is positioned next to the Pitti Palace, Florence´s grandest palazzo. Not only can you explore within this historical building and see examples of relevant art, costume and jewellery, but the Giardino di Boboli, which was once the private gardens of the palace, is now a huge park full of fountains and beautiful displays and is open to be meandered through and admired. The route to the palace is via the Ponte Vecchio and is a sight in itself. Built in 1345, it was the first bridge built over the Arno River in Florence and is lined with shops selling jewellery.
One of the main draws to Florence for many people though is the shopping, as it has some of the best in Europe. Whether you are looking to buy superb leather goods or exquisitely designed clothes, there is a store to fulfill every shopaholic´s dream. While for those that like to search out the best deals, Florence boasts some great markets. The most prominent of these is the San Lorenzo Market which encompasses the maze of streets that encircle San Lorenzo church. It runs every day except Sunday, from 07.30 to 19.00.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Travel Destination Ignorance
Madeira cake from France and Tenerife in Bulgaria
The other day, I was sitting at my favourite restaurant when I overheard a conversation that went something like this:
First Person: "I think I am going to have a slice of Madeira cake"
Her Friend: "That’s a good idea, I ll join you. Not that Ive got a clue why they call it Madeira cake, have you?"
First Person: "I think its named after some place in France."
I am not sure why that sort of ignorance about places makes me feel so frustrated. After all, why should everyone be as fascinated by travel and far away places as I am? Whatever the reason, I just could not help myself interrupting the two women as soon as they had ordered their cake to inform them that Madeira is a Portuguese island about four hundred miles off of the north African coast in the Atlantic ocean. I added that it makes a fabulous holiday destination but did bother to tell them that it is actually not one island but an archipelago and actually an autonomous region of Portugal.
Just as well – their expressions told me that I had already said more than they were interested in knowing.
This attitude of having little or no interest in travel destinations is actually very common and it is not confined to people who are generally under educated. Frequent examples can be seen on television quiz shows when contestants who are obviously well educated stumble on simple questions like;
Which of the following is not a Caribbean island (A) Jamaica (B)Cuba (C) Majorca (D) Barbados
Even more incredible are the people you sometimes overhear in a travel agent, booking holidays to resorts without having any interest as their location as long as its warm and sunny with cheap booze available.
Travel destination ignorance is not just a British thing. An air stewardess once told me a story about an American couple visiting their parents country of origin, Bulgaria, one February.
They had used a travel agent in New York to plan their journey and book the two flights that were involved. The first flight took them to London where they boarded the ongoing flight to complete their journey. When this flight landed at Reina Sofia airport the couple looked a little flustered and hesitated at the top of the flight steps, turning to the stewardess to ask why everywhere looked so sub tropical and sunny, and adding that their parents had always told them that Bulgaria was cold in February. At first, the stewardess was at a loss to think of anything that could possibly explain how someone trying to get to Bulgaria in Eastern Europe could end up on a flight to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Then she realized that the name of Bulgarias capital city is Sofia. She asked the couple whether they thought they had boarded a flight to Sofia, Bulgaria. The answer was yes and it turned out that their travel agent had probably just typed Sofia Flights into her computer and accepted the results that the query gave without questioning any further!
Best travel tips and holiday destination information
Travel destination ignorance rubs me up the wrong way because I am so passionate about travel and that is also the reason that I started up a website dedicated to providing information, articles and travel tips, about holiday or vacation destinations worldwide. As well as wanting to help people to make the right decisions when planning their vacations, I hope the travel articles will fire peoples imaginations so that they can enjoy dreaming about places they have never been to, even if they never get around to visiting them.
The other day, I was sitting at my favourite restaurant when I overheard a conversation that went something like this:
First Person: "I think I am going to have a slice of Madeira cake"
Her Friend: "That’s a good idea, I ll join you. Not that Ive got a clue why they call it Madeira cake, have you?"
First Person: "I think its named after some place in France."
I am not sure why that sort of ignorance about places makes me feel so frustrated. After all, why should everyone be as fascinated by travel and far away places as I am? Whatever the reason, I just could not help myself interrupting the two women as soon as they had ordered their cake to inform them that Madeira is a Portuguese island about four hundred miles off of the north African coast in the Atlantic ocean. I added that it makes a fabulous holiday destination but did bother to tell them that it is actually not one island but an archipelago and actually an autonomous region of Portugal.
Just as well – their expressions told me that I had already said more than they were interested in knowing.
This attitude of having little or no interest in travel destinations is actually very common and it is not confined to people who are generally under educated. Frequent examples can be seen on television quiz shows when contestants who are obviously well educated stumble on simple questions like;
Which of the following is not a Caribbean island (A) Jamaica (B)Cuba (C) Majorca (D) Barbados
Even more incredible are the people you sometimes overhear in a travel agent, booking holidays to resorts without having any interest as their location as long as its warm and sunny with cheap booze available.
Travel destination ignorance is not just a British thing. An air stewardess once told me a story about an American couple visiting their parents country of origin, Bulgaria, one February.
They had used a travel agent in New York to plan their journey and book the two flights that were involved. The first flight took them to London where they boarded the ongoing flight to complete their journey. When this flight landed at Reina Sofia airport the couple looked a little flustered and hesitated at the top of the flight steps, turning to the stewardess to ask why everywhere looked so sub tropical and sunny, and adding that their parents had always told them that Bulgaria was cold in February. At first, the stewardess was at a loss to think of anything that could possibly explain how someone trying to get to Bulgaria in Eastern Europe could end up on a flight to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Then she realized that the name of Bulgarias capital city is Sofia. She asked the couple whether they thought they had boarded a flight to Sofia, Bulgaria. The answer was yes and it turned out that their travel agent had probably just typed Sofia Flights into her computer and accepted the results that the query gave without questioning any further!
Best travel tips and holiday destination information
Travel destination ignorance rubs me up the wrong way because I am so passionate about travel and that is also the reason that I started up a website dedicated to providing information, articles and travel tips, about holiday or vacation destinations worldwide. As well as wanting to help people to make the right decisions when planning their vacations, I hope the travel articles will fire peoples imaginations so that they can enjoy dreaming about places they have never been to, even if they never get around to visiting them.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
5 Argentina Travel Tips for the Foreign Study Traveler
Have you ever thought of hopping a plane for spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to study Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn the Tango in Mendoza? Too difficult, you say? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when traveling abroad. Take advantage of the following top five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and make it an experience to remember.
1. PASSPORTS - Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. -- Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).
2. CURRENCY - The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler's checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.
3. CAR RENTALS - Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver's licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.
4. ELECTRICITY - Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called "Locuturios" are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.
5. SEASONS - While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.
These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country's culture only brings people closer together.
Argentina is waiting for you, start planning your trip today?
1. PASSPORTS - Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. -- Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).
2. CURRENCY - The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler's checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.
3. CAR RENTALS - Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver's licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.
4. ELECTRICITY - Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called "Locuturios" are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.
5. SEASONS - While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.
These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country's culture only brings people closer together.
Argentina is waiting for you, start planning your trip today?
The Various Tools Available in the Travel Guides
We often check out a world travel guide when we need to collect information about a place which we are planning to visit. The travel guides provide us complete details about a place like the cultural heritage sites to visit, best places to shop, accommodation options, the places to taste the best and traditional food, best time to visit, the specialties of that place etc.
Apart from the above mentioned tourist information in the travel portals, you can also find detailed information about the hostels and apartments on rent, available for a long stay at a place. You can also collect information about the car rental services available at that place and how you can arrange a car for yourself to make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable. You can also check out information on how to reach that place and the various modes of transportation available at that place.
However, the travel portals and guides do not provide ‘travel and holidays' related information alone. They have many other tools, which prove to be useful for a traveler. Few of these are mentioned below:
The Newsletters: Most of the travel portals publish E-newsletters which contain information about the best tour packages to the different places, the best hotel deals, cheap car hire, low cost flights and cruises, the up coming events and festivals in that place etc.
The interested travelers can sign up for the newsletters for free and receive them in their email on a regular basis with the latest updates.
Travel Journals: Travel guides also publish travel journals which contain tourist information and travel experiences of travelers. These journals contain information from first hand experiences. Therefore, they provide you tips to make your visit to a place enjoyable. Some of the journals also contain photographs, contributed by the tourists.
Weather Information: Travel portals offer real time weather forecast and information for different locations. They provide information about the weather conditions along with the minimum and maximum temperatures. It proves to be very useful for travelers.
Maps: All travel guides provide maps of places. These maps prove to be useful tools for travelers as they contain directions, detailed road maps of accessible area etc.
A travel guide without the above mentioned tools and features are not much useful for a traveler. However, even if a travel guide contains these tools, they need to be regularly updated, so that they are able to guide people accurately during their travel.
‘Places Online' is one of the best travel guides available on the internet. For more information you can visit www.placesonline.com.
Apart from the above mentioned tourist information in the travel portals, you can also find detailed information about the hostels and apartments on rent, available for a long stay at a place. You can also collect information about the car rental services available at that place and how you can arrange a car for yourself to make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable. You can also check out information on how to reach that place and the various modes of transportation available at that place.
However, the travel portals and guides do not provide ‘travel and holidays' related information alone. They have many other tools, which prove to be useful for a traveler. Few of these are mentioned below:
The Newsletters: Most of the travel portals publish E-newsletters which contain information about the best tour packages to the different places, the best hotel deals, cheap car hire, low cost flights and cruises, the up coming events and festivals in that place etc.
The interested travelers can sign up for the newsletters for free and receive them in their email on a regular basis with the latest updates.
Travel Journals: Travel guides also publish travel journals which contain tourist information and travel experiences of travelers. These journals contain information from first hand experiences. Therefore, they provide you tips to make your visit to a place enjoyable. Some of the journals also contain photographs, contributed by the tourists.
Weather Information: Travel portals offer real time weather forecast and information for different locations. They provide information about the weather conditions along with the minimum and maximum temperatures. It proves to be very useful for travelers.
Maps: All travel guides provide maps of places. These maps prove to be useful tools for travelers as they contain directions, detailed road maps of accessible area etc.
A travel guide without the above mentioned tools and features are not much useful for a traveler. However, even if a travel guide contains these tools, they need to be regularly updated, so that they are able to guide people accurately during their travel.
‘Places Online' is one of the best travel guides available on the internet. For more information you can visit www.placesonline.com.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
10 Cheap Travel Tips
Traveling does not need to put you in the poor house, just follow these 10 cheap travel tips to save money and still enjoy your vacation.
Carry Snacks With You
Buying snacks in bulk before you go and dividing them up into zip lock bags saves the cost and hassle of purchasing snack foods while traveling.
Bring Along A Water Bottle
Cheap travel tips do not need to be time consuming and inconvenient. This one is easy and simple. Just pack a nice water bottle and refill it whenever you get the chance, so you don’t have to purchase bottled water.
Look For Packages
Finding packages for services and attractions can be one of the most invaluable of all cheap travel tips. Package deals can be found on most things, from shuttle rides if you purchase round trip in advance, to hotel room rates that include free breakfast.
Walk Places
This tip can save you a lot of money and has the added benefit of allowing you to get your exercise in. It is also a great way to explore a new area.
Use Grocery Stores
Every meal does not need to be eaten at a restaurant. It can be great fun to find a grocery store and buy something from the deli and take it to a nearby park.
Bring Along Entertainment
Many people spend their time on vacation jumping from one attraction to another with no time in between. Why not bring along a book or camera and spend a day or two relaxing?
Save Extra Food
If you receive extra food on an airplane or with a meal, bring it with you so that you have a snack available and do not have to purchase one.
Go Camping
Road trips can really add up when you are staying in a hotel every night. Why not bring along a tent and spend some of the nights camping. You can alternate nights between a hotel and tent in order to avoid feeling grungy.
Plan Your Trips During Off-Times
Cheap travel tips can include staying at quality, premium places. This can be achieved through finding the times that are considered off-season and planning your trip during that time. Most hotels and attractions have times of the year when they fill up and can demand higher prices, but also times of the year when they do not get a lot of visitors and are willing to offer great deals to allure guests.
Don’t Be Afraid To Request Forgotten Items
If you forget a toothbrush or razor do not hesitate to call the front desk if you are staying at a hotel and asking for one. Most hotels have extras like this available and it saves you the money of purchasing one.
Follow these ten cheap travel tips to make your vacation cost effective and stress-free.
Carry Snacks With You
Buying snacks in bulk before you go and dividing them up into zip lock bags saves the cost and hassle of purchasing snack foods while traveling.
Bring Along A Water Bottle
Cheap travel tips do not need to be time consuming and inconvenient. This one is easy and simple. Just pack a nice water bottle and refill it whenever you get the chance, so you don’t have to purchase bottled water.
Look For Packages
Finding packages for services and attractions can be one of the most invaluable of all cheap travel tips. Package deals can be found on most things, from shuttle rides if you purchase round trip in advance, to hotel room rates that include free breakfast.
Walk Places
This tip can save you a lot of money and has the added benefit of allowing you to get your exercise in. It is also a great way to explore a new area.
Use Grocery Stores
Every meal does not need to be eaten at a restaurant. It can be great fun to find a grocery store and buy something from the deli and take it to a nearby park.
Bring Along Entertainment
Many people spend their time on vacation jumping from one attraction to another with no time in between. Why not bring along a book or camera and spend a day or two relaxing?
Save Extra Food
If you receive extra food on an airplane or with a meal, bring it with you so that you have a snack available and do not have to purchase one.
Go Camping
Road trips can really add up when you are staying in a hotel every night. Why not bring along a tent and spend some of the nights camping. You can alternate nights between a hotel and tent in order to avoid feeling grungy.
Plan Your Trips During Off-Times
Cheap travel tips can include staying at quality, premium places. This can be achieved through finding the times that are considered off-season and planning your trip during that time. Most hotels and attractions have times of the year when they fill up and can demand higher prices, but also times of the year when they do not get a lot of visitors and are willing to offer great deals to allure guests.
Don’t Be Afraid To Request Forgotten Items
If you forget a toothbrush or razor do not hesitate to call the front desk if you are staying at a hotel and asking for one. Most hotels have extras like this available and it saves you the money of purchasing one.
Follow these ten cheap travel tips to make your vacation cost effective and stress-free.
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