Knowledge Wanders
Wandering the great places…

Archive for July, 2009

31
Jul

New York Hotel Deals: Beware of the Worst Hotels in the City

Posted in Destinations  by julianlenox on July 31st, 2009

New York is one of the most famous cities in the world. There is so much to see here, that a short vacation does not seem enough. That is why one should make the most of his time in this city. Everything should be planned out carefully, especially accommodation.

A lot of people resort to hotel deals in New York just because this is a very expensive city. However, it is important that you ask yourself why these hotels are so much than other. Most times when you go for a hotel deal in New York, you are in for a disappointment.

There are some hotels, which are particularly unpleasant and one should stay away from. That is the case of Hotel Carter. The first thing that shocks you when you walk in this hotel is the horrible smell. Everything in their hotel rooms is filthy, from the carpets to the bedclothes. You will feel the urge to run and never come back, even after you have paid the deposit.

The Ramada Plaza hotel, located in Jamaica, New York, is another hotel you should stay away from. Poor maintenance, lack of cleaning, and smelly rooms are the main features of this hotel. Also, their walls are really thin, so you can hear everything that is going on the next room.

Roosevelt hotel was ranked by many tourists as the worst hotel they have ever stayed in. Their staff is unfriendly and not helpful. This hotel also needs some urgent maintenance, and extra housekeeping services. Rooms are so tiny you can barely walk around them. In addition, towels are not replaced in the bathrooms.

New York Inn has been described as disgusting by their guests. First of all, their staff is extremely rude. Most toilets in this hotel are not working. The floors in the hotel are filthy, and the whole place smells badly. Also, they had as guests a party of mice. Some people claimed to have found pee in their bed sheets.

New York Inn is one of the most disgusting places to stay in New York City. A place like this can certainly ruin your vacations. Even though they have T.V. sets, they use hangers as aerials. The place needs immediate renovation. Of course the air conditioning system does not work.

When one makes a reservation to one of this New York hotel deals, one does not expect luxury, just a bed and a decent bathroom. By all means, we are not saying that one should be provided with a world class service, when booking a cheap hotel in New York.

However, we do believe that one at least deserves to get a clean room free of bugs and other critters. Before making an advance reservation with a cheap hotel in New York, go online and read tourist’s reviews. That is the only way you can set your expectations. Of course, once you pay a deposit for a cheap hotel, you cannot expect a refund, so think twice before you make the payment.

Head of Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox appraises websites for Travel and Tourism Top 100, a human-crafted Travel and Tourism websites appraisals warehouse. Sources for this article: Last Minute Hotel Deals New York City.

31
Jul

Cheap Flights to South Africa

Posted in Travel  by Graham_McKenzie on July 31st, 2009

There is no doubt that South Africa has experienced a great suffering and turmoil in the past. Despite that, however, the country is striving to re-invent itself. Actually, tourist numbers have increased ten percent every year over the past decade, and continue to rise.

Flights that fly into South Africa usually schedule departures for evening, which allows them to land early in the morning. The biggest majority of these flights will land in Johannesburg, but most tourists that book cheap flights to South Africa, head for Cape Town. As South Africa’s oldest city, Cape Town offers visitors top-notch restaurants and a pulsing nightlife.

Very few airlines service Africa, so it is not uncommon for flights to book very quickly. Despite this drawback, it is more than feasible to secure an inexpensive flight to South Africa. You just need to remember a few tips. The biggest factor in finding a cheap fare is to begin early. You definitely want to book that flight at least two months in advance. The best time to fly to South Africa is hard to pinpoint.

Being a land that offers a wide variety of pastimes and varying climates, it really depends on what you intend to do, and because of this, the best time for booking a cheap flight changes. Keep the season reversal in mind when you plan your trip, as summer falls between November and February in the southern hemisphere. If you have plans to see wild game, August through October is the springtime months, and the best time to observe game. If whale watching is your goal, try mid-June to October for the Southern Right Whales and August through December if you prefer Humpbacks.

Booking your flight from Europe is definitely the cheapest way to go. If you already live in Europe, that is not a problem. However, if you are flying from the US, you may want to ask your travel agent to book a flight to Europe first, before flying on to South Africa. If at all possible, hit the off-season, November to mid-December and January to March, and that flight from the US to Europe will be very reasonable.

Flying via Europe is another way you can save money on a flight to South Africa. That isn’t a problem if you’re already coming from Europe, but if you intend to fly from the US, ask your travel agent to check into flights from the US to Europe. You might get lucky and the hit the off-season, between November and mid-December and January through March, which would ensure an inexpensive flight to Europe, and from there, flights to South Africa are very reasonable.

Keep in mind that you need a passport that is valid for at least thirty days beyond your stay, and you must have an onward ticket.

You will need a passport, and it must be valid for at least thirty days beyond your stay, as well as an onward ticket. Certainly, the options for flying to South Africa are limited, but you can secure a cheap flight if you plan ahead.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for South Africa’s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, to book a flight, simply visit our website at: http://www.saflights.co.za.co.za

31
Jul

Cheap Flights to New York: Beware of the Hidden Fees

Posted in Air Travel  by julianlenox on July 31st, 2009

New York is one of the top places to visit. It is a city that never sleeps, and it is busy the whole year. However, it is no secret that a plane ticket to New York can be somewhat expensive. Sometimes, great deals are found on the Internet, but you should be aware that most of these deals are either scams or a misrepresentation of what they really are.

A lot of people will choose to go for cheap flights to New York to save some money, but they are not aware of the hidden fees. Sometimes what seems cheap may end up costing you more. Always read the fine print, this is the only way to find out about hidden fees.

Some airlines and online booking companies charge a booking fee; this means basically that you can buy a cheaper plane ticket with a travel agency. Although it does not make any sense, it happens, and it is something to look out for. You should also check if there are any luggage fees. Most airlines do not disclose that information, and you end up being unpleasantly surprised once you have already arrived at the airport.

Also, many times we see attractive flight deals advertisements. We should read these advertisements carefully, especially if they have an asterisk, because if they do, they are probably making reference to some extra charges that were not mentioned in the body of the advertisement.

Advertising companies tend to leave out all the extra fees. If you take a promotional price for plane ticket you will most probably have to add to it handling fees, services fees, taxes, international taxes and fees. All in all, you may end up paying six hundred more dollars on top of the advertised ticket price.

When traveling from Europe to New York, you should be aware that the cheap airlines charge for every piece of luggage. Plus, they only allow you to have one piece of carry on, and their maximum weight should be twenty-two pounds. So be ready to add to the base fare a significant amount of money for your luggage.

You probably heard of the lowest price guarantee. A lot of airline companies that fly to New York offer this guarantee. It basically states that if you can find a cheaper fare, they will match it. However, you should be aware that in order for the companies to honor this guarantee, the cheaper fare that you found should match their flight’s date, booking class, and flights number.

Cheap flights to New York are not always what they seem. For the inexperienced traveler, it is easy to fall for all these traps. So it is advisable for you to read always, without exception, the fine print. In addition, you should use your common sense, if a plane fare sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

A manager at Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox writes articles and reviews for Travel and Tourism Top 100, a well developed Travel and Tourism websites appraisals pool. Read more at Cheapest Flights To New York.

31
Jul

Island Vacations: Dream Holidays or Endless Nightmare?

Posted in Destinations  by julianlenox on July 31st, 2009

If you are planning a vacation on an island, you should remember that all that glitters is not gold. An island can be full of surprises but many times, they are quite unpleasant. Spending your vacation on an island can risk your health and your pocket. So read on to know everything you need to know about island vacations.

The first thing we are going to explore is an island’s fauna. Islands are known to preserve their nature, and for this reason we may encounter some of the most fearsome beasts on them. For example, Ilha de Queimada Grande, in Brazil is packed of deadly venomous snakes, called Golden Lancehead.

You may think that this is no big deal, since there are many vacation spots where you can find snakes. However, this island is home to over 5000 snakes, that represents one snake per square kilometer. So as heavenly as it may sound, this snake island may be a real nightmare.

Snakes are not the only deadly creatures that can be found on an island. Anybody who has spent a vacation on Amity Island, Massachusetts, knows that. Swimming on the ocean by this island could be the last thing you do in your life, since it is packed with sharks. Many people already lost their lives in this vacation spot.

However, there are a lot more reasons why one should stay away from islands when planning a vacation. Reason number two is the weather. Spending a vacation on Cayman Islands during any month between May and September will result in you being locked in your hotel room every day due to heavy rains.

Rain is only one of the weather drawbacks of an Island. Fiji islands have recently declared state of emergency and curfews due to severe storms and floods. Over six thousand people had to seek refugee because of the major flooding. This definitely does not sound like a dream-like destination for our holidays.

Jamaica is known to be a dirty place and the crime rate is really high. The same goes for Nassau. This island is not a safe place, especially for women. People in Aruba are said to be really rude to tourists, and also this island has strong winds that can be really annoying. If you do your research you will see that most islands have cons.

A huge con common to all vacation islands is the high probability of becoming a scam victim. Some people paid over six thousand dollars weekly for a rental home in Hilton island, and later discovered that the house had stains and holes in the carpets, there were no light bulbs, and the general state of the house was really poor.

There are plenty of reasons why a vacation on an island can be a disaster, so now that you know, you can decide if these are things you are willing to put up with during your vacations. Remember that a vacation is a time for relaxation, and an island can easily ruin that for you.

Working for Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox reviews and writes articles for Travel and Tourism Top 100, a devoted Travel and Tourism websites assessments reserve. Get the facts from Best Accommodation Deals.

31
Jul

Travel Tips In Visiting Austria

Posted in Travel  by Graham_McKenzie on July 31st, 2009

One of the most visited countries in Europe is the country of Austria, and it is no wonder to see why. Apart from its breathtaking landscapes and sceneries, travelers visiting the country of Austria are treated to an endless array of brilliantly designed buildings and palaces. It is also the home of the waltz and the famous child prodigy and classical music master Mozart. Indeed, the country of Austria is a jewel that every person must visit at least once in their entire life.

Austria is also known for its rich cultural heritage. This could be seen on the pride that the locals have for its brilliant palaces and buildings, their love for the Waltz and their homage to the classical composer and child prodigy Mozart. Whether you are traveling to Austria alone, with friends or with your family, here are just some helpful tips to make you get the most out of your trip to this magnificent country.

Public Transportation

When to Go

In fact, if you are traveling on a budget, buses and trains are the best way to get around the country without blowing your budget. Instead of paying each time to you board a bus or train, avail of an unlimited travel pass the moment you arrive at the airport or from your local travel agency. These passes, ranging from all-day passes to as long as 30 days, would allow you not just to go around the country of Austria. It is also accepted in most major cities all over Europe, allowing you the chance to travel to the other parts of the continent as well.

If you have some extra cash to spare, you can also opt to rent a car while you are visiting Austria. Like the unlimited passes, car rentals can be booked well in advance. Most of the well-known car rental companies have branches here in Austria and reservations can be made over the Internet. You can also inquire with your local travel agent about car reservations being included in your package if you are getting a packaged tour from them since these are given at a discounted rate.

Austria is a cosmopolitan city and as such, there is a wide variety of different modes of transportation that you can avail of during your stay. Buses and trains are ideal if you are visiting the country of Austria for the very first time. Apart from taking you to the major tourist spots within a particular city, these buses and trains would also take you to and from one major city to the next at regular schedules. You can avail of all-day and weekly passes from your local travel agent prior to your trip. These passes provide you unlimited access to buses and trains that go through the country, making it ideal if your itinerary involves you traveling from one major city in Austria to another.

There are a number of different places to stay in Austria, depending on your budget. Hotel accommodations are numerous throughout the country, but they could be quite expensive if you book it directly with them. The average cost of a hotel accommodation with breakfast is between 50 and 60 per night. You can try going to your local travel agent who may be able to provide you with a reservation at a hotel of your choice at a discounted rate.

Austrian traffic authorities are extremely strict. Make sure that you adhere to all of the rules and regulations of the country with regards to driving in order to save you the inconvenience of having to pay a fine, which can be rather costly. For example, when driving, make sure that you keep your headlights open, even in the day time. Failure to do this can mean you having to pay a fine of 15.

Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for the leading UK Flight Comparison website, which offers detailed information on Booking a Flight.