Rome is a fantastic city to visit in beautiful Italy, as it offers the tourist so much to do and see; ancient ruins, an abundance of museums and galleries, famous tourist sights, exciting architecture and much more. No wonder it is one of the world’s most popular city destinations!

Hotels in Rome can be expensive, especially during the high season, such as Spring and early Autumn. In fact the cheapest period to visit Rome in during the Summer, especially in August. However, the city can be hot and humid during this time, and you will notice a mass exodus of locals who escape to the countryside or coastline for a more refreshing environment.

If budget is an important decider for you when choosing your accommodation in Rome, then a 2 star hotel will usually be sufficient in providing the cleanliness and comfort that your require. It would be safe to say, that as competition has increased over the years especially with the advent of the internet and online accommodation booking agencies, there is now a great deal of quality 2 star hotels in Rome to choose from.

With so many internet resources now available at your finger tips, it can be quite time consuming to find a suitable and affordable 2 star hotel that is well located and offers good amenities. Therefore, below you will find a sample of three such hotels which come well recommended.

2 star Hotel Virginia is a popular establishment that is conveniently located between the Spanish Steps and Termini Station, the city’s main transport hub. Staff offer a professional and friendly service and you will immediately feel at home. Guest rooms are all en suite and equipped with air conditioned. The hotel were fully refurbished in 2001 and 2003 to provide an even more comfortable environment.

2 star Hotel Giubileo lies just over half a mile from one of Rome’s iconic buildings, the impressive Coliseum. Ideally located in the historic centre, you will easily be able to visit may of the city’s best known sights on foot. The hotel has a wide range of facilities and amenities making is well suited for both the business travel and tourist. A double room with air conditioning and en suite bathroom is available from as little as 65 Euros per night.

The 2 star equivalent Everest Inn is situated on the road ‘Via Nazionale’, one of Rome’s major shopping streets and thoroughfares. This small and cosy property offers ‘affittacamere’ style accommodation, which is an Italian type of guest house. All of the customary creature comforts have been provided for, including air conditioning, satellite TV and internet access, ensuring that you will have an enjoyable stay in the beautiful Eternal City.

These tips have been compiled by HotelsChart, a Rome based company, which specializes in online accommodation bookings. If you are on a reasonably tight budget then a 2 star hotel should be sufficient for your requirements. Feel free to click on the link for more information on 2 star hotels Rome.

According to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, since the turn of the new millennium, the number of Working Holiday visas issued to those wishing to move to Australia temporarily has increased year on year and for 2009, stood at an all time high of 187,696.

Although the vast majority of these people made the most of their stay in the country, some were unable to stay the length that they intended and to ensure that you do not have to return home early, the following 4 points should be followed.

1. Initial funds. The most important part of any Working Australia holiday is ensuring that you have sufficient funds available to support you when you first enter the country until you find employment.

A requirement by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, most people who move to Australia for a holiday and to work temporarily do not take enough funds to support them throughout their entire stay, as employment opportunities in the country are ripe, particularly if you are not overly fussy or have some work related skills.

Although this may be the case, it is important that you have some funds in place in case there was any difficulty in finding employment or for example, you decided to take in the sights of the country first.

2. Emergency funds. If you expected to find employment in Australia within 4 weeks of moving, but did not find anything until 6 weeks, this is not a problem for most as the initial funds that they take with them will support them for this extra period of time.

But what happens if any employment cannot be found within the estimated timescale?

This is where emergency funds come into play and are just as important, if not more so, than having enough initial funds in place.

Emergency funds should be money that you have available to use solely in the case of emergencies, such as not being able to find a job which results in you not being able to afford to eat.

3. Contingency plan. Wherever you travel in the world, you must always have a contingency plan. Whether the traveling is for a 7 day holiday in the sun or in this example, a year in Australia, you must have some type of plan to resort to if your initial plans fall through.

For most people, this either comes in the form of a credit card or their parents. Either way, the outcome is generally the same, which is to purchase a flight back to their home country.

4. Budgeting. As tempting as it can be to spend all of your initial funds, emergency funds and rely solely on the money available in your contingency plan, it is important that you budget properly to ensure that your Working Australia holiday is as successful and as long as it can be.

There are thousands of budgeting ideas that you can take onboard, but they all come down to understanding how much money you need to live on each day. This figure will vary from person to person and depend on what they want to achieve when in the country, but it is important that this figure is known and understood and is not exceeded unless in special circumstances.

Global Visas are a world leading authority on Australian immigration and Australia visas for private individuals and corporate clients, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date visa and immigration advice available. Visit GlobalVisas.com for more information.

Ever thought of being an aupair? It can be an immensely rewarding experience and a fantastic way to fund foreign travels. However, you should always be certain about what you’re getting into. Finding the right job and the right family can make a huge difference to how you enjoy your experience.

The first thing to be aware of is the potential pitfalls. There have been some high profile stories of the dangers befalling au pairs that would make anyone stop and think twice.

Families face the same problem. As their aupair you will be entrusted with their most precious possessions - their children. As such they need to be certain you are a trust worthy individual. Don’t be surprised if they appear to come on too strong in checking your background.

Problems such as these highlight the importance for both parties of using an official agency to conduct the screening process. Doing this effectively as a private individual can be extremely difficult, so it pays to use the services of trusted specialists.

These in themselves can vary in terms of quality, so it pays to shop around. A good agency will do more than just find a placement. They will do their most to make sure the aupair and the family are a good fit for one another. This means more than just being trusted and efficient - it’s a question of personality.

This is more important than some people might think. When choosing employers many aupairs make the mistake of under estimating the depth of their involvement. Remember, you will be living in their home, taking part in regular activities, sharing weekends and even going on holiday with them. How you get on with the children and also the parents is of paramount importance.

Above all, every would-be aupair should do their research before they set out. Find out what’s available and make sure what you understand what will be expected of you. Try contacting others who can share the benefits of their experiences.

Nobody can give a clearer indication of what’s really involved in being an aupair than someone who has been through it all before. They can give you more than just the marketing speak you might see in the brochures. They are the ones who can tell you about the experience, warts and all. Only then will you be in a good position to make your decision.

Dominic Donaldson is a freelance journalist. Find out more about aupair and the services offered from Millennium Aupairs.

It is commonplace (and somewhat traditional) for students on many different college and university courses to take a break from the formal education and spend one year traveling the world or simply living in a different country for several months. Known commonly as a gap year, they have proven to be a fantastic personal development tool for many students, opening their eyes to different cultures and various ways of living that are apparent around the globe.

Australia is by far and large one of the most popular destinations for a gap year, with the allure of the beautiful weather and golden, sandy beaches mixed with the metropolitan cities too much for many to resist. With many gap year travelers funding their trip by working temporarily in the country (assuming that they possess the relevant visa), the trips often extend longer than they initially planned, as they become too accustomed to the easygoing lifestyle that Australia offers.

Fortunately, a move to Australia does not need to be a temporary one or last for a mere 12 months as a gap year and with the correct planning and preparation, it is possible to move Down Under and live happily in this wonderful country.

In respect of the planning and preparation, the most difficult part of the process is often considered to be the employment aspect and there are several basic criteria that must be met in accordance with the Australian Governments Department of Immigration and Citizenship guidelines. For instance, should an applicant not have an Australia employer who can sponsor their move to Australia and they have to opt for a Skilled Migrant visa, then it is expected that all applicants will be between 18 and 45 years of age, have a good understand of the English language and have up to date working experience in one of the several occupational areas listed on the Skilled Occupation List.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship offers a range of different ways to move to Australia, other than through working for an employer. For instance, if an applicant is thinking of a move to Australia and they own their own business, there are several others ways to gain a visa, such as by developing a new business in the country that could provide a benefit to those already living in Australia or by investing directly into the country itself.

Whilst applying for the relevant visa, it is important that all applicants understand the need to be able to prove that they can, at least for the immediate future, provide for themselves and any family members who are joining them financially, generally in respect of savings that have been amassed.

A move to Australia can be a life changing experience. Although moving from a hometown or country can be a difficult process emotionally, the lifestyle that many native Australians and immigrants lead in the country is so relaxed and enjoyable that many people who are considering a move are won over after simply one visit to this beautiful part of the world.

Global Visas are a world leading authority on Australian immigration and Australia visas for private individuals and corporate clients, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date visa and immigration advice available. Visit GlobalVisas.com for more information.

Known more commonly as a gap year visa (and formally as a Working Holiday visa), thousands of people under the age of 30 reside temporarily in the country, working and studying, generally as break between their academic studies.

Whilst Working Australia holidays are suitable for many different visitors to the country, they, for various reasons, do not meet the needs of everyone. For example, they may offer too much freedom in terms of work or they may not be long enough for those who want to make somewhat of a permanent move to Australia.

Fortunately, there are five other ways that moving to Australia is possible, with it being possible for almost everyone wanting to move to fit into at least one of the different categories.

1. It may not seem particularly obvious to those looking to immigrate to Australia at first, but it is possible to move permanently by simply joining a family member.

There are some stipulations in place and as would be expected, the relative cannot be a distant one and must be within your close family (in accordance with the Australia Department of Immigration and Citizenship, they must also sign a document to say that they will support the immigrant in every way, shape and form), but a move down under can happen by applying for a Family visa.

2. There is a slightly different way of moving to Australia if you do not have any family that are permanent residents there and that is to marry someone who is. By applying for a Spouse visa, you can move to Australia on the same premise as a Family visa, but with your spouse supporting you and not your family.

3. Aside from Family or Spouse visas, a move to Australia can be possible if you are involved in a business or are planning on being involved in a business in the country.

The government class this as investing in the country and as they are continually looking to boost their economy and increase their GDP (which according to the International Monetary Fund currently stands at 46,824 US dollars per capita), setting up or moving a business to Australia on a Business visa can be a great way to make the move.

4. Out of the six options that are available to move to Australia, the remaining permanent one is to emigrate on a Skilled Worker visa.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia has created several lists for years detailing what skilled occupations are in high demand in the country. Whilst these lists have been compiled into one in 2010 with the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), the same principles apply. By proving that you have the necessary skills for one of the occupations on this list, you can make a permanent move to Australia by applying for a Skilled Worker visa.

5. The final visa option is that of a Travel visa and is used solely for those wanting to reside temporarily in the country for holiday purposes. Not allowing them to work or study, this visa is applied for and received by people who want to do nothing more than enjoy the sights of the country.

Global Visas are a world leading authority on Australian immigration and Australia visas for private individuals and corporate clients, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date visa and immigration advice available. Visit GlobalVisas.com for more information.