deanna asked:


I want a travel agency that does things like travel abroad and excursions with people around 18+. I want one that is well known and reliable. I want to go to Africa so an agency that goes there. Thank you!

ELI

dgmitko asked:


Hello. I should to travel from Chicago to Wisconsin dells with bus. And I have need from schedule on the bus company who travel from Chicago to Wisconsin dells.

CARL

Stuart S. Travel asked:


You’ve got to eat while traveling and most tourists will tell you that the best part of the whole trip is experiencing the food while in foreign places. If you are a fussy eater or have special dietary needs, you can still be accommodated while traveling, just plan ahead.

 

What better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by visiting the local markets. Not only will you get to see and try the local cuisine, but you’ll probably save a lot of money. Eating in restaurants, especially those geared towards the tourist trade, can get very expensive. Try buying your food fresh from the markets and preparing it yourself. Or buy already prepared food from the market vendor.

 

In Bangkok you can visit the floating markets and buy anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to ready prepared noodle soup. In Jerusalem the outdoor market or ‘shuk’ not only sells fruits and vegetables, but meat, poultry, fish, bread, nuts, cheese, spices and so on. As in most markets, you have to bargain at a shuk to get a good deal as prices vary markedly. African markets sell souvenirs as well as food. 

 

Bargaining is welcomed at most markets, especially for keepsakes. Knowing how to bargain will save any traveler money. Here are a few points to follow when attempting to bargain for an item:

1. Always be polite and enjoy the experience

2. Ask for the price and then halve it. Start your bargaining at that number.

3. If the price is too high, walk away. You’ll be surprised how quickly the price comes down when you are disinterested!

4. Work out how much you are paying for in your own currency. Don’t haggle over a couple of cents. Remember this is how the market vendors make a living.

5. Don’t pay more than your think the item is worth.

6. You can also barter in some places. Brand name items (jeans, hats, shoes) are sought after items in some countries so barter with what you can afford to part with.

 

Other tips for saving money on a daily basis include:

* Avoid tourist-type restaurants. Find out where the locals eat and you’ll usually find authentic (better) cuisine at a lower price.

* Take note of what the farmers in the area eat. It’ll be cheap and healthy.

* Always pack snacks and fruit when going on a day trip. You’ll save money when you don’t have to buy from the tourist stops and street vendors along the way.

* Pack a picnic and go exploring. Use produce from the local market. You’ll save a bundle and eat well.

* Shop where the locals shop, not where the tourists go.

* Book into hotels that have breakfast as part of the package.

* Avoid airport food as it is usually expensive and not particularly healthy.

* Always ask if there are any discount offers available. If you don’t ask you won’t know and you won’t save.

* Walk when you can. It’s cheaper and a good healthy alternative, as well as giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are in.

* Avoid Laundromats. Wash your own clothes in the bathroom sink if you are able.

* Look for free entertainment. 

.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com



ROB

Chet asked:


Hello Everyone! My girlfriend wants to travel to Brazil next year for carnival, and would like to use a travel agent to plan our arrangements, while I would much rather plan everything on my own using the internet as a primary resource. Could anyone tell me the benefits and negative aspects of using a travel agent to plan a vacation of this type? Also, I would really appreciate it if anyone who recently traveled to Rio De Janiero could share some opinions and perhaps “insider” tips on traveling to this destination. Thank you.

GABRIEL

Personal Travel asked:


I did some research on this and found out that the Online Travel industry is growing fast and the best part is that it is generating numerous jobs and many people around the world are setting up their own online travel companies.

How do they do that? I did that assignment too and I wanted to share the information I learned from those who have succeeded and who have been earning way more than the average income from their previous jobs.

There are sites that are currently providing all the stuff needed to start a new career in this industry and they are termed as Online Travel Consultant or Online Travel Booking Agent. One site I saw provided me some hints on how to do this even in your own home. One company that really got my attention is The Personal Travel Group. Here is what they told me:-

First, you must watch their informative video which explains the business opportunity to you. After this you complete an online registration application on their web site. You will then be invited to one of their information centres for a full explanation. Once accepted and signed up, they will provide you with access to their system, your own web site and a password.

Once they have issued you this, you can access their booking engine through your site. You are then able to search, place a booking on hold for 24hrs or book and pay immediately. Once you start making bookings, you will start receiving commission from your own pre-set margins!! (interesting…….).

I did a search on their site and they are an accommodation supplier and even other services such as to make transfers, car hire, golf and insurance and these products are exclusively available online.

They even have a full team of professional, experienced support agents who are standing by for any queries or questions. Bookings can be made either on line or over the telephone and you can ask your support team any questions or doubts you have. I think this is very important for self-starters.

The most interesting part is how you can earn money from this. They take online bookings in real-time and payments are made through their web site. They even offer different payment methods that will suit your business and that can be stated in the contract given to you by their company.

To cut things short, they handle everything and everything is automated. Your task is to expand your clientele and let all the tasks be handled by them. Take note, once it is set up, the running costs are very low. It is a really great idea. No need for customers to go to a travel agency, everything is online. That is the power of The Personal Travel Group technology today.

But be also aware that there are other companies or sites that offer similar start up packages, but I found that there were some details that were not quite clear, unlike the one I have discussed above, and the commissions seemed to be much less.

The important thing here is that a career as an Online Travel Agent or Consultant is one of the best alternatives to increase your income. This could be the best year to get started in the Travel Industry and it is one of the best options to generate a first or second income. With a small investment and your TIME and EFFORT, you could make a great success of this type of business. The objective here is to share this information so that it will be helpful to my readers.

 



RODNEY

K H Travel asked:


Millions of tourist visits Jammu Kashmir situated in India every year to see its fascinating tourist destinations,exotic wildlife, heritage sights. Jammu Kashmir has been famous for its natural beauty since time immemorial and has been aptly described as “heaven on earth”. The city of Jammu is known for its temples, Srinagar is famous for its houseboats while Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty and has often been referred as the “Switzerland of the East”.Some of the major pilgrimages centers of the nation are located in Jammu Kashmir, the two most important being Amarnath cave and VaishnoDevi shrine.

The state has lot to offer to its adventure loving visitors ,like trekking, mountaineering, skiing, paragliding & parasliding, cycling, water sports,angling, hand gliding and hot air ballooning. Jammu, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are few places where these activities are carried out.

Places to visit Patni top, Dal lake, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Leh, Ladakh, Katra, Bahu Fort, Raghunath temple.

The hotels in Jammu Kashmir range from deluxe/luxury hotels, five star hotels, budget hotels to business hotels and economy hotels and also Dal Lake Houseboats are of all categories. If you are planning to travel Jammu Kashmir then visit our website kashmirhotravel.com to make online booking for hotels.

Special offers:

Magic of Kashmir (4 Nights and 5 days in Heaven)

Srinagar Short and Sweet Package

Contact us:

Ph: +91-177- 2860601

Fax: +91-177-2860602

email: info@kashmirhotravel.com

marketing@kashmirhotravel.com



BLAINE

Lance R asked:


I want to travel around the world for a few months during my gap year, but all the gap year and travel companies cost a fortune! I’ve been told doing it solo is a lot cheaper. So how do I get the price right down and still be safe?

HANS

Lucy C asked:


Today’s travel has become very hectic, and there are a lot of complaints about service. What are the things that a travel assistant service would do in an ideal world? What kinds of services would they provide and how could they make the experience of planning travel as easy and enjoyable as possible?

LUCIEN

Stuart S. Travel asked:


Of course you could! There are plenty of opportunities for travelers who want to work overseas especially if you speak English or better yet, are bilingual. But to work abroad there are some things to consider before you go.

 

1. Find out if Americans can work in the country you intend to travel to. Not all countries allow foreigners to work there while they are visiting.

2. Get a work permit. This documentation is different from your passport or visa. You can organize a work permit before you leave home or once you arrive in the country you want to work in. This will depend on where you intend to work. 

3. If you are a traveling student, it may be easier to get work through a student work exchange plan. Or you may even be able to organize a transfer through your company to work abroad. If so, all the leg work will be done for you.

4. If you have a particular job in mind, in a particular country, then you will need to do some research and contact potential employers before you go. If you do find someone wishing to employ you before you leave on your travels, get them to send you a letter stating the employment offer with a copy to their respective government. You will then be issued with a work permit for that country.

5. Consider working as a volunteer on your travels. Volunteer organizations are looking for helpers to assist with programs all over the world. You will be paid by the organization (usually just transport, food and board expenses), not the country you are going to. You do not need a work visa to be a volunteer in these programs.

 

If you are going to work overseas while traveling, register with the nearest embassy in the country you are visiting. Make sure you find out about the country you will be working in. Know if there are any travel warnings, political unrest and cultural conditions you should be aware of before you go. What immunizations do you need? Find out about the local laws, including employment legislations. And don’t forget that while earning an income overseas, you will be subject to that country’s tax laws.

 

Will you need to drive for your job overseas? If so, you will have to arrange an international driver’s permit. You must also take with you your valid American driver’s permit. All countries handle driving a little differently so check out what rules you’ll need to abide by to drive in your country of choice. 

 

Working while traveling is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are visiting. Be organized if you want to subsidize your travel budget dollar in this way. Don’t forget you can always offer to work in hostels in exchange for cheaper (or even free) board as a way to supplement your traveling costs.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com



CHRISTIAN

Amy H asked:


I’m planning to travel between Switzerland and Germany in Sept. My plan is to visit about 7 cities in 10 days, is it better to buy the eurail pass or buy individual tickets?

EDDY