England Vacation Guide

With the XX Commonwealth Games being hosted in Glasgow , I thought some info on England might be fuel for thought....

 

Arrival and Departure
 
When arriving or departing to and from England, you will probably land at the Heathrow Airport, the largest airport and one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located 15 miles (24km) west of central London; or at London Gatwick Airport, the second largest airport in the England, which is 28 miles (45km) south of central London. (No departure tax.)

Both airports are connected to London by an underground railway network. The city can also be reached by taxi that is available outside each airport's terminal.

Flight to England
 
It takes more than 8 hours if you are traveling from the US.
Quickest at present from Australia, is 1 stop at either, Bahrain, Singapore, or Hong Kong ,depending on airline. Expect 22 hours minimum, if the winds are favorable, up to 26 hours if the wind is against you. 

Time to visit
 
The best time to visit England is during the months of July to September, when the weather is at its best and daylight hours are the longest. However, this is also the time when tourists visit England so the rates are higher, the streets are more crowded and the queues are longer. Low season is from November to March. If you do not mind the chilling cold of England winter and would like to take advantage of the cheaper rates, then take your pick from these months. Shoulder season is from April to June and the month of October.

Where to go
 
England may be a small country but it offers a lot of attractions, museums and world renowned sights that you should not miss visiting. Visit some of the following sites: the Buckingham Palace, the Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the National Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Notting Hill, the Trafalgar Square and the Admiralty Arch, among others.

Where to stay
 
Hotels are abundantly available especially in major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Liverpool. However, hotels in these cities are very expensive especially during the high season. Premium price is paid for rooms with bathrooms.

For a budget traveler, Bed and Breakfasts are the preferred choice. They are cheap, clean, convenient, comfortable and hospitable. Bathrooms are often shared with other guests but the rooms are generally comfortable.

Getting around

• Renting a car – If you are traveling as a group and planning to explore the country side, then renting a car is a good choice. But pass on car rental option if you will spend most of your time in the city.

Note: The driver seat is at the right hand side of the vehicle like here in Australia.

• Bus, taxi and the Tube –Buses, taxis and trains are the most popular means to get around the city. London is popular for its double-Decker buses. All cities and towns have bus services as well. All cities have taxi services. Taking the underground railways system in London (or what is commonly referred to as the Tube) is a good experience. Suburban rail services are available in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and the cities in Newcastle and South Yorkshire. Tram routes are available in south London.

• Boats – Commuter and leisure boat services are available on the River Thames. 

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An Aware Traveler

Vacations 

(reproduced from DailyOM)

; by Madisyn Taylor

An aware traveler sees each new journey as an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of humanity.

As the technology of travel grows ever more refined, the world grows smaller. Whereas a journey of a hundred miles once took many days, we can now travel across the globe in mere hours. The four corners of the earth are accessible by plane, train, and ship, and there are few pleasures in life as soul-stirring and transformative as travel. In a new land, the simplest of joys can be profound—meditation takes on a new quality because the energy in which we are immersed is unfamiliar. Our sensory experiences are entirely novel. Yet the relative ease with which we can step out of our own culture in order to explore another means that we are ambassadors representing not only our own way of life but also the culture of the traveler. As a conscious citizen of the world, you can add value to the locales you visit while simultaneously broadening your own perspective.

A truly aware traveler sees each new journey as an opportunity to improve international relations, spread goodness, and gain a greater understanding of humanity. To immerse yourself in foreign cultures is to open your mind to fresh ways of being. Your natural curiosity can help you navigate the subtleties that define a culture. While you may not agree with all the traditions or laws of a country, abiding by them demonstrates that you understand and respect their value. Staying centered in another culture is often simply a matter of learning about your destination, being patient with yourself and others, and accepting that people may treat you as an example of your country’s attitudes. New worlds will open to you when you take part in the everyday life of a locale—the reality of a destination is in its markets, its streets, and its people.

Traveling presents a wonderful opportunity to practice being open-minded and grounded. The voyages you make help cultivate a worldwide community in which we as humans can acknowledge and appreciate our differences as much as we recognize and appreciate our similarities. Though you will eventually return home, the positive impression you leave behind will remain as a testament to the respect and amicability that marked your intercultural interactions.

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Fwd: This Week's Top 20 Travel Deals

Interesting Ideas for travel

Travelzoo Australia Weekly Top 20

Every week we search more than 1,000 companies worldwide for their very best deals and compile this Top 20™ list. Thank you for subscribing. Please forward this to a friend! ************************************************************ TOP 20 DEALS * -- 28 August 2013 ************************************************************ $199 -- Mornington Peninsula: Luxe Peppers Stay w/Upgrade http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556220 Source: Peppers Moonah Links Resort $149 -- 24-Hour Sale: Singapore Flights from 2 Cities http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556240 Source: Scoot Airlines $178-$230 -- Luxury Sydney 'Top 10' Hotel Stay, 30% Off http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556239 Source: Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney $209 -- Melbourne Luxe Hotel w/Upgrade & Late Checkout http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1555219 Source: HotelClub $1640 -- 7 Nts on Heron Island w/Flights & All Meals http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556177 Source: My QLD Holiday $139 -- 5-Star Gold Coast Casino Hotel Stay, Save 50% http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556202 Source: Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast $999 -- 6-Nt Cairns & Green Island Break w/Reef Tours http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556277 Source: Travstar.com $445 -- 3 Nts: 5-Star Koh Samui Break w/Extras, 40% Off http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556247 Source: Melati Beach Resort & Spa $699 -- 6-Nt Vietnam & Cambodia Tour, Save 30% http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556272 Source: Mandarin World Tours $1175 -- 7-Nt Luxury Fiji Getaway; Flight-Inclusive http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556249 Source: Travel Online $869 -- Vietnam 3-Nt Pool Villa Stay for 2, Reg. $1499 http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556230 Source: Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang $220 -- 2-Nt NSW North Coast Break for 2 w/Wine, 51% Off http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556227 Source: Tea Gardens Club Inn Motel $749 -- Thredbo 365-Day Ski & Summer Pass, Save 43% http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556280 Source: Thredbo $95 -- Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel w/Upgrade, Reg. $179 http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556232 Source: Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit $763 & up -- Fly to South Korea via Vietnam & Save $500+ http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556259 Source: Vietnam Airlines $182 & up -- New York Hotel near Times Square, Reg. $420 http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556293 Source: YOTEL New York $953 -- NZ: Franz Josef Glacier 2-Nt Stay w/5-Course Dinner http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556307 Source: Te Waonui Forest Retreat $615 -- SA: 4-Night Clare Valley Retreat, Save $205 http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556296 Source: St Helen's Country Cottages $600 -- 2-Day Intensive Golf School at PGA Course, Reg $1200 http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556248 Source: Australian Golf School $198 -- 3-Nt Hobart Holiday Park Stay, 33% Off http://www.travelzoo.com/au/top20/91671091-1556255 Source: Discovery Holiday Parks Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: http://twitter.com/TravelzooAus http://www.facebook.com/TravelzooAU Publisher: Allison Wallace

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"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Life is an Adventure'
Life is an Adventure on IBS

Are you ready to Travel for the Holidays?

Going to another country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture or visit family that is located there. Regardless of the reason why you are traveling to another country during the holidays, you need to make sure you are prepared for the trip.

For most countries you are going to need a passport with a photo ID. This will allow you to remain in the country for a specified amount of time. Generally, this time frame is from 30 days to 90 days.

Make sure you keep your passport and other pertinent travel documents in a safe place. You don’t want them to get lost or stolen as this can delay your travel plans. Make sure you arrive early for your flight so that you can get through all of the necessary inspections and verifications in plenty of time. 






There may be vaccinations that you are required to get and others that you are encouraged to get before you can travel to certain countries for the holidays. Plan ahead and find out what these vaccinations are and then schedule appointments with your doctor. Some of the required vaccinations have to be given in a series with a specific amount of time between each shot in the series to be administered. Therefore you don’t want to wait until close to your time of travel to take care of this matter.

Depending on where you are traveling, you may have to deal with a different type of currency. You can get your money exchanged at your local bank before you leave. This will save you time trying to take care of it when you arrive in the other country for the holidays. There may be language differences as well that you need to take into consideration.

Be careful what you pack when you travel for the holidays. Most modes of transportation have strict guidelines on the size of your luggage, how many bags each person can have, and the weight guidelines. They will be enforcing these restrictions during the holidays because of the volume of people traveling. You don’t want to have to get rid of some of your items or purchase more bags at the gift shop.

Make sure you are aware of how much luggage you have for your return trip as well. While it can be fun to purchase items while you are there, think about how you will get them back. It may be a good idea to pack an extra bag in your luggage when you go so you can fill it up for the trip back. Another idea is to have items shipped but that can be quite expensive.

While traveling to another country for the holidays can be exciting, you need to remember that their customs may be significantly different than your own. Be respectful of such differences to avoid any conflicts while you are in that country. It is a good idea to read about the various customs that will be in place so you won’t reach them by accident. 

The Importance of Comparing Airfares

Do you need to book a flight?  

If you are looking to take a vacation,  you will find an unlimited number of options.  There are thousands of airports around the world, as well as multiple airlines that service those airports.  With these different options, you are encouraged to compare prices before making any official reservations.

By comparing, you will get more travel options.  When comparing flights and airlines, in general, you are likely to come across flights that you may not have otherwise seen or known about.  In addition to getting a better deal, you may also find flights available with a different airline that has more convenient times.

Another reason to compare prices when buying airline tickets is because you can save money.  What many people, especially first time travelers, do not take into consideration is price differences.  Although you will find some similarities, different airlines charge different fees.  

When you spend less money on your travel arrangements, such as your airline tickets, you have more money that you can put towards your vacation.  Depending on the amount of money that you are able to save, you can enjoy a nice meal, add an extra activity to your to do list, upgrade your overnight accommodations, and much more.  

One of your first stops should be online travel websites.  Online travel websites are nice because they let you compare flights from different airlines, all at the same time.  A good benefit of using online travel websites to compare airfare rates is you can pay for your tickets through them as well.

You may also want to visit the online websites of airline companies.  If you have to fly out of a specific area, like Albany, you will want to visit the online websites of airlines that you know fly in and out of that airport.  This process of comparing prices will take a little bit longer than using online travel websites, but many take comfort in knowing that they are doing business directly with the airline company.

Happy Flying...

Whats on in Sydney

Vivid Sydney 2013

Dates: 24/05/2013 - 10/06/2013

A kaleidoscope of colour, art, music, energy and life. The best of Sydney's landmarks come to life. This is Vivid Sydney, and 2013 will mark the fifth anniversary of this colour spectacle. No different to how the respective Town Halls of Sydney and Melbourne lit up at Christmas in 2012; Vivid Sydney has a lights on policy at 6pm from the 24th of May to the 10th of June 2013. The best thing of all, they're free to view and appreciate. There are a few ticketed events at Vivid Sydney, further information of which will be on the Vivid Sydney website from time to time.

For more details visit: http://www.vividsydney.com/

My Lords and Ladies Medieval Fayre 2013

Date: 18/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 Cost: FREE

Where: Only a short walk from Doonside Railway Station down Cross Street and across Knox Road

A treasure trove of medieval musts

To the delight of both locals and visitors, Blacktown City Council is once again hosting 'My Lords and Ladies Medieval Fayre' as part of its annual City festival. The family-friendly affair will be held at Nurragingy Recreation Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside, over two exciting days. On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2013, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the popular leisure destination will be transformed into the dark and delightful world of the Middle Ages as if by magic.

With free admission, the Fayre features activities such as period jewellery making and sword making for the kids.

For more details CLICK HERE

PYRMONT FESTIVAL OF WINE, FOOD AND ART

When: 17 – 26 May

Location: Pyrmont

For 10 days, the Pyrmont Festival will celebrate the best wine, food and art from the Pyrmont and Mudgee Regions. Delight your taste buds with unique gourmet cuisine and local produce at Sydney’s premier dining precinct. Events include ‘Meet the Winemaker’ sessions, as well as special lunches and dinners from top chefs.

For more details CLICK HERE 

Learn How to Save 50-75% on Flights and Hotels 

Using Special Travel Agent Only Rates

 

Whats on in sydney

Some of the events being hosted in Sydney, Australia during February.



SYDNEY CHINESE NEW YEAR MARKETS!


When: 8-10 February (Friday 4-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-10pm)
Where: Belmore Park, across Eddy Avenue from Central Station
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the launch of the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival Friday, 8 February. The festivities continue all weekend with fabulous Asian food, cooking demonstrations by top chefs, kids’ activities, karaoke competitions, entertainment from Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese performers plus more.
There are 80 events to enjoy this Sydney Chinese New Year Festival,.

TWILIGHT PARADE – SLITHER AND SHIMMER!

When: 17 February
Location: Sydney Town Hall to Chinatown
Join us for a magical night of floats, lanterns, dancers and plenty of slithering snakes at this year’s Twilight Parade from Sydney Town Hall to Chinatown.
There will be stunning projections on city buildings and spectacular fireworks. Limited seating is available for $66pp; visit the website for ticket info
Click here for more details.

A GLIMPSE OF BRAZIL IN SYDNEY

When: 19/02/2013 - 09/03/2013

Since 2009, the Brazilian film industry has shared their passion for film with Australian audiences. This year, the festival is in its fourth year and it is bigger than ever. After a humble start just in Sydney, with only four films, it has now tripled in scope and has now expanded to other Australian cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

The Brazil Film Festival is a multisensory experience where you can immerse in Brazil's culinary, music, dance and art. The festival is a non-profit project, where it features the professional and creative showcasing their films, as well as teaming up with local businesses and organisations for support and audience reach.
It is the perfect stage for talented people from all over the world, to culminate and share one passion for telling the millions of stories that exist all over Brazil. Stories that made people from all over the world cry, laugh, and mostly fall in love with Brazil and its people.

You can be shown the beauty of Rio de Janeiro's landscape, gain a sneak peak into the mysterious Amazon or simply watch the joy of Brazilians, all through the content in it's movies. You will be guided on a journey that is simply unforgettable.

"We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race." Cicero

Safety First When Traveling

5 Key Tips That Will Make Your Holiday More Enjoyable and Safer

It is always a great experience to go to different countries. You will be able to experience different cultures, and you will also have the chance to take a look at some of the most beautiful sights in the world. 

However, you should always remember that you always have to think that safety first when traveling should be your top priority.

Wherever you plan on going, it is important to remember that your and your traveling companion's safety should always be first. Besides, if an incident

would occur, it will definitely make the rest of the holiday miserable.

Planning holidays or travels is not just about planning which places you should visit, but it is also about being prepared for things that may occur. So,here are some travel safety tips that you should always keep in your mind in order for you to have a more enjoyable and safer vacation.

Transportation is the first thing that you should plan ahead on. You need to remember that even when you are still in your own country, airports and bus stations are notorious for pickpockets and robberies. Always remember that you should always keep your important travel items with you at all times.

Have your luggage clearly marked in order to avoid letting someone take it by accident thinking that it's his or her luggage. Also, instead of using cheap luggage, always go for quality pieces and well-known and reputable brands. By doing so, you will never worry about your luggage breaking or suddenly springing open in the middle of the airport terminal.

When you arrive in your destination country, always ask which taxis are safe to ride in. You can check this with a police officer or from the information desk at the airport. Also, never share taxis with stranger. And, when it comes to public transportation, avoid it late at night, especially if you are not sure where you are going.

Also, although backpackers will recommend hitchhiking, you should avoid doing this as much as possible.

Whenever you are checking in to hotels, make sure that the hotel you checked-in is located in a good area.

Always take not of the emergency exits and never open your hotel room door to any strangers and never invite people you just have met in your hotel room. Also, use the hotel room door lock and chain during the night.

Clothing is another thing that you should plan on to have a safe trip. The key to traveling safety is by never looking like a tourist. Always mix with the public in terms of style. Never ever wear any expensive accessories, such as gold necklaces, expensive watches, rings, and other affluent items.

Never put anything that you can afford to lose in your pockets or purse. If you can, try buying a small bag that you can wear close to your body. A small bag the size of a wallet that can be worn as a necklace is a great idea. A belt bag can also provide you with security amd peace of mind.

Avoid using cash at all times. As much as possible, always use your credit card. And, when it is time for you to pay, never leave your eyes on your credit card.

Accompany the waiter to the cashier when paying with a credit card to make sure that your card doesn't get swiped with a credit card copier.

Remember these things and you can be sure that you will have a lot of fun on your travels. 

By keeping safety on your first priority when traveling, you can be sure that you and your travel companions will have a great time during your vacation or your holiday wherever it may be.