tips for travel

Air mattresses are traditionally used for short duration situations such as vacationing
or crashing at your friends house after being kicked out by your girlfriend for forgetting your anniversary. Actually
they are not necessarily judged to be to be the ideal of comfort and health- but in a few cases they certainly do provide a lot of benefit.

Higher education students who are short on finances may select for air mattresses for an extended time period because they provide affordability with a relatively healthful night's rest. The challenge is air mattresses tend to be fragile
so while you are lugging it around be careful not to scrape the sides of the air mattress
otherwise it will not remain a bed but rather covers for the ground you will be sleeping on.

Perhaps you are going on a road trip and/or orienteering. Air mattresses are certainly a nice choice to have when you are on the road in general so that at least you will have a nice place to rest on after a long day's walk.

If you are looking to buy an air mattress (it's good to have one in your supplies in case you need it)
there are different online sites that will allow you to compare prices
and read other people's assessments based on their own purchase history.

Typically speaking
these types of mattresses can fit into a minute area (probably the size of a medium to large-sized duffel bag)
and are very light (once the air is released of course). Even with the air utterly pumped into the air mattress
it's still rather easy to carry. Just don't jump on it or allow your pet to play around or near it.

The more low-cost air mattresses maybe don't come with their own electric pump. In which case you will need to use a separate air pump such as the one you use for your tire or recreational sports balls like basketballs and soccer balls. Usually it takes 2 minutes to 7 minutes depending on the mattress brand
and your own power levels.

Taking good care of your air mattress is crucial if you want to increase it's lifetime value to you. However you will find that after using most to any air mattress for a while
they will eventually wear out and become unusable. The everyday air mattress should last you at least 6 months to a year and much longer depending on how well you take good care of it.

Manchester is a bustling city known for its lively sporting culture. It is for this same reason why the city is a common spot for travel. Thousands of people
locals and foreigners alike fill the city each year all for the sake of experiencing the thrills of football matches and other sporting events.

The City of Manchester Stadium or Sportscity
as it is famously known is one of the biggest sporting venues where several sporting events including football
are held each year. The stadium was then adopted as the home of the city’s football club.

Another sporting venue is the Manchester Velodrome. It is an internationally known sporting facility where most track cycling events take place each year. The center was developed through the joint efforts of the English Sports Council of Manchester City and the British Cycling Federation.

Other sporting facilities or venues like the regional athletics track are also located in this area. The residents here are blessed to be conveniently living in an excitement filled area. Being one would guarantee you to a comfortable seat on match days. For most sports enthusiasts who don’t live in this city however
staying in nearby hotels is a common convenient choice.

Manchester boasts of quality and affordable hotels. These hotels are perfectly situated near the above mentioned sporting venues
making them an ideal place for people to stay in during the events.

The Travelodge Sportscity is one of these hotels. It is only 1.5 miles from Sportscity. You don’t have to worry about being late for any scheduled game or football matches of your favorite team.

Express by Holiday Inn is a modern hotel located about 3 miles from the city of Manchester and a mile off the M60 and M67. Express offers facilities and services that are relatively affordable and satisfying. A newly opened fitness club is located next to it.

Holiday Inn Manchester Central Park is a 4 star hotel. It is located near the City of Manchester Stadium. It offers a wide range of hotel facilities including 83 well appointed rooms
all of them spacious and air-conditioned.

Lastly
is the Citi Place. A cozy hotel located just minutes away from Sportscity. It offers rooms that have a free wireless internet access
digital televisions and shared bathrooms.

There is no reason for you to miss any sporting events in the city of Manchester with all these hotels around. Take your pick now and enjoy all the fun and games this city has to offer.

While traveling abroad can be a rather exciting and pleasurable experience
it can also be potentially dangerous. Not to discourage one from traveling overseas and seeing the world but there are numerous things that one should keep in mind when taking a trip to a foreign country so as to avoid potentially hazardous situations. Obviously having a valid passport is a must and one should be sure to fill out the necessary emergency information in that section of their passport
supposing some unanticipated misfortune happens to arise.

One would not want to visit a foreign country knowing absolutely nothing or next to nothing about the place. Thus becoming familiar with the area you plan to visit is important. One should pay particular attention to the laws and customs of the country as they are very likely to be different from those of your home country. Since your luggage has virtually everything you require for your visit contained therein it is essential that you never leave it unattended. Furthermore accepting packages from strangers is certainly taboo. One can never be too sure when it comes to accepting packages from strangers
even in their home country.

Many of the locals in a foreign country can easily identify a foreigner and as such you may be a target for crime. In order to avoid being heavily targeted
do not wear any striking clothing or expensive jewelry that may bring unwanted attention upon you. It is also suggested that you not carry any unnecessary credit cards or surplus money with you. There are people out there who can easily and deftly steal from you without you even being aware of the fact and as such you should at least limit the amount they steal from you. First and foremost though
you should be respectful of the people there and the culture in which you are present.

When you decide to go somewhere on vacations the first question you are faced with is how to organize your trip. At least
you need tickets and accommodation. However
if you are going abroad
the situation becomes more complicated. You will need visa
foreign passport and a little bit of information about a country you are coming to. The citizens
living and traveling inside European Union borders are in better position. They are free to visit any EU country without any additional document and visas. But let’s imagine you have chosen a country where you need visa. Well
now it’s time to make some preparations for your trip. At first
whether you trust organizing your trip to a travel agency
or organize it by your own. If you choose the first variant:
Advantages
1) Convenience. You don’t have to besiege embassy and wait in long queues. You don’t need to worry about buying tickets and booking hotels.
2) Price. Sometimes travel agencies have special agreements with hotels and the price becomes cheaper. The same thing can be said about avia and train tickets.
3) Comfort in the country of destination – you are mostly provided with transfer to hotel and the representative of the agency can solve any of your problems.
4) Your vacation is organized. You have a choice of excursions; you’ll be shown the best shops and the most interesting attractions.

Disadvantages
1) Unfortunately
not all the agencies can be relied on
some of them disappear with the client’s money.
2) Some people don’t like to be limited - by excursions
by return tickets or by the necessity of staying in the hotel they’ve chosen.
3) It’s not always cheap – often the excursions
offered by the agency representatives are more expensive than in other places in the city.

If you choose the second variant
you should be prepared to some problems
but of course
this variant has its light sides too.

Advantages
1) You are free to choose there and when to go. You are free to change you hotel of your return ticket.
2) You are most likely to see the places
not shown to usual tourists.
3) It’s a kind of challenge. Can’t imagine your holyday without risk and adrenaline? So
this variant is for you!
4) You can seek and find a cheaper variant and not just accept what the agency offers.


Disadvantages
1) Once again – risk. You are not quite safe when traveling alone in the foreign country. Nowadays you are not quite safe anywhere
but still…
2) It causes some problems in the stage of organization – getting a visa can be a trouble. Interview
invitation and a lot of documents – all this can be inevitable. So
prepare to waste some time and nerves.

Anyway
the choice is yours.

When making travel plan
one of the most important details is going to be your accommodation. Most people worry and fret over flight plans or rental cars and breeze right through the accommodations and choose the very first room they find available within a reasonable distance from the local airport.

This is very rarely a wise course of action unless you are doing a one-night stay in town and desire to be very close to the airport for the sake of convenience. There are several reasons why this is true. First of all
not all airports are located in the safest area of town. Families tend to prefer nice quiet areas in which to raise their children
airports are generally anything but a quiet area in which to live. While most airport accommodations are reasonably clean
this doesn’t really guarantee that they are equally secure.

Second
these hotels and motels often charge a premium rate in exchange for the convenience of their location. In this day and age
we pay for perks and location is most definitely considered a perk in the realm of travel
if in doubt
check the prices for hotels on the Disney property vs. those on the outskirts of town.

Third
and perhaps most importantly
those hotels located closest to airports generally are further away from the area attractions. If you are vacationing with your family you will enjoy much better use of your time by limiting your travel time between destinations and attractions.

The final reason that it isn’t always best to choose accommodations close to the airport is that you may find the amenities designed for families to be somewhat lacking. Hotel airports tend to cater to the single in and out business crowd rather than family entertainment. These accommodations will be sparse and the quarters a little closer than the average family would probably appreciate.

Take care when making travel arrangements for your accommodations that you consider all of these things. This will make for a much more enjoyable vacation for you and your children.

From experience I know that finding accommodation in Australia is a very delicate matter. Once you’ve saved the money to pay for your flying trip to Australia
you might think that nothing can come to you as a surprise anymore. (Yeah
that’s exactly what I thought). In Australia I was confronted with the brutal facts that made me realize that things aren't that simple.

“They do things a little different down there” my grandmother said before I left. Just because they speak English in Australia doesn't mean that you won't be surprised once you get to the Land of Oz!

When I was there I learned that most popular types of accommodation in Australia are Australian hostels. I think this has to do with the fact that people down there travel a lot more than Americans.

A great share of the country is an amazingly beautiful and unspoiled wilderness and some places are rather remote. You can also find some kind of ruggedness in the Australian spirit that we Americans and Western Europeans have lost many years ago.

Most Australians don’t mind living in what I like to call “Spartan environments” if they can live relaxed and on the cheap
and that's exactly what Australia hostels are all about.

They are Spartan and they are cheap. But for my family sharing one room with 15 to 20 people and having only one toilet to share is kind of frustrating. Due to these circumstances we were forced to make another decision about accommodation in Australia.

If your facts about Australia are out-of-date
how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let this important information slip by you.

So in the end we picked a fancy Australia resort to spend the rest of our vacation. The service was excellent as I remember. At the time the choice was very simple
we had to choose between a plain old hostel/camping or a hotel.

As you can imagine we were tempted to indulge in a few nights of hotel accommodation in Australia
where we could finally enjoy our privacy and well needed soft beds to rest our tired bodies.

Because the people living down under are always on the move
it isn't hard to find some kind of outdoor accommodation in Australia.

The only thing we took with us were our backpacks and sleeping bags because we wanted to travel light. We found it was no problem at all to find a good tent
pans
pots and things like a portable stove
and other essential camping gear for a modest amount of money.

You can easily buy all these things or even better rent them. We found that renting our gear was very convenient since we had no plans on taking all this stuff with us when our vacation was over.

Pet friendly motels and dog friendly hotels are not as difficult to find as you might think. Although many hotels still don't allow pets of any kind in their rooms
there are a substantial amount that do. Most of the time there will be no extra charge for accommodating your furry critter
but sometimes you will be asked to pay a small fee usually ranging anywhere from 5 dollars to 50 dollars. Pet hotels and pet friendly motels are very convenient for people who like to travel and not have to go through the hassle of leaving their pet to the care of friends
family or expensive pet care establishments.

There are a variety of options of pet accommodations you can choose from when travelling
such as pet friendly motels
pet hotels
bed and breakfasts'
resorts and vacation rentals. Sometimes you can be charged a small fee
and other times you may be charged a deposit
which would be returned if your pet causes no apparent damage. It is also possible to find a number of dog friendly hotels that will provide veterinary services and pet care facilities such as beds and blankets.

We have put this together to provide pet owners with useful information in hopes of facilitating travel with your pet. Pet friendly motels and dog friendly hotels all have different rules and policies concerning pet accommodation
so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them before checking into any pet hotels. It is sometimes hard to ask friends and family to take care of your pet while travelling
as it can be an added responsibility. We hope we have provided you with a simple stress-free solution.

The Shambles in not an adjective; it is a well preserved street in York
England. Although not as popular as London
York is just as historical. The city of York has been in existence for at least 2
0
years. The core of the city of York is walled
just like in medieval times
and its historical landmarks are well preserved.

The word Shambles refers to open-air slaughterhouses and meat shops. There are streets named Shambles in other parts of England as long as there are animals to kill
dress and sell. The pavements of the streets are elevated on both sides
creating channels or open canals. In those days all the innards are thrown out; the wastes from the slaughtered animals like blood pass through those canals.

The Shambles of York is unique or special; it is the most well preserved street of its kind and thus one of the most visited in the whole of Europe. The Shambles was also home to Saint Margaret Clitherow.

Clitherow married a butcher at the age of 15 and lived along York’s Shambles. She became a Roman Catholic at the age of 18. During those day Roman Catholics were being persecuted and as a Catholic herself
she sympathized with those regarded as fugitives. Her home became a safe house for priests hunted by the authorities. She was a mother of 2 and a school teacher to her children and neighbors’ children.

Although repeatedly arrested
it was not until 1586 that Margaret Clitherow was brought before the criminal courts. One of her students was pressured into providing evidence against the teacher. The authorities were able to find mass related paraphernalia in her home
leading to her arrest.

She refused to enter a plea so the trial could not commence. Margaret Clitherow wanted to prevent a trial to protect her children from being forced to testify against her. As punishment
she had to lay naked beneath a heavy stone. She did not last 15 minutes and met her saintly death. A shrine for her as St. Margaret was erected on the spot thought to be where her old home was. It was later discovered that her old residence was a few houses away from the shrine.

Today the Shambles is clean and lined not with meat shops but with specialty stores. The cobble stones
quaint shops
the shrine of St. Margaret and the old stories handed down from generation to generation keep visitors coming back for more.

Are you lucky enough to be taking a semester abroad? Worried about what you'll need to bring along? Let's go through some easy packing tips and advice.

If you are bringing any electrical appliances such as a laptop
cell phone
hair dryer
electric razor
iron
bipod
digital camera
etc.
you'll need to check if these are designed for dual voltage (110/220watt). If they are not
you'll need to purchase a converter/adapter set. Remember
that there are different versions of converters. Some are designed only for high voltage appliances
some for low voltage appliances
and some that take both. Check with your cell phone provider that your phone can be used in the country where you'll be staying. Also
remember to purchase a grounded adapter plug for your laptop.

Remember to bring credit cards in your own name. Also
make a duplicate copy of your passport and keep the copy in a separate safe place along with your credit numbers and phone numbers where you can call if there is any problem. Wearing a money belt is a very good idea. They are thin enough not to annoy the wearer
and they are the only item that works against pick- pockets. You can carry extra cash and your passport in the money belt
but keep a wallet for purchases you'll need to make immediately. There are many versions of money belts that can be worn around the waist
neck
shoulder
or leg. American passports are a desirable item
and you don't want to put yourself at risk.

The best way to pack is in rolling duffels that are collapsible. These come in many large sizes and are easier to manage than a large suitcase. Additionally
because the sides fold down it can slide under your bed or in a closet for storage. You'll need the wheels to make it manageable when it's filled. Also
many of them can hook up a second bag where you can pack your books
shoes
and other heavy items. You can also than have that bag available for the many sightseeing trips you'll likely be taking. Another good idea is a foldable tote that can be packed. That way you'll have a bag to bring back your many purchases.

If you do not speak the language of the country you will be at a disadvantage. You will need a book of phrases or one of those hand held electronic translators. You'll be able to pick up bits and pieces of the language
and the phrase book or translator will make your stay more enjoyable. It's extremely important to keep a journal. You'll be seeing so much and learning so much that writing everything down will make it easier to recall all of your wonderful memories.


.

Tuscany has long been a favourite destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience.

Where is it?

Tuscany is a large area in central Italy that stretches to the Mediterranean coast. It is divided into ten provinces
which include some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and cities; Florence
Siena and Pisa.

Where can I stay?

Many people choose to stay in villas when they visit Tuscany
preferring the independence of self-catering to the routine of a hotel. The next time you consider visiting Tuscany
take a look at the benefits of a boutique hotel. Giving you the comfort and service of a regular hotel
but with a home-from-home atmosphere and service that anticipates your every need
you can come and go as you please without having to worry about making beds or shopping for food. In fact
when you stay at a boutique hotel
all you have to think about is where your next luxury is coming from.

Try the JK Palace in Florence for a taste of city boutique. With only 20 rooms
it’s like having your own home in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and it’s the perfect place to return to after a hard day sightseeing. “Boutique” doesn’t always mean tiny - for a hotel that’s a magnificent rural retreat
the Villa Mangiacane is set in 300 hectares of olive groves
vineyard and forest and the view from the pool means that you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the villa at all.

What can I see?

Take a tour to the vineyards and sample classic Tuscan wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano
or visit olive groves and buy pressed olive oil to take home. Tuscany
its towns and cities are full of beautiful Renaissance architecture and the art here rivals that of Venice and Rome. If you’re not staying in Florence
then you should certainly take the time to visit the city during your stay. A busy
chic city
full of amazing architecture
priceless art
great shopping and fantastic dining
Florence is captivating and many visitors return here for short breaks or special events. Tuscany is full of contrasts and you could holiday here for several years in a row without visiting the same place twice.

How do I get around?

How you choose to travel in Tuscany largely depends on where you’re staying. If you’ve chosen a city location
then it will be easier for you to use public transport or just walk to get around
as hiring a car may be expensive and the roads too busy for stress-free driving. On the other hand
if you’ve chosen a boutique hotel in a rural location
you should think about hiring a car so that you can travel round the countryside or take a day-trip to one of the cities. The Italian public transport system is well-used by locals
and you can travel between cities and towns on the train or on buses
which give you the opportunity to gaze at the glorious countryside.

The South of France has the enviable combination of miles of coastline and fertile rural landscapes and has been the inspiration for artists
composers and writers as well as the new visitor.

Where is it?

The term “South of France” is usually used to describe the southern stretch of the country’s coastline that runs between Spain and Italy
and the rural inland areas that include Provence and the Lub้ron. With its warm climate
fertile landscape and developed coastline
it is one of the most regularly-visited parts of Europe.

Where can I stay?

Unsurprisingly
for somewhere as popular as the South of France
there is no shortage of hotels
guesthouses
bed and breakfasts and camp sites. For a true taste of the area though
stay in one of our recommended boutique hotels. Small and intimate
they are a home from home and turn a basic holiday into a luxury retreat. All of these hotels offer well-designed and contemporary rooms and the service is discreet and impeccable. Good food usually goes hand-in-hand with the cool rooms and public areas - by choosing one of these hotels you’ll be treating yourself to a memorable stay in the South of France.

What can I see?

The South of France is too big an area to be fully explored in a single holiday
which is why many people return year after year. Some of France’s most expensive resorts lie on the south coast
including St. Tropez and Cannes
and where better to watch the yachts and fashions of the rich and famous? The area is famous for its coastline
sailing and water sports and for the cities that lie near it: Nice
Marseilles and Montpelier for example. Inland
Provence is well-known for its rolling landscapes
stretches of vineyards and swathes of wild flowers. With no shortage of historic buildings
local markets and museums to explore
the South of France has something for everyone.

How do I get around?

If you’re planning on exploring the South of France
you should hire a car. The French
like most European countries
drive on the right hand side of the road and the roads are largely well-maintained
although many are toll-controlled and you will have to pay at marked toll stations to use the main road network. If you are planning on staying mostly in one place and just visiting major cities or tourist areas
then opt for the train system
operated by SNCF.

Seville is one of the jewels of Spain
with architecture
museums
food and shopping that make it a must-see holiday destination.

Where is it?

Seville is in the Spanish region of Andalucia
which also includes the coastal resorts of Costa del Sol and Costa Almeria. Seville itself is set inland
although the coastal areas are within easy reach. It has its own airport
which is a 45 minute drive from the city.

Where can I stay?

You don’t get a true feeling for Seville by staying in a large chain hotel. You need to choose a small
friendly but stylish boutique hotel that reflects the nature of the city and its people. Try a boutique hotel like Casa No 7
which only has 6 bedrooms and is decorated with style and taste around a small courtyard
typical of Seville. Alternatively
the Casa Romana boutique hotel is right in the middle of Seville
which means that you can use the hotel as a cool and refined base while you check out everything that Seville has to offer.

What can I see?

Seville is famous for its Cathedral
which is the largest in the world. Built on the site of a twelfth century mosque
it is simple
but awe-inspiring and a sight not to be missed. Also make sure you see the Casa de Pilatos
built by the first Marquis de Tarifa in the early sixteenth century. It is one of the finest palaces in Seville and now also houses a courtyard and park
at the end of which are mansions that have been turned into museums. For a real taste of Seville
spend some time in the Barrio Santa Cruz
one of the most picturesque parts of the city
full of narrow lanes and surprising squares; whitewashed houses and excellent tapas bars. Tapas is thought to have been invented in Seville
and it’s certainly the way that most locals choose to eat. The range is incredible and the prices good
so take advantage of the more than one thousand places in the city where tapas is available.

How do I get around?

Seville is a busy city with lots of narrow roads
and it is a brave person who attempts to drive – or park – in the main areas. Parking in particular is very limited and often restricted to residents of businesses; so avoid parking fines and unnecessary stress by only hiring a car if you’re planning to drive outside the city. Instead
use the very regular and reliable bus service which costs little and offers multiple journey tickets
or get one of Seville’s white taxis. Tourists often take a horse and carriage to see Seville’s main sites – this is a particularly popular option with couples and families. As with most cities
one of your best options is to walk. There are maps available from the tourist offices and you can explore Seville at your leisure.