DeadLineBMX Travel

Archive for November, 2009

When choosing your hotel and the restaurant you want to visit in Paris, you should consider your budget. You should also consider your disliked and likes. Keep in mind that not every restaurant in Paris severs French dishes. You have a choice of pizza shops, French diners, well-rounded menus and more.

To learn more about Paris’s dishes and restaurants you may want to talk with your local travel agent or go online to review the various diners. If you consider your budget and tastes first, it will help you make good choices. There are many choices to choose from in the beautiful country of Paris, France.

How to consider hotels in Paris:
The hotel is rated, depending on courtesy of customer service, food, rooms, etc. If you know which hotel you want to stay in Paris, you can go online and find reviews. Look for the four and five star hotels. Three star hotels are good too. Paris’s hotels are designed to fit your needs. Many hotels in Paris offer special equipment for the handicapped, which is a good thing because you are many people with special needs.

Some of the best-rated hotels in Paris include the Hotel Bristol. The hotel is rated three stars. The hotel is near Champ-Ely sees and the Madeleine; this hotel is also rated with 3 stars, since it is the Hotel Castes and its near Musee Du Louvre. Another fabulous hotel in Paris is the three star, Hotel Luxemboubou Parc near St Germain. Many other hotels in Paris are rated at three also. The hotels are all very nice hotels and remember that Paris wants you to love Paris the way they love it, so the managers work hard to accommodate you. Paris hotel managers are confident that the entire family will enjoy their stay. The hotels all serve daily breakfast, which is a good way to start your morning.

Keep in mind when choosing hotels in Paris, remembering that you want to stay at near areas where you may want to visit. For instance, if you want to visit the Aldaz restaurant, search for a hotel in this region.

How to choose your restaurant:
When it come to food you what the best, so let’s see what we can come up with while visiting Paris. If you are in the mood for some Middle Eastern food you will want to try out this resonant for size, it is the Aldaz. Perhaps you do not have an Eastern taste, and then visit the Aubacou, which serves some of the tastiest French dishes in town.

You maybe on a tour and be in a hurry to eat so you may want to go to the Angelina which is a tea café that serves sandwiches and salad for all the busy people on the ran. Then they have the Blue Elephant which Asia food is served here. As you see, when you walk down the streets of Paris you have many choices to make.

How to I choose activities before returning to my hotel?
Then you may decide that you want to wear off that food. Good for you, since Paris offers you many things you can do before returning to the hotel.
Maybe you want to just take a walk though the gardens or take a ride on the horse and carriage. You may also want to go for a drink and some dancing so why don’t you visit the Baiser pub. No matter what you decide, you will make the right decision. The main thing is that you have fun in Paris.

New York City is the city that never sleeps, es verdad? Well, it’s certainly no wonder with so many places and stuff that would please all the senses. There’s the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Madison Square Garden and God knows what else. But the question is…where do you stay in New York City?

Admittedly, the cost of living, especially rent expenses, is still rocketing sky high in New York City. If you know where to look, a lot of restaurants offer affordable yet tasty dishes so food’s no problem. When it comes to shopping, don’t think that New York City is just all about Macy’s. Of course not! There are a lot of bazaars that are ongoing throughout New York City and all you need is an efficient guide to help you out. For tourist spots, you shouldn’t believe either that everything in New York City comes with a ticket price. Nuh-uh! In fact, just walking in downtown New York is already a sight to behold.

So the only problem is, yes, where to stay?

Before I launch on a list of New York City hotels that could interest you, first, I have to warn you that what’s termed as “affordable” in New York City may not be “affordable” in your vocabulary. So if you’re cash strapped, better check first if you’ve got some friends living in New York City who’d lend you a room for a week or two as you go sight-seeing.

New York is a city of high rise towers and a number of those are hotels that you can take your pick of. These buildings range from the five star hotels to the funky ones to hotels with “affordable” packages.

Four Season Hotel : if you’ve got kids, then you should consider staying in this kid-friendly hotel because guests under 18 can stay for free. The tallest hotel in New York City, it also provides its family guests with coloring books, a video lending library and welcome gifts for kids.

Soho Grand Hotel : if you’re the type of traveler who can’t bear to leave your behind, have no fear because there are several hotels in New York that can accommodate furry guests, just like the Soho Grand Hotel. Upon checkout, you’ll even be given a goldfish to remember your New York holiday.

Affinia 50 Suites : this particular hotel has no difficulties in landing a Top 10 spot in any survey when it comes to being the best hotel in New York City. Previously known as the Plaza 50 Suites, this is a no-fuss-comfort-zone for travelers who want basic accommodations that would also be easy on the pockets. Large suites equipped with kitchenettes are also available if you so prefer.
Hilton Time Square : Never mind Paris Hilton and her notorious antics. At least her family still hasn’t stopped in being one of the best when you’re talking about hotel services. The Hilton Time Square is one of the poshest hotels in New York City, with a twenty-five-seater theater and even its own wax museum! And just because it’s posh, don’t assume that the staff would turn its nose up on noisy, bratty kids or dirty, scrambling house pets. Nuh-uh! The Hilton Time Square aims to please all forms of guests, human and non human, adult and kids.

So now, all you need to do is choose which hotel you’re going to stay, pay the bill, enjoy the scenery and of course, tour New York City!

Are you getting ready to take a trip?  If you are, will you be traveling by air?  If you will be, you may be nervous about the costs of doing so.  Any type of travel can be expensive if you are not careful, but air travel can be the worst. With that said, it is important to know that there are ways that you can save money.

One of the best ways to save money when traveling by air is to compare airline fares.  This allows you to save money right from the start. Also, if you have more than one airline to choose from, which most travelers do, be sure to price compare.  Also, being flexible with the dates and times that you can fly can also result in a little bit of money saved.

Speaking of flights, be sure to choose an airport that is close to your final destination. This is important if you must rent a car or take a bus or a cab.  Ending up close to your destination should result in saved money as well as saved time, by eliminating unnecessary travel.  On that same note, you will want to experiment with airports that are close by.  For example, did you know that a simple thirty minute drive may result in huge price gaps, depending on the airport in question?

As for packing your bags, be sure to know airport security rules.  You will want to use your best judgment, but you can also learn more about airport security rules by visiting the online website for the TSA.  Don’t pack anything that is sharp or buy a drink to take with you to the airport, unless it is for a child.  Chances are, you will have to toss these items in the trash, which, essentially equals money lost.

Although you will need to be careful with bringing liquids to the airport, you will want to bring snacks with you.  Most snacks are okay, as long as they are dry food.  Great items include fruit, chips, and crackers.  Stop and pickup some of these items at your local grocery store before your trip or, better yet, buy them when they are on sale.  Snacks and candies are usually very expensive at the airport and their costs can easily add up

As for parking at the airport, see if you have a close friend or family member who can drop you off and pick up back up when you return.  This will allow you to save yourself a considerable amount of money on parking, especially on extended trips.  If you must drive yourself, like if your flight leaves or comes in when most people that you know are at work, be sure to examine all of your options.  For example, outdoor parking is usually much cheaper, as opposed to indoor garage parking.  Also, the farther away you are able to park, the less money you will likely have to pay.

If your flight has an in-flight movie and you want to watch, buy the headphones.  Yes, this will cost a couple of dollars, but most standard headphones will not work with airport movies and seats.  If you do buy the headphones though, be sure to save them, as you can use them on another flight, like your return flight.  Also, if you already have a set of headphone that you purchased on an airplane before bring those, as they will likely work.

To save yourself a couple of dollar on headphones, don’t watch the movie.  Instead, bring other stuff to keep you occupied.  Great items include portable DVD players, laptop computers, books, magazines, music players, and portable gaming systems.  When using electronic items, be sure to have extra batteries on hand.  As for a laptop computer, charge your laptop at any layovers you have.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about saving money on your next trip.  In all honesty, as long as you use your best judgment and plan ahead, you shouldn’t have to incur to many additional costs.

When it comes to skiing and winter sports, Europe has more than its fair share of amazing resorts.  From the greatly priced, to the more than reasonable, Europe has it all, and has so much to offer any skier.  If you’ve never been to Europe on a skiing holiday, or if you’re looking to expand your experience, you’ll find something that catches your eye without too much research, and you might just end up joining the legions of skiing fans that wouldn’t go anywhere else in the world for their vacation.

On mainland Europe, you have such a varied selection.  From the world famous French skiing resorts to Austria, Switzerland and the tiny principality of Andorra, you’ve got such a wide range of skiing to choose from.  France is known the world over as the true home of skiing, and the French really know how to do a quality vacation.  With naturally amazing resources, and scenery that can take your breath away, France is an ideal location for a skiing trip.  Why not try the Courchevel resort, which has four different ski resorts within one, providing the perfect blend of quality and affordability in a skiing trip.  From the grossly overpriced 1850 resort, the playground of Europe’s film stars and playboys, to the seemingly remote 1350 at the bottom of the hill, you have so much to choose from in Europe’s finest skiing country.  With the kids or with your friends, France is truly a destination that will make for a memorable skiing vacation.

Or how about some of the Italian resorts?  Italy, famous for being the cheaper way to ski, also benefits from a diverse range of resorts, like the tiny Alba resort, as well as some larger, more sizeable areas to ski.  Famous for passion and a depth of culture, Italy is the ideal place to take a skiing break in Europe, and the weather’s good too!  Or how about Italy’s neighbor, Croatia?  A rising European nation, you’ll find a Croatian holiday outrageously good value for money, not to mention top quality.  From the international standard ski resorts to their world class restaurants, Croatia is certainly a country on the up, and its skiing facilities can only improve as more and more tourists flock to their slopes each year.  Additionally, Bulgaria is an excellent skiing destination to take the kids.  With open arms, you will be welcomed by the Bulgarian people, who are more than eager to tell you about their rich and deep past, and welcome you as part of their future.  In these expanding and developing European nations, you will come to appreciate the value of tourism, and the quality of treatment and service they are prepared to offer for your investment.

How about Austria for your skiing trip?  When we think of skiing, we often imagine the Alpine ideal, with breathtaking scenery and fresh, clean air.  Well, it simply doesn’t come much better than Austria, and if you’re looking for a skiing destination that has it all, why not try Austria for that touch of class with your skiing.  Or why not pop over to Switzerland for their Alps experience?  Skiing the alps in the home of chocolate and cuckoo clocks, you will be amazed at how picturesque this modern nation has managed to be, whilst still becoming a world leader in financial industry.

Skiing in Europe is the ideal way to spend your vacation.  If you love skiing, you are guaranteed to find a great resort somewhere, within your budget that meets your needs, and caters for your ability.  With most resorts also boasting strong training academies, you can also work to improve your skills while you are there, ensuring that your skiing trip is both useful and memorable.  Whatever you are looking for, choose Europe as your number one skiing destination, for that perfect blend of quality, tradition and culture, and for a holiday that is truly breathtaking.

Are you interested in taking a family vacation soon?  If you are, you may be looking for some guidance, especially if you and your family will be required to travel by airplane.  As stressful as it can sometimes be planning a trip and flying with a family, especially one that is large in size, there are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure that everyone has a fun and pleasant time.

One of the first things that you will want to do, when looking to plan a family vacation, is to make your airline reservations early. You will likely be better off when doing so, for a number of different reasons.  Perhaps, the greatest reason is the comfort and peace of mind that you may get from knowing that all of your travel arrangements are made and out of the way.

As for packing for your flight, you will want to make sure that your children’s bag are packed and properly.  Not only will you want to make sure that they have all needed supplies for your vacation, but you will also want to make sure that they have items for the airplane ride as well. Each person gets to have one carry-on bag.  You will want to make sure that each of your kids have one.

Speaking of carry-on bags for your children, be sure to fill them will fun activities for the plane ride.  What you will choose will all depend on your child’s age.  For example, younger children may benefit from books and a few small toys.  For older children, portable DVD players, handheld video games, toys, and magazines are a great idea.

You will also want to make sure that you have extra snacks on hand and in your carry-on bags.  This is important, as you don’t want to have to spend too much money at the airport.  It can get costly to feed a whole family, even just with snacks.  For that same reason, try to have everyone eat a full meal before you leave for the airport.  This step combined with snacks can help to reduce hunger, possibly resulting in shared meals during airport layovers, which can also help you save money.

As for drinks, do not bring any with you to the airport, unless you have a newborn or an infant.  If you have a baby, bring one prepared bottle of formula, but make sure to have some dry formula powder with you to prepare during a layover.  Drinks, with the exception of drinks for kids, are not allowed past airport security checkpoints and they will have to be thrown away.  When buying drinks at an airport store, past security, look for items that are reasonably priced or see if some family members, like you and your spouse, can share a drink.

As for when you arrive at the airport, be sure to stay together.  Also, be sure to set ground rules with your children.  These rules should include sticking together, not speaking to strangers, and so forth.  In fact, you will want to help each other out.  For example, if you have an older child, like a teenager, let them help you with finding the right gate, carrying bags, or keeping any younger children occupied.  Your trip will likely be much less stressful when everyone works together.

In any travel situation, the further in advance you can plan your trip, the better you will do on all of your accommodations.  But in the world of business, it often occurs that you have to get to a destination immediately and the ability to move swiftly is critical to the success of the business goal.  The good news is that you can do some preparations well in advance for short notice business trips so you are not caught completely without a plan.

You don’t want to have to flounder around about how to book a flight and where to stay if the business journey looms suddenly and immediately.   Short notice business trips seem to be endemic of certain industries and job descriptions so if you know you will go through this drill often, you can make some arrangements far in advance so you have a checklist of just what to do when you find out that you must be at your destination virtually immediately.

First of all, in a short notice travel situation, economy takes a second priority.  Your employer knows that if you have to book full fare on an airline to get to your destination at a specific time, the higher expense is unavoidable.  Make sure that your company travel policy has some clauses to put aside travel budget limits in such a scenario.

The part of the trip where you will have the least “wiggle room” will be airline accommodations.  Of course, you can use the big internet search tools like Travelocity or Orbitz.  In general, those are good places to start to find what airlines do have flights at your specified times.  But once you pick an airline, working through the airline’s web site directly will show you the most options they can offer and sometimes provide you with better fares, even on short notice.   Be sure you watch the travel details closely so you don’t find yourself enduring long layovers that are going to jeopardize the tight timetable of the business meetings you need to attend.  If necessary, spend the money on nonstop flights to assure that the business goal of the trip is top priority.

Do your homework about hotel accommodations well in advance.  If there are likely destinations that you could be called upon to go to quickly, you can do your research on the closest hotels to the business site so you cut down on commutes once you are there.  By having your target hotels bookmarked and the phone numbers on file, you can quickly call and set up your accommodations in a matter of minutes.  But if you find that your best choices for hotels are booked up on the days you will be at your site, call them anyway.  A good hotel will call around to other hotels in the area and get you a room as close to your destination as possible.  They can save you hours of frustration searching for a replacement room.

Rental cars are usually not as much of a problem.  It’s a good idea to call ahead and get a reservation but short of a major convention or sporting event in town, there are so many rental car agencies that you should be able to find a car to rent even if you don’t start your search until you are on the ground at your destination city.

You can make other preparations for the possibility of a short notice business trip like having your toiletries and personal affects you always travel with packed and ready to walk out the door.  By having your travel clothes ready to go, you can virtually walk home and walk out in a matter of minutes for a short notice business trip because you are that well prepared.

One of thing that you notice when you travel with a seasoned business traveler is that they have habits worked out after dozens of business trips to make sure they don’t have trouble on the road.  Learning to be safe in this world has to become second nature for all of us.  When you learn to drive a car, its second nature to buckle your seat belt and check your blind spot when you change lanes.  But early in your life as a driver, you learned the need for those precautions, sometimes the hard way.

We don’t want to learn the rules of traveling safe on business trips the hard way.  When you are on the road for business, you are just as susceptible to danger or accidents as any tourist.  The difference is that as you have become “professional” at traveling to accomplish your business goals.  And those safety measures that you have to focus on at first become second nature.  Let’s look at some key safety precautions that must become part of that discipline of travel.

Avoiding crowds goes a long way toward taking you out of situations where thieves might lurk.  Not only that, it makes life on the road so much easier.  Check in lines may be one of the most frustrating rituals we have to go through as we travel.  And it is a place where thieves can “case” you because you have your luggage there, you often open your briefcase or purse and take out your wallet to show id.

So too avoid the check in line entirely, use your computer at home to log in and check the status of the flight so you don’t have to go to the airport too soon if it is delayed.  On your home computer, you can move your seat if possible and you can print your boarding pass and other important check in documents.  By getting all of this done at home, you can skip the check in line entirely and proceed directly to the gate.  Your homemade boarding pass will get you through security.

If you have baggage, don’t overlook the convenience of street side check in.  There you can check your bags quickly.  Show your boarding pass and your bags are safe as you head off happily to find the coffee shop to relax before your flight.

In addition to getting away from crowd situations at the airport, think about securing your financial information before you even go to the airport.  For one thing, you many of the cards and documents in your wallet do not need to go on the trip.  You don’t need your ATM card, your library card or your social security card.  You only need one credit card and your driver’s license.  So go through your wallet and cut down on what you are taking on the road.  It helps you travel lighter and safer.

But don’t stop there.  In addition to removing cards at home so they cannot get stolen, also remove valuables from where thieves would expect to see it.  Put most of your cash and credit cards in your checked baggage or on a money belt under your clothing.  You can still carry a wallet but it will only have enough cash for the day of travel and no additional documentation.  If you needed your driver’s license or credit card for check in, go to the bathroom and tuck them away.

Along with these precautions, stay in a state of awareness about your personal effects as you travel.  Watch your purse or briefcase and keep your head up at the terminal so if you see suspicious behavior, you can stay away from it.  By keeping your own safety at a high priority, traveling safe will become second nature.