The Old Saigon (travel beijing)
By Lera Gierling
To explore the context of the city’’s current state more carefully a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum at 65 Ly Tu Trong will not go amiss. Formerly the Gia Long Palace, the building is one of the most spectacular dating back to the days of the French empire. The upstairs sections of the museum are devoted to art and artefacts depicting the resistance against the French and the Americans in the 20th century ? an illuminating experience.
Another, yet entirely contrasting, experience is to visit the Chinese ghetto in Cholon ? a bustling commercial area of the city selling all kinds of luxurious and exotic wares. As you wander through these crowded streets it’’s easy to imagine the opium dealings and other dubious goings on that formerly occupied the area.
For another slice of former Saigon’’s eclectic culture take a trip to the north west of the city to see the Jade Emperor Pagoda. The wonderful gold engravings and woodwork were created by the hands of the Cantonese population of the city, as was the statue of Jade Emperor himself over the entrance to the main hall where he is said to guard the entrance to heaven.
The endless diversity of Ho Chi Minh City is beyond words, though the dangers of such a busy and thriving location are easy to imagine. Drug dealings, prostitution and petty crime such as handbag theft is rife, especially in the busiest tourist areas, so be prudent at all times and be sure to have a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy which will cover you for any loss of personal property. Having that extra peace of mind will help you make the most out of your trip to one of South East Asia’’s most diverting cities.
Lera Gierling goes the extra mile to find cheaper travel insurance. He is safe in the knowledge that his cheap golf travel insurance from 1Stop Travel Insurance will cover him and his clubs.
Your African Safari Vacation
By Arnoldo Watson
If you’re looking for an exciting way to spend your holiday, an exotic African safari might be the answer. There’s plenty to see and do for all ages, and it’s now easier than ever to book a trip.
Believe it or not, there’s more to an African safari tour than what you see in pictures or on the television. For instance, on a Kenya safari you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery highlighted with mountainous backdrops, glistening lakes, savanna grasslands, mist highlands, beautiful rivers, and abundant wildlife. If you take a Kenya holiday during July or August, you might even get to witness an amazing phenomenon - the annual wildebeest caravan. This is a time when millions of wildebeests make their way north to search for lush grass.
Amazing Animals and More
Also on a Kenya tour, activities will often include trips to medicinal springs and the inside of a crater where the black-manned lion, rhino and buffalo roam. You might travel to a nearby lake to see a variety of game and scenery. Many Kenyan safari tours also include nighttime entertainment with music and dance. It’s not all wilderness and forests!
Combine Your Kenya Holiday and Tanzania Safari in One
You can now book a “two-in-one” Tanzania and Kenya holiday to make your African safari vacation even more interesting. These two places are filled with wonder and have much to offer visitors. There are lodge safaris, game viewing safaris, and even mountain-climbing safaris - whatever you prefer!
How to Book Your Africa Safari
You can contact a travel agency to book an African safari or you can find a tour company on the Web that specializes in African travel and tours to get the assistance you need. There are many services that you’ll need to consider before securing your Africa vacation such as a rental car (or car hire), reserving hotels, obtaining a Visa, getting the necessary vaccines for disease prevention, and booking a flight.
Find a dependable company on the Web that is actually based in Africa for the best possible service. It’s great if you can travel to Kenya where the company is located and acquire assistance from them when you need it. Try to find an all-in-one African safari tour package to be sure all your needs will be covered. They can help you get a car rental, hotel room and everything you need. The last thing you want is to arrive in Kenya and realize you missed some important steps!
Quick African Safari Travel Tips
As with traveling to any foreign land, there are a few things you should take along for safety, pleasure, and comfort. A safari can be fun if you take time to prepare.
1. Take a good, dependable digital camera with plenty of photo memory. There will be many, many “photo moments.”
2. Keep plenty of mosquito repellent with you at all times. Also, wear long sleeves and long pants to keep mosquitoes from biting and to protect from severe sunburn.
3. Pack several bottles of sunscreen for exposed areas of your skin.
4. Take your own pair of binoculars even if the Africa tour company provides them. You might be required to share theirs with others on the tour, but you can use your own whenever you want.
5. Take along some medicines to prevent headaches or fever, pain, and diarrhea.
6. Secure health insurance coverage, just in case of an emergency. The tour company may provide options for you.
Ask your travel booking agents about other items you might need. They may provide a list for you.
You can enjoy days of excitement on your African safari tour once you’ve taken these important steps. With online resources, you can now learn all about it before you go!
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Are Package Vacations More Economical?
By Arnoldo Watson
When you have to travel on a budget, one of the biggest questions is whether it is best to plan each part of your trip independently, making separate airfare and hotel reservations, or to opt for a package deal where everything is included for one price.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one east answer to this dilemma, because it depends on where you want to go, and what deals are available at the time. For example, traveling to many to European cities is often less costly to arrange yourself, especially in the off-season, when airlines are running specials on flights to Europe.
On the other hand, if you want to travel to an exotic place, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, or Asia, it is often less expensive and easier when arrange by a package company or travel agent. This is due in part to travel agencies having special deals with the national airlines and resorts of these countries, and they are able to provide substantial discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.
For example, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is a far better deal than I could have arranged on my own, since airfare alone would have cost over $700. The secret of this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egypt air and the hotel at which we stayed.
There are similarly great deals for many Asian locations, particularly India, China and Taiwan. Make sure to research the availability of these types of package deals when looking to travel abroad on a budget.
Solo travelers often have trouble getting the great deals on travel packages, since the required single increase can often make the deal not worth it. Don’t despair; there are great deals out there if package deals are too expensive or aren’t your thing, and it is often a better option, especially if you are traveling alone.
One important tip is to find out exactly what is and isn’t included in any package deal that you are considering. Most travel packages include optional excursions, which can add considerable expense, and blow your budget. Try to get a detailed daily schedule to make sure you won’t be on your own if you don’t buy into the options. It’s also a good idea to ask for a list of the optional outings available, including descriptions and costs, so that you can compare what the price would be to what you could arrange on your own.
If you are traveling alone, make sure you start planning ahead, especially when it comes to airfare arrangements. The important thing to remember is that there are only a certain number of first come, first serve seats the advertised low fares, and if you wait too long you won’t get the lower rate. It is important to reserve your airfare and your lodging as early as possible to make sure you get the best available prices.
In the end, the decision whether to choose a package deal or independent travel an individual decision based on the traveler’s situation. Make sure to carefully compare package prices with those for independently arranging travel to the same destination. And don’t forget to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more cut out for a packaged tour, particularly to an new destination, while others prefer the freedom from itineraries that independent travel offers.
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