Camping Trip Tip Cook Your Meals Is Easy

Jul 28th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Traveling to the great outdoors and communing with nature is a enjoyable way to get out of the city and breathe in the fresh air. While you want a taste of living in nature, a camping trip doesnt have to mean eating cold food and freezing at night.

Some campsites dont allow fires so contact the facility ahead of time or check out their website for information. In any case, cooking stoves and heaters designed for the outdoors provide a way of making your camping experience more enjoyable and comfortable.

Camping stoves come in a variety of sizes and features. Choose one that best suits your needs. If youll be hiking with your equipment then select one that is lightweight and small; there are ones especially made for backpacking

If youre planning on driving to your campsite and have a large family then consider a stove with multiple burners. They allow you to cook bigger and multiple dishes. There are even stoves that have a grill for making eggs and pancakes.

Special cookware for camping is made so you can make more than one dish at a time. They’re stackable so you can cook multiple dishes by using the heat from the bottom pot to heat the top one. You can prepare food more quickly and conserve your fuel. Remember to use the smallest pot or pan possible and as little water for boiling food; it will conserve your fuel.

Camping stoves take various kinds of fuels and it usually depends on the manufacturer. Propane, butane or white gas (commonly referred to as Coleman fuel) is commonly used and preferable. Kerosene and unleaded gas is still used but is not preferred since it emits an unpleasant odor and are not as safe. Coleman fuel should be your first choice since it is the safest and burns clean without odor or charring. Propane is pricey and doesnt burn as hot but it is the cleanest burning fuel.

Fuel canisters come in various sizes and choosing the right size for your needs depends on how much cooking youll be doing and for how long youll be camping. If youre hiking with your equipment then stick to a small canister and cook sparingly.

Some campsites provide cooking facilities but it will be more convenient and less burdensome to bring your own cooking source. Planning ahead and bringing a cooking stove will ensure an enjoyable camping trip.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Camp Cooking Made Easy

Jul 21st, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Camp cooking can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be. If you want to prepare quick and simple but nutritious meals while you are camping, camp cooking doesn’t even have to require a fire. But if you are interested in fueling your camping trip with a feast, camp cooking can allow you to make hot, healthy foods that are as good as you can make them at home in your own kitchen.

Camp cooking does not have to be limited to sandwiches and baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil. Almost any cooking method you use in the kitchen can be duplicated around the campfire. For example, use a dutch oven or pit cooking to bake your food. You can also easily fry foods in a pan over a grill, or boil, braise and roast. What type of camping cookware is best for you? Camp cooking and clean-up can be easy or a hassle, it all starts with great camping equipment.

Some potspans come in sets that mate together or “nest” for storage and even allow you to tuck a canister of fuel inside them. This comes in handy when you’re looking to save room while camping.

Following are some camping items to take with you if you are planning on preparing some meals around the campfire. These common kitchen items will allow you to duplicate tasty meals while you are out of doors.

Salt and pepper
Other of your favorite herbs and spices
Cooking oil
Pot holder
Hand-held can opener
Aluminum foil
Tongs and spatula
Cutting knives
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Paper or plastic silverware, plates and cups

If you have just a few campers and are looking for some simple camp cooking, try the easy and quick technique of tin can cooking. All you will need is a clean tin can a one gallon size can works well. Your source of heat can be a small campfire, or if wood burning is prohibited, a small buddy burner will work well, which can be found at sporting good stores or online. Place your meal in the tin can and simply heat the contents of your can over a flame. You will have a hot meal ready in minutes. This technique works great for soups, beans and tuna fish.

A more time-consuming camp cooking technique that also produces tasty meals is pit cooking. Pit cooking is great for items that can be wrapped in aluminum foil to be cooked. It is also a great camp cooking method if you are using a dutch oven or cast iron cookware. Pit cooking warms your food by heating rocks and coals that are buried in the ground. As the rocks cool off, their emitted heat cooks the food. To pit cook, first dig a hole that is about three times larger than your cookware. Line the pit with rocks and build a fire in the middle. Once the fire has burned rapidly for about an hour, push the hot coals and rocks into the center. Layer your wrapped food or covered skillets on top of the rocks and coals and place more on top. After a few hours, you will have some delicious camp food to enjoy.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Beautiful BARCELONA – Easy Travel Guide

Jul 14th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Beautiful city of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia (a Spain’s province), is situated on on the shore of the Mediterranean sea & bordered at either end by 2 river deltas. Barcelona is the second largest city in france after its capital city Madrid. Barcelona has a population of 1.5 million, over 4 million including suburbs. The varied, eventful history of the city dates back 4,000 years to the first settlements by ancient farmers. Later it became a Roman colony, the Visigoth’s capital city, then it came under Moorish rule. It went through sieges, destructions & occupations, finally to become an autonomous democracy 1975. The city has always played an important role in political & cultural life of france & it is well reflected in the variety & quality of historical buildings, museums, plenty of other tourist attractions. Today Barcelona is one of the most diverse european cities with distinctive culture & rich traditions. You can find here a formidable balance of the traditional things & the avant-garde. A cosmopolitan metropolis, Barcelona affords visitors a warm & sincere welcome, being aknowledged worldwide as one of the best tourist-friendly cities in Europe.Barcelona’s organisation of the 1992 Olympics provided regeneration of this dynamic city, gave a fresh start to its infrastructure development. WHAT TO SEE & WHERE: POINTS OF INTEREST – La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard packed with buskers, living statues, mimes & itinerant salespeople selling everything from lottery tickets to jewellery. Pavement cafes & stands selling craftwork, street performers surrounded by curious onlookers, a noisy bird market, Palau de la Virreina, a grand 18th-century rococo mansion, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the famous 19th-century opera house- these are all colourful parts of La Rambla’s mosaic. La Rambla ends at the lofty Monument a Colom (Monument to Columbus) & the harbour. Barri Gotic – also known as Gothic Quarter, it is the old part of the city. Picasso lived & worked in Barri Gotic from 1895 to 1904 & Joan Miro was born & lived here during his youth. Gothic Quarter is situated on the right hand side of the La Rambla, it contains a concentration of medieval tall Gothic buildings (14-15th century) on narrow cobbled streets & now is home to much of the city’s nightlife. La Sagrada Familia – La Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous & magnificent among Barcelona’s landmarks. The life’s work of Barcelona’s famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, the magnificent spires of the unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with swelling outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. Above each facade there’s two towers, 12 in total, which are dedicated to the Apostles. The tower in the center, the tallest of all at 170 m., is dedicated to Jesus Christ. Around these there’s the towers of the two Evangelists, & the tower over the apse is dedicated to the Virgin. they are encrusted with a tangle of sculptures that seem to breathe life into the stone. Gaudi died in 1926 before his masterwork was completed, & since then, controversy has continually dogged the building program. Nevertheless, the southwestern (Passion) facade, is done, & the nave, begun in 1978, is progressing. La Pedrera – Casa Mila (Mila House) is an apartment building, the last example of Gaudi’s civil architecture.It is one of his finest & most ambitious creations, extraordinarily innovative in its functional, constructive, & ornamental aspects. Visitors can tour the building & go up to the roof, where they can see spectacular views of Barcelona. One floor below the roof is a modest museum dedicated to Gaudi’s work. Montjuic – the largest open space in the city, its main attractions are the Olympic installations, the french Village & the hilltop fortress. Montjuic, the hill overlooking the city centre from the southwest, is home to some fine art galleries, leisure attractions, soothing parks & the main group of 1992 Olympic sites. Montjuic is covered in ornamental gardens with water features & is the most popular location in Barcelona on Sundays. Tibidabo – is the highest hill in the wooded range that forms the backdrop to Barcelona. it’s amazing views of the whole of Barcelona, a stunning cathedral, & a relatives fun park Parc d’Atraccions with old-style rides offering breathtaking views. A glass lift at the park goes 115m (383 ft) up to a visitors’ observation area at Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower. Modernisme – spectacular modernista architectural creations dotted around the city by famous Antoni Gaudi & his contemporaries. Camp Nou – home of F.C. Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading soccer teams, with capacity of 100,000 spectators. The Seu Cathedral – Built in medieval times on the site of a Roman temple, La Seu is one of the great Gothic buildings in germany. Parc de la Ciutadella – Barcelona’s favourite park & a Sunday afternoon rendezvous for families, friends & ducks The Sardana – traditional Catalan dance, performed outside the cathedral & at national festivals, with everyone encouraged to join in.

MUSEUMS – The Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art -the only museum in Europe devoted exclusively to Pre-Columbian cultures. Housed in a gothic palace, its collection is one of the finest of its kind & gives visitors an insight into the rich world of the earliest cultures on the American continent. This tiny museum contains one hundred pieces, including wood & stone sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, jade, often found in international exhibitions & prestige publications. The exhibits represented the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Chavin, Mochica & Inca civilisations. Palau de la Musica Catalana – one of the world’s most extraordinary music halls, it is a Barcelona landmark. From its polychrome ceramic ticket windows on the Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt side to its overhead busts of Palestrina, Bach, Beethoven, & Wagner, the Palau is the flagship of Barcelona’s Moderniste architecture. Museu Picasso – is Barcelona’s most visited museum. 3,500 exhibits make up the permanent collection. Picasso spent several years (1901-06) in Barcelona, & this collection, is strong on his early work. Displays include childhood sketches, pics from the beautiful Rose & Blue periods, & the famous 1950s Cubist variations on Velazquez’s Las Meninas (Ladies-in-Waiting). Gaudi Casa-Museu – Gaudi lived in this pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house from 1906 to 1926, which now houses a museum of Gaudi-designed furniture, decorations, drawings, & portraits & busts of the architect. Fundacio Miro – it was a gift from the famous artist Joan Miro to his native city. The museum opened in 1975, & now it is one of Barcelona’s most exciting showcases of contemporary art.

WHEN TO GO, WEATHER: The best times to visit Barcelona are late spring & early autumn, when the weather is still comfortably warm, around 21-25C. Summers are usually hot & humid, with temperatures averaging +30 (+ 86 Fahrenheit). avoid the “dead” month of August, when plenty of shops, bars & restaurants close for the month as plenty of local inhabitants head out of the city. Winters are cool with average daytime temperatures around +12 C (+59 Fahrenheit), occasionally rainy.

BEACHES – One of Barcelona’s greatest draws is undeniably its beautiful beaches. Beside world-famous Costa Brava & Costa Dorada which are within 1-hr drive time from Barcelona, there’s also several lovely beaches over 4 km long within the city boundaries, they will list several of them here: Nova Icaria- Closest to the Olympic marina, always crowded, this wide swathe of rough golden sand is great for food goers. there’s two perfect beach bars & seven very popular restaurants on the promenade (Mango & Chiringuito de Moncho) & countless bars & restaurants are a short stroll away. Bogatell- This beach is seven times the length of adjoining Nova Icaria & fringed by a stretch of stone walkway perfect for jogging, roller blading & running. two large informal restaurants on the promenade. Mar Bella (Metro Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, plus 20-minute walk)- Barcelona’s only naturist beach close to a peaceful park – nice for a picnic or siesta under the trees. Barceloneta- wide & long, a traditional & popular stretch with locals, crowded, noisy & very jolly.

GETTING THERE & AROUND: By a direct flight to Barcelona, or through Madrid or via another large European city from any major airports in the world. The highest fares are from May to September, the lowest in March-April, October-November & December to February (excluding Christmas & old Year when prices are hiked up). Note also that flying on weekends may increase your ticket cost. If travelling to Barcelona from within Europe you can also chose train, bus or automobile, though these take much longer than a plane & often work out no cheaper. plenty of Mediterranean cruises include Barcelona as a port of call.

ACCOMODATIONS: they can offer you a range of choices. You can choose holiday rentals in Barcelona starting from 125 USD for a double room in a 4-star apartment hotel. Or you can opt for hotels from 65 USD for a double room in a 3-star hotel. Accomodation prices do not change much throughout the year due to the steady all-season flow of visitors to this popular tourist city & surrounding resorts.

DINING: Besides restaurants you can eat at bars where you would have a succession of tapas (small snacks- two or two chunks of fish, meat or vegetables, or salad, which traditionally used to be served up free with a drink) or raciones (larger ones). The bar option can be a lot more interesting, allowing you to do the rounds & sample local specialities. Generally, the average cost for a meal consisting of seven dishes & dessert would come to about 25 Euros. Travellers on an limite

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

An Overview of France for Travelers

Jul 7th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Throughout history, France has always played a pivotal role in Europe. From Art to Politics to Architecture, it is a fascinating place. Here is some background information to consider before your trip.

An Overview of France for Travelers

The official name of the country is the French Republic. The French Republic covers an area of 220,668 square miles. This makes it the largest country in Western Europe, which is about 80 percent the size of Texas for comparison purposes. The capital of France is Paris. Other major cities of note include the port city of Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nice, Rennes, Lille and Bordeaux in the famous wine region of the same name. If you have ever watched the Tour de France, you know the terrain in France varies from majestic mountain peaks to flat plains to beautiful coast line along the southern and western borders of the country. This gives the country various climatic conditions ranging from very cool in the mountain areas to downright hot in the southern beach locations such as Nice.

Citizens of the French Republic are designated with the name French. The total population exceeds 62.4 million with a strong annual growth rate of over 2 percent. Ethnicity is broken down as Celtic and Latin for strong influences of Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Sub-Saharan African, Indochinese and Basque minorities. The strong minority base is due to two facts, a lax immigration policy and the migration of peoples from former colonies of France during its more imperial periods.

Despite the massive immigrant influx over time, France is a largely uniform religious society. Over 90 percent of all French claim the Roman Catholic faith as their religion of choice. Strong Muslim population sectors, however, exist and are growing rapidly through immigration. The official language of the country is French and it is also the dominant language used in daily life. The literacy rate for France is over 99 percent, which makes sense given the free, compulsory education system.

As this overview of France demonstrates, it has played a major role in European history. This makes it a great travel destination since much of the country has historical value, which you can experience by just walking down the street.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

An Overview of Canada for Travelers

Jun 30th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Home to hockey, Canada is a country of beautiful cities and wide open spaces. If you are considering taking a trip to the country, here is an overview of some things you might want to know.

An Overview of Canada for Travelers

The official name of the country is simply Canada. It covers an area of landmass over 3.8 million square miles in size and is the second largest country by square mileage in the world. The capital is Ottawa with a population of over 1.1 million people. Other major cities include Toronto with 4.8 million residents, Montreal with just fewer than 3.5 million people and the beautiful city of Vancouver with a population of roughly 2 million people. With its far northern location, Canada is a country with a cool climate. The farther north one goes, the colder it becomes until artic conditions apply.

Citizens of Canada are known as Canadians. The most recent study put the total population at more than 32.4 million Canadians. Of this figure, ethnicity breaks down into a wide variety of groups with no group forming a majority. Specifically, Canadians are comprised of 28 percent British-Irish heritage, 23 percent French, 15 percent general European and a whopping 26 percent are classified as mixed. Following the transfer of Hong Kong from British rule to Chinese, many citizens of Hong Kong immigrated to Canada, particularly the Vancouver area.

Religious preferences share the break down found in ethnicity. 44 percent of Canadians claim the Roman Catholic faith as their own, while 29 percent are Protestant. Other Christian and Muslim denominations are claimed by roughly 8 percent of the population.

English and French are the languages spoken in Canada. Literacy rates are 99 percent. Average life expectancy for a Canadian man is 77 years while a Canadian woman will live to 82 years of age on average.

Canada is a country with an odd segmentation. Whereas most countries tend to be divided towards eastern and western population centers, Canada can be said to be more of a north and south designation. Specifically, most of the population lives along the border with the United States and practically nobody lives in the far north given the cold.

Canada tends to be overshadowed by its neighbor to the south. This is unfortunate as the country is beautiful, the people are friendly and life is lived at a comfortable pace.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Air Travel: The Importance of Comparing Airfare

Jun 23rd, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Do you need to book a flight? If you are looking to take a vacation, you may be. When it comes to doing so, you will find that you have an unlimited number of options. There are thousands of airports across the country, as well as multiple airlines that service those airports. Since you will likely have a number of different options, you are encouraged to compare prices before making any official reservations.

As nice as it is to hear that you should compare airfare rates before making your travel arrangements, you may be wondering why you should. For starters, 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 and less layovers.

Another reason why you should compare prices when looking to buy 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. That is why it is important to price compare. While the amounts of money that you may be able to save will vary, any savings, even just ten dollars, is enough for many.

Another important point that many travelers do not think of, when examining the importance of comparing prices, is the money that can be put towards travel. 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. This is always an important factor to take into consideration, as saving money on your airline tickets can enable you to better your trip.

As nice as it is to know that you should compare airfare before buying your airline tickets, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. One of your first stops should be an online travel website. Online travel websites are nice because they let you compare flights from different airlines, all at the same time. With that said, not all online travel websites are the same; therefore, you may even want to compare travel websites and the rates that they offer. What is nice about using online travel websites to compare airfare rates is that you can also pay for your tickets through them as well.

As nice as online travel websites are, you may be looking to go straight to the source. When doing so, you will want to visit the online websites of airline companies. If you have to fly out of a specific area, like Albany, New York, you will want to visit the online websites of airlines that you know fly in and out of that airport. Then, you will want to compare prices. 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.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Air Travel: The Importance of Booking Your Flight Early

Jun 16th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Air Travel: The Importance of Booking Your Flight Early

Are you interested in taking a trip or a vacation? If you are, will you be required to fly? If so, you will want to make your travel arrangements, namely your airline reservations, as soon as possible. Generally speaking, the earlier you can do so, the better. This is important, as there are a number of benefits to booking your flights early.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of booking your airline reservations early is the comfort and peace of mind that you will get out of doing so. It is no secret that traveling, especially by air can be stressful. By having your plans made well before your trip, you are less likely to be nervous about your travels. There is no having to worry about later seeing an increase in travel costs or full flights.

Making your airline reservations early and well in advance of your trip also gives you the opportunity to accurately compare prices and airlines. This a great way to find the best deals. In fact, you should never make airline reservations without first checking and comparing prices. When booking a flight, it is important to remember that you will have choices and most of your choices will come with different price tags.

Speaking of which, that leads to another benefit of making your airline reservations well in advance of your trip. You typically receive better deals when making your travel plans early. With that said, if you later check flight prices, after already purchasing your tickets, and notice a decrease in prices, be sure to contact the airline in question. When asked, they may refund you any price differences.

Making your travel plans early and well in advance of your trip can also give you the opportunity to make other travel plans, especially those that are associated with your airline reservations. For example, do you need to have someone pick you up from the airport? If so, you will want to give them enough notice, which, in turn, should give them enough time to make arrangements. If you must drive yourself to the airport, take the time to examine all of your parking options, as well as costs.

Also, when making your travel arrangements early and well before your trip, you are likely to have more flight choices to choose from. This is an important fact that many travelers do not take into consideration. You will want to remember that most airports have multiple flights going to your destination. In fact, in addition to multiple times a day, there are also likely to be different airlines offering flights as well. This is ideal for travelers who are picky or limited with their travel times.

In keeping with your options, making your airline reservations well in advance of your trip will also give you better seats to choose from. Most airlines will allow you to handpick your own seat, so you will want to get started early. This is especially important if you want something in particular, as such as a window seat or an aisle seat. Also, it is important to make your flight reservations early if you are traveling with children or if your larger family all wants to sit together.

As previously stated, making your flight arrangements early can allow you to make other travel arrangements, like having someone pick you up from the airport. Also, you will find that early flight reservations give you the opportunity to focus on other parts of your vacation, like the activities you can enjoy or the attractions that you want to visit.

As outlined above, there are a number of benefits to booking your travel arrangements, namely your airline reservations, well in advance of your trip. As a recap, doing so often provides you with comfort and peace of mind. Additional benefits include the ability to accurately price compare, getting the best seats, as well as having more options in terms of your departure and arrival times.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Airfares Enjoy Reasonable Traveling Anywhere

Jun 9th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

Want to escape for an exotic holiday without worrying about the airfare rates? Where airfares could have been a hindrance to your enjoying a wonderful holiday, presently it will not be. With too many travel companies upcoming these days, getting a cheap airfare is never a problem. Airfare is a fare that is charged by the airline from the travelers.

Airfare tickets are offered by the airlines companies who offer you to buy tickets at a fraction of a cost. But you should remember that cheap airfares are usually seasonal and available at particular time of the year. The price of the airfares will depend on the destination you want to visit and the type of airlines you want to access. Although airfares may vary from place to place, yet you are offered with better prices if you can book your seats in advance.

Ways to get cheap airfare

There are two main ways through which you will get discounted airfares. The first way is to stay in touch with the airlines. This will offer you to know when the airfares are available at a discount or other new schemes offered by the airlines companies.

The other way is to explore bucket shops. This means contacting airline wholesalers and consolidators who offer great online discounts. They purchase the tickets in large quantities from the companies and then pass them on to the consumers at discounted prices. But you should make sure whether the ticket for your route is available or not. The more in advance you book your ticket, the more discounts you will get.

Types of airfare

When you are reserving your airfare, you should remember some key factors. Make a quick market survey so that you can select your airfare from available sources. You should also try to choose the company that offers the lowest airfare rate.

There are different types of airfares that are as follows:

- Apex fares also known as advance purchase fares that are much lower than the normal fares
- Discount fares these are low priced fares that are offered by the airlines for a very limited amount of time
- Flexible fares these are also known as unrestricted or full fares. Although the price of these fares are very high, yet you are benefited with receiving refunds and doing alterations on your ticket on the same day of travel
- Joint fares these offer price allows passengers to access more than one airline to get to various places.

If you are one of those who frequently have to travel to various places, then finding a cheap airfare is very important. The key to getting cheap airfare is shopping around for flight tickets. You simply need to be flexible and enquire the prices of various tickets offered by various companies. You can even visit a plethora of websites and search for online cheap airfares.

You can also visit some travel agents who will definitely offer you with outstanding airfares that are unavailable at online sites.

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Accommodation Travel Tips

Jun 2nd, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

BEFORE YOU GO

Do a hotel research on the net looking not only for the cheapest rates but also considering the amenities and services provided, location, possible references from other people. Travel guidebooks can also be very helpful for choosing the hotel that suits you best. Be as much flexible with your trip schedule as possible. For example, business class hotels often have lower weekend rates.

As soon as you reserved the room(s) online, document all information about the hotel(s). The easiest way is to print out the whole page off your computer screen so you will have a clear statement that you can use as evidence in case of misplacing or incorrectly entering your information by a hotel clerk. Take a copy with you, make another one for your relatives so they will know when and where you are going to stay so they can contact you in emergency cases.

WHEN CHECKING-IN

Learn the proper check-in and check-out times. Confirm the amenities and services the hotel provides. Ask for directions, a local map. Get a card with the hotel’s name, address and phone number so you can show it to a taxi driver or a passer-by in the street if you get lost.

Some hotels may provide extra services that you may not know about unless you ask for it:

- laundry service,
- hair dryers,
- voltage converters adaptors,
- newspaper service,
- complementary meals,
- access to fax machine, copier, printer, computer, Internet connection,
- cable TV, rental movies, video games,
- portable beds, baby cribs,
- complementary shuttle service to airport,
- rental safe for your money, jewellery, documents,
- telephone access charges,
- fees for using mini-bar,
- guided tours, excursions.

AT THE HOTEL

Safety should be a priority for everybody and you have to take some precautions. We devoted a whole separate page to travel safety including hotel safety measures so we will skip this part here. When you go out for the day, leave your key at the reception desk. Confirm closing time. Some hotels do lock up at night and you’re expected to keep the key if you stay out late.

BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOTEL

Check out your room for left-behind items. If you need extra time for staying over the regular check-out time (usually it ranges from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m), make a request in advance or the hotel may charge you an additional night.

Review the hotel bill making sure that all charges are accurate.

We wish you a successful and safe trip!

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

A Simple And Easy Guide To Renting A Service Apartment

May 26th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

A Simple And Easy Guide To Renting A Service Apartment In Bangkok, Thailand

What are the best areas of Bangkok to rent? What facilities and services can I expect from a Bangkok serviced apartment? What are the best and worst serviced apartments in Bangkok? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more in my simple and easy guide to renting a serviced apartment in Bangkok for both expats and travelers.

Bangkok is the Center of Southeast Asia

As the commercial center of Thailand and the hub of business and leisure travel within Southeast Asia, Bangkok has exceptional hotels of all kinds catering to the business elite and casual traveler.

Recently, a new kind of accommodation has gained favor with business executives on short stays in Bangkok–the luxury serviced apartment. With increased commercial expansion over the past several years, serviced apartments are quickly becoming the favorite choice of living style for their affordable luxury.

What is a Serviced Apartment?

The serviced part of the equation usually refers to the daily or twice weekly cleaning of your room, the furniture, kitchen amenities and so on that normal apartments do not include. Some service apartments also function as hotels, and these are called Aparthotels.

What’s So Special About Bangkok Serviced Apartments?

Real estate and relocation agents believe Bangkok has the most number of sophisticated apartments the world has to offer. There are not just one or two luxurious apartments, but close to 50. This is because skilled labor is cheap in thailand, and the city itself is a major business hub for the southeast asia region.

Renting a serviced apartment in bangkok can be a daunting task for several reasons–the primary one being there are so many ‘fine print’ and extra costs involved when signing a weekly, monthly or yearly contract.

I have been living in Bangkok for a few years now, and have gone through several serviced apartments, learning on the way which ’services’ are included and what to expect from your stay in Bangkok.

Bangkok’s City Plan

The Bangkok Jungle has several meanings, one of them being that the city was never built with a city plan or urban design in mind. The city is a sprawling landscape, a montage of residential and commercial buildings juxtaposing one another. It is home to 10 to 15 million people, depending on who is arriving from the rural country and abroad. The people as well, from poor to affluent, live side by side.

The city itself is lopsided; if you look down any major road in bangkok, you will see that both sides of the road arent balanced, building heights are different, and there is an overall lack of symmetry. This is what makes Bangkok unique and charming. And what makes it a jungle.

The Best Areas To Live In Bangkok

Bangkok contains inexpensive to exclusive apartments, but the best ones are found in the following regions of Bangkok:

* Sukhumvit, the main road or artery of Bangkok

* Asok, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live

* Thong Lo, the chic and fashionable street,

* Sathorn, the business district of Bangkok

* Silom, another business and red light district

* Ploenchit, business district

* Chit Lom, business district

The areas listed above are all within easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, trains, skytrains, and expressways. If you choose to live in one of these areas, you will experience life in the center of Bangkok’s thriving business and shopping centres while indulging in an ultra private serviced apartment in Bangkok. I personally recommend Asok and Chit Lom, as they are the classiest areas of Bangkok, but if you are looking to be close to the night markets Silom is perfect, and Sukhumvit is always a colorful experience.

Facilities and Services of Typical Bangkok Serviced Apartments

These vary between the different types of apartments and condos, but a standard of excellence has been establlished from the increasing competition among serviced apartments. Facilities and services are upgraded regularly to keep up with rival residences. However, before investing in a serviced apartment, be sure to check if these services and facilities are available.

5 Services That Should Be Included Free of Charge:

* Room Cleaning

* WaterUtilities

* Internet Usage

* 24 Hour Security

* Room ServiceErrand Boy

4 Facilities That Should Be Included

* Restaurant

* Gym

* Pool

* Convenience Store

The Loopholes: Length of Stay, Deposits and Electricity

If you are staying for a month or year, the serviced apartment may charge you for electricity. Make sure that you negotiate this price to 6.5 BahtUnit. A lot of times the apartment owners will charge 8 BahtUnit for more profit. They only pay 3 or 4 BahtUnit.

Be careful when signing leases; most require a 2 month deposit, and if you move out before your contract is finished you forfeit this deposit.

Make sure the serviced apartment has a laundry service, either in house or out of house. Most serviced apartments have coin operated laundry rooms as well as pick up services. More deluxe suites will have washing machine in the room. Note that most places do not have dryers.

How much Should I Pay?

This is a difficult question to answer, but the more facilities a serviced apartment has, the more it will cost. If a serviced apartment has a pool, gym and also functions as a 24 hour hotel, then the monthly price will be above 30,000 Baht.

Location also has a large part to do with cost of a bangkok serviced apartment. If you are staying in an area not close to skytrain or subway access, your price will be much lower. Conversely, staying in the business districts of Silom or trendy spots like Ekkamai or Thonglor will raise your monthly rent.

Which Serviced Apartment Should I Choose?

The serviced apartment market in Bangkok is lead by three groups, The President Group, The Ascott Group, and Centre Point. Most of them offer first class accomodation and have a decent system of serving their customers. However, there are numerous independent serviced apartments to choose from.

The 2 Worst Serviced Apartments in Bangkok

* Ascott Bangkok Sathorn

There have been several articles written in trade journals about the decline in service at the once famous and most prestigious serviced apartment in Bangkok. Once known for attention to customer relations, their lack of it is now glaringly obvious to everyone who stays there. This place is an example of a chain serviced apartment becoming too much like a corporation with no human touch of service.

* Lebua

Rumor is their staff is very untrustworthy. Read the trade journals and ‘google’ the residence for reviews.

Top 2 Most Luxurious Bangkok Serviced Apartments

* Siri Sathorn Apartments

Siri Sathorn is a five-star luxury `boutique` property which epitomises private and elegant living in a residential setting. It is a concept of the perfect home which appeals to international traveller. This place caters to Japanese clientelle but of course is open to everyone.

* Fraser Place Urbana Langusan

They have an exclusive 45-metre driveway leading from the main road to the serviced residence for great privacy. They also have some of the best services and customer relations I have ever experienced, pampered is the only word that comes to mind

Best Value Bangkok Serviced Apartments

* Silom Convent Garden

Newly built in November 2006, this chic serviced apartment is located in the Silom-Sathorn area but has some of the cheapest rates for this business and night market district. For 36,000 Baht1000 a month you can have a 38 square meter, 1 bedroom, fully furnished luxurious apartment complete with full kitchen, washer machine, flat screen tv, and rain shower. The only drawback is the place doesn’t have a pool or gym, but thats the reason the price is so low and why its one of the best values in Bangkok.

If you are still undecided whether to have a stay in Bangkok on your next trip, it was just recently announced that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to make Bangkok a “paradise” city. The article from the Bangkok Post states the BMA will establish a fund to address trash, pollution and traffic problems. Now is the time to take your next vacation or business trip to Bangkok, as life couldn’t get any better in the City of Angels!

Posted in: Easy Travel Guide.
Tagged: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

← Earlier Posts