Travel Places

The capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is a surprising city. It was the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty of Emperors until the formation of the Republic in 1911. Hence it showcases centuries of an ancient culture along with all the trappings of a socialist republic. There are modern road and rail networks interspersed with ancient palaces and medieval cities.

What to see:

The Forbidden City is the best preserved symbol of the ancient Qing dynasty. Wooden buildings, beautifully preserved artefacts and a sense of history are what greet you as you wander through this large complex. Tiananman Square is the world’s largest open square and is surrounded by many grand buildings. The Temple of Heaven is a very beautiful temple with extensive gardens and lovely walkways.

When to go:

September to early November is the best time to go to Beijing. There are fewer visitors and the weather is clear and crisp. Winters are icy cold and the summers can be scorching hot.

Where to shop:

Beijing is a great place to shop for traditional Chinese handicrafts, which are exquisite. Try to avoid being taken to silk factories and pearl shops, ask your guides to take you to the traditional markets. Bargain a lot, since they are likely to begin very high. Some of the larger shops however, have fixed rates and are easier to deal with.

What to watch out for:

Language is problem here. Engage an English speaking guide before you reach here, otherwise you will not even be able to hire a cab without getting lost.

Alaska – it’s relatively easy accessibility through cruise ships and the breathtaking beauty of it’s wilderness have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Cruise ships begin their journey normally from either Seattle or from Vancouver. Most of them follow a route which takes them to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan and through the Glacier Bay or the Hubbard Glacier. The tours last from 7 to 10 days.

Which cruise liner should we take:

That, as always depends on your budget. The liners can be luxurious high end ships, or the more reasonable ones, which are just as good. They are all good value for money, since your board and lodging and entertainment are all paid for.

Where all should we go:

Once you disembark from the ship at any port, there will be a lot of tour operators willing to take you around to show their towns. There are short train rides that take you through some of Alaska’s very beautiful mountains. They also take you fishing, in case you are interested. You must take the helicopters up to the glaciers, since that is a spectacular sight, which is not visible from anywhere else.

How cold is it?

It is chilly, but not too cold. Most cruises are in summer, so just a warm bundling of clothes is sufficient. However, if you do take the helicopter ride, be very warmly clad. The ships are all very comfortable, so you need warm clothes only when you disembark.

The capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is a surprising city. It was the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty of Emperors until the formation of the Republic in 1911. Hence it showcases centuries of an ancient culture along with all the trappings of a socialist republic. There are modern road and rail networks interspersed with ancient palaces and medieval cities.

What to see:

The Forbidden City is the best preserved symbol of the ancient Qing dynasty. Wooden buildings, beautifully preserved artefacts and a sense of history are what greet you as you wander through this large complex. Tiananman Square is the world’s largest open square and is surrounded by many grand buildings. The Temple of Heaven is a very beautiful temple with extensive gardens and lovely walkways.

When to go:

September to early November is the best time to go to Beijing. There are fewer visitors and the weather is clear and crisp. Winters are icy cold and the summers can be scorching hot.

What to watch out for:

Language is problem here. Engage an English speaking guide before you reach here, otherwise you will not even be able to hire a cab without getting lost.

Costa Rica which means ‘Rich Coast’ is a country in Central America. It is the ideal tropical paradise for vacation. Tourists can enjoy the pristine beaches and see whales and dolphins play. For Nature lovers there is a great variety of exotic wildlife and tropical plants.

Flowing streams, fresh water springs and roaring rivers are the attraction through Costa Rica’s wilderness. The famous waterfalls known for its elegant beauty are Celeste Waterfall, El Chorro Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, Nauyaca Waterfalls, Savegre Waterfall.
It is a must visit place for natural lovers. They come from around the world just with the intention of wildlife watching. The top five wildlife hotspots to observe the rich flora and fauna are Corcovado National Park, La Selva Biological Station, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Tortuguero National Park.
Costa Rica’s archaeological site is another attraction that journeys through history to a time of ancient civilization. The few glimpses are- The National Museum features a brief overview of the country’s history beginning with pre- Columbian artefacts, moving through the time of the conquistadors, and gradually merging into the present.
The Gold Museum has the most valuable collection of pre- Columbian gold in the world in exhibit. While, the Jade Museum is not just about jade, it had artefacts, ceramics, precious stones and gold miniatures from different cultural areas of Costa Rica to discover. Costa Rica’s Mysterious Stone Spheres, Guayabo National Monument, Las Mercedes Archaeological Site, Indian’s Rock (Piedra del Indio) are the most sought out places

Located on the idyllic Central Pacific coast, Quepos and Manuel Antonio attract sun-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor adventure seekers. It is a coastal town celebrated for its world class sport fishing. Less than a three-hour drive from San Jose, the area is accessible by local airlines and public bus.

If you are looking to buy a property in Costa Rica, bret dudl can help you find many properties on sale.

What a lot of people don’t realise about Thailand is that there’s an absolute plethora of cheap places to stay. Thailand accommodation has literally thousands of hidden gems scattered all over the capital Bangkok, and starting from as little as $80 US/Month.

If you’re on a world tour and would like to stay in the kingdom for a few extra weeks or months, then low budget hotels or guest houses are probably not your best option. Then again, they could be. Keep reading to find out why. Decent Bangkok rentals can be had for just a few dollars a day, but you need to know how to find them, which is easier said than done if you’re a stranger to the this Jungle city of South East Asia.

Description of a Cheap Apartment in Bangkok

So just what will you get for under a hundred bucks a month? Well, as this is at the low end of the Bangkok rental market, such apartment blocks are occupied mostly by working class Thai nationals. The rooms will be basic and may or may not have air conditioning. Most will include an overhead fan, a bed, refrigerator (maybe), private bathroom, and very basic storage facilities. They will be studio rooms no bigger than 22-30 SQM max.

The majority of these budget rentals will have 24 hour security guards manning the entrance, and perhaps a 24 hour minimart on the ground floor.  Such accommodation might not sound much like a home away from home for most travellers, but when compared against a bog standard guest house that uses communal squat toilets, has more mosquitoes than an African swamp, and a list of house rules greater than an Asian Jail, then the pros well outweigh the cons for long-stay tourists.  Don’t forget too that your monthly Bangkok apartment rental will be less than half what you’d be paying at a backstreet Guesthouse.

Finding these Cheap Bangkok Apartments

Obviously the Bangkok real estate agencies will not be prepared to help foreigners find inexpensive rental properties. They make their money purely on commissions, and so there’s no reasonable gain to be had with inexpensive rents that require no long term contracts.  Some of their websites might list a few budget dwellings, but if you really want to uncover the array of hidden gems out there, then the best places to look are the Thai property websites. If you do a search for the word ‘ horpak’ you shall find a couple of good ones. Horpak roughly translates as ‘building to stay’.

Most of these sites are have no English version though, so you’ll probably need to ask a friendly local to help you translate.  Even so, just by browsing the property pages and reading the English numerals next to the photos, you will soon come to realise just how much of this ‘easy-on-the-pocket’ accommodation is out there for grabs.

Bangkok Rentals Between 5-1000 THB/Mo

At the time of writing, 5,000 Thai Baht equates to around $155 US dollars. The standard of living improves quite a bit when paying over 5,000 THB/Month in rental costs (especially in other towns and cities around the country).  For 5,000 Baht and over, you can expect a living space of between 28-35 SQM.  It will be in a good central location and not too far from a BTS (Skytrain) or MRT (Underground Train) station. The room will have air conditioning as standard, a king or queen sized bed, Cable TV, telephone, refrigerator, bathroom, and a small balcony. More common these days too is a wireless internet connection, but this usually offered at an optional cost for those who want it.

On the ground floor there is likely to be key-card security door access for residents (plus a 24 hour security guard out front), a minimart, laundry service, beauty salon, and in some, a very reasonably priced restaurant that will include room service at no extra cost. The down side is that you may be asked to secure at least a 3 month commitment for which there will be a contact drawn up and a deposit put down.

When you move up to Bangkok accommodation nearer the 10,000 THB/Month bracket, then the choices and living standards get even better. More space, better designed rooms, and an improvement in furnishings overall. The facilities in some places may also include a gym, and a pool.

You also start to get some options in condos as well as apartments in this price bracket. The main differences between apartments and condos are that condos are privately owned units within a building, whereas an apartment block has a single owner who possesses the entire building and all its rooms.

With condos, both water and electricity is usually billed direct from the government which can lead to huge saving on power costs over a duration. Water and electricity in apartment blocks is fixed by the project owner and the charges are far greater than that of a condo. At the time of writing, electricity charges in Bangkok apartments that charge over 5,000 THB/Month in rents, are around 8 Baht/Unit, whereas government charges are less than half that.

Apartment Accommodation | Bangkok Apartments Competing with Hotels

New construction projects seem to be never ending in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand. One can’t help but wonder how they’re going to fill them all with tenants. And if that’s not enough, nowadays many of the apartments are competing with hotels, especially the newer constructions. It’s not unusual to see Daily, Weekly, and Monthly rates advertised outside an apartment building. However, the hotels are striking back too. Many hotels are beginning to offer vastly reduced rates for long term residents. Those who want to live in hotels are usually placed on the higher floors. The available facilities, security, and prime locations of hotel accommodation are making them quite an attractive living option for some, especially older folks who have retired in the kingdom.

SUMMARY

If you’re on a tight budget yet want to stretch your holiday experience out in the old Siam, then you will most likely want to find some semi-permanent, less costly accommodation, than that offered by your guesthouse or hotel. Accommodation options for under 10,000 THB/Month, both in the capital and ‘up country’ (that’s anywhere other than Bangkok), really are plentiful. They just take a bit of digging out, that’s all.

Inexpensive Accommodation Bangkok It is there for the taking. This is a country where you can live as cheap as chips without experiencing the squalor often associated with budget housing. Keep updated with the latest Bangkok Apartment & Condo News at Mr Roomfinder.

The relatively easy accessibility of Alaska through cruise ships and the breathtaking beauty of its wilderness have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Cruise ships begin their journey normally from either Seattle or from Vancouver. Most of them follow a route which takes them to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan and through the Glacier Bay or the Hubbard Glacier. The tours last from 7 to 10 days.

Which cruise liner should we take?

That, as always, depends on your budget. The liners can be luxurious high end ships, or the more reasonable ones, which are just as good. They are all good value for money, since your board and lodging and entertainment are all paid for.

Where all should we go:

Once you disembark from the ship at any port, there will be a lot of tour operators willing to take you around to show their towns. You must take the helicopters up to the glaciers, since that is a spectacular sight, which is not visible from anywhere else.

How cold is it?

It is chilly, but not too cold. Most cruises are in summer, so just a warm bundling of clothes is sufficient. However, if you do take the helicopter ride, be very warmly clad.

Looking for a holiday destination that guarantees plenty of sunshine?  Then plump for Playa Blanca – the second largest resort on the Canary Island of Lanzarote.  Where temperatures tend to average out at 23 degrees all year round and where rainfall is very scarce indeed – making this ideal as both a winter and summer holiday destination.

Playa Blanca can be found right at the southern end of Lanzarote, which explains why its climate is that much better than the other main resorts on the island.  And as a result it is very popular with visitors from countries such as Germany, Eire, Spain and the UK.  Despite expanding rapidly during the 1990´s it has managed to still retain much of its peaceful, village feel.  And boasts plenty of great beaches for visitors to enjoy along with lots of great places to stay.

There are lots of choices for tourists seeking self catering accommodation with a wide array of apartments and villas in Playa Blanca available for rental.  Most of these apartments are located on good quality complexes with plenty of facilities and amenities.  Whilst virtually all of the holiday villas in Playa Blanca come equipped with their own private swimming pools.

Playa Blanca is a great resort for those who like to soak up the sun as there are some wonderful beaches here.  The largest and most popular of these is called Playa Dorada, which is located to the west of the resort centre.  Whilst the most central beach is smaller and called Playa Blanca.  Playa Flamingo to the east completes this trio.  And there are even more options just a fifteen minute walk away at Papagayo – or parrot in Spanish.

All of these beaches can be reached via a single seafront promenade which unites the whole resort.  This is also where tourists will find a large selection of good quality fish restaurants too.  Along with a wide array of shops.

For those keen to explore it’s possible to book day trips to the neighbouring Canary Island of Fuerteventura, as ferries make the crossing from Playa Blanca hourly throughout the day.  And here tourists can enjoy the huge sand dunes of the Corralejo National Park.  Back on Lanzarote they can also take a tour of the islands number one attraction, the Timanfaya National Park.  Home to hundreds of volcanoes which blew their tops during eruptions in the 1730´s.

The latest issue of Lanzarote Guidebook, the free Lanzarote tourist guide, is out now.  Offering readers the chance to win a fantastic villa holiday on the Island of Fire worth over €700.

 Lanzarote is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain – thanks to its great year round climate, wonderful beaches and good quality accommodation.  And as a result the island attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from the UK and Eire.

 Lanzarote Guidebook was launched three years ago to cater to this audience and the new spring issue of this quarterly guide features a competition offering readers the chance to win a villa holiday on the island.  Which can also be entered online.

 Lanzarote Guidebook is written by local residents and includes lots of inside tips – as well as comprehensive information about all of the main resorts, attractions and things to do.  It is distributed free of charge to tourists on the island via car hire offices and private villas and can also be downloaded free of charge via the Lanzarote Guidebook website.

 Visitors to the website can also enter this great competition which carries the top prize of a weeks stay in one of the best Lanzarote holiday villas on the island.  At the three bedroom Villa Mirador, which is located right by the beach in the resort of Matagorda, close to Puerto del Carmen.  A prize provided by the leading island villa specialists Lanzarote1.  Who have been organising holidays in Lanzarote since 1988.

 Lanzarote is a great holiday destination as like the rest of the Canaries the island enjoys good weather all year round.  With tourists able to enjoy days on the beach or by the pool even during December and January.  Thanks to the islands location just off the coast of West Africa.

 As well as sunshine Lanzarote also offers visitors loads to do and see.  Such as the stunning scenery of the Timanfaya Volcano Park and the incredible creations of the local artist Cesar Manrique.  Who was instrumental in ensuring that the island wasn’t over developed during the 1970´s just as package tourism started to take off.

 Visitors to the Lanzarote Guidebook website can find out all they need to know to ensure that they have a great holiday in this unique destination.  As well as being able to book flights, apartments, package holidays and car hire in Lanzarote – all under one roof.

Escape the freezing weather and grey skies of the UK and head for the island of Lanzarote.  Where the sun is shining and visitors are basking in warm weather.

Lanzarote is as far south as you can get and still – technically speaking – be within the administrative confines of the European Union.  Although in reality it is located much closer to Africa than Spain.  Either way though this has been a Spanish territory since the early 1400´s and has all the familiar customs and cuisine of the mainland.

Tourists have been visiting the island since package holidays first took off here in the 1970´s and Lanzarote today expects to welcome around 1.4 million visitors during the course of 2009.  A reasonable performance given the impact of the credit crunch and the weak state of sterling over the last twelve months.

Many visitors will be staying in one of the hundreds of villas in Lanzarote that are available for rent.  As around half of all tourists opt for private rental accommodation.  With the remainder staying in hotels or Lanzarote holiday apartments.

During the winter months tourists are best advised to head for the southern most resort on the island –  Playa Blanca.  Which translates as white beach in Spanish – as the resort is named after the small white sand beach which still lies at its heart.

Playa Blanca during the winter months enjoys better weather than the other two main resorts on the island of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.  Making it the best possible choice for anyone in search of winter sun.  There’s also an excellent selection of holiday villas in Playa Blanca available for rent. Many of which are owned by British and or Irish investors – so overcoming any language barrier when booking.

Playa Blanca is located further from the airport than the other resorts but the transfer time is still only forty minuets.  And on the upside it is located closer to the islands main visitor attraction – the breathtaking Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Within the resort itself there are three great beaches – Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada.  Whilst just a fifteen minute walk from the resort centre are the incredible beaches and coves of Papagayo.  An all natural beach lover’s paradise that is widely regarded as one of the finest and most picturesque stretches of sand in the whole of the Canary Islands.

The popular holiday island of Mallorca is one of the most visited destinations in Europe.  Welcoming well over six million tourists a year – the bulk of them from the UK, Germany and mainland Spain.  Thanks to the fact that the island offers a winning combination of breathtaking beaches, fantastic scenery and a wide selection of different holiday destinations.  With over 20 resorts to choose from.

Mallorca is also easy to reach from mainland Europe and is well served by all of the leading low cost airlines from key markets such s the UK.  With a flight time of just under two and half hours.

First time visitors should note that the island is very much a game of two halves though.  As the south is still snynomous with package tourism – epitomised by the bars and discos of resorts such as Magaluf.  Whilst the north is cooler and more sophisticated.  Home to ancient former Roman settlements such as Pollensa and some of the best quality holiday villas in Mallorca.  Many of which have been built using the local honey coloured stone.

So which is the ideal resort in Mallorca for you?

Alcudia
Alcudia is the largest resort on the island’s north coast.  It’s popularity sealed by the fact that it is also home to the biggest beach on the island – a huge stretch of sand which extends for around 8km. 

As a result Alcudia is very popular with families looking to escape the fleshpots of the south.  A reputation enhanced further by the fact that the beach here shelves gently into the sea – making it ideal for young children.

Cala DÓr
Cala d’Or is relatively modern resort situated on the island’s east coast – around a one hour transfer time from the main airport at Palma.  Emerging from it´s former shell as traditional fishing village during he 1970´s to become the modern resort of today.

The centre of the town is pedestrianised which makes it very pleasant to stroll around come nightfall.  Whilst during the day the action revolves around one of the seven beaches in the resort.  Head for the marina at Cala Llonga for a really atmospheric meal out.

Puerto Pollensa
One of the north’s more chi chi resorts Puerto Pollensa is the close coastal cousin to the town of Pollensa.  A former Roman settlement that boasts a host of picturesque squares and quiet cobbled streets.  And is a popular destination with families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts.