Oz Scapes

By Paul Hata

 When traveling on a budget, one of the most often questions is whether it is best to travel independently, making your own airfare, hotel and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

There is unfortunately no easy answer to this question, as it is largely dependent on the location and the specific deals that are available.

For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and India, are often much less costly when booked through a package company or travel agent.

That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, 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 far less than I could have booked on my own, since airfare alone would have run me over $700. The key to this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egyptair and the hotel at which we stayed.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost.

Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optionals. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly you may be out of luck.

It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a package deal or independent travel is up to each individual travelers. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location.

It is also important to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

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Important Tips For Backpackers Hostel Travelers
By MIKE SELVON

 Traveling in luxury and comfort is great; however, nowadays many people prefer to travel with backpacks. This is not because they love to stay at a local backpackers hostel or make use of shoestring vacation packages. It is because this method gives them an opportunity to enjoy the local flavors that would be impossible to experience while staying in the ivory towers of luxury hotels. While backpacking is amazing in terms of fun and adventure, the fact that you are mostly on your own when you move this way means you need to be highly organized and prepared for all eventualities.

The first thing to do when planning for backpack travel would be to draw up a complete checklist, with regard to what you need to do before you embark on the trip. Booking backpackers hostel accommodations should be done well in advance, since without proper accommodations you would have to stay in cheap hotels, which in most cases, offer poor service.

You should also take out a backpackers insurance policy to cover any eventuality during your travel. While this mode of vacationing is exceptionally enriching and fun, it is also prone to happenings beyond your control. Therefore, you need to be alert and be able to think and act on your feet.

The backpackers hostel option is excellent for many reasons, which includes the ability to cook, inexpensive yet clean and homey accommodations, access to local cuisine, customs and attractions, the opportunity to learn the local language or dialect, and so on. When traveling this way, you need to pay attention to a few things which might seem inconsequential initially, but they can be like an oasis in a desert when needed.

Take a few locks with you since hostels may offer lockers, but no locks. Have a complete first aid box with you and if you are on any type of medication, carry the whole course with you as you might not get access to medical supplies when trekking on foot. Other things that you should not leave without is your laptop backpack, an up to date travel guide, a cell phone and scanned copies of your passport and other travel papers.

Staying at a backpackers hostel is an experience that would teach you a great many things about a destination. If you are adventurous enough to go for this type of traveling, then you would be able to see, enjoy and feel the local culture better than you could ever have done from a luxury vacation package arrangement.

The only thing that would stand between total enjoyment and frustration is proper preparation. As long as you are organized and careful about your personal safety, backpacking is something that would thrill you more than any type of travel.

Mike Selvon’s portal will expand your knowledge on the backpackers hostel. Visit us and leave a comment at our backpacking tours blog where a free gift awaits you.

Cheap Flights Slows Majorca Property Drop
By Roger Munns

 Majorca has long been one of the favourite holiday destinations for Europeans, especially British and German tourists.

And enough have liked the island in the past to buy a second home for holidays, or to buy an apartment or villa to retire to the sunshine island.

But with property values declining in important markets like the UK, the number of buyers has slowed, and Majorca too is seeing her property prices drop along with much of the rest of Europe, and the US.

But thanks to low cost airlines offering bargain flight prices to the island’s Palma Airport, Majorca is now even more easily accessible despite the recession in the housing market on both sides of the Atlantic..

Britain’s top low cost airline based at Luton Airport but flying to Majorca from around the UK’s regional airports now offers less expensive, more frequent flights to Majorca.

And more flights to the island each week makes it more realistic for the British who do still have money to consider buying an apartment or villa in Majorca, and with some buyers still interested it has helped prices in Majorca from going into a huge drop in value.

Many Brits enjoy the atmosphere of the Balearic Islands so much that they visit several times per year. So far, British investors haven’t been reluctant to take advantage of this new opportunity. The Daily Telegraph, a leading British newspaper printed an article revealing 11,000 Brits now own a home in Majorca.

Real estate investors do anticipate prices dropping to a degree in Majorca, and know they are in a stronger position to negotiate than anytime since the late eighties, and owners are more willing to consider offers than just a year ago.

Majorca prices started the property recession in a strong position, and has been one of the most expensive places to buy real estate in Spain. Investors believe Majorca is one of the safest property investments you can make. Majorca is an island with limited land available for new construction. This means the existing properties could rise quickly in value once the downturn in the European and US property markets are reversed.

Because of its more remote and secluded location, it’s not surprising that many celebrities have homes on the island. One of Hollywood’s favorite couples, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, own a holiday home in the village of Deia. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Boris Becker and Claudia Schiffer also own homes on Majorca.

Villas and apartments within easy walking distance of the Mediterranean could rise more in value than other Majorca locations once the downturn is over - for several years there has been a ban on any type of construction within 25 metres of the coast. Those who already own beachfront property know this means if they decide to sell, they will have the ability to command a very high price. Beachfront homeowners know they’re living in a potential gold mine.

Majorca sees 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the most widely sought-after tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people per year visit Majorca and neighbouring Menorca. Majorca plays host to 23 golf courses and 25 marinas where, on any given day, you can see hundreds of boats and yachts.

Less expensive and more frequent flights open up several doors for businesses such as wedding planners as well. Many couples looking to begin their lives together look for the perfect, picturesque place for their wedding ceremony. The new prices and frequency of flights to the island could quite possibly make many couples’ dreams a reality.

Rich in Spanish culture, Majorca has all the luxuries of a large city with a small town atmosphere. Tourists love the relaxing atmosphere, the salty breezes and the spectacular holiday celebrations. The low cost airlines are making it easier for European tourists to escape their everyday lives more often.

When some confidence comes back into the European economies and property starts selling again, those buying during the downturn could have made a good investment.

More details about property for sale in Majorca can be seen at yourmajorca.net

The site also has details of Mallorca hotels

Travel companies who offer cheap Majorca holiday deals and a Majorca weather forecast are also available.

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