The naked body confounds and amazes most of us. Seen as a source of visual evil by puritans, the human form has inspired artists, writers, and ne'er-do-wells everywhere. Europeans are less likely than Americans to view the human body as evil--at least if the ire of the Super Bowl halftime viewers close to a phone line is any indication.

You'll see nudity at most any beach along the Mediterranean--or at least toplessness. But Christina Valhouli of Forbes pointed you toward the best beaches--and now we'll show you how to get there and get around.

Plage de Tahiti - Tahiti Beach in Saint Tropez, France

Gawk at topless Jet Setters on this French Riviera beach

Saint Tropez is known for its beaches, and there are plenty of options for folks with families who wish to keep their modesty intact. The Côte d'Azur town is packed in summer. Avoid arriving on weekends, especially if you don't have hotel reservations.

Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress started the craze in itty bitty bikinis that shocked even the Europeans in the 50s. By the 60s, the trend toward toplessness became a steamroller, and now just about any beach along the Riviera is topless tolerant.

Plage de Tahiti is noted for its clothing-optional policy and risqué atmosphere, its name a tip of the hat to laid back (French) Polynesian culture. Go in Summer to see celebrity tanners.

Want to bank in the nude? Eat naked? Well, according to Kelby Carr, Cap d'Adge is the French naked city for you.

Paradise Beach - Mykonos Greece

Party Hardy in Paradise

Mykonos is the most popular island destination in Greece. In the summer it's crowded and a bit expensive. You reach it by plane or ferry from Athens (Pireaus). Mykonos is also the name of the port city, where you'll want to stay if you're a partying beach-goer.

Paradise Beach can be reached from Mykonos town by bus, taxi, water taxi, or rented car or moto. Buses run every half hour until 4:30 in the morning, water taxis every hour.

Tripadvisor readers rate Paradise Beach a solid 5 out of 5, one observant and math-savvy reader pointing out that it's "50% topless and 30% nude. All ages...teen to 70." This isn't your star gazing, relaxing bit of sandy shore, especially after 4pm when the beer and music turn Paradise Beach into the ultimate party beach. There are two bars at the beach, the Sunrise Bar and the Tropicana.Once a month in the summer they hold a full moon party at Paradise beach, so check your moon calendar if you like to party.


Playa d’en Bossa - Ibiza, Spain

Where beautiful people go to watch or be watched

Nudism is part of your rights in Spain, according to this document (PDF) put out by the Spanish Naturist Federation.

Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands. Spanish company Trasmediterranea has a regular ferry service between Ibiza and the ports of Barcelona, Palma de Majorca and Valencia. Ibiza has a long history -it was founded by the Carthaginians in 654 bce. Its walls were built in the 16th century.

Playa d'en Bossa (Platja d’en Bossa) is the longest beach on Ibiza, a place know for hedonism and beaches, 3 km outside of the capital. Its popularity has caused it growing pains recently, but that means there's plenty of bars and cafes on the beach, which is very popular with partygoers heading over to the Bora Bora beach bar as well as families.

By James Martin

Canadian based OUT Adventures today announced the global launch of operations and website www.out-adventures.com. Business and personal partners Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin have created eco-friendly OUT Adventures in order to address a current gap in the gay and lesbian travel segment that limits adventure travel to a handful of luxury operators.

"As avid gay travelers, Steven and I felt we could leverage our knowledge of the LGBT market and also the mainstream travel industry in order to provide a much more affordable, culturally enriching experience to gay men, lesbians, their friends and families," says Robert.

Larkin adds "Gays and lesbians are looking for their next big travel experience, but amidst economic uncertainty they also don't want to break the bank. We now offer this traveller a truly engaging, comfortable (average 3-3.5 star) experience that leaves them with plenty of spending money."


OUT Adventures will operate closed groups with a maximum of 12 passengers and has over 80 global departures planned in its first year. Trips are tailored to meet the needs of gay and lesbian travellers and begin at $875 CAD for an 8 day trip to Peru including a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. All trips will have a strong focus on responsible travel by using locally owned hotels, restaurants and also interaction with local communities, both LGBT and mainstream.

The company is also leading this niche market by operating in a manner that contributes to the well being of the planet - from using green power in the OUT Adventures head office to including carbon emission off-setting in the cost of approximately 15% of its trips in its first year and in all trips by 2010.

In order to provide the best itineraries at the most affordable prices, OUT Adventures has partnered with one of the world's leading adventure tour operators, Intrepid Travel which will allow OUT to contract with a global network of destination management companies under the Intrepid brand.

Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, In Style , Independent and also Family trips for same sex couples with children over the age of 6. Trips are available directly through the OUT Adventures website at www.out-adventures.com and travel agents worldwide.


About OUT Adventures Inc.: Toronto, Canada based OUT Adventures was founded by partners Steven Larkin and Robert Sharp and provides affordable and eco-friendly small group adventures to the LGBT community with over 35 worldwide destinations. OUT Adventures is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.

Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd.: 
With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

Posted by Chuck Thurman

Travelbag_2 Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI) the San Francisco–based LGBT market research and communications firm, completed its 13th annual LGBT Tourism Study on October 23rd, and is releasing the survey’s key findings. CMI has been studying and reporting on LGBT tourism demographics and trends since 1994. This year, the study’s industry, media and educational partners include IGLTA, USTOA, ASTA, DMAI, CLIA, NTA, Travel Weekly, and the University of Nevada. Over 4,000 geographically representative LGBT American consumers were surveyed about their travel patterns.

The CMI Study explored a variety of timely topics, including research and booking preferences, rating the marketing campaigns of destinations, airlines and hotels, and more. Participants were also asked how the softening economy influenced their travel frequency over the past year, preferred terminology in tourism marketing, and travel to Pride and other community events. Couples were asked if and where they plan to marry.

The Economy: The economy has slowed the growth of LGBT travel this past year. "A sequence of annual studies has shown travel growth year over year" reported David Paisley, Senior Research Analyst of Community Marketing, Inc. "This past year, however, we have seen stagnation in most travel segments." That said, CMI has observed that the gay and lesbian community has been traditionally less impacted by economic fluctuations—compared to their mainstream counterparts—and tend to bounce back faster. "Looking further into the numbers we found that about a third of the survey participants decreased their travel over the past 12 months," added Paisley. "But a third traveled similarly to last year, and about a third increased their travel, taking advantage of the many travel bargains in the market."

Travelnyc Top Destinations: "New York City maintained its enviable position as the #1 destination in the U.S. among LGBT American travelers," Paisley said. "New York has just about everything that gay and lesbian travelers look for in an urban destination: Theatre, cuisine, shopping, night life, and some of the world’s best museums." New York has maintained the #1 position for many years.

TravelggSan Francisco placed #3 for leisure travel and #5 for business travel, but its high rankings in both categories allowed the city to be the #2 overall most-visited destination. Chicago ranked as the #1 business travel destination. Las Vegas ranked as the #2 leisure destination. Other cities ranking in the top ten of either leisure or business travel include: Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Washington DC, San Diego, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Boston.

"CMI doesn’t chart rankings by popular opinion or a 'gay-friendly' reputation," said Paisley. "Our study focuses on the bottom line: A destination's market position is based on overnight visits by LGBT consumers in the past 12 months. CMI has also identified clear differences in destination choice between men and women and among age groups. For example, a city that is popular among Baby Boomer gay men may not rank the same for Generation X lesbians.

Travelbigben "Great Britain is the world’s #1 destination outside of North America." Paisley said, "The remarkable rise of Britain, and especially London as the international gay capital, over the past five years is a validation of their tourism offices' consistent outreach to our community. Britain bypassed the Netherlands (#1 in the ’90s and now #6) several years ago, and just kept going.”


Top Canadian destinations include Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, with Vancouver being the top leisure destination, Toronto being the top business destination, and their combined scores being almost tied. Montreal also ranked very strong. Canada, with its freedom to marry, gay-welcoming cities, and the return of a favorable exchange rate, is increasingly loved and admired among LGBT American consumers,” said Paisley.




TravelcarribeanMexico/Caribbean destination leaders include Puerto Vallarta, #1 and in the lead among three other Mexican destinations in the top ten; Argentina is the leading South American destination; China is the top destination in the Asia/Pacific region, followed by Japan and Australia; and South Africa is the community's primary destination on the continent.


Marriage Plans: CMI’s LGBT Consumer Index® study asked couples about plans to marry in the coming year. Of the 7,634 LGBT Americans indicating they are in a relationship but not yet in a government-recognized union, 12% indicated plans to marry in California, 5% plan to marry in Massachusetts, and 3% will marry in Canada. About 7% will "register in another country or state," either as a marriage where legal, or as a domestic partner or civil union. Connecticut, because it only recently legalized same-sex marriage, was not included on the list. "Assuming that Proposition 8 does not pass, California is poised to see significant business in same-sex wedding tourism over the next year," Paisley said.

Posted by Chuck Thurman

Jet lag is an awkward side effect of jet travel when you cross too many time zones for your body's liking. Face it, most of us have enough problems when we shift just an hour to daylight savings. Follow these tips on avoiding jet lag to help reduce the effects.

Not all these tips are relevant for every trip, especially if you're traveling on business at short notice, but at least some of them should be useful for you.



1. Adjust your sleep time

Start helping your body clock to adjust to the new time zone by changing the times that you go to sleep at night and awaken in the morning. You'll start to become accustomed to the new times. Make the adjustment about an hour each night.

2. Set your watch

As soon as you board your flight, set your watch to the new time. We look at our watches an amazingly high amount of times, so adjusting the time as soon as possible will help your mind realize that it's changing clocks.

3. Drink water. Lots of it

Sure, you can ask the stewardess for water but they have hundreds of other passengers to look after as well. Buy a bottle of water once you've passed through airport control and drink plenty of water during your flight.

4. Say no to coffee and alcohol

They both act as dehydrators. So they'll help to dry up your body even more than the flight already does. Soft drinks or water are to be preferred.

5. Get some rest on the flight

Depending on how enthusiastic the cabin staff are, this may be easier said than done. And if that child behind you rocks your seat once more, then that's another story. If you get the option, a window seat or one in the center of a block of seats will minimize the number of people who need to ask you to move out of their way. Noise canceling headphones aren't standard issue on many flights, so if you are a regular traveler then treat yourself to a set. They really do cut down the disturbance of engine noise.

6. Go walkabout occasionally

OK, this is at odds with getting rest. But sitting down for hours on end isn't a good idea either. Walk up and down the aisles a few times. Not so much that you're pacing them but certainly go for this exercise a few times on a long flight. Just be certain not to time your expedition for meal or drinks or duty free services.

7. Adjust to your new time zone on the plane

If it's daytime at your destination, stay awake. If it's night where you are going, get some sleep. You can catch up on the in flight entertainment when you've got a bigger screen and better sound. Start adjusting as soon as you can.

8. Keep adjusting at your destination

Even if you've been on a plane for hours and hours. The sooner you start adjusting, the better. So if you arrive in the dead of night, get to sleep. A dose of melatonin may help here - it's a natural sleeping aid that's already produced by your body.

by: Trevor Johnson

Where to cast off without a care

Nude, naturist, clothing optional, "free" or "FKK" (from the German Freikörperkultur) beaches offer not just the chance to get an all-over tan but to enjoy basking in the sun in the most natural state.

There are some do's and don'ts to casting off. Gawking, photography/filming and lewd behaviour are not tolerated and you may be asked to leave the beach. Many nude beaches are divided into different areas - family, singles and couples, gay. Find out where you belong before you settle down. Finally, don't forget your sun block.


Playa El Mago, Majorca Close to Magaluf, Playa El Mago is Majorca's first official nude beach. A small crystal-clear bay with golden sands and rocky outcrops, it is surrounded by shady pine trees. There is an open air bar too. Playa El Mago is close to the family-friendly beaches of Portals Vells.


Sweetwater, Crete, Greece Also known as Gliko Nero, this beautiful stretch gets its name from the springs of water that bubble under the stones at the back of the beach. It's a laid-back pebble-strewn beach with a hippieish vibe about 25km (40 miles) from Chania. Getting there is a bit of a trek - it's accessible only by boat or foot from Loutro village. A towering cliff adds to the dramatic setting and reflects the sun back onto the beach making this a veritable sun trap. There is a taverna at the western end of the beach where boats from Loutro and Chora Sfakia dock.


Banana Beach, Skiathos, Greece Another Grecian gem - three nude beaches at the southwestern tip of Skiathos Island. Thirty minutes from Skiathos town, it is a beautiful crescent-shaped, golden-sanded spot lapped by the clear waters of the Aegean Sea. The beach is shaded at the back, a small taverna sells light snacks and there are umbrellas and loungers for hire. From the beach there are views of the Pelion and dolphins can often be seen frolicking in the waters. The fish milling around in the shallow waters will take bread straight from your hand.

Sylt, Germany The island of Sylt, one of the Frisian Islands in the North Sea, is known as Germany's St Tropez. Smart Germans flock here in July and August to top up their all-over tans, see and be seen. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. It's a charming place with thatched-roof houses, red-and-white striped lighthouses, and, on the beaches, Strandkoerbe (distinctive shell-shaped sun loungers). The west coast of the island is given over to wide white-sand beaches. Buhne 16 is the most tolerant nude beach.


Valalta, Croatia On the Istrian peninsula, 8km (5 miles) from the city of Rovinj, Valalta has 3km (2 miles) of Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. There is a naturist settlement nearby with a sea-water swimming pool and olive-tree and vine lined green spaces.


Haulover Beach, Miami Only the north side of Haulover Beach is clothing optional, but this is where up to 85 per cent of the beach goers congregate. Located between the cities of Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, the beach is not exactly wilderness. There are barbecue grills, food and drink stands and showers. For a break from sunbathing there are volleyball games and surfing contests.


Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada Take the steep sylvan trail down to Vancouver's only clothing optional beach. Located between Locarno Beach and the endowment lands of the University of British Columbia, Wreck Beach is almost 8km (5 miles) of pristine wilderness in the city. A volunteer organisation ensures it stays that way. Beach goers are a mix of university students, families and committed bare bathers. Beach vendors sell everything from sun block to buffalo burgers.


Montalivet, France There are two nude beaches at Montalivet on the Atlantic Coast of France, to the north and south of the main town. The northern beach is beside the Euronat resort while the southern beach is adjacent to the CHM Montalivet resort, the birthplace of the international naturist movement.


Samurai Beach, Australia At Port Stephens in New South Wales, Samurai Beach is 1km long. Situated by Tomaree National Park, the beach is protected by dense greenery and sand dunes and marked by rocky outcrops at either end. Dolphins swim off the coast in the sparkling blue waters. There are no snack bars or toilets; this is a slice of natural Australia.
Cheapflight.co.uk

With the rash of reports from travelers around the world getting stung by bedbugs and bringing them home it is no wonder people are in fear every time they leave home. Whether you are hiking in a remote area staying in a flophouse or traveling first class staying at a five star resort you are in danger of an attack of these blood thirsty vermin. Here are a few things you can do to dramatically reduce your chance of bed bug bites though.

• First, never put your bags or clothes on the bed. This common mistake is a virtual invitation for the bugs to hitch a ride home with you. Never leave your clothes or bags on the hotel floor.

• Look behind the headboard and pull the bed out a foot or so look all around the bed for black specks. These creatures are very small if you see anything suspicious call the front desk. Leave the bed out from the wall during your stay. Bed bugs can not fly so if they have been coming from the nightstand they will have to get to you some other way.

• Take a roll of clear packing tape with you while you travel. Wrap the legs of the bed sticky side out to trap the bed bugs trying to get to you. I know this seems extreme but you would rather feel weird than get stung.

• Pull all of the bedding off the sides of the bed and look under the seams of the mattress. You are looking for something that looks like dirt smudges. This is the trail of blood and feces left by the bed bugs. If you find this leave the hotel once you find an infestation you should leave as fast as possible.

• If you are an avid traveler I suggest taking two new king-size sheets and sewing them together on the bottom and sides. Use this at night like a big sleeping bag. Make sure and inspect and fold in the morning. Place this in a garbage bag and seal it while returning home. Unpack this before anything else and wash with the hottest water you have before using again.

• Before leaving the hotel carefully inspect you luggage. Look under all the seams, the bugs you are looking for are sometimes small as a pinhead. Any discoloration, red marks, or stains are tell-tale signs of bed bugs.

• Upon arriving home do not unpack your luggage in your bedroom. Unpack your luggage in your garage. Immediately wash your clothes in the hottest setting your fabrics will stand. Bag up any dry cleaning and take it there ASAP. Leave your luggage in the garage or place a bag around the luggage before returning to your room.

I know this seems like overkill but if you ever get bedbugs you will gladly apply these helpful tips the next time you travel, trust me..


In my next article I will explain how to handle finding bed bugs after you have stayed at a hotel. Even if you find them you do not have to bring them home.


by: Timothy Russell

Reasons to fly to New Zealand

After almost 20,000km, the moment when travellers, on their flights to New Zealand, see those two islands appear on the seat-back map, invites a gasp.
New Zealand’s two islands are breathtaking, sometimes appearing unreal. Towering mountains, simmering volcanoes, sweeping sandy beaches, majestic fjords (in aptly named Fiordland), glacial lakes and lush rainforests... it’s no wonder that when the makers of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia wanted to portray fairytale lands, they went on location to New Zealand.
More than a third of New Zealand’s land area is within a park or reserve. There are about 15,000 kilometres of coastline and more than 25 marine reserves.
A country the same size as the UK, it has a population of only four million. Its cities - Auckland and Wellington in the north and Christchurch and Dunedin in the south - are bright and bustling, but not crowded.
New Zealand has a tolerant and multi-cultural society. The indigenous Maori people have a fascinating culture, which has informed many parts of New Zealand life. With their non-Maori neighbours, New Zealanders are a friendly, laidback lot, outdoorsy with a famous Kiwi ruggedness.


New Zealand Climate

The weather in New Zealand is changeable throughout the year. The North Island has mild winters and warm and humid summers, the South Island has lower temperatures with cold winters and extensive snowfields and glaciers. Snow falls on all the mountains in winter. The west coast receives the most rain. Summer months are from November to April.


When to Fly to New Zealand

Peak Season:
December, January and February. These are New Zealand’s summer months. Average temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Off Season:
Flights to New Zealand are cheaper during July and August. Average winter temperatures are 10-15 degrees Celsius.
Shoulder Season:
March through May. This is autumn. Temperatures are slightly cooler than summer, but the weather can still be excellent and this is the time of year for beautiful autumn foliage in Central Otago and Hawke's Bay in particular. The spring months (September to November) can be excellent times to visit too.



Getting Around New Zealand

Air New Zealand offers domestic New Zealand flights. On the North Island, Air Chathams provides scheduled air services while Air National and Skylink provide charter flights. On the South Island Stewart Island Flights, Air Canterbury and Air Milford operate.
The country has a good public transport system (bus and coach) connecting cities to popular tourist destinations. Apart from renting a car to get around – remember to drive on the left – some travellers rent motor homes to drive and sleep.
Tranz Scenic runs two railways on the South Island. The TranzCoastal operates between Picton and Christchurch; and the TranzAlpine links Christchurch and Greymouth.
Interislander ferries run many times a day between Wellington and Picton.


New Zealand Insider Information

• Kapiti Island, north of Wellington on the North Island, is home to a nature reserve that protects some of the rarest birds in the world. These include Robin, Saddleback, Stitchbird, Kaka, Kakariki, Weka, Kereru, Bellbirds and the extremely rare flightless Takahe. The nocturnal Kiwi, the emblem of New Zealand, also lives here.
• Rotorua in central North Island, is a geothermal area. There are several geysers including the spectacular 20-metre Pohutu geyser at Whakarewarewa (the thermal village) and hot mud pools. It is also the heartland of Maori culture. There are 16 lakes around Rotorua, 11 are fishable and stock trout (rainbow, brown, brook and tiger).Major fishing lakes are Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoma.
• Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle and Dunedin’s (South Island) top visitor attraction. The castle was built in 1871 by William Larnach for his first wife. It is owned by the Barker family, but it is open for tours and celebrations. The views over the Otago Peninsula are breathtaking. Dunedin is also home to the Cadbury Factory, which features a unique chocolate fall in a five-storey high silo.
• Queenstown is the birthplace of commercial bungee-jumping. The city lies on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and is surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range, the youngest ski area in the region. The Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival takes place in late June and July.
• The Lord of the Ringstrail: Mount Aspiring National Park, named for one of New Zealand’s highest peaks, is part of Te Wahipounamu, the South West New Zealand Unesco World Heritage Area. The park, to the south of the Southern Alps, is popular for walking and mountaineering. Many locations around Glenorchy village (Lothlorien, Amon Hen, Orthanc, and Isengard) were used in the films.
• While city-hopping, climb the hills for breathtaking views: Mount Eden and One Tree Hill in Auckland, Mount Victoria in Wellington, the Port Hills in Christchurch and Flagstaff Hill in Dunedin.

cheapflights.co.uk

Currency is one of the most important parts of any trip. We offer some tips on where best to change your money, a foreign currency converter and other tips to help your well earned dollar travel that bit further.

Currency is one of the most important parts of any trip. We offer some tips on where best to change your money, a foreign currency converter and other tips to help your well earned dollar travel that bit further.
ATM Machines and Currency Exchange - Tips on using your ATM card when travelling overseas. If well researched your ATM card can offer you the best exchange rates and solve the problem of carrying large wads of money around.
** Currency Converter - We have linked up with Oanda to offer you a multi currency converter that allows you to calculate the exchange rate of most of the world's currencies. Please note that the link will open in a new window.
Credit Cards - Another way to avoid carrying lost of cash is to use your credit card. Not all cards are equal though, and we look at some things you should be aware of when travelling.
ATM Card Tips and Credit Card Tips - While using your credit cards and ATM cards is generally a good idea, there is risk attached. We look at some of the things you should be aware of when using your cards.
Travellers Cheques - While we recommend using your ATM or credit cards when travelling, travellers cheques can help you avoid certain potential problems associated with using your cards, but that extra piece of mind comes at a cost.
Pictures of the Euro - Many of us are accustomed to Europe's old currencies, the franc, lira etc but with the Euro now being used in almost every European country it helps to get acquainted with how this new currency looks.
VAT Refunds for Travellers in Thailand - Guide to claiming back VAT on purchases made in Thailand.

Asiantraveltips.com

Reasons to fly to United Kingdom

The Union Jack, the Queen and lively pubs are among some of the quintessential images that portray the UK. But beyond these clichés is a country with great history and some of the most wonderfully diverse landscapes on the planet. Made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland travellers thinking of booking a flight to the UK could find it hard to choose just one place to visit. The obvious choice might be England and its thriving capital London or the seaside town of Brighton and the picturesque villages of Cornwall. Those in search of a little more adventure or an active holiday should head to Wales where its mountainous terrain and hiking trails will keep even the most jaded adventurer agape.
The cities of Scotland, particularly Edinburgh and Glasgow, are always popular with travellers booking flights to the UK. But venture further north to Perthshire and the Grampian hills of Angus to get a taste of the rich Scottish countryside. The counties of Northern Ireland offer visitors travelling to the UK a range of activities including fishing, and rock climbing in Down or strolling through acres of apple orchards in Armagh.


United Kingdom Climate
The UK has a temperate climate. The weather is generally mild, but it varies according to region. The west (Wales) gets more rain than the east (rain that hasn't fallen on Ireland); Scotland and the north of England get the snow in wintertime; and the south east enjoys the lion’s share of the sun and mild, dry weather. The weather is changeable. Carry an umbrella.

When to Fly to United Kingdom
Peak Season:
The UK is a year-round destination and flights to the UK are always packed with travellers eager to explore the country's main attractions. Peak summer months are busiest, especially in London, and the major tourist centres. Summer (June to August) temperatures range between 14 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Shoulder Season:
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) can be great times to visit. The tourist season is just gearing up (or gearing down) and the weather can be sunny and warm. May and September, in particular, can enjoy very good weather.
Off Season:
Winter months (December to early March) can be cold (average temperatures about one-two degrees Celsius), but in general, the further north you go, the colder the weather. This is the time to visit for winter sports. Scotland has five main areas for winter sports: Nevis Range, Glencoe, Glenshee, Cairngorm and the Lecht.



Getting Around United Kingdom

Several airlines connect cities around the UK including BA, easyJet, bmi, bmibaby and Flybe. Air Southwest operates services to the south west of England. ScotAirways connects Scottish cities and Eastern Airways links the east of the UK with Scotland.
Train service is decent, if expensive. In London, the underground rail is punctual and comprehensive. Buy an Oyster card at any Tube station to get around more cheaply. Buying a ticket at the station is much more expensive than using the card - £1.50 for a zone 1 ticket as opposed to £4 at the station. There are trams in several cities including Manchester and Sheffield. Croydon has a Tramlink and Blackpool, the resort town in Lancashire, has the UK’s only remaining “traditional” tramway.
The National Express bus service is an economical way to get around the UK and it offers a very good service. London buses are fast and regular, linking up the capital day and night. There are good bus services in other cities around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Postbus is a nationwide service of more than 200 routes, mostly in remote areas.
Car hire is easy. All the major companies are represented at airports and in cities around the UK.

United Kingdom Insider Information
• The UK has a proud theatre tradition. London’s West End is the largest theatre district in the world. The reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe on London's Bankside has exhibits, educational programmes, and, of course, an annual season that runs from May to October. In Shakespeare’s Day, the cheap areas of the theatre were filled by “groundlings”, theatre-goers who had paid one penny to watch the performance. These tickets now cost £5. Outside London, the Minack Theatre, an open-air theatre in Cornwall is celebrating its 75th anniversary season with a performance of The Tempest, the play for which the theatre was created.
• Follow the Ridgeway National Trail from Avebury, a stone circle about 5,000 years older than Stonehenge. Unlike Stonehenge, you can wander among the stones. Close to Avebury are the white horses – five large white horses - cut into the chalk downs. The Cerne Giant, in Dorset, is another giant chalk figure. Beside the sea in Cornwall is Tintagel Castle, said to be King Arthur’s birthplace.
• Get a glimpse of the Royal Family (maybe) by visiting Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, two of the Queen’s official residences. You may spy them at Balmoral in Scotland during the summer months, going to service at Crathie Parish Church on Sunday morning or at the Highland Games in Braemar every September.
• London is an expensive city, but culture vultures can enjoy museums and galleries free of charge. These include the National Gallery, Royal Academy, Tate Britain and Tate Modern, the Imperial War Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Outside London there are The National Football Museum in Preston; The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead and the national museums of Scotland and Wales to name just a few.
• Among the top seaside resorts are Whitby, Yorkshire; Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk; Frinton-on-Sea, Essex; Swanage, Dorset; and Sidmouth, Devon.


cheapflights.co.uk

Rwanda, the land of one thousand hills and 'hundreds attractions' is an extraordinary place where serene scenery and placid people greet you at every juncture. Rwanda is safe and secure with an overwhelming renaissance of Rwandese national pride and cultural reconstruction. It is full of sights and delights, waiting to be explored. If Rwanda is on your travel list there is no better time to runaway to Rwanda...visit today you would want to stay!

The country is well known mostly because of its horrible recent history and you might think that Rwanda should therefore be more the scope for No governmental organization than for travelers. Nowadays, nothing is less true. Rwanda has wonderful people, breathtaking beautiful lakes, challenging mountains, stunning scenery, perfect climate, rare species of apes, excellent roads, express buses, good and cheap food and beer, various accommodation options, fast internet, only few tourists outside the gorilla-homes, you will found it all in Rwanda, a safe and yet to be discovered backpackers haven!

Because of its small size, Rwanda attractions are near each other and can be reached quite easily and safely.


1. KIGALI CITY: A NICE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE AN AFRICAN CAPITAL

Kigali is an interesting mix of rural and urban town overflowing on juxtaposed hilly terrain. New construction is everywhere and large mansions stand side by side with mud brick huts and lean roads. It has a peaceful feel and the center is located upon the hilltop expanse. It feels safe and getting around is easy on foot or minibuses...many and new. For a bit more taxis can whiz you anywhere without breaking the bank. Kigali is a nice place to experience an African capital.

2. KGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIALS CENTER IN GISOZI

During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, over a million people were murdered. Some 250,000 perished on the streets and in the houses, churches and hospitals of Kigali alone. The Kigali Genocide memorial center contains ten mass graves- a site of burial for almost victims, who were killed in the Kigali region. After the genocide, as mass graves were being discovered around the city. It was decided that a single monument/ burial place should be created, where the victims could be laid to rest with dignity, this is now their final resting place. The memorial houses a children’s section, a particularly powerful experience to read about the children- how they lived, and how they died. Amongst other things, it traces how things came to being so bad, how the ideology of genocide emerged, how the tragedy could have been averted, and how the world ignored the signs and warnings repeatedly. Some of the survivors of the genocide have been trained as guides at the center. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Entrance is free but at the door there is a box for donation. The place is really heart breaking!

4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS TREKKING

A Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the pinnacle of all the wildlife experiences available in Africa and Rwanda is with no doubt the best place for this. People are limited to spend only one hour with the Gorillas and expect to hike for two to four hours to see them. These incredible primates are divided into four groups that have been habituated over the decades; it’s a thing not to miss in Rwanda. Don't miss spending an hour with these magical creatures. It does require planning in advance, and contacting the National Park or a local tour operator to check what the latest system they have implemented with regards to how you get a permit - but it is all worthwhile. Also, don't be put off by the price - a high price is needed to ensure that protecting the gorillas is economically sustainable for the local area.

5. MOUNTAINS CLIMBING

The National park office offers guided climbs to the top of 2 volcano among the 5 of the Virunga chain, Visoke (3711m) and Karisimbi (4705m -the tallest).

The climbs to the summits are not technical and can be done by fit hikers. The scenery is great! However, the trek to Karisimbi's summit is an overnight trek and should be prepared properly.

6. NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

This national park is a preserved part of rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind's closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colombus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. Please come with your car or book a tour with a local tour operator otherwise it is very hard to reach the place and get away. You can camp there and pitch a tent but you have to consider bringing all food and water with you as facilities are limited. The entry fee has recently been increased so check up the actual fares.

7. AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera is the best national park of Rwanda - very helpful park-ranger help to find you all animals in park - mainly, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, baboons, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles.

8. RUSUMO FALLS

Rusumo is a Marvelous and spectacular falls of the Akagera River, a part of the most distant headwaters of the river Nile. The falls is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda at the border with Tanzania.
If you happen to cross the border with Tanzania at Rusumo don't forget to see the Rusumo falls.

9. THE BEAUTIFULLY LAKE KIVU

The beautifully Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas which have not been exploited. Lake Kivu is a tourist center, safe to swim (but just ask locally to be completely sure). There are nice beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning. There are some excellent places to stay on the Lakeside such as Kibuye and -especially-Gisenyi near the DR Congo border.

10. BUTARE CITY IN HUYE

The most popular tourist attraction in Butare is the superb National Museum, which houses perhaps the finest ethnographic collection in East Africa. The rooms are spacious, without the excessive clutter of distracting memorabilia. This makes the well-labeled exhibits easy to appreciate and enjoy. Absorbing displays of traditional artefacts are illuminated by a fascinating selection of turn-of-the-century monochrome photographs, providing insight not only into pre-colonial lifestyles, but also into the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern African state. Here the Intore dancers can be commissioned to perform, but this is not a good deal for a single traveler. If a group is present the price would definitely be worthwhile as shows are few and far between.



by: Ken Ndayis

If you travel a lot or you haven't traveled before, you may still be familiar with the term "flying standby". Flying standby is a term the airline industry uses when a traveler wants to fly on a flight with an open seat. Travelers that usually purchase a ticket the day of will usually have to fly standby if there a limit number of tickets available.

If you find yourself flying standby in the future, there are a few tips you can follow in order to make the trip at the airport a lot easier.

Don't check your luggage

If you're flying standby, don't check in your luggage. A lot of the times an airline will look for people that have carry on only. If you have checked in luggage, it's just going to be a bigger hassle for the airliner to find your luggage and throw it on the plane. If you just bring carry on luggage, you're going to increase your chances of getting on the flight.


Early flights work

If you can get to the airport early, you'll find that earlier flights are usually easier to get on since many people technically don't travel early in the morning. If you find yourself traveling in the afternoon, this is peak traveling time and you may find that the flights are going to busier compared to the mornings.

Try calling the airline's customer service department

Before you make the trip to the airport, check with the airline before hand and see if there are flights available that you can possibly standby for. Most of the times, the airline will be friendly and give you some flights that you can possibly fly standby on. If you do find that airline you call doesn't have a standby flight available, try and call other airlines to see if they have possible solutions.

Stay at the gate

It's important that you stay near the gate when you're on the standby list. If you tend to walk away during the time when the flight is about to be boarded, you may find that the employee tried to call your name. Sometimes, you're not the only one on the list. This is why it's important that you stay nearby so that if your name is called, you can be there to get on the flight as soon as possible.


You may find that most of these tips will help you in your standby success. If you find that the situation is too stressful, always remember that it's best to be patient. When flights generally board, you will find that most employees are pretty stressful during this time. Always remember to treat others as you want to be treated. Trust me, the employees will keep note of this and will treat you a little nicer than the other customer is furious with the staff. If you keep your head on your shoulders and have a lot of patience, flying standby should be a piece of pie.

by: Tom Tessin

Reasons to fly to USA



The USA stretches across the middle of North America - 48 states on the mainland, Hawaii to the southwest and Alaska jutting out into the Pacific, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. US territories include American Samoa, Guam, Marianas, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Breathtaking natural wonders are matched by the manmade cities of towering steel and sparkling glass that seem to move at a hundred miles an hour.
The country is diverse and given its popularity as a tourist destination, there is no shortage of cheap flights to the USA. New England is steeped in history and beautiful scenery (think the autumn colours in Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Vermont) while the Mid-Atlantic contains the metropolis of New York City as well as rolling mountains and traditional seaside resorts in New Jersey and Delaware.
The South (including the states of Louisiana and Mississippi) is lush and green with a feed-stomach-and-soul approach to life.
Florida is famous for its beaches and theme parks such as Disney World and, in Orlando, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Another tourist favourite, California offers a rugged northern coastline, snowy Sierra Nevada mountains, Napa Valley vineyards and the megalopolis of Los Angeles / San Diego, all with a relaxed West-Coast vibe.


USA Climate

The climate varies throughout the US depending on the time of year. Generally, the US has four seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall - but some regions of the country don't experience the changing seasons as intensely as other regions.The West Coast has pleasant sunny weather year-round while the Pacific Northwest Coast (Washington, Oregon) experiences cool summers and mild winters. The midwest region experiences intense summers and winters and due to the state's location in the middle of the country, tornadoes and thunderstorms are frequent. The East Coast experiences fluctuating seasons. Florida has the warmest winters on the eastern seaboard. Before you book US flights to specific states, make sure to check the weather in that area. Cheap US flights are always found during off-season travel times in various states.

When to Fly to USA

Peak Season:
There is not really a bad time to visit the US, but New York is nicest in the spring and autumn. May and June have the most comfortable hot weather. For visiting Los Angeles, August and September are the hottest months.
San Francisco is an all-year-round type of place with warm temperatures. Las Vegas is best experienced during spring and autumn. Orlando is a family favourite. Its best months are July and August coincide with school holidays (and higher-priced Orlando flights), although temperatures can climb to 37 degrees Celsius.



Getting Around USA

The car is king in America, but there are dozens of low-cost airlines including Southwest, the granddaddy of all the no-frillers, JetBlue, AirTran and Spirit Airlines to name just a few.
Rent a car and take to the open road, Route 66, and all that. The major car rental outfits all have a presence at most US airports including Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty, AAA Rent-A-Car and Payless. Your arrival airport will generally have this information.
By bus: GotoBus.com sells line run bus tickets and tours throughout the States. Travellers can search by destination and compare all the options for a given route from one screen. The site sells tickets for more than 100 bus companies ranging from low-fare to luxury.
By rail: AmTrak covers the States and Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal in Canada. See where you can ride the rails, and check for weekly specials.


USA Insider Information
•New York is a Mecca for shoppers. To make the most of your time there, book a tour of one of the shopping districts. Shop Gotham runs two-hour walking tours from about $25 (about £14), which have been described as like having a knowledgeable (and shopaholic) friend to tell you the latest retail gossip and coolest places to shop.
• There's no need to feel lost in Los Angeles. Purple People Greeters answer questions, provide directions, make referrals or even call the police if things go awry. They're easy to spot. The Greeters travel in pairs, wear purple teeshirts with “District Safety” or “Downtown Guide”, and can be visited at their Service Center at 801 S Hill St.
• Feed your inner vulture some culture. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music presents hundreds of recitals and concerts by students, faculty and guest artists each year. Most of the performances are free.
• Orlando - there's not a giant mouse in sight in Harry P. Leu Gardens, 50 acres of lush vegetation in the middle of the city. There is also a restored farmhouse which harks back to a time when space travel was barely imaginable and citrus, not theme parks, was king. The gardens are open every day, from 9am to 5pm. Adults pay $5, school children pay $1, and Monday mornings are free (excluding tour groups).
• Las Vegas - eat well and save money by starting the day with an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin Resort & Casino, a “killer whale in a sea of buffets”.
• Whatever you do, don't forget to tip. Between 15 and 20 per cent is acceptable. Angry waiters have been known to follow customers onto the street to ask why they did not leave more money.

Cheapflight.co.uk

Remember those halcyon days when all you needed for the best six week holiday of your life was a couple of quid for can of coke and all the Space Invaders you could eat? Me too. But I’ve got some news for you people. Space Invaders aren’t 10p anymore and grown up holidays are far more expensive then school holidays. So how do you make the most of those four weeks off a year without ending up pooling your change for pickled onion ‘potato’ snacks when you get back? Read our guide to holidaying on the cheap, packed full of money saving tips with an absolute minimum of embarrassing scrimping, and find out.

Don’t trust anyone about travel insurance

Never, ever tick those boxes that say ‘add cheap travel insurance’ when you book a flight, train ticket or hotel. It is highly unlikely that this option will be the best for you in terms of either price or cover. These boxes generally offer extremely limited cover at bumped up prices, and take advantage of the fact that £3.95 each way doesn’t sound unreasonable for ‘complete piece of mind’.


Remember that many of the so-called benefits of these polices will already be covered through your statutory rights, especially if you take the added precaution of booking with a credit card. If you are holidaying in the EU then an E111 form will also give you free basic medical cover. If you are going to book travel insurance then use an online comparison site, get lots of different quotes, and make sure that the policy actually offers you a useful and realistic level of cover.

Don’t raid the mini bar

We all know that Kit-Kats taste better when you’ve just paid £2 for them, but there is no need to for such extravagance when there is a Spar on the corner of every street in the world. Stock up on drinks and snacks before you get to your hotel room, and if you must nick stuff from the bar then choose the easily replaceable stuff and buy new ones to pop back in the next morning.

Monday is free day

Many countries offer free admission to museums, galleries and exhibitions on Mondays so make sure that you take advantage. If you fancy a cultural weekend away then you may be better off taking-off on the Sunday to ensure you can enjoy this cultural bonanza gratis.

Lunch is cheaper than dinner

Restaurants are harder to fill in the day than in the evening, so it is inevitably cheaper to lunch than to dine. This is especially true if you plan to eat in the posher parts of town, and is a great way to save money while living like a king.

Sack off the transfer

There are two problems with airport transfers. Firstly, you are invariably met by a fat, ridiculously moustached man holding a small piece of cardboard with Smith spelt phonetically. Not cool. And secondly, these things cost a fortune. You may be knackered after a long flight, and we all know how awkward it is lugging three suitcases onto a busy city bus. But no one should be paying the cost of the flight again just to get to their hotel.

by: Robert Wood

Lush and languid, Bali beguiles with its beach-side charms.

Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Recent tragic events have scared away many of those who simply saw Bali as a place for cheap beer. While the Bintang is still tasty and plentiful, Bali's temples, ceremonies, beaches, mountains and passion for life are undiminished and more easily enjoyed than ever.

Travel Warning: Check Before You Leave

High level terrorism-related warnings have been issued by Western governments concerning travel in Indonesia, including Bali. Travellers are advised to check with their local embassy or travel advisory for up-to-date information before making travel plans. Terrorist bombings aimed at tourists took place in 2002 and 2005 and although it is normally safe, the island could be a target in the future.


Getting There

Most international visitors arrive by air, either directly or via Jakarta, though island hoppers can catch frequent ferries from the neighbouring islands of Java and Lombok. There are direct flights to Jakarta and Bali from major airline hubs in Asia such as Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. There are direct flights from major Australian cities. The departure tax on international flights is about US$10.00 . Bali is well connected to most of Indonesia and has direct domestic flights to Java, Lombok and outlying islands on a daily basis. Fares have increased considerably in recent years but are still good value. Domestic departure tax is US$2.00 Transport from Ngurah Rai international airport, 2.5km (1.5mi) south of Kuta, is quite simple. Pay a set price at the airport taxi counter, or walk across the airport car park and hail a metered cab outside the airport's roadway exit. The impecunious (and lightly laden) can walk straight up the road to Kuta, although it's a more pleasant stroll along the beach. A ferry shuttles constantly between the western Balinese port of Gilimanuk and Ketapang in eastern Java. Boat/bus combination tickets between Denpasar and Javanese cities can be purchased. Ferries between the eastern Balinese port of Padangbai and Lembar on the west coast of Lombok depart throughout the day. A few ferries link Bali with other Indonesian islands.





Getting Around

The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses and bemos that run on more or less set routes within or between towns. If you want your own transport, you can charter a bemo or rent a car, motorcycle or bicycle. The Balinese drive on the left, use their horns a lot and give way to traffic pulling onto the road. Tourist shuttle buses, running between the major tourist centres, are more expensive than public transport but are also more comfortable and convenient.

LonelyPlanet.com