Author Archive
Choosing The Right Business Hotel – Tips To Consider
November 2, 2011 | 
Author Traveling can be stressful, especially as a business traveler. As a business traveler you want ot make sure that your hotel is equipped with all the necessities you need to make your business trip as stress free and productive as possible.
It is important that you choose the best business hotel that will enhance your experience and cater to your specific needs. You need to be aware of some of the amenities that make a hotel a top business hotel, no matter where you are in the world. There are some basic services you should consider when choosing the best hotel for your business experience.
1. Internet connection – Check that high speed Internet connection is available and where in the hotel is it accessible. Is it free or included in your hotel fee? Is Wi-Fi available in your room? Is it only available in public areas?
2. Conference /Meeting Rooms – The best hotels boast several top-notch conference rooms which are available for their clients’ use. Depending on if you will need a meeting your or not, make sure you book your room ahead of schedule. These rooms are usually furnished with tables and chairs and either wired for Ethernet service or have Wi-Fi access.
3. Location – Location is key and the best hotels are usually located close to or in the major business districts. They are strategically located close to transportation centers, restaurants and entertainment complexes. The business hotel of choice would be fairly close to the airport, many times offering free airport shuttle and within a 20-25 minutes commute and still has the ambiance of a five star hotel.
4. Restaurants – The location of your hotel should be near places that are accessible to eat. You may need to take some clients out for a meal, or simply feed yourself! But, either way, make sure it is conveniently located near restaurants or make sure there are several options inside the hotel that you are staying.
5. Excellent Customer Service – Check -in and check-out should be seamless. Staff should be well trained and efficient as this reduces the stress factor associated with long flights and a packed business schedule. Make sure to look at online reviews to see other peoples experiences with this particular hotel.
6. Business Centre – Make sure the business hotel that you choose has a fully equipped business centers that has PCs, printers and fax machines – you never know if you may need it. If you are going to need secretarial help, check with that specific hotel if such service is available from their business center.
7. Fitness Centre – The top business hotel will have a state-of-the-art gym. This facility can be quite useful as it will help the business person to de-stress and stay fit.
In choosing the right business hotel for your best travel experience, do a little research. Have a clear idea of what you want and what your needs are. The best business hotels will have all of these attributes and more.
Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations for 2012 Weddings
With just 2 days to go until the arrival of May, the 2012 wedding season is about to burst into life as brides and grooms from every corner of the globe head up the aisle to say their “I do’s”.
May and September tend to be the busiest months of the year for weddings in the UK, and if you are one of the lucky ones marrying your sweetheart this year, why not take advantage of the rainy weekend, stay indoors, and book your dream honeymoon holiday to somewhere warm and exotic!
When it comes to the cost of your honeymoon, it seems the sky is the limit. After researching all morning the average spend ranges between £3000 and £7000 for a two week break, and many savvy newlyweds now ask their guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund rather than buying a gift, so that they can splash out on a memorable holiday and enjoy those first weeks as man and wife – a great idea!
So with your perfect partner, honeymoon budget, and your wedding dates all planned, the only thing left to decide where to go! So without further ado, here is our list of Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations for 2012 Weddings…
Mauritius
Mauritius is not just one of our favourite honeymoon destinations; it tops most other lists too! A paradise bathing in the Indian Ocean, it is perhaps the most romantic holiday spot in the world. Sophisticated resorts with endless spa treatments, powder white sandy beaches, warm sunshine, and indulgent dining venues – what more could newlyweds want!
Caribbean
The Caribbean attracts honeymooners from all over the world, and with such an amazing choice of beautiful islands, it is no wonder that it remains such a popular destination. If we were to choose one island for a truly romantic honeymoon, it would have to be Anguilla. Laid back, relaxed, and breathtakingly beautiful, this tiny island has it all.
Santorini, Greece
The Greek Islands are picture-postcard perfect during the summer months, and Santorini with its stunning blue and white buildings, cobbled streets and abundance of wild flowers is a wonderful place to spend a romantic holiday with a loved one.
South Africa
Those looking for something a little bit different should consider South Africa for their honeymoon. Combining a city break, a wine tasting tour and perhaps a safari, is a great way to celebrate your marriage, and you could always add-on a week in neighbouring Mauritius to get the best of both worlds!
Australia
If your honeymoon is going to be your ‘holiday of a lifetime’, why not take the plunge and head down under to Australia! A magnificent country that has something for everyone, Oz is a wonderful place to visit, and there is nothing more romantic that drinking a glass of wine together while watching the sun set over Ayres Rock.
Wherever you decide to go on your honeymoon just remember, “Short honeymoons are better than no honeymoons, but long honeymoons are best of all” – enjoy!
Wendy Kaufmann is the owner of Equatours Limited. A family owned and family run business specialising in unique travel experiences to countries below the equator.
Fully bonded tour operator, our packages are inclusive of all travel arrangements, accommodation, insurance and a personal travel guide is with you every step of the way to make sure your trip with us is a holiday of a lifetime.
Incoming search terms:
- best honeymoon hotel in mauritius
Posted in Travel and Leisure | 
Tags: 2012 Weddings, Honeymoon Destinations, Travel and Leisure | 
No Comments »
Vietnam – The Old Quarter in Hanoi
I was lucky to have traveled to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, until my family decided to travel to another place in southern Vietnam. This 1,000 year old quarter is right at Hanoi’s center and very well-known for its history and charm. The area was formed in the 11th century, when King Ly Thai To decided Hanoi became Vietnam’s capital in 1010 and at that time Hanoi was called Soaring Dragon. Although the Old Quarter is often called “the 36 old streets”, there may have actually been more streets (see my list below). Most of the street names start with the word “Hang”, which means “shop”, and the next word after that would be a name of the specific product for sale in that street. For example, we have Silver Street (a street where silver products were sold), Cotton Street (cotton products) etc.
Nowadays, the land in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the most expensive area in Vietnam. Any front side shops on such major streets like Hang Dao can offer an unbelievable price for every meter square. A lot of old houses which were built in the late 19th century are still preserved until today. Many generations had lived at a very famous old house at number 87 in Ma May street, then the owner decided to donate the house, so that it could be a museum for the city. The house was renovated and opened in October 1999 thanks to the French assistance.
One of the gates into the old citadel, which still remains up to now, is the Black Gate which was built in 1744 and located at the end of Mat Street. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is challenged by several rapid changes of history. There are many travel companies and new hotels as well as restaurants for travelers on some streets of the Old Quarter. Night markets are open at every weekend along Hang Dao to the popular Spring Filed market. It was fun walking down the narrow and winding streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and thinking about how Hanoi was like in the old days.
To end this amazing topic is the meaning of some streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter which was published in the Timeout Guide of Vietnam Investment that I’ve read and taken notes down in a café in the Old Quarter. However some streets have changed their names or products for sale lately:
Bat Dan (wooden bowls), Bat Su (ceramic bowls), Cha Ca (roasted fish), Chan Cam (string instruments), Cho Rice (rice market), Fishing street (fisherman), Shoes (sandals), Silver Street (silversmiths), Hang Ba(rafts), Hang Bo (baskets), Hang Bong (cottons), Sail street (sails), Hang But (brushes), Hang Ca (fish), Hang Can (scales), Glass Street (bottles), Hang Chi (threads), Mat street (mats), Jar street (jars), Leather street (leather), Hang Dao (silk dyes), etc.
Top 10 Cities For Artistic Inspiration
If you are looking for some artistic inspiration, you just have to look around you with the eye of an artist. There is inspiration everywhere. But if you want your environs to inspire you with their magical aura, you need to visit these 10 best cities for artistic inspiration around the world.
1. Edinburgh
The literary output of Scotland is simply phenomenal. Most of its writers have been motivated by its capital. Robert Louis Stevenson felt that Edinburgh was how Paris should be. If you want to look into the lives of famous writers, visit the Writers Museum that displays a more personal side of Scotland authors. There are several exhibits including the writing desk of Robert Burns.
2. St Petersburg
St Petersburg street names have been used heavily in novels. Many Russian novelists were inspired by the artistic beauty of St Petersburg. Turgenev, Dostoevsky, and Gogol- they all lived in the heart of the city and contributed to the world of literary art.
3. Buenos Aires
If you want a city that lets you tap easily into its legendary vibe, it’s Buenos Aires. There are elegant café houses where the best writers of the city got together. If you want to mingle with an art loving crowd while you sip an espresso, go to Palermo coffee house.
4. Valparaiso
If you a fan of the famous poet, Pablo Neruda, then you know that Valparaíso was his dwelling place for several years. And this place was the main source of his inspiration. He even composed a poem for his house, which is now turned into a museum.
5. Mumbai
Mumbai is the cultural hub of India, and is the home of Bollywood. This city is home to renowned writers like Salman Rushdie. To view Progressive Arts Movement, you should visit the Gallery Chemould. There are many Indian artists who live in Mumbai. You can even find several museums on modern art in this busy little city.
6. Havana
The Capital of Cuba has other excitements as well apart from the jazz it’s famous for. Ernest Hemingway spent a large part of his life in this city. His old house has been turned into a museum. Here you can see life from his point of view, including his gin bottles.
7. London
London has forever been immortalized by renowned writers from John Betjeman to Charles Dickens. You can see several writers’ museums in this old city of literature and arts. You can even come visit the fictional house of Sherlock Holmes in Baker St.
8. San Francisco
If you want to visit San Francisco, you should start with City Lights Books. It is owned by Beatnik Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Tha famous Six Gallery of San Francisco became a famous event later that brought a complete new Beat Generation.
9. Prague
You can expect literary art flowing from a country whose first president was a famous playwright. This makes the Czech capital a hotspot in literature and arts. You cannot come here and not fall in love with the exquisiteness that fine arts would bring to you.
10. Mexico City
If you go through ‘The bottom of the road’ by Jack Kerouac, you’ll get a feel of the Mexico City. This was the home to beatniks who had some disorderly times here. You can find the museum of modern art here that features the works by many artists.
What kind of artistic inspiration are you looking for? Try these 10 destinations to wake up your inner artist. These places have been mentioned in many novels and poems as they motivated artists. Is it your time to be motivated? Visit these places and know for yourself.
Trip to Goa: One of the Most Beautiful Places In the World
Amongst the few places that have been bestowed with natural beauty, Goa nearly tops the list. Its pristine beaches that are lined beautifully by colossal palm trees offer a heavenly experience! The medieval-age mansions & cathedrals also fascinate the tourists while the natural splendour of the state is also bewitching. A few words should also be said in praise of the effervescent culture that reminds of the colonial era and has its own distinct personality. Tourists take a trip to Goa also for the revelries of festivals & carnivals that are celebrated every year with intense fanfare and enthusiasm.
Beaches of Goa: No doubt, if you are looking for sea, sand & sun, then there’s nothing better for you than a trip to Goa. Goa’s beaches (close to 40 in total) will bamboozle you with the variety they serve. From the crowded ones to the quieter ones, from the picturesque ones to the party-conducive ones- every beach has something new to offer to the sea lover. It’s also through Goa packages that you can enjoy some of the most daring and adrenaline-pumping sports action like wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing, banana boating, sailing, boating, etc. Some of the popular Goa beaches are the Baga beach, Dona Paula beach, Palolem beach, Anjuna beach, Miramar beach, etc. You can also find good Goa hotels right in proximity of the beaches.
Goa sightseeing: Goa sightseeing is a lot about visiting the famous churches (Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus, etc) and heritage sites like old Goa. History lovers will also find interesting museums, forts & old mansions that will keep them glued. Wildlife trips in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and other wildlife parks also fascinate the tourists. Foodies will find the best of all cuisines at some of the country’s greatest restaurants while party-hoppers will find the pulsating nightlife suitable for their taste.
Where to stay: You can find Goa hotels of all kinds as per your budget. You can also stay in resorts, inns, guest houses, beach huts and as a paying guest with a local family. Also, buy Goa packages, inclusive of Goa sightseeing, and a well-informed Goa travel guide, to enjoy a hassle-free trip to Goa.
Major Goa attractions: Some of the more popular Goa attractions are:
• Basilica of Bom Jesus
• Se Cathedral
• Church of our Lady of the Rosary
• Dudhsagar Falls (a splendid waterfall)
• Braganza House (a medieval age mansion)
• Mayem Lake
• Arvalem Waterfalls
• Kesarval Spring
• Carabolin Lake
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
When to visit: Best time to plan a Goa trip is between October to April although the fantastic & friendly climate affords round-the-year tourism.
Local festivals: Winter carnival, All Saints Feast, Feast of St. Francis Xavier.