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Your Rights
* If a holiday advertised at a specific price, the law says it has to be available at that price,
whether it's in a travel agent's window, on the Internet or in a newspaper.
But companies can legally get round this by adding a disclaimer such as "Subject to availability" or
putting "From" before the price. If a holiday price is advertised without a disclaimer and the holiday
isn't available at that price, the company offering it is committing a criminal offence and you can report
it to your local councils's Tradinds Standarts department. You do not have a legal right to insist on buying
at the advertised price, but it is worth pointing out to the manager that they are displaying a misleading
price and asking if they can use their discretion to sell at that price.

* No matter how cheap the holiday, the law says that it must be described ( so ifyou
booked a specific hotel, for example, that's where should be); that ant factual details
from brochures, ads or websites must be correct and not misleading; and that your accomodation
must be clean and safe.

* when you book a package, the holiday company is responsible for everything
included in that package and must deal with any promlems, so don't be fobbed off if a rep claims
it's the airline's or the hotelier's fault.

* A holiday company can insist that you have travel insurance, but not that you
buy it from them, not can it change you more if you choose not to(and you
can almost always get cheaper insurance elsewhere).

How We Do It!
We know that keeping your travel budget in check is a top priority. With our Undercover Hotel concept, we offer amazing travel bargains without compromising on the quality of the hotel. What’s the catch? In order to honor our agreements with our reputable hotel partners, we must hide the name of the hotel until after you book. You get a great deal; the hotel gets a happy customer. It’s a WIN for everyone.

http://www.lastminutetravel.com/

What’s the perfect holiday rental car?

Take a road trip by campervan!
A camper rental provides freedom and convenience. Travel where you want, when you want, while taking all the time you want.

Air travel has become less and less convenient. While flying is often the quickest way to reach a destination, taking a road trip has numerous advantages over traveling by air. A campervan rental in Brisbane, for example, allows for leisurely exploration of Queensland and beyond while flying over the countryside precludes enjoying a holiday to the fullest. Consider a camper rental when planning your next trip.

Campervan Travel is Convenient, Comfortable and Economical

The advantages of traveling by campervan are numerous. Not only does campervan travel provide total freedom and flexibility to change the route or itinerary, it’s an economical mode of travel that can provide significant savings on lodging, meals and transportation. All comforts and amenities are available with a camper rental. Some models even include an onboard shower and toilet.

Whether traveling with a friend or the whole family, a campervan provides ample space for people and pets as well as sufficient storage for personal belongings and equipment. Traveling with infants and children is a breeze as all necessities can be kept close at hand. Also, large items such camping equipment, skis or surfboards are easy to take along.

A camper rental can also provide all the conveniences of home. At a minimum, basic campervan models offer sleeping space complete with bedding and a simple kitchen that includes the necessary items for cooking and eating. Larger models offer all the comforts of home, including an onboard shower and toilet. Extra hire items can be included in the rental such as a picnic table and chairs, satellite phone, GPS, portable heater or tent, to name a few. Inquire when booking, as some items must be requested when the reservation is made.


Campervan Travel is Relaxing

Campervan travel allows for a leisurely holiday with no rushing. Choose to take extra time wherever desired, to stop on a whim to see the sights. A camper rental allows exploration and enjoyment of the destination as well as all points of interest along the way. This economical form of travel provides the freedom to stop when you want and sleep wherever you are, allowing for a relaxing trip.

No special license is needed to drive a campervan. Certain age restrictions may apply, however, based on model. A licensed driver must be at least 18 years of age to drive the campervan but some larger models require that drivers be at least 21 years old.

A holiday is usually an infrequent and much-anticipated occurrence. Avoid the long lines and delays of air travel and take a road trip instead. Traveling by campervan allows you to see this sights and travel at your leisure. Don’t spend precious hours cramped in a plane or standing in line.

I am one of those people who just love to explore. Some people talk about travelling; I talk about exploring. After a trip through Europe and parts of Africa, staying at hostels and sometimes camping under the stars, my vagabond spirit was only fuelled for more.

But it can be such a pain constantly trying to find somewhere safe and clean to sleep. When I find some gorgeous hidden away scenic village, I hate having to spend the rest of the day finding somewhere to sleep. If the world were a friendlier place, I would simply camp out every night, but obviously that is not always safe or practical.

I recently talked to an old friend of mine from college, Suzanna, who had just travelled all over the United States in a tiny motorhome she bought. She loves collecting antiques and vintage clothes, and so it was a perfect way for her to travel. My girlfriend and I have been planning a trip to Australia, and after hearing about Suzanna’s trip, I decided to search for a campervan to hire in Australia. My girlfriend thought I must be nuts to even think of such an idea, but you really can hire a campervan in a lot of different countries; including Australia!

Once I began to look into the campervan hire option, my eyes got bigger and bigger. You can rent a campervan to accommodate anywhere from two to six people. Any good rental will have at least automatic transmission, four wheel drive, a kitchen, bathroom, shower, and large bed. And, the company we rented through provided 24 hour help and protection in case we broke down or needed any assistance along our journey.

So, we are planning to leave for Australia in April, and I am so excited! Some people need a tour all planned out for them; they don’t want to have to do all the work of figuring out where to go and what to see. But for me, deciding where to go is half of the fun. I have been pouring over books about Australia, deciding which parts of the country I want to see most. If you hire a campervan, you have to be more prepared and find out beforehand which roads are safe, as well as stock up on plenty of maps. But then, the beauty begins. I have been on the tour packages where it is one day long adventure after another; Europe in seven days; the wonders of Egypt in three.

On these tours, at some point, you have seen so much and are so tired that you begin to not really even care anymore. Nothing sounds more laid-back, relaxing and fun than a campervan vacation at your own pace. No worrying about where to sleep or deadlines, or even having to find somewhere to use a toilet. Decide to go hiking up a muddy, tropical trail? No problem!

When you’re done just hop in the campervan and shower off. Spent the previous night up talking, gazing at the starry southern sky and talking? Just sleep in as long as you like or take a nap in the middle of the day. There is no hotel to charge you extra for a late check-out and no loud backpackers who wake you up at 5AM.

I can’t wait until we get to Brisbane and begin our drive up the eastern coast past several Heritage-listed National Park areas to the Great Barrier Reef. And if we see anything along our path that piques our interest, we can stop for as long as we like!

Are you really tired of running from home to office and then back home? It seems to have become a vicious circle of one’s life. A break from such a monotonous life will surely give you some time to relax and enjoy beautiful views. Bahamas is an ideal pace to spend some quality time with friends and family. After all, you also deserve some time to relax and regain the energy that is being lost in your hectic work schedule. Though you can visit Bahamas any time in the year, still spring is the best time to go. Spring break Bahamas will give you an opportunity of experiencing some of the most memorable moments of your life.

Bahamas is an ideal destination point that can be visited without having to worry about its location. You can settle on the island that you have to visit and then meet a travel agent for having the knowledge of the packages that he or she may have. Spring break Bahamas package will surely provide you with what you want in your holiday package. The travel agent may have a range of tour packages that can suit every type of budget and needs. You can discuss with your travel agent and they will definitely make all the arrangements in this regard. And if you happen to get a spring break Bahamas vacation that carries discount, then you are one of the luckiest chaps.

Every island in the Bahamas has something or the other to offer to the visitors. Nassau, Abaco, Bimini and Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Andros, Long Island, Cat Island, Inagua, San Salvador and Paradise Island are some of the must visit islands that give you a lot of opportunities to explore various activities including water sports, fishing and sun bathing or just relaxing. After all, you are on a holiday and would like to make the most of it. You can also try swimming and beach volleyball to pass your time and even play other games. Bahamas is an exceptionally awesome destination that has inviting atmosphere.

If you are planning to go on spring break Bahamas, then you ought to make all your preparations well in advance. Just imagine that what will happen that you plan to visit Bahamas and get to know that all the reservations are full and even the hotels are booked. So, to be on the safer side, you should contact a travel agent as soon as possible. A travel agent would be the right person who will be giving you complete knowledge on packages, site seeing points and hotel bookings. In this way, you will be able to decide on the type of holiday package that will best suit your budget.

The awesome beaches, mesmerizing views, great hospitality and an opportunity to spend the time as you wish are some of the reasons that make Bahamas one of the most preferred destinations. Bahamas is the place that has got something or the other for everyone. Moreover, you will definitely get to have one of the most wonderful times of your life. In order to take full advantage of spring break Bahamas, you have to be completely prepared for this and that too well in advance.
About the author:
Suzane Gray has been offering Bahama travel and vacation packages advice for quite some time. She is working as a consultant for GoBahama. To find Cheap Bahamas vacation packages,spring break bahamas,Bahamas travel package,freeport bahamas package at cheap rates that best suits your needs, visit http://www.gobahama.com

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

There are many hotels and places of accommodation in Ambleside, a town situated in the Lake District. So staying at the place is never an issue due to the large number of places available for your lodging purpose. But the time when you visit the place would surely have an impact on the kind of place where you will be required to stay as well. Instead of putting up in a hotel, it is rather advisable to book a house or a holiday cottage if you happen to visit the place during the summer. The cost that you will have to incur for cottages will be much lesser than what you will have to pay for hotels. This is because the pay is directly related to the property size.

But if you are staying at the place for a very short span of time, then it is better to stay either at a hotel or in a B&B [Bed and breakfast]. Among the two, the latter would be better since the costs would be less, and the staff would be very friendly and homely as well. But the only problem would be the service, which would obviously not be at par with the one offered by a hotel. The problem might arise here as you might have to share the bathroom facility with fellow guests who might have put up at the B&B.

But still, if your plan is to stay in Ambleside for a few days, then there are many hotels available as well, and the budget would definitely range. The luxury hotels would cost about £60 or even more for staying overnight, while the other hotels would cost around £35 for the same time frame as well. So it’s not true that all the hotels are expensive. But if you want to get yourself a good deal, then instead of visiting for a short while, you can plan for a long holiday or a weekend. If you wish to spend a weekend or a break of around three to four days, then many travel agents would provide you with some great deals. The options that they would recommend would not only include the staying expenses, but the food expenses as well.

Cost is not the only factor which should be considered when you make a decision about where to stay at Ambleside. Another factor is the facilities that you wish to have, and the ones being offered by the accommodation that you have selected. But ultimately, this has a direct bearing on the cost, since higher amenities and facilities would obviously raise the overall cost of accommodation.

Also, if your plan is to visit Ambleside during the summers, then it is suggested that you book the accommodation in advance, since the hotels in the Lake District are full with tourists during that time, not only from the United Kingdom, but from many parts of the world. So to avoid any bottlenecks, advance booking of accommodation is the best solution. About the author:
The Author writes articles on hotels lake district. Other articles written by the author related to luxury country hotels, luxury hotel rooms and Cumbria hotel offers could be found on the internet.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Combine Family Volunteering With Luxury Sightseeing

Trip Highlights

• Volunteer in Pelorus Sounds on pristine Maori property
• Explore Waiheke Island and its boutique vineyards and cafes
• Feel the excitement of an Americas Cup match race
• Sail on the stunning Bay of Islands
• Fly down North Island in a Helicopter (via Waitomo Caves and Huka Lodge)
• Relax in New Zealand's finest luxury lodges
• Taste the wines of the Marlborough Sounds
• Watch whales in Kaikoura
• Heli-hike on the Franz Josef Glacier
• Soar over magnificent Milford Sound in a helicopter
• Walk, Fly and Jetboat on the ‘Siberia Experience’
• Choose from a myriad of activities in Queenstown


Your ''Taste of Volunteering'' Project

Organic Farming and Native Tree Planting.
Recall a forgotten era at this fabulous property, which is only accessible by boat, and is surrounded by Department of Conservation land. Here, your Maori host will regale you with fascinating stories as you play a part in restoring native flora and fauna to this area. This forms part of the overall vision of the property to be sustainable and economically viable to encourage more Maori people back to this region. Other initiatives include a Manuka honey project, and organic farming.
Background

The Maori, are the original inhabitants of New Zealand. Or are they? Your hosts from the Waitaha tribe will regale you with fascinating oral histories and tales as you play a part in restoring native flora and fauna to this area.

Set in a pristine nature reserve in the remote upper reaches of the North Island, this volunteer project blends past and present. The culture, traditions and ancient farm practices of the Waitaha tribe are augmented with modern techniques to create a sustainable and economically viable farming model. This forms part of a greater vision to encourage more Maori people back to the region.

Prepare lands designated for the re introduction of the endangered Kiwi bird, help with daily farm chores, or devise new routes to market for some of the farm produce. Help build a self sustaining endeavor, and one day perhaps you will be able to buy Manuka honey at your local shop knowing that the project is flourishing and you helped make it happen.

Trip Summary

From the moment the helicopter whisks you away from your plane and you fly over the stunning Hauraki Gulf to be deposited at a gorgeous boutique spa resort on Waiheke Island, you will know that this is a trip of a life time.

Revel in luxurious boutique hotels and personalized experiences as you get off the beaten track. Relax in the comfort of a private villa with a personalized chef and watch the sun set on the Southern Alps as you sip a glass of Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir over looking Lake Wanaka.

Avoid the crowds and gain a real appreciation for the dramatic and almost prehistoric landscape as you soar over both the North and South Islands in a helicopter. Sweep over beaches, hover over volcanoes and glide over the crystal waters reflecting the stunning fjords of Milford Sound. It is not by accident that New Zealand is the setting for J.R.R Tolkein's ‘Middle Earth’ and though you won’t see any hobbits your Maori guide may yet send shivers down your spine with tales of a ‘taniwha’ (a legendary monster).

This meaningful luxury adventure that counts is completed with action packed adrenalin sports and an immersion into the fascination culture of the Maori people.

For more information please contact us.

* Note re Comfort Level: 5+/5 Accommodation is in the finest quality luxury lodges and hotels for 12 nights, and simple, rustic accommodation for 5 nights whilst volunteering in the Pelorous Sounds.


Extension Trips can be arranged on request, in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji or elsewhere.

If you like this trip, you may also be interested in:
Australia - Quintessential Qld in Style
New Zealand - Southern Encounter

Trip Highlights

* Teach, build, clean, paint or garden, in a village near Cuzco
* Visit the mystical Sacred Valley
* Explore the Amazon jungle with an expert guide
* View the sunrise over Machu Picchu
* Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Your ''Taste of Volunteering'' Project

Spend four remarkable days in a village near Cuzco, where you teach, build, clean, paint or garden alongside the local people. Expect this to be the highlight of your trip! Furthermore, if you have medical skills, these can be put to great use.
Trip Summary

This exciting and intriguing adventure in Peru will capture your imagination. Explore ancient ruins, marvel architectural feats, enjoy phenomenal scenery and gain intimate knowledge of these amazing people and their culture.

The fascinating city of Cuzco is the epicenter of the remarkable Inca Empire. Acquire a deep understanding for these wonderful people and their rich culture, as you live and work along side them for the duration of your volunteer project. Make friends and feel rewarded by your contribution to improving the lives of these proud yet impoverished people.

The Inca Trail is a remarkable feat of engineering and human perseverance. Clambering up and down the stunning Andean Mountains, breathing rarefied air, you will gain a new respect for the people that built this “road”. Despite many beautiful sights along the way there are few more memorable than the morning sun rays hitting the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

Peru is a land of contrasts. The difference between the rugged Andean range and the lush tropical Amazon rain forest is like day and night. Explore the lush jungle on foot and in boats. Seek out the colorful and abundant wildlife and meet the people that have survived here for generations. Treasure your memories and feel inspired by your remarkable journey.

* Comfort Level: Your accommodation is in superior hotels (3*) in Lima, Cusco and in the Sacred Valley, in a lodge in the Amazon jungle and in tents (no stars) during the Inca Trail.

Trip Highlights

* Four meaningful days assisting at a shelter for street kids
* The majestic Iguaçu Falls
* The magical Pantanal wetland region; maybe spot a jaguar

Your "Taste of Volunteering" Project

Spend four fascinating days assisting with an organization devoted to transforming the lives of street kids. Help upgrade the houses that shelter these children or provide vocational training, in the city of Campinas.

The organization is focused on giving street children a safe, secure and happy childhood, by providing reasonable accommodation and vocational training. They aim to give these ‘at risk’ children a foundation that will allow them to lead dignified, fulfilled and self-supporting lives.
Trip Summary

The majestic Iguacu Falls are a fitting starting point for this rewarding journey. You need to arrive in the morning of Day 1 in order to view these incredible falls from both the Brazilian side and the Argentinean side, including by boat.

On Day 3 we fly to São Paulo and drive to Campinas for your Volunteer Project, which is undertaken with Hope Unlimited, a Christian-run organization devoted to transforming the lives of street kids. You can help paint the insides of the rooms that shelter these children, to help brighten up their living environment, as well as gain valuable insights into the lives of Brazilians who have not had the best start in life, but who are full of hope for the future.

After four meaningful days here, your next stop is the spellbinding wetland region known as the Pantanal, where cattle breeding co-exists with a wildlife refuge and where you can fish for piranha! From December to the end of March a vast inland delta is created by seasonal rains, causing animals to crowd on to the myriad of islands.

As the waters recede in April, thousands of birds gather to pick off fish trapped in shallows. July to September are the best months for game viewing, such as capybara, monkeys, iguana, and even the elusive jaguar and puma! Treks, horse rides and boat trips – all with trained naturalists – are on offer in this wetland refuge.

Your adventure ends in Pantanal, from where you can fly to your connecting flight home, or to Rio for your extension trips to Buzios or Paraty or to Natal for Fernando de Noronha.

* Comfort Level: our accommodation is in comfortable hotels and guesthouses (7 nights) and excellent 3* eco-lodge in the Pantanal (4 nights).

* Please note that you will probably need to arrive in Brazil the day before your tour begins, in order to arrive in Iguaçu Falls on Day 1 in the morning. We can assist you with your accommodation on 'Day 0', in Iguaçu, Sao Paolo, or Rio (you may like to do our pre-trip tour of Rio)

NB: Your flights within Brazil are not included in the trip price, and it is recommended that you purchase an Airpass at the time of booking your international flights.

The modern country of Turkey was founded in 1923 Mustafa Kemal, the country's most famous hero, who is known as the Father of the Turks. The country borders the Black Sea between Bulgaria and Georgia, and also borders the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

The country is steeped in history, with two of the world's seven wonders located in Turkey - the Temple of Artemis and The Halicarnassus Mausoleum. Officially known as the Republic of Turkey, is in the northern hemisphere where two continents, Europe and Asia, meet.

Most of the country extended across the Anatolian peninsula, with the rest of the country located on the edge of the Balkan Peninsula. For holidaymakers the country is in a perfect location, with three sides surrounded by sea.

Turkey boasts over 8000 km of coastline and over 300 blue flag beaches. The beaches on the Aegean coast include Cesme and Alacati as well as Long Beach, a 6km stretch of sand. The international port of Kusadasi is close to the biblical site of Ephesus. Bodrum has become one of Turkey's trendiest resorts, as is Marmaris, a favourite with British tourists, which is a buzzing resort. On the Mediterranean Coast the most famous beach in Turkey is Olu Deniz (Dead Sea) near Fethiye, a lagoon beach with turquoise waters. The Turkish Riviera city of Antalya is set around a Roman harbour and old town and is the main resort on the southern coast of Turkey.

Cheap holidays to Turkey have been growing in popularity in recent years. Turkey has been voted European Capital of Culture in 2010 and, according to the Sunday Times online, has become one of the most up and coming destinations for 2009.

You've probably heard of Niagara Falls but how much do you really know about it? You will learn about twenty trivia facts about the Falls. You will discover the answers to these questions and more - How tall is it? How deep is it? How high is it? What does it comprise of? Who owns it? How much does it erode? How much water flows over it? Where is it? What's gone over it?

Here are some interesting facts about Niagara Falls, mostly taken from Metromap Publication's Street Map Guide to the Regional Municipality of Niagara:

1. The Falls at Niagara cannot claim to be the highest or the widest in the world, or even to have the greatest flow of water. The Iguazu Falls on the Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina borders surpass Niagara Falls on all three counts. But Niagara's are the world's most popular.

2. From the water level to the crest, the American Falls are 182 feet high, the Horseshoe 176 feet high.

3. Ten percent of the water flows over the American and Luna Falls, 90% over the Horseshoe Falls.

4. There are actually three Falls: American (Rainbow), Luna (Bridal Veil) and Horseshoe.

5. The U.S. owns all, or part, of all three, while most of the Horseshoe Falls belong to Canada. Niagara Falls is located 23 miles northwest of Buffalo, New York and 79 miles southeast of Toronto, Ontario.

6. Today 50% of the Niagara River never makes it to the Falls: it is diverted for power. This percentage increases to 75% at night and in the winter months.

7. The Falls have eroded an average of 3.78 feet/year since 1842. Since the beginning there has always been a large spread of water on the approach to the Falls.

8. The Niagara River is not a river it is a strait.

9. One and a half million gallons of water flow through the Niagara River every second, or one cubic mile every week.

10. The Falls have taken 12,000 years to erode the seven miles from Queenston Heights, where they began, to their present position. But the Falls separated around Goat Island only 600 years ago.

11. The Niagara River drains 255,000 square miles of mid-continental North America.

12. With power requirements and anti-erosion measures, erosion has been reduced to less than one foot a year.

13. The whirlpool is 126 feet deep at the water level. The water spins around in a counterclockwise direction.

14. The water depth of the lower rapids is 45 - 60 feet, with currents of up to 30 m.p.h.

15. The drop from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario is 330 feet depending on seasonal water levels.

16. Seven people have gone of the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. Four lived, three died.

17. Only two living things have been seen to go over the Falls safely without special protection - a dog over the American Falls in the 1800's and a boy over the Horseshoe Falls in 1960.

18. Five large boats and innumerable small ones have gone over the Falls, many with people in them.

19. A free swimmer has never conquered the lower rapids.

20. Before his death in 1942, the famous Red Hill saved 28 people from death over the Falls and salvaged 149 bodies of those that didn't make it. He accumulated more lifesaving medals than anyone else in the world.

As you can see, many facts have been compiled about Niagara Falls over the years but at least you probably now know considerably more than you did before about this amazing spectacle. You can either tell others that are planning to visit the Falls what you have learned, or you can plan to see it yourself now that you are an expert on the subject!

Holidays In Turkey - Best Family Holiday Destination

Having spent the last 15 years taking holidays to Turkey my wife and I are always looking for a nice place to relax and escape the hordes that descend on Turkey's beach resorts during the summer months. Both of us are in the service industry so we are always desperate to "get away from it all". Why Holidays to Turkey all the time I hear you say? Well, my wife is Turkish and she wants to go there at least once a year so I do not really have much choice in the matter.

She always has an excuse to go whether it is for visiting family or friends; there is always someone whom she has not seen for a while. This year we decided on a cheap family holiday
and chose to visit a friend who runs a camp site in a secluded valley about 20 miles away from the nearest major holiday town of Fethiye. Due to the fact that we were traveling with our 1 year old son, we decided to go on a schedule flight from London Gatwick to Dalaman in Turkey. The airline we chose for this occasion was an obscure schedule airline called Cyprus Turkish airlines which I had never flown with or heard of anytime in the past. The reason we chose to fly with them is that they offer a whooping 25 kilograms of luggage per person; whereas a lot of the other cheap holiday charters to Turkey offer a tiny allowance of only 15 kilograms.

Due to the fact that we were well and truly stung the previous year, when we thought we had purchased a cheap flight to Turkey only to find out that we had to pay £90 pounds worth of excess luggage (the flight only cost £123) - not a pleasant start to our first family holiday! This time we did our research and I must admit it paid off even though we paid a lot more for the fare; we received free food and drink on board, which a lot of the other cheap holiday airlines do not offer. In fact we were 10 kilos over our allowance as my wife likes to take most of our fixtures and fittings from our family home to our family holiday.

The flight was pleasant enough, no in-flight entertainment, but who needs that with a 1 year old baby in tow. On arrival to Dalaman we were picked up by a Turkish gentleman called Ahmed in a massive jeep type vehicle which looked like something like a monster trucks. It was a very pleasant drive! We drove through beautiful Turkish holiday resorts such as Gocek, Calis beach, Fethiye and Olu-Deniz.

After crossing the holiday resort of Oludeniz and going past the huge Resort of Lykia World, the road turns into a dust track. The road between Olu-deniz and Kabak (the campsite) is carved into the side of huge cliffs, 300 meters above sea level with no barriers to stop vehicles from plunging in to the azure sea below. Thankfully our driver could see the terror in our eyes and drove very calmly and carefully. On arrival to Kabak bay our driver let the 4x4 kick in and we started to descend using a road very similar to a donkey track, in the pitch black.

Once we arrived we were shown our accommodation which consisted of a wooden hut built around a tree, with a balcony and also the added bonus of a shower and toilet! Turan camp consists of 16 bungalows, 6 of which have shower and toilet facilities.

My first night was spent eradicating our mosquito problem with my bare hands. I finally managed to sleep and I was greeted by the most magnificent view in the morning, there in front of me I was presented with the beach and the towering mountains all around us; it was truly awe inspiring. Unfortunately this place really does not know the meaning of health and safety. We were constantly chasing our baby boy all around, who always seemed to find the most dangerous areas to play in. To top things he came out with chicken pox on our second day of the visit.

Kabak bay is on the ancient Lycian way which is a path along the southwestern coast line of Turkey. My plan was to walk some of it, but I did not get any chance since my days were spent looking after baby and keeping him out the sun and away from dangers. Although we were in a truly amazing place, it was not what I had in mind for a cheap family holiday. After 6 days the chicken spots had started to fade and my wife and I thought that enough was enough and decided to check in to an all-Inclusive family holiday resort nearby Fethiye.

I would like to return there someday but definitely without the children. So it looks like that I will be in my late fifties when I can enjoy an alternative holiday. So it is an all inclusive holiday for at least the next 10 years!

Travelling safely with your child



When you have children your priorities change and you suddenly have to be completely responsible for someone else's life. A small child relies on you completely for its protection and welfare. A child's safety is particularly important when travelling. It is the drivers' responsibility to ensure that all passengers are properly strapped into the car, especially children until they can be taught to strap themselves in.

Every year around 30 children between the ages of 0 and 11 are killed in car accidents, 450 are seriously injured and another 8,000 are slightly injured, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Many of these children could have been spared from injury if they had been properly restrained in the car they were travelling in. For example in a crash at 30 mph where a child is unrestrained they would be thrown forwards with a force of between 30 and 60 times their own body weight. There is no substitute for a proper child seat that is fitted according to the manufacturers' guidelines. Holding a child without restraint is dangerous as it would be impossible to hold on tight enough to them in the event of an accident.

A car seat is the only really safe way to transport your child in the car. There are different seats you can buy according to the size and weight of the child. You must buy a seat that is appropriate and get advice on fitting it in your car. Not all car seats fit in all cars so you should check with the retailer before you buy, that your seat is suitable for your car.

To help you buy the right seat for your child we've put together a list of hints and tips to follow when buying your child's car seat.

Tips for buying a car seat

*First of all you should make sure that every car seat you consider meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44.03 and carries the 'E' mark that verifies this.

*Look at the range of options available. Manufacturers have websites that list details of their car seats and also lots of information on safety and helpful user guides. Here is a list of some of the leading car seat manufacturers.

http://www.britax.co.uk/

http://www.mamasandpapasonline.com/

http://www.maxi-cosi.com/

*When you are buying a car seat for a newborn baby there are two options available to you. You can either buy a rearward facing seat which is suitable until your child weighs about 10/13kg. These are often supplied with buggies and can be lifted in and out of the car. You can also buy a two-way seat which faces inwards for about the first year and then outwards until the child is around 150cms tall. If you go for the rearward facing seat you will need to buy another seat for the child when it grows and possibly a booster seat in between for a child that weighs 15 - 25kgs

*Not all car seats fit all cars so find out which ones are suitable for your vehicle and then follow the instructions very carefully

*The car seat should be light and comfortable to carry. This will make it easier for you to take your baby in and out of the car

*It seat should be well padded for the child's comfort and have good head support as a small baby cannot support its own head

*You should never put a rearward facing car seat on a seat where there is an active airbag because if the airbag inflates in an accident it could kill your baby. Many cars allow you to disable the passenger airbag

*Never buy a second hand car seat as like motorcycle helmets you cannot see all damage that may have been sustained in a previous accident

*Make sure the seat doesn't wobble about at all and feels very secure, you could check this every time you put the baby into the seat

*Check the seat for wear and tear and for any harnesses that may be twisted

*If you are a member of the AA or the RAC then you can speak to one of their technical advisors and find out exactly how to fit your car seat. Call 0990 500600 for the AA and 0990 313131 for the RAC

All new car seats will have to meet the International Standards Organisation FIX (ISOFIX). This is a new standard for fitting car seats and lots of new cars will have to have ISOFIX fitting points which will enable the seat to be literally plugged into ISOFIX points in the car. This will make fitting car seats much safer and much more straightforward. Studies have shown that many car seats are not fitted properly so this will mean that children will be much safer in the future.

Car accidents happen all the time so it is better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that your child's seat is fitted correctly and that your child still fits the seat, this will help prevent injury in the event of a road traffic accident. If you are involved in a car accident that was not your fault and you or your child are injured then you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

For more information visit www.wheelsatonce.com and get free legal advice and assistance following a car accident.

Travelling Smart Overseas With Your Cellphone

Some time ago, I was in charge of developing a business concern on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka while based in the United States. At one point, I needed to send an employee there to set up the quality control program. This employee did not have a GSM cell phone so I lent him mine to use "in case of emergency only". The employee spent time each night chatting with family on the cell phone and came back with a $3,000 phone bill in two short weeks.

If you have a US GSM cell phone and service account, you may find that it will cost you something in the range of $3 per minute to use your phone overseas due to international roaming. As an example, on one trip to Hamburg, I had lost my party at a very large exposition. I used my cell phone to call them and found out that instead of it being a local call, it went to the US and back via their networks thus charging me for two international calls!

A little while later I was on a plane to Sri Lanka. As we were about to land, the gentleman next to me took out a small bag and dumped the contents into his palm. They were SIM chips. I asked him what this was all about and he told me he was looking for his chip for Sri Lanka. He informed me that the chip enabled him to make calls in and from Sri Lanka without incurring the extremely high roaming charges my friend above met with. He traveled throughout Europe and Asia and had chips for each major locale.

I was intrigued by this idea and did some research on what it took to use these local chips in my cell phone. Here is what I found:

Your basic cell phone service provider places a unique serial number into your cell phone. This unique number is called an "ESN" and it is used by the service provider to identify who you are. The service provider uses this number to know where to send phone calls too when someone dials your number.

A GSM phone is a little different animal. "GSM" (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a type of digital mobile phone service. GSM is the most common standard for cell phones in the world. GSM service is common in over 210 countries around the world with over 1.5 billion users. The popularity of GSM makes international roaming very common between cell phone operators, enabling the user to successfully use their phone in many parts of the world. One of the key differences with GSM is that the phone itself is not directly linked to you. Rather, the removable "SIM" (Subscriber Information Module) chip is encoded with a unique serial number which is what now identifies you to the wireless provider.

Having your info embedded into a removable SIM chip rather than into your cell phone is what makes this all so interesting. If you place your SIM chip into a compatible cell phone, you can use that phone as your own because the service provider will recognize the SIM chip inside of it as yours. Conversely, you can buy compatible SIM chips from the country you are about to visit and use them in your phone. This is what allows you to avoid the ugly international roaming charges mentioned above.

Before you can do this, however, you will most likely need to "Unlock" your cell phone. Most wireless service providers "lock" their cell phones which means that they program them to only work with SIM chips issued by their company. Unlocking a cell phone is basically reversing this programming. The process is very easy and quick.

There are many service providers online that specialize in mobile unlocking. Once the cell phone is unlocked, it is permanently unlocked.

Now I wanted a SIM chip that would work in the country I was headed too, again, Sri Lanka. I was told that the best way was to find a cell phone store there in Colombo but this sounded difficult as my schedule would be very busy. While searching for an alternative, I was directed to www.Telestial.com as a source of chips via the internet. I found that I could buy a chip from Sri Lanka with pre-paid minutes on it. They did also offer a great variety of SIM chips from most major destinations around the world. The process was quick and painless and I found the cost to be very reasonable ($79 vs. $3,000!). The only drawback to the system was that this did give me a new phone number which I had to pass out to family and business associates prior to departure.

The trip went well as I was able to coordinate activities with local vendors and business associates without feeling like I had to hang up the phone after two sentences.

Travelling To South America With A Tour Group

Travelling To South America With A Tour Group

South America has magnificant beautiful areas to explore and most often people are looking for a package deal that is offered by a tour group. Is a package deal the right decision for you?

If you answer yes then there are many to choose from but how do you know which one is best suited for you.

First you must look at yourself and know that travelling to South American with all it's pros and cons is right for you. Before you even begin to look at areas you need to ask yourself questions.

Do you want to stay at an all-inclusive resort and be pampered or do you want to get into hiking and exploring different regions? If you are into hiking them make sure you are fit enough to be active for hours on end and check to see just how much you will be active.

Will you be able to trapse through jungles or withstand the thin air in the mountain regions? Heat and humidity in the jungle areas can be extreme just as thin air in the mountains can cause altitude sickness. Will either of these bother you?

Although not advisable some people prefer to travel alone. Make sure you are capable of dealing with the many situations that travelling alone may bring. South America is made up of thrid world countries and with language differences and illnesses that may arise, travelling alone may not be for you. Being in a group gives you the security of instant help should the need arise and support from other group members.

Make sure you bring medications with you for your trip in case any medical conditions arise. It is highly recommended that if you are heading for jungle areas that you get prophylactic Malaria medication and take it! If you plan to travel deep into the rainforest or other unusual places that you get advice from a specialized hospital or doctor that deals with tropical diseases.

Research extensively the areas that you wish to travel in. Read maps, listen to local music, find online reviews, read guide books, learn some of the language and try to correspond with others who have visited the area. A well researched trip will mean less surprises.

By planning you will now have a list of things that you want to see or do in the country you choose. Once you have researched all the different areas of South America it is then time to visit a travel agent. Take you list of things you want to accomplish and your agent will help to match you up with the right tour group. Make sure you look at what is included in your trip beside the price. All inclusive does not necessarily mean taxes, food/snacks, alchol, transfers, travel expenses or fees for side trips are included. Look online for references or ask your agent if they can supply you will some.

Last, but not least, make sure you check on the visa requirements for your trip. Make sure your passport is up to date. Make photocopies of all travel documents and credit cards and identity cards in case they are lost of stolen. Try to leave documents with a hotel once you arrive in country and only carry photocopies with you when away from the hotel. If the need arrises for the actual documents you can easily make arrangements with the hotel for their delivery.