Travelers Booking Vacations Should Consider Cortona
December 4th, 2008 by Trevor Iwending, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Once a sleepy little Italian hilltop town, Cortona is enjoying a rebirth as a tourist mecca. The book “Under the Tuscan Sun” and its sequels, along with the hit film based on this book, people have discovered Tuscany’s Cortona is a delight.
Conveniently located between Rome and Florence, this town of 30,000 people is located on a lovely hill in Tuscany. You can find whatever you want to do here, from museums to biking to restaurants.
Cortona has a long and interesting history, longer than many people realize: The Etruscans built the city’s walls 2,600 years ago. You can still see Etruscan stone work at Porta Guelfa and at Porta Montanina. If the Etruscans fascinate you, you can see more at the Museo dell’Academia Etrusca, which has artifacts from the Etruscans and the Egyptians as well as many historic artworks, books and other items.
Don’t just look at the city walls, interesting as they are. Go inside to the Piazza Garibaldi. From there you can see beautiful Lake Trasimeno. There is also a beautiful church and a park, at the center of which is a fountain decorated with two playful dolphins of bronze. Take a break, sit down and enjoy the view.
Once you’ve rested to Piazza Grande, with its 6th century town hall. On the first Saturday of each month, there is a market where you can find gifts, food and other wares to buy for yourself and others. If shopping is your thing, come to Cortona at the end of August for the National Market of Ancient Furniture at Cortona’s Casali Palace.
Stuck for the time? Look for the Torre del Pulcinella, the town clock that uses cymbals rather than bells to announce the time.
Cortona is full of history, obviously. Nowhere is this more evident than at Cetona Belvedere. This ancient cemetery has caverns, grottoes and other ancient sites.
If exploring is your thing, go to Montepulciano on one of the largest mountain peaks in the area.
If you’re fond of religious history, go to the Great Cloister of the Monastero di Monte Oliveta Maggiore (monastery of the Mount of Olives) to see the frescoes of St. Benedict. Signorelli painted these in the 15th century. Also be sure to see the church of Santa Maria Del Calcinaio, a unique octagonal church. Other religious treasures can be seen at the Museo Diocesano. It houses the Cortona Altarpiece with its six beautiful small paintings that frame the piece.
When visiting Cortona, rest assured that all the usual tourist amenities are available to make your trip easy.
Cortona is deservedly coming into its own. If you get a chance go and see it for yourself. It is a trip you will long remember for its beauty, its heritage and its people. Travelers booking a trip should call their travel agents for more information.
Train trips
October 12th, 2008 by Dane Masters, under Travel Agents. No Comments
I remember how I used to wait to journey by train when I was a small child! We do become jaded in our ideas as we grow older, but in truth, there is no other mode of transport that gives so much satisfaction and joy as a train! Trains have existed since time immemorial and are the best ways to take an individual from one destination to another. It is indeed the best way to view the countryside! Since trains are willing to take you anywhere and everywhere, they can be used to take a look at the whole country in one go, with a long one-off trip; or one can indulge in hopping on and hopping off whenever the mood prevails to take a closer look at particular sites in cities or places.
Trains do exist in most countries, but the frequency of their runs is not the same. Where the West is known for plenty of trains that run frequently, the African continent has trains that can provide only one point to get in at and to alight. Many of their trains run weekly only. It is advisable therefore, to take a peek at train timetables displayed on the World Web beforehand, and plan one’s journey (of course, all journeys need to be planned). If the Internet does not prove to be so helpful, there are always local shops which can provide guides displaying plenty of information such as the stations where the trains depart from, the dates and timings of each journey, and so on.
Most train journeys advise the passenger to purchase tickets before getting into any train; it is really not advisable to travel without tickets. A passenger would have to pay a high fine for traveling ticketless! In a place like India, it is possible sometimes to disappear without paying for a ticket if you sit on the roof of the train! They too pay heavily if they are caught. Again, a person with a ticket for a second-class carriage cannot take a ride in a first-class carriage; this act is also liable to be fined.
Train trips can be incredibly cheap, particularly in developing countries. With the exception of the US and some parts of Europe, first-class accommodation is normally quite affordable and exponentially more pleasant than travelling in second-class. There is now a proliferation of discounted tickets available either online or at stations. Age, time and day of the week, advance purchase and duration of journey - all have bearing on the price of the train trips. Tickets that allow you to “rove” around the country are usually very good value for money, but finding the best buys is not always easy and it is recommended that you seek out travel agents that specialize in train trips first.
On long train trips, find out in advance if food and drink are available. On board catering should be available on the timetable, and sometimes there is a dining car on board the train. If none are available, don’t overlook the possibilities of station restaurants, though if you are travelling in a developing country, exercise caution with both the food and drink at all times. There is nothing quite as bad as being ill on a moving train over a long journey.
Too much luggage on a train journey can be cumbersome! It is a universal law that traveling light is the best way to travel! Yes, porters are there to help carry one’s luggage, but sitting on a long (or even a short journey) journey surrounded by too much of luggage is not a pleasant experience. It is wiser to carry only the essentials, based on the weather conditions and the duration of the train trip.
There are not many railway-less countries, and the possibilities for train trips are limitless. Don’t just stick to the well-known routes. Branch out and see what you can discover.
Corporate Discount Travel - A Great Way To Fly
October 11th, 2008 by chuck stewart, under Travel Agents. No Comments
I fly a lot and am considered a master beyond my years by industry experts corporate travel. I have flown so much that I have known the birthdays of pilots on some regular flights. One time when I was taking a couple of months off and trying to stay home more I actually received calls from the airlines asking where I was and if everything was alright. That is too much. That is too much because of the exhaustion that inevitably comes from the daily travel struggles and family life but also because of the dent it places in your wallet. I have found a method of correcting those issues, at least the expense part anyway.
I received a phone call from a man asking if he could have the honor of booking my next set of travel arrangements for me. During a quick phone call he asked me where I typically went, how often I traveled, where I liked to sit on airplanes, which airlines I preferred, how much I was typically spending per flight to different locations, what type of accommodations the hotels I stayed in needed to have for me to be happy, what size and type of rental cars I preferred, all about my frequent traveler programs and away he went. I tucked it in the back of my mind and forgot about it.
Within a couple of weeks I needed to book a trip. I sent a quick communication outlining the details about the trip and gave him a few hours to go to work. In the meantime I also went to work to check out what I would be able to book on my own. After revewing information for about an hour I had a held itinerary for a flight, rental car and hotel room. The reservations were made all with my regular frequent flier and member numbers and all discounts were applied. The entire 3 day travel itinerary was budgeted at $1,620.00 for air fare, rental car and a hotel stay.
I received an e-mail a few shor t minutes later I received word that I could save $200 off of my flight if I would be willing to make one-stop (I wasn’t), $30 a day off my rental car if I would use a different company (I would gladly for a $90 savings) and that a better grade of hotel would cost me $69 per night and not $199 per night (a savings of $130 per night and $420 for the trip). I fell in love with this guy who had called me out of the blue a week ago. He had just saved me $510.
Our company has a great departmental profit sharing plan that rewards our team of sales people for the margin that we bring in. Travel has been a sore spot for the corporation and the department as the expenses have gone up for travel and we have struggled with ways to cut back. We sell a product that is almost impossible to sell over the phone, typically requiring a couple of multiple day visits on-site to get a new project started. My next call was to our corporate team to let them know about how we can all save money on our corporate travel. Many thanks to the man who made the cold call.
Creating Your Own Fun Filled Vacations
August 18th, 2008 by Vince Paxton, under Vacations. No Comments
There are many people that love to travel. They want to see the great places of the world. Going to beaches and seeing the sights are more than anyone could hope for. Having a great job of a travel agent seems like a dream come true.
One thing is for sure; maybe travel agents are not used so much anymore because of the help of Internet. More and more people are booking their own destinations with ease and comfort of their own computer.
You can figure out where you want to go on your vacation, get your tickets, and plan out your entire trip online with only a few clicks of a mouse.
The help of a travel agent is falling as more and more people learn how to use the Internet. They are trying to do their own work and figuring out how to plan great trips on their own and this is why many travel agents and businesses are loosing money. The normal range of pay for a travel agent is around $26000 in the year 2002. The great agents were known to have an income of around $40,000 and even more. Some are only making around $30,000 and this is all documented in the U.S. Department of Labor figures.
The point is that travel agents do not earn as much as they once did. They do get discounts and special deals on some of the travel excursions that they come across such as trips to Alicante or Mexico. The one bad thing is because business is low; they may not be able to gather up the money to do the traveling that they are offered.
For anyone that really wants to become a travel agent here are some tips to make it happen for you.
Learning a second language is always a good idea. You will have to speak to many different people from all over the world. You should take o the training course for up to twelve weeks. This will show you how to be a better travel agent. Knowing how to use a computer is best. You need to make travel plans and follow through with transactions and bills. You need to make sure that you know the basics of a computer and brush up on the skills as you go. Know about the new goals for being a travel agent. This is going to help you succeed past you goals. Make sure that you go for your certificates in travel agents. One such as Certified Travel Counselor is a very well known and respected degree.
As long as you like what you do and know how to be the best at what you do, you are going to be a successful travel agent. Do not give up and work hard because the business is tough but it can be rewarding.
Exotic Island Holidays To Bali
June 2nd, 2008 by Robert Cornwall, under Travel Agents, Vacation Destinations. No Comments
When thinking about the ultimate island destination, Bali holidays leap to mind. The island of Bali is so fascinating with all of the excitement and wonder as well as an endless list of things to do and the wildlife that thrives in the tropical setting. Regardless of whether you are traveling with your family, children, or lover, Bali holidays can provide all you desire and then some.
Bali holidays are filled with warm sunny days with temperatures averaging between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. During winter months the rain moves in mostly at night and delivers a plentiful watering but still the climate remains at this steady and delightful pace. This makes it perfect for year round holidays.
The panoramic vistas of the tropical landscape are gorgeous but there is so much more to this island habitat. The scenery includes: white water rapids flowing rivers through Bali, active volcanoes, historic temples and palaces, lush tropical forests, unique wildlife, and so much more. Bali holidays are memorable in so many ways.
If you thought that Bali holidays are going to be the same old song and dance, think again! Here are a few of the things that can excite and inspire you on your Bali holidays: Submarine, marine and wildlife safaris- day, dinner and island cruises- white water rafting, ATV and buggy tours, visit the zoo, play around at the water park, test your skills in paintball war games, Bungy jumping, get your adrenalin going by paragliding, or take part in any of the normal vacation activities like: golf, diving, snorkeling, tennis and more.
The Ritz Carlton is one of the most secluded and convenient places to stay. Right at the facility they have currency exchange for the ultimate in expedience. Relax in a private cove, or enjoy fitness workouts and sporting activities while you send the kids off to their very own pool area equipped with fun water slides. Your Bali Holidays are anything you want to make of them.
Accommodations at Oberoi will definitely make you stand up and take notice. Guests can benefit from their own private pools and choose which setting they would like their villa to have a view of. The visual options include the lush tropical gardens filled with fragrant blossoms or the enchanting deep blue sea. Bali holidays can’t get much better than this!
The Legian hotel is one best suited for families as they offer a babysitting service that allows children to enjoy Bali holidays just as much as their parents. Mum and dad can revive their great love affair while the kids discover adventure and magic.
Bali holidays may appear quiet when the sun goes down but at around midnight this tropical island paradise wakes up and comes alive! There is something for every night owl to enjoy when the darkness falls on Bali. If you love to: dance, sing karaoke, party disco style, go clubbing, listen to live music, be a part of the cultural drama-music or ceremonies then you will experience a fascinating night of fun and magical moments.
If you have ever dreamt of a place in your wildest imaginings of such delight, Bali holidays are the only thing that can come close to it. Tranquility and exhilaration meet, although on different sides of the spectrum a happy medium is always found here.