Travel - Eat - Sleep » Tushar Mathur

Top Travel Tips for Visiting London during the 2012 Olympics

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:29:43 +0000

As the start of the Olympic Games draws closer, it is important for those attending to understand some key tips for travelling safely and smartly to get the most out of your trip. This blog post will highlight some of the key considerations if you are travelling to the games in London.

Tickets for the events

Make sure you have all of your Olympics tickets sorted before venturing to London. It is expected that a number of ticket ‘touts’ will be present at all sporting events, selling tickets at inflated prices or even selling fake or stolen tickets for profit.

Ensure you have official tickets from the Olympics ticketing systems to avoid any issues.

Flights and Travel

Demand for flights across the world will have inflated prices, so be sure to buy tickets early.

Consider using flight comparison sites like Kayak and Lastminute to find the cheapest deals on your flights. You can usually find cheaper routes by taking multiple stops on route to your destination, although this may increase the travelling time considerably.

Accommodation

Hotel rooms are at a premium during the games, so be sure to book early or be prepared to do lots of hunting around for good deals. It is estimated that prices have increased around 120% for the games in many of the hotels, with this figure even higher in many cases.

Consider private vacation apartment rentals from a number of companies in the London area. Companies like onefinestay, AirBNB and Homeaway are good examples of websites that offer this kind of service, which will often be better value than an equivalent hotel room.

You could also consider staying in hostels for a very cheap stay – although it is very likely that most inner city hostels will be fully booked during this time. Prices will likely be higher during this time of the year due to demand.

With this in mind it is also useful to consider cancellations. Often hotels will have spare rooms due to previous cancellations, so it may be worth calling a number of places to check for availability.

With a few of these tips we hope you have a fantastic stay in London during the 2012 Olympics.

Exploring the Middle East

Tushar Mathur — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:40:27 +0000

There are certain places that stay with you forever – places that inspire, educate and astound. The Middle East is one such place, with a history as long as it is contentious. The region includes popular tourist destinations for cheap holidays like Turkey and Egypt, as well as the lesser visited countries of Kuwait and Israel. With over 15 countries traditionally included in the definition there is a lot of territory to explore, but just a few gems that need to be visited, even just for a few days.

Everyone exalts the historical merits of Egypt, but the neighbouring country of Israel has just as much history. There are several places that need to be visited in the country, including the Dome of the Rock, the Dead Sea and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The country is also home to several beaches, including those on the Red Sea and others on the Mediterranean, so there is plenty of sand to pacify even the most addicted beachgoer.

Jerusalem in itself can be considered to be one of the most stunning tourist attractions in the world. With a Bazaar to rival any other in the world, you can spend hours walking along the crammed streets in search of the perfect souvenir and then devote the evening to tasting local specialties including Falafel and other chickpea based dishes. Israel is also well-known for its nargilas, water pipes, which can be found at many cafes in the city. If you visit Jerusalem, even if it’s just for one night, you should find accommodation with a roof terrace and watch the sunrise over the Dome of the Rock. As soon as the sun appears Mosques across the city call Muslim inhabitants to prayer. The sight and sound of this event will be the most beautiful thing you have ever seen or heard.

The Middle East may not be one of the most popular destinations, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best.

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Exploring the Middle East

Edinburgh Vs. Glasgow The Tale of 2 Cities

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

There has long been a debate about the relative merits of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Each city has a proud history and plenty to offer its inhabitants and visitors. So which is better? Both cities have their upsides and downsides, making it difficult to establish the answer to the question.

Size and Population

Glasgow with over a million inhabitants is a much larger city than Edinburgh, which has a more modest population of 500,000. Glasgow has much more of an industrial past than Edinburgh, so the population is more traditionally working class than Edinburgh, which has a very middle-class demographic. Many of Glasgow’s industries have now closed down, although there is still some ship building on the Clyde and the local economy now mainly comprises service industries. Edinburgh’s economy is largely financial, although tourism is also very important. Edinburgh also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Scotland. Glasgow is a larger city and has a more working-class profile, as well as suffering from more unemployment and this means that there are more deprived areas than in Edinburgh.

Culture and Nightlife

Edinburgh and Glasgow offer a wide range of cultural activities, with both having excellent museums. Glasgow is the home to Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, while Edinburgh is the host of the renowned annual festival, which attracts visitors from around the world. This means that hotels in Edinburgh city centre can be almost impossible to find during the month of August. Visitors should try to avoid this period if they are not interested in the festival. If they do want to travel to Edinburgh at this time, they should make sure to book well in advance. In terms of nightlife, Glasgow has a reputation of being trendier, with better bars and clubs. There are good restaurants in both cities.

Shopping and Architecture

In terms of shopping, Glasgow wins hands down. It has a far wider range of shops, from designer outlets such as Versace to well-known high-street brands. Many Edinburgh residents will make the journey to Glasgow to do their shopping.

In terms of their architecture, Edinburgh is a very attractive city with lovely old buildings, while Glasgow also has some very impressive old buildings but with much more in-filling with modern structures. Both cities have plenty of green spaces.

Tourism

Edinburgh can sometimes feel as if it is a city entirely populated by tourists, particularly during the summer months. It is the second-most popular tourist destination in the UK after London. However, Glasgow is the third-most popular so it also counts as an attractive tourist destination. As it is a much bigger city, visitors don’t dominate in quite the same way as in Edinburgh.

Infrastructure

Both cities have an airport and good bus and taxi services. Glasgow has the added advantage of having a subway, which can make it easier to get around. Both have good rail and road networks.

In truth, the city you prefer will depend on your interests and preferences. Edinburgh is a more classical city, where life is lived at a slightly sedate pace. Glasgow is a more modern, vibrant city with a younger, urban feel.

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Edinburgh Vs. Glasgow The Tale of 2 Cities

THE GREAT LAND – ALASKA

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:56:33 +0000

Alaska is amazing; a stunning, surreal smorgasbord of wild, rolling natural beauty perhaps unsurpassed anywhere else on the planet. It has everything from vast, impenetrable fjords to massive, slow moving ice floes. Mix in dense, unyielding tracts of pine forests. Add in an exhilarating mass of wildlife, from eagles to killer whales, and you have one of the most compelling vistas on show anywhere.

Nothing lets you see Alaska quite like a leisurely, luxurious cruise. Imagine lounging in a hot tub and savouring the shimmering Alaskan midnight sun, with a glass of champagne in your hand. Disembark at ports where the spirit of the Klondike is etched into every wooden frame and piece of timber, or soar in a seaplane above sun dappled expanses of pine. Look again- that might well have been a grizzly bear trudging gamely through the firs, heading towards the stream.

Savour freshly baked Alaskan salmon, newly caught and landed on your dinner table that same night. Take in the sight of enormous, impassive glaciers as the sun turns them a million different shades of arctic blue as they head out to sea like fleets of ghostly galleons.

Bask on your balcony in the shimmering glow of an endless summer night while eagles soar above you in the twilight. You might even catch the sight of vast blue whales breasting the glass still surface of the ocean, before their tails throw up fountains of spray with a resounding smack. Only a cruise ship allows you to see so much of this mesmerising landscape in such a short space of time, and from such a fantastic vantage point.

Adventures ashore are as rich and rewarding as the promise of ancient Alaskan gold. Hike through stunning tracts of magnificent rolling greenery, carpeted with amazing patchwork floral quilts. Take a kayak out into a still, stunning fjord and get up close and personal to a massive iceberg, reflected to mirror like perfection in the sea around you.

Alaska cruise tours give you the opportunity to explore amazing, cutting edge cities like Vancouver and cosmopolitan Seattle, and contrast their thrilling, space age architecture with the raw, rolling power of Mother Nature at her most extreme, colourful and vibrant.

From your ship you might see polar bears lunging into the sea as they attempt to catch the salmon heading upstate to spawn in the long summer days. The temperatures often come as a surprise; many people go home with a suntan gained from an hour or so spent gold prospecting ashore.

Like a fabulous floating feast for the senses, your cruise ship moves the scenery for you every day. Clapboard houses line spindly wooden piers that jut out into the pine fringed fjords. Seabirds wheel and circle like dive bombers as they swoop down on unsuspecting fish below.

From graceful cities to idly grazing Caribou, an will fill your days and nights with a sense of deep, profound awe and wonder that is simply priceless. Grand, raw and unforgettable, it is an adventure you will savour forever.

Written by Antony Nicolas for The Cruise Line, one of the leading retailers of luxury cruises in the UK.

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THE GREAT LAND – ALASKA

The threat of malaria – being careful when you travel

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:27:09 +0000

There is always a large number of things you must take on board when you’re heading out on holiday. You have to sort out flights, accommodation, insurance, your travel money and even clothing for the big trip away from home. However, you can often find yourself facing even greater dangers that you may not realise, depending on where you go. Malaria is perhaps the most major threat that you can face, at least if you’re heading to parts of Africa, Asia or the Americas.

Most British travellers will find themselves taking malaria tablets to counteract the effects of the disease if they go to problematic areas. The condition claims the lives of around a million people a year to make it one of the biggest killers in the world and as it is a tropical disease spread by night-biting mosquitoes, it only takes one bite for you to become infected. Around 1,500 travellers come back to the UK with malaria every year and in 2008, there were 1,370 cases of malaria and six deaths.

As such, it is still important – even if you’re taking malaria pills – to know the symptoms. While they often develop rather quickly – sometimes around eight days after being bitten – it must be remembered that parasites can stay inactive in the body, meaning the disease could take up to a year to develop.

Symptoms of malaria are similar to those of flu, so you must be very careful not to take a chance on your problems being a result of the latter. Malaria will bring about a high temperature or fever of 38°C or above, alongside cycles of sweats and chills. While you will generally feel unwell, you will also develop muscle pains, headaches, a cough and often diarrhoea. With many types of malaria, fevers will occur in 48-hour cycles; you can feel cold at first with shivering that may last as long as an hour, though this will be followed by a fever that lasts for two to six hour.

Most travellers from the UK who catch malaria will either forget to take any malaria tablets or do not take the correct ones for the part of the world they travel to. Before you head off to your selected destination, whether it’s India, Namibia or Honduras, you must visit a travel health clinic or GP for prevention advice.

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The threat of malaria – being careful when you travel

10 Must Read Tips Before Trading your Plane

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:14:33 +0000

If you are looking for resources to buy or sell an aircraft ,then advertising magazines for plane trading like aero trader or Trade a Plane are the best options. These advertising magazines can help you to trade your aircraft conveniently.

Tips for using advertising magazines:

To trade your aircraft on these advertising companies, there are some tips, which can help you:

The first thing you should concentrate on outlook of your aircraft. For this purpose, you should clean your airplane thoroughly, and then you need to take pictures of your airplane from every angle.

The second thing you need to do is you can prepare a list of specifications of your aircraft like the engine, prop, equipped avionics and any such thing, which is related to your airplane. At the end, you also have to mention your contact detail so people can do further inquiry.

Although you have to spend some money on advertisement, but it will certainly pay off as you will be able to make some more money by selling your aircraft at best possible price. Check out this website for advertising, Maule Aircraft For Sale.You can also choose Publisher Choice program. If you are looking for any free offers, then it is recommended to avoid such programs as they will only waste your time and delay your business.

You should be straight forward and honest while selling your aircraft to the buyer.

More pictures in your advertisement, more buyers you can attract.

If you want to sell your airplane easily than you should price your airplane accordingly. Right rice will get your buyer more quickly. If you do not get any response for your advertisement within a week than your price is expensive. If your price is right than your advertisement will receive a response within a week.

You can also add an element of urgency in your advertisement but for this purpose you should not tell any kind of lie. This is one technique for sales and marketing. However, if your airplane is in right state and price accordingly you will receive the response within some time.

Once you have placed an advertisement do not alter the price of aircraft. This is one thing, which can also affect the reputation of company and seller. Therefore, you should always stand for your words.

You should always avoid asking and giving permission for a test drive of your aircraft. For this purpose, Murphy Law applies equally. If any person is purchasing aircraft most probably he has flown this model before. Therefore, all he needs to know is about the condition of the engine in aircraft. However, if the test drive is necessary than you should have insurance of your airplane.

Logbooks can help to enhance the value of your aircraft. Logbooks contain all records of maintenance of your airplane therefore; this can help to evaluate price of your airplane right.

You will find many customers who will come from far across to see your airplane so it is advisable to enhance the appearance of your airplane. You can polish your airplane for this purpose. You will also find many people who will not approve your airplane and may point few things wrong. You should not take this personally. Rather, you should point major problems by yourself; it will also build your credibility for a buyer. However, if you are not aware of something, which is mentioned by the customer, you should be polite but stand for your statement.

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10 Must Read Tips Before Trading your Plane

Eating around the world

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:59:10 +0000

There is no doubt that different people around the world have different spending habits when it comes to food. Some are more likely to eat out and others are more likely to stay home. But when it comes to an average trip to the grocery store, what are the price differences from country to country? Are some families about to take advantage of the best savings rates because they are spending less on food?

Putting Together a Shopping List

The best way to compare prices is to assume that everyone is putting the same items in their basket. For this comparison theUnited States,United Kingdom,Spain,FranceandAustraliaand their prices are represented. Of course, you can’t be sure that every family is placing these items in the cart.

Different countries have different cuisine, meals and specialties, but there are some things that most families just can’t live without. This includes items like milk, bread and eggs. For the sake of adding meat, chicken breast was included as was fresh cheese.

In order to include fresh produce to the overall prices, the same amount of items like apples, oranges, potatoes and a head of lettuce were also added to the shopping cart. Finally, a bottle of water, a bottle of mid-range wine and domestic and imported beers along with cigarettes were also included. Again, while every family may not have these items in their shopping cart, it helps to give an overall picture.

After finding some of the best savings rates, you may be considering a trip to any one of these locations. You can imagine at one point during your stay, wandering in to pick up some of these necessities to cook your own meal or to bring over to the house of a friend. Even grocery prices can be important to a traveler.

Comparisons

When the grocery list is complete and everything is in the basket,Spaincomes out on top. In most cases, in an item-to-item comparison,Spain’s food prices were less than all the others. Milk, eggs, bread and even a bottle of wine cost less inSpainthan any of the other countries represented.

As a stark comparison, the cost of the same basket of groceries inAustraliawas almost double. Bread, eggs and chicken breast were much higher as were the cigarettes and spirits purchased. There were no items that were less inAustraliathan anywhere else.

What does this mean? It could mean that the people ofSpaincould be more likely to take advantage of the best savings rates with the money they save on groceries. However, there are a variety of different factors to take into consideration when looking at the cost of items in a grocery basket. These factors may include a family’s average yearly salary from one country to the next. Location often plays a role as well.

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Eating around the world

Top Destinations For Adventure Lovers

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:32:38 +0000

If your idea of a great break involves an outdoor setting and a generous sprinkling of excitement and adrenaline, then why not consider taking a break on one of these great destinations – all of which are well equipped to deal with those who like a bit of adventure when they go away.

Turkey

Traditionally seen as a beach destination, Turkey is fast gaining popularity with the adventure travel crowd. Active visitors can choose from a wide range of activities -from hiking on the gentle Mediterranean coast or more demanding trails of the Kackar mountains, to cycling along the stunning shores of the Aegean. Water sports fans will fin a range of centres offering activities from windsurfing to scuba diving, while sailing is also popular here, with traditional Gulet boats available for charter.

Highlands, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are often overlooked by adventure lovers, but this region offers a great selection of activities and entertainments for the adrenaline junkie. Easily accessible from across the UK – visitors can travel by air or rail or take advantage of vehicle rental deals on offer from sites such as www.121carhire.com if they prefer to travel under their own steam. In the summer the many peaks of the various Highland mountain ranges make a great spot for Munro bagging, climbing and abseiling, while the same ranges are transformed to a challenging snow sports environment in winter months. Kayaking and canoeing is available on many Highland lochs, with the Great Glen Way canoe trail due to open in summer 2012. Other popular activities in the area include canyoning and mountain biking, with centres offering active breaks scattered across the area.

Spain

Traditionally viewed as a beach destination, or a place for a cosmopolitan city break, Spain also has a lot to offer the adventure traveller. From the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, where snow sports dominate in winter and ascents and descents abound in the summer, to the plains of Andalucía, popular with cyclists and horse riders. For an alternative active holiday, head f or the Atlantic coast with its world-class surfing waves, or be inspired underwater off the Costa Brava – a spectacular site for scuba.

New Zealand

New Zealand is perhaps the spiritual home of adventure travel –with its well-earned reputation for blazing the trail for adrenaline-fuelled activities. NZ offered ample opportunity for adventurers to indulge –from white water rafting down volcanic gorges, to heli-skiing off glaciers, to bridge bungee and hill zorbing – New Zealand offers it all, against some of the world’s most stunning natural backdrops.

Regardless of personal preferences and preferred holiday pastimes, adventure lovers will be sure to find what they are looking for in one of these great getaway spots, meaning a great time will be had by all. If you are planning on taking an adventure break, be sure to purchase adequate insurance cover in advance of travel, stipulating the activities you intend to take part in to the broker in order to avoid any hitches in the event of an accident or mishap during the trip.

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Top Destinations For Adventure Lovers

Best Winter City Breaks

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:30:58 +0000

With the long dark nights and the demands of the holiday season, winter can be a good time to think about taking a break away from home.

One great way to relax and recharge during the winter months is to take a city break, with a great selection of urban destinations easily accessible across Europe.

There is a range of European city break options open to travellers – from independent travel to package deals – all of which can be discussed with a local travel agent, or easily booked online using your favourite travel sites.

City breaks can be tailored to suit the needs of any type of travellers, from those enjoying a weekend away with friends, to partners looking for a romantic escape – whatever you are seeking on your sojourn, the cities of Europe will be able to oblige.

Choosing a Destination for Your Winter City Break

If you are thinking of heading off on a city break in Europe this winter you will be spoiled for choice. Some of most popular choices of city for getaways include:

Barcelona: There’s nothing better to break up a long cold winter than a break in Barcelona. This popular city break destination is great all year round, with a wide range of attractions and distractions on offer. Those choosing city breaks in Barcelona can take advantage of the city’s great shopping opportunities, sample the world renowned local cuisine, or enjoy some of Europe’s most amazing architecture such as Gaudi’s stunning Sagrada Familia in the city centre.

Paris: The French capital is a year round city, but visit in the winter and you will see a different side to the city. Wrap up warm and take a stroll along the Champs Elysees to see the seasonal window displays before heading to a pavement cafe to enjoy a winter warming “chocolat chaud” or something a little stronger.

Prague: if you are looking for a winter city break destination then Prague can be a brilliant alternative to the better-known western European choices. Take a walk over the Charles Bridge and see the winter cityscape, before warming up with a sample the potent local Becherovka spirit in a characterful street cafe on the Old Town Square.

Cologne: If you want a winter city break to get you in the holiday spirit then Cologne is a great choice of destination. As home to one of Germany’s best Christmas markets. The traditional holiday fayre is held well in the city centre against the backdrop of the amazing Gothic Cathedral – well worth a visit in its own right. See local Christmas crafts and enjoy a glass of warming gluhwein to get yourself in the holiday spirit.

Basel: The Swiss city of Basel sits on the border with France and Germany and, as such, enjoys the influence of all three countries. Great for a visit during the winter, Basel is a city whose streets are scented by hot roasting chestnuts, where entertainers gather on the cobbles to show off their skills to the passing visitors.

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Best Winter City Breaks

Benidorm – a package holiday for every season

Tushar Mathur — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:39:24 +0000

From the varied bars, clubs and restaurants to the white sand beaches, Benidorm package holidays are great all year round. Just 45km from Alicante airport, it is easy to book cheap flights to Benidorm from most UK airports.

Situated on the Costa Blanca in Spain, Benidorm has grown from a small village to the bustling ‘Little New York’ you will find today. Skyscrapers tower above the town giving it a modern flair which contrasts with the atmospheric cobbled streets of the Old Town where you can stroll at your leisure to explore the shops and drinking establishments.

During the day choose from three Blue Flag beaches in Benidorm, each offering water sports and additional facilities. Levante is considered one of the best beaches in Europe while Poniente is a little quieter for some great sunbathing and swimming. Or why not enjoy the water parks where you can have thrills and spills on the flumes, rapids and waterfalls.

Nightlife is another real attraction of Benidorm package holidays whether you are looking to hit the clubs or simply wish to sit back and sip a relaxing cocktail or two. Free cabaret is also a highlight for many looking for live entertainment.

No matter what time of year you choose to travel, you will discover a mild climate – Benidorm is even popular for a Christmas break. A diverse range of reasonable accommodation makes the town a truly accessible Spanish resort. There are also some great day trips on offer so that you can see the beautiful natural features of the Costa Blanca.

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Benidorm – a package holiday for every season