Durham Heritage Centre and Museum: To Know More about Durham

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Source: articlesbase.com



For those who wish to delve in to the interesting facts on Durham, there is no better place than the Durham Heritage Centre and Museum. It is positioned near North Bailey and Bow Lane. Anyone stepping in to this phenomenal museum will leave it with a clear picture on Durham from medieval times to how it is today. The Durham Heritage Centre and Museum is housed within a historic church and lies in close proximity to the World Heritage Site. The museum uses different approaches in order to introduce Durham to its visitors. For example they have used videos, exhibitions, activities, models and so much more. Most exhibits explain the beginnings and developments that took place thereafter in the city. There are also numerous displays showing visitors how life went on in Durham from the 17th century until today. The Durham Heritage Centre and Museum was set up by the Bow Trust in the Church of St Mary-le-Bow. One of the main intensions was to protect the city’s important artefacts and at the same time to preserve the Church of St Mary-le-Bow. The Durham Heritage Centre and Museum provides clear insights on special areas such as St Cuthbert, the Durham Castle, the Medieval City, the Butcher Baron, the Market Place, Domestic Life, Durham Industries, Coal Mining, Crime and Punishment and Brass Rubbing. Another interesting fact is that the museum is the sole brass rubbing centre in County Durham today. Even visitors to the museum can join in and create brass rubbings or purchase a precious piece from the onsite shop that sells a wide range of souvenirs. The museum is open from April to the end of October and is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. Special school and group tours can also be arranged. Around 30 children can be accommodated during a school visit which will take about 2 to 3 hours. Travellers can easily plan their stay at a nearby Durham hotel and further explore the remarkable Durham Heritage Centre and Museum. For example, Millennium Hotel Durham is a great place to feel and discover genuine Southern charm along with its extensive range of amenities offered to both sightseers and business travellers.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

The sixth IBS centre in the world

Author: Pradeep P. Suthan

Source: articleage.com



Oommen Chandy Inaugurates IBS' Second Software Development

Centre in India



Cochin (Oct 3, 2005) Shri. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of

Kerala, today formally inaugurated IBS' software development

centre at Infopark, Cochin. This is IBS' sixth centre in the

world and second such centre in the state.



This is a major milestone for the Trivandrum-headquartered IBS

and in line with the company's ambitious growth plans.

Commencing with an employee strength of 57 in 1997, IBS plans to

end the financial year with more than 1000 employees. An

aggressive recruitment drive is currently on to meet these

target. Plans are also afoot to build an IBS campus within

Technopark, Trivandrum and one at Cochin.



According to Mr. V K Mathews, Chairman & Managing Director, IBS

Software Services, "Today is a significant landmark in the

history of IBS. Our move to Cochin amply demonstrates our

commitment to the state of Kerala. The opportunities in the

state, its forward-looking IT policies and the quality of its

manpower give home-grown companies like ours an edge over many".



The IBS Group with its successful global business model has made

significant progress in the travel, transportation and logistics

(TTL) domain and plans to close the financial year with

contracts worth US$50 million (Apr'05-Mar'06). IBS' success and

growth plans got a fillip when Air New Zealand Cargo, Gulf Air

and South African Airways Cargo joined it in the development of

a next generation air cargo and logistics management system,

"iCargo". IBS has also forged a successful business alliance

with Cendant TDS (a leading Fortune 100 company) for the

development of a new generation Passenger Services System, aiRES

(formerly known as iRes). These are just a few of its major

initiatives in the TTL domain.



IBS is a leading multi-national IT corporation that provides IT

solutions for TTL with a clientele that includes three of the

world's top airlines, two world-renowned airports, and two of

the top five oil companies.



About IBS Software Services



The IBS Group (IBS) is a leading IT solutions provider for the

global Travel, Transportation and Logistics industry. A

specialist in the domain, IBS offers a range of software

solutions that manage mission-critical operations of major

airlines, airports, oil and gas companies and seaports

world-wide. In addition, IBS offers services that include

software development, business and technology consulting,

turnkey solutions, customer support services, application

maintenance, and business process outsourcing. IBS is SEI CMM

Level-5 assessed, ISO 9001:2000 and TickIT certified, and

operates two software production and competence development

centres in India. With some of the world's leading corporations

as clients, IBS has business operations in the Americas, Europe,

Asia-Pacific as well as the Middle East and Africa regions. More

information about IBS can be found on the web at www.ibsplc.com.

For media enquiries, contact Pradeep P. Suthan at

+91-471-2700080 or at pradeeps@ibsplc.com.

Travelling to Australia - Make Sure You Get Insured

Author: Andy Harcombe

Source: ezinearticles.com



Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To Australia



Travel insurance is often neglected when planning a holiday or business trip. In Britain we are used to a free healthcare system and often forget that in many countries this is not the case. We tend to not realise that luggage can be lost at an airport and that pick-pockets operate in Lisbon as well as London. Most of the time, travel insurance acts as a peace of mind...right up to the time you need it and then it can be the most important article in your suitcase.



Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?



As we are all aware, accidents can happen at any time and in any place to anybody In the worst of circumstances, this can cause significant injury as well as ruining a holiday or business trip. Unfortunately no-one can predict when these accidents will occur or the severity of them when they do. The only thing to do is to have a high quality travel insurance policy. It may feel like you are gambling against yourself when arranging such a policy, however, nothing could be further from the truth.



Luggage can be easily lost at airport, this in normally sufficient to ruin a holiday, having to endure a flight and then to traipse around a shopping centre to buy clean socks and shirts. Travel insurance can't make this impossible to happen, but can help pay for your new clothes, which will ease the pain a little.



Something as innocent as a wet floor or trip down a flight of stairs could lead to a hospital trip, for example, to administer to a broken wrist or ankle. Medical insurance will usually cover the cost but if you need to return early your travel insurance policy may have a clause to allow this to be claimed for.



When in a foreign country and hiring a car try to know the local traffic laws. We drive on the left in the UK, not too many countries follow suit on this. In Australia they drive on the left hand side, and driving laws are similar to that in the UK. If you cause an accident, personal liability may be an issue. A good travel insurance policy will also have a clause that allows travel back to the UK if a medical emergency arises.



What Should I Look For In Travel Insurance



Travel insurance is a safety net when abroad. A good travel insurance policy should cover you for medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad, 24 hour emergency service and assistance and personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property.



Other things to consider when purchasing travel insurance are, what is the value of your lost and stolen possessions cover? What's the maximum you can claim on a single piece of your inventory? Are you covered for cancellation and/or curtailment of your flight or ferry? Does your policy have extra cover for activities that are usually not included standard policies, such as jet skiing or adventure activities? Are there any financial insurances in case your carrier airline becomes bankrupt before or during your excursion abroad?
Socio-Political Issues



Australia has a seasonal weather system of extreme weather conditions. There are seasonal flash floods and long periods of intense heat. There are occasional cyclone systems in the summer months November to April. These tropical storms can cause small creeks to become engorged and the strong winds can cause some damage to buildings.



During the summer months there is also the possibility of bush fires. These can cause large volumes of smoke to be blown from the source into population centres such as the Victoria bush fire in February 2009.



Australia has a general threat of terrorism, similar to the UK. Common sense is required in high density tourist location's. But no more than would be used in the UK.



Driving in Australia is permitted on a valid UK driving Licence and similar road rules apply, seatbelt must be worn, similar speed limits etc.



Specific Insurances



Australia has a fabulous reputation as a holiday destination. The sun, sea and sand formula is exceptionally powerful draw for visitors. Care must be taken however at beach destinations. Crime rates are similar to the UK, therefore do not leave articles alone on a beach. Travel Insurance will replace lost goods and monies but it's better to have not had them stolen. Before embarking on a holiday activity, check that it is covered within your travel insurance policy. An accident resulting from a non-covered activity is not going to be paid out for by the insurance company. Some activities will be covered and these will be detailed within the policy.



There is the obvious risks at Australian beaches of improper equipment so check all materials and vehicles to the best of your ability. Don't be afraid to ask any instructors to show their qualifications if appropriate.



As you travel further to the centre of Australia, you enter the Outback. The dangers here are from heat and wildlife. Its advised to have a satellite phone as mobile signal is very sparse in the desert. It is important to know your travel insurance contact number should any mishap occur as well as the phone number of the territory police number.



If you decide to go on a more adventurous holiday such as skiing, make sure you have winter sports cover. There are places to ski in Australia, though for many visitors from the UK, its not the first thing they think to do when disembarking at Sydney airport.



If you partake in a helicopter tour of the local area, be aware that baggage and belonging are carries at your own risk. Therefore travel insurance is recommended to cover your effects.



Should you run into difficulties and they exceed the level of cover supplied by your travel insurance policy the British consulate is located at



British High Commission in Australia
Commonwealth Avenue
Yarralumla
ACT 2600
Australia



Canberra
Telephone: (+61) (0) 2 6270 6666 This number is NOT for passport or visa enquiries
Fax: (+61) (0)2 6273 3236



Visa & passport contacts:
1300 858 472 Visa enquiries
1300 367 066 Passport enquiries
1902 941 555 General info

Andy Harcombe is a freelance marketer who writes for a number of companies and magazines.

This article was written for Insure Your Trip. Experts in insurance worldwide travel insurance.

Trans Atlantic SEO: Is A Call Centre The Same As A Call Center?

Author: Dominic Reid

Source: download



"We (the British and Americans) are two countries separated by a common language."

G.B. Shaw

There is a patina of friendly competition that spans the north Atlantic, and misunderstandings can be humorous and worthy of retelling many times over a whiskey. As an American replied when asked, by an Englishman, 'why he pronounced words in such a curious way', he said 'perhaps we went to different schools'.

Well, different schools it may be, but language is changing on both sides of the Atlantic, and anyone with a website that wants to take advantage of two of the biggest markets in online business, should know exactly when search engines find it important.

It was Noah Webster who changed many words to their present form. Slowly he Americanised spelling. He chose s over c in words like defence; he changed the re to er in words like centre; changed traveller to traveler, and although at first he kept the u in words like colour or favour, he changed them in later editions of his dictionary.

So what are the ramifications of for SEO.

Let us take as an example www.opexhosting.com.

OPEX are a provider of call centre solutions in the UK, so on the face of it would use key phrases like call centre, or contact centre, with the 'er' ending as they are spelled in the UK.

It is not, however, quite that simple.

A tool that says it provides results depending on what market you are aiming at is the yahoo search marketing keyword tool (Overture).

If I type in 'call centre' in the section designed to exhibit UK results, I find that the UK spelling does not come up at all in the singular spelling of the word. It seems that the UK spelling of 'call centre' has dropped from the radar entirely.

Are we getting confused about spelling in old blighty? It wouldn't be the first time. We might drive 60 miles, but then run 100 metres, a hot day can be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is cold at sub zero degrees centigrade, cars are filled in Litres, but a car that does 50 miles to the gallon is doing its bit to save the planet.

Not giving in I went back to my trusty keyword tool and tried again with 'catalogue', and it came back with results spelled 'catalog'.

Smelling a rat I popped across to the overture bid tool, and found that the bids were exactly the same for the US and UK spellings. It seems that yahoo search marketing (or what used to be overture) bundles US and UK spellings in the same pot. I was not going to get any meaningful data here.

I then took a look at the keyword suggestion tool at wordtracker.com which finally gave me some recognisable results. Using its own database of searched for terms, It told me that 570 people per day were searching for call center (US) and 92 were looking for a call centre (UK). So UK English is, most probably, still being used in England.

But how do search engines react to the different spellings?

Google does take notice. If we type 'Contact centre' into Google we get different results to 'contact center', as we do for 'color' and 'colour', so Google does not just bundle the results into one big lump.

How do the results differ? Well for a start in the US version of Google, which seems to get from 70% to 80% of Google traffic even in the UK, 'call center' gets 947,000,000 results, and 'call centre' gets 157,000,000, which is a very similar ratio to the wordtracker results at around 6 to 1 US to UK spellings.

If we look at google.co.uk results are, of course, biased more towards UK results, including spelling. But with many UK websites reporting only 25% to 30% of Google traffic coming from the UK version its search engine, we find ourselves in a quandary.

If we do a search on 'call centres', in Google's US version, using the English spelling, the number two slot is a website that does not have the UK version of the word in it.

Put simply.

If you are an American or an English site, with any keywords that require different spellings for each side of the pond, and you want to either capture the other market or even, in the case of UK sites, be sure of covering all angles in your own market, best optimise for both.

So how do we do that.

One way is to maintain a .co.uk (or .com.au etc) and a .com site. This risks tripping over Google's 'duplicate content' algorithm made popular in the jagger update, and marketing efforts, like link building, would have to be for two separate sites.

Another possibility is to use both UK and US spelling in the same site content. But how does this look in a site that is trying to tell its visitors that they are an eloquent business proposition. Well, it is possible to put alternative spellings into things like meta tags and image alts. It's perfectly legal, although Noah Webster might turn in his grave.

Dominic Reid is a Search engine optimization analyst who runs OpenG SEO.

Travel in Ibiza Spain

Author: Ispas Marin

Source: articleage.com



Ibiza is well known as the clubbing capital of Europe, it boasts great scenery and isolated beaches so whether you want to party on or chill out, there will be something to attract you there. It is invaded every summer by a multinational force of party going sun seekers.







Beachside, discos, clubs and bars ensure the place never sleeps. The clubbing season starts in mid June when the opening parties bring the towns of San Antonio and the island's capital, Ibiza Town, to life.







They continue, all day and all night, through to the closing parties in late September. Unlike many other glittering resort communities, Ibiza Town is actually a living, breathing place with an interesting old quarter with ample interests for families and older visitors. The island effectively closes down through the winter, which is when people seeking something more tranquil and picturesque tend to visit.







It is not a cheap place to holiday, however for Ibizan attractions and services, such as car hire they do get a lot cheaper during the low season but for a holiday spent on the beach and not doing much else then plan on getting by on $60 - $70. If you want to visit the nightclubs then budget for an extra $40-$60 a day.







It has fine beaches, endless sunshine, good food and wild nightlife. Inland, the landscape is harsh, dry and rocky. You will find a pure and simple Mediterranean culture, and remains of populations, which inhabited the island, thousands of years ago, as for instance the famous wall paintings of Ses Fontelles







Ibiza town has several museums worth visiting-among them, the Archaeological Museum and the museum of the Puig des Molins necropolis. You'll also find plenty of tourist shops and a casino that will gladly to take your hard earned cash.







Ibiza offers various culinary delights. The town centres tend to offer cheap food for hungry clubbers but away from the main tourist districts, there are restaurants and caf้s serving good food from all over the world, as well as traditional Spanish and Ibizan dishes.







The biggest club in Ibiza is called Privilege and the Guinness Book of Records lists it as the world's largest - and it's home to the biggest club night in Ibiza, called 'Manumission'.







Famous for it's excess in the late 90s, culminating in a live sex show featuring some of the Manumission owners, it achieved notoriety in the tabloid newspapers and it has been must-do for clubbers for years. It's also been described as the most beautiful club in the world, though the recent. The club is so big there is even a separate DJ in the toilets.







All around the island and away from the main tourist centres are the secluded beaches and coves. The best way of discovering them is to hire a car or a moped and spend a day exploring, though you'll also get a view of them from the sea if you take one of the many boat trips, which operate, from most of the major coastal spots. Perfect for relaxing and preparing yourself for the night ahead.







The Cova de can Marca is also well worth exploring. It is a cave system, located above San Miguel bay and is over a hundred thousand years old and was once used by tobacco and liquor smugglers. It's home to an impressive collection of stalactites and stalagmites







The saltpans of Las Salinas are one of the island's most popular tourist attractions. Every year around 2500 cubic metres of seawater floods through a network of manmade channels, where the water is then allowed to evaporate under the relentless summer sun, transforming into a pinky-white salt crust that glistens as the sun sets over it every evening. The result is truly spectacular.







The town of Santa Eulalia is also worth a visit as it is a very beautiful area with a long promenade and beach. It is also one of the best gastronomic and cultural centres on the island and has an exclusive Yacht marina and Art gallery, definitely the non-clubbers paradise.







Travel by Taxis







Taxis in Ibiza are a useful way to travel around the towns and visit nearby sights and attractions. The taxi meters starts at a basic fare, but additional charges are usually made for luggage, night time driving and travel on public holidays in Ibiza.







Driving Tips







Citizens of EU member countries require a national driving licence to drive cars in Spain







Citizens from non-EU member countries need an International Driving Permit, as well as their national driving licence. You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in Spain and have a valid driving licence and car insurance.







It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts and children under 14 years old are not allowed to travel in front seats. In Spain, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. Give way to traffic coming from the right at junctions and roundabouts







Beware of what appear to be shortcuts on maps - these often turn out to be unpaved roads or mountain passes.It is an offence not to carry some form of identification, such as passport or driving licence







Ibiza, Spain Travel Car / Car Rental







Driving in the centre of large towns and popular resorts are best avoided, as many of the streets and narrow, with one-way traffic. Cars parked alongside the pavements can also making driving conditions difficult. However, a car in Ibiza provides a useful way to travel around the island and a current map of Ibiza's roads is essential. There are many winding roads around the island that offer some truly spectacular views.

Travel in Australia

Author: Ispas Marin

Source: articleage.com



Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and it is over twenty times the size of the United Kingdom has the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country) and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest continent on the planet.







Aboriginal settlers first arrived in Australia from Southeast Asia, forty thousand years before even the first Europeans came in the 17th century. As no formal territorial claims were made at that particular time, it was a British Captain James Cook who landed at Botany Bay with convicts, outside Sydney who took possession in 1770. Colonies were then created to become what is now the termed the commonwealth of Australia.







The country developed rapidly, and made a significant contribution to Britain's war efforts in world wars one and two. Australia is truly a country of magical contrasts and is the driest and hottest country on earth, however it is a fabulous all year round holiday destination. In the Australian winter you can ski in the southern states one day and be diving in the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland the next.







Australia's cities are dynamic and thriving, with areas of outstanding natural beauty and vast, extremely remote, un-populated and isolated regions. The majority of Australians live 50 Km (~30 miles) or less from the coast and much of the interior is un-populated. Travelling through some remote or isolated parts of Australia can be an extremely hazardous experience and should not be undertaken unless prepared.







The country is divided into six states, two mainland territories and several external territories and dependencies and comprises the mainland, the island of Tasmania and a multitude of smaller off shore islands such as The Whitsundays located off the northeast coast







The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly Australia's premier attraction. At over 1,400 miles in length, the Great Barrier Reef is reckoned to be the world's largest natural feature and can even be seen from space! It consists of thousands of individual reefs and over 600 islands; the Barrier Reef is best-enjoyed scuba diving or glass boating. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a "must do" activity and trips there can be organised out of the tourist resorts of Cairns or Port Douglas







The Red Centre, located in the Northern Territory, is both the physical and spiritual centre of Australia. It is spiritual to the aboriginal people and as such is the site of the world famous Uluru (Ayers Rock), reddish rock that is the world's largest monolith. Climbing this rock is deemed offensive to the Aborigines and is therefore discouraged at most to ignorant tourists. Posing in stark contrast to its flat surrounding, Uluru is best viewed at sunrise and sunset when its colour seems to change in mysterious and magical ways.







Sydney is definitely a must see, has many attractions and fabulous setting in which to enjoy them. The city's natural harbour features the ultimately spectacular Opera House, the Rocks (the original penal colony in Australia), Darling Harbour, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Throw in some great beaches (Bondi, Manly, Chinaman's) and it's famous Gastronomic delights and you begin to realize why Sydney is a truly world class city. No wonder the recent Olympics were voted one of the best ever!







Melbourne is the most stylish city in Australia as it is home to a neat blend of modern and Victorian architectures. Federation Square and great places for eating drinking and shopping







Canberra is the capital and government centre of Australia. It is a purpose built, ultra modern high tech city. It is not one for a historical or character outlook because of this. However trips to Parliament house and the National Gallery are worth doing.







It has to be mentioned that Australia's flora and fauna are truly unique, nowhere else on earth are such to be found. The nature is so diverse and very interesting, so strange that the creatures hop or burrow and carry their young in pouches. It was once considered that the country had a different evolutionary path than the rest of the world's species. Seeing the nature there is quite an experience, on a par with Africa, although the creatures are not quite as physically imposing.







Travel by Bus







All the cities of Australia are well served by buses, which travel throughout the entire city. Buses are available for both inner-city tourist attractions, which features numerous sightseeing stops around, and buses are also available for attractions, travelling up to around 30 miles from the city. Bus fares in most cities are purchased from the bus driver and there are discount ticket options available.







Travel by Taxi







Taxis in the cities is an economic option for shorter journeys and taxicabs travel all over the centres and suburbs. Cabs can be flagged down on the streets, while taxi ranks are to be found outside the Airports, bus stations, railway stations and many other locations.







Travel by Car Hire/Rental







Renting a car can be an economical way to travel around the Australian city areas, with some firms offering discounts for rentals of three days and over. To rent a car you must show a full driver's licence and a credit card in the driver's name. Cars are usually rented to customers between the ages of 23 to 70 years, although some companies can make exceptions.

Travel In Italy: Free Travel Guide Of Milan By Flashbooking For Backpackers And Families

Author: Michele De Capitani

Source: articledashboard.com



Milan, a northern Italian city, stands in the centre of the large Lombardy plain, between the the Po, Adda and Ticino river valleys.



Like many citys of its kind located on a plain, the city radiates out,in a regular pattern from its nucleus, the ancient city centre.This large and lively city is an important financial centre, a creative fashion workshop and a place rich in artistic and cultural sights.



Flashbooking is a growing cheap hostel Milan and hotels directory specializing in budget accommodation for independent travellers, students, backpackers, families and all the ones that travel on a pocket. Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online.



The Piazza del Duomo, is recognised as the official centre of the city. The square is flanked by a long line of porticoes and on the square's left side, the entrance to the Vittorio Emanuele II. The two Arengario buildings facing the gallery from across the square, indicate the access point to Piazza Diaz.



Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trips, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low... those are Flashbooking happy travellers!



See Flashbooking database of selected accommodations worldwide and help us enlarging the hostel offer by reporting the contacts of some accommodations, lodgings, BandB, youth hostels and budget small hotels where you personally stayed. In fact, Flashbooking policy tends to privilege small and family-run hotels in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.



The Castello Sforzesco in Milan, stands out among the city's many Renaissance buildings. The castle, built in 1368, is the site of the Civic Museum, dedicated to visual and applied art from the Medieval period to the 17th century, together with Paleo-Christian art and sections on ancient and Egyptian art.



Flashbooking provides a large selection of cheap or low cost reservation offers in Milan where there are plenty of low cost solutions for backpackers in budget youth hostels, bed and breakfast Milan, family run guesthouses, cheap hotel deals.



With the monthly newsletter, Flashbooking puts at travellers, students, volunteers free disposal some useful pocket travel guides of major European cities: the Amsterdam City guide, the London City guide, the Prague City guide, the Paris City guide, the Rome City guide, the Florence City guide, and the freshly issued Milan City guide!! For the Milan travel guide Flashbooking staff efforts concentrate on making it simple to read dividing the Milan centre in different districts with their relevant amenities.



In general, Flashbooking guides have been written for giving the essential information about the most visited cities in the world and in particular for any traveller or first-time visitor. For a short visit, a week-end, a city break, these free pocket guides are useful printable and downloadable tools available online.



Milan is renown for its open and friendly international people, art museums and Art Galleries, the sea, the movida and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries and a lot more to make a visit worth wise.



Flashbooking chose to provide backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide, mostly run by locals, in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies. For this and other reasons Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online.



Flashbooking cheap lodging solutions are all available for online bookings and divided by Countries. Travellers have free access to the updated list of Europe hostels and budget hotels, North and South America hostels, Caribbean and Central America hostels as well as for Asia cheap accommodations, Oceania youth hostels and Africa hostels.



Having the reservation final price is also convenient as it does give the transparency our users pretend while booking. Having the final total amount of your booking means you do not have to worry about other extra surprises!



Flashbooking policy tends to privilege small and family-run hotels in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.



So mates, we are looking forward to finding you THE budget accommodation in Milan, that meets your needs and pocket for your next trip!

Travel in Albufeira Portugal

Author: Ispas Marin

Source: articleage.com



Albufeira is quite simply Portugal's version of Spain's Benidorm, a town dedicated to supplying the downmarket British punter with everything he might want, from eggs and bacon for breakfast to big-screen football with fish and chips for dinner. Pile 'em high, sell 'em low, Albufeira is a place to play hard at the right price and live the lifestyle the foreign way.







It is a mere three-hour flight from the UK, with over 14 flights a day to the main airport in Faro. Add to this that it boasts almost all-year sun, has great beaches and low prices, then you can understand why just over a million and a half UK visitors made the journey there last year. Over 14 flights a day to Faro.







Albufeira was a busy trading port in ancient times and declined into a poor fishing town in the 18th century, after being swamped by tidal waves and burnt out by civil war. However, since the early1960s the town has prospered, thanks to a tourist boom. Albufeira is undoubtedly Portugalย's most popular resort,spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, its sandy coves and golden beaches drawing an assorted crowd from retired couples to young teens, and families with young children.







Everyone finds something to enjoy in this sprawling, low-rise holiday town, which retains its old world charm with narrow passageways behind the new hip and happening "Strip". The Strip, to the east of town, runs from the Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia da Oura, lined with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars that operate from breakfast time to the small hours. All along the stretch of beach below the central square, craggy fishermen mend their nets unperturbed by the topless sunbathers lazying around them.







While the chief attraction of Albufeira is its several enchanting beaches, most protected by ochre-tinted cliffs, there are some interesting sightseeing possibilities too, like the new Virtual Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery and a museum showcasing Ming ceramics. Those who travel inland will find a tranquil green countryside to explore, prevalent with almond, fig, orange and pine trees, where little villages stand timelessly in the sun.







Activities to do in Albufeira:







Sun and sea bathing on the golden beaches and in the warm, clear water is enough for most holiday makers, with around an astonishing twenty three beaches (some with Blue Flag status) in the area along a 19-mile (30km) stretch of coastline. All sorts of watersports are on offer at the main beaches, from sailing and windsurfing to jet-skiing. Golfers can attempt the neat nine-hole Pine Cliffs course about three miles (5km) east of Albufeira at the Sheraton Algarve.







For children, fun times can be found at Zoo Marine in Guia, just a few miles away, with water slides, swimming pools, dolphin shows and an aquarium. Exploring the intriguing old town centre on foot is a pleasant way to pass a day.







Look out for interesting local landmarks like the Clock Tower at Rua Bernardino de Sousa, and the 18th-century Parish Church on the Rua da Igreja Nova built on the site of an earlier one that collapsed in the earthquake of 1755. One of the few buildings that survived that quake is the Old Inn on Rua Henrique Calado. Also fascinating is the Xorino Cave, which served as shelter for fugitive Moors during the Christian conquest of the town in olden times.







After a hot day in the sun most holiday makers enjoy sipping a drink at one of the many outdoor cafes, watching the world go by, before moving to one of the lively bars that surround the town square or line The Strip. Bars keep bopping until three or four in the morning, but those who want to dance the night away can keep going until sunrise at one of the nightclubs or discos in the town.







Albufeira can keep most shoppers reaching for their wallets with a tantalising array of goodies. The townย's main shopping plaza is the Modelo Centre in Rua de Municipio, north of the centre. Not far away is the lively Algarve Shopping Complex in Guia, where brand name shoes and clothes are on offer in a high street mall type complex, along with restaurants, an English-language cinema and bowling alley.







Those seeking genuine local souvenirs should look out for mats made from rush or corn husks in the villages of Almeijoafras and Monte Novo, woven baskets, wood carvings and some glazed terracotta ceramics. These are to be found in numerous independent shops in the town centre as well as local markets







For eating out, Albufeira simply has lots to offer, the Portuguese love their fish and all fish is caught locally. There are lots of seafood restaurants clustered down by Fisherman's Beach. If itย's other food you are looking for, Albufeira has it in abundance.







Travel by Taxis







Taxis in Albufeira are a useful way to travel around the towns and visit nearby sights and attractions. The taxi meters starts at a basic fare, but additional charges are usually made for luggage, night time driving and travel on public holidays in Albufeira







Driving Tips







Citizens of EU member countries require a national driving licence to drive cars in Portugal. Citizens from non-EU member countries need an International Driving Permit, as well as their national driving licence You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in Portugal and have a valid driving licence and car insurance.







It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts and children under 12 years old are not allowed to travel in front seats. In Portugal, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. Give way to traffic coming from the right at junctions and roundabouts







There is an extensive network of major routes that connect Albufeira to the nation's main cities. Beware of what appear to be shortcuts on maps - these often turn out to be unpaved roads or mountain passes.







Portuguese fuel stations supply most internationally known brands of unleaded petrol and diesel. It is an offence not to carry some form of identification, such as passport or driving licence.







Travel by Car Hire/Rental







Driving in the centre of large towns and popular resorts is best avoided if possible, as many of the streets and narrow, with one-way traffic. Cars parked alongside the pavements can also making driving conditions difficult.







However, a car in Albufiera provides a useful way to travel around and a current map of Albufeira's roads is very useful. There are many winding roads around that offer some truly spectacular views.

Travel in Dublin Ireland

Author: Ispas Marin

Source: articleage.com



Dublin, the fair city, capital of the Republic of Ireland is situated on the eastern side of the emerald isle and offers the many facilities as any large European city while still maintaining the most traditional of Irish culture and hospitality.







Dublin has attractions to suit everyoneย's taste, from museums to shopping, from castles to sport centres, from churches to restaurants, and of course a very special and exciting night life with pubs, cafรฉs and night clubs. Getting bored in Dublin is virtually impossible.







Dublin has some wonderful parts to explore, like the River Liffey that slices the city in half, or Grafton Street, the vibrant shopping heart of the city, and of course the famous Oย'Connell Street, the main artery of Dublin's city centre. The home of Oscar Wilde, this city will prove a great experience for anyone, surrounded by music and the hospitality of the Dubliners.







Dublin's centre is compact enough to walk across in half an hour. City buses are plentiful, the new Luas modern trams run frequently, and the excellent DART urban railway which hugs the coastline for miles and buzzes you north and south to suburban stations and on out of the city in minutes.







South of the River Liffey is the beautiful Georgian quarter and traditionally the trendiest part of Dublin - especially the revamped riverside area of Temple Bar with its cobbled streets, arty venues and smart little eateries and shops. Some find it a bit contrived, but this is still the trendiest part of town. Capuccinistas practise their pouts at Cafรฉ en Seine on Dawson Street.







The gloriously illustrated, 140-year-old medieval manuscript called the Book of Kells at Trinity.







College is probably the most beautiful book in the world, housed in the great vaulted Long Room - perhaps the finest interior in Dublin. Trinity College is also a famous seat of learning and one of the great universities of Europe. The long list of famous ex-students includes Samuel Beckett, Edmund Burke and Oscar Wilde.







Out west of the city centre, the national monument of Kilmainham Gaol gives you a fascinating and very moving, if chilling, insight into modern Irish history. This is where the leaders of the 1916 rising were executed here, radicalizing the Irish public and marking the beginning of the end of the British administration in Dublin.







Dublin's pubs are very famous, especially for the ย'craicย' (general good-time atmosphere), conversation, music and of course excellent Guinness. For the black stuff experience, try Mulligan's of Poolbeg Street. Celebrity spotting takes place in Doheny & Nesbitt's in Lower Baggot Street near St Stephen's Green.







Three good literary pubs in the pedestrianised streets east of Grafton Street are Davy Byrne's in Duke Street (James Joyce) and McDaid's in Harry Street (poet Patrick Kavanagh, playwright Brendan Behan). For musical pubs try the St John Gogarty on Fleet Street in Temple Bar, Oย'Donoghueย's in Merrion Row and for session tunes take your irish drum or ย'bodhrรกnย' to Lower Bridge Street where O'Shea's Merchant and the Brazen Head face each other, or north of the Liffey to the Cobblestone Bar on North King Street.







PoD on Harcourt Street is still one of the trendiest nightclubs. At the Gaiety on South King Street it's hot salsa on Fridays and souls and R&B on Saturdays. The Thomas House on Thomas Street offers techno a-go-go in a friendly club atmosphere. And try The Kitchen at the Clarence Hotel on Wellington Quay ย-famous rock band owners U2 are unlikely to be there, but in Ireland you can never know what to expect.







In Temple Bar, it's Eden on Meeting House Square for excellent modern cookery. Poppadom Restaurant on Rathgar Road offers proper, authentic Indian cookery. Bang Cafรฉ is a great place down on Merrion Row. As for seafood - ride the DART out to Sandycove and taste the flavours fresh out of the sea at Caviston's Seafood Restaurant.







Other places of worthwhile visit include the National Gallery, National Museum or Leinster House home of the Irish Parliament. The Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Whiskey Distillery are highly recommended, for their regular tours and thirsty visitors can trace the journey and history of this fascinating world-of much loved beer and whiskey. The Guinness Store is now Irelandย's number one tourist attraction, after all 14.3 million pints of Guinness is stored there.







Travel by Bus



Dublin has a large network of buses, most of which are green double-deckers. The majority of the buses commence in the city centre. Buses travelling to the north of Dublin start at Lower Abbey Street / Parnell Street area. Those to the west begin in Middle Abbey Street and in the Aston Quay area.







Routes to the southern suburbs start at Eden Quay and in the College Street area. Fares are usually very inexpensive and this provides a cheap and useful way to travel. There are also many hops on / off tours and shuttle buses, which operate in and around the city and are an ideal way to both sightsee and travel.







Travel by Taxi



Taxis are around in abundance, but the best places to find cabs are at taxi stands at either train stations, bus stations or outside some hotels. Prices are based on metered mileage and there is a minimum charge. There are a whole range of taxi companies that operate throughout the city. Hackney cabs, which also operate in the city, do not have roof signs and are not metered, so it is important to establish the fare beforehand.







Rules of the Road:



The Irish, like the British, drive on the left-hand side of the road, with their cars having the steering wheel on the right and gear levers on the left.Seat belts must be worn by the driver and passengers at all times.







Children under 12 must travel in the back unless riding in a car seat. Drink-driving laws are strict and Ireland has a breathalyzer test, which the police can administer if necessary. Parking can be a problem and signs with the letter ย'Pย' indicate that parking is permitted. Signs with a line through the letter ย'Pย' indicates that parking is NOT permitted and parking here may result are a fine, or even getting towed away.







Travel by Car Hire/Rental



Motor traffic in Dublin, Ireland has dramatically increased in the last few years and as a result the city has become very congested during commuter hours. A car provides a very easy and convenient way to travel outside of the city centre. If you do not bring your own car, there is a multitude of car rental firms to choose from. Car rental can be quite expensive in the peak summer season and the best rates can be obtained by booking in advance or online.







To rent a car you must show a full driver's licence and a credit card in the driverย's name. Cars are usually rented to customers between the ages of 23 to 70 years, although some companies can make exceptions.

Beyond the Beach - An Ethnography of Modern Travellers in Asia

Author: Anonymous

Source: free-articles



New Book Announcement







The following book has been published by White Lotus:







Beyond the Beach: An Ethnography of Modern Travellers in Asia







The book combines an ethnographic study of Western Backpackers in Asia with case studies from locations made famous by Alec Garland's novel โ€œThe Beachโ€. It's aim is to illustrate the everyday lives of International Backpackers on the road and to investigate Strategies for the Sustainable Development of the Alternative Tourism Destinations they visit. An abstract is attached below.







________________________________________________________________________



Beyond the Beach:







An Ethnography of Modern Travellers in Asia.







Studies in Asian Tourism No. 2. Series Editor: Erik Cohen







Abstract







Drifter-style tourism in Asia has become a sanitised and institutionalized tourism alternative. Over the last thirty years it has developed its own tourism myth and spawned a mobile subculture of Western travellers. The study seeks to illustrate the historical background, nature and ideology of present day travellers in Asia and to present an โ€œinsiders viewโ€ of the subculture based on more than 6o in-depth interviews conducted during the fieldwork.







It will also document the impact of those travelers on destinations in Asia by chronicling the fate of the islands Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in Southern Thailand. Those islands, at one stage or another, were among the largest traveller-centres in Southeast Asia and have subsequently achieved Hollywood Fame through Alex Garland's popular novel โ€œThe Beachโ€.







However, even without Hollywood, Asia's traveller subculture is worth attention. With rapidly increasing numbers, it now represents a viable market in its own right, one that fits in well with an ecologically sustainable tourism product. However, development of this tourism alternative is being undermined by unsustainable growth due to a lack of planning and by the destruction of its destination sites by other tourism sectors. Experience shows that without advance strategies for their development, many of those sites develop either in an unsustainable sectors. This state of affairs has been instrumental in condemning travellers to remain always just one step ahead of conventional mass tourism.







Keywords:







Backpackers-Asia-Sustainable-Development-Thailand-Islandsโ€"Tourism-



The Beach



________________________________________________________________________



Bibliographical Reference:







Westerhausen, Klaus:



Beyond the Beach: An Ethnography of Modern Travellers in Asia.



Studies in Asian Tourism No. 2.



Series Editor: Erik Cohen(Bangkok 2002)



ISBN 974-4800-09-7



Publisher:White Lotus Press



http://www.thailine.com/lotus



http://www.thailine.com/lotus/studies-asian/studies-asian.htm



Now available in the USA from:







George Dalley



Dalley Book Service



90 Kimball Lane



Christiansburg VA 24073



Tel: 540-382-8949 Fax: 540-382-1728



http://www.dalleybookservice.com







http://www.usedbookcentral.com/cgi-bin/texis/scripts/ubc/searchbooks.html?sid=10165&author=westerhausen&title=&keywords2=&minp=&maxp=







e-mail: gdalley@dalleybookservice.com

The Travel Company Purchase CTi

Author: Anonymous

Source: free-articles



July 1, 2004 -- THE TRAVEL COMPANY, the UK's largest independent travel management company, has announced the purchase of Corporate Travel International. CTI is recognised as the north of England's leading business travel management company; it is headquartered at Hull, Humberside and has offices in York, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. The company also has a leisure division based near Hull.







CTI was a subsidiary firm of Cyberes plc, which entered into administration on 23 June 2004.







Mike Walley managing director of The Travel Company said: "This acquisition gives us a strong presence right across the North of England, and further strengthens our position as the UK's leading independent travel management company."







Regarding existing clients he said: "After these few days of uncertainty for CTi clients we will provide a seamless transition into the Travel Company and together will enhance the services provided."







Steve Ellis, joint administrator at PricewaterhouseCoopers said of the sale, which was completed on Friday 25 June:







"We are delighted to conclude a sale of the business so swiftly, in circumstances where clients had an on-going need for service and hence a limited period in which to remain loyal to the business. It's a testament to the efforts of all concerned, particularly company staff in difficult circumstances that this has been achieved so quickly. We're especially pleased that the sale will preserve the employment of not only the core workforce we retained to keep the business going over the last few days, but may also provide an opportunity for most of the staff made redundant to return"







The Travel Company is recognised as the UK's largest independent corporate travel management company, servicing in excess of ยฃ200 million in business travel contracts from five major business travel centres in London and the Thames Valley plus additionally, 35 electronically linked implants throughout the UK and Ireland. Its client base comprises many FTSE 100 companies, ten national newspapers, film and television companies, financial institutions and household name plcs. Its specialist, renowned entertainment division is the largest in the UK. The well-known event management company 'Talking Point' is part of The Travel Company Group. The Group has more than 400 employees.







The Travel Company has global presence through the SYNERGI Global Travel Management network. SYNERGI comprises more than 53 travel management companies with annual turnover of more than US$ 10 billion and more than 3,000 offices and 12,000 employees worldwide.







For further media information contact Jane Richards at Compass Communications on 01753 549251 jrichards@compasspr.com







Websites: www.thetravel.co.uk / www.synergitravel.com