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25. Aug, 2010

Virgin Holidays- Rockstar Service

At Virgin Holidays, we believe amazing service should come as standard. That’s why Virgin Holiday’s magic touches are made available to all Virgin Holidays customers – not just the VIPs! We realise that you want to make the most of being on holiday, so we came up with Check in, Chill out, so you can check in for your flight without leaving the beach…or bar.  Airports are a drag.  The holiday only really starts when you get to your destination.  And if you’ve got kids, then airports are living nightmares.  So, to perk up the airport experience, we came up with the VRoom. And when you’re on holiday, you want to make sure it’s as good as it can be.  That’s where Virgin Holidays’ Concierge service comes in – a concierge actually tuned in to the buzz of your destination, not a guy in a suit on kick backs from rip-off restaurants. This belief is what sets Virgin Holidays apart from the competition. That’s why we actually encourage our customers to ‘Ask For the World’.

But how do you express that exclusive treatment in a single thought.  What do Virgin Holidays offer that no-one else does?  We think it can be described as…

“ROCKSTAR SERVICE”

It’s a level of care you’d normally associate with the glamour and excitement of the entertainment elite.  Made available to every Virgin Holidays customer.

With Virgin Holidays, you can rest assured that you’ll get intuitive, imaginative typically brilliant twinkle-in-the-eye Virgin service, every single time you travel with us.

03. Jun, 2010

Finding your SOLEmate this summer

Finding your SOLEmate this summer

We are slowly entering the primary stages of summer, the season when we (try) and spend as much time as we can outside, partaking in whichever outdoor activity excites as the most. One of the more popular summer pursuits include hiking, and in the fine climate that the summer usually offers, it is a great way to see and spend your time in the great-outdoors.

If you are going to unwind, relax and go for a stroll or hike, make sure you keep yourself chilled by investing in a pair of proper walking shoes. There is no quicker way to ruin a leisurely walk in the sun than by wearing aggravating footwear. Footwear which do not provide adequate support for important foot areas such as the ankle and sole will spoil your day.

It is important to invest is a pair that not only offer support, but comfort too. Some say a good shoe with proper support translates into comfort, but ensure the shoes fit snug around your foot. There is a lot of walking to be done so you want to ensure you have a pair which fit your feet well.

A well supported and fantastically comfortable collection available are Keen shoes. A wide range of men and women’s shoes which are suited to different intensities of walking; from a stroll in the park to a mountainous trek.   

The Men’s Targhee 2 shoe is likened to ‘4-wheel drive’ for your feet, and is a popular choice for hikers and ramblers alike. They are fitted with a waterproof barrier and aggressive outsole with traction controlling 4mm lugs.

Wherever you step outside into this summer, make sure you are suitably booted. Don’t let chaffing footwear and aching ankles take the shine off a day in the sun.

16. May, 2010

Moving? Rent.

Moving? Rent.

We’ve all been in the position that we need to move, be it ourselves or someone else, and had to decide whether to take our own car or rent. Truth be said, the likelihood of you having a car that’s big enough to move someone to another town in comfort are pretty small. Of course not everyone is lucky enough to find some nice car hire deals lying around every time they need it. So timing is the key; the sooner you rent, the cheaper it’s going to get.

Shop around also. You’ll need a big car, but you’ll also need something that’s safe and reliable. If you take out advice and start looking for a rental car nice and early, you’ll be able to study up on the car’s reviews and see what other consumers have to say about it. Consider fuel economy and safety also. And if the drive is especially long, or if you expect to find extreme temperatures, having nice extras like air conditioning and a good music player will go a long way. Another extra you shouldn’t overlook if you don’t own it: GPS. The last thing you’ll want is to having driven hours only to lose precious time looking for a specific street.

18. Apr, 2010

Using a Travel Agency

Using a Travel Agency

There are so many different careers that you can go into these days that it is almost dizzying to pick the right career choice. One job that you might wish to consider is working for a travel agency. You will never be rich working as a travel agent but if traveling is in your blood then the benefits are certainly worth taking the job. If you like to travel and don’t might pulling in travel discounts and perks every month then you probably ought to check into working in this field.

Some things that you should consider in preparation for entering this field include obtaining a business or liberal arts degree. A travel agency cannot get enough people to work for them that speak a second language. Speaking multiple languages is going to give you the greatest advantage over all other applicants and also puts you right at the top of the list for those agencies hiring for international travel.

Complete a short travel agent class for learning the basics. Work as a ticketing agent for experience. Beef up all your computer skills that may be useful for this career. Stay on top of anything in the news regarding travel and how it may affect your future career. The Department of Commerce can tell you what certification and registration forms are needed. Become a Certified Travel Counselor working for an international travel agency.

09. Apr, 2010

How To Book A Flight

How To Book A Flight

So you intend to travel by aircraft? Of course you’ll need a few things to take along to make the trip a easy and fun filled one. This comprises your documents and besides your passport, your ticket is very, very crucial. It is normal to book a flight in advance of your anticipated travel date and there are choices to select from when booking a flight. Let’s take a more detailed look at the choices available.

1. Via the Telephone

Sometimes, reserving flights via the telephone gives you the opportunity of acquiring cheap flights. The itinerary can get complicated sometimes, so with someone available to provide assistance, it is really a benefit. If you are booking straight through an aircraft by telephone always have a pen and paper on hand to write down any essential information you might need later on. It is beneficial to discover if there are mysterious expenses linked with booking via telephone rather than airline booking. Be sure to ask about expenses and constraints regarding flight termination or alteration. If you are being offered a non-stop flight, take note of the length of the flight and where connection will occur. Make your preferences known concerning seating or if meals are required and ask about specials for children, seniors and special students.

2. Using a Travel Agent

By using this way you have the benefit of dealing with somebody who is experienced in flight booking and also of specials that are available. Try to bargain because prices quoted are not usually fixed. Find out from the representative if their ticket gives you any mileage when bought. Take notice of the aircraft, flight times and route.

3. Online

It is faster and much easier to book a flight online. Most airlines are prepared for online reservations and some even offer bonuses for doing so. It also gives you the benefit of tracking costs online so that you can postpone and make use of specials if necessary. Consider that not all websites calculate taxes relevant so make sure to check whether or not the price incorporates taxes.

 

Cheap Last Minute Flights

Sometimes things happen at the spur of the moment which requires you to leave one place to the next. There are various occasions that surface which requires us to travel at the final moment. The secret to obtaining extremely affordable last minute flights is to explore and compare prices.

1. If you choose to purchase from an agent, negotiate to get a better deal. Explain why you have to travel suddenly and you may be lucky enough to get a great deal.

2. Purchase from an airline consolidator as they buy large amounts of tickets and resell them at affordable prices than the published cost.

3. Try purchasing your ticket online that auctions tickets enabling you to bid on a flight.

27. Feb, 2010

How to Book Accommodation

family vacationTraveling can be more stressful if you are making the trip as a family. There are more details to consider, and planning it alone can be a little chaotic. Accommodation alone has to be very specific, for example, here are a few good questions to ask yourself when booking the place to stay on your family holiday.

- Camping: Does the campsite have all the facilities you need? Is it safe for children? Are there diversions and activities they can take part in? Is there a pool or game hall? Is there a hospital or pharmacy accessible nearby?

- Hotel: Are there activities and facilities for kids? Will there be plenty to do and keep the kids busy provided right in the hotel? Is it easily accessible from the center, in case there is a need to go back to the room quickly? Are there restaurants and kid friendly options nearby or within the hotel?

- Villa: Is the location ideal, or do you have access to a car, in case of an emergency? Are you familiar enough with the area to find what you need when you need it? Are the surroundings safe for children?

10. Aug, 2009

Global Sim Cards

sim9The Global Sim services are now in vogue and it is great advantage for the frequent travellers across the globe. With a global sim, as far as the cell phone bills are concerned, one really feels at home. The outgoing cost comes down by a considerable eighty five percent with a global sim. Before the customer starts his travel abroad, he is provided with a global sim, which works in more than one hundred and fifty locations across the globe. With the global sim, a local number of the country of destination is provided and due to the same, the incoming call rates become nil. That brings down the overall roaming rates across the world. The value added services like GPRS and voicemail are activated and one can actually make use of the same while roaming. All queries are addressed instantly by round the clock customer care. The information on availability of airtime and enhancement of the airtime can be availed on the move. There is no deposit to be made and no contract required, making the transactions quite free of hassles. Welcome to the age of cheaper cell phone expenses in international roaming.

06. Apr, 2009

Common Travel Blunders

tiredFor people who travel a lot, there are certain things that should be avoided to ensure maximum ease and comfort.  Whether you travel for fun or for business, it is important that you do it right and it means getting rid of unhealthy travel habits that keep you from enjoying it.

1. Over packing or under packing- Many travellers do not pay much attention to their packing habits that leads to either forgetting pertinent things or bringing unnecessary stuff that only makes your luggage bulky and heavy. Put more attention to packing than you use to, it will make your travel a lot easier, lighter and more productive.

2. Depriving yourself of sleep- Just because you purchased an expensive vacation package, you should not push yourself to be awake all the time in the attempt to make the most out of your vacation. Remember that you are on VACATION which means you need to relax.  Enjoy the sights as much as you can without straining your sleeping needs.

3. Being too impulsive with the itinerary- So you decided to go backpacking through Europe in the summer and you intended to travel aimlessly.  That does not mean you should not plan on which places to visit.  You have to at least shortlist the most important places you want to go to as well as the length of time you are to stay there so you don’t end up overstaying in one place and not be able to visit other sights worth seeing.

4. Letting the jetlag get to you- You came home from a trip and you feel as though you have been up for days because of the shift in time zones.  Establish a normal sleeping pattern as soon as you get back from your travel.  Determine what time you are landing and sleep on the flight back if necessary.

27. Mar, 2009

Tips on Travel Preparation

packingThere are many things that any individual who plans to travel must do, especially when leaving their home country.  Here are a few tips on keeping yourself safe and healthy for your travel needs.

1. Make sure you have all of your vaccinations, because having your body’s immune system up and running will save you time in the sick bed.

2. Take safety classes and self defense courses, this will allow you to fend off any attackers and people who may be out to cause trouble.

3. Make sure you have any travel visas and passports on hand before you plan a trip outside your home country.

4. Make sure to have extra funds on hand in case of emergencies, this will prevent you from being unable to pay for necessary travel expenses or emergency visits to the hospital.

5. Make sure you are healthy when traveling, being sick may expose you to other disease that can easily attack your body when it is not working at optimal level of health.

6. Make preparations and reservations for hotel accommodations to make sure you have a place to stay.  This helps to prevent mindless wandering to other hotels, in hope that they have a room available.

7. Book flights only when you are certain that you can take them, otherwise pay extra for flexible flights in case you cannot make a flight on the reserved date.

8. Always have your form of land transportation figured out before heading to your destination.  Make sure you have a rental car, friend or family to pick you up, bus or cab fare in mind to prevent stranded moments in airports.

9. Learn the customs of the people where you are going before you go.  Some countries find it offensive to tip service people, while others find it offending to eat everything on your plate at a restaurant.