Destination Tips – A Trip to Bali

Bali is an Indonesian Island, located west of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The climate is comfortable year-round making it a desirable vacation spot. Bali is known for its beautiful mountain and natural beach areas. There is an abundance of sea life, preservation of wildlife and coral reefs. The Padang-Padang beaches at the Bukit Peninsula are among the top three of the favourites for surfers. Nature lovers will surely love watching the manatees, dolphins and other marine life.

A vacation is certainly a time to enjoy and relax. The private Bali villa is a place to where you will be treated like royalty during your stay. Your private staff complete with butler, chef, housekeeping service and even a gardener and pool man who will take care of your every need. Often, your English speaking staff will do your marketing for only the freshest ingredients to prepare all of your meals. The Bali villa does not fall short of modern amenities to make your stay comfortable.

For a get away from the children, arrangements can be made with your staff, or you may want to consider day-care services that are provided by Cheeky Monkey.. The activities for the children, under the age of six, range from arts and crafts, mini golf, as well as singing and dancing, amidst a tropical garden. After a busy day, you can take your children to the cafe with special menus full of meals to accommodate the young palate.

There are a few activities which you surely will want to explore. The Elephant Safari Park is certainly something you and your family will never forget. Nobody should get tired, or complain of weary legs, since they will travel while sitting atop of an elephant. With your guide along, take advantage of experiencing the white waters during a water rafting tour. The tours in Bali are offers a variety of unforgettable experiences at reasonable fees when planned through a local tour agency.

Dance is very much part of the Bali culture, and something you surly do not want to miss. Before you leave, visit a Bali theatre for some of the most amazing shows ever known. Before you end your trip, surly you will want to learn a bit of Balinese dancing after your private dance performance while you may be relaxing in the garden of your private Bali Villa. Bali is absolutely amazing and breathtaking. The natural volcanoes, mountainsides, along with the exotic animals and birds, certainly explain why Bali is also called, “Land of The Gods.” Bali certainly is a paradise.

Discount Travel Tips For Families

Discount travel is probably the low-budget travelers’ best friend when it is important to get the most out of your trips and tours for less than it would have usually cost. However, there are certain things to do or unusual ideas take into consideration if you really want to save money without sacrificing having a memorable time out there.

1. Cheap Lodging: While it may be alluring to book into and stay at a five-star hotel during your trips, it may not be the best thing to do-at least financially. You can still have decent lodging without punching a hole through your pockets. You can just do some pre-departure research into the hotels in the destination city. Then, look for low-cost ones with decent facilities, good customer reviews and easy access to local transportation. You can also use budget motels if you want to.

2. Home Exchanges: Another discount travel trick is to arrange for home exchanges, instead of even paying for lodging. Usually, you will be staying at the home of another family during your visit to that city. By going this route, you are actually saving money both for lodging and, most times too, for food. You can just search online for the destination country’s or city’s tourism council; they usually have information on home exchanges.

3. Discount Travel Clubs: Joining a discount travel club is also a great way of saving money during your journey. You can find them advertised or listed in travel magazines, newspapers or online by doing a simple search for them.

4. Rent Older Cars: Old does not always equal bad. This is especially true when you are far away from home. You would be better off renting vehicles that are just a little older and more affordable and stay within budget than cruising with the latest muscle car, unless you just want to impress the natives at you bank balance’s expense. It is easy to get a decent car without burning your pockets.

5. Shop for the Best: Another way to have a good time-for less money-during your tours is to do a little homework of your own. You can simply go online and compare and contrast the different travel packages, air fares, and others that different companies may be offering and select the best one for you. You can also find them in your local magazines and newspapers or even your favorite travel magazine (and its online version). You would be surprised how easy it may be to get a good travel deal.

Discount travel has always been a reality with many people. You can be one of them if you take these tips a little seriously.

Blind Dating Tips

Going on a blind date may be an exciting experience, but it is necessary that you keep a few tips in mind. Since you are meeting a stranger on a blind date, it is necessary to ensure that you keep yourself safe from any mishaps by informing a friend beforehand. When you are on the date, you need to remember a few tips that might help to enrich the experience.

Be Open – Meeting a stranger means that you have never met this person before. As a result, you will not know what to expect. However, if you go on the date with an open mind, and give your date a chance to express him or her, you might surprise yourself with your choice. It is essential to keep your mind open and be willing to accept your date so that they at least stand a chance.

Do not Hide Your Personality – When you are on a blind date, the thought of disguising your identity might seem very appealing to you. However, remember that your date wants to know who you are, rather than the person you are pretending to be. You do not need to go out of your way to prepare for the date, but make sure that you are not dressed more shabbily than you normally would be. Do not be afraid to express your opinions and your interests simply because your date might not like them.

Keep the Date Short – You should strive to keep at least the first date short. Do not let it exceed one hour. This way, if you are not interested in your date, you can always leave once the stipulated time is up. However, if you do find your date interesting and attractive, you can extend the time a little, and arrange to meet up another day.

Follow these tips to keep your blind date safe and exciting, rather than letting it turn into a sour experience.

Visiting NYC This Summer? Enjoy the Restaurants, Concerts and Shopping

In the summer, New York really shows off! In the warm weather, dining, concerts and shopping virtually explode into the great outdoors. Suddenly streets, parks and alleys are transformed into romantic restaurants, star-studded concert halls and sunny, breezy shopping areas. But, where do you start?

First, you will need to look for New York hotels that fit your location, style and budget needs. That won’t be a problem! There are more hotels in New York than you ever imagined, and they range from small and intimate to the most grand and lively in the city. Then, once you have secured the New York hotel that is right for you, it is time to start thinking about how to best enjoy New York in all its summer glory! Here are a few New York City attractions that are only around while the weather is warm:

Dining in New York City

New Yorkers love to dine al fresco. That is why so many restaurants move tables out of doors in the summer. Some have lovely gardens and rooftops, while other just grab a piece of sidewalk. No matter how they do it, their guests love it! Here are a few of our top outdoor New York City restaurants:

The Blue Water Grill offers a romantic European feel for guests dining on the mezzanine. It is located at 31 Union Square West at 16th St. Its phone number is 212-675-9500.

The Chelsea Brewing Company, located in the Chelsea Piers complex, offers cool breezes off the Hudson and views of the marina. It is located at Pier 59, 23rd St. and the Hudson River. Its phone number is 212-336-6440.

A charming garden that feels like a Tuscan courtyard is what you will find at Va Tutto. Hailed as Gourmet Magazine’s “favorite NYC garden for outdoor dining,” this is gem of a restaurant is sure to please. It is located at 23 Cleveland Place on the corner of Lafayette and Spring. Call for reservations at 212-941-0286.

Concerts in New York City

When the temperature rises, New York’s parks are transformed into concert halls without walls. From Central Park to Lincoln Center, there are live musical concerts scheduled throughout the summer – many are free! For example, the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic come to Central Park annually, and perform on the Great Lawn.

Be sure to visit Lincoln Center’s website as well, for their list of concerts and events.

Shopping in New York City

Put on your comfortable shoes and a little sunscreen and get ready to shop! A few favorite destinations are Columbus Avenue (between 66th – 76th). In this residential neighborhood you will find the highest concentration of up-scale boutiques as well as many nationally known names.

You won’t be disappointed with your shopping trip to Broadway (between 63rd – 86th). This high-energy strip offers a wide variety of stores from locally owned boutiques to Barnes and Noble, Sephora and Gap.
If you are looking for a something more relaxed with mostly locally owned (non-chain) stores, Amsterdam Avenue (between 72nd – 86th) is your place to shop.

Really See New York City

There are many ways to see New York City, but a tour is still your best bet. Enjoy a tour then go back to the destinations that caught your interest. There are many different tour options, from walking to bus to amphibious vehicles. A sure crowd pleaser is the NYC Ducks Tours. You will see New York City from a half-boat, half-bus, amphibious vehicle!

Summer in New York City doesn’t last for long. Make those reservations and be a part of this New York summer!