Getaway Without Going Over The Budget

The perfect honeymoon or romantic getaway is only one imaginative idea away from reality. In other words all it takes to experience the perfectly affordable, amazingly romantic, and spectacularly exciting getaway is formulating the idea in your mind. It really is that simple.

Reserving tickets for your flights, searching endlessly for the right amount of days at your favorite hide-away, and worrying over what is included with your resort “deal” is all a thing of the past. There are far too many simple solutions offered to the deserving public for anyone to be concerned about such mundane things. With Internet access and hundreds of vacation resort deals to choose from there is no reason to delay a getaway of your own. Think of it as an aid in your overall health and happiness.

Imagine for a moment basking in the sun on a private beach with your new bride or groom. It is just the two of you all alone with white sand, emerald seas, and the endless blue sky. Even though you are all alone you are never lonely. Romance is in the air almost everywhere you wish to vacation, while certain spots are best known for the ambience of love.

You can follow the traditions of typical romantic hot spots or you can create one of your own. Depending on what your idea of romance might be there are countless ways and means by which to share the love you have for your significant other.

Horseback riding along the coast in the Carolinas, windsurfing in Honolulu, or gliding along a canal in a gondola in Venice all have the same air of romance about them depending on your idea of romance. Finding vacation resort deals that take you to any of these destinations and more is found easily by a simple search online.

Make your decision to be swept away and only look back to enjoy the wonderful memories of a fantastic romantic getaway. Never think you can only be romantic certain times of the year, or certain times in your life, romance should be a fun part of life that is not pushed to the edge and enjoyed only on special occasions. Romance should be affordable, frequent, and memorable.

Love, laughter, and happily-ever-after are all part of the resort vacation deals available today. Any excuse to partake in the atmosphere of romance on an island in the Mediterranean is a good excuse. You might find a romantic vacation getaway is just the perfect ticket for an enhanced loving glow that lasts for months.

© Copyright 2006 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.

Hotels: How to Get Free Gifts

Planning to visit Las Vegas or any other vacational resort where casinos are a major portion of their business? I have just the thing for you. Here, I will show you how to pass off as a High Roller and collect many complimentary items and gifts.

What is the Secret?
The Secret is that you have to make them believe you are rich and love gambling. In short you have to impersonate a High Roller.

Why?
Hotels love high rollers because these players leave behind thousands of dollars each visit. And the real cool part about this is that if you act the role, casinos will lavish you with the same gifts and complimentary items that a real High Roller would receive.

How ?
It is not that difficult to fool the hotel and resorts with some finesse and true self-confidence. It can be done.

1) The Way you Dress:
Elegant and smart is the way to go. Opt out of the baseball cap, t-shirt and jeans. Try and wear a suit or at least a regular buttoned shirt with an elegant dark jacket. It was Shakespeare who said that the clothes maketh a man, and so too, when going to a hotel resort. They judge you according to how you dress, so dress according to the role.

2) A Large Pad of Notes:
Yes. Just like in the movies. Carry a large bundle of notes with you and keep them in plain sight. You do not have to really take with you that much. Instead, take a few notes and place them at the top and at the bottom of real note-size paper cuttings. Just remember to never expose this while you are in the casino. Use other notes you’re your wallet instead. But do it nonchalantly so that none of the casino personnel will notice.

3) Always Flash Your Notes Around: No matter where you go, whether its to the hotel restaurant for lunch or for to the bar. They will be watching. From time to time, use that money to play at a range of table games or video game and bet some of that money. Remember you must use some of your money to play but just do not use all of it.

4) Play Complicated Games:
This is one of the more problematic things to do and requires some training at home. Learn on your own how to lay and how to bet on the high rolling games such as roulette, baccarat and craps. You could also play poker or Texas holdem in one of the larger ante tables, but in any case stick to your plan and you will soon reap the flowers.

Conclusion:
Above, I have outlined some of the more practical methods by which one can save money by receiving gifts from the casino. These gifts range from casino comps (free money to play), room deals that can get nearly free and many others such as free drinks, clothes, coupon to stores in Las Vegas and many more. Note that what you are doing here is completely legal provided you don't take up a false name or falsify your passport card.

Khon Kaen – the Gateway to Isaan

Khon Kaen is a good mix of old and new. You can get KFC and Pizza or you can eat noodles and rice from street vendors. Software and DVDs are available at the mall or you can shop at the open markets. Small guest houses, intermediate hotels and a 5-star accommodation are available.

Nightlife can be found – but don’t expect it be comparable to Pattaya or Bangkok. There are a few expat bars near the Sofitel Hotel and a few Thai clubs scattered throughout the city.

Transportation around the city is easy as the Baht Buses are color-coded. Baht buses are just pick-up truck with seats in the back and cost about 25 cents for a ride. The have set routes and maps are available that display the routes. You just need to figure out where you want to go and find the correct color and hop on.

Day time activities for me were shopping and sightseeing. I spent lots of time visiting some of the most beautiful temples in all of Asia. One in particular is located in the heart of the city; right along side the city’s lake (Buun Kaen Nakorn). The temple (Wat Nong Wang Muang) is 9 stories tall and each floor has a mini-museum with artifacts from ancient Thailand. Music classes were going on and one of the Buddhist monks gave us a blessing.

I visited other temples in and around Khon Kaen and one was about 1000 stairs to the top to see a beautiful, pure white Buddha called Pu Don Fai. It was a hike, but definitely worth the walk.

For lovers of Thai food, there is an abundance of restaurants throughout the city. Many of the restaurants are around Lake Buun with excellent Thai and Western food at very reasonable prices. A typical night out with 3 or 4 dishes, a couple of Singha beers and the total tab would be about $12. Delicious food in open air restaurants with a view of the lake or one of the rivers in the city made for some very relaxing evenings.

I spent one day fishing at a small lake. Bait, tackle and a comfortable chair cost all of 200 Baht (about 6 dollars) for the day. There was also a restaurant that served up some good food and cold beer. I didn’t catch any fish, but had a very relaxing day. I also went out to King Cobra village to see the snake show. A good show with no admission fee. Sat in the bleachers and watched the 1/2 hour show and gave 100 Baht when they passed the hat.

All in all, a very relaxing 3 1/2 week vacation and I look forward to my return trip next year.

Top 10 Reasons To Vacation At A Nudist Resort This Summer

Sound far fetched? Not really! Nude recreation is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. It is a booming niche market with over $400 million in annual revenues. In a recent Roper poll, 25% of Americans have gone skinny dipping.

Historically, Americans had to travel to Europe or the Caribbean to find upscale nudist resorts and hotels. However, in the last 10 years, nude recreation in America has taken off. Now, the finest nudist and clothing optional resorts in the world are found in the United States. The meccas for nude sunbathing are Palm Springs, California and Florida. Palm Springs by far is the most popular as they have 350 days of sunshine per year, beautiful, warm weather, and no mosquitos (a big plus when you aren't wearing any clothes). Palm Springs http://palmsprings.com has world championship golf, casinos, shopping, theater, art galleries, museums, Joshua Tree National Park, hiking, and a host of other fun activities. Or, you just relax by the pool all day long sipping cool drinks, wonder why it took you so many years to work up the courage to consider vacationing at a clothing optional resort and get a great all over sun tan.

If you are tired of the same old boring vacations that you have been taking at chain hotels, now is the time to try something different and fun. Go ahead and call a clothing optional resort. The only thing you have to lose is your tan lines.

The top ten reasons are:

10) No funny tan lines
9) No need to take a vitamin D supplement
8) No Laundry when you return from vacation
7) Waves don't knock off swim suit top
6) The natural look takes on a whole new meaning
5) No luggage to check at airport
4) No shoes, no shirt, no problem
3) No sand in swimsuit
2) Everyday is really casual Friday
1) Clothing optional resorts are just plain fun!

Buying A Timeshare At Your Favorite Resort

One of the more popular ways to access a resort these days is through owning a timeshare at one. But there are many factors to consider. If you decide to get brave and go to a presentation, be sure to go with an open mind. But also be careful.

Often, the first exposure we receive to timeshare ownership comes from filling out a coupon to win a vehicle or receive a cheap or free vacation in the sun or at a ski resort. For some this happens at fairs, in restaurants or at car dealerships. For others first contact is through a (not-so-well-timed) phone call interrupting dinner and offering a free or inexpensive short hotel stay in exchange for a couple of hours of your time. Occasionally, some well-meaning or profit-motivated relative, friend or associate will give out your co-ordinates. On vacation in Mexico, it is not unusual to be stopped in the street of a coastal vacation city and offered a free day of island hopping on board a boat, with stops for horseback riding, meals and a "happy hour" in exchange for foregoing some time in the sun for a presentation.

As long as you understand that accepting these offers can be the prelude to several hours (they usually tell you two hours - take that with a grain of salt) of presentations - slide and/or film shows, discussions, property-viewing and - in some rare cases - browbeating, there is a benefit versus detriment ratio to look at. You need to weigh the benefits of initiating the process required to receive the offer/prize against the cost in travel to and from the resort presentation site, time in the presentation and negotiation.

It may seem surprising that so many people with absolutely no intention of purchasing a timeshare property end up walking away the owners of an annual week of tropical heaven or cool skiing. But then, perhaps it shouldn't be that surprising. The salespeople are usually chosen to be compatible with or complementary to the average timeshare client - they aspire to create a climate conducive to making a sale.

Even if you intend to turn down the offer (you only want to try for the prize!) the timeshare salespeople are trained in the best ways to turn your NO into a YES. In most instances, the salesperson will bring in a more senior person (usually the sales manager) either to use their superior persuasion skills, use psychology skills on you, try a different personality type, exercise fluency in making deals, fast-talking or merely utilize their ability to sweeten the offer. Sound like buying a car? Well, resorts and cars have that in common.

Usually there's a meal provided at the presentation - more dangerous to the negative attendee perhaps being the champagne breakfast. Those little bubbles tickling the nose will often loosen the tighter pocketbooks and wallets. And what better than a good meal to move the prospective resort property owner into timeshare convert. It's a poor salesperson that does not make a non-buyer feel badly for failing them! Few resort salespeople starve - the sales manager can often provide the addition purchase incentive - and there's usually a free meal available until the resort seller gets consistent good results.

Where does the resort get the money to pay for the prize SUV, vacation dollars, delicious meal or tickets to Sea World? Well, obviously the resort company needs a marketing budget. This is derived from the eventual profits to be made from each sale. Actually, it's the resort purchasers who pay for both successful and unsuccessful sales efforts. So, if you actually intend to purchase you should hold out for the best deal possible.

This means don't accept the first, or the second, or even the third offer you hear from the sales team. Invoke every opportunity to have them make you a better offer. Don't worry, as long as you are in some kind of negotiation - even if it looks like you are very negative on the value of the deal - there is someone on site who can improve the offer in some way. This can go on until the sales manager is reluctantly closing your car door for you after spending 4 or 5 hours of hard bargaining.

THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE LAST DEAL BUT WITH ONE MORE UPGRADE.

You have outstayed most all of the presentation attendees, the salespeople want to go home, and you have heard pretty much all the offers they have to make. The sales team is ready to go as far as they have ever gone before - maybe farther. Make your last pitch to hear their best and final offer - that last one-week stay in Atlantis in the Bahamas or that vacation certificate that can be used every year, which the sales manager was going to use to take his significant other for a sun-and-sea-filled week as a surprise.

Remember the power of negotiation. Resort owners are not used to dealing with hard bargainers. So take advantage of it. Get every penny out of it you can, then let it go and enjoy your new resort.

A World Gateway to Discriminating Vacation and Travel Experiences

More and more people are traveling, but vacations aren't getting any cheaper. Perhaps you've always wanted to take a trip to an exotic place but never felt you could afford it. After all, luxury resorts are usually far beyond the average family's price range, right? That's why so many people are using online services to book vacations at a bargain. The Internet has become a world gateway to discriminating vacation and travel experiences.

One popular method travelers are using to get huge discounts on their vacation packages is to join with a company that offers an ongoing membership for travel and hotel savings opportunities. The company usually has both experience in travel and direct contact with resorts around the world. You can take advantage of years of travel experience without ever leaving your home. It's like having your own travel agent on your personal computer!

Luxury Without the Expense

By creating a travel membership, you can expect to pay far less than normal rates for luxury resorts in places like Europe, Israel, Singapore, United States, and many other exotic destinations. Luxury resorts are typically four and five star resorts with beautiful decor, plenty of space, every amenity possible, and breathtaking scenery of the ocean, mountains, golf courses, and so forth.

The resorts have everything from fireplaces and fitness centers to pools and hot tubs. You can choose a destination according to the leisure activities you enjoy, such as golf, skiing, relaxing on the beach, family attractions, attending local events, and more.

You'll discover that, by using the expertise of a travel company, you can often secure a luxury resort for your holiday for less than a regular hotel!

Secure Vacation Packages for Hot Holidays

Another advantage of allowing an expert to find discount vacations for you is you can book in advance for hot holidays when rates are usually "through the roof." For instance, if you want to take a Caribbean cruise during Spring Break, you might be able to find a great deal. You can enjoy the cruise and tour the islands for only a fraction of the price.

Home Based Business in Travel

You can earn an extra income by introducing others to a luxury resort membership and savings. If you're interested in travel or always wanted to be a travel agent, you'll find this to be an exciting moneymaking opportunity. You can even recommend others via the Internet, and work at home. There are no limits!

Never spend your vacation in the same old place when you can enjoy a luxury vacation for the same price or less. Use the Web for research along with a company that is backed by years of travel experience to open your world gateway to discriminating travel and vacation experiences.