Author: Jessica Kliethermes
Source: articledashboard.com
So now you have your airfare held, or at least have dates in mind that will save you money, so you can start on your hotel. Go to one of the major websites and input your dates and then do an extended search for the amenities you need or want at your hotel such as breakfast, a pool, fitness center, etc. DO NOT BOOK FROM THESE WEBSITES! Get the names of the properties that interest you and then go to each hotel's website if they have one and look for specials. Many times, ok, most of the time, by booking the hotel directly you will find better deals because you are not paying a booking fee to the major websites.
If the hotel website does not have a better deal, call them and tell them the rate you found online and they will either match the rate, beat the rate, or match and give you an upgrade or special amenities like spa passes, meal vouchers, etc. Start a list of what each property offers, DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING YET! Wait until you have all of your information (research) and then make an informed decision on your home away from home. This is an important decision and should not be made quickly or without doing your research. A good or bad hotel experience can make or break your vacation that you have waited and worked for, believe me!
Another bit of research you can do before booking is to check out review of hotels online and see what people are saying about the property. I am hesitant to give this bit of advice because some of these reviews can be a, advice las travel vegas
, bit skewed and you must keep this in mind when reading them. My idea of a moderate or superior property may be totally different than someone else's. If you normally stay at the Lah Tee Dah Hotel and book something where the housekeeping staff does not come in every evening to lay out your slippers and fluff your pillow before bed, you might give a very nice property a bad review because it is not what you expected.
However, if you normally stay at the Roach Motel and stayed at this very same property, you would think it was the nicest, most upscale property in the world! I am exaggerating here, but hopefully you understand the point I am making. When you are reading reviews, take them with a grain of salt. If there are 80% good reviews, chances are, this is a decent property. If 20 different people are talking about bed bugs and dirty sheets, keep looking!
Another step I take in my researching process is to input the address of the hotel's I am looking at into one of the internet map tools. Look to see where exactly you are going to be sleeping. Near the beach and on the beach are two different things. Downtown Seattle is totally different than an airport property in Seattle. Las Vegas downtown, Las Vegas strip and Las Vegas off strip properties are three totally different animals. Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.
Once you have finished your research and have found a property that you are happy with, book your airfare first (to make sure the deal you found is still available),, advice las travel vegas
, then book your hotel. Make sure you understand your hotel's cancellation, check-in, and check-out policies. If you are flying, go ahead and leave a credit card number to guarantee late check-in. You don't want to have a delayed flight and go to check in to your hotel and find out that you lost your room because you didn't arrive before 6:00 pm.
If you are not planning to rent a car, find out about hotel shuttle from the airport. I will pay a little extra for a property that offers a shuttle if it saves me $100.00 in cab fare when I arrive and depart. Know how the hotel works their shuttle system. Do you call from a courtesy phone upon arrival or are they waiting outside? Do they want you to take a cab that they will reimburse your for? Once again, do your research!
If you are planning for an early morning flight, ask the hotel if they are able to hold your luggage until check in. You don't want to have to drag your luggage around for 6 hours while you wait for 3:00 check-in. This is research you do before you ever leave home, not when you arrive. If you leave your luggage with bell staff, remember to tip them $1-$2 per bag. These guys work hard for peanuts most of the time and rely heavily on tips. The peace of mind and convenience it gives you while you are free to explore your destination without luggage in tow is certainly worth the extra cash.
With airfare booked and hotel reserved you are now free to start on researching the "fun stuff" you will do on your vacation, meals and attractions, which I will cover in my next article. Start packing!
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Travel tips. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Travel tips. Tampilkan semua postingan
Minggu, 09 Februari 2020
Travel Tour India
Author: RobertWilliams
Source: articledashboard.com
India Travel, land of assortment having a hefty number of travel destinations. India having a large quantity of travel destinations to pick and choose from. You, , can plan to travel throughout the year, as India, a land of all seasons having a choice of travel destinations for every time of year.Today India is an extremely prominent Travel Destination for travelers around the world. India, well known as a land of all time of year having lots of renowned tourist desirability includes Rajasthan, Goa, Agra, Delhi,Varanasi,, , Mumbai and many more, famous for old historical monuments as well as recent developed look.Travelers come to India for its prosperity of places of interest, cultural spirits,, , diversity of territory and in search of that something special, and an extra clout that only Top Tips delivers. India is a country where people live with many varieties of people. People also love to Travel top tips with children for a must experience for its enormous selection of wild animal and for different activities such as Elephant & Camel Rides, temples and historical building, Toy Trains, etc. No matter what the reason is, weather it is for fun, wild life, honeymoon, for India's history, religion, etc. travelers around the world making India a best travel destination in world.Create and dispense a travel policy. A travel plan can help you organize business travel expenses and provide your employees with obvious guidelines about the types and amounts of permissible everyday expenditure. Your written travel, , and expenditure stratagem should also include penalty for violating it. Search the mesh for bargains. Disregard the days of preference up the phone and booking a flight. If you want to scratch travel it easy for you to find convincingly priced hotels, airline tickets, and rental cars. Associate to get bumped. If your flight is overbooked and the airline, , asks for volunteers to take a later flight, stride forward. Most airlines offer munificent travel vouchers that can save you big currency on your next trip. As a business traveler your travel plans may not always be flexible, but if you can be, you could get a free ticket for your time. Join your favored airline's frequent-flier curriculum. Complimentary trips, airport club admittance, and hotel discounts are among the perks you'll receive for booking flights on the same airline. Ascertain a uniform exposure system. Get all your employees on the same page with standardized forms for exposure expenses. This helps ensure that every report is accurate and can be easily reviewed by you and your accountant.
Source: articledashboard.com
India Travel, land of assortment having a hefty number of travel destinations. India having a large quantity of travel destinations to pick and choose from. You, , can plan to travel throughout the year, as India, a land of all seasons having a choice of travel destinations for every time of year.Today India is an extremely prominent Travel Destination for travelers around the world. India, well known as a land of all time of year having lots of renowned tourist desirability includes Rajasthan, Goa, Agra, Delhi,Varanasi,, , Mumbai and many more, famous for old historical monuments as well as recent developed look.Travelers come to India for its prosperity of places of interest, cultural spirits,, , diversity of territory and in search of that something special, and an extra clout that only Top Tips delivers. India is a country where people live with many varieties of people. People also love to Travel top tips with children for a must experience for its enormous selection of wild animal and for different activities such as Elephant & Camel Rides, temples and historical building, Toy Trains, etc. No matter what the reason is, weather it is for fun, wild life, honeymoon, for India's history, religion, etc. travelers around the world making India a best travel destination in world.Create and dispense a travel policy. A travel plan can help you organize business travel expenses and provide your employees with obvious guidelines about the types and amounts of permissible everyday expenditure. Your written travel, , and expenditure stratagem should also include penalty for violating it. Search the mesh for bargains. Disregard the days of preference up the phone and booking a flight. If you want to scratch travel it easy for you to find convincingly priced hotels, airline tickets, and rental cars. Associate to get bumped. If your flight is overbooked and the airline, , asks for volunteers to take a later flight, stride forward. Most airlines offer munificent travel vouchers that can save you big currency on your next trip. As a business traveler your travel plans may not always be flexible, but if you can be, you could get a free ticket for your time. Join your favored airline's frequent-flier curriculum. Complimentary trips, airport club admittance, and hotel discounts are among the perks you'll receive for booking flights on the same airline. Ascertain a uniform exposure system. Get all your employees on the same page with standardized forms for exposure expenses. This helps ensure that every report is accurate and can be easily reviewed by you and your accountant.
Hotel Hippos Top Ten Travel Tips
Author: John S. Smith
Source: articledashboard.com
At HotelHippo.com, travel is our trade, and so we know how stressful planning and travelling for a trip abroad can be. To help relieve those holiday worries we've put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.Imagine, you're at the airport, you're about to check in, and you notice your passport has expired! Your holiday is over before it's even begun. Avoid this disappointment by ensuring your passport is up to date. In most cases you'll find that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If you don't have a passport, your current passport has expired or is close to expiration, we recommend applying for one now. In the UK it is recommended that you leave at least a month between applying for your passport and arranging travel - this time period may be longer in other countries. Also bear in mind that during summer months your passport office will be inundated with applications, and this may cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your new passport in plenty of time if you wish to travel during this period.Also consider the length and type of your trip. Many countries require that you hold a valid visa to work or take an extended stay, and you may find that you are breaking your host county's laws without one. 2. Read the Consular Information Sheets, public announcements or travel warnings for the areas you plan to visit.Be sure to read up on the areas you plan to visit with these resources to help ensure your personal safety and make the most of your trip.3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are travelling.The last thing any of us want while enjoying our travels is to be seen as an obnoxious tourist. We all know the type, and it's not a good look. This can be easily avoided by finding out about the customs of the country you intend to visit - perhaps even learn a bit of the lingo. Some knowledge along these lines will surely be welcomed by the locals and will help you to enjoy your surroundings that little bit more. Also ensure you're aware of any differences in local law to your home country, as when you are abroad you are subject to the rules of your host country, and ignorance is rarely accepted as an excuse.4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.This will help if your passport is lost or stolen while you are away - usually a complete nightmare, but made so much easier just by following this little tip. Leave one copy at home with friends or family, and carry the other with you in a separate place to your passport. Do NOT carry it with your passport.5. Leave contact details with friends and family so that you can be contacted in case of emergency.Life at home doesn't stop while, travel advice foreign office , you're away, and you may need to be quickly contacted by friends or family should there be an emergency. Make sure they can do this by leaving your travel details (address & telephone number of your accommodation, email address & travel itinerary) with selected friends and family.6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.With all the security measures currently in place in public areas such as airports and train stations it is essential to ensure that you keep hold of your luggage at all times. If you're asked to hold an item for a stranger, politely decline.7. Avoid being a sasaran of crime. Avoid wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewellery, and carrying excessive amounts of money, credit cards or gadgets.Travellers and tourists are obvious targets for foreign criminals - they usually stick out like a sore thumb and carry plenty of cash and gadgets such as digital cameras, camcorders & iPods. Reduce your chances of being a victim by dressing appropriately and only taking what you need - travellers cheques are much safer than cash, and if you wish to take any pictures or listen to music while you're out, keep your devices out of reach and out of site!8. To avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when exchanging money or making sizable purchases.The old adage is right - it something's too good to be true, it usually, travel advice foreign office , is. If you're offered an amazing exchange rate or investment opportunity from a stranger with no credentials, walk away. Even if they seem able to prove their identity or position, remain cautious, and trust your instincts - get out if you feel at all uneasy. 9. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest embassy for your country.Your county's embassy is the place to turn if you find yourself a victim of crime or in trouble with the law. If you are a citizen of the EU and your country does not have an embassy, contact the nearest EU member embassy and request guidance from them. Many of them will provide some level of assistance in an emergency. 10. Above all, have fun!With all the planning that is required for a successful holiday, it can be easy to get bogged down and forget to have fun and relax! With some simple preparation before you go, you can enjoy your holiday with minimum fuss while there. You deserve a break - make sure you get it!
Source: articledashboard.com
At HotelHippo.com, travel is our trade, and so we know how stressful planning and travelling for a trip abroad can be. To help relieve those holiday worries we've put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.Imagine, you're at the airport, you're about to check in, and you notice your passport has expired! Your holiday is over before it's even begun. Avoid this disappointment by ensuring your passport is up to date. In most cases you'll find that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If you don't have a passport, your current passport has expired or is close to expiration, we recommend applying for one now. In the UK it is recommended that you leave at least a month between applying for your passport and arranging travel - this time period may be longer in other countries. Also bear in mind that during summer months your passport office will be inundated with applications, and this may cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your new passport in plenty of time if you wish to travel during this period.Also consider the length and type of your trip. Many countries require that you hold a valid visa to work or take an extended stay, and you may find that you are breaking your host county's laws without one. 2. Read the Consular Information Sheets, public announcements or travel warnings for the areas you plan to visit.Be sure to read up on the areas you plan to visit with these resources to help ensure your personal safety and make the most of your trip.3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are travelling.The last thing any of us want while enjoying our travels is to be seen as an obnoxious tourist. We all know the type, and it's not a good look. This can be easily avoided by finding out about the customs of the country you intend to visit - perhaps even learn a bit of the lingo. Some knowledge along these lines will surely be welcomed by the locals and will help you to enjoy your surroundings that little bit more. Also ensure you're aware of any differences in local law to your home country, as when you are abroad you are subject to the rules of your host country, and ignorance is rarely accepted as an excuse.4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.This will help if your passport is lost or stolen while you are away - usually a complete nightmare, but made so much easier just by following this little tip. Leave one copy at home with friends or family, and carry the other with you in a separate place to your passport. Do NOT carry it with your passport.5. Leave contact details with friends and family so that you can be contacted in case of emergency.Life at home doesn't stop while, travel advice foreign office , you're away, and you may need to be quickly contacted by friends or family should there be an emergency. Make sure they can do this by leaving your travel details (address & telephone number of your accommodation, email address & travel itinerary) with selected friends and family.6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.With all the security measures currently in place in public areas such as airports and train stations it is essential to ensure that you keep hold of your luggage at all times. If you're asked to hold an item for a stranger, politely decline.7. Avoid being a sasaran of crime. Avoid wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewellery, and carrying excessive amounts of money, credit cards or gadgets.Travellers and tourists are obvious targets for foreign criminals - they usually stick out like a sore thumb and carry plenty of cash and gadgets such as digital cameras, camcorders & iPods. Reduce your chances of being a victim by dressing appropriately and only taking what you need - travellers cheques are much safer than cash, and if you wish to take any pictures or listen to music while you're out, keep your devices out of reach and out of site!8. To avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when exchanging money or making sizable purchases.The old adage is right - it something's too good to be true, it usually, travel advice foreign office , is. If you're offered an amazing exchange rate or investment opportunity from a stranger with no credentials, walk away. Even if they seem able to prove their identity or position, remain cautious, and trust your instincts - get out if you feel at all uneasy. 9. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest embassy for your country.Your county's embassy is the place to turn if you find yourself a victim of crime or in trouble with the law. If you are a citizen of the EU and your country does not have an embassy, contact the nearest EU member embassy and request guidance from them. Many of them will provide some level of assistance in an emergency. 10. Above all, have fun!With all the planning that is required for a successful holiday, it can be easy to get bogged down and forget to have fun and relax! With some simple preparation before you go, you can enjoy your holiday with minimum fuss while there. You deserve a break - make sure you get it!
Ten Top Travel Tips
Author: Caroline Poynton
Source: articledashboard.com
For the modern traveller, the world is your oyster. Okay, maybe you're not prioritising a summer visit to currently war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq or Sudan. Likewise, tales of drug-trafficking, kidnapping and armed muggings might put you off a two-week sojourn in Venezuela or Colombia. But perhaps you are considering something a little more off the beaten track - a holiday that will test your nerves a little, or that will embed you in a completely different culture or environment?
Many a modern traveller now explores further afield, with Australasia, South America, Asia and Africa proving very popular for those with an adventurous spirit (who don't mind long plane journeys). But for any such trips,, foreign office travel advice , there are known - and unknown - dangers that you may want to research, foreign office travel advice , before you leave. Visit Australia and you'll probably be bombarded by people listing its dangerous creatures - box jellyfish, crocodiles, redback spiders, taipan snakes, sharks, and so on - together with a litany of tales surrounding those backpackers who never came back... But go to 'safe as houses,, foreign office travel advice , no dangerous animals/plants here' New Zealand and you may not realise that its capital city, Wellington,, foreign office travel advice , sits on a major earthquake fault line that is well overdue a 'big one'!
Indeed, in a Norwich Union survey of last year, several places were highlighted as potential danger areas, including Thailand, Mexico and South Africa, where illness, accidents and crime are common. Again, not terribly surprising, perhaps, but did you know that travellers to Mexico made the most number of claims to the insurance company for overexposure to the sun? Probably not.
The findings also mentioned the Caribbean as the worst area for travellers to suffer insect bites and stings, and even Spain and the Canaries hit the list, for possible robberies and pick pocketing.
Even if you deal with all the insects, robbers, earthquakes, illnesses, hungry sharks and venomous snakes, you may still get in your car and crash. In fact, the most likely way for holidaymakers to meet misfortune is on the road, with 15 million people a year injured worldwide in traffic-related accidents, foreign office travel advice , . Remember that terrifying taxi journey on the way to your hotel last year? Yes, most of us can recall at least one terrifying car journey in our search for that holiday magic.
But don't worry, BeatThatQuote.com is here to help address all your holiday concerns (both those that you knew about as well as the ones we've just got you worried about). With these travel tips, you can be sure you're making the right preparations for a safe and happy trip, no matter how adventurous you are feeling:
1. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website is a great source of information on safe/dangerous destinations, as well as general travel advice. Well worth a look if you're planning to backpack round the world. 2. Do not forget or skimp on your travel insurance. Get travel insurance, foreign office travel advice , and check that the cover is appropriate for your destination and planned activities abroad. Also ensure it covers any health issues you might have. According to recent research, 15% of British people risk going abroad without any kind of travel insurance - considering an air ambulance from the east coast of the US might set you back ฃ30,000, it is really a risk you don't want to take. 3. If you are planning to hire a car or you are taking your car with you, check you are covered for accidents and/or breakdowns. Don't assume your UK car insurance will cover you for driving overseas - it might not protect you for anything more than road traffic accidents. 4. Check what vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions. Ensure you have sufficient medical insurance cover for your chosen destination, especially if you have any pre-existing health, foreign office travel advice , conditions. 5. You will probably be leaving your home empty while you are away - ensure you have got/renewed your home insurance in the event, foreign office travel advice , of anything happening while, foreign office travel advice , you holiday. Also consider asking a neighbour to pop in/water the plants every now and again to ensure your house looks occupied. 6. Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs. 7. Make sure you take all documentation with you, including your passport, necessary visas, and insurance documents. Make copies and store separately just in case you lose anything. 8. Check your bank cards. Do you know how much you will be charged for using your cards abroad? It might also be worth telling your bank or credit card provider about your trip. With fraud on the rise, some card providers/banks will stop your card if they see unusual/unexpected spending. A phonecall will remedy this situation but it's just another holiday 'downer' you can avoid. 9. Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, for example, travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars. 10. And if you're going for a long trip of several months or more, just don't forget your responsibilities at home, including your mortgage. Budget carefully and ensure you can cover all your payments both at home and abroad.
Once you have done all of this, all you need do is pack your bags and go. It might be a scary world out there, but with a bit of forethought, there's a whole lot of opportunity for adventure too. Have fun!
Source: articledashboard.com
For the modern traveller, the world is your oyster. Okay, maybe you're not prioritising a summer visit to currently war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq or Sudan. Likewise, tales of drug-trafficking, kidnapping and armed muggings might put you off a two-week sojourn in Venezuela or Colombia. But perhaps you are considering something a little more off the beaten track - a holiday that will test your nerves a little, or that will embed you in a completely different culture or environment?
Many a modern traveller now explores further afield, with Australasia, South America, Asia and Africa proving very popular for those with an adventurous spirit (who don't mind long plane journeys). But for any such trips,, foreign office travel advice , there are known - and unknown - dangers that you may want to research, foreign office travel advice , before you leave. Visit Australia and you'll probably be bombarded by people listing its dangerous creatures - box jellyfish, crocodiles, redback spiders, taipan snakes, sharks, and so on - together with a litany of tales surrounding those backpackers who never came back... But go to 'safe as houses,, foreign office travel advice , no dangerous animals/plants here' New Zealand and you may not realise that its capital city, Wellington,, foreign office travel advice , sits on a major earthquake fault line that is well overdue a 'big one'!
Indeed, in a Norwich Union survey of last year, several places were highlighted as potential danger areas, including Thailand, Mexico and South Africa, where illness, accidents and crime are common. Again, not terribly surprising, perhaps, but did you know that travellers to Mexico made the most number of claims to the insurance company for overexposure to the sun? Probably not.
The findings also mentioned the Caribbean as the worst area for travellers to suffer insect bites and stings, and even Spain and the Canaries hit the list, for possible robberies and pick pocketing.
Even if you deal with all the insects, robbers, earthquakes, illnesses, hungry sharks and venomous snakes, you may still get in your car and crash. In fact, the most likely way for holidaymakers to meet misfortune is on the road, with 15 million people a year injured worldwide in traffic-related accidents, foreign office travel advice , . Remember that terrifying taxi journey on the way to your hotel last year? Yes, most of us can recall at least one terrifying car journey in our search for that holiday magic.
But don't worry, BeatThatQuote.com is here to help address all your holiday concerns (both those that you knew about as well as the ones we've just got you worried about). With these travel tips, you can be sure you're making the right preparations for a safe and happy trip, no matter how adventurous you are feeling:
1. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website is a great source of information on safe/dangerous destinations, as well as general travel advice. Well worth a look if you're planning to backpack round the world. 2. Do not forget or skimp on your travel insurance. Get travel insurance, foreign office travel advice , and check that the cover is appropriate for your destination and planned activities abroad. Also ensure it covers any health issues you might have. According to recent research, 15% of British people risk going abroad without any kind of travel insurance - considering an air ambulance from the east coast of the US might set you back ฃ30,000, it is really a risk you don't want to take. 3. If you are planning to hire a car or you are taking your car with you, check you are covered for accidents and/or breakdowns. Don't assume your UK car insurance will cover you for driving overseas - it might not protect you for anything more than road traffic accidents. 4. Check what vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions. Ensure you have sufficient medical insurance cover for your chosen destination, especially if you have any pre-existing health, foreign office travel advice , conditions. 5. You will probably be leaving your home empty while you are away - ensure you have got/renewed your home insurance in the event, foreign office travel advice , of anything happening while, foreign office travel advice , you holiday. Also consider asking a neighbour to pop in/water the plants every now and again to ensure your house looks occupied. 6. Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs. 7. Make sure you take all documentation with you, including your passport, necessary visas, and insurance documents. Make copies and store separately just in case you lose anything. 8. Check your bank cards. Do you know how much you will be charged for using your cards abroad? It might also be worth telling your bank or credit card provider about your trip. With fraud on the rise, some card providers/banks will stop your card if they see unusual/unexpected spending. A phonecall will remedy this situation but it's just another holiday 'downer' you can avoid. 9. Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, for example, travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars. 10. And if you're going for a long trip of several months or more, just don't forget your responsibilities at home, including your mortgage. Budget carefully and ensure you can cover all your payments both at home and abroad.
Once you have done all of this, all you need do is pack your bags and go. It might be a scary world out there, but with a bit of forethought, there's a whole lot of opportunity for adventure too. Have fun!
Travel And Tourism In Sierra Leone Is A Hot Topic!
Author: Rajni Khanna
Source: articlerich.com
Until a few days ago, if you had asked me to tell you about Sierra Leone, I would have had to think long and hard to tell you much about this West African country. I could probably have explained roughly where the country is located. I may have mentioned something about the slave trade being connected to Sierra Leone. I could certainly have told you that they had experienced a brutal civil war. I might even have admitted that I wasn't entirely sure whether the war was 100% over. And that's about it.
Slavery and war. A pretty negative view of what is in fact an exceptionally positive country. Today, I see Sierra Leone from an entirely different perspective.
It is difficult to ignore Sierra Leone's history and focus purely on the present. Once a fertile area inhabited by dozens of tribes, it was settled by the Portuguese in the 1400's who built a fort as a trading post for gold, spices, ivory and slaves. A British protectorate in later years, Sierra Leone had the dubious gaji of becoming home to more than 40,000 freed slaves who gave Freetown its name. As a protectorate, Sierra Leone was exploited for its mineral and diamond wealth in the 1900's and Sierra Leonean's fought against the Germans in Cameroon in the First World War, and alongside the British in the Second World War. In 1961, Sierra Leone achieved independence from Britain and governed itself peacefully for 30 years. The peace was not to last and was followed by a decade of brutal civil war that destroyed the economy, brutalized the people and left a country that is rich in resources as one of the poorest in the world.
The, africa travel tips advice , conflict was officially declared over in January 2002, and President Kasbah reelected in May 2002. Since then, the people of Sierra Leone have been pulling together to repair, renew and regenerate.
Whilst doing research for a new website looking at travel, africa travel tips advice , and tourism in Sierra Leone, I came into contact with Sierra Leoneans from all manner of backgrounds living in both Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Their passion for the country was infectious: they clearly wanted to get the message across that Sierra Leone has far more to offer than a sad recent history and that reconstruction is moving ahead at a rapid pace. And indeed, proof of reconstruction is everywhere - new roads are being built, mines are, africa travel tips advice , being re-opened, dam projects started before the war are once again underway, markets are once again thriving and humming with life. There is also a great deal of confidence in Sierra Leone's potential as a tourist destination: a Chinese company has recently invested a reputed US$270 million in the hotel infrastructure; enterprising companies like Kevin McPhillips Travel (based in the UK, USA and the Netherlands) offer exclusive twice weekly flights to Sierra Leone; African Tour specialists are researching viable package holidays in the region. The exciting thing about investment in Sierra Leone is that more is set to follow!
They have a right to be confident. The beaches along Sierra Leone's golden peninsula are said to be one of the world's best kept secrets. Secluded, clean and stretching for miles on end, beach tourism is one of the top items on the government's tourism promotion agenda. Beaches with very British names like Kent, Lumley, Sussex and York mix with more African names like Bureh Town, Tokey and Mammah beach, and
Although many of the, africa travel tips advice , forests and much of the wildlife has been disturbed and in some cases, destroyed, by the war, eco-tourism is an important focus of Sierra Leoneans and natural treasures like Outamba-Kilimi National Park, populated by game animals such as elephants, chimpanzees and pigmy hippos, and Mount Bintimani, the highest point in West Africa, are just two of the worthwhile wildlife attractions on offer. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, africa travel tips advice , rescues orphaned and captured chimps and has been described as one of the most successful Sierra Leonean wildlife endeavours, whilst Tiwai Island is home to over, africa travel tips advice , 3000 chimps as well as other game.
Lakes, rivers and dams are perfect for picnics and relaxing. The marshlands hide a myriad of colourful birds - indeed, the bird life has been less affected by the war than the animals, and everywhere you go, the air is filled with birdsong. Sierra Leone is a bird-watchers dream! Tiwai Island for one boasts over 135 different bird species!
For culture vultures and those with historical interests, the remnants of the slave trade make interesting and though-provoking expeditions. Bunce Island, a slave trading fortress, is a brief boat trip up the river; Freetown is itself a monument to freed slaves and its Cotton Tree, which stands in the heart of what is thought to be an old slave, africa, africa travel tips advice , travel tips advice , market, is now an impressive national symbol. Graves, monuments and forts are all that remain of British and Portuguese power in Sierra Leone: each has a tale to tell. There are over 16 different ethnic groups in the country, including the Krio, descendents of freed slaves who speak an English-based Creole called Krio, and visiting villages and chatting to people in markets and in the streets is rewarding for all parties!
Freetown is probably the most developed of the cities, offering a level of safety that is difficult to match even in Western, africa travel tips advice , countries. Hotels, restaurants and nightspots are sprouting like mushrooms, and eating out in Sierra Leone promises a range of traditional and international treats, and seafood that is beyond belief!
One has to wonder what attraction will tip the scales in making Sierra Leone the popular destination that it once was before the civil war. Based on my experiences with Sierra Leoneans in recent weeks, I feel that it will be the people who make the difference. Without exception, every Sierra Leonean that I have met or worked with has been proud of their country, proud of its progress and excited about the future. They are unfailingly welcoming, greeting aid-workers and travellers alike with smiles that you can only find in Africa, with an optimism - no, positivity - that other countries would do well to emulate.
For travellers in search of a "diamond in the rough", Sierra Leone offers a holiday like no other - my only advice to you is to visit sooner rather than later, to avoid what is sure to be a stampede once holiday-makers and tour operators latch, africa travel tips advice , on to this gem of a destination.
For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website :- http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.com
http://www.100earningtips.com
Source: articlerich.com
Until a few days ago, if you had asked me to tell you about Sierra Leone, I would have had to think long and hard to tell you much about this West African country. I could probably have explained roughly where the country is located. I may have mentioned something about the slave trade being connected to Sierra Leone. I could certainly have told you that they had experienced a brutal civil war. I might even have admitted that I wasn't entirely sure whether the war was 100% over. And that's about it.
Slavery and war. A pretty negative view of what is in fact an exceptionally positive country. Today, I see Sierra Leone from an entirely different perspective.
It is difficult to ignore Sierra Leone's history and focus purely on the present. Once a fertile area inhabited by dozens of tribes, it was settled by the Portuguese in the 1400's who built a fort as a trading post for gold, spices, ivory and slaves. A British protectorate in later years, Sierra Leone had the dubious gaji of becoming home to more than 40,000 freed slaves who gave Freetown its name. As a protectorate, Sierra Leone was exploited for its mineral and diamond wealth in the 1900's and Sierra Leonean's fought against the Germans in Cameroon in the First World War, and alongside the British in the Second World War. In 1961, Sierra Leone achieved independence from Britain and governed itself peacefully for 30 years. The peace was not to last and was followed by a decade of brutal civil war that destroyed the economy, brutalized the people and left a country that is rich in resources as one of the poorest in the world.
The, africa travel tips advice , conflict was officially declared over in January 2002, and President Kasbah reelected in May 2002. Since then, the people of Sierra Leone have been pulling together to repair, renew and regenerate.
Whilst doing research for a new website looking at travel, africa travel tips advice , and tourism in Sierra Leone, I came into contact with Sierra Leoneans from all manner of backgrounds living in both Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Their passion for the country was infectious: they clearly wanted to get the message across that Sierra Leone has far more to offer than a sad recent history and that reconstruction is moving ahead at a rapid pace. And indeed, proof of reconstruction is everywhere - new roads are being built, mines are, africa travel tips advice , being re-opened, dam projects started before the war are once again underway, markets are once again thriving and humming with life. There is also a great deal of confidence in Sierra Leone's potential as a tourist destination: a Chinese company has recently invested a reputed US$270 million in the hotel infrastructure; enterprising companies like Kevin McPhillips Travel (based in the UK, USA and the Netherlands) offer exclusive twice weekly flights to Sierra Leone; African Tour specialists are researching viable package holidays in the region. The exciting thing about investment in Sierra Leone is that more is set to follow!
They have a right to be confident. The beaches along Sierra Leone's golden peninsula are said to be one of the world's best kept secrets. Secluded, clean and stretching for miles on end, beach tourism is one of the top items on the government's tourism promotion agenda. Beaches with very British names like Kent, Lumley, Sussex and York mix with more African names like Bureh Town, Tokey and Mammah beach, and
Although many of the, africa travel tips advice , forests and much of the wildlife has been disturbed and in some cases, destroyed, by the war, eco-tourism is an important focus of Sierra Leoneans and natural treasures like Outamba-Kilimi National Park, populated by game animals such as elephants, chimpanzees and pigmy hippos, and Mount Bintimani, the highest point in West Africa, are just two of the worthwhile wildlife attractions on offer. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, africa travel tips advice , rescues orphaned and captured chimps and has been described as one of the most successful Sierra Leonean wildlife endeavours, whilst Tiwai Island is home to over, africa travel tips advice , 3000 chimps as well as other game.
Lakes, rivers and dams are perfect for picnics and relaxing. The marshlands hide a myriad of colourful birds - indeed, the bird life has been less affected by the war than the animals, and everywhere you go, the air is filled with birdsong. Sierra Leone is a bird-watchers dream! Tiwai Island for one boasts over 135 different bird species!
For culture vultures and those with historical interests, the remnants of the slave trade make interesting and though-provoking expeditions. Bunce Island, a slave trading fortress, is a brief boat trip up the river; Freetown is itself a monument to freed slaves and its Cotton Tree, which stands in the heart of what is thought to be an old slave, africa, africa travel tips advice , travel tips advice , market, is now an impressive national symbol. Graves, monuments and forts are all that remain of British and Portuguese power in Sierra Leone: each has a tale to tell. There are over 16 different ethnic groups in the country, including the Krio, descendents of freed slaves who speak an English-based Creole called Krio, and visiting villages and chatting to people in markets and in the streets is rewarding for all parties!
Freetown is probably the most developed of the cities, offering a level of safety that is difficult to match even in Western, africa travel tips advice , countries. Hotels, restaurants and nightspots are sprouting like mushrooms, and eating out in Sierra Leone promises a range of traditional and international treats, and seafood that is beyond belief!
One has to wonder what attraction will tip the scales in making Sierra Leone the popular destination that it once was before the civil war. Based on my experiences with Sierra Leoneans in recent weeks, I feel that it will be the people who make the difference. Without exception, every Sierra Leonean that I have met or worked with has been proud of their country, proud of its progress and excited about the future. They are unfailingly welcoming, greeting aid-workers and travellers alike with smiles that you can only find in Africa, with an optimism - no, positivity - that other countries would do well to emulate.
For travellers in search of a "diamond in the rough", Sierra Leone offers a holiday like no other - my only advice to you is to visit sooner rather than later, to avoid what is sure to be a stampede once holiday-makers and tour operators latch, africa travel tips advice , on to this gem of a destination.
For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website :- http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.com
http://www.100earningtips.com
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