by admin on March 10, 2010
The PureTravel team is just a little bit addicted to a newly launched website where you can track real time aircraft journeys. RadarVirtuel covers Europe at the moment and in the screen grab above you can see details for 742 airplanes!
RadarVirtuel was created by a bunch of aviation enthusiasts and the site plots information such as the speed, altitude or the call sign of aircraft, all on Google Maps. The screen constantly refreshes and users can filter the information and customize the screen to show their chosen tags. Users can also control and contribute under the tabs.
RadarVirtuel’s goal was to make as much real-time airplane traffic coverage available online as possible. The information can be used for locating an airplane for personal or business purposes, computing statistics etc.
All we know is that RadarVirtuel it is quite addictive especially as you can zoom right into your own location and see just who is flying over your head!
by admin on March 8, 2010
Flying can be stressful enough what with tiny airline seats, crying children and the movie and music escaping from the entertainment system! Get your vacation off to the right start next time with our tips on how to get some valuable sleep whilst in the air;
Adjust before you go – Try to adjust your internal body clock before you fly, for example if you are traveling from East to West try staying up a little later for a few days prior to flying. And the opposite applies when traveling west to east; go to bed and get up earlier.
Choose the right seat – The location of your seat is probably the most important aspect in how well you’ll sleep onboard. Opt for a window seat and you’ll get to lean against the window to sleep and to control the window blind. Also you won’t need to keep getting up for others to get out and use the bathroom. Be aware that exit row seats may come with extra legroom, but not all these seats recline and some may have armrest that can’t be lifted. The very last row also probably won’t recline and has the added issues of being located by the toilets and by the galley!
Fly direct – Consider taking a direct flight, rather than connecting flights if possible, which will increase the chance of a decent sleep, rather than smaller naps.
Cut the caffeine – Before boarding and during the flight, stick to water and juice rather than tea, coffee and cola as the caffeine will keep you awake. Avoid alcohol as well which will dehydrate you.
Ditch the hand luggage – The less hand luggage and duty free items that you buy prior to flying means there is less to stow in the foot well, especially if you’re last on and all the overhead locker space has been taken. Separate your flying essentials; magazine, snacks, water, socks etc into one small bag to stow in the seatback and stow your main bag away.
Layer up – Onboard temperatures can vary so layer your clothes up so you can add or take off clothes as needed.
Take pillows and blankets – Make sure you get a pillow and blanket when you board, or better still, take your own. Pack smart and take a wrap to use as a blanket and take an inflatable pillow which will also save space. You’ll also have your creature comforts with you and will know when they were last washed!
Accessorize – If you need earplugs and a sleep mask to be able to some sleep then take your own accessories with you. If you need your favorite teddy bear, then take him too!
Strip down to socks – Slip your shoes off when you fly and let your feet swell naturally. Carry some flight socks or slipper socks with you which will be essential for the restroom stops!
Eat wisely – Don’t eat anything too heavy or rich either in the airport terminal or onboard. Opt for light salads and fruit and vegetables instead.
Tune out – Load up your MP3 player with your favorite tunes and some chill out tracks. The music could block out any background noise, especially if you have noise cancelling headphones, although do listen out for any safety announcements and don’t play your music so loud that it disturbs others.
Politely recline – Get some sleep whilst reclined but be courteous – make sure the person behind you isn’t eating or drinking, a quick look back is all that’s needed.
Belt up – Make sure your seat belt is fastened over the top of your blanket and is visible then the cabin crew won’t need to disturb you should you hit turbulence.
When you wake – When you’ve enjoyed your sleep, get up and brush your teeth and generally freshen up and have a coffee.
When you arrive – Once you’re at your destination, I normally find that getting into the swing of things is the best option. So if it’s evening go out and have a quick walk about and get some dinner.
by admin on March 5, 2010
Before you set off on your next travel adventure, include some local research as part of your travel planning. You’ll probably uncover some rather bizarre local laws and some outdated rules that might sound amusing but could actually land you in trouble with the authorities. Here are 14 strange laws to get you started;
1. Do Not Feed The Pigeons – Italy – It’s illegal to feed pigeons in Venice, Italy (don’t tell Mary Poppins!) The pigeon poop actually pollutes the local buildings and a fine of around 50-600 USD should be enough to deter you.
2. Do Not Wear Hot Pink Shorts – Australia - In Victoria, it’s illegal to wear hot pink shorts after midday on a Sunday. But what about baby pink shorts?
3. Do Not Drive With The Headlights Off – Czech Republic, Denmark – it is a legal requirement in both Denmark and the Czech Republic to drive with your headlights on at all times. Weird, especially on sunny days, but it does make drivers more aware of the cars around them.
4. Do Not Forget Your Underwear – Thailand - It is illegal to leave the house if you are not wearing underwear.
5. Do Not Forget Your Clothes – Grenada – On the island on Grenada in the Caribbean, parading through town in just a swimming costume can, in theory, attract a fine of 270 USD. So keep the Speedos and bikinis for the beach.
6. Do Not Stare At Mannequins – UK – One law to remember when on your family holidays in the UK is that any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked mannequin!
7. Do Not Pay In Pennies – Canada – It may be legal tender but paying for an item in pennies, or indeed any large number of coins, can be met with a refusal to serve you.
8. Don’t Jump – New York, USA – Just don’t jump in New York as the penalty for jumping off a building is death!
9. Do Not Drive A Dirty Car – Moscow, Russia – Dirty cars spotted in Moscow can end up with a 100 USD fine, although how dirty isn’t defined.
10. Don’t Drive When In A House Coat – California, USA - Another rather outdated law especially considering the trend for leisure wear; women may not drive in a house coat in California.
11. Do Not Stop On The Autobahn – Germany – If your travels take you to Germany then be aware that running out of gas and walking on the autobahn motorways is illegal. And each misdemeanor will get you a 100 USD fine.
12. Do Not Eat During Ramadan – UAE – Feeling peckish whilst visiting the United Arab Emirates? Well just make sure you don’t eat in public during the daylight hours whilst Ramadan is being observed. Two British tourists were sent to jail for this for three weeks and fines of 275 USD are not unheard of for drinking juice!
13. Do Not Kiss – England, France – No kissing allowed in England or France, well on train station platforms anyway. It is designed to stop train delays (?) although there is no formal penalty.
14. Do Not Chew Gum – Singapore – Chewing gum isn’t sold in Singapore and chewing it will get you in trouble, as will feeding the birds, spitting and not flushing public toilets. Singapore is a pristine and immaculate destination and they want to keep it that way.
by admin on March 3, 2010
Whether your current budget allows you to take shopping vacations and splash the cash big time or if you just window-shop, these are the top 10 cities in the world which have the highest percentage of top retailers;
10. Tokyo - Top retailers 38.68%
9. Barcelona - Top retailers 39.09%
8. Munich - Top retailers 39, 92%
7. Berlin - Top retailers 40.33%
6. Moscow - Top retailers 42, 39%
5. Madrid - Top retailers 44.03%
4. Dubai - Top retailers 45.68%
3. New York - Top retailers 46.91%
2. Paris - Top retailers 49.79%
1. London - Top retailers: 59.26%
What do you think? Leave your comments below… Thanks to the CBRE for the data.
by admin on February 26, 2010
More great tips and advice on how to save money on every travel adventure, making the most of your budget;
1. Travel Budget - Work out a realistic travel budget and stick to it! Remember to factor in flights, accommodation, tours and food.
2. Use Promo Codes – Search online for promotional codes for flights, hotels and car hire. Check out travel forums and swap information with fellow travelers.
3. Go Direct and Save Money – Book your adventure tours direct with local tour operators which saves you money and gets you a more authentic holiday.
4. Avoid Baggage Fees – Check your airliners baggage allowance and make sure you’re under it. And allow for any souvenir buying.
5. Travel Forums – Exchange tips and advice with other travelers – connect with people local to you and discover local deals and offers.
6. Travel Club – Join a travel club which offers ongoing discounts and special offers to its members.
7. Cheap Airfares – Search online comparison sites for cheap airfares, remember to factor in the taxes. Sign up to airline newsletters and comparison websites to find out as soon as promotions are launched.
8. Frequent Flyer – Make sure you take advantage of any frequent flier clubs that your airline may run. Use the points before they expire and don’t take a flight just because of the points – factor in all costs.
9. Take A Train – see whether a train journey offers a cheaper, and more scenic, alternative to flying. Same applies to taking local mass transit systems and buses, especially in your destination, which may save on taxi costs.
10. Travel Insurance – Don’t go without it but do shop around for a good deal on travel insurance. And consider annual policies.
11. Avoid Check In Costs – See if you can avoid airport check in charges by printing off your ticket before you get to the airport. You’ll save time queuing as well.
12. Airport Shopping – Don’t go crazy and splurge your cash at the airport on needless gadgets but do buy your usual toiletries, perfumes, clothes etc that are cheaper there.
13. Airport Parking – Buy your airport parking in advance and check whether a hotel and parking is cheaper.
14. Parking Rules – Don’t double park and make sure you follow the car parking rules otherwise you could be hit with a hefty parking ticket on your return.
Foreign Currency – Don’t buy your holiday currency at the airport where the exchange rates are often lower.
15. Bank Accounts – Check whether your bank account offers free travel perks such as travel insurance, fee-free holiday currency, airport parking discounts etc. Many banks offer upgraded current accounts which often have these benefits thrown in.
16. Rent A Car – Hiring a car for the duration of your stay could be a cheaper investment than using public transport and taxis, especially if you’re staying off the beaten track.
17. Kids Eat Free – Save money on family meals by looking out for deals where kids eat free or two people eat for a set fee.
18. Go Self Catering – Stay at self catering apartments or accommodation and you can prepare your own meals.
19. Take Your Own Stroller – Using your own baby stroller or pushchair at some theme parks and attractions can save you from hiring one.
20. Eat At The Airport – Many airports have international restaurant chains which may offer tastier (and cheaper) food than on your flight.
21. Free Airport Wi-Fi – If your airport has free wi-fi or free computers to use them whilst you’re waiting for your flight.
22. Use Water Bottles – Take refillable bottles along with you on days out but do check whether the water is OK to drink in your destination.
23. Take Snacks – Hit the local markets, buy some fruit and snacks to take with you on your days out.
24. Picnic – Enjoy a picnic in the park with some good local food, again markets and local shops are a good place to find some local food.
25. Multi Day Passes – Find out if attractions offer multi day passes or discounts and take advantage of them.
26. Use The Pool – If you’ve paid extra for a hotel for a pool then make sure you use it. Or consider booking a hotel without all the usual amenities if you won’t use them.
27. Book Online – Many airlines and hotels offer discounts and special offers for booking online.
28. Book Direct – By booking each of your travel elements direct with the suppliers, you should secure a better deal by cutting out the middleman.
29. Try A Hostel – Hostels have come a long way recently and tend to be centrally based with great rates.
30. Child Spending – Set your children a daily budget on what they spend on souvenirs and gifts.
31. Connecting Flights – Check out connecting flights to see how much you could save.
32. Couch Surfing – Try a house swap or couch surfing website for a more realistic experience.
33. Return Trips – Compare costs between round trips and single journeys as more often than not the return trip will offer a better deal.
34. Eat Local – Try the local delicacies such as Pad Thai Noodles in Thailand which is an incredibly cheap option.
35. Plan Your Meals – Buy a guidebook which covers restaurants and note a few budget food stops in your destination, especially for breakfast and lunches.
36. Breakfast On The Go – Skip the pricey and often unhealthy hotel breakfasts, and grab some buns, fruit and smoothies on the go.
37. One Way Car Rentals – Compare the price to return a hire car to same location, as one way car rentals are often a lot more expensive.
38. Rent A Mini – Hire the smallest rental car that you can get away with.
39. Rail Pass – Get a rail pass such as an Octopus card in Hong Kong which offers convenience as well as money saving.
40. Night Flights – Save one night’s accommodation by booking an overnight flight or train journey.
41. Book Off Season – traveling out of peak times offers better deals and more availability.
42. Travel Guides – Borrow your travel guides from the library or use online versions such as PURETRAVEL. Also create your own guide by saving mementoes and creating a scrapbook.
43. Pack Smart – Pack individual clothes which can be paired up to make outfits - pack a color and maybe black or cream.
44. Pack and Swap – Swap half of your packed clothes with your fellow traveler so if your bag does go astray, you’ll have clothes to wear.
45. Box Your Essentials – If you’re a frequent traveler, put all of your travel essentials – passport, documents, alarm clock, toiletries, etc – into a box so it’s all in one place for quick packing.
46. Credit Cards Abroad – Check before you use your credit or debit card abroad as the fees could by expensive.
47. Don’t Stay Centrally – Hotels slap bang in the middle of all the action will command higher rates, so stay just outside of the big cities or popular tourist areas.
48. Haggle – Many markets and smaller traders on your vacation almost expect you to barter and haggle on the price of goods – give it a go, it’s all part of the experience!
49. Just Ask – Ask your hotel or travel provider for a discount or something free. Don’t ask = don’t get!
50. Tax Refunds – Some countries have systems in places to allow tourists to get tax refunds on purchases made in the country.
51. Hot Or Not? – Some of the local tourist may not be all that hot. Get some local insider knowledge and do what interests you rather than following the hoards.
52. Walk – Try walking the shorter journeys and checking out local sights on the way.
53. Student Discounts – Many attractions offer student, children, senior and family discounts. Check in advance and carry your ID with you.
54. Book Early – By booking early you can take advantage of early booking discounts and get what you want.
55. Book Late – Waiting for a last minute deal also offers a good bargain, although maybe not as much choice.
56. Stay Close To Home – Explore your local area on a staycation.
57. Be Flexible – With every element of travel booking, the more flexible you can be with dates, locations etc, the better deal you can secure.
58. Go Camping – Check out campsites as an alternative to pricey hotels.
59. Try Voluntourism – Try a trip that combines helping out local communities with a vacation as well.
60. Back To Nature – Trips that involve walking, climbing and activities are generally cheaper and healthier too!
Bonus Tip
61. Blog About It – Write some travel articles on your journey and publish them for money on travel blogs.
Add your own money travel tips and advice in the comments below and help us grow this list!
by admin on February 22, 2010
International tourism continued to thrive last year despite the recession, proving that you really shouldn’t ditch your plans for an adventure vacation! In fact, only the Japanese spent less on international tourism last year and these countries spent the most;
10. Netherlands, $21.7 billion (+9.2%)
9. Russia, $24.9 billion (+11.8%)
8. Canada, $26.9 billion (+8.4%)
7. Japan, $27.9 billion (-7.9%)
6. Italy, $30.8 billion (+4.9%)
5. China, $36.2 billion (+21.4%)
4. France, $43.1 billion (+9.6%)
3. UK, $68.5 billion (+4.4%)
2. USA, $79.7 billion (+4.4%)
1. Germany, $91.0 billion (+2%)
So have you cut back your travel plans in light of the recent economic difficulties or did you still venture abroad last year? Leave us your comments below. Thanks to the Independent for the information.
by admin on February 17, 2010
Hong Kong is a very special place to visit, with endless things to do, see and eat. The 24 hour non-stop energetic destination attracted 29.59 million visitors in 2009, certainly a popular location to head to for an exciting vacation!
And on Sunday 14 February, Hong Kong burst into dazzling life with the Chinese New Year Night Parade. This also marks the beginning of Festive Hong Kong 2010, which is a year-long, non-stop celebration which is organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). The New Year parade featured 14 dazzling floats with 13 overseas and 13 local performing groups from 14 countries and regions, all meandering through Tsim Sha Tsui.
The fifteenth year of the New Year parade saw floats representing the four seasons, with a blend of Chinese and Western themes such as a Chinese bun to represent the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Santa Claus for Christmas and pumpkins for Halloween. The floats are now on display for a week at various locations to marvel at the floats close up.
So if you plan to travel to Hong Kong in 2010, you can immerse yourself in the mega events of Festive Hong Kong and soak up the history, culture and colorful Chinese and Western fusion that is so uniquely Hong Kong!
