Join Us for Ephesus Tours

We kindly require you to visit Ephesus with us for an extraordinary tour. We offer you the most personalized, comfortableandluxurious sightseeing of your life.

Our Ephesus tours are planed according to your preferences. You will live the privileges of our private Ephesus tour with our professional tour guide with a large variety of vehicles with A/C along with the very reasonable prices. One-full day or half day sightseeing are planned to visit historical places as much as possible. Hence, all your entrance tickets are bought by your guide to let you have more time for sightseeing. In a private Ephesus tours you don’t waste your time for others’ interests and you are independent. You have the advantage of deciding your own start and conclude the schedule.

Also, with us you have the chance of having best rates. All our tours are all-inclusive.The fees of entrance to historical sites, lunch, transfers from Kusadasi Port and tax are included in your tour quotation.

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Top five destination in Greece

Greece is surrounded by the Aegean Sea on the east and south, and on the west lies the Ionian Sea. These coastal areas have led to the development of numerous islands and henceforth some interesting tourist destinations in Greece. A holiday on greece can well mean spending time in the mythical land or basking in the amiable weather of the Greek Islands. In this article you will get to know a bit of the top ten tourist destinations in Greece. Greece is an ideal tourist destination and a perfect place to go on a vacation for both families and individuals.Greece attracts thousands of visitors every year from all parts of the world. While planning a trip to Greece , one can choose from the various options that the tour agents provide. The best time to visit Greece is between the months of May and September. The wonderful weather during this time of the year provide the appropriate condition to enjoy to the fullest.

It is interesting to note that the islands of Greece operates as an individual tourist destination where one can experience the traditional ways of life of the Greek, enjoy the cultural influence,  practice water sports. Some of the islands of Greece like the Mykonos, Corfu and Rhodes, are appropriate place to enjoy for people who loves to party.

Ecotourism, geotourism and active tourism have formed a vital part of the tourism industry. By availing these tour packages one can go to visit mineral areas, protected areas, can also go for canoeing, river trekking and rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, jeep tours, and visit to some of the Greek National Parks.The art holiday in greece is one of its kind and people availing this holiday packages can go to experience archaeological sites. The churches, museums and monasteries of Greece also must be visited on a trip to Greece. Spa holidays have also attracted the attention of the tourists and are seeing a boom.

With good transportation system, it has become easier to reach Greece from around the world. This Mediterranean country has a lot to offer to the tourists and namely the top five destinations in greece are as follows:

* Santorini Island
* Mykonos Island
* Crete Island
* Rhodes Island
* Athens

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Travel Safety Tips for Women

Nervous about flying or travel? Take a look at the following safety tips that every woman should keep in mind when traveling.

AIRLINE SAFETY

• Avoid rushing in an airport; this makes you a prime target for pickpockets.
• Observe suspicious people/activities around you.
• Contact security if you anticipate a problem .
• Stay close to your luggage; never leave your briefcase or unchecked baggage unattended.
• Use your business address on bag tags - NEVER use your business name or home address.
• Place additional ID inside your checked luggage.
• Use sturdy tamper-proof combination lock luggage vs. key-lock luggage.
• Don’t use expensive designer luggage.
• Never place valuables or prescription medications in checked luggage.
• Take important telephone numbers with you.
• Leave your itinerary and contact information with corporate travel.
• Avoid the subway during early morning or late hours.
• Ensure that you have the proper documentation; passport, visa or international driver's license.

HOTEL SAFETY

• Use the main entrance of the hotel.
• Hide your gender from potential troublemakers - when checking into a hotel, register under your last name and first initial only.
• Ask the agent to give your room number discreetly or in writing so that others cannot overhear.
• Ask if the room you are assigned has a deadbolt.
• If you are traveling alone, ask for an escort (such as the bellman) to accompany you to your room.
• If the hotel offers underground parking, ask for an attendant to park your car.
• Ask for a room near the elevators and take the elevator not the stairs.
• Use all locking devices when you are in your room including the hotel safe for valuables.
• Keep luggage locked and place it in the closet when you are not in the room.
• Know the location of all exits, fire alarm boxes and the nearest stairwell.
• Do not display “Please Clean Room” sign, this will draw attention to the fact that you are not in your room.  Instead call the front desk to request housekeeping services.
• Do display the “Do not disturb” sign when you leave for the evening so that anyone passing by will think that you are in the room.
• Avoid using the door sign provided to order food service. This would allow anyone reading the sign to know that you are ordering for one person only. Call the room service to order meals instead.
• Leave your TV or radio on at all times.
• Don't be afraid to refuse a room if you're not comfortable with your safety. Check that the connecting doors windows and sliding doors are locked and the locks work properly.  In general, avoid first floor rooms with sliding doors.  Additionally, keep in mind that many fire truck ladders do not reach higher than the sixth floor.
• Keep your room key secured and out of sight at all times.
• Many hotels in foreign countries will keep your hotel key at the front desk in a box with the room number labeled on it in plain view.  When asking for your key, take care who may overhear you stating your room number.
• Consider carrying a small door wedge and keeping it tucked under the door, or using an alarm that can be set to go off if someone opens the door. (These can be located at travel and luggage stores). 
• Never open your hotel door to anyone (i.e. maintenance, flower deliver etc.) until you call down to the front desk to verify the service.

STREET SAFETY

• Safeguard passport and carry a photocopy.
• Avoid opening your purse or wallet. Keep several dollar bills and change for tips and pay phones in a pocket easily accessible.
• Women should carry a purse over one shoulder only or wear a money belt. 
• Keep your hands free; women are more vulnerable when their hands are bound up in straps of purses or bags.
• Be verbal; talk loudly if you feel threatened, as this will control your breathing and release energy to help you gain control over the situation.
• Be confident. Be smart. Travel well trafficked, crowded streets. Walk like you are part of the crowd and are not alone. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts, If something seems amiss, return to a safer surrounding, such as a hotel. Look and act as though you know where you are headed, walk with your head up and look around you. Walk briskly and with a purpose
• Don’t get caught off guard. Make note of the times of sunrise and sunset and avoid being out alone at night.
• Minimize direct eye contact with men. Dark sunglasses will help.
• Don't accept gifts from strangers. It may be considered an invitation to more.
• Try to sit next to other women on trains/busses. Women will help women. Ask for directions from families or women with children.
• Don't flaunt it.  Avoid being conspicuous.
• Don't wear expensive jewelry.  Robbers won't know the difference between real and fake until it's too late.  The exception to the jewelry rule is to wear a simple wedding band so people believe that you are married.
• Keep your eyes peeled. On the next red eye flight, know where your valuables are at all times.
• Ask questions. Ask an employee at the airport or your concierge for more information about the safety of your destination.
• Keep advised, via the local media, of the current security situation in the area.
• Avoid using ATM machines at night unless the area is open and well lit.
• When you need to go… take your valuables with you. 
• Surprise them. If a car is following you, turn quickly and walk in the opposite direction.
• There's safety in numbers. If you feel that you are being followed, immediately go into a store and wait to see him or her pass. Ask a person in the store to walk out with you to make sure the person is gone.
• Avoid a foreign cutpurse (pickpocket). On sidewalks, keep your handbag and other valuables away from the street side. On escalators, keep your handbag away from the opposite ramp.
• Park in the light. When driving, look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. If you are followed in a parking lot, bang on cars to set off car alarms.
• Keep them guessing. If you take a cab, carry a mobile phone and call your room and pretend you are talking to someone and announce that you will be arriving in ten or fifteen minutes. Mention the cab number.
• Speed dial. Carry a concealed cellular phone. Put the local police on speed dial. 
• Surround yourself with noise and lights.  A personal alarm, whistle, and a small flashlight are good ways to frighten attackers.
• Never look at maps in public. Memorize them in advance, or look at them in your hotel room or ladies room. 
• Carry embassy contact info.  If you are going to a far-flung or potentially dangerous destination, always have with you a list of local embassies, with their phone numbers and dialing codes.  Let the local embassy know you are there, and leave a list of numbers with your office. 
• Research the country you plan to visit. Seek to understand the local culture, customs and dress. (Dress according to the social and cultural norms in each country, loose fitting clothing that covers arms and legs is usually appropriate.)
• If you become the victim of a crime, immediately contact the local police, US diplomatic or consular office and your supervisor.

CAR SAFETY

• Make sure rental car names are not displayed on the car. 
• Get a map and directions before leaving the car rental location. 
• Keep your keys in your hand while walking to your car. 
• Have a cellular phone on you at all times.
• Place luggage in your trunk and keep vehicle locked and windows rolled up. 
• Leave space between your car and the vehicle ahead of you when stopping. 
• If you are involved in a minor car accident, motion the driver to the nearest police, fire station, hospital or well-lit store.
• Do not stop for any flashing lights. Drive to the nearest police/fire station or lighted area.
• Avoid driving alone and be aware of your surroundings when using public transportation. 

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Dubrovnik — A Croatian Jewel

Centuries of insight and accord make this medieval town the pearl of Southern Dalmatia, whose spirit and history are worthy of our deepest admiration.The luminous city at the foot of hill Srd is a highlight of the Adriatic and the whole of Croatia.

The town’s greatest attraction simply lies in its spectacular appearance, its medieval character, all combined with the rich and colorful vegetation of the Mediterranean region. Here, history, culture, and nature all meld into one harmonic unity. Apart from its historic atmosphere, Dubrovnik offers a remarkable number of cultural programs. Dubrovnik Summer Festival is a medley of performances and concerts taking place in the open air during warm Dubrovnik evenings. If you feel like spending a lazy day in the sun, you might luxuriate on one of Dubrovnik's city beaches; but, better yet—take the ferry to Lokrum Island. This island is a national park, with a rocky nudist beach, a botanical garden and the ruins of a medieval Benedictine monastery.

Founded 1300 years ago, Dubrovnik's appeal lies in the majestic old town of Stari Grad, with its marble-paved squares, steep cobbled streets, tall houses, convents, churches, palaces, fountains and museums, all cut from the same light-colored limestone. Dubrovnik’s city walls were built between the 8th and 16th Centuries. Just inside the walls, the Franciscan Monastery houses the oldest European pharmacy, which has been operating since 1391. One of its fortresses, built on a high cliff above the sea, bears an inscription that reflects the spirit of this old town: NON BENE TOTO LIBERTAS VENDIAURO (Freedom is not to be given away for all treasures of the world)

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The Ghan - Australia

Looking for a unique way to visit the Land Down Under?

Hop on The Ghan, Australia’s world-famous luxury train, and let it transport you to the country’s mysterious Red Center. You’ll experience the fascination of one of the most unique train journeys of the world. Marvel at the spectacular colors of the Outback, the spinifex plains and the salt pans of Australia’s vast interior, and the rugged McDonnell Ranges.

Named for the early Afghan explorers who blazed the first trail into the interior, Ghan passengers make the same journey – albeit with the utmost in luxurious accommodations. The Chairman’s Car, an elegant, selfcontained carriage, can accommodate eight people in style. The dining room features an ever-changing menu with native Australian cuisine and an impressive selection of fine wines. The spacious Gold Kangaroo Lounge is often the center of activity for the journey. The club-like setting makes it an excellent place to socialize or sit back and enjoy the passing parade of Australian landscapes.

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Zanzibar - Heaven on Earth

This is an island paradise off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, better known as East Africa. Zanzibar Island, locally known as Unguja, is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa. Stone Town was deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. It was able to keep its urban townscape virtually intact as well as many fine buildings that reflect its
particular culture, that brought together and homogenized different cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe.

In addition to the breathtaking beaches and the amazing culture, you can find a great deal of other activities. One of the most exciting things is water sports. Go scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing or deep-sea fishing. If you prefer the land, take a worthwhile excursion to Jozani Forest - home of the rare Kirk’s Red Colobus monkey. The forest has an excellent nature trail allowing various routes, depending on how energetic or adventurous you feel. And last but not least, don’t forget the wonderful local food.

The Zanzibarian cuisine offers magnificent seafood buffets and spicy island fare, always fresh from the ocean ensuring a healthy diet throughout your vacation.

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Discount Summer Vacations

If you are interested in taking a summer season vacation, but you are worried with the price, you are not alone.  A big number of men and women and people wish to consider a summer getaway, but, due to the cost of several, most are unable to do so.  What many men and women and people fail to contemplate is low cost summertime vacations.

Discount summer season vacations do exist, but to many they are only a myth.  There are just some individuals who imagine that there is no this kind of factor as a low cost summer time holiday.  If they do believe that low cost vacations exist, numerous suppose they are only to reduced-quality destinations.  If you are interested in taking a summer trip, you are encouraged not to imagine this well-known myth.

To uncover discounted summertime vacations, all you have to do is a tiny bit of research.  Once you commence hunting, you will probably see that low cost summer time vacations are obtainable, for even the most common summertime vacation destinations. Low cost summer vacations are obtainable many thanks to vacation deals, on the internet coupons, and price tag reductions.

Getaway location deals are one particular of the most well-known methods that you or your household can conserve cash when taking a summer season trip.  These offers are most frequently offered via a resort.  Theme park resorts, golf resorts, and seashore resorts, all close to the world, are likely to offer summertime getaway packages.  These offers may be considered all-inclusive or they may well just cover a range of getaway accommodations.  Vacation packages can easily be found online or by talking to a expert journey agent.

When it comes to low cost vacations, most men and women receive a low cost in the kind of a price tag reduction.  Price tag reductions are usually used as a final try to improve the quantity of vacationers at well-liked hotels, restaurants, theme parks, or seashores. If you are looking for upfront discounts, in the type of price tag reductions, they can easily be located on the web or by straight contacting a hotel, restaurant, or theme park.

In addition to cost reductions employed to lure in added vacationers, numerous popular trip destinations provide price tag reductions to vacationing households.  Instead of paying complete price for your young children, you may well be in a position to receive a substantial discount for them.  These discounts are often discovered at vacation resorts, hotels, and concept parks. The expense of a loved ones low cost will depend on the destination.  Nevertheless significant or small the discount, a lot of households appreciate saving the money.

On the web coupons are a fantastic way to get a low cost on your following summer time trip.  A significant amount of holiday destinations supply on the web coupons, as effectively as offline coupons.  Most internet end users have the selection of requesting a coupon booklet or they can get printable getaway coupons.  The only downside to making use of coupons is that you need to bear in mind to get them with you when you set off to get to your trip vacation spot.  Without having them, you may possibly be essential to pay out full price for all of your utilised services.

Even though low cost vacations are obtainable, it is essential to note that not all destinations can be vacationed at for a reduced price tag.  Regardless of what you may believe, several of the most common holiday locations give important financial savings and discounts to travelers.  Well-known summer vacation destinations that can be visited for a reduced cost consist of, but ought to not be limited to, the Caribbean, Mexico, Myrtle Seashore, Bush Gardens, Six Flags, Disneyland, or Disney Earth.  Numerous occasions, you will finish up having to pay a lot more to holiday at vacation spot that is not as well-liked.

When looking for a reduced-price summer trip location, you can lookup employing a quantity of strategies.  If you previously have a vacation destination in thoughts, you can lookup for discounts getting supplied in or close to your meant holiday spot.  If you have but to pick a vacation spot, you can analyze the discounts available and then make your selection.  Whichever method you select, you are positive to discover useful discounts that can be employed on your following getaway.

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Piraziz Int. Builds Safety and Comfort

Piraziz Int. provides high quality and high technology products and services for every kind of rural or urban environment. We apply projects in more than 13 countries in 4 continents; from prefabricated office buildings in Burundi to containers in Georgia or Equatorial Guinea.

Prefabricated Buildings

Piraziz International Service Solutions, an enterprise of Hekim Holding, cooperates with best partners for business relationships, and always looks for innovative approaches. With our effective solutions you can use the best prefabricated buildings in fields like site camps for general contracting projects, administration and office buildings, mining projects, oil and gas projects and military camps.

Affordable Housing

We provide pre-engineered buildings, prefabricated buildings, cabin and kiosks, isolation materials and various other materials for construction sector. We also provide services like site analysis, preparation, landscaping, transportation and demounting and erection works on site. We produce accommodation containers for affordable housing especially for emergency situations.

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A Specialist For Prefabricated Buildings

When you need a new building, no matter what the end use is or how many people are needed to accommodate, you can be sure that Prefabrik Yapi A.S. has a solution of portable or modular building to meet your needs.

Laboratory cabins, offices and locker rooms, accommodation villages for construction sites, canteens, changing rooms or storage facilities are some of the applications of where camp buildings are used. Prefabricated buildings have many advantages comparing to regular buildings. Being cost-effective, customized but fast production, being expandable, providing work and worker safety are just a few of them. Buildings prefabricated provides for fast building with less human power and time. Our experienced team is always ready to make a preliminary study for offering better solutions for your project. Satisfied customers and are our prime company target.

Be sure that whatever building you need, it will be constructed with the highest quality and standards to suit your purpose.

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Why students shouldn’t travel in Western Europe

There are a few important reasons why this might not be the best destination for students
A summer backpacking trip to Europe is something of a cliche, and that's only one reason why it's not ideal for a student's first major solo trip abroad.

We recently discussed the reasons why students should travel as their first option, but of course for every point there is a counter-point. The most obvious answer isn’t always the best answer, and there are plenty of compelling reasons to start somewhere else on your first solo journey as an adult. Here are some of those reasons so you can decide for yourself:

Been There, Done That
If you asked 10 people who’d just returned from a summer trip to Europe to describe their itinerary, chances are at least 8 of them would sound virtually identical. People stay in the same hostel in London England when they arrive and meet up again at the same hostel in Paris. They are surrounded by English-speaking travelers and tend to travel in groups, insulating themselves from the outside culture as much as possible. Trips like this can be a lot of fun, but when you look back afterward you’ll tend to remember the people you met from your hometown or that great party at the hostel instead of things about the places you actually visited.

Prices

Western Europe is extraordinarily expensive. Backpackers will find their budgets - and options - extremely limited. Unless you are the trust fund-type, you’ll probably actually have to constantly make sacrifices while traveling just in order to afford to eat a couple times each day. Many people set out on a big trip with a medium sized budget and are shocked when the little things like internet access and local transportation keep adding up to so much every day. Going on a vacation is supposed to be fun, but living on cheese sandwiches for dinner half the time gets old pretty quickly. You could head to Latin America and live very nicely on the same budget, or head to Central Asia and live like a king on those same funds.

Too Easy
Some travelers have complained that Europe is 'too easy' and too closely related to being in their home country. You have to try it for yourself at least once to see how you feel about it, but taken the road most traveled can be a disappointment for adventurous types. It can actually take a lot of effort just to break out of the English-speaking student backpacker bubble, even when you are in one of the lesser-known cities. If your main goal is to challenge yourself and expand your horizons, then Europe is the little league.

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Why Students Should Travel in Western Europe

Important reasons why the best place to start the adventure is across the Atlantic

There are cheaper places to visit than Western Europe, but for most Americans and Canadians it's hard to find a better place for a major adventure. Here are some reasons why this is still such an excellent destination for younger folks.

Traveling through Europe is almost a rite of passage for young adults, at least those from families with the means. The most common trip is half or more of the summer immediately following graduation from college, but people taking it to a higher level might spend several months as part of their “gap year” before joining the workforce for good.

Western Europe has a lot going for it, and it tends to be almost everyone’s first choice for international travel, not counting spring break trips to Cancun and the like. Starting in London is the most popular, partly because it’s the cheapest to reach from North America, but it’s also great that it gives travelers the feel of a totally new environment without having to deal with a potential language barrier, as long as you can sort out the accents.

After London it’s usually a blitz through the major capitals of Europe, like Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague,
Vienna, Rome, and Madrid, but of course there is plenty to see in between and in smaller cities.

Here are some reasons why Western Europe is the ideal destination for the first major international trip for young adults:

Good Introduction to Travel

Travel through Western Europe is a great way for young adults to start to explore the world on their own. The variety of cultural diversity between countries allows them to experience differences, yet underlying similarities throughout the developed world does not introduce overwhelming culture shock. They are able to practice other languages when speaking to the front desk at hostels in Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona (among others) or when ordering food.

Accepted by Parents/Society

Europe is a commonly accepted by parents and society as an 'acceptable' place to travel for young adults. Students in Western countries have grown up learning European history - what's better than seeing the sights first hand? Some parents are also more willing to finance a trip that it to the civilized world - they prefer to ignore the drinking you'll be doing in your hostel in London.

Historical Nostalgia

Travel through Europe is, admittedly, tradition for many in the educated middle and upper class. Eurail has been around for a number of years now and many students like the idea of taking the same route their parents did in the 70s and comparing how things have changed.

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8 Tips for Eating Well on a Budget When Traveling

Just because you've got limited travel funds doesn't mean you can't eat well. In fact, in many cases eating cheaply means you'll eat better.

No matter what your travel budget is, it's likely that you will end up spending way more on your trip than you originally intended when you were planning it. It's the nature of the beast - your airline tacked on a bunch of last-minute fees and they're still charging you for a meal, the only hostel room left in town is about twice what you had set aside, your traveling companion absolutely cannot leave without taking a hot air balloon ride (or whatever the most expensive local tourist attraction is), and the one piece of art you really want to see is in that part of the museum that requires not just the regular admission but a "special exhibit" fee. It all adds up.
Of course, while many of those travel expenses can be avoided (you skip the hot air balloon ride or special exhibit, for example), one big money sucker you can't avoid is eating. But luckily, there are lots of ways you can reduce the amount you spend when you're eating on vacation - and you can do it without resorting to eating badly! In fact, in many ways, eating cheaply means you'll be eating better. Use these tips to help you eat better on a budget, and you'll never want to go back to spending more on your meals.

1. Shop at the market.

Eating out in restaurants for every meal will make quick work of emptying your wallet in all but the cheapest countries. And if you think about it, it makes sense that this would be the case - you wouldn't eat out three meals a day at home, would you? A great alternative to eating out all the time is to buy your breakfast and lunch supplies at the local supermarket or, better yet, at an outdoor market. The quality is high, the prices are low, and you'll get an opportunity to see what locals are eating as you shop. Pack your utility knife (in your checked bag, of course) and pick up yogurt, bread, cheese and a fruit you've never seen before. Pair that with a bottle of local wine (if your utility knife has a corkscrew!) or bottled water and you're good to go. Find a public park, spread out a little picnic, enjoy your meal, then stuff the leftovers in your bag for a snack later on.

2. Eat on the street.
Okay, not on the street, but you know what I mean. If you think of food as yet another way to experience a new culture, this one is actually a no-brainer. Eat widely, eat bravely, and eat the goodies on offer at the street food stands. Head towards the stand that’s the most crowded, find out what everybody’s nibbling on, and then point to what you want if you don’t speak the language. Odds are you’ll come away with something delicious and budget-friendly. Or, if you’re proudly presented with a big bowl of tentacles and eyeballs, at least you’ll have a good story to tell.

3. Eat locally.
This is true whether you're eating at home or when you're traveling - it costs less to eat stuff that's grown or produced locally rather than the stuff that has to be brought in from elsewhere. And since you need to spend your hard-earned money on food, you might as well pump that money back into the local economy instead of supporting big fast food chains. Besides, while you might be used to fast food being the cheap option, name-brand fast food is often more expensive abroad than the local eateries. And all that does is lead to the unpleasant discovery that your tiny lukewarm hamburger just cost twice as much as those huge greasy cones of fish and chips available next door. Ask around for non-touristy restaurant recommendations, and seek out locally made products. You didn’t fly all the way to Morocco to drink Coke, so order a mint tea or a fresh orange juice and savor the difference.

4. Cook your own food.
You might think "vacation" means "vacation from cooking," but cooking your own meals can save you money big-time, so it's definitely something to consider when you're traveling on a budget. Most long-term travelers and regular hostel-goers know this, which is why they prefer to stay in places that have guest kitchens. In a hostel, you can even befriend other travelers and create a feast for next-to-nothing by all pitching in ingredients and cooking duties. And if you're not the hostel sort, remember that instead of booking a room in a hotel you can always rent a condo or apartment and have your own private kitchen.

5. Splurge on lunch.
This is another one that, when you think about it, makes perfect sense - any restaurant that serves the same thing for both lunch and dinner is going to charge more for the dinner version. So instead of going out to eat all the time for dinner, go to that expensive bistro you've been wanting to try for their lunch service instead. If it’s your lifelong dream to gorge on truffles at a fancy three-star French restaurant, do so at lunch. A midday meal will still showcase the chef’s talent, but is more likely to lack the astronomical price tag. Besides, eating your biggest meal in the middle of the day is better for digestion, right?

6. Broaden your horizons.
Seek out a country’s ethnic cuisines - and that doesn't mean finding a Thai restaurant in Thailand. That means figuring out what foreign cuisine is most popular, most common, and (often) most inexpensive in the city you're visiting. Instead of focusing only on things like cream tea in London or pig knuckle in Berlin, look for a curry shop serving up a cheap and spicy vindaloo or a Turkish kebab shop. Don't go on a mad hunt for local specialties in Amsterdam or Vancouver when you can eat well and cheaply by digging into Indonesian food or dim sum. The locals are doing it, so why not follow suit?

7. Become a tee-totaller.
Depending on where you're traveling, alcohol can cost as much as an entire dinner at a nice sit-down restaurant. In these cases, you'll want to avoid alcohol altogether - or switch to whatever the locals are drinking. If beer's expensive, check out the wine list. If wine's over the top, see what's on tap. And if you're really on a budget, skip the alcohol completely. Of course, in some places it's the exact opposite situation, where the local wine is cheaper than a can of Coke. So check the menus, and drink accordingly.

8. Exercise moderation.
You know how at home you rationalize paying more for a big meal because you can get lunch out of the leftovers the next day? Well, when you're traveling, you aren't going to be taking home any doggie bags - even if you're in a hostel with a kitchen or renting an apartment, it's less likely that you'll be able to really make use of the leftovers. So instead of trying to force down a huge plate of pasta and then letting the excess get thrown away, split a big plate with friends. And rather than skipping the cool-sounding appetizers to leave room for your dinner, make an entire meal out of a series of starter plates with smaller portions. You'll enjoy your meal more, avoid over-eating, and still have room for dessert. Which is always a bonus.

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Prefabrik Yapi Provides Better Living Conditions for People

As the main company of Hekim Holding, Prefabrik Yapı’s mission is to provide better living conditions by creating healthy, safe, functional, aesthetic and affordable living spaces at the top quality. Our company considers ecological awareness at all the stages of its products and services. We proudly serve thousands of customers in 70 countries with more than 1000 employees and 25 years of experience.

Prefabricated Buildings

We produce prefabricated buildings, containers, camp buildings, armored security cabins, ecological buildings, sales and kiosk cabins and steel structures for Turkey and the world. We provide planning and design, building production, loading and packaging, logistics, disassembly and assembly, supervisor support, sanitation system works, painting, service after sales, electrical system works and many other services related to construction sector.

Affordable Prefabricated

In 2010, we achieved the production of our zero carbon container or ecologic container “Mars” and our works on ecologic light steel structures continue. We present prefabricated structures with very small carbon footprint.

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How to prepare for bicycle touring

5 Tips to plan a great bicycle vacation

This article focus on 5 main factors to consider while planning a bicycle vacation. The tips go from equipment to itinerary planning to foods and bike set-up.

HOW TO TRANSPORT THE BICYCLE

Before deciding where to travel, it's important to establish how to transfer the bike. The possibilities to transfer the bicycle depend on your destination.

If You travel in Europe by bike, the train is your best friend.

Many cyclists in other European countries are accustomed to travel by train with his bicycle. This is possible from a few years, even in Italy.

1. You can buy a special ticket, (cost nearly 5 Euros) usable on most trains in the same day. The ticket has  included instructions for use.
2. The bicycle should be charged and discharged by the traveler in the same carriage marked.

By train with the bag door-bike.

Although as bags are bulky, are generally tolerated by the controllers.

Shipping by rail.

The bicycle must be sent by the first few days empowered stations, properly packaged.

Shipper.

Addressing a courier is generally a system that ensures safety and punctuality. In addition to cost, the only problem is finding the shipper that has a corresponding precisely in the area that interested.

Airplane.

For some destinations is necessary to use the plane.

In this case, the bicycle may be transported for free as personal baggage (usually between exchanges and a half we must not exceed 20 kg.).

Compacts.

It is not, in our opinion, the most "green" with which to move.

• On a car needed to mount the appropriate carrier now widespread.
• The car can be left at campsites or car parks.
• If the trip is not circular, you can return to starting point using the train.

Rent or travel agency.

And, finally, for those who want to avoid the problem transporting the bike there are other possibilities

The rental is very widespread in several countries, especially in tourist areas most suitable to the holiday by bicycle.
Speaking to specialized travel agencies can, over the hiring, use of combinations or participate in guided cycling trips.

HOW TO SET UP THE BICYCLE

Surely a mechanic of trust is able to advise that better responds to different specific needs. We then simply provide some indications drawn from the experience of cycling tourists.
The chassis must provide housing for luggage racks, fenders, lights, etc..
The wheels must be sufficiently robust and equipped with at least 36 rays of section not less than 2 mm. From discard without delay the tubular, too vulnerable and not very practical; preferable tires with an inner tube.
The transmission system must provide at least one double or triple multiplies.
More functional brakes are those like "cantilever" derived from mountain biking.
The handlebar can be of different types: the "touring", the most widespread, allows a more comfortable; that "racing" is more suitable for long distances (it should be adjusted to the saddle); one from mountain bike, "with special arrangements" represents an intermediate solution.
The saddle must be comfortable but not too cumbersome and spring.
The carrier, which is indispensable, must be robust and well anchored to the frame. In the long journeys also bear considerable weight.
Mudguards are recommended, lighter and resistant to adverse weather.
Lanterns and reflectors are required by law in Italy and all European countries and necessary for its security.

Even mountain-biking can be easily used to round-trips, especially on routes more rugged. In cycling trips you should provide it with the tires lighter.



LUGGAGE AND EQUIPMENT

The list that follows cannot, and will not be quite comprehensive.

Each one could adapt these recommendations to the type and length of the journey to be undertaken.
Grants must have the following characteristics: comfort transported in hand, good waterproofing. In the market there are bags front and rear possibly equipped with capable bag higher.
The handbag to be applied on the handlebars, as well as make it possible to consult during the trip the topographic map, is easily detachable and then used to storage money, documents, camera. etc...
The clothing for the cycle-hiker may be that of a normal walk. Who takes a more demanding trip needs of specific garments. Most useful are certainly shorts with inner lining. The T-shirt cycling, for those who prefer, offers the advantage of back pockets and tissue.
Indispensable have a cape or other waterproof garments.
For emergencies cannot miss a gear bag and a briefcase first aid (include at least: an inner tube in stock, repair kit, the key fixed or Allen, brake wire, pliers and a small screwdriver).

FOOD AND NIGHT

Who pedal for several days I'd recommended:

A hearty breakfast in the morning (milk, butter bread and jam, biscuits, honey, cereals, etc...).
When travel is advisable to keep light energy consuming (eg dried fruit, muesli, etc.)..
Halfway through the day a small snack (eg: a stuffed sandwich and fruit).
The evening meal must be also psychological. And good relying on the local gastronomy, without going beyond, especially in alcohol.
In the summer should drink to integrate minerals (better fruit juices). You can also dissolve one sachet of integrator in its bottle. Still better, however, not to exceed with these products.

For the night, You should be informed with precision on tourist facilities in the countries where you travel and planning stages in order to arrive in mid-afternoon.

Bed and Breakfast: are, in general, families that offer lodging and breakfast. If traveling abroad is that in many European countries (eg Netherlands, Austria) this solution is cheaper and better organized. Just go in the tourist offices or follow the signs.
Hotels: in some countries if they find enough economic (e.g.: France, Austria) in others are very expensive (e.g. Netherlands).


HOW TO PROGRAM STAGES IN A JOURNEY OF SEVERAL DAYS

First, we must have all the material necessary: guides and tourist brochures and indications of possible paths for cycle-tourism.
Essentials road maps as detailed as possible (at least 1:200.000, the ideal 1: 100,000 not always available). Some provide ancillary news very useful. i.e. In the Italian Touring maps are marked the profiles and the climbs, those French Michelin the number of roads. There are German and Dutch papers that report all existing cycle-paths, etc...
Keep count of the time available and their medium kilometers per daily, You must decide in broad terms what path you want to do.
It may be useful to highlight locations where stop for a visit.

Example:

1 ° stage Passau-Ashach: distance partial total distance

Passau-Obernzell 17 km. 17 km.
Obernzell-Schlogen 24 km. 41 km.
Schlogen-Aschach 26 km. 67 km.

Of course, this scheme can be much more detailed, with notes on places to visit, roads to be taken, etc...

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Skiathos: A Greek Trip to Remember

My favorite vacation ever has to be my trip to the Greek island on Skiathos in the summer of 2007. It was the most amazing trip ever! I got the opportunity to take this vacation after meeting my good friend David Gerogiorgis in 2006. After becoming good friends, he told me that he take one of his good friends to this island every summer because he has a house on it.  I obviously accepted his offer and I was not disappointed. It was the first time I had ever been oversees and I was there for three weeks so I got to experience the culture. It was different, yes, but sometimes different is good.

When we got over there I was immediately thrown a 180 when we explored Athens, Greece. It was amazing, not the traditional city you and I and used to but different. The city expands for forever and there are no skyscrapers, it is built out not up. You can find dogs roaming the streets and music playing everywhere. From atop the acropolis, the view was amazing. In all directions there was city as far as the eye could see, it was great! However, Athens was not the feature of my vacation; so we only spent one day there. This was just enough to get to know the culture of mainland Greece.

When I arrived on the island I was amazed. There were beautiful women, little outdoor restaurants, and all the buildings were white and blue. The first thing i ate there was pure ecstasy. Now, I am from Philadelphia and will defend the cheese steak, but there is nothing better than a Greek gyro. It is lamb that is shaved right off the roast in front of you onto a pita topped with lettuce, tomato, fries, and tzatziki sauce. It simply was the best tasting food ever and I took full advantage of it, eating about 4-5 a day. The food wasn’t even the best part of it, it was spending time with my friend and his family in his house or going to one of the many beautiful beaches that we went to daily. The beaches were amazing, not a strong tide and crystal clear water. It seemed like there was nothing on the bottom of the ocean that you could step on and you could swim out as far as you wanted. My friend and I would swim hundreds of feet out and dive down to the 20+ feet seafloor and see what we could find. The weather was perfect everyday and there was no humidity at all. Whether it was exploring underwater caves or eating Gyros, every single part of this trip was amazing. If you ever get the chance to go to the Greek islands, GO! Moreover, if you ever get the chance to experience someone else’s culture, GO! It was worth every penny and I will cherish the memories that I experienced over there.

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Travel Insurance: Travel Guard

Murphy’s Law is in full effect when traveling or on vacation. Fortunately, you can counteract it with travel insurance, and these are just a few of the coverages typically offered.

Many people who travel a lot know even the most minor annoyances and problems of traveling. Luckily for them travel insurance aims to take some of the sting out of travel problems.

For most travelers, they are concerned about protecting their investment and travel can certainly be a risky investment. Travel insurance is offered for cruises, tours, flights and vacation home rentals and can cover quite a lot, including:

Medical - There is nothing worse than being sick when you are on vacation. Medical travel insurance pays for doctor visits and illnesses that occur during your trip, such as treatment, prescription drugs and laboratory work to diagnose illnesses. Policies cover local ambulance service and emergency medical situations that require surgeries.

Emergency evacuation - This coverage typically includes airlifts from a mountain due to a skiing or hiking accident, or a long-term stay at a foreign hospital. Emergency evacuation also covers a flight home if you became seriously ill or injured. When traveling to a foreign country, bring copies of your medical records with you and consider an evacuation policy in case you develop a serious medical condition.

Baggage delay - If your personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip this coverage would replace them.

Accidental death dismemberment - Although nobody wants this to happen to them, this coverage provides compensation if you die or are permanently disabled during a trip. It includes accidental loss of life, limb or sight during your trip other than while flying.

Repatriating a body – Along with accidental death dismemberment, this provides coverage in the event you die while on vacation and your remains have to be transported back to the United States. It can be very costly to have a body repatriated from one country to another, ranging well into the thousands.
Dental - Yes, even dental coverage for travel insurance exists, which covers all emergency dental procedures. You can purchase additional dental coverage to relieve acute dental pain and surgical procedures provided in a hospital.

Collision/damage coverage for rental cars - Provides coverage for physical damage to, or loss of, an automobile rented from a commercial foreign or domestic rental car agency.

Travel delay/trip interruption - This coverage reimburses you for any flight delays from 2 hours up. Some insurance companies will offer total reimbursement of your airline ticket for any delays that exceed 5 hours. In a world full of delays this comes in handy a lot.

Trip cancellation - Trip cancellation provides coverage if your cruise line or tour operator goes out of business, if you must cancel a trip due to sickness, if there is a death in the family, or another event that would prevent you from going on your trip that you’ve already paid for.

When you consider everything that can or does go wrong on vacations, travel insurance seems that much more attractive.

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Visitor Medical Insurance

Visitor Medical Insurance for Emergency Travel Health Coverage for International Foreign Traveler

Visitor Medical Insurance, Visitor Health Insurance, Visitor Medical Coverage, Visitor Health Coverage, Visitors Health Insurance, Visitor Insurance, Visitors Medical Insurance - An overview and review of options of International Travel Medical Insurance for global visitors during overseas travel abroad to a foreign country.

Visitor Medical Insurance - An Overview

Visitor medical insurance (also commonly referred to as visitor health insurance, visitor insurance, visitors insurance) is a highly recommended and best form of travel health insurance required especially for international travel & foreign tourist protection purposes abroad. With the increase in foriegn travel abroad by citizens of all nationalities to western countries, visitors medical insurance is highly recommended considering the cost associated with healthcare in developed countries for visitors traveling from USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, etc. Visitor Insurance USA review is needed of every American visitor requiring insurance coverage protection in the United States (US).

Visitor Health Insurance - The Need

To have a safe and worry-free vacation, travel, holiday, or extended stay in a foreign country, it is very important that the tourist or traveler is adequately covered with accident and sickness coverage included in the travel health coverage protection from a reputed visitors health insurance provider. The premiums collected by the insurance company provider will pay for the injured or sick visitors medical bills if needed during your visit to a foreign country. You remain covered under the visitors medical insurance or visitors health insurance policy until you are paying the required premium for the plan. The usefulness of the visitor insurance scheme is accounted on the basis of the method with which you subscribe to it. You can sign a plan to cover for parents, family or friends visiting abroad - outside of their home country or visiting USA on a visitor visa.

Visitor Travel Insurance - How It Works

International visitor insurance is best purchased from the country you are planning to visit. The main reason being it is advantageous to the traveler to obtain a locally networked visitor medical insurance plan as they have in-network billing through a recognized preferred provider network (PPO). Make sure you join a visitors health coverage plan from a company who has office or center in the country which is to be visited. Though the premiums for such countries are higher, such plans are a better choice because of the convenience of claiming for your compensation, which is guaranteed in this case. The reason why it is convenient is that the doctors or hospitals in that country accept the visitor insurance cards of companies having centers in the country that is visited by the traveller.

Visitor Insurance USA - Buy American Vs. Home Country Plan

The doctors and clinics are generally reluctant to accept the cards of some other country or certain medical institutes may not be familiar or associated with your native insurance providers. It becomes easy for the hospitals and clinics to get in touch with the native office if any problem regarding insurance policy arises. The same thing would be difficult or even impossible if the insurance have been purchased in a foreign land.

Once visitor medical insurance is purchased, the insurance holder is given an identification card that needs to be displayed at the time of seeking medical assistance from a hospital or doctor. The insurance company will furnish such a clinic or hospital with written instructions for the likely medical expenses that can be claimed under the policy.

Visitor Medical Insurance USA - Plan Benefits

There are many providers of visitors health insurance. Most of them cover trips from as short as seven days to as long as three years. There are many types of policies under the broad spectrum of visitor medical insurance and these plans are broadly based on:
Maximum covered amount (varies from $25,000 to $1,000,000)
Covered benefit type (comprehensives benefits or fixed benefits)

You can have different options or riders attached with each type of travel medical policy, including protection from risk of terrorist attacks or protection from risk arising from hazardous sports activities such as skiing, white water rafting, sky diving, etc.. You can renew your policy upon your return trip, and some plans also provide end of trip home country coverage for a brief period.

Visitor Health Insurance USA - Coverage Details

Depending on your policy, you can have cover for any or all of the following benefits associated with visitors health insurance. Some of the included coverage are:

• common ailments
• medical emergencies
• dental appointments
• prescription drugs
• emergency medical evacuations
• repatriation of mortal remains
• accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Flight Accident or Common Carrier Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Home Country Coverage
• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption

The cost of a policy depends on the age of the insured person, the coverage level and the length of stay in the visited foreign country. Different plans have different coverage deductibles, which is the amounts that you pay before the insurance company pays anything for coverage benefit. These typically range from $75 to $2,500. Comprehensive plans typically have a co-insurance component, and these amounts also vary. Co-insurance is the percentage or amount of covered expenses that you pay after deductibles. Beyond the deductible and co-insurance amount, the visitor medical coverage plan pays the associated medi-cal costs upto the plan maximum cover selected or insured.


Visitors Health Insurance - Claims Information


After this any claim that you make, will be evaluated by the visitor insurance company and it will make the hospital or clinic appropriate payments on your behalf. Some companies also cover injuries under visitor medical insurance and visitor health insurance which you may have to bear because of accidents, war or terrorist activities. Depending upon the plan, the companies may either reimburse the costs you incur during the treatment or it can also assit to directly pay your bills at the concerned clinic, laboratoy, hospital or caregiver.

Visitor Insurance - Popular Plans for International Visitors

1. Patriot America Insurance
2. Atlas America Insurance
3. Visit USA Insurance
4. Liaison International

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International Travel Insurance

Protect Yourself From Unexpected Delays, Cancelations and Mishaps While In Another Country

Before 9/11, only about 10% of Americans purchased travel insurance. After 9/11 that number increased to about one third of American travelers. It is especially popular with those going on cruises. More than two thirds of cruise line passengers purchase international travel insurance. It provides financial coverage of the significant expense of going on a costly trip overseas.

Reasons To Buy International Travel Insurance

There are several reasons why travelers purchase international travel insurance. Many people who book their international travel far in advance, have concerns that something unexpected might happen prohibiting them from going on their trip. For example, if you get sick, weather delays or cancels your flight, or there is a terrorist attack. International travel insurance covers expenses if the cruise, resort, hotel or tour does not allow changes or refunds. It also helps you if you have your travel documents, money or luggage stolen. International travel insurance can replace these items including urgently needed medication. Policies can also cover medical expenses if you get sick or injured in a foreign country. It will even pay to transport you back home with medical attention if you are too sick to travel on your own. International travel insurance also protects you if your travel provider goes out of business and keeps your money.

Types of International Travel Insurance

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance
• Non Refundable Deposit Insurance
• Baggage Loss Insurance
• Medical Evacuation and Repariation Insurance
• Extreme Sports Insurance
• Terrorism Insurance

Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance

This type of travel insurance pays you back if you can't go on a trip or can't complete a trip for some reason. It covers most reasons, like illness, personal emergency and the travel provider going bankrupt. However, it is important to always read the fine print. Some policies cover you if miss a flight and a cruise ship has sailed without you. Others require that you miss at least half the cruise before you are covered. Others wont cover you at all. Trip cancelation and interruption insurance should always be purchased through a third party and not the travel provider itself. The insurance will do you no good if the company you bought it from is out of business. Consider the cost of a trip cancellation and interruption policy carefully before buying it. If your trip costs a lot of money then a policy might be wise. If the policy costs a large percentage of the trip cost, it may not be worth it.

Non Refundable Deposit Insurance

For an additional cost, non refundable deposit insurance can be added to an international travel insurance policy. This will refund your non refundable cost for airline tickets or other reservations in case you can't go. It is a rather expensive coverage, sometimes as much as 15% of the non refundable ticket price. It should only be purchased if the cost does not negate the savings of a non refundable ticket versus a refundable ticket, and there is a significant chance that you might not be able to go.

Baggage Loss Insurance

Baggage loss insurance is included with some trip cancellation and interruption insurance, but sometimes must be purchased separately. This is a worthwhile option if you have valuable luggage and contents. The airlines will compensate you for lost luggage, but they do it by weight, not by what was lost. At the most they will pay you a few hundred dollars for losing your things. Separate baggage loss insurance policies will pay much more but you will pay a heafty premium. You can also ask at the airline counter for excess valuation. You can buy up to $5000 extra coverage for about $1 for every $100 in coverage. You must declare to the airline what is in your luggage that is valuable and often provide proof for a claim. An even better option is not to pack valuables in your luggage. Carry them with you on the plane instead.


Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance

Many health insurance companies will not cover you when you are traveling internationally. Those that do usually only cover emergency care, not urgent or routine medical attention. Very few will pay to fly you back home for medical treatment. Medical Evacuation and Repatriation insurance will do that. These policies are especially important if you are traveling to a third world country where medical care is suspect, or if you will be traveling internationally for an extended period of time. Some third world medical facilities are downright frightening and the cost of flying yourself back home on a medically equipped aircraft could bankrupt you. Medical Evacuation and Repatriation insurance policies only cost a few hundred dollars per year.

Extreme Sports Insurance

There are a number of high risk activities that are excluded from ordinary international travel insurance policies. Most extreme sports like scuba diving, rock climbing and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain are in this category. However, if the purpose of your international trip is to engage in these types of activities, there is no reason that you should not enjoy them. You can buy an additional policy for extreme sports coverage. Different travel insurance companies call this coverage different things, but they are all basically the same. They are an insurance rider for a specific activity.

Terrorism Insurance


After the 9/11 attacks, many Americans were afraid to travel overseas. Some travel insurance companies considered this a valid reason to cancel international vacations while most did not. It is very important to check with your travel insurance company to find out if they recognize terrorism as a valid reason to cancel a trip. Those who do recognize terrorism as a valid reason may require that the terrorism happened in the country you are traveling to within a specified period of time. Some will only allow you to cancel your trip if the State Department issues a travel warning. Insurance companies vary widely on this point, so check the wording carefully.

International Travel Insurance Companies

There are many international travel insurance companies that provide a wide range of coverages for travelers. Compare policies thoroughly before purchasing any international travel insurance. Here is a sampling of some widely known international travel insurance companies:

• MEDEX Assist
• Global Travel Insurance
• World Wide Medical
• International Medical Group
• eGlobal Health
• HTH Worldwide
• International SOS
• Total Travel Insurance
• Travel Guard
• Travel Insured International

External Links:
health and plastic surgery

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What's a Travel Blog?

Travel writing is not a new hobby. Ever since the act of writing began, people have been writing about their travels. Works like Alexis de Tocqueville's account of a revolution-era America, Che Guevara's account of South America in the 1950s and Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo journalism have shaped a whole genre of storytelling. 

Travelblog writers take their inspiration from such innovative writers. Since the advent of the internet, people have used the technology to keep their friends informed of their journeys. Only in the last 10 years has travel blogging really taken off. 

Precursors

Philip Greenspun probably created the first travel blog, before there was such a thing as a "blog." An MIT professor and web developer, he had enough experience with web development, photography, and writing to make up for the lack of tools to create a truly compelling web site (Travels With Samantha- best of the web in 1994. 210 Pages and 250 photos describing a heartfelt trip across North America to Alaska, inspired by the death of a beloved Samoyed). Not to mention that he had comments, signaling the openness that helped to popularize the blog format overall. This one is a classic:

"I'm a member of GOSA, the Geyser Observation and Study Association. I found that you seem to have investigated roughly five times as many attractive women as geysers while you were in Yellowstone. To each his own. If you hadn't seen Echinus at midnight, though, I would have been sure you were purely a poseur. Not one word about Grand, about Castle, the Lion Group, the difficulty of catching Beehive, the maniacally explosive madness that is Fan & Mortar, the isolated ocean of Artemisia...did you see nothing of any of these?"

What is a travel blog?

A travel blog is basically an online travel journal. Think of it as a blog, but with travel specific features, like a map. The cool part about it is that you can write it while you're on the road and your friends back home can read it and follow along with you on your journey instead of mass-mailing your family and friends with travel stories using email. Most travel blog sites now allow you to upload photos, videos and MP3 files to share with your blog visitors.

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What About a Travel blog?

Before beginning your blog, ask yourself the simple question 'Why do I want to write this?'

Do you just want to annoy your mates back at work and show them how much fun you're having at Ko
Samui or do you want to offer more than that. Do you want to offer not only them but also yourself a part of you that you have kept hidden and write about the good times, the bad times and the real ugly times. I'd probably leave out the part about waking up with a She Male the morning after the Full Moon Party but hey, we all write 'honestly' in a different yet honest way!

I guess for those who want to simply annoy their mates, use Facebook that way you can also send each
other hundreds of annoying 'Facebook' things each day.

I began mine simply for my family and some of my friends who seemed interested in my adventure. When I left Australia I knew I wanted to live in China and I knew I had no intention on returning home for a long time. What I didn't know about was blogging. I never really thought about sharing my life with others or that others would actually be interested. It wasn't until I travelled to the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan Province that I found out about the world of Travelpodding.

I was travelling with two girls from Ireland and one of them mentioned updating her travelblog.
Thankfully I overheard her and asked what it was.

From then on a new experience was added to my life's adventure and one where I get to actually show not only my friends and family how beautiful and crazy China really is but also people I have never met. I
could have continued with Group Emails but like most people I really hate group emails and the time it
takes to attach photos to them. Why is that after you have sent it and deleted it from your account
someone always writes to you asking you to send them the photos you sent the other day? Over a period
of time I began receiving emails from people I had never met and that list continued to grow. It was then
I actually realised that people really were interested in the life I was building for myself away from my
motherland.

Some of these people either desired to do the same or to travel with me from their armchair.

I think that is why my writing style changed rather quickly. One month it was short, not so descriptive and used mainly to show my family and friends back home where I was living. Then after waking up to the fact that people were actually hungry to see what the 'real China' was like I began using it to do exactly
that.

Remember that each country you visit will always offer so much more than what most already know.
It is up to you to find an interesting way to offer the hidden gems you find. If you show them in a not so
exciting manner your hidden gems will remain just that, hidden. They will be passed over for a more colourful and exciting blog that shows boring Big Ben in a way that you never thought to show that ancient
walled city you come across in the northern deserts that no foreigners have ever visited.

In a lot of ways this helped me find not only my own style of writing but also my own style of travelling.
I wanted to see as much of the real China as possible and most of the people I met weren't interested in going off the beaten path. So in a hissy fit I stamped my feet in frustration, went all independent and went in search of 'the real' China alone (much of the time anyhow). Although most of the places I go now are 'for me' they are also for those who want to go there but probably never will.

In other ways I use it to introduce China and the world of travel to new Foreign Teachers and also to
travellers out for their first adventure in either the world or in China. Many of them speak of their dreams
of 'leaving it all behind' and joining those like me who are living their dreams and living 'overseas' etc. I try to also use my blog to capture this dream while it is still fresh and to show them that their dream can
easily be made real. When they get home they can sit and look over their photos of the places they
visited and from there I hope that things 'click' and they will realise that they can actually do the same.

And lastly I also use it for me.

I want it there for when I am old, wacky and a more loony than I am now. So, much of my blog is about
just that. There are many entries on my bike rides, all in rice fields and mountains. To many maybe they
look the same. But to me they don't look the same at all as each of them was found in a different way and took me to a different part of China. I guess others get to see how beautiful some of my rides are
but there is more to it than meets the eyes.

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Story telling and travel blogs

The next step is to pull all these tips together and write an article for your blog. Where to start? How to lay it out? How to make it interesting? One way is to storyboard your adventures. Think of each piece of your journey as an article or individual story for your blog. Together, those stories will connect to tell the whole story paint the complete picture of your travels, but they should also be able to stand as mini stories in their own right. Someone who has found your blog halfway through your adventures, should be able to quickly pick up and get excited by your writing even though they haven't read what's gone before.

A simple rule to remember when you're telling stories. Remember those English classes in school? Each story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sounds obvious I know, but it's amazing how many people forget this. I think of it as a sandwich. The beginning and the end are the bread. The middle is the filling, which changes according to my tastes - and I have many! The point is, without the bread, my sandwich will fall apart, and so will your story or travel blog article. Give me an opening and an ending as well as the juicy middle bits and I'll be a happy reader.

Use a Thesaurus

Use a Thesaurus. One of the biggest mistakes that leads to a 'boring' writing style is repetition of the same words.

The trip to Thailand was amazing. The sea was an amazing blue and I was amazed by how friendly the people were.

Ugh. Grab your Thesaurus and look for the words that you can use as synonyms (different words that share the same meaning). Go back to Tip 4 above. Reading your writing out loud will help you find these repetitions before you hit the publish button.

From Shane aka Eddakath:

What a Travel Blog is to me

To most a travelblog is a simple 'online journal' that allows them to write about their journey, upload
photos, videos and sound files that when combined allow their friends and family to experience their
journey with them on 'real time'.  Now days the only sense left out is that of smell and living and travelling in the places I do my friends and family had better hope it never happens!

Of course to me a travelblog is the above but somewhere along the way it became an avenue to bring to
life my own Choose Your Own Adventure series.  I always 'plan to plan' each adventure but somehow it never seems to work out that way.  For a month or so prior I will read the LP or browse though
Travelpod (or another personal favourite of mine, Passplanet.com) and try to create a mind map of where
I want to go and what I want to see.For some strange reason I always get nervous that I will waste a lot of my time if I don't have a plan.

Some holidays it has taken me several days to throw the pack on and actually leave the place I am living
as I am seriously yet to come up with a first or starting destination.  From there it seems to simply unfold
before my very eyes and I end up in places I had never even thought of visiting.  I then get emails from
friends asking why I am not heading towards Korea when my last entry stated that I had finally, at least
made a decision that I would turn right and head east.  For some unknown reason I ended up turning left
and heaing west yet there was nothing there I wanted to see.

I really did want to visit the Changbai Shan Nature Reserve on the border of South Korea so why did I
find myself west in Ningxia Province visiting then thousand year old stone carvings?  Some times I really
don't know who is wearing my sandals.  Am I making these decisions from some plan I subconsciously
created prior to leaving or is there a geeky kid hidden away in the back of a library somewhere in the
world choosing my next step?

If you find out make sure you tell me and then we will both know!

Choose your own adventure travel blog style!

Evolving The Storyteller Within (along with your blog)

The most important thing about blogging is overlooked by almost everyone for the first few months of
finding their way though their new world of 'cyber travel'. Style! I never thought about it until I realised why I was actually writing my blog and that led to consciously trying to develop a style that not only I was
happy with but one that also captured some of the people passing by.

I began by writing simple things like, I'm now in Kunming and we are having a great time.
It is Christmas and look at Bill in photo number five, isn't he funny!

Once I figured out why I wanted to write my blog and what I wanted from it things changed.  I became
much more honest when writing about things that were going on around me in this insane and confusing
world of China along with anything in the world of travel. Style! Things don't always go as go as planned so find your own way to write about them. When you find yourself beginning to write about something
you would normally keep quiet about, continue as this is you beginning to find your own style.

Remember that you are the lucky one, you are the one that who is travelling to places that you never imagined you would end up.

These are the same places that millions of others not only dream of going to but also like you millions of others are lucky enough make their reality. First of all find a style that makes your self happy and fulfils the reasons behind your blog and then go about allowing your self the openness and freedom of change when you feel you need something new.

Then worry about how to get a few of the millions that are still dreaming of 'going' to actually read it.

To do that you have to find someway of making your style more interesting than the 'other millions' that have already been there and have written about it or are writing about it now. You can tell the people reading your blog that that Bill was funny in Kunming at Christmas time or you can really tell them why he was funny and what happened in great detail. Add in the sounds, the smells and the colours of the market place. Then describe the moment Bills tastebuds exploded as he had the first mouthful of his Sichuan
Beef Noodles (EXTREMELY HOT!).

Write about how he continued eating his noodles because everyone thought it was funny. Remember Bill is a funny man and likes a good laugh.  But don't stop there, why not add in what happened when you left the market place and the alien sounds that Bills stomach was making that even had the locals searching for where they were coming from.  Most importantly don't leave out what happened to Bill when he couldn't find a public toilet.

Maybe here you could turn off the reader's sense of smell!

Most of all write with an open heart and an open mind. I've been living, teaching and travelling all over China for almost four years and prior to that travelled to various other Asian countries. One thing I will
never pretend is that I understand more than I do and believe me, the longer I'm here the more I
understand that I really don't understand much at all.

For me that makes my adventure and life totally what I want it to be. I am not Asian/Chinese and nor do
I want to be. I am proud of who I am and where I come from so I will always make sure that gap is
between us. This allows me to remain who I am along with the freedom to view the world I live in with
total honesty. I can make it as colourful as I desire and sometimes maybe be a little too descriptive in my details about the Chinese world around me.

I always tell of my journeys to and from my destinations as they are usually the 'fun' part of the adventure. For me they are the part that differs from the last tourist and the millions more that have visited the same destination and written a blog about it. Even the simple purchase of a train or bus ticket can be an awesome blog. But you must treat it with honesty and humour by writing it after the anger and frustration have departed.

Remember that your anger and frustration is born of communication and cultural differences.

What is normal for 'them' is usually very frustrating for 'us' so don't write about another culture whilst in anger.  I think we have all read the blogs that have been written in total unfairness by someone who is visiting a non-English speaking country for two weeks, staying only in hostels and spending their entire time with Westerners and beer. Those reading such blogs will walk away believing that the ticket girl really was stupid for not understanding what the writer wanted. The strange fact is it is the English speaking writer that is in her Non-English speaking country.

Who really is the stupid one? The ticket girl or the blog writer who is visiting an Asian country in which he believes everyone around him should speak English and understand him.  Before writing that day's entry the blog writer really should have sat back and thought about why he was visiting that country in the first place. Was it for the personal challenge and growth or maybe it was simply because it's an inexpensive ego trip. Writing is a strange thing, it has a way of capturing a part of the writer and anyone who reads their work will begin to understand how they see the world around them and where they fit in it.

Buying a ticket in a non-English speaking country can take hours or even several days depending on
where you are. It is these times that your friends and other blog readers are actually after. Once they
know you are safe many will skip through your blog and spend most of their time looking at your photos. Try to keep them entertained, tell them about poor Bill (above) and about the market place that most of them will probably never get to see.

Write a blog about your frustrating experience buying a train ticket but most of all, be descriptive with
cultural differences. I once ate my friends cat and a few weeks later I fell on a floor full off pig sh*%.
How? It was a very poor village in Guangxi Province in China and there simply aren't any toilets in such
places. There are two bricks and you're in with the pigs. One of pigs got a little too interested and nudged me off the bricks.

The rest is.....well an exciting blog!

Also add in who you are. If you are a funny person and other people actually think you are too, use it. If you think you are funny and others beg to differ that you are full of descriptive humour maybe try another
style. I don't think that I am all that funny but what I do know is that I am a little 'silly' with the way I do
things and look at life. Many I know would probably use a more descriptive word than silly and would probably add a string of colourful ones after it.

Therefore my blog is a little 'silly' too!

So to say!

Capturing Your Precious Moments in Style

Just like finding your own writing style, for some there is a need to find their own style of capturing what
will become not only memories for yourself but moments of awe for your friends and family. Everyone has seen photos of Shanghai but have they seen Shanghai through your eyes. I don't seem to look at the world like most people and have a certain quirkiness to me. Over the years I found that I was becoming
bored with my photos. After starting my Travelblog I found that a lot of my photos were actually identical to most others that had visited the ancient walled city of Dali or the bright lights of Kunming.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with that but I subconsciously began changing the way I was taking
photos and soon I had people who lived in the town/city I was visiting or living in telling me my photos
made them want to visit their city through my eyes. With photos it is hard to find your own style and I
wouldn't even know how to tell you to go about it. I guess find what you don't like and go about
changing it.

Remember they are your photos and they are your memories and your view of the world. If you like your photos in black and white take them in black and white. If, like me you like your photos a little this or that way then take them that way. Remind anyone that begins to complain that this is your travelblog, they are your memories and that it is not National Geographic.

Blog Moments Along Your Journey

My biggest advice and probably some of the most important advice to any new blogger is to find out
(and find out fast) 'their own way' of taking travel notes.

When I first began my Blog I tried to write about it when I returned from an adventure. If you compare
the first year of my blog to the rest you will see a big difference in writing styles. I used the method of 'that was awesome I must remember that when I get home'. Things happen and at the time and they are usually spectacular and of course 'you will always remember them when you get home' (not!).

Then remind yourself of the reason you are writing your blog.

Simply put, you are on an adventure and tomorrow something new will happen as it will the day after that
etc. It is all those little things when combined that will make your blog interesting to others. They are the things that you will also want to remember in years to come and more importantly they are the things that
are never offered in a guide book. You will also forget most of them when you are back home having a
beer with your mates trying desperately to explain why your adventure was so inspiring yet off the planet
funny.

Obviously my first method didn't work so I then moved on to writing five simple words for each day.
There was no reason why I set the limit to five words. It worked in a limited fashion but not one that I was happy with. I then changed to putting pen to paper and actually writing about my day each night for
an hour or two with a cold beer. This worked well but I then had to transfer it to the computer when I
either got home or found a trusty net cafe that didn't shut down either the internet or the entire computer on me several times during my visit. Of course during which I was also being chocked to death by the
thousands of smokers sitting around me.

If I left it until I returned from my adventure it then would take me several months re-typing it and
uploading photos. This, even though it was exciting looking at the pictures again, it became rather
annoying. I mean who wants to type all those pages when they could be outside riding through a beautiful
rice field at the foot of a breathtaking mountain. So prior to my last adventure I spent a little money and
purchased myself a tiny seven inch notebook with a heap of memory. So each night over a few beers or
when I'm on a long bus or train journey I can sit back and capture the day in words, sort through my
photos and do back ups all at the same time.

So I guess you could say that my photos are now my 'travelling notes!'

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