Travelling With Friends - Are You Travel Compatible?

Luxury Travel During China 's Olympics in 2008
Since the announcement that the 2008 Olympic Games would be held in Beijing several years ago, the city, and the whole country in fact, has been readying itself for the massive influx of tourists from all over the world. There has never been a better time to take a luxury holiday in China than during the Olympics, as new 5-star hotels and luxurious facilities pop up all over the country. There is a huge variety of tours available, so you don't even need to be interested in sports to want to go to China during the Olympics.

You'll find a wealth of options for luxury travel in China over the Olympic season, as well as before and after the Games. There are tours that encompass Beijing, as a must-see in all its Olympic splendor, with several different packages available. You can also take advantage of the electric atmosphere of the entire country with a single city tour - Shanghai, Chengdu and Xian have long been known as luxury destinations in China. Multi-city tours are available, if you'd like to take the opportunity of the Olympics to see the entire country, and there are many tours that encompass Tibet as well as China 's traditional borders.

You will find customized tours available for luxury travel in China during the Olympics - if you enter your standard travel arrangements (number of people, room and meal requirements), and your travel dates, you can mix and match tour sights from different cities, different areas of interest (architecture, history, arts, eco-tours, learning Chinese, and adventure holidays), and even have the cost of a personalized tour reduced for you, if others share your interests and timing.

The city has actually spent quite a long time preparing for his Olympic season. Sources report that over one hundred new hotels have been built in China simply in response to the anticipated influx of tourists this year. Chinese enterprise is realizing the demand for luxury facilities in their resorts, hotels and package deals, and have responded to this demand with great fervor. Where you used to be able to count the number of 5-star hotels in China on the fingers of one hand, now they are available all over the country - goods news for travelers.

There are developments like Opposite House in Sanlitun in Beijing, a 99-room boutique hotel. The architect 's design is said to be magnificent, with a green glass exterior and a pool made of stainless steel. It will be open in July, in time for pre-Olympic traffic. Another luxury hotel in the process of being built in China is the PuLi Hotel and Spa in Shanghai. It will have five star facilities, espresso machines in every room, all the latest technological facilities for the business traveler, and views across JingAn park and Shanghai 's skyline are even available while you are in the bath!

Shangri-La is a chain renowned Asia-wide for its luxury facilities and impeccable service standards. They have several developments upcoming in time for the Olympics, and if you would like to see the country in its more natural state, there will also be 10 Shangri-La 's built in the next three years. Beijing, Trader 's Upper East, Ningbo and Wengzhou will be here in time for the Olympics, and you can enjoy the delicious and unique feeling of staying in a room that nobody has ever stayed in before during your Olympic trip at these hotels!

One recommendation is that if you are planning to stay in a luxury resort or hotel in China this Olympic season, look for testimonials and customer reviews of the facilities. The star-rating system in China is government sponsored, and the criteria for ratings is based solely on the rooms and equipment - the standard of service is not a factor. If you want to make sure that your luxury hotel isn't lacking in the service department, despite the 5-star rating and price tag, do a little research before you book.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.

Going away with friends or your partner can be stressful at the best of times, but you could be heading for trouble if you're not travel compatible.

Ten million British holiday-makers have lost a good friendship because of not testing their holiday compatibility before setting off on a week or two week break together, according to a new report published by hotel chain Travelodge.

The poll of 3,400 adults reveals that 55 per cent of Brits holidaying with friends have two serious arguments during their stay and an unlucky seven per cent have even returned home within the first few days.

The most common causes of conflict are personality clashes, differing likes and dislikes concerning food and activities, annoying personal habits, money and holiday romances or jealousy.

Anjula Mutanda, Psychologist and Life Coach says:

"It 's a very common issue - friendships breaking up on holiday. The idea of going away with someone you know and trust sounds good in theory but it 's so easy for it to go wrong. Never underestimate just because you're good friends, going away together for a one or two weeks break will be easy. It 's a big risk holidaying with someone for the first time; this is when you will discover what they are really like.

I would suggest, before committing to a friend 's holiday, first go for a trial run such as a weekend break to access your compatibility. This will be beneficial for both parties and will not just save you money and heartache but most importantly your friendship."

Once you've tested the water with a weekend away it 's a good idea to discuss the following travel considerations before booking a longer break, and then you'll have done all you can to ensure you're a good match.

What is your budget? Do you both (or all) have the same amount of cash? What will be your priorities on spending? Would you like to contribute to a kitty or be responsible for all your own spends?

Do you prefer organised tours or would you rather wander round absorbing the atmosphere and discovering places for yourself? Maybe you just want to sunbathe or drink heavily instead.

Do you have any special needs, dietary requirements or personal preferences that will affect your travel companions?

If planning a trip with friends, are you currently in a relationship or having personal problems? What impact could this have on your behaviour and mood during your stay? Are you planning on a lot of bedroom action? If you're travelling with your partner, is it a particularly stressful time or do you have any disputes that are likely to flare up while away?

How many of you are planning to travel together? Be aware of the jealousies, annoyances and conflicts that are often present in a small group of friends.

It is a good idea to agree on a strategy if things don't go smoothly. If you're travelling around the world, would you be happy to split and continue on your own?

When planning a longer trip with friends it 's helpful to agree that you will let each other know if something is bugging you. Conversely, you should agree to show some consideration to your travel mates and try to approach things with humour and flexibility. You can probably put up with some dodgy music but not an ever-growing pile of dirty underwear on the floor.

Paul Anstey, Travelodge Operations Director remarks:

"Around 60 per cent of our customers stay for leisure. A large proportion of these consumers are friends who are travelling or holidaying together. Our findings illustrate you can know someone for many years but it 's only when you share a room together for the first time, that you really get to know that person. This experience can be true test of a friendship."

When you're travelling, whether it 's for two weeks or ten months, at some point you will experience tiredness, boredom and unfamiliar situations. You will need to speak to strangers, deal with new currencies and make quick decisions. Sometimes all you'll want is your own sofa and a nice cup of tea.

At these times you'll need to feel comfortable enough with your travel companion to have a moan, sit in silence or go for a walk on your own without it causing an argument. If you've checked that you're travel compatible then you'll hopefully have a happy holiday and you should be able to cope with whatever the world throws at you.
Max Clarke is a part-time copywriter for holiday services company, Holiday Extras, currently writing about Manchester Hilton Hotel, Manchester Airport Travelodge and Manchester airport hotels

Budget Travel Tips:
Eight Simple Ways To Stretch Your Vacation Budget

Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year and for some, even more infrequently, so we tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.

There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!

1. Cushion your budget - When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.

2. Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.

3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.

4. Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM 's and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.

5. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you're planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.

6. Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.

7. Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your budget travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.

8. Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge. About the Author
Author: muffinfluf
Kelley Falgout is a theme park enthusiast and publisher of www.FamilyThemeParkVacations.com, a vacation planning tool and continuously growing database of all theme parks, amusement parks and water parks located across the United States.






You might think of hosteling as something that college students do while traveling through Europe for the summer. However, hosteling is not just for the college crowd anymore, and now includes people of all ages and backgrounds. If you are a traveler on a budget, staying at a hostel can be an adventure that will add to your travel experience.

Staying in a hostel will not be everyones cup of tea, and many travelers would prefer to spend the money on a traditional hotel. Hostel traveling is best suited to those traveling alone, or to young people traveling in groups. Hostels are not really recommended for families traveling with young children. In fact, many hostels do not accept children under a certain age.

Most hostels are set up like dormitory rooms, with several bunk beds arranged in the room, with anywhere from four to ten bunks per room. Each traveler is assigned a specific bed upon check-in.

Nearly all of the hostels in the United States group their accommodations according to gender, with the female guests in one section of rooms and the male guests in another. In multi-level hostels, males and females are often separated by floor.

It is not uncommon, however for European hostels (and those elsewhere around the world) to allow mixed genders to share a room. Make sure to ask about the policy of the hostel before you check in. I, as a woman traveling solo, have never encountered a problem with these arrangements, and I have stayed in hostels throughout Europe, including Rome, London and Amsterdam. Some visitors might be surprised or offended by these sleeping arrangements.

The bathroom accommodations at hostels differ also, with some rooms containing a shared bathroom and shower, while other hostels will have shower and bathroom facilities located in the hallway. If you would prefer not to share a bathroom with strangers, make sure you ask about the hostels policy ahead of time.

More often now, reservations are becoming increasingly vital at hostels, especially during the summer months in popular cities. It is now not at all unusual for hostels in popular tourist cities to be booked solid for months, where once it was common for travelers to be able drop by the hostel and expect to get a bed.

Price is by far the biggest appeal of staying at hostels. The nightly rate for a hostel is usually no higher than $25 or $30 per night, with most costing even less. With the average hotel room cost somewhere around $100 to $150 in many cities, it is easy to see why hostels are becoming such a popular alternative.

Another benefit of staying in a hostel is that the staff is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable about the local area. Unlike many staff members of some luxury hotels, who travel in from the outlying areas and rarely see the city in which they work, hostel staff tend to live in the city, and have an personal knowledge of the local sites, including which attractions are cannot miss and which ones are not worth the trip.

Hostels also usually have access to discounts and coupons for local area attractions and restaurants, and they can provide information on the best restaurants and hangouts around.

While not everyone will find a hostel appealing, and the accommodation of a local hostel are simple at best, they can be wonderful options for lodging for the budget minded traveler. After all, the goal of travel is to get out and see the world, and hostel travel lets you save money on lodging so that you can do just that.

About the Author
Author: scottyken
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