Cheap Travel SecretsWritten by Steve Gillman
There are two ways to save money traveling. The first way is to get best deals on specific things you want. There is a limitation to this type of approach though. If , for example, you find lowest price on best hotel in Honolulu at height of season, you will save money, but still have a very expensive vacation. Trying to get exactly what you want, or what you think you want, will generally be an expensive proposition, in travel and in life. Be A Travel OpportunistThe other approach is to be a true opportunist. This will be difficult for some of you, and entirely unacceptable to others. Nonetheless, travelers who get to travel most, go to widest variety of places, learn most and do most, are opportunists. This will be true until you are so wealthy that you have no monetary limits. The first time I went to Ecuador, I went there because it was cheap. If it wasn't, I would have had a great time - somewhere else. The trip lasted a month, and cost $1045, which included airfare and even $130 fee for a guide to take me to top of glacier-covered Mount Chimborazo. I cut cost by taking a bus from my home in Michigan to Miami, and back again when I returned from Ecuador. The round-trip ticket cost $158. The round-trip flight to Quito from Miami was only $256, because it was a courier flight, which meant I signed for some luggage (car parts), and could only take carry-on luggage. Never did I feel deprived, or bored. I had a great time, eating wherever it was cheap and clean, doing all sorts of inexpensive, but interesting things, and traveling across country to climb Chimborazo. I also met and fell in love with my wife Ana. How To Become An Opportunist TravelerCan you drink rum at a dollar per bottle, instead of your favorite beer? Can you eat chicken instead of steak? How about visiting free sights first, and dancing in street festival instead of disco? Being an opportunist means you'll have just as much variety, and probably almost everything you want - eventually. You just have to stop trying to get exactly what you want exactly when you want it. If guide that took me up Chimborazo hadn't dropped his price from $200 to $130, I would have spent $2 for a bus and gone hiking on El Altar, another great Andean mountain. That would have left me with enough money for several other minor adventures.
| | Norwegian Cruise Line - American Style!Written by Colin Hartness
It’s not just size and opulence of their sleek and stylish fleet that attracts passengers to Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Line boasts largest ratio of staff to passengers of any cruise company and this extra service shows from stem to stern. Every inch of every ship gleams and on any trip through corridors you always meet friendly and courteous staff in perfectly appointed uniforms.A particular cruise feature that Norwegian Cruise Lines introduced is free-style dining. Historically, shipboard dining has been a structured affair, with meals served at preset hours, usually with assigned seating in dining room and a dress code. Free-style dining changes all of that to match contemporary American lifestyle. Passengers may choose from eight to a dozen dining areas on board and eat when they wish. Some dining areas serve cafeteria-style, with food already prepared and jean-clad passengers taking a tray and selecting their food items. The main dining areas serve menu-based meals with full service wait staff and where jeans and shorts are prohibited at evening meal. All food in dining rooms and cafeteria is included in price of cruise. And you get more than your money’s worth in quality and presentation of all food items. The average passenger gains seven pounds on a week-long cruise! In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a selection of specialty or upscale restaurants on each ship and meals in these restaurants are offered at additional cost. For example, Asian, French, Japanese or Italian cuisine may be featured in a suitably decorated small restaurant. But know full well, upscale restaurants excel in service and cuisine and provide value for dollar for more discriminating. Food service is a major attraction on any cruise, but Norwegian Cruise Line also provides a full range of on-board activities 24 hours a day. A fully equipped fitness center attracts those who want to stay in shape on their vacation. The pool area is hub of live entertainment day and evening. Ships have a number of bar, lounge and disco areas that come to life with talented performers every night. Also included in price of cruise is theatre entertainment that ranges from stand-up comedy to full show revues that rival those found in Las Vegas. And speaking of Las Vegas, while in international waters, passengers can enjoy all amenities of a sparkling casino, including slots and gaming.
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