Tips for Saving When Traveling in a Group

Stuart S. Travel asked:

Traveling in a group? You are the holiday packagers dream! Imagine being able to offload bulk airline seats, rail passes and entertainment packages in one booking. A group traveling is a wanted commodity and because of this you can secure great deals for your group. But as always, beware of any hidden ‘extras’ such as cancellation policies and preferred partners when stepping outside the package. Be prepared to shop around for the best deal.

Here are some tips for the traveling group on a budget:

1. Travel insurance can be bought through some companies where savings can be ten percent or more. A group usually consists of four or more. Contact a number of travel insurance agencies and compare quotes.

2. Pack as many people as you can into your hotel room (keeping it legal). The more heads in the room, the higher the number to divide the cost by.

3. Renting a car when traveling in a group of four is usually cheaper than buying travel passes – and more convenient.

4. Food, guidebooks, taxi fares can all be split between the group bringing costs down.

5. Rail passes for groups or pairs may find discount offers in some countries.

6. Some airlines offer discount rates to groups of ten or more traveling together.

7. Group package bookings that have everything included in the price will have all expenses covered so you won’t be surprised by any extra costs, apart from shopping!

8. Discount holiday packages for large groups of travelers are offered through a number of travel agencies. Sports fans may be able to travel to big events using one of these travel packages for much cheaper than organizing it on their own.

If you want to join a group tour so you don’t have to travel alone consider all the pros and cons. Will there be like-minded people? Is there any flexibility to the travel arrangements? If not, will this outweigh the savings you’ll make on joining the tour? Some travelers like the convenience of all the travel arrangements being made for them. Group tour operators will find the best fares and reputable places to stay in. This saves you the hassle but it may mean that some of the cultural experiences you want will have to be put aside for the relatively cheaper ride.

Traveling in a family group can also benefit from a number of offers. Inform your booking agent that it is a family and ask about any special offers or deals. Can you visit any amusement parks or tourist attractions at family discount rates?

When traveling in a group, never be afraid to ask for a discounted rate. Everyone involved in the tourism trade is looking to get large numbers on seats or through doors. Groups are welcomed and catered for accordingly.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

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Hotel Accommodations and Services Plays a Great Part on Daytona Beach Tourism

David H. Urmann asked:

Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County, Florida. It has a population of 64,421. Aside from this, it is a year round resort known for its motorsports. Thus, Daytona is a seasonal town that caters to large groups of guests, visitors and tourists for various events annually. The smooth, wide beach and hotels attracts a lot of motorcycle and automobile races. There are many wonderful areas you can stay at and even have a chance to join the racing activities. These activities play a great part on the progress of Daytona Beach’s Tourism industry.

Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County, Florida. It has a population of 64,421. Aside from this, it is a year round resort known for its motorsports. Thus, Daytona is a seasonal town that caters to large groups of guests, visitors and tourists for various events annually.

When it comes to their history, the Timucuan Indians were the first ones who inhabited the place. Matthias D. Day founded it in the year 1870, and incorporated it in the year 1876. During the urging of the civic leader J.B. Kahn, Daytona Beach and Seabreeze merged as one in 1926. Thus, the world’s famous beaches of Daytona became known during 1920s.

It was also in the year 1902 when motorcycles, bikes and automobile racers came to witness the compact sand of the beach. The first stock car race was held last March 8th of the year 1936. Hence, replacing the beach course, William France created the Daytona International Speedway in 1959.

Furthermore, the beach is typically located at the southeastern part of the United States. This is along with a total area of 168.7 km2 and a humid subtropical climate. Aside from dry and mild winters, summers were generally hot. The spring months would start at the early days of March. This also start the season where many tourists and visitors visit the beaches and famous attractions that Daytona can offer.

Hence, records indicate that Dayton has a 33% tornado activity historically noted during its hurricane seasons. The areas chances of receiving hurricanes are possible because of its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

Moreover, with over 8,000,000 tourists a year, people from all walks of life have come and still come in order to witness the beauty of the City and the beach, along with the great accommodations of Daytona hotels.

You don’t need to worry when you’re staying at a beach hotel in Dayton, strict hotel security and multiple surveillance cameras surround the vicinity. Thus, these hotels become more strict during special events like: the Daytona Beach Bike Week (Daytona 200}, the Speedweeks – Daytona 500 NASCAR race, Rolex 24 sports car race, Biketoberfest, Turkey Run car show, Spring break, Coke Zero 400, NASCAR race, and the Black College Reunion.

Furthermore, workforce and talented communities of Daytona began uplifting the tourist economy so as to get more businesses in the city. Prior to this, there were already several destination hotels and resorts in the region.

Here are the top 10 hotels at Daytona Beach.

#1 Bahama House, Daytona Beach

Price starts at: $229

The Bahama house is located at the Atlantic Avenue of Daytona Beach. The south central beach area has a total of 87 rooms. Hence, a six mile drive is all it will take tourists to get to the Daytona International Airport and only two miles away would be the Daytona Lagoon. It is also nine miles away from the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, 5 miles away from the Daytona International Speedway and 4 miles away from the Volusia Mall.

This resort was built in the year 1984. Its amenities would include:

•An outdoor pool

•Air Conditioning (In Room)

•Daily complimentary breakfast

•Direct beach access

•Iron with ironing board

•Microwave Oven

•Daily Maid Service

•Non-Smoking Rooms

•Refrigerator

•Coffee Maker.

Aside from this, the Bahama House offers free wireless high speed Internet access throughout the hotel, free parking, cable TV, private balconies, laundry facilities, complimentary local calls and newspapers and a safe partial or full kitchen.

#2 Wyndham Ocean Walk, Daytona Beach

Price starts at: $118

The Wyndham Ocean Walk is located at Atlantic Ave. It is considered as a traffic free beach area. This place is only 10 miles from the Daytona Beach Airport, 45 miles from the Saint Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center, a quarter mile from the Adventure Landing, five miles from the Daytona International Speedway and Volusia Mall, 12 miles drive from the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, and a half mile from the Main Street Pier.

Amenities include:

•Hotel house dining room

•Health club

•Fitness room

•Lounge

•Golf-training center

•Non-smoking Rooms

•Meeting rooms

•game room

•Convenience store

Furthermore, this hotel offers two outdoor and two indoor swimming pools, a restaurant, landscaped beach access, free parking, children’s activities, wheel chair access, Internet access, laundry services and a hot tub. Room features would include washers, a refrigerator, DVD/VCR players, hairdryers, microwaves, cable TV, balconies, Jacuzzis, ceiling fans and air conditioning. Thus, upon request, cribs can be available. Check-in time is at 4: PM. Check-out time is at 10:00 AM.

Other fees would include:

Per person: one way fees of $5-$15

Per family: $16-$25

One way taxi fare: $16-$25

#3 Nautilus Inn, Daytona Beach

Price starts at: $113

The Nautilus Inn is located at Atlantic Avenue. It was built in the year 1986. This hotel has 90 comfortable and spacious rooms. This is along with its ten floors. It features private balconies, fully equipped kitchens, a heated outdoor pool, continental breakfasts, a telephone, free high speed Internet access, Cable or Satellite TV, a coffee maker, a microwave oven, air conditioning, daily maid services, dry cleaning facilities, a kitchen, and a balcony among others.

#4 Daytona Beach Regency Resorts, Daytona Beach

Price starts at: $189

The Daytona Beach Regency Resort is located only a short walk away from the Daytona International Speedway. It is a half-block from the boardwalk and five miles drive from the Daytona Beach International Airport.

Amenities:

•Jacuzzis

•Indoor pools

•Outdoor pools

•Laundry facilities

•Barbecue area

•Exercise facilities

•Game room

•Playground

•Parking

•Fitness Facility

•Car Rental Desk

•Business Center

•DVD/VCR

•Telephone (with Voicemail)

•Balcony

•Refrigerator

• Air Conditioned rooms

•Iron with ironing board

•Microwave oven

•Television

•Coffee Maker

•Daily maid service.

#5 Live Oak Inn Bed & Breakfast, Daytona Beach

Built in 1871, this hotel is located at beach St. This hotel also boasts of the many amenities in can offer. This would include: Newspaper (Free), Television (Cable/Satellite), Air Conditioning (In Room), Non-Smoking Rooms, DVD/VCR, Balcony, Telephone and Daily Maid Service.

Hotel Details

•Concierge Services

•Smoke Alarm in Rooms

•15 Rooms / 2 Floors

•Fax (For Guests)

•Room Service

•Business Center

•Common/Public Areas Accessible to Wheelchairs

•Sprinkler in Rooms

•Multi-lingual Staff

•Hot Tub

•Fishing

•Complementary Coffee

#6 Sunrise Beach Club, Daytona Beach Rated

Address: 1212 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach

Phone: (386)252-4633

#7 Copacabana Motel, Daytona Beach

Address: 1201 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach

Phone: 386-252-1452, 877-352-2672

This motel was in operation throughout four decades. It is a family owned business that offers a choice of 40 well appointed guest rooms equipped with refrigerators and basic appliances.

#8 Tropical Winds Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach Rated

Price starts at: $86

Tropical Winds Oceanfront Resort is located at Atlantic Ave. It is famously situated onsite the Daytona’s famous beach. It was built in the year 1988, having approximately 8 floors and 94 rooms.

Local Attractions:

•Shoreside Entertainment Complex

•Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse

•Daytona International Speedway

Amenities include:

•wake-up calls

•an indoor heated pool

•24-hour front desk

•safety deposit box

•Air Conditioning (In Room)

•Non-Smoking Rooms

•maid service

•Poolside Café

•outdoor oceanfront pool

•Refrigerator

•Telephone

•Coffee Maker

•Cable TV

•Balcony

•Kitchen

#9 Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach Rated

Price starts at: $117

This is an oceanfront hotel that is located directly on the sun blessed beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. This hotel was built in 1989 and only a few minutes away from the Daytona International Airport.

The amenities it offers would include:

•Beachfront cabanas

•744 newly renovated guest rooms

•room movies

•high speed internet access

•Sony Play station

•room service

•coffeemaker

•Complimentary USA Today newspaper.

Charges for parking during special events would be:

•10ft Trailer – $20.00

•Motorcycles – $8.00 per day (first come first serve basis only)

•18 Wheeler & Cab – $150.00

•20ft Trailer – $40.00

•Over 30ft – $100.00

•Truck – $10.00

•30ft Trailer – $60.00

Hotel Details

§Car Rental Desk

§737 – 801 Rooms

§No of floors – 16

§Swimming Pool

§Family Rooms

§Fitness Facility

§Golf

§Swimming Pool

§Health Club

§Fitness Facility

§Tennis Court

§Business Center

§Wheel Chair Access

§Indoor, Outdoor and children’s pool

§Dining

§Game Room

§Meeting Room

§Hot Tub

§Health Spa/Massage

§Dry Cleaning

# 10 Aruba Inn, Daytona Beach Rated

Phone: (386)253-5643

Room Amenities:

•Microwave Oven

•Air Conditioning (In Room

•Refrigerator

•Kitchen/Kitchenette

•Television (Cable/Satellite)

•Refrigerator

Hotel Details

§Beach

§32 Rooms

§2 Floors

§Outdoor Pool

Moreover, the transportation in Daytona Beach provides faster access to its destination spots and hotels. You can fly using the Daytona Beach International Airport since they have different airlines, such as, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Vintage Props and Jets and AirTran Airways. Buses like Greyhound Bus Lines routes from Daytona Beach and connects with hubs to Orlando and Jacksonville. A VoTran local bus with a $3 pass can have access to a number of sites. Thus, the A1A Beachside Trolley operates from January to September each year.

Daytona Beach is really one of the many places in the world where in the whole family can enjoy the ocean beach. A tight security will be one of this areas many advantageous points. Tourists can stroll and visit the nearby places and attractions that Daytona can offer. Thus, after a long day of tours and enjoyment, you can spend the night relaxing in the convenience and comforts these Daytona Beach Hotels can provide.

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Tranquilize Your Body and Soul With Kerala Beach Vacations

Manish Sinha asked:

Visit the well maintained, neatly kept and securely guarded beaches of Kerala that are turning into an ideal beach vacation destination in India. This natural wonderland is blessed with nature’s green beauties including lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers. The vast network of 44 rivers criss-crossing Kerala, make it a home to a long and charming shoreline that houses numerous beaches and beach resorts.

Besides its coastal beauties and beaches, Kerala is visited for the world famous Snake Boat Races which are organized in these waters around the Onam festival. Kerala witnesses a constant rush of people tired from the monotonous urban life. These people find comfort in the tranquil waters of Kerala. The beaches of Kerala, dotted with swaying palm trees, are beautiful stretches of clean sand.

Plan a trip to Kerala beaches and relax on the golden sands while stretching out in the shade of the rows of palm trees along the beaches, drinking the refreshing juice of a tender coconut and having an Ayurvedic massage. The water of Kerala beaches has a soothing and calming influence on mind and body and it relaxes the senses and souls of those who seek solace on its shores. A few popular beaches in Kerala are:

Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha or Alleppey is a district blessed with spell-binding beauty. It lies in the east of the Arabian Sea. A vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crossing it makes it the ‘Venice of the East’. The beach is a home to several avifauna (bird) species. This wonderful relaxing beach is also frequented for fishing.

Kovalam Beach

It serves as the starting point of your backwater cruise to explore the beautiful countryside of Kerala. Surrounded by lush greens, the Kovalam beach is always dotted with a number of boats and Kettuvalloms (houseboats). Kovalam beach is an ideal destination for surfing and it enjoys a pleasant tropical climate throughout the year.

Dharmadam Island Beach

Located 17 km from Kannur, this small 5 acre beautiful island is dotted with coconut palms and green bushes. The island is about 100 metres from the mainland of Dharmadam and a special permission is required to enter this privately owned island.

Marari Beach

Located at a close proximity to the Cochin city, Marari is the most fabulous stretch of soft sandy and palm fringed beach. It offers an idyllic location for relaxing holidays far away from the hustle bustle of the urban life.

Fort Kochi Beach

The historic city near the beach showcases a different kind of lifestyle inspired by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. This cultural influence is clearly revealed in the Indo-European architecture in Fort Kochi. Cochin Carnival on the New Year eve is the major attraction at this beach.

Varkala Beach

Varkala beach is a highly revered place because of an ancient shrine of Lord Vishnu dating back around 2000 years. Consisting several mineral water springs, popular for their medicinal values, the beach is also called ‘Papanashini’. People believe that a dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach purifies the body and the soul.

Beypore Beach

A few decades back, it was a ship building centre. Located in north Kerala, the Beypore beach was initially developed by the Arabs. Remnants of the ship building industry and the old wood industry can still be seen here.

Ezhimala Beach

This beautiful beach has a hillock towering about 286 metres. The beach is famous for a number of water sports activities and a Naval Academy.

Muzhappilangad Beach

This long clean beach is an ideal spot for swimming and Ayurveda therapies. Tourists can take sunbathe or just lounge around the golden sands. The beach is surrounded by black rocks.

A few other prominent beaches in Kerala that are perfect for Ayurveda therapies, water sports activities and relaxation, are:

Bekal Beach

Kanwatheertha Beach

Kappad Beach

Kappil Beach

Payyamblam Beach

Poovar Beach

Shanghumugham Beach

Somatheeram Beach

Tanur Beach

Thirumullavaram Beach

Vallikunnu Beach

Kerala beaches and the nearby regions are famous for delectable sea food, friendly people, smiling sun, sapphire blue water and swaying palm trees. These fascinating beaches are best suited to rejuvenate your mind body and soul.

Plan a trip to the Kerala Beaches with www.keralaindiavacation.com and enjoy your best holidays in the treasure trove of indigenous cultural practices and art forms. Kerala beaches, nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, are among the most romantic beaches of the world.

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