IMBROADWAY.COM – TRAVEL GUIDE

Recently we have been providing our SEO Australia services to many different holiday websites with a lot of success. Our ability to really get websites performing well and to get traffic to them is why website owners of all types contact us enquiring about our services. We have learnt a lot about the industry and really do know how to get those holiday websites to the top of the rankings. It is strange that we would be working within the travel industry as much as we do but at the same time we also know just how much our services are worth to the travel companies. It is a very competitive niche market to crack into and to be able to succeed in the travel industry you need to get as much exposure as you possibly can. There is not point in having a website that no one can find because it means that people just will not be able to find the holiday packages you are trying to sell. The more people hat see them he more likely it is that you are going to get the sales needed for your business to survive. And in such a competitive marketplace it is very important to ensure you get as many people seeing your products as possible.

Adventure tourism is now one of the fastest growing trends in travel business. It started with Leo Le Bon who co-founded the world’s first adventure travel company—Mountain Tours with other eight travel mates. Le Bon and others made the first commercial journey to the Annapurna region of Nepal. Since then, the travel business grew rapidly resulting to a plethora of travel companies that offer adventure vacations.

Classifying an adventure travel however pose a little difficulty in defining what exactly it means. Adventure travel depends on the level of strenuousness of activities involved. Adventure may involve leisure biking and hiking for some travelers or it may entail base jumping into an underground cave in Mexico.

Nevertheless, a travel involves some fundamental aspects to be classified as adventure. Adventure travel typically includes going to far-flung areas, intermingling with various cultures, and doing a physical activity.

Two categories of adventure travel are hard and soft adventures. Hard adventures fall under extreme and mostly dangerous sporting activity. Examples of hard adventures are rock climbing, surfing, paragliding, and scuba diving in remote locations. Soft adventures, on the other hand, are leisure activities that are often educational. It does not involve strenuous activity unlike hard adventures. Bird watching, religious pilgrimages and architectural tours fall under soft adventures.

But you might wonder who usually embark on an adventure travel? Travel Industry Association of America’s (TIA) study indicated an estimated 20 percent of adult travelers are adventure tourists. It is also parallel to The Wall Street Journal reporting in 2003 that revenues from adventure tourism has skyrocketed topping the adventure market with $245 million dollars.

While many studies say college-educated males in their 20s typically embark on hard adventures, it is harder to categorize people who go for soft adventures. They say baby boomers and seniors significantly affect the rise of number of soft travelers. However, adventure-seeking women have also substantially caused the continuous growing of the industry. For example, divorcees ages 40 and 60 usually turn to adventure travel as a shift into new lives.

In addition, adventure travels are physically and psychologically beneficial both men and women. Physical challenges like mountain climbing require both physical fitness and focus. It develops muscles as well as serves as an excellent mental workout. Achieving difficult tasks also help build self-esteem especially for people in midlife crisis.

There are several options to what kind of adventure travel fits a specific type of person. But you should determine first how adventurous you would like to be. A travel agency may actually help steer you through the multitude choices that you will face.

Sports-themed vacations are well-liked for athletes. Examples of these are baseball fantasy camps and NASCAR driving schools. Safari is one example of soft adventures popular to many of varying ages. This may involve driving and walking through the African plains and come into close contact with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

Longtime popular destinations are the Seven Wonders of World that include biking and hiking to these locales. Some of the world wonders include pyramids of Egypt, expedition to Antarctica, cultural tour in Japan and Ethiopia, the Great Wall of China, and Taj Mahal in India.

If you opt to have an adventure travel however, be sure to be safe as much as possible. Take note that adventure travel has inherent danger involved.

Selecting the best travel books is not as easy as it may seem due to a wide array of available literature since travel writing has been invented. Coming up with a list should not be easy as well. The following books are the ones most cited while some are bestsellers.

Let us start with “The Road to Oxianai. Modern travel writers deem this book the first model of great travel writing. It is an account of Byron’s ten-month journey to Persia and Afghanistan in 1933-34.

Another classic of travel literature is “A Time of Gifts” written by Patrick Leigh Fermor. It was published in 1977 when he was 62. The book is an account complete seo packages of Fermor’s first part journey on foot across Europe in 1933-34. His journey began at Hook of Holland and ended in Constantinople. The second volume is titled Between the Woods and the Water and published in 1986. It covered Fermor’s journey through Maria Valeria Bridge, Hungary, and Iron Gate.

Meanwhile, “In Patagonia” is an English travel book authored by Bruce Chatwin and published in 1977. The book, which established Chatwin’s reputation as a travel writer, was awarded the Hawthornden Prize and E.M. Forster Award.

Chatwin went to Patagonia both to fulfill a promise made to a 93-year-old architect and designer Eileen Gray and out of his own curiosity. Chatwin spent six months in Patagonia and wrote the book.

Another outstandingly written travel book is authored by Eric Newby. Titled “A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush,” it is an autobiographical account of Newby’s journey in the Hindu Kush, which is around the Nuristan Mountains of Afghanistan.

“The Great Railway Bazaar” is a notable 1975 travelogue by American novelist Paul Theroux. Many consider this book a classic in travel writing. It tells about Theroux four-month journey across Asia by train. Theroux travelled through Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. In his return, he passed via the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Theroux retraced the trails of his original journey and found out that places had changed. He authored a book titled “Ghost Train to the Eastern Star” that recounts such journey.

“Travels with Charley: In Search of America” is also a travelogue written by John Steinbeck. The book recounts the road trip Steinbeck took with his poodle Charley around the United States. He traveled throughout the country in a specially-made camper. His travel began in Long Island, New York, then to Maine, Pacific Northwest, Salinas Valley in California, and across to Texas, up through Deep South, and back to New York.

In 1978, “The Snow Leopard” is published and written by Peter Matthiessen. It won the 1980 National Book Award for Nonfiction. The book recounts Matthiessen’s two-month journey to Crystal Mountain, in the Dolpo region on the Tibetan Plateau in the Himalayas.

More recently, the “In a Sunburned Country” is a 2000 travelogue book about Australia. Best-selling travel writer Bill Bryson wrote the book. The original title of the book was Down Under, but it was also published as Walk About. The latter included Down Under and another Bryson’s books in one volume.

Traveling, in any language, always connotes money and expenses – loads of it. Even foregoing visions of traveling first-class with first-class amenities and all that, the fact that one does go out of one’s place to go to another (desired) place still means fare money, board and lodging, and those other countless expenses you did not know at all.

On the other side of the equation, you may have noticed that some people manage to travel for months (or, even years) without showing any signs of wear and tear. Nor were there any police squads barging into their houses in the middle of the night and hauling them away for some crimes involving money.

The simple reason is that they are not necessarily rich. They just know how life coach to make their travel money last longer, and afford to travel to more places at more times.

There are many ways to see the world at a bargain price, so to speak. The following are some tips and guides picked up from all over.

Knowing where to go

Knowing where to go is different from knowing where you want to go. All the places in the world have their charms that you haven’t seen on TV or in magazines. We are concerned about travel budget here and ways on how to stretch it.

Many countries in Asia, parts of Africa and South America are much cheaper to go to than North America, Europe or Australia. Your travel money for one week in Europe can last a month in India, Nepal and many Southeast Asian countries.

Flying months

Initial air fares make the biggest cuts into your travel budget. Knowing the holiday seasons around the world and being flexible with your own travel dates and times is a perfect combination to score some big savings.

Take note that half of the world’s population wants to fly in December for the Christmas holidays. In Europe, the most expensive months to fly around are in July and August which are the European summer holiday months.

Transport costs

Costs of air fares for the same destination can be drastically different according to the actual time you fly. Flying mid-week instead of around the weekend or at “unholy hours” like very early in the morning can reduce air fares.

Booking your flight online and well in advance is much cheaper. Round trip (back and forth) tickets are also cheaper than standard fares.

Unless you do not know the place (and traveling light), trains and buses are good buys for cheap city fares. (Sometimes, they can even be cheaper at night in some places.)

Accommodations

These days, youth hostels can be an affordable option around the world. (These are at places that don’t have a backpacker scene or cheap traveller’s guesthouses.)

Sometimes, discounts can be negotiated in many guest houses (sometimes called “pension houses” in other places) and hotels if you are staying longer. It is cheaper than moving to new places every few days or so.

Options

There are other options in reducing some of the costs of travel. Keeping one’s eyes open to new possibilities (aside from those listed here) can go a long way in helping costs down and make your stay enjoyable and cheap.

One witty person had once declared that there are two kinds of travelers in the world – those who packed light and those who wished they had. If you plan to travel and it is your first time, check out the following list of packing tips and guidelines.

This list of time-tested advice on packing had been compiled and consolidated by people who know the best about travels. In fact, they are considered the most-traveled individuals in the whole world.

Packing list

First, make a packing list. This is to eliminate panic on last-minute packing. It can also serve as a guide when repacking your things after your trip. In an extreme case of your luggage getting lost, you can use for claims or additional identity papers.

When doing the list, check on the events you are going to and list down possible clothes for each occasion you intend to attend. Choose outfits that go together well based on complimentary colors. Or go back to the old reliable blacks and other dark-colored clothes.

After doing the packing list, lay out the things you intend to bring and check them again against your list. Segregate those you will bring and make sure they are all clean and ready to go.

Personal items

An all-purpose lotion is better than a different bottle each for hands, face and body. Bringing disposables (razors, toothbrush) is better than bringing the electric models.

Leave behind all those jewelry items you don’t want to lose, including those flashy ones that attract thieves.

Toiletries

Leave behind the perfume. Scented lotions are good substitutes. Bring those personal items that are available in small travel sizes. (Many airports are now restricting the amount of liquids to bring inside airplanes. Check those in your destinations.)

Bring a small first aid kit with aspirins and other emergency medicines, sunscreen, and the amazing Swiss army knife. Pack this in your checked luggage because it is banned to bring inside the plane.

The art of packing

Iron everything before folding them into the suitcase. Button all buttons and zip all zippers. T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats may be rolled up and carefully stuffed inside duffel bags.

Always pack tightly. The insides of shoes are perfect for socks and underwear.

Label with your name and phone number (NOT your address) all the pieces of your luggage. If an address is required, use your office address. Remove old claims slips to avoid confused.

Travel documents and other papers

Always carry travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler’s checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.

Unpack your luggage right away as soon as you arrive at your hotel. This will prevent further wrinkles.

In going home, repacking your clothes the way you packed them in ensures that you will still have the same space as before. Balled and dirty clothing cannot fit.

All in all, remember that packing is one very important aspect of travel and it pays to listen to the experiences of others.

If traveling for business or pleasure, it is important to take note of digital accessories that help make your journey pain-free. Below are examples of gadgets you have to bring when traveling either by plane, train, or automobile.

Bring a digital camera. Choosing a camera to take on road is difficult. For travel snapshots, choose a point-and-shoot camera that is ultra light and small but is capable of taking high-pixel density photos. Check for cameras that also include image stabilization, face recognition and vestigial viewfinder for quick snaps. Small ultra light cameras are perfect for slipping into a jeans pocket.

If traveling abroad, bring at least a 12-language global translator. This will help you translate foreign words into English and vice versa. This is very much helpful when you are traveling in countries where no one speaks English such as Thailand. You may also opt to buy a high-end language translator that has speech recognition and a hand-held scanner for text input. The latter may sound more efficient but expect an expensive price.

Bring a universal power adaptor kit. A gadget that enables our electronic gadgets charged is a very important invention of the 21st century for a modern traveler. Electronic shops have an array adaptor that fit just about any laptop or USB device. An example of this is the Tumi power adaptor that has spring-powered retractable cable and a leather-trimmed carrying case. Adaptor kits are very affordable with prices less than $200.

If going to a conference abroad, is not it important to bring a USB flash drive for storage? But is it possible to bring a Swiss knife? A confiscation-free travel USB drive pokies with a Swiss knife is the 1GB Swissbit drive that can be detached from its super-hard knife casing. This USB drive comes with the Swiss army gadgets such as scissors, pen, knife, nail file, screwdriver, and light except for the cuckoo clock. This is not pricey for a worth of $60.

Bring a mini battery pack. The trouble with traveling with iPods or cell phones is the battery drains fast. A mini battery pack is the solution that technology vendors offer for a more convenient and pain-free travel. There are different iPod/iPhone battery extenders. An example is the Energizer’s iPodPower2 that runs on a pair of AA batteries. This battery pack comes with an effective retractable USB cables.

During long travels by air, train, or water, you usually need an activity for pastime. Either you want to read a book or watch a movie. In this case, it will be advisable to bring a portable book reader and DVD player.

Kindle is Amazon’s first-generation e-book reader; it needs improvement though. But it is very useful for travelers who like to read books because it serves as a veritable library. It holds around 200 books and can read SD cards.

If you are into movies, better bring a portable DVD player. Nowadays, people download not only movies but also TV programs. There are cheap portable DVD players that are less than $100. Take note however that if you are buying a player for travel purposes; make sure it is battery-intensive.

Travel is all about packing light. It’s not a good idea to cram as much as you can carry on your backpack when you go off to new places. The first rule is always to pack just enough to last you a few days.

Unless you enjoy lugging around bags that weigh a ton, bringing along just a few choice articles of clothing is better.
You’re better off not packing three sneakers, your two boots or those many shirts.

If you’re worried about clothes, you can buy some of these when you get where you’re going. Remember that the longer you stay in one place, the less clothes, toiletries and other accessories you bring. Because when you get there, you can just shop around and look for a few shirts you can wear or stuff you can use while you continue on with the next leg of the trip.

Buying things over there is easier for you because you save up space in your bag and it makes it easier for you to carry your bags. Unless you have money to burn, you can’t slot machines to pay strangers to carry your bags for you. Once or twice, yes—if it’s particularly hot and you want to take it easy. But since it pays to be wise with your coin while on the road, just keep the money and spend it on things that’ll no doubt prove to be more fun.

If you bring along too many things, you’d either have to be prepared to pay for the extra charges when you have them shipped home or else, be forced to leave behind some of your old things. Or even worse, leave behind that extra-special lamp you’ve set your heart on or that sleek and adorable fur jacket meant for your three-year-old niece. Add to this how you were actually hoping on turning this into a shopping trip and you can be sure that, as things stand, having a lugging around a loaded luggage is definitely not a sterling idea.

Also, don’t forget to pack in your own water. If you plan on visiting all the tourist spots you could find in that area, be prepared for it. You’ll grow tired, perspire and eventually get thirsty. Not having your own bottle of water with you could cost you a few dollars higher than you normally pay for the stuff. It’s common knowledge that things are priced a bit higher around tourist spots than when you buy them at the grocery or supermarket. Not to mention that it’s safer to know where your drinking water comes from. It pays to be careful when you’re out there.

So if you don’t want anything to spoil your trip, just pack in the absolute essentials—this includes your drinking water—and nothing else. If you have your passport along with other important travel documents, clothes, your toiletries, first aid, extra shopping bags, gadgets like mobile phones (don’t forget the charger if you’re planning on staying for more than three days), then you’re all set. For camera enthusiasts, remember to bring an extra memory card. You don’t want to find yourself deleting pictures you would rather keep but can’t just because there’s not enough space.

Traveling — that simple act of going from one place (yours) to another (a nearby town or a famous tourist destination) — has now become one of the world’s biggest industries.

It has also developed into one of the more complicated modern activities starting from getting your tickets, preparations, packing, all the way to the airport and immigration and finally to your destination.

From experiences (good and bad) of the many travelers who had survived traveling, here is a list of tips arranged in no particular order. It is hoped they can help the first-time would-be travelers and to remind those who had traveled before.

Before the trip

Go to the Internet to know the basics about your destination – banks, money, personal and other insurance, health, vaccinations, language, important customs, weather conditions, their police system and the law.

There is no need to know everything, just the important basics. It pays to have an idea on most things around.

Get a new email address and mail to yourself all the copies of your important papers (passports and visas, travelers’ check numbers, insurance certificates, medical info, important phone numbers and addresses, etc.) for emergency access, if needed.

The trip

Before packing anything, first make a list on what to bring. From there, you would know what’s necessary and what’s not (right clothes), what’s important (only a jewel item or two and no flashy ones) and what’s redundant (big cities have batteries).

You would know you if you overdid things. You would also know which items to leave out. Keep this list to check on your belongings when you get back home.

Bring a small amount of US dollars (legally acceptable). Most places accept them, in case things go wrong with your cards or your other “cash”. Bring a small medicine bag as your cabinet with emergency medicines (aspirins, diarrhea tablets, water purifiers, etc.) and a first aid kit.

Bring only two or three pieces of travel-size personal items such as soaps, shampoos, deodorants, toothpaste tubes, lotions and perfumes — if your stay is short. If longer, bring some more. It’s more convenient to dispose of empty mini-wrappers and tubes than bringing back big jars home.

If you are going on a nature trip or safari, arm yourself with the right medicine (malaria pills, insect repellents, etc.). A Swiss knife is very useful as is a small duct tape.

Destination

Line your backpack with chicken wire inside (deterrent for bag slashers). Buy a fake wallet and fill with fake (or expired) cards, etc for muggers. Hide your money somewhere safe with you.

Take taxis at night, even if it’s just a short trip.

If you are traveling alone, message boards in the internet list other travelers in your area. Traveler pubs and bars are the best places to meet them.

Be careful with the local food. Don’t gorge on them, no matter how delicious. Your stomach need to be used to it. Rotate eating foods you know with those of the local cuisine.

Last words

Not everything is bad in your tourist country. You traveled over there because you liked it and you want to enjoy it. This is the time to do it. This list is simply a reminder for you to be careful.

Always travel light.

We all know about traveling light. Just pack the few essentials. No more. No less. It won’t pay to have a lot of stuff to carry around while you and your friends wander along from street to street, from temple houses to shopping malls, from one location to another while you have the Titanic strapped to your back. It’s just not fun. And that’s what travel is all about.

So, we have that covered. Don’t carry on too much. Leave enough space for things you’re bound to buy on the trip.

That’s a nice way to look at it. Because it could also mean leaving behind other things: like biases, prejudices, or simply rudeness.

We often forget we are simply travelers. When we get to a new place, don’t expect the locals to be all too willing to help you. Sure, we’ve heard all about friendly locals, assisting foreigners as they find their way around the community, the tourist spots and the like. But there are also people out there who are just interested in making a buck or two who won’t mind if they make it at your expense. Don’t put yourself at the mercy of the latter.

Don’t expect to be given advantages just because you’re the foreigner. In some communities, you are even expected to pay triple what the locals are paying. If some locals treat you especially nice, then great but don’t think of it as your due. Thank them and move on. Not all the folks you’ll meet on the road will be nice.

Other things you must remember to leave behind are your biases. If you have biases against people of a certain race and find yourself on a trip bound for a place where you will encounter them with greater frequency, better get a handle on yourself. Ask yourself where your biases are springing from? Are they justified? If you could find it in yourself to let go of biases, of thinking your race is superior over this one or yours is inferior to another, do it. Travel is a way to improve the quality of your perception, of your attention. One way to allow for that to happen is to open your mind to possibilities. To accept things are they are. To look without judgment.

So you go into a restaurant. The place is tiny, crowded and serves the best beef stew you’ve ever tasted. However, the locals all eat noisily, slurping at their bowls, talking with their mouths full. That’s how it’s done over that side of the world. If you prefer silence when you take your meals, get out of there. Don’t stare or frown at them. Don’t scowl at your fellow diners. Adjust. Respect the differences of your culture and theirs.

Remind yourself, firmly, to behave. You’re in a different country with people who are different from you, whose cultures and social practices are a complete departure from what you know. Don’t make a scene. As much as possible, avoid any possible conflict or tension with anyone. Remember, you’re not on your turf. If things get nasty, you might find yourself at the losing end of things.

Help may not be so handy to find if that happens so avoid this scenario at all costs. If someone wants to pick a fight with you, just excuse yourself as quickly as you can from the situation and make your escape. You’re on a trip to look for fun, not trouble. So travel light. Leave everything you don’t need—negative attitudes, biases and all—behind.

Are you travelling to someplace special over the Christmas holiday period? If you are you really should ensure that you stay in touch with your loved ones and ensure that you are able to take a good break and rest for a while so that you are not just working the whole time. I have been known to work a little bit too much and sometimes I really just do not know when to stop. I would like for you all to make sure that you get a good break and are nice and refreshed so that you are ready for all of the new challenges that the new year will bring for you. Don’t get too drunk though and make sure that you do contact your family!