Wednesday, March 7, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From London to Brighton


ravel in less than an hour from London's Victoria Station to the famous beach at Brighton, on the southern coast of England, to get away from it all. Brighton is also known for its lively music scene, with many large venues attracting some of the biggest names in show business. Read on to learn how to book train travel from London to Brighton.

Book Train Travel From London to Brighton

1

Check out the official Web site for First Capital Connect, the rail company that offers service from London to Brighton, for timetables and information about special offers and discounts.

2

Book your travel choices online from First Capital Connect using your credit card.

3

Call the First Capital Connect offices by phone if you have any further questions or concerns about your trip. You can also book train travel from London to Brighton by calling Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or by visiting the link below.

4

Purchase your train tickets directly from the manned ticket booths at Victoria Station in London. You can also use one of the many automated machines in the depot to book your train travel.

5

Use the "Journey Check" feature on the First Capital Connect Web site, which will allow you to keep track of any delays or cancellations before you arrive at the train station.

Prepare for Your Trip to Brighton

6

Decide upon first-class or second-class accommodations for your trip. A first-class upgrade can be reasonably priced, and the dedicated carriages are usually less crowded and quieter.

7

Save more money by booking a restricted ticket, which is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

8

Take a little time to explore the Brighton Station, which was built in 1840 and is a stunning example of Victorian architecture.

9

Visit the famous Brighton Pier, the largest and oldest pier in the area, which was built in 1899.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From Tampa to Orlando


mtrak's Silver Star Line offers a fast, efficient way to travel between Tampa and Orlando. The trip takes just about 2 hours, and you won't have to deal with traffic or the other inconveniences of making the drive in your car.

Schedule Your Trip

1

Check the schedules. You can do this by going to Amtrak's Web site (see below) and clicking on the 'schedules' tab. Select Tampa's Union Station from the drop-down menu and then Orlando's train station for arrival. Select your date, and then press 'search.'

2

Choose your route. Amtrak offers two train lines to Orlando from Tampa every day. Choose from the 6098 Bus or 92 Silver Star depending on what time you'd like to depart. The trip on each train takes approximately 2 hours (excluding delays).

3

Book your ticket by choosing the best fare to Orlando on the day of your journey and following website prompts to reserve your seat. Be sure to print out your confirmation information or write down and save your confirmation number.

Travel to Orlando

4

Check your reservation before you leave to be sure that the train is on time and your seat is reserved. To do so, call Amtrak's toll-free phone number or check departures on the Web site.

5

Arrive at Tampa Union Station early to make sure there is time to check in, check extra baggage and get a good seat. Amtrak often does not assign seats until you have checked in.

6

Use any extra time to wander around Tampa's historic Union Station. Recent renovations and the addition of eateries and shops make it a lovelier place to visit than ever before.

Monday, February 13, 2012

How To Start a Travel Agency Business in Canada


According to the Industry Canada website, the travel and tourism industry in Canada generates more than $70 billion dollars and directly employs more than 600,000 employees. The travel and tourism industry is expanding in Canada and provides many opportunities for new companies to thrive.



1 Register your Canadian travel agency through your provincial government website if you are registering it as a partnership or sole-proprietorship. If you are registering your agency as a corporation, complete the registration and payment on the Government of Canada business website.

2 Register your business with your provincial travel agency association if it is in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. In other provinces, register with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

3 Register your travel agency with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies. Applications and fees are completed on the ACTA website. Registration fees vary depending on the number of employees in your business and are renewed annually. You are required to include your provincial registration number or IATA number.

4 Acquire additional permits and licenses. Some travel agencies are required to possess additional licenses and permits before they can operate. In Ontario, you must have a sales tax number to charge sales tax on your goods and services. In British Columbia, if you are employing staff, you must register your company with BC's WorkSafe program. Information on additional licenses and permits can be found on your provincial business website.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

How to Travel on Greyhound


Rolling across the American highways on a Greyhound bus is something every American should do. Greyhound buses have become an American icon. Founded in 1914, Greyhound serves 3,100 destinations with over 13,000 daily departures. With so many destination to choose fro, traveling with Greyhound allows for great flexibility. The bus line even rolls 24 hours a day. In fact, reservations are not needed and riders only need to show up 15 to 30 minutes before departure to grab a seat. Seats are obtained on a first come first serve basis. Tickets can be purchased in advance, but it does not guarantee a seat.

1 Visit Greyhound's website to purchase tickets and look at routes. Certain routes do allow reservations, and for $5 extra you can board first. Track where the bus departs and arrives to prepare for a safe arrival.

2 Pack lightly in order to be able to move more conveniently. Baggage assistance is available for elderly riders and those with disabilities. One bag per customer is checked for free and the second costs $10, as of 2011. Bring entertainment necessities like an iPod or portable music player. Also bring a blanket and a small pillow if traveling overnight.

3 Get a good seat on the bus by coming early. If the bus is pretty full, it is important to grab a window seat. One of the best parts of bus travel is being able to watch the scenery through their wide panoramic windows while not having to focus on driving.

4 Bring money or bring snacks with you. The bus makes frequent stops, so there are ample places to get food along the way. If you are a picky eater, then you may want to bring your own food.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

How to Travel Now and Pay Later


Do you have a travel bug? Are you freezing cold this winter? Do you want to travel the world? Don't have money? No problem, it's time to pack your bags and go!

Related Searches:

1 Get a credit card with Zero percent interest. Almost all the credit card companies are offering zero percent for 12 months. I highly recommend getting a Capital One card as you are charged no International transaction fee. All other credit cards will charge a 3% international transaction fee.

2 I recommend flying through American Airlines. They have a fly now, pay later program. (6 months later) They also offer the lowest fare guarantee. Check them out at AA.com

3 Borrowing money does not have to be a burden. You can enjoy your travels and confidently know that you will be able to pay it back later or even while your traveling. If you are able, have a job set up for your return home. This way you will have no worries. Also don't spend more then you can make. Say you have a zero percent interest card for 12 months. Say you travel for 6 months. When you return home how long would it take you to pay it back? On your average job how much do you make in 5 months? Let that be your deciding factor on how much you can spend with your credit card and budget your travels based on that number.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From Italy to Greece


Travel in style from Italy to Greece aboard high-speed Eurostar trains. An incredible trip awaits you between Rome and Athens--you'll see unspoiled wilderness, medieval fortresses and modern cities you won't want to miss. Discover Eastern Europe and the Balkans as you transition from one homeland of civilization to another.

Choose Where and When to Book Train Travel From Italy to Greece

1 Pick a departure city in Italy.

2 Pick an arrival city in Greece.

3 Choose first class, business class or second class service from Italy. Book day, night or sleeping-car travel.

4 Choose when you want to travel and whether you want to book a visit anywhere in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia or Albania. You'll pass through these areas on the way to Greece, and you will need to know ahead of time how many stops to allow for in your itinerary.

5 Find the schedule at the Trenitalia Web site (see Resources) and note the total travel time.

Zero in on Tickets for Train Travel From Italy to Greece

1 Do it yourself in advance from your computer, using the Trenitalia Web site (see Resources).

2 Do it through a travel agent while in Italy at no extra booking cost. Most train station clerks are familiar with English-speaking travelers.

3 Do it on your day of travel at the train station booking counter or automated kiosk.

4 Book your meals with your ticket for a discount.

5 Buy an Italy-Greece Eurail pass from the Eurail Web site (see Resources) that will let you stop over along your route, good for up to 3 months.

Travel From Italy to Greece

1 Bring extra cash to buy snacks and meals, available on the train.

2 Validate your ticket at a trackside kiosk before boarding in Italy.

3 Pay close attention to stations and stops while traveling through other countries. Sometimes trains stop for as few as 15 minutes, and you need to know exactly where you're headed (train number, track and final destination) to avoid getting left behind.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

How to Get to Downtown Washington, D.C., from Dulles International Airport


The majority of international travelers to Washington arrive at Dulles International Airport. The airport is 28 miles from downtown D.C.

1 Take the bus. Metrobus runs a D.C.-Dulles bus (5A) that originates at the airport and takes you to the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station in downtown D.C. It makes three other stops along the way. Proceed outside the airport at the departures level to the bus stop area. Look for signs for the 5A bus. Buses depart Dulles about every 40 to 50 minutes from 5:50 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. weekdays and about hourly from 6:32 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. weekends. The trip to or from L'Enfant Plaza takes about 50 minutes and costs $3.10, as of 2008. Cash only, exact change only. Once you arrive outside the Metro station, you can take the Metro or take a bus to your hotel or other destination.

2 Take the Metro. To get to the Metro, you must first take a Washington Flyer express bus. The Washington Flyer buses depart Dulles every 30 minutes starting at 5:45 a.m. weekdays and 7:45 a.m. weekends and holidays until 10:15 p.m. daily. The trip is 20 to 30 minutes and costs $9 one way, $16 round trip. Buses depart Dulles at Door 4 on the arrivals level of the main terminal.

3 Take a taxi. Fares will run approximately $60 to downtown Washington. Follow the signs inside the terminal on the arrivals level. The taxi line originates inside the terminal, not outside.

4 Take a shuttle service. SuperShuttle and other shuttle services can ferry you into the city for less than the cost of a taxi. Make a reservation in advance.

5 Hire a private car service. Arrangements should be made in advance. Confirm your reservation before boarding your flight to Washington.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From Budapest to Zagreb


Zagreb, Croatia, is located 342 kilometers (about 210 miles) from Budapest, making it one of the closest European capitals to Hungary. Train travel between the 2 cities is easy to book, and Zagreb is well worth a visit.

Prepare to Travel From Budapest to Zagreb

1 Know the entry requirements for Croatia. U.S. citizens will need a passport and a pre-booked return or onward ticket to enter the country. However, U.S. citizens may stay up to 90 days without a visa.

2 Bring at least 4,000 Hungarian forints per first-class ticket you intend to buy. Second-class tickets usually cost about 2/3 the first-class price.

3 Decide when you'd like to leave. Most days, 4 trains connect Budapest and Zagreb via Siofok on Lake Balaton. Most trains make the trip in about 6 hours, but some routes make additional stops. Timetables can be found online at the Hungarian railway Web site (see Resources).

Book Your Ticket From Budapest to Zagreb

1 Go to a Budapest train station. The Budapest-Keleti train station ticketing agents will have probably more experience with westbound international travel. The central ticket office for the Hungarian state railway in Budapest will probably have more experience dealing with foreigners.

2 Order your ticket or tickets as clearly as you can and don't leave out any information. Say when you'd like to leave, where you are going, what class you will be traveling and how many tickets you would like.

3 Call mom once you've arrived safely: there are many public phones and many kiosks that sell calling cards in Glavni kolodvor.


Monday, January 16, 2012

How to Travel With a Cat on an Airplane


Cats and planes do not mix. But there are times when it is necessary to take your cat on an airplane. One of these times would be because of relocation. If you absolutely have to take a cat on the airplane read ahead and good luck.



1 Look into airline rules on traveling with your cat.

2 Purchase the proper carrier that meets all of the airline specifications and will be comfortable for the cat.

3 Take the cat to the veterinarian and be sure the cat is healthy enough to travel.

4 Invest in the cat tranquilizers that the veterinarian offers. Your cat (and the other passengers) will be happier sleeping the whole time he/she is traveling.

5 If your cat is older than 8 weeks, smaller than 15 pounds, and in good health you can buy him a seat on the plane.

6 Clearly mark the cat carrier with your name, address, phone number and destination address. Also, print the words "LIVE ANIMALS" on all sides and the top of the carrier.

7 Cover the bottom of the carrier with several layers of soft paper towels. Place something familiar smelling to the cat inside the carrier to help comfort her during the trip.

8 Give your cat lots of positive encouragement and petting as you travel.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From England to Ireland


Until they build another underground tunnel from England to Ireland like the one that crosses the English Channel, train travel between the two countries must involve some sort of sea travel. Fortunately, most British rail companies offer comprehensive travel packages that combine train and ferries in a convenient, almost seamless manner. Read on to learn how to book train travel from England to Ireland.

Book Train Travel From England to Ireland

1 Visit the official Web sites of one of Britain's major rail carriers, such as BritRail, National Rail or ScotRail, to explore the many types of travel packages for Ireland. You can also book train travel from England to Ireland by calling Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or by visiting the link below.

2 Book travel from England to Ireland with your credit card online once you have decided on your crossing point and railway.

3 Consider such alternatives such as high-speed catamarans for your ocean crossing.

4 Employ the services of a travel agent in England to take care of everything for you if you're worried about missing an important detail.

Relax on Your Voyage to Ireland

1 Consider first-class passage for just a bit more money if you need space to relax, or if you're bringing a lot of luggage to Ireland.

2 Take advantage of special packages the rail carriers offer to extend your passage to certain points within Ireland.

3 Alternate your crossing point for your return to England so that your journey is always fresh and new.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

How to Book Train Travel From Zurich to Basel


As the third-largest city in Switzerland and a major hub of the European pharmaceutical industry, Basel is a popular destination for both tourists as well as business travelers. Only about an hour away by train from Zurich, the trip between the two cities is quick, comfortable. It's also quite scenic. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

1 Research your route to determine if you'd like to travel directly to Basel or if you'd like to squeeze in a couple of side trips along the way. Because the distance between Zurich and Basel is so small, you should have plenty of time to stop and check another city off your list. If you happen to be traveling on the first of August, stop in Olten for the annual fireworks display on the river.

2 Decide on the time of day you'd like to travel. The first train leaves the Zurich main station at 5:34 a.m. The last train leaves the station at just past midnight. Between these hours, you'll find trains leaving on average every 10 minutes.

3 Consider grabbing a bite to eat on the train if you'd like to maximize your time. The Swiss Railways Web site (see Resources below) informs the traveler as to which amenities each train features. If you'd like to eat or have a drink, make sure you choose a train that has a restaurant car.

Book Your Ticket from Zurich to Basel

1 Access the English-language version of the Swiss Railways Web site (click on the link in Resources below) for the latest timetables for the trip from Zurich to Basel. You'll notice that there is no shortage of possibilities for travel. There are as many as 12 trains per hour during peak travel times.

2 Book your ticket on the Swiss Railways Web site if you have planned far enough ahead to allow it. The Web site allows you to buy the ticket and then print it up on your own printer if you have one. You can also pick the ticket up at the train station.

3 Book your ticket at the train station if you'd prefer. The main ticket window in the Zurich station opens at 5:30 a.m. and remains open until 11:15 p.m. Don't worry if a train is full; there will be another one in a few minutes.

4 Call Rail Europe at 877-257-2887 to book train tickets from Zurich to Basel if you'd prefer not to book online.

Friday, January 13, 2012

How to Keep a Pet Calm During Travel


Many people love to travel with their pets. It's not hard to see why. Pets are parts of the family in most cases, and people are loathe to leave them behind. For the most part, pets love to travel with their humans. They enjoy the togetherness, the bonding and the adventure of something new, especially dogs. Most of all, though, they love being included on a family trip and not relegated to a pet sitter. However, pets sometimes get a little nervous and jumpy during the actual travel phase of a vacation, especially if they're not used to riding in cars or on planes. Fortunately, there are steps to take to keep a pet calm during travel.

1 Bring along all the regular products your pet uses. Keeping the same cat litter, the same brand of food and the same brand of treats will hep your pet feel more secure when traveling.

2 Keep familiar toys within reach of your pet. If your pet is in a carrier or crate, put a favorite toy or two in there with him, and pack the others for when you get to your hotel.

3 Talk softly to your pet during travel. Even if your pet is in a carrier and can't cuddle with you, hearing your familiar voice will help your pet to stay calm and feel comforted.

4 Go to the pet or health food store before you leave on your trip to buy homeopathic calming drops for your animal companion. Calming drops, such as Dr. Goodpet's Calm Stress formula, can be added to your pet's food or water or placed directly on the tongue and will help keep your pet calm.

5 Eliminate loud noises as much as possible during travel and try to avoid taking sharp turns or going over bumps at a fast speed if you're driving.

6 Reach in through small openings in your pet's crate or carrier to pet him. Petting will soothe your pet and make the trip more pleasant for him.

7 Stay calm yourself. Pets take their cues from their humans. If you're stressed out on a trip, your pet will be, too. However, if you're relaxed, your pet will pick up on that and relax himself.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

How Does a Travel Agency Make Money?


Commissions

When a customer approaches a travel agency to schedule and book travel, she expects to get excellent travel prices with little or no planning and preparation. The travel agency accepts the customer's business and begins researching travel rates and booking appropriate offers. For each offer booked with partner airlines, cruise lines and rental car agencies, the agency providing the service offers a commission to the agent in exchange for the customer's business. At the height of travel competition, these commissions reach as high as 30 percent of the rate paid by the customer, or $30 on a $100 fare. Poor economic conditions can largely restrict the commissions to a flat 10 percent, however, and reduce the amount of profit received by the travel agency.

Rebates

Some larger travel agencies that agree to work exclusively with certain travel partners also receive income in the form of travel rebates. When a customer books travel though the agency--and the agency, in turn, books the fare with the travel provider--the agency charges the customer the lowest travel fare available at the time of booking. If the rate should drop later, however, the airline forwards a rebate to the travel agency--which may or may not be passed on to the end user. If the agency agrees to pass on the rebate savings, the customer receives a rebate check from the agency itself; if the agency doesn't pass along the savings, it pockets the rebate as additional profit.

Fees

Though most agencies continue to work entirely off travel commissions, economic conditions can force some agencies to charge customers for their services. Marked as "booking" or "convenience" fees, these fees are designed to compensate the travel agent for the time spent researching and booking travel.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

How to Keep a Travel Journal

A travel journey can be a wonderful resource for keeping in touch with your feelings, recording your activities, storing photos and mementos, and collecting information to share with others about your trip.

1 Consider purchasing a guide to journaling to carry with you on your trip; these books are filled with exercises and reflections from others who have kept a journal. This may inspire your writing along the way. If it becomes a burden, you can always pass it on to another traveler.

2 Remember that there are no set rules for keeping a journal, and give yourself permission to use your journal as you see fit. Don't let expectations about what a journal "should be" keep you from writing with spontaneity and freedom.

3 Consider numbering your entries, recording the name of the location where you are writing or making a sketch of your surroundings before each entry. This may ease the pressure of feeling you need to write every day.

4 Carry pencils, colored pens, crayons, glue stick, tape and watercolors, even if you don't consider yourself the "artistic type." Anticipate that your traveling may inspire you in ways you hadn't imagined.

5 Let locals, children you meet or new friends make entries or sketches in your journal (another good reason to bring those crayons along!).

6 Make lists of things that are part of your day-to-day travel experience. Some ideas might include: "what people eat on trains"; "what I'm carrying in my fanny pack"; "the kinds of pets people have here"; "what I wish I could steal from my hotel room."

7 Contemplate keeping a journal that is a collection of letters to a beloved friend or family member back home.