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Near East
Northern
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Turkey Hotels
Kusadasi Turkey -Video
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Cairo Egypt Hotels
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Australia
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New Zealand
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French Polynesia
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Hawaiian Islands
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USA
All USA
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Caribbean
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Aruba Aruba
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Limon Costa Rica
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St Thomas US Virgin Islands
Case de Campo Dominican Republic
Bridgetown Barbados
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Mexico & Pacific Coast
Cabo San Luca
Acapulco
Huatulco
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Cozumel
Puerto Quetzal Guatemala
Corinto Nicaragua

South America
Devil’s Island French Guyana
Brazil
Belem Brazil
Fortaleza Brazil
Recife Brazil
Salvador Brazil
Rio De Janeiro Brazil
Panama Canal Panama
Panama City Panama
Manta Ecudor
Lima (Callao) Peru
Arica Chile
La Serena Chile
Valparaiso Chile
Puerto Montt Chile
Chilean Fjords
Strait of Magellan
Punta Arena Chile
Ushuaia Argentina
Cape Horn
Puerto Madryn Argentina
Punta Del Este Uruguay
Montevideo Uruguay
Coloni Uruguay
Argentina
Buenos Aires Argentina

North Africa
Agadir Morocco
Casabanca
Lanzarote Canary Island
Santa Cruz Canary Islands

Middle East – India
India
New Delhi India
Agra India
Madras Chennai India
Bangalore India
Jaipur India
Mumbai India (Bombay)
Sringar Kashmir
Gulmarg Kashmir

Far East – Asia
Japan

Philippines
Philippines
Manila
Cebu
Borakay
Davau
Zamboanga
Baguio
Manila to Thousand Islands – Coach

Indonesia

Indonesia
Bali
Jakarta
Bandung

Singapore
Singapore

Malaysia
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Penang
Singapore – East Coast Malaysia to Kota Bharu – Local Taxi
Singapore to Malacca, Kuala Lumpur – Car
Kuala Lumpur to Desaru, Singapore - Car

Thailand
Thailand
Bangkok
Pattaya
Phuket
Chiang Mai

China

Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Macau
Macau

China
Beijing (Peking)
Xi'an
Guangzhou
Haikou – Hainan Island
Santo – Hainan Island
All round Hainan Island – 4WD

Taiwan
Taiwan
Taipei

Japan
Japan
Tokyo
Kyoto
Nara
Osaka
Kamakura
Nikko

South Korea
South Korea
Seoule

Planning Travel

Planning a trip can be a lot of fun. We all have a different requirement when traveling, so plan accordingly. No matter if its budget or luxury travel ... plan to do the things that interest you.

I have planned many trips and assisted clients over the years. This is how I set about it.

Firstly I decide were I would like to go, what I want to see and how I would like to travel. (Air, Cruise, Hotels etc etc).

On the assumption you know. This is how I would look for the best value.

Important when checking prices, always enter the actual dates you plan to travel, this effects the prices.

Airfares | Accommodation | Cruise | Sightseeing | Transfers

Airfares

To get the best fare shop around around. No matter the airline you have in mind.

1 Airline Direct: If you have an airline you prefer, check that airline as this gives you a guide on the price you can expect to pay - Click to see some links to airlines -

* Example you look at ABC Airline and the fare is $1750 return.

I would then check other airlines in the same category and compare.

2 Online Travel Agents: Check what they offer for the airlines you are now interested in ... maybe they will have a better deal for you.

An added advantage when you check with the Online Agent. They show many combination fares, these can offer exceptional value, they may also provide a way to see other places if its a long haul fare. - Click to see some links to online agents -

3 Your local Travel Agent: You will now have an idea on the fare you expect to pay ..... see your agent and ask, can he beat it. Agents can often surprise you so listen to what they have to offer.

This may sound hard, but when I sold travel my preference, the clients that is up front ..... simple reason, it does not waste either of our time.

Assuming you can now make a decision - book the fare*. Prices can change day to day. Yes it may come down but then again it may go up.

*Unless ....
If you are planning airfares to connect with a Tour or Cruise. These will have set dates of departure. Make sure you do not lock yourself into either, before you know they are both available for your dates.

Accommodation

The offers that are now available for hotels, motels and resorts is quite amazing.

When looking for the best price always check the following:
* **When do I have to pay for the reservation.
* What are the cancellation fees should you have to cancel.
* Do they charge a booking fee.
* What is includes - Local Tax. Breakfast.

** Many of the online booking services, only require a Credit Card to Guarantee the Reservation. You pay when you check in. This means no money up front, its easy should you have to cancel. (Read the Cancellation Conditions as at some point, prior to arrival, you will become liable).

This is how I would check for a place to stay ..

1. Online Booking Service. Select a Service and call up the city/town, you intend to visit and enter the dates ... you now have a list with availability, prices ***and most important property descriptions.

If you have an an online agent to use great. Otherwise, please click to see some services I use.

*** Online Agents do not all charge the same price for a particular hotel. It all comes back to the arrangement the agent has with a property. Also check the type of room you will get and the inclusions (as I said above, local tax and maybe breakfast).

Frankly I always book with an Online Service as I find them easy to deal with and the sites have a lot of information.

2: Your Local Travel Agent. They are always happy to assist with accommodation and in some instances, advise you on the destination.

However. The prices may not always be as competitive as the online agent. But, if you have also booked the airfares with them, they may give you a deal.

A good Agent can be worth his or hers weight in gold. If they have good product knowledge (A good question is to ask how they know, about the place they are talking about) and it can be worth any extra cost.

3: Call the Hotel Direct. Many people, after going through the above will then call the hotel direct. Guess there is not an answer to this.

When you call a hotel, it will not always be cheaper than using any of the above. Many agents have special deals, and in many cases allocations of rooms, which they can sell, when the hotel shows fully booked.

It all depends on the hotel.

Cruises

Cruises are an every growing way to see the world. Offers are often available, most cruise companies are amazingly, very fair in the handling of a booking.

I love to cruise and have booked Cruises direct, *****Online Agents via the Internet and with my local Travel Agent. Its a case of checking the best deal for you.

***** Online Agents. When requesting a price - booking with an Agent outside of your home country. Advise them your country, ask if they can accept a booking from you. Some Cruise Lines require you use them or an agent in your country.

Apart from the best price, one should also look for the following savings:
* Onboard Credit: This an amount of money to your onboard account to use as you wish on the ship. (per cabin).
* Gratuities: The onboard gratuities are included for no extra cost ... being around $10 per day, this is a good saving. (per person).

You now have to find the cruise of your choice.

1. If you have a preference for a particular Cruise Line. Then I would go directly to that lines site, scroll the cruises they have available by the area you prefer and date. - Click to see some links to Cruise Lines -

2. If you are looking to see what is available with the ports of call being more important than the Cruise Company. Then I would look at some Online Agents as they list all the various companies. - Click to see some links to Cruise Agents -

When you have selected you Cruise ... now comes the big decision when to book it ..... Is the price shown the best price, will it drop, will they have a special etc etc.

I guess everyone will have different thought on when to book ... but this is what I do ... I have selected the cruise so I book.

I check for the best price from The Cruise Line Direct. An Online Agent. My Local Travel Agent ... I then book with the one that gives me the best deal.

I book early on the basis:
* I book the grade I want and request the Cabin by number I would like ... so when its confirmed I have booked my requirement.
* By booking early I can get the sitting I require for dinner (in my case late).

Should nothing change I am happy with the price and will enjoy the trip.

Here is the good thing with most Cruise Lines ... if they lower prices and you contact the person you booked with. Unless the final balance has been paid, they may be able to amend your booking to the new rate. This could vary with some cruise lines, so ask and confirm this before you book.

So. After you book check the prices and look for any changes ... you may save money.

But at the end of the day ... always remember the prices may also increase so if you have not booked you take the chance.

An example .. I booked a back to back. The first cruise increased in cost so I was ahead. The second part dropped in price and I was able to upgrade and get a refund.

No matter what ... I think cruises offer amazing value ... if you are happy with the price when you book ... that's good, forget about any price changes ... have a great time.

I like longer cruises ... - Click to see my adventures to date -

Sightseeing

You will find a lot of suggestions about things to see, many can be booked online before you go. - Click to see index and then click on country and place for information and pictures -

My suggestion (I do it myself). When I visit any city for the first time, I take either the Hop On Hop Off Bus or a City Tour on day one. This provides a good insight in to the city and the layout. I then explore on my own the other days with a map.

With smaller towns I will explore on my own.

Before I depart I always read up on the places I will visit. I do this with books from the Public Library and via the Internet.

If traveling in Europe. Many of the better known sights, will have long lines to get in. Many of these you can book in advance via the web, you then jump the line, saving a lot of time. Plus if you are a EU Citizen check for discounts or even free entry at some.

Transfers - Airports to City

If you check on the places in the index - Click Index - you will see information regarding the airports and transportation in many cases.

All of the above is my view when I plan a trip. I am sure other people will have different ideas.

Return to Neil Walker - Main Page

Return to Main Index

Planning Index

PLANNING

How I plan for the
'Best Value'

Links I use to
find a good price

CRUISES
About the Cruises
and Places Sailed

Neil Walker
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Neil Walker About Me My life and Travel. My You Tubes. It's what I know
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The information shown is the view of Neil Walker
Things may change at destinations since our visit. Please use this as a general guide only.
* Pages for actual Towns or Cities have been visited by the author and are his view as experienced

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