The first port for our Royal Caribbean cruise of the western Caribbean was Labadee, Hispaniola which is actually a part of Haiti.  This specific port is leased out to Royal Caribbean so only their cruiseships come here.  Labadee is actually a peninsula with a few beaches.  Getting to land from the cruiseship is by tender.

There is a small section for kids with floating fake icebergs to climb and water slides but they charge an admission fee.  Flotation mattresses are also available for rent for those who just want to float in the ocean.  There are also locals who help with getting beach chairs for you but they expect tips.  So things here are a money grabber.  The cruiseship did have optional tours for snorkelling, parasailing, waverunner and kayaking tours but we thought that they were overpriced.  Most passengers just spent the day relaxing around the beaches.  The area around Labadee was pleasant enough but the beaches and shores themselves were fairly rocky so wearing sandals in the water would be advised.  Royal Caribbean had organized a beach BBQ at an outdoor picnic facility which was okay but nothing special.  There is a market there consisting of two buildings.  One is a store where the souveniers and items have marked prices and the other building is like your typical market where locals try to hustle you for business.  The locals inside the market were aggressive but polite.  If you don’t mind haggling, you could get some pretty good deals but if you dislike this type of pushy atmosphere, then you best avoid the market except for the fixed price store.

One big difference between this port compared to others is that since it is pretty well being used as a private beach, you will not be hassled by locals.  The vendors coming around with drinks at the beach locations are actually Royal Caribbean staff so if one wishes to buy a drink, the cruiseship passcard is all that is required.  As for concerns about being in Haiti given the poverty and political situation, Labadee was not a problem because the entire site is enclosed by a high steel fence.  Other passengers later told us that they wandered off near the perimeter of the site and saw many Haitians along the fence begging for handouts and food.  The fencing was mostly concealed in the distance from the main tourist areas.

We found Labadee in general to be a bit of a waste of time for us.  The beaches were too rocky and we didn’t have access to inexpensive activities since everything was run by Royal Caribbean.  If one wanted to just go lie on the beach all day and not much else, then Labadee would be a suitable place.  For those who want to experience some culture, do water sports without going through the cruiseship, or shop duty free, Labadee would not be the place to go.  We decided to stay on board the ship after the BBQ lunch for the rest of the afternoon.

I like Royal Caribbean and would definitely cruise with them again but would not want to go on an itinerary that included Labadee in the future.

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People touring all the important countries of the world; prioritize their travel to China. People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populated country, touching the 1.3 billion mark. With such a huge population and the large area, it is bound to be diverse and hence makes for a hot tourist destination..

Natural And Man-Made Wonders
China is a beautiful blend of natural beauty and man-made architecture. Nature here is bountiful with magnificent mountains of Guangxi Zhuang, deserts like Xinjiang and rivers as Yangtze. Man has erected splendid structures like ‘The Great Wall of China,’ beautiful bridges, structurally planned buildings and other monuments. This makes it one of the worlds most sought after tourist spot and the reason for people to travel to China.

Getting and Staying There
While planning to visit China, it would be wise, if you take a tour package for travel to China. However, be sure to do some research of your own, so that you can choose a suitable tour. While in China, you can go around by road, train or even by air. Accommodation is available to suit all budget and taste.

Places to Visit
Beijing, the capital of China is a must-see during your travel to China. Cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou are extremely beautiful. The most popular destinations in China are: The Great Wall of China, which is one of the seven wonders of the world; Tiananmen Square; the Forbidden City of China, the famous temples of Shibaozhai and Yangtze River, which is a very astounding natural marvel. Boat cruise on River Yangtze is breathtakingly beautiful as it takes you through various exquisite Chinese cities and places of historical importance.

People of China
People of China are very gentle, hardworking and thoughtful. Their main religion is Buddhism and Taoism. Most people speak Chinese and local people do not understand English very well. This can cause a little problem for the tourists. Other languages spoken here are Korean, Tibetan, and Mongolian etc.

China is rich in culture and has vast areas to explore. Your world-tour will never be complete, if you do not visit this oriental country.

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Many student travellers overlook insurance, but it can be tremendously important, providing peace of mind for you and your family back home. Student Travel Insurance offers you a solace when you’ve planned to travel abroad.  Most policies provide insurance cover for your baggage, medical expenses and cancellation, making sure you have the help you need when you need it most. When buying a policy, check with your insurer that it covers you for any extra activities you may participate in, such as bungee jumping, white water rafting.

When planning on travelling abroad in a gap year, cheap travel insurance is absolutely vital for peace of mind and safety. Take a look online to find student flights, bus, rail and travel insurance. Travelling abroad in a gap year is recommended by many colleges and universities as it offers great experience for students as well.

There are a number of excellent travelogue sites online, offering advice and suggestions from experienced travellers. Many blogs focus on specific areas and can offer fantastic insight into your chosen destination. Just ensure that you leave a planned itinerary at home. Your family and friends can have a check on your progress.

Planning to study abroad? You get covered for up to 2 years as long as the duration of your course. Additional cover is available for computers or valuable items. Get insured under a protective cover known as student travel insurance uk.

Be prepared for all uncertainties – with a good insurance cover!

Get an annual insurance cover for your multiple trips. You can travel up to a maximum of 42 days in one trip. Such insurance covers you for multi lingual medical assistance. Insurance experts provide students with low cost, discounted prices on airfare and other popular travel needs! Always apply with organisation which is well associated with a select group of high quality companies that offer specific services to meet your travel insurance needs.

Your travel insurance should cover basic medical and accident cover, baggage loss or delay, and trip cancellation.

Bear in mind that if you need to make a claim, most travel insurance companies require you to have purchased the insurance policy before you leave on your trip. If your student travel involves official study and work abroad or you are on Gap Year travels, you have a choice of long stay travel insurance products which are all individually designed to protect you

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The locals of Manchester rightly call their place the home of attitude, where music, clubs and fashion throng the nightlife activities. With its glittering nightlife, stylish bars, stag clubs, restaurants and attractive places like the Northern Quarter, Deansgate & Deansgate Locks, The Triangle and The Printworks, a stag weekend in Manchester is the best option for you if you want to utilize every minute of your stag weekend in fun filled stag dos. Considered as the pride of the Commonwealth, Manchester caters to all taste buds. From prawn sandwich, delicious kebabs to booze and cheese, Manchester has it all.

Stag Nights in Manchester – the Bavarian Bierkeller Night

With all kinds of stag dos ranging from greyhound racing, paintball, off road karting, quad biking to Bavarian bierkeller and comedy clubs, Manchester is the ideal stag venue to spend your stag weekend. If you are looking for some exciting stag nights and stag parties, then engage yourself in the Bavarian bierkeller night in Manchester. Get all your friends together for rounds of over-sized beers with its German Beer Hall experience. You will be able to all those things that you will think twice before doing it at your place. Yes, you can stand up on the table and dance while shouting at the top of your voice all the while! Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it?

A place with so much of fun can certainly have no dress code. You just dress up smartly in your casuals. This stag venue is open from 8pm – 1am. There will be £5 ‘behaviour’ bond which you will have to pay while you enter, and will be returned to you provided you don’t litter the place. This stag do provides you with a continuous supply of beer throughout the event. Delicious food is available at the kitchen, but it’s best to arrive early. You never know how long the queue will be!

Benefits of a stag Weekend in Manchester

If you are planning to spend a stag weekend in Manchester, then plan it with Chillisauce. It will organize your stag weekend properly and make sure that you have the time of your life. Filled with exciting stag activities and thrilling nightlife, Manchester is the number one stag venue for you to relax and enjoy your weekend.

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As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, New York is a sought after vacation spot in its own right.  In recent years, however, cruise lines have discovered the benefits – for their guests and themselves – of calling New York home.

Norwegian Cruise Line was one of the first cruise lines to temporarily homeport a ship (the Norwegian Dawn) in New York during winter.  According to Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger Services, docking in New York started as a result of travel agent requests.  What was then considered a wild card location soon became the permanent residence of the Dawn in 2003.  What has resulted is a small fleet of ships from varying cruise lines that have chosen to move several of their vessels further up the Eastern Seaboard.

The Queen Mary 2 followed suit when it named New York as homeport on April 22, 2004.  This distinctive vessel was received amid a huge fanfare including a Mayoral welcome complete with a U.S. Coastguard and Fire Department of New York escort.  Bands, dignitaries and hordes of people attended the festivities.

Holland America has announced New York to be the homeport of its cruise ship, the Noordam, which will take up residence February 22, 2006.   Norwegian moved the Spirit from Florida to her new home in New York, making a total of two year-round vessels in that port.  Most recently, however, Princess Cruise Line joined the lineup with the positioning of their newest fleet member, Crown Princess, in New York starting June 14, 2006.  But why move?  And why to New York?

Ports in Florida have become almost full while cruise lines are continuing to build ships to add to their fleets.  This supply and demand dilemma has all but forced cruise lines to look for alternative avenues of serving guests while maintaining costs. At the same time, cruise lines need to be able to continue providing viable access for vacationers to the most popular ports of call.  Because of New York’s central location and popularity, it offers local attractions equal to or better than those of Florida.  With three airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International – New York also provides more accessible travel accommodations for those flying in to meet their ship.

Vacationers benefit with exciting pre- or post-cruise holidays in a town that literally offers everything imaginable.  From five-star, celebrity-owned restaurants to entertainment that sets a worldwide standard to a shopping experience unmatched in any other city, New York has a heavy draw with cruisers.  Plus the presence of nearby hotels that fit every budget makes finding and booking accommodations simple.

Cruise lines appreciate the fact that they can now offer departures from a second desirable location.  Plus, because of New York’s proximity, cruise lines are still able to offer competitively priced packages to the most popular destinations including the Caribbean and Mexico while, at the same time, offering added flexibility for their guests.

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You are about to take voyage aboard one of the most beautiful and celebrated Cruise Lines in the world, the Disney Cruise Line. Disney is known for their legendary service, stunning decor and wonderful activities suited for the whole family. That is why the Disney Cruise line is considered to be the best for families. As a result, many first time Cruisers are drawn to the Disney Line.

Some first time Cruisers worry that they won’t fit in with the wealthy cruisers. We’ll there is no need to worry, Disney is known for their casual family atmosphere. Disney has taken all the needs of the first timer in mind, so relax, and have fun!

What is included in your Disney Cruise?
Cruise fares, onboard accommodations, meals, entertainment, and activities are all included. There are a number of expenses that are not covered however. Airfare to your port of embarkation and debarkation is usually not covered. As well as, hotel stays before and after your Cruise. Gratuities, taxes, and trip insurance are extra as well. Don’t forget to plan for your shore excursions, alcohol, laundry, telephone calls, beauty and spa services and babysitting. They are all going to cost you more money, so be prepared. At one time, Cruising was reserved for the affluent. However, today Cruising has become much more affordable.

Here are some of the ways to save money on a Disney Cruise:

Book your Cruise early
Booking up to 18 months in advance could save you anywhere from $30 to $890 per stateroom.

Promotions and Discount
Disney has offered off-season discounts in the past. (From February-May and September to December). These discounts have been up to 40%. To learn more about Disney promotions and discounts visit MouseSavers and TheMouseforless.

Call a Travel Agent
Travel Agents are good at finding the best deal. Some Travel agents are able to book blocks of staterooms in advance, locking in discounts for you for you to grab later on.

Save with Onboard Booking
When you book your next Cruise onboard your Cruise ship, you can receive special pricing.

Florida Residents
Florida residents may qualify for 50% off discounts on selected Cruises. Call the official Disney Cruise Line phone number or visit disneycruise.com.

There are also special rates for special people
Infants and kids under 12,  AAA and Costco members, the Disney vacations club, annual Passholders, Canadian  residents, Military personnel and repeat Cruisers all may receive special discounts.
For more information, and to receive the free booklet and video/DVD, contact the Disney Cruise Line.

Enjoy your Dream Disney Cruise!

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The United Kingdom, also known as England or Great Britain is the country which once ruled nearly the entire world. The glory might have been lost but the people are still proud of their country and heritage and the travel and tourisim industries are among the best in the world. The United Kingdom is an EU member and enjoys a fantastic economic climate. The country consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country is full of scenic locales and energetic cities. The capital city of the UK is London.

A city beyond compare, the UK represents itself as an icon of diversity with people from all walks of life blended into its culture. It is also home to many architectural marvels such as Buckingham Palace, London Bridge and more modern fare such as Canary Wharf. While areas like York and Durham capture the bygone era of country life, Liverpool and Newcastle are modern industrial marvels. Don’t forget the scenic Lake District and Edinburg still attracts people from all over the world.

Population & Languages

The population is around 61 million and the official language is English. Other regional languages spoken are Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is rectangular blade.

Geographic Location

It is located in Western Europe and consists of islands including the northern one-sixth of Ireland. It is 22 miles from the French border and linked by the chunnel or channel tunnel. You will love rolling lowlands and low mountainous terrain.

Climate

It has a moderate climate but lots of rain with around half of the year being overcast. The lowest temperatures never go below -15 °C (5 °F) and in summer the average maximum is 34 °C (93.2 °F). It also gets snow in winter and early spring.

Local Customs

The handshake is customary when you are meeting somebody for the first time. When visiting someone’s house a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Waiting until everyone is served before eating is also a key social etiquette. Tipping is usually 10-15% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated but like most industrialized countries there is a shift afoot to limit smoking in public areas.

Places to see

London – Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London

Scotland – The Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Ben Lawers Mountains

Wales – Aberdulais Falls, King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Great Orme Mines, Portmeirion Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, Taff Valley Activity Centre and TechinQuest

Travel

By Air – The domestic airlines is British Airways which also connects almost all major world destinations. Almost all airlines connect UK through London which is hub for all international flights between east to west and west to east. Heathrow and Gatwick are international airports of London.

By Sea – Since UK is surrounded by water from almost all sides it has many ports. There are many ferry services operating between the rest of Europe and the UK.

By Rail – Trains connect Ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing for Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing for Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street). Eurostar train connects London with Brussels and Paris through channel tunnel.

By Road – Vehicles can enter the UK through the channel tunnel. Cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use channel tunnel.

Shopping-Duty Free Items

1.    Up to 3200 cigarettes
2.    400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
3.    1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine,  32 liter beer
4.    Perfumes
5.    Gifts up to £145

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Conclusion

There aren’t many places in the world that rivals England, it has to be a must see if you are planning a trip to Europe.

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