Travel Tips: Know before you go Disney Travel

Travel Tips: Know Before You Go Disney Travel

By Vinay Choubey [ 21/04/2007 ]
[ viewed 44 times ]

Are Disney travel package deals worth the money?
Disney Packages can be overpriced during the busy season, but during the off-peak periods, your travel agent can get great discounts on packages at WDW hotels. They include hotel, all meals, and theme park tickets – for about the same price as an offsite hotel room without all the extras. Packages also include free perks like Character Breakfasts, and a choice of nice restaurants.

Avoiding long lines
Crowds are inevitable during the busy season at Walt Disney World (WDW), but there are tricks that will help. Guests at WDW hotels get early admission to the theme parks. Be sure to double check opening time upon arrival, because Disney fluctuates opening times during the year, often with little notice. Usually the park staff will actually let you in up to half an hour before the ‘stated’ opening time, to avoid bottlenecks. Suppose official opening is 10 am for the public and 9 am for WDW hotel guests. If you’re there at 8:30 am you’ll get in. Take advantage of this quirk to maximize your fun!

Which Disney World character meals are the best?
The character meals at the ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort and Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary resort include parades of Characters and children singing and waving napkins, and other mayhem. They are the most fun.

How can you save money at Disney hotels?

More money-saving tips from FAQ Farmers:
• Book the “room only” during peak period. Although off-peak Disney packages are frequently a good deal, during the busy season the package price is frequently more than purchasing each item separately. This is because Disney frequently discounts passes, meals, etc. Deposit and cancellation fees are higher with packages, too.
• Use discount codes to get reduced prices. Some are for special groups like residents of Florida or Annual Pass holders, but others are available for anyone. Disney uses discount codes to unload rooms at reduced rates during slower periods. Normally they are not available until 2-6 months prior to arrival.
• Be flexible. If you insist on the Grand Floridian Hotel during peak season, you will pay a fortune for it. If you aren’t fussy about which Disney hotel you use, you’ll save up to 40%.

Does Disney World allow pets?
Pets aren’t allowed inside any of the parks. But, leaving your pet in a hot car in the Florida sun (even with a window cracked) can be fatal.

More Disney Travel Tips
- Some hotels and travel agents offer discounts to nurses, teachers and government workers, as well as AAA, AARP and Entertainment Book members.
- Make sure to purchase your tickets before you get to the park, so you don't have to stand in line when you get there.
- Read your tickets and passes and make sure you understand what you are paying for. Remember, too, that some rides have certain height requirements for children.
- Walking the parks may be fine for the grown-ups, but you may want to either bring your own stroller or rent one for your child.
- If you have a child who is too small for a particular ride, take advantage of the Disney "Baby Swap" option. All you need to do is tell the attendant. When you reach the front of the line, one parent will be able to ride while the other parent holds the child. When the ride is over, you switch. That way, neither parent has to sit out.
- The weather can be unpredictable so don’t be caught off-guard. Make sure to bring an umbrella, ponchos and some cool weather clothing. Plan ahead for rainy days by having a list of indoor activities you want to do in the area, as well, just in case of an extended downpour.
Though a Disney vacation may seem overwhelming during the planning stage, rest assured that a little bit of planning now will make for a more relaxed, memorable – even magical – vacation that you and your children will remember for a long time to come.

About the author:
For more details on Disney Travel and Disney Packages visit http://www.halfvalue.com/

Attitude Towards Travel

Attitude Towards Travel

By Sharon White [ 25/05/2007 ]
[ viewed 22 times ]

We shall now see the different reasons of people’s travels and their views regarding travelling. First, there are considerably different views on travel among people of different ages. Although all age groups find travelling as being one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things one can do, the older age group (+55) does not find the idea as appealing as before. The people of the younger age show greater willingness to travel. However, people of all ages would prefer to have short weekend trips organized inland or in nearby countries in order to get away during most weekends.

Another age group of frequent travellers are those who have to get trips on business. The largest group of such travellers belongs to the middle- aged businesses. Old businesses would prefer to arrange their business issues through the telephone or through video conferencing.

Another reason of people travelling is the need to get away from everything. Here again younger people are more likely to leave their homes because the feel the need to get away from everything. The two-thirds of older people would prefer to leave their homes only if there is the real need of it (such as business, some event or holidays).

Although apparently the younger age group (18-34) seems to slightly outweigh the age group of 35-54 in their various travelling preferences, the income of the older people is much higher than the income of the young age group of 18-34. The most successful age group is middle-aged people who still feel travel is exciting and enjoyable and are able to pay for it.

About the author:
The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com.
Sharon White is a senior writer and writers’ consultant in finance term paper writing.
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What? Wireless air travel? Yeah, It's coming soon

What? Wireless air travel? Yeah, It's coming soon
By Jawahn Thompson Published 09/24/2006 Travel & Leisure Rating:

What? Wireless air travel? Yeah, It's coming soon
In early 2007, OnAir will arrive. OnAir is a service that uses satellite technology to enable air travel passengers to use wireless devices such as mobile phones, Internet connections from computers and Blackberries during a flight. The debate over the use of wireless technology during flight has been going on for years, and now that it’s about to happen, the debate is likely to heat up.

First of all, you should know that the first wave of this will not be happening on US flights. Airbus, the plane manufacturer who is creating this technology, is selling it to AirFrance. AirFrance is expected to have the service available to passengers in early 2007. Whether passengers will have to pay for the service like they pay for headphones for a movie is not known yet. Two other airlines, the British airline bmi and TAP Air Portugal are both considering using OnAir, but nothing has been finalized, yet.

So what is the debate all about? Who wouldn’t want the convenience of using their cell phone during a long flight, getting important e-mails on their Blackberry or having the luxury of surfing the Internet to pass the time? Apparently, lots of people and for some very valid reasons.

The Safety Consideration
There has been an ongoing concern that the use of mobile phones (cell phones to us Americans) and other devices that use wireless technology could interfere with the plane’s navigational equipment. Recent technological advances in both navigational equipment and cell phone technology seem to negate this concern, but not everyone is convinced. There is concern that the navigational equipment on older planes may still be affected.

The Mobile Phone Debate
Okay, suppose the safety issue is taken care of and there is no concern that wireless communications technology will interfere with the plane’s navigational equipment. What objection is there to the use of mobile phone’s during a flight?

Surveys have shown that the majority of air travelers are against the use of mobile phones on an airplane because it would be downright annoying to sit next to someone who is receiving and making phone calls for hours on a flight. They imagine being stuck between two incessant talkers.

Common sense would seem to tell you that people wouldn’t really be so inconsiderate as to have hour’s long conversations on their mobile phone during a flight. But experience has shown us when it comes to mobile phones, most people loose their common sense. People will hold loud personal conversations in restaurants and grocery stores and on buses. They will drive using a handheld mobile phone even states where it has been made illegal. So does anyone really believe that people will use common sense and consideration during air travel? Not really.

It’s easy to see the scenario. Business people who intend to be considerate will receive what they deem to be a very important business call and end up talking longer than they expected. Or, a mom who just wants to check on her children for a minute will end up having to chat with each one of them before she can hang up.

It’s no wonder that air travel passengers are concerned that the use of mobile phones will become an annoyance during flights. They already are an annoyance down on the ground. Another concern some air travelers have will be the tension that all of this annoyance will create, perhaps making already jittery flyers more frustrated and pushing them over the edge.
Some people are already nervous just about flying. Add a cramped, overcrowded plane to the mix, the constant threat of terrorism, the restrictions on what can be carried on, and now the addition of an inconsiderate mobile phone user sitting right next to that nervous flyer, and someone might just snap.

What about Internet connection?
Travelers aren’t as adamantly against the use of Internet connections for computers and pda’s such as Blackberrys. Those devices are quiet. Many passengers already use their laptop computers on a flight; it’s just not connected to the Internet when they use it. Being able to send and receive e-mail messages while on a flight could be convenient to most people, particularly business travelers. There doesn’t seem to be much of a debate over these devices as long as safety is not a concern.

What Can be Done?
When should you start being concerned with this issue? As of right now, US carriers don’t seem to be considering using OnAir or any service like it. A report on MSN Travel said that the airlines that they asked – AirTran, Spirit, and US Airways – all said that they have heard their passengers say they don’t want mobile phones used on planes and are against adding the services. However, the question is, if these services do catch on in Europe and prove to be a money maker for the carriers who use it, will the US carriers jump on board? In an era of shrinking profits, will they be able to resist?

So if the trial that AirFrance is giving OnAir proves to be successful and the US carriers jump on board, what can be done to make sure that mobile phone usage does not become a problem on board?

One solution is to have no cell phone usage times. Perhaps next to the little light above your seat that lets you know if you need to have your seat belt fastened or not, there could be another light that lets you know if it’s the proper time to use your cell phone or not. Cell phone time could be restricted on long flights and on flights that are overnight when most people would want to sleep.

Another solution is to give the crew the ability to disable the voice function on devices during restricted times. During those times text messaging and e-mailing would be allowed, but talking would be disabled.

This article on wireless technology and other travel information can be found at daily air travel

10 great vacations things about Phuket in Thailand

10 great vacations things about Phuket in Thailand

By Andrew Burrows [ 27/03/2007 ]
[ viewed 29 times ]

Referred to as the 'Jewel of the Andaman', Phuket is Thailand's most popular tourist destination. With pristine and well-equipped beaches that are second to none, the international community that has helped to foster this island gives it a unique atmosphere that you won't find elsewhere. Since the tsunami, rebuilding has been steady and much of the island has recovered its former clout as the best tourist vehicle in Thailand.

Adventure sports
Phuket is one of Thailand's most well-equipped tourist destinations and as a result, the adventure sports arena is first-rate. Some of the more predicable opportunities include elephant trekking in the back jungles. However, the more modern adventurer may wish to hire an ATV and take a guided tour across forested hills or to remote beaches. A licensed bungee jump operator is located in Kathu, and there's a shooting range in Chalong. Tamer sports like go-karting are also available. Anyone craving a surge of adrenaline should have no problem satisfying that need in Phuket.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre
The Royal Reserve at Bang Pae is home to more than just a lovely waterfall. Visitors who come for a refreshing dip in the cooling pools of the falls may also catch sight of one of the gibbons that live on this land. The initiative to rescue caged gibbons and reintroduce them to this land has been successful with three families so far, and their distinctive voices can be heard in the forest.

Water sports
The Andaman Sea is a great host for relaxing excursions at sea. The clear and calm waters are a wonderful setting for snorkelling and scuba diving. For outings above water, visitors can rent banana boats, jet-skis and sea kayaks. For those who long to sail, there are charter boats, dining cruises and fishing trips to join. Parasailing is another water sport available for those with an added taste for adventure who want to gain a new angle on the island.

Waterfalls
Phuket is home to three waterfalls that make for great excursions. Bang Pae is on site at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Fund, and so visiting this location allows the added benefit of catching site of a rare gibbon. Kathu Waterfall is situated inland and makes a great layover spot for a swim in one of the pools at the top or a scenic picnic at its base. Ton Said is the smallest of the waterfalls set with picturesque pools and tall palm trees.

Island hopping
Arcing out into the Andaman, the archipelago that extends onward from Phuket is well-worth a chartered daytrip or even an overnight stay. These beautiful islands offer all sorts of getaway opportunities ranging from diving and snorkelling to relaxed sightseeing from the boat or on the land. Some, like the Similian Islands, are primitive and undeveloped, though it is possible to charter an overnight boat with sleeping accommodation on board. More developed islands like Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are outfitted with accommodation and more modern amenities.

Shopping
Shoppers bound for Phuket will find the bulk of the island's markets and night bazaars in Patong. All manner of products can be found here including ceramics, jewellery, custom-made silk and cotton clothing. Antique shoppers will enjoy browsing the shops, and standard souvenirs can all be easily found. Most goods are reasonably priced, though the touristiest areas may require a little polite bartering.

Promthep Cape
The southernmost spot of Phuket is Promthep Cape, home to a couple of famous structures. One is a statue in honour of the Thai prince who founded the country's first school of modern navigation in the 1800s and the other is a merit-making shrine that is covered in elephants of many different sizes. Most tourists come for the photogenic scenery and the spectacular sunsets.

Eating out
Fresh seafood enhances the already superb Thai cuisine ready to eat at Phuket. Restaurateurs will find authentic Thai food, usually prepared with less spicy chillies than what found in normal Thai cuisine. International cuisine is amply available as well, with every imaginable variety available across the touristiest areas. The best international cuisine is found in the resort areas and at five-star restaurants, while authentic local food is easier to find farther inland where tourists don't venture with as much frequency.

Temples
Visiting a temple, or wat, is one of the most enticing ways to learn about the local history and religious heritage of Thailand. It's important to respect these sacred sites by wearing long pants and keeping your shoulders covered, and most Thais will be pleased to see you taking an interest in their local religious customs. While there are several wats on the island which are worth investigating, the most popular is probably Wat Chalong, which has a unique and modern style with large murals and an ornate pagoda.

Thai kick boxing
Muay Thai, athe Thai version of kick boxing is a form of combat that has been passed down through the generations for centuries and has achieved global status as one of the most effective fighting styles in the world. Muay Thai training gyms are located in Chalong, Rawai and Phuket Town, and people flock to Phuket from all over the world to study this rigorous discipline from the masters. Spectators can watch fights on Friday nights in Phuket Town.

About the author:
Web writer Andy Burrows frequently visits Thailand and plans his trips online using web;
1stop Phuket
Phuket maps

Houston Airport Hotels

Houston Airport Hotels


By shagufta Khan


Houston is a place known for its development in science and technology, this largest city of Texas houses NASA SPACE CENTER, several golf courses, parks, museums, hotels with all amenities and much more. Houston is a lively city rejuvenating itself by celebrating and enjoying all its traditions with full vigor and vitality. It has something or the other to offer to everyone from kids to elderly people. It caters to the budding excitement of one and all.Houston offers lot many things to do and see. Around the city there are many theaters for entertainment like the Verizon wireless theater situated in an entertainment complex along with ANGELIKA film center lined up with numerous restaurants which not only satisfy your brain but also your taste buds. Houston golf courses provide immense pleasure to those who long for the golf courses like those in Scotland, England and Ireland. Golf courses in Houston are like they are in Scottish countryside or greens covered by forest shade. Many participate in SHELL HOUSTON OPEN which is held in every spring. Many well-maintained golf clubs offer membership at affordable price making it an attractive choice.As Houston is growing incredibly fast as city of commercial and economic importance many people might feel stressed and worked out after a long day at work. At the fag end of the day people feel completely stressed out, spas come to their help which repairs the wear and tear of the body which pampers your body by gentle massage, manicures, pedicures various therapies to relax and soothe the whole body. The ambience in spas provides variety of experiences by giving solace to each and every part of the body. Houston has an array of welcoming spas which include services like European seaweed facial, spa manicures, pedicures, pomegranate and cranberry body polish and much more to offer to give you a heavenly feeling.Houston provides thrilling experiences to kids and those who still feel that they are grown up but young at heart. There’s great ferry wheel for kid which gives beautiful view of the city. Kids enjoy this ride. Moreover there are aquariums, amusement parks of which Downtown aquarium is very famous. Children can see thousands of fish swimming in 500,000 gallons of water along with games, rides and sumptuous sea food of your choice.With so much fun and quality time to spend many tourists throng this place. With the ever increasing number of tourist in Houston many hotels have come up which give all facilities. There are modern as well as traditional hotels and bread and breakfast. The Alden-Houston, The Magnolia Hotel and Hotel Icon are all historical structure with all their traditional looks and antiquities gives you’re the experience of being in the past. There are many airport hotels as well for the people coming to Houston for spending holiday Western downtown, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriot provide your good services at low budget with all its luxuries. some hotels offer you Kitchens, two-line phones, voice mail and transport facilities for your extended stay. The moment you will step into the hotel you will experience heart warming welcome which will be followed by modest hospitality which will hold you spell bound. once you come to Houston you will definitely feel like coming again to visit those theaters, museums which are reviving the past and aquariums taking you closer to aquatic life.

Cheap hotels deals in AMSTERDAM

Cheap hotels deals in AMSTERDAM

By shagufta Khan

A Historical place, situated on the banks of the river Amstel and Schinkel and the bay IJ, well-known for its canals is the capital of Netherlands. The city is compared with Venice because of its intersecting canals which form many small islands in the city. These canals are situated in the center of the city. It has a long historical background since the city was founded in 12th century. Like any other capital city Amsterdam is not the seat of Supreme Court, government or parliament. Amsterdam is also not the provincial capital. Amsterdam faces moderate climate, even winters are not harsh making it a pleasant climate for the whole year. Amsterdam is the business hub of Netherlands which is the headquarter for many leading Dutch corporations like ABN Amro, Heineken, ING Group, Ahold, Delta Lloyd group and Philips. In addition to this Amsterdam Stock Exchange a part of Euro next, world’s oldest stock exchange is still one of the most important stock exchange in Europe.Amsterdam is a city where you will find number of museums depicting modern and traditional art. They are the main attraction for the millions of tourists visiting this place. It is small city but has all the advantages of a big city. Entertainment, international cuisines, good conveyance facilities all are there to enjoy at the best in Amsterdam. Thanks to canals in Amsterdam road traffic is considerably less. With its varied historical sights and world famous museums Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Europe. Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum are world famous. They house many paintings, art and sculpture of different ages. It gives pictorial description of famous personalities, people from royal family, life in Netherlands and all the historical events in chronological order. When you will enter the city you will experience altogether different face of this city where you will find bicycles thronged on almost all the roads. It is really puzzling for the foreign visitors that bikes are used as conveyance. If you want to take the tryst of the city you have to hire a bicycle and move. Isn’t it amazing!Amsterdam is nature friendly place where we come across environment friendly hotels. One such hotel is the Bicycle Hotel which is gaining popularity. Most of the hotels provide free online reservations. The hotels offer all the facilities complimented by nutritious food and free health related advice. Apart from that the hotels in Amsterdam give you the most memorable welcome and stay of your life. The people here are friendly and that is well complimented by the stay you get here in most of the hotels. As Amsterdam is buzzing with tourists fro most time of the year it is advisable to make prior travel planning and reservation before heading to Amsterdam. You can find the hotels meant for every budget and taste in Amsterdam. Finding one of your choice and pocket friendly is not at all a problem here.

Travel Insurance

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

By: Bill Mason

When you choose to travel, you take the risk of lost luggage, flight cancellations, reservation cancellations, theft and many other situations which may cause anxiety. Planning a vacation is stressful enough without having to worry about something going horribly wrong. Purchasing travel insurance will ensure that you are compensated if anything goes wrong on your trip. When trying to determine whether or not to purchase travel insurance, keep in mind the points listed below which may make your decision much easier. Many forms of travel insurance will cover you in the following areas:1. Medical Emergencies – Travel insurance will provide you with financial help should you encounter a medical emergency while traveling. If you become ill or are injured while on vacation, your travel insurance will provide you coverage in both situations.2. Cancellations or Delays – If for any reason (beyond your control) your trip is cancelled or delayed your travel insurance will provide you with financial coverage. This includes coverage if your airline goes bankrupt or out of service. Your travel insurance will either compensate you for the money you lost or provide you with new means of transportation.3. Theft – If anything belonging to you is stolen while you are on vacation, your travel insurance will provide you with financial assistance to replace the items which were stolen.4. Damage or Loss of Personal Property – This is likely to happen while on vacation. If your luggage is lost or damaged while on vacation, your travel insurance will definitely cover at least some percentage of the property that is missing. Depending on the insurance plan, it may financially cover all the items that are missing.5. Lost Passport – If you lose your passport or it is stolen while you are on vacation, travel insurance will provide you with the means to get a temporary one. Your travel insurance company will inform you on how to get in contact with your country embassy so that you can arrange to receive a temporary passport.Depending on the insurance plan you choose, you may be fully or partially covered in the areas listed above. Choose your policy according to what you think the possibility will be that you will require the assistance on your trip.For many vacationers, travel insurance eliminates any worry that an unforeseen circumstance may arise in which you do not have the money or means to take care of.Travel insurance helps you relax and enjoy your trip without agonizing over things that may or may not go wrong. Relaxing and enjoying? Isn’t that why you planned the vacation in the first place?

Travel Health

Travel Health: Useful Medical Information For Good Health Before Your Departure, During Your Trip And After Your Return.

By: Eddy De Vos

The diseases most commonly seen in travellers are diarrhoea, malaria (if you travel in a malaria-infested area), accidents (when travelling by car or swimming), wound infections and sexually transmitted diseases.- Diarrhoea is caused by contaminated food and drinking-water. You must therefore be careful if your are travelling in poor hygiene conditions.- Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, so the first thing to do is to protect yourself against these mosquitoes.- In order to prevent accidents during travelling, it is wise to apply the same precautions as those taken at home. In addition, it is very important that all wounds should be thoroughly disinfected in order to avoid infection.· TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEAMany intestinal infections are attributable to infections picked up by mouth or hands. With a little care most of these illnesses can be prevented. Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio and cholera still occur in countries with poor hygiene, but these diseases are easily prevented.However, the chance is rather large that you will still contract a light and/or nondangerous form of traveller's diarrhoea. Traveller's diarrhoea almost always spontaneously clears up after a few days, but can nevertheless be irritating. And a risk to your overall and travel health.In the first place measures must be taken against dehydration. Likewise, treatment of the symptoms must be considered in order to reduce the number of bowel movements and relieve other symptoms such as fever, vomiting and stomach cramps. Sometimes a more serious form of diarrhoea occurs, for which specific treatment with antibiotics is indicated or where hospitalisation or fluid replacement appears unavoidable.It takes only a few basic preventive measures to make your trip a success : Total prevention of traveller's diarrhoea is impossible and it is obvious that preventive measures can seldom be strictly followed at all times. But following preventive measures do significantly reduce the risk of contracting serious diarrhoea: In order to maintain good travel health wash your hands before eating and avoid (if possible):- raw vegetables and fruits that you have not peeled yourself- uncooked or unpasteurized dairy products- insufficiently cooked sea foods (+ Hepatitis A !) and meat- “local meals” which do not smell fresh- ice-cream bought from street merchants (industrial ice straight from the deep-freeze is probably safe).Cooked meals should be served hot. The place where you eat is also important. A meal taken from a stall presents a greater risk than a meal taken in a restaurant. Avoid restaurants where there are a lot of insects.Avoid tap water and ice-cubes. Bottled water and soft drinks are safe. Watch out for bottle caps that have already been used.It is very important to disinfect drinking-water on adventure trips. Total sterilisation of drinking water is impossible. The following measures considerably reduce the contamination risk and safeguard your travel health:- Boiling the water is very effective.- A good alternative is chemical disinfection with chlorine drops (e.g. Hadex®, Drinkwell chloor®; available in sport shops specialized in outdoor activities) or chlorine tablets (Certisil Combina®; chloramine tablets; available at the pharmacy). Their effect can be improved by first filtering unclear water. Silver salts (Micropur®, Certisil Argento®) are not very suitable to disinfect water, but they keep disinfected water germ-free for a long time.For adventurous travellers conscious to travel health it is best to buy a portable water-filter. The use of antibiotics in order to prevent diarrhoea before it occurs can be dangerous + Also the use of other preventive medications is not recommended.. How to treat diarrhoea?It is extremely important to consume sufficient liquid and salt in order to prevent dehydration. You can do this by taking salt solutions, but tea with lemon, broth, soft drinks and fruit juice, supplemented with salt crackers are tastier. Commercial salt products are available on the market (ORS-solution).Taking an anti-diarrhoea preparation (loperamide, e.g. Imodium®) can greatly reduce the number of bowel movements, with a considerable reduction of the complaints as a result. Imodium® may only be used by adults and older children and only for treating ordinary watery diarrhoea: 1 capsule after every loose movement up to a maximum of 4 per day.Antibiotics are indicated :1. If blood, mucus or pus are present in the stools.2. If after 24 to 48 hours, there is no sign of improvement and the diarrhoea is accompanied by fever (above 38.5 C) or severe abdominal cramps, or if there are more than six stools per 24 hours and especially when these also occur at night.3. Or if because of travel circumstances a quicker solution is absolutely desirable . Appropriate antibiotics are only to be used on doctor’s prescription· SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASESCasual sexual contacts tend to be higher while on holiday abroad. Sexually transmitted diseases, particularly AIDS, form therefore an important risk for travellers. Quite often unintentional and unsafe sexual contact takes place under alcohol influence. Prevention while on holiday abroad is no different from the precautions you take at home. Adequate use of a condom, preferably bought at home, is absolutely essential. Only a water-soluble lubricant should be used, but it only offers a partial guarantee (e.g. KY gel). Vaccination against hepatitis B is advised. Always consult your doctor if you think you are at risk, even when there are no symptoms.· MALARIA (swamp fever, malaria)Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite (called Plasmodium) transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. There are four different types of which Malaria falciparum is the most dangerous and the most widespread. The incubation period – the time between an infecting bite and the appearance of the disease – varies from ten days to four weeks (rarely several months).The symptoms include attacks of fever, but can initially be quite similar to influenza. If adequate treatment is not started in time, an attack may sometimes result in death within a few days.. Where does malaria occur?Malaria only occurs in those areas in which Anopheles mosquitoes are present : in the tropics and in a large number of subtropical areas. From a height of 1.500 to 2.500 m onwards, depending on temperature and climate, Anopheles mosquitoes are either rare or non-existent.In most big cities there is little or no risk at all of infection, except in Africa where a real risk exists.Risk also exists in the suburbs of the big cities in Asia (e.g. in India). In a number of areas the risk varies according to the season.. How can malaria be prevented?It is very important for travel health to avoid mosquito bites : the Anopheles mosquito only bites between dusk and dawn, is rather small and hardly makes any noise.- In the evening wear light-coloured clothing which covers your arms and legs as much as possible. Apply repellent cream with a DEET basis (20 to 50%, for children and pregnant women preferably 20 to 30%) to the uncovered parts of your body. Repeat this every four to six hours (it will not protect you all night).Non containing DEET repellents were less examined; Autan-Active. and Mosegor. are however excellent safe products. - Sleep in rooms that leave no access to mosquitoes, (mosquito nets on the sills, electrically-warmed anti-mosquito plates, air-conditioning) or sleep under a mosquito net impregnated with permethrine or deltamethrine hung over the bed with the edges tucked under the mattress.If these measures are carried out correctly, the risk of malaria will be reduced by 80 to 90% and travel health is maintained. The intake of pills as preventionThere is no drug efficient enough to prevent malaria 100%, which means that quite often a combination of measures is preferable. Also the drugs used have changed over the years. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of drugs should be considered against the risk of malaria infection. These risks are dependent on the visited country, and on the region, the season, the duration of your stay and the kind of trip.Some people might be troubled by the side effects while taking antimalarial drugs. These are usually mild and are not always a reason to stop taking the pills. Sometimes it may be necessary to change to another type of medication due to intestinal problems, allergic reactions or other intolerance symptoms.Therefore it is the doctor who can best decide for each individual which drug to use. This explains why individuals from the same group may end up taking different drugs.Finally, as no drug is 100% effective in preventing malaria, it is important that if an attack of fever occurs in the first three months after your return from the tropics, a malaria infection should be considered as a possibility despite the correct use of the drug prescribed.However, it is reassuring to know that malaria, provided it is recognised in time, is easy to treat without any danger of recurrent attacks. The belief that "once malaria always malaria" is totally untrue.You can find even more travel health tips in the next pages:

DISEASES FOR WHICH VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE: http://www.spain-holidays-advisor.com/vaccination.html

MORE TRAVEL HEALTH TIPS : http://www.spain-holidays-advisor.com/more-travel-tips.html

CAUTION: The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or for the treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.

New York City

Take a Summer Break in New York City

From The Bronx to Manhattan, New York's City's diverse neighbourhoods and eclectic cultural scene has made it one of the most desirable holiday locations in the world. A vacation in New York City can incorporate a variety of attractions: from the iconic Statue of Liberty to the uptown galleries of SoHo. However, in the summer, holidays in New York in can involve much more as the city's vast green space and open parks really come to life. Take a summer break in New York City and you'll find that the city's main landmarks glisten in the sunshine. For instance, the ferry trip to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty is much more pleasant in the summer and the view from the landmark's summit seems all the more stunning. Additionally, explore the delights of Times Square and before heading down Fifth Avenue to discover the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Plaza. New York's fine summer weather also allows tourists to appreciate some of its most beautiful architecture in style - including the New York Public Library, seen by many as one of the best examples of Beaux Arts architecture, and the Grand Central Terminal, whose vaulted ceiling adorned with a medieval zodiac design continues to astound both travellers and New York residents alike. If you want to spend some of your summer holiday in New York indoors, make sure you spend them in the city's most celebrated art galleries and museums. Manhattan is replete with some of the world's finest art collections and America's most prestigious historical artefacts. Among New York's finest museums are the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Jewish Museum - all of which can be found in the environs of Manhattan. But if you really want to make use of the spectacular summer weather in New York, make sure you spend time in some of New York's best parks. Each borough of New York boasts its own unique park spaces, the most popular including the Pelham Bay Park in The Bronx and Flushing Meadow Park in Queens. However, the crowning glory of New York City's parks is surely Central Park, which offers all who pass through a chance to escape the city's dense array of skyscrapers and crowded streets. While in Central Park, enjoy the serenity of the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain or take in the tranquillity of Strawberry Fields - a section of the park that's dedicated to the memory of former Beatle John Lennon. Central Park forms a fabulous intersection between three of New York's most famous neighbourhoods: the ritzy Upper East Side, the charming Upper West Side and the bustling area of Harlem. As a result, Central Park acts as a fantastic point from which to navigate the complex streets of New York, and tourists in New York City will be able to find an array of hotels in Central Park, Manhattan to suit their purposes. So whether you plan to spend your summer break in New York taking horse-drawn carriage rides in the sun or exploring Central Park Zoo, make sure you make the most of the sunshine in this dazzling cosmopolitan city. Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.