Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Disneyland Hotel
The guest rooms in the Disneyland Hotel are astounding. Offering standard rooms and suites, each room has either a king size bed or two queen size beds, room service, phones with voicemail, irons, ironing boards, refrigerators, hairdryers, make up mirrors, and safes. Cribs and roll away beds are available, as well as smoking and non-smoking rooms. The rooms are even sprinkled with Pixie Dust! For families, the suites are highly recommended. Suites contain one, two, or three bedrooms, and have all of the amenities of a standard room as well.
The Concierge service at the Disneyland Hotel cannot be topped. Concierge service entitles you to priority check-in, admission to an exclusive lounge, a continental breakfast, an evening wine and cheese reception. Nightly turn-down service is included, as well as DVD players and complimentary movies. You will also have an unlimited supply of bottled water and soft drinks. The Concierge serves to make your vacation as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible.
Disney touches are everywhere, and this is the closest you can actually come to living in Never Land. The swimming pool even has a Never Land theme, and there are several cove pools and a sandy beach. The hotel also features a children’s playground, a volleyball court, and Koi fish ponds. The recreational area encompasses a 5000 square foot area inspired by Peter Pan. There are many scenic waterfalls, tropical foliage, and mysterious caves on the property. There is even a Team Mickey work out room full of state-of-the-art gym equipment.
At the Disneyland Hotel, you will feel like your Disney experience has truly already started as soon as you walk in the door. This is where the famous Goofy’s Kitchen is located, as well as The Captain’s Galley, The Coffee House, Crocs Bits ‘n’ Bites, Granville’s Steak House, Hook’s Pointe, The Wine Cellar, and The Lost Bar.
When you stay at the Disneyland Hotel, your vacation continues even after a day of sight seeing and attractions in the park. In fact, your Disneyland vacation begins each and every morning when you wake up in the Magic Kingdom that the Disneyland Hotel represents.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Take a Disneyland Tour
Disneyland’s Discover the Magic Tour may be the most popular of the four. This tour will have you and your family working with Disneyland characters to find clues and hunt for treasure. You can literally live out a Disneyland fantasy with your family and loveable characters, outsmarting the Disney bad guys! This tour includes lunch and an exclusive gift that can only be obtained on this tour.
The Discover the Magic Tour lasts for about three hours. There is a two ticket minimum, and the cost is $49 each of the first two tickets, with additional tickets costing $39. The tour is appropriate for the 5 – 9 year old age group, and adults. The tour is not really suitable for children under the age of five, or for children who need strollers.
The VIP Tour lasts for about four hours, and costs $75 per hour for a party of up to ten people. You must book this tour well in advance, or there will be an additional twenty dollar fee. The tour is not recommended for children, but is designed more for people who have a true love and interest in Disney and Disneyland history.
The Welcome to Disneyland Tour is absolutely perfect for first timers. There are many benefits to this tour, including priority seating at one of the stage shows, tips and suggestions for getting the most out of your Disneyland vacation, a brief history of the park, priority seating at one of the many restaurants, instruction in using FastPass, two bonus FastPass tickets, and much more. This tour lasts about two and a half hours, and costs $25 per person.
A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps focuses on the vision of Walt Whitman, and is not really suitable for small children. Filled with history and trivia about the park, this tour lasts for more than three hours, and costs $49 per person. The main feature of this tour is your peek at the exclusive Club 33.
Again, you should definitely consider making one of these tours part of your Disneyland experience – especially if this will be your first trip to Disneyland. You may see things and learn things that you would not see or learn without the benefit of the tour!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Rough Guide to India 7 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Now I find The Rough Guide to India 7 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) Coming Soon I find this from Amazon I will That interes, You that Agree?.
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Devoted fan of Rough Guides
I should begin by saying that I traveled around India with the fourth edition of the Rough Guide. Though I cannot comment on how updates and revisions may affect the utility of this particular version, I feel quite confident in recommending the Rough Guide over any other guidebook in the market.
My approach to travel has always been one of depth over breadth, cultural authenticity over the latest tourist craze. After spending 2 years in Senegal as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I went to India believing that I might somehow have the same ease of access to village life and cultural events that I had in West Africa. That belief was quickly dispelled, though I came to find many other redeeming qualities to travel and to life in India. In total, I have spent about one year in the country and have relied on my Rough Guide in many, many ways.
There is absolutely no way to compare the depth of historical context and cultural insight given by the Rough Guide with what you may find in Lonely Planet or other guidebooks to India. I frequently borrowed Lonely Planet guides from other travelers to compare its recommendations with the ones I found in my Rough Guide. I consistently found the Lonely Planet to be poorly researched, to offer extremely limited background information, and to eliminate many sites/entries of more obscure or esoteric value to the traveler. It would be incredibly difficult to stick to the Lonely Planet and not be one of the millions of blind backpackers circumnavigating the globe thinking they are actually seeing something. The Rough Guide, in comparison, offered countless 'text-box' entries describing the complexities of modern-day life in India. A few that come to mind dealt with drug use, journalism, organized crime, education, et al.
If you expect to spend a significant amount of time in India, you will want to know as much cultural information as possible in order to decipher the circus of events going on around you. In many ways you will be marginalized and will struggle to ever feel like you could possibly belong in the place. This of course is the love-hate relationship that nearly every foreigner who spends enough time there will eventually develop. That being said, your status as outsider will allow you to observe and analyze the country in ways that will teach you volumes about your own native land and culture. My Rough Guide proved to be an indispensable companion on trains and in hotels. It gave me the right combination of thorough logistical information for travel necessities and in-depth cultural information for personal ones. Use your Rough Guide to the fullest and get ready to see how much you can love and hate a place at the same time...
Not very useful for Northeastern India, but great for North India
I have just returned from a one month holiday in Bangladesh and Northeastern India. I was hoping for a more region-specific guide but there isn't one, so I had to carry this bulky country-wide guide with me.
This appears to be an excellent guide for the more "usual" destinations in India, but people should be aware that it barely covers Northeastern India at all. Part of this is due to an editorial decision to drop information from prior editions due to political instability in many of those states, but the decisions on which areas to drop do not match local knowledge about which areas actually might prove unsafe for foreigners as opposed to local politicians. Granted, it is an ever-changing scenario, and this guide is by now a few years old.
My main complaint though is the maps of the hill stations; particularly those of Darjeeling and Gangtok. They are just plain wrong, and not to scale (even in cases where they say they are to scale). Unfortunately the Indian government tourist maps for those towns and also Kalimpong are also wrong, and not to scale either, but are somewhat more helpful, so my suggestion is to visit the local tourist offices immediately upon arrival in each town and pick up their official maps.
In both cases, however, contours are missing, and considering that these towns have several hundred to several thousand feet differential between top and bottom, and that there are no pedestrian steps to cut across the time-consuming road switchbacks, one can easily make a wrong decision at a switchback crossing and miss a major point of interest (such as the major monastery at the top of Gangtok). At the very least, since most roads are one-way (and few if any are marked), showing directionals would help.
Considering this edition is many generations removed from the first edition, it is not acceptable that directions are often completely inaccurate. For instance, the major monastery outside Gangtok is listed as being to its east, when it is really to its southwest (but I did find it). And in Kalimpong, I missed the main monastery as I ran out of time after going more than twice as far as the stated distance and still not reaching the monastery south of town (which R.G. listed as being at the top of the hill, when ALL of the locals that I asked confirm it is near the bottom!).
To be fair, the Lonely Planet guide is much, much worse all around. I have just ordered the Footprint guide to see if it is more accurate and complete for this region of India. I would at least like an accurate reference for matching against my trip notes, photos, and writeups!
As far as the non-Himalayan eastern states are concerned, there is almost no coverage at all, for the previously stated reasons, but hopefully this will change in the next edition, as travel restrictions are blightening up and it is now possible to arrange permits for Aranchal Pradesh and Naga just a few days in advance (quite easy if you sign up for a local multi-day tour based out of a major town such as Guwahati in Assam).
It would have been helpful to be more specific about which languages are spoken in which towns/regions, as this area is quite a patchwork, and also to mention the likelihood (or not) of encountering English speakers. As it turns out, the main hub for northeastern connections, Siliguri (in the northern part of West Bengal state), inexplicably has almost no English fluency at all, even though ALL travelers must pass through this town to make onward connections. Most resourceful travelers can work through this though, but travel guides need to also guide the more timid tourists.
I will give Rough Guide credit for fairly good descriptions of the major highlights and how to reach them (which is quite difficult and more than one can ask from a guide that is only updated every two to three years). As always, they are the most culturally sensitive guide book and take the most effort to go for first source information (vs. Lonely Planet's habit of quoting second source information that is incorrect, without bothering to check it out -- and I am referring not just to location based information, but also cultural and historical background).
This was my travel companion.
After spending 3 weeks in India, I had only wished I read this book more thoroughly. I visted 4 areas (Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) of which I stayed in everywhere but Agra. Rough Guide has nice maps describing major areas, good list of hotels, and restaurants along with major attractions that were helpful in me finding my way.
I only had a brief chance to look at Lonely Planet from someone who sat across from me on a train back from Delhi to Mumbai so I can't say which one is better. By the end of my vacation, Rough Guide was always with me, along with my DSLR. I would strongly recommend you to consider this book as one of your travel books.
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Discover a land of exotic beauty and inspiring culture with The Rough Guide to India</COUNTRY-REGION />, the most comprehensive guide to India</COUNTRY-REGION /></PLACE /> on the market. The 36 page full-colour introduction with stunning photography will whet your appetite for the country’s many highlights, from fast-paced Delhi</CITY /> and the sacred sites of the Ganges plain to the Moghul splendour of Agra</PLACE /></CITY /> and the shell-sand beaches of the south. The guide features three new colour sections on Sacred India, Handicrafts and Bollywood, as well as expert background information on everything from temple architecture to Indian classical music. Easy-to-use maps and extensive accommodation and restaurant listings, plus all the practical grittiness you’d expect from a Rough Guide make this your must-have item for the trip of a lifetime.
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Pamper Yourself at Disneyland
The easiest way to get pampered on your Disneyland vacation is to book your room at one of the Disneyland resorts, and upgrading your room to one that includes Concierge services. The difference in the price may startle you a bit, with rooms costing up to $300 per night, but the service you receive will be out of this world.
First, your room will be much nicer if you have the Concierge service. You will have free bottles of water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea at all times. You will be able to check in and out faster at the Concierge check in counter, and a nightly turndown service is included.
Access to the Concierge lounge is where the pampering really starts! You will enjoy a continental breakfast in the lounge each morning. You can also opt to take your breakfast back to your room. In the afternoon, while the kids watch Disney Videos, you will enjoy a wine tasting in the lounge as well.
There are many more perks available with the Concierge service, differing at each resort. To determine whether the Concierge service will benefit you and your family, call the resort that you are considering, and simply ask what perks are included with this service. Ask to be connected with the concierge desk to ensure that you are getting accurate information.
Again, the cost of this upgrade is a bit high, but when you close your eyes and dream of all of the pampering and special treatment that you and your family will enjoy, and you tally up the cost of the free breakfast and drinks, you may find that the cost is well worth it. In fact, depending on the size of your family, you may even discover that the value of the free breakfast and the free drinks even makes the entire Disneyland trip a little less expensive for you!
Once you’ve experienced the Concierge Service on a trip to Disneyland, you may not be satisfied with anything less on future Disneyland trips. The service is out of this world, and can only serve to make your trip more relaxing and enjoyable.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Best Places for Medical Tourism
Medical tourists from different countries travel for health care purposes to those countries having quality healthcare services at reasonable prices. So they spend extra money on travel, health care and accommodations on the places of treatment. Medical tourism is an old concept because thousands of years ago people traveled for medical purposes or for spiritual treatments to different countries. Many factors are considered while choosing a destination place for medical tourism such as high healthcare services and costs, waiting for certain procedures, availability and affordability of international travel, quality and latest technology used in the treatment.
Some of the most popular places include Europe, Japan, Middle East, UK, United States, Canada and Costa Rica. These places are popular due to the quality of their health care services, technology and competency of physicians. The hospitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba and Turkey are popular for Cosmetic surgery treatments. Surgeons of South American countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Argentine lead in plastic surgery due to their experience and knowledge. Plastic surgery is very common in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia and US. Slovakia, Belgium and Poland are entering in the business of health care and medical tourism.
A large number of Americans are going abroad for health care although the facilites of health in US are also availabe. There are many intermediary companies which provide help in medical tourism. These companies offer global health care at reasonable costs. There are different commissions and societies which care for the quality and standards of the hospitals available for medical tourism. Counteries such as Malaysia, Thailand, India and Costa Rica have many infectious diseases as compare to Norht America and Europe . So medical tourists need to stay for some time in the country which they choose for health care because travel soon after surgery can create many complexities. Tourists having breath and heart related problems avoid long flights and combine their vacation tours with medical tours.
th American Places
The quality of healthcare in Canada is not less than that of America but medical tourists can save 30 to 60 percent of their costs as compare to America. Medical tourists can save up to 80 on healthcare services in Costa Rica as compare to US. Costa Rica is popular for cosmetic procedure, dental, weight-loss and orthopedic surgeries. Knee replacement surgery is very cheap so patients travel to Costa Rica for medical tourism. Patients from all over the world travel to cuba for the best quality of healthcare services and fine reputation of their doctors. Medical tourists of Europe and Latin America travle to this destination because of its situation and save up to 60 to 80 percent as compare to the charges in US. The hospitals of cuba are best known for cancer treatment, cosmetic surgery, joint replacement, eye surgery and addictions rehabilitations. the government of cuba has taken many steps to increase income from medical tourism and patients of US, Canada and UK visit cuba for medical treatments. Dominincan Republic is very popular destination for hip replacement, bariatric surgeries, plastic surgeries, knee replacement, eye surgeries and all other medical treatments. Medical tourists can save from 50 to 75 percent as compare to the costs in US. The plastice surgery and dentistry healthcare services of Mexico are appreciated by all the world. The costs of these treatments are one-fourth to one-fifth of American costs. The quality of health care services in Mexico is very high and medical tourists are satisfied.
Quality health services, location and dollar as the official currency are the reasons that Panama is famous for its medical services. The medical professionals of Panama are trained by US and use the latest technology to provide quality healthcare services. Medical tourists can save more than 50 percent of healthcare costs as compare to Europe and US. Dental implants, assisted reproduction, cosmetic dentistry, plastic surgery, cardiology, orthopedics and pulmonology are the popular procedures in medical treatments. Surgeons of Brazil have gained world wide fame in cosmetic surgery.
South American Places
Orthopedic surgeries , Cosmetic surgery, transplant surgery, eye surgery and cardiovascular are popular procedures in Colombia. Healthcare services in Colombia are cheap and foreigners can get human organs from Colombia. The doctors of colombia are experienced and have worked in many counteries of Europe and US.
Asian Places
China has gained popularity in stem cell treatments. The medical professionals of India are popular for hip resurfacing, heart surgery and areas of advanced medicine. The treatment costs in India are very low which is nearly one-tenth to the treatment costs of US. The healthcare service in Malaysia are also very popular and the doctors of Malaysia are trained in the hospitals of US and UK. New Zealand is a popular medical tourism destination for fertitlity treatments and non-acture surgical procedures. The doctors are trained in the hospitals of UK and US. The costs of healthcare services are very low as comparet to US. Thailand is popular in organ transplant and cardiac surgery at lower prices.
Europe
Moreover British and Canadian medical tourists don’t wait long and travel to Germany for medical treatments. Novel cancer and spine surgery are well treated in Germany at lower prices. Dentistry services in ukraine are provided at lower costs. High class material and equipment is used in dental clinics and hospitals. There are many suitable places for medical tourism but a medical tourist chooses according to his own choice and afforability.
![]() | Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism Author by : Josef Woodman We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. .... |
Medical Tourism
Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad in order to receive medical care, be it cosmetic surgery, heart surgery, breast implants, a hip replacement, or dental work.
Rising health care costs and longer waiting times in the western countries like United States, Canada, and UK etc. are inducing patients to seek treatment overseas. While U.S. consumers are concerned mainly with the exorbitant cost of health care, Canadians are more troubled by wait-times for certain treatments. Indeed, approximately 1 million Canadians claim to be experiencing difficulties in access to care. As for UK, it is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad because of high medical care costs in UK.
Benefits of Medical Tourism
Health care costs are constantly on the rise in countless Western countries. In the US alone, it is already a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of stopping (worldwide it is over $3 trillion US). But why pay exorbitant prices at home when you can travel abroad and receive the same treatment (if not better) from a fully certified medical facility for a fraction of the price?
The following are some of the benefits of medical tourism:
- Affordable
For many procedures, it's often more expensive to receive treatment at home than it is to purchase a plane ticket, book a hotel, and pay for all medical expenses out of pocket in a foreign country. This is especially true in popular medical tourism destinations such as India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.
- No wait times
Because popular medical destinations actively recruit patients from abroad, they do everything they can to eliminate wait times, provide patients with options, and ensure optimal care.
- Many Options are Available
Some countries heavily regulate (or even ban) certain elective procedures or complicated surgeries. Hip resurfacing, for example, was only recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, despite its widespread use and success rate at many popular medical tourism destinations around the world. With medical tourism, you can travel to parts of the world where hospitals specialize in the aforementioned procedures.
- More personalized care
Many providers offer more personalized care--i.e., a higher physician-to-patient ratio--than is commonly available in the United States or Canada.
- Enjoy the Medical Vacations
The fact of the matter is, most of us need medical treatment from time to time, and most of us plan vacations every year or so. Combine the two into an all-out medical vacation and enjoy! Recuperating after surgery on a white sand beach while sipping island drinks and receiving full-body massages.
Important Tips
Besides doing a thorough research on the procedure, hospital, surgeon and the destination country, keep the following contact information handy when you go abroad for any medical treatment:
- Emergency contacts like relatives and friends
- Destination embassy
- Hospital
- Hotel
- Local surgeon / doctor
- Employer
Conclusion
Depending on the location and procedure, a medical vacation can cost 50%, 30%, or even 10% of what you would pay at home. The appeal of this phenomenon is driven by cost savings as high as 90%, depending on the procedure and the country in which it is performed, and virtually no wait times. Even when you factor in air fare, hotels, travel insurance, car rentals, shopping, and dining, many medical vacations are substantially more affordable than domestic health care is. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.
Medical Tourism – World Class Healthcare at an Affordable Cost
In the ever-changing world of international healthcare, medical tourism is a rising trend. In fact, medical tourism is a phenomenon that has taken the world of healthcare by storm in recent years. It remains a unique proposition that no only involves the healthcare industry but also has a significant impact on the tourism industry.
What is medical tourism? Why is everybody talking about it these days? And is it a good choice for you? Let’s try and answer these questions.
The practice of visiting new places in search of favorable climate or on just being advised by a doctor to go ‘on a change’ is not new. Medical tourism is just a refined form of this age old habit practice of humanity. In its broadest sense, medical tourism combines care for your health with international tourism. The primary reason behind its surging popularity is that it enables the common man to avail better healthcare services at an affordable budget. When one’s health is one’s concern, it is natural to look for the best treatment options within one’s budget. Countries such as India, Dubai and Malaysia are fast emerging as the forerunners in providing world-class healthcare facilities. These include a wide array of highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained in various specialized disciplines, state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities, impeccable service and personal attention to every need of the patient and all these, at a cost that’s surprisingly affordable.
Most people in need of specialized healthcare services feel daunted by the high cost associated with them. Countries such as US, Canada or some European nations, offer the same high standard healthcare facilities as India, Malaysia or Dubai, at a cost that’s substantially greater. Let’s face it, not everybody can afford the high cost associated with healthcare services in his or her own country. Nor do all of us enjoy the benefits of a high medical insurance coverage.
All this naturally necessitates the need to look for similar healthcare services elsewhere, where the cost is significantly lower. Healthcare tourism makes it possible to save up to 80% (as compared to US/UK) on medical costs by opting for countries like India. Healthcare tourism in India is fast gaining in popularity because of this simple reason.
Medical tourism also gives you other advantages such as reduced waiting periods for your treatment. If there is a critical treatment involved, or an operation that needs to be done quickly, you can initiate the process almost immediately after contacting the healthcare professionals in these countries. Most hospitals or medical establishments in the US or UK have lengthy waiting lists and necessitate wait for a substantially longer period of time.
So what can you expect in the lap of foreign hospitality? Nothing less than what you would in your own country. Smart and well-informed professionals, speaking fluent English and attending to every detail with meticulous attention, only add to the overall experience. You can rest assured knowing that the task of caring for your health is in good, able hands.
The reasons that contribute to the ever increasing popularity of medical tourism are not difficult to understand.
Healthcare Tourism – the Smart Way to Shrink your Medical Bills!
Healthcare tourism is the perfect blend between care for your health and international tourism. Disparate as they may seem, healthcare tourism is a rising trend the world over. The reasons behind the escalating popularity and the widespread practice of healthcare tourism are threefold.
Let’s take a closer look at each.
The primary reason is simply a search for better healthcare services with budget. When one’s health is one’s concern, it is natural to look for the best treatment options within one’s budget. Countries such as India are fast coming to the forefront as provider of world-class healthcare facilities. These include a wide array of highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained in various specialized disciplines, state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities, impeccable service and personal attention to every need of the patient and all these, at a cost that’s surprisingly affordable.
This brings us to the second reason behind the surging popularity of healthcare tourism – economy of cost. Most people in need of specialized healthcare services feel daunted by the high cost associated with them. Countries such as US, Canada or some European nations, offer the same high standard healthcare facilities at a cost that’s substantially greater than countries like India or Malaysia or Dubai. Let’s face it, not everybody can afford the high cost associated with healthcare services in his or her own country. Nor do all of us enjoy the benefits of medical insurance.
All this naturally necessitates the need to look for similar healthcare services elsewhere, where the cost is lower. Healthcare tourism makes it possible to save up to 80% (as compared to US/UK) on medical costs by opting for countries like India. Healthcare tourism in India is fast gaining in popularity because of this simple reason.
Last, but not the least, you get other benefits such as reduced waiting periods for your treatment. If there is a critical treatment involved, or an operation that needs to be done quickly, you can initiate the process almost immediately after contacting the healthcare professionals in these countries. Most hospitals or medical establishments in the US or UK have lengthy waiting lists and necessitate wait for a substantially longer period of time.
Smart and well-informed professionals, speaking fluent English and attending to every detail with meticulous attention, only add to the overall experience. You can rest assured knowing that the task of caring for your health is in good, able hands. You will also find comfort in the thought that when you are fully treated and about to return home, you will not be handed bills that will make you fall sick all over again.
So what makes healthcare tourism tick? The reasons are many. Exorbitant cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care in the developing countries - all of these have contributed to the rapid development of medical tourism. Opt for healthcare tourism and get the best of medi-care without breaking the bank. And did we mention, the joys and thrills of visiting a new country come for free?
Personal Comfort at Disneyland
It is also important that you bring a change of clothing. You can rent a locker at Disneyland to store your extra clothes. You can rub your thighs raw if you ride water rides in denim shorts, then try to walk around while you dry out! Enjoy the water rides – but then go change into dry clothing! Bring extra shoes as well. Walking around in wet shoes is not only uncomfortable; it can also contribute to blisters.
More than blisters can cause discomfort. Some people simply are not used to being on their feet all day. If your feet are tired and sore at the end of the day, soak them in cool water with Epsom salt. This will offer more relief than soaking them in hot or warm water. After a good twenty minute soak, your feet will feel refreshed and ready for more walking!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Health tourism: UK out, Thailand in
British expatriates are now no longer entitled to free healthcare under the UK 's National Health Service following a crackdown on what has been termed ‘health tourism'. But as the UK shies away from the health tourism phenomenon, countries like Thailand are welcoming it with open arms.
As of this year, British nationals resident outside the UK are no longer automatically eligible for free expat health treatment through the National Health Service, according to the controversial proposal made earlier this year by UK Health Secretary Jo hn Reid.
The changes came about as part of the UK government's crackdown on what has been labelled in the press as ‘health tourism'. As a result of growing concerns and criticism, a three-month public consultation was carried out late last year to determine how to amend the system. This followed fears that the accession of 10 additional states in May 2004 to the EU would lead to a further increase in ‘visitors' taking benefit of the free health service and claims that the National Health Service was already under extreme pressure from asylum seekers needing medical attention. The result, from 1 April 2004, is that only employed, tax-paying residents and their dependants are entitled to free services from the NHS and non-residents are not.
Since the original announcement early this year, little up-to-date information has actually been released by the government. However, according to the Department of Health press releases and their website, there are new guidelines as to the eligibility for free treatment. British expats who spend less than three months a year in the UK will no longer have automatic free access expat health clinics, hospitals and GPs, except for emergency treatment, such as for a heart attack. Those seeking medical treatment could be asked to prove their residency status by showing council tax bills, pay slips and records of National Insurance contributions. However, there are further guidelines stating that to be exempt from medical costs, British nationals living abroad need to have lived continuously in the UK for 10 years and either have not worked abroad for more than five years, or if they have, they need to have taken home leave to the UK once every two years.
Confused yet? So is the NHS it seems. To make matters worse, there have been reports in the press that some expatriates have been refused free access to treatment whereas others have not had such difficulties. How this will be checked and administered is not known, though it seems that the decision to accept or to refuse free treatment is left to the treating medical establishment. Furthermore, support from the British Medical Association is unlikely as the profession is split on the subject. They feel that it is not the job of a doctor to decide who is to be given treatment but realise that non-UK residents are taking advantage of free treatment while visiting the country.
While it is doubtful that those who choose to go back to the UK for non-urgent care such as a hernia operation will face a bill at the moment, it could only be a matter of time before free medical treatment becomes a thing of the past. With this in mind, expat health insurance that is valid overseas, as well as in the UK, either for temporary visits or permanent return is likely to become of more importance.
![]() | Travel and Tourism for Advanced GNVQ (Hodder Advanced GNVQ) Author by : Gillian Dale We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. .... |
How to Dine With Disneyland Characters
Start by making a reservation. This can be done through the Disneyland Vacation Planning Services Department. Reservations can be made up to sixty days in advance, so don’t leave this to the last minute. Make these reservations while your Disneyland vacation is being planned.
Character breakfasts take place each morning at the park. You do not need a reservation for these meals. These breakfasts take place in many of the parks restaurants, but Goofy’s Kitchen is a great place to start. It is located in the Disneyland Hotel, and there are dishes to please everyone. Children under three years of age get to eat free, which should be considered when you are planning the budget for your trip. Goofy is always there, with Pluto, but other characters come and go all throughout the day. You should definitely make reservations for Goofy’s kitchen, as it is quite popular, and the wait can be very long.
If dining with Princesses is important, than Ariel’s Grotto is the place to be. Serving three course meals, this is elegant dining that both kids and adults can enjoy. Each princess will come spend a little time at your table during your meal – one at a time. Reservations for Ariel’s Grotto are also recommended. This is one place in the park where both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served.
The Storyteller’s Caf้ is another place that is highly recommended for Character Meals. Characters are only here during breakfast, however. While time is not spent at each individual table, the Characters do interact with the children as a group. Both buffet and menu dining are available, and again, reservations are recommended. Lilo and Stitch also have a Character Breakfast, as does Minnie Mouse. Breakfast with Minnie and Friends is extremely popular, so make reservations.
You should definitely include a Character Meal or two in your Disneyland Vacation plans. This is something that your child will remember forever and interacting with the famous Disney characters that we all know and love is part of what Disneyland is all about! Be sure to make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Know about Thailand - Explore Thailand
Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country in terms of total area. Thailand is the most-populous country, with approximately 63 million people. About 80% of People are Thai, 10% Chinese, 3% Malay and the rest are minorities from Mons, Khmers & hill tribes. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been at migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. More than 94% of populations are Buddhist. India, China and many other western countries are considerably influenced by Thailand’s traditions and cultures. Bangkok city can be a center for commercial, industrial, political, cultural activities. Thailand is very famous for vacation tours as there are many places to visit. Person arrives for business tour to Thailand also enjoys the weather, climate, beaches, Thai food and many places.
Thais are well-known for their hospitality and friendliness. Majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethnic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. More than 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok. Bangkok which is the largest city in Thailand is also Thailand’s capital city for more than two centuries. Bangkok offers pleasure, ease and a shopping experience par excellence. Excel at the arts of shopping, dining and revel in the entertainment amidst a thoroughly modern metropolitan area that preserves its traditional Oriental magnificence. For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offers which includes 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and charm, The Grand Palace, The Giant Swing, Royal Barge National Museum, Gemopolis, traditional dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centers and traditional ways of life. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a sight of old Bangkok.
Throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia which never been colonized. It is one of the most powerful Buddhist countries in the world. Theravada Buddhism is their national religion which is a branch of Hinayana Buddhism. Thailand’s Buddhism continues to cast strong weight on daily life. Senior monks are highly respected. Thus, in towns and villages, the temple (wat) is the spirit of social and religious life. One of the most popular aspects of Buddhism is Meditation which is practiced regularly by many Thai as a means of promoting inner peace and happiness. Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals of this practice at several centers in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.
Best places to visit in Thailand are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ko Samui, Pattaya, Krabi, Ayutthaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Ko Chang and many more.
![]() | Thailand with your family (Frommers With Your Family Series) Author by : Jack Barker We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. .... |
Monday, August 31, 2009
Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series
Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series
The Ibis Koh Samui Trophy brings the new, spectacular and fast growing sport of Adventure Racing to the South of Thailand.
Supported by Ibis, The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Association of Koh Samui and the Thai Hotel Association of Koh Samui, this inaugural Adventure Race is set to attract 150 teams from around the world.Scheduled on September 19 and part of the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series, the race will start and finish from the magnificent Bohput beach in front of the IBIS hotel in Bohput.
Adventure Racing is a highly visual and dynamic sport genre, stretching competitors to their limits. It is a sport that is rapidly capturing the imagination of sport people in Thailand and around the world.
“After the tremendous success of the other races of the Series in Kanchanaburi, Nong Chok and Chiang Mai, it was important to have a competition in the South” explains Serge Henkens, the Race Director and managing director of Active Management Asia.
20% of the sponsor’s donations will go to environment friendly initiatives brought by “The Green Island Project”, a local green association.
“Despite 10 years of unbelievable development, we wanted to show that the Island has a lot to offer and is still a paradise destination”continues Henkens. “Well-known for its magnificent beaches, Samui also offers fantastic opportunities for Adventure and Great Outdoor lovers. The Island has all the ingredients for a memorable race: the blue ocean, forests, mountains, water falls, sandy beaches and a very rich fauna and flora. The perfect recipe for great Adventure Racing” concludes Henkens.
The Koh Samui Trophy will offer 4 disciplines: Running, Cycling, Kayaking and Swimming.
The competitors will hike and run through unspoiled jungle, paddle and swim on the turquoise waters of the gulf of Thailand and cycle over the hills with spectacular views on the ocean.
As we offer 2 divisions, Adventure (easier course) and Extreme (longer course), the race is really accessible to everyone! continues Henkens.
The winners of the extreme division are expected to complete the course in approximately 4:30.
The fastest team in the Adventure division is planned to finish in around 3:30h.
The Race offers 2 divisions:
Adventure (Short course for newcomers and W.E. warriors)
Extreme (Long course for confirmed athletes and experienced Racers)
Disciplines: Running, Kayaking, Biking, Swimming and other mystery tests Teams of 2 racers Categories will be: Men, Women, Mixed, Masters Men (over 80 years combined) and Seniors Men (over 100 years combined)
About IBIS:
Ibis, the worldwide economy hotel brand of the Accor group, offers consistent quality accommodation and services in all its hotels, for the best local value.
Ibis Samui is the 4th Ibis hotel opened in Thailand after ibis Phuket Patong, Ibis Pattaya and Ibis Bangkok Sathorn.
Ibis is also reinforcing its presence this year in Bangkok with the Ibis Bangkok Nana, opened in March and Ibis Phuket Kata opening end of the year.
About Active Management Asia
Adventure racing is a new sport that has exploded in popularity across Asia and Thailand. Active Management Asia is leading that growth in Thailand with its highly popular Amazing Adventure Race Series.
Now in its third year of operation, Active Management Asia has established an international reputation
for solid logistics and challenging race courses. These non-stop races, ranging in length from 4-8
hours, require teams to run, trek, mountain bike and paddle, while navigating a course through the wilderness.
Likened to an expedition with a stopwatch, adventure racing requires teamwork, perseverance, strategy and determination.
For more information:
Active Management Asia Co., Ltd
Khun Ying (Thai-English)
Tel: 02 7189581-2
Fax: 02 7189583
Email: info@active-asia.com
Website: www.kohsamuitrophy.com www.active-asia.com
Ayutthaya – Explore Thailand
Ayutthaya also known as "Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya" is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana. Ayutthaya was the capital of the kingdom of Thailand for many centuries between 1350 and 1767. The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya and the capital fell in 1767. Most of the city's temples and religious sculptures were destroyed. However, proud monuments to its glory are still standing, some restored.
Ayutthaya is located about 90 kilometers from Bangkok. It is recommended that if you are interested in Thai history & ancient monuments then you have to stay 2 full days with an overnight for sight sightseeing. The extensive ruins and the historical records demonstrate that Ayutthaya was one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous cities. Ayutthaya province is easily accessible due to good road, rail and river connections and its proximity to Bangkok. Boat Trip, Bangkok Ayutthaya Cruise, Bicycle Tours & Mountain Biking are the activities which we can enjoy in Ayutthaya.
Boat trips are available along the Chao Phraya River, the Pa Sak River and around the town island of Ayutthaya. A long-tailed boat can be chartered at the pier in front of Chanthara Kasem National Museum, Pom Phet Pier, and Wat Phananchoeng Pier. The fare totally depends on the route and duration which you will choose. The River King Cruise will take you to the World Heritage in Thailand Ayutthaya Province with international buffet lunch & beverages break. Witness the sensational view of the Chaopraya River where the great Temple of dawn (Wat Arun), Grand Palace (Wat Prakaew) and Rama where 8 Bridge are nested. Even you can visit the highlights of Ayutthaya; Summer Palace, Wat Yai Chaiyamonkol, Wat phrasisanphet, and Vihara Phramongkolbopitr. Cycle Tours from Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourist Information Centre at the old city hall, the suggested 11.82 km cycling route is flat and paved, passing over a concrete bridge. It is ideal for families, amateurs and can be enjoyed year-round. Bicycles are available for rent at several locations. Sukhothai Ayutthaya Mountain Biking is dedicated cycle paths to take you round the majestic ruins, temples and palaces. Further south, a bike is the ideal way to see the sprawling remains of the kingdom's once great capital Ayutthaya.
![]() | Thailand's Political History: From the Fall of Ayutthaya to Recent Times Author by : B.J. Terwiel We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. .... |
Political Downturn as Thailand Tourism Accelerates
This honor is considered to be the tourism equivalent of the Oscars, and Thailand has won it for eight consecutive years in the ‘world’s best country’ category. This is certainly a high accolade and not to be downplayed in any way, and proves there is more to the Land of Smiles than meets the eye.
Thailand and Scandinavia have long established a firm and fruitful relationship, with 378,387 Swedish tourists visiting the Kingdom during 2007, generating somewhere in the region of 25 Billion baht in revenue.
14.4 million Foreign nationals visited Thailand in 2007 alone from over 45 different countries. The official 2008 TAT figures have yet to be released, but the mood suggests a slight decrease in tourist numbers due to the worldwide economic problems.
The downturn is clearly a widespread issue, which doesn’t represent any failings on the part of Thailand as a major tourist destination in any way. And though businesses in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai have noticed a minor drop in profits, thing are still carrying on as usual and tourists continue to flock to Thailand’s four favorite tourist regions.
Mike Parry, a U.K. expatriate bar owner in Phuket stated, “The Island is still the place to be, and visitors from all over the world are visiting Phuket in droves, spending big money, and the vibrant atmosphere is still the same as ever. To be honest, we are starting to notice an influx of visitors from more diverse countries than ever before.”
The majority of tourists come from Western European nations and Australia, but over the past two years there has been a dramatic rise of visitors from the Middle-East, China, Korea and Japan. This is an ever-growing market which Emirates Airline is quickly trying to accommodate by initiating a new Airbus A380 Megajet service from Dubai to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Chumpol Silpa-archa, Minister of Sports and Tourism explained, “This launch reflects how much the airline expects visitors to increase to Thailand.” TAT have projected that visitors from the Middle East will rise 6.5% in 2009, and Emirates must be commended for their vigilance and vision.
All the major Airlines are also doing their utmost in combating the worldwide economic decline by providing value-for-money flights to encourage greater numbers to visit Thailand. For instance, Qantas/British Airways are beginning to offer special rates on economy tickets from Australia and the United Kingdom to Bangkok. From any major Australian city, British Airways are charging as little as 15,590bht, and 23,650bht from London for roundtrip economy tickets.
The American travel market is also receiving welcome discount prices for economy roundtrip tickets to Bangkok. Northwest and Delta Air Lines are providing tickets from American Cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, Las Vegas and San Diego for as little as 20,000bht. Salt Lake City to Bangkok economy-class tickets are being offered from 26,500bht for the roundtrip.
David Phelps, an American national who has been visiting Thailand two times every year for the past decade said, “I wasn’t going to come to Thailand on vacation this year, what with the value of the Dollar and the economic hardships. But the airlines and Thailand themselves are making so much of an effort to drop the prices and encourage tourism, I have decided to make my usual pilgrimage to this beautiful country that I love very much.”
Repeat visitors make up more than one third of the Thailand tourism trade and this is not a coincidence. The magnetic allure of the country and its wonderful inhabitants is underestimated and is the foundation of the tourist industry. Long term visitors always joke, “Nobody visits Thailand only once.” This type of repeat visitor already understands how the country works and is not so dependent on package holidays or hotel bookings.
There is a reported 30% decrease in hotel occupancy, but when you take into consideration that so many repeat visitors are favoring self-catering short-term villa rentals instead of hotel accommodation, the industry is still very healthy.
The Pattaya based holiday home rental company Thailand Holiday Homes has seen their figures rise a massive 32% in a two year period, providing a fascinating insight to the changing demographics of the tourist industry. Khun Nom, the Thai owner of Thailand Holiday Homes said, “We have many repeat clients and referrals due to the fact of giving excellent value for money, a free car for their personal use and 24 hour service. It seems that modern tourists prefer the privacy and freedom which a luxury self-catering rental villa provides.”
Whether you are a repeat visitor or a first timer, Thailand is the quintessential tropical paradise, with a colourful culture and an electric atmosphere, where people fall in love at first sight. Many tourists visit the Kingdom for a number of reasons that include beachside getaways, cultural excursions and the amazing diving conditions with beautiful coral reefs.
Many western men fall in love with the country and the petite smiling females in particular. The feeling from the Thai women is mutual as a recent survey proved. The women of the Northeastern rural province of Isaan have long been famous for marrying western men. A recent survey which covered 484 women from the Northern provinces showed that a whopping 61% suggested they would like to marry a western man, not only because his wealth, but also for the respect and faithfulness they offer women.
It doesn’t really matter what your reason for visiting Thailand is, the country has showed massive resolve in combating the current economic problems of the world and is battling against adversity. Thailand will continue to win awards and accolades for being one of the world’s favorite holiday destinations for a simple reason. People love this amazing country and the exotic allure of its culture, breathtaking scenery and the gracious attitude of its inhabitants.
![]() | Moon Thailand (Moon Handbooks) Author by : Suzanne Nam We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. .... |