AMSTERDAM SMOKING HOTELS

In general you would think that smoking in Amsterdam hotels would carry the same rules as most hotels non smoking policy.

But if you're a traveller where its important you can smoke in your room there are some near Dam Square that offer this in their vicinity, rooms or both.

THE HELLO KITTY FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

 

Self Check Out

Hello Kitty fans will be flocking to fly out on EVA Air's A330-300 aircraft where they can enjoy themed self check ins, in flight meals, seat head rest covers, boarding cards and tickets.

Meals fit for a kitty!

And of course the look wouldn't be complete without having the aereplane decorated Hello Kitty style too. Currently you can get flights out to the cities Hong Kong, Incheon, Guam, Narita, Fukuoka and Taipei.

The idea behind is was to try and boost the interest in visiting Taiwan. The Hello Kitty brand and Japan's ambassador of tourism is massive and has literally took the world by storm with the amount of products and fashion items you can get.

I'm not sure the Hello Kitty flight experience won't be to everyones taste, but at least you can say its different and something to remember!

If you are a Hello Kitty Fan you may enjoy this post also: The Real Hello Kitty House

HOME COMFORTING RENTING: Paris Apartments

You always have the excitement of going away on a short break or holiday, but after a few days we can get home sick. Especially if you're stuck in a stuffy hotel room with nothing but the TV and kettle to occupy you!

Going away to Paris? You can imagine there would be quite a few hotels in that tourist hot spot wouldn't you? How about considering apartment rentals in Paris instead?

This way you get the whole apartment to hang out in and the space you need to go about your day when you're not venturing out site seeing.

With hotels you will always pay a daily rate and hire out by the day. But if you know you're going to be in Paris for a few weeks or even months in can get quite costly paying out for just a bedroom. The apartments give you to opportunity to rent out short term.

They are owned by people who actually live in the property when its not being rented out so is constantly looked after and maintained. Plus the majority of the apartments will be right in the heart with the Parisians, so you will be able to mingle in with the community effortlessly.

CANADA'S LUXURY WILDERNESS RESORT

If you're looking for a hotel in Canada why not go for one that has been voted the No. 1 Luxury Hotel?
The Sonora is a five star all inclusive luxury wilderness resort, where you can get the ultimate adventure and peace and quiet all in one.

Fish on salmon-filled waters, get up close to wild animals, venture through remote glaziers via helicopter or get an adrenaline rush riding on the ocean rapids.

And for the peace and quiet seekers you can indulge in the rejuvenating spa retreat or take in a relaxing game of golf on award winning courses.

ROMANTIC ST LUCIA RESORT

When you want to go away on a Romantic Vacation the surroundings of your hotel resort are always as important as your hotel facilities. Ideally it would be great if it was just the two of you but not many people have got the money to hire out a whole resort!


Luckily there are couples only resorts where you can enjoy the peace and quiet and relax just like everybody else there wants to. There would be no interruptions from lively families. No offence to children (I am a mother of two myself) but sometimes its nice to take a break from it all if you are able to and that includes other peoples children too!

There are some lovely all inclusive Resorts St Lucia. One in particular is the Rendezvous boutique resort near Malabar beach.

You even have the option of a personalised room with the 'Room Retreat.' In the Room Retreat you can decide how you want to the mood of your room to be set. For instance flower petals layed out on the bed, soft music piping out in the background, candlelight and exotic scents to create a bit of romance in the air!

Rendezvous also offer a personalised private dining experience that is set to your own preferences that includes the head chef preparing your meal, a musician serenading you on a quite spot on the beach amongst other options.

Have a look at the website to find out more, view numerous pictures and request a brochure and DVD.

SHORT TERM PARIS APARTMENT RENTALS

Paris is one of the most popular cities to visit from around the world, so you can probably imagine how many hotels there are nearby all the attractions.

But with all the hustle and bustle and excitement of sightseeing its sometimes nice to go back to some home comforts instead of a clinical looking hotel room.

If you know you're going to be out there for a while it might be worth looking into apartment rentals in Paris France. As apposed to your standard rented properties you can rent these for just weeks or months at a time rather than a fixed long term.

Sometimes there is even the opportunity to exchange with Parisians too where you can swap homes. You stay in theirs and they stay in yours.

The great thing about renting an apartment is you get a whole living space instead of just a room. There is no getting up a certain time to catch breakfast or making sure you are back in time if there are no option of late keys. You can just come and go whenever you like just like you would if you were residing at your home residence.

But as wonderful as this all sounds you need to remember that you would be agreeing to a term. Its not like a hotel where you can check in and out whenever you like. So if you do consider this option to make sure you are in the area you need to be in for recreational or working purposes.

INTERESTING GAP YEAR DESTINATIONS

Interesting gap year destinations

A so-called “gap year” can be an experience to remember for a lifetime. Taking a year off from work or university to explore a different area of the world is a good way to build a well-rounded life experience, as well as to add interest and depth to your resume. Besides, who doesn’t love to be able to entertain friends with great travel stories?

Taking a year off to travel is a great opportunity to broaden your mind and to have new experiences whilst exploring another country or countries. This provides a useful legacy that will endure long after you return to the workforce or to university life. Whether you choose to spend your gap year immersing yourself in the culture of a particular area, decide to give your time to volunteer work or help in political, social or environmental movements, this will be time well spent.

Europe offers some of the most exotic and beautiful places in which to spend a gap year. A backpacking trip through the European countries can provide a variety of new experiences for travellers. You can stay at youth hostels to keep the costs down and enjoy some big-city life as well as visiting backcountry areas. For those looking for something slightly more exotic, or for a more structured way to spend their time, volunteer teaching and interning opportunities might be a better choice. However you spend your gap year, consider writing, blogging or recording your experiences with multimedia of some sort, whether you maintain a photo-journal or keep a video diary of your adventures.

Australia is ideal for students that want to spend their gap year in an English-speaking country providing a wide variety of life experiences. This enormous country has every type of terrain, from stretches of smooth beaches with huge surfing waves to towering mountains. The cities, with their lively nightlife, are fringed by vast stretches of open country. Finding work in Australia isn’t at all difficult, making it one of the friendliest destinations for students. Whether you intend to spend your gap year earning next year’s tuition fees or living off your savings, Australia offers great experiences that are worth much more than money.

On the other side of the world, amongst snow-capped mountains and immense forests, lies the breathtaking beauty and challenges of Canada. With ski resorts always hiring students on work visas, finding employment is no problem. From skiing to snowboarding, rock climbing, canoeing and gorge jumping, Canada has it all. Visit the famous Banff or Whistler ski resorts to learn to ski while earning a good wage on a work visa.

Kenya in Africa has some of the most vividly beautiful, harsh and unforgiving landscapes on the planet. Volunteering in this poverty-stricken region will leave your soul marked forever with the intensity of the life experiences you will have while working with a school, clinic, orphanage or at a game reserve.

Wherever you choose to go in the world remember to make thorough preparations and plan your trip carefully to ensure a positive experience from the word go.

Guest Post brought to you by Travel Voyeur.