If you're aching to do something that no one else has done, to experience a stimulating quest into the unknown, or simply want to use your airline miles on something outlandish, than get in line with only 156 people in the entire population who have already purchased tickets in advance. Since money is no object in your quest for the ultimate adventure, pack your bags and get ready to head into outer space; and don't forget your bathing suit! (Yes, I said bathing suit; but have no fear, you won't be wearing it at 63 miles above sea level, only to the lavish after-party!)
British billionaire, Richard Branson dreams big, and is anticipating the first flight into outer space in 2009. At $200,000 per seat, the first adventurers will be throttled into outer space after a three-day assessment and passing vigorous medical tests. When all systems are a go, you will board Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo with five other passengers and two pilots.
Set to be a 2.5-hour flight, your countdown to launch will occur from an altitude of about 60,000 feet in mid-air. SpaceShipTwo will detach, firing its hybrid rocket and propelling you into what used to be never-never land. Since Virgin Galactic will only reach 3,500 mph, and to orbit the earth a velocity of 17,500mph is required, you won't experience a true earth orbit, but will simply encounter awe-inspiring views, the curvature of the Earth, and peaceful solitude: an experience so surreal you won't know how to put it into words. All this prep and money for 15 minutes in space and the biggest highlight: five minutes of weightlessness.
This exotic flight is coupled with a lavish after-party and mini luxury vacation held on Sir Richard's private island retreat in the British Virgin Islands. For each "astronaut" and accompanying guests, luxury Balinese accommodations are provided on the Necker Island with four nights of all-inclusive festivities. Surrounded by pristine white beaches and acres of nature trails, Sir Richard will hold a private celebration to personally present each passenger with a set of Virgin Galactic astronaut wings. The rest of your time will be spent "coming back down to earth!"
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Ultimate Adventure
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Traveling Abroad on Business? - Some Useful Advice
Many people have to travel as part of their job or business. This is a necessary practice, but can be a strain and can affect your health and working efficiency. There are ways to combat this and relieve some of the stress involved in the line of business travel.
Tell everyone you leave behind you won't be bringing them back any presents, if friends expect presents to be brought back, then perhaps they don't deserve them. It is a business trip after all, you are working it's not a holiday and you can explain that. to them. Think of yourself for a change and your leisure time should be spent relaxing not shopping for presents to bring back all the time. If you do shop, just shopping for your most loved ones.
The last thing you want is to look tired after arriving at your destination and meeting potential business clients. If you take with you eye masks and earplugs you will get that much needed sleep en route without being disturbed or distracted. I find that wax earplugs are the best, you can find these in sports shops in the swimming section. These are really worth the little money they cost for the peace and quiet to sleep through. A blow-up pillow is also a very useful item to take with you and takes up very little space in your hand luggage, or even in your jacket pocket.
There are many reasons for a flight being delayed. This means that you will be waiting hour upon hour in the plane for whatever reason. Your body needs a regular source of food to keep you at your peak and most airlines food is basically no more than a chemical based snack. If you have a supply of good healthy food as a backup this will see you through well. A healthy cereal bar and a couple of pieces of fruit will make the different between you feeling good or feeling drained at the end of the day.
When you are staying in a hotel the alarms and wake-up calls just can't be relied upon. Before you set off have your own alarm system with you. It can be a small travel clock, a cheap digital watch with an alarm setting or even a stopwatch. If you have a pager check out the alarm system on that and get familiar with it. The last thing you want is to rush and forget things because third party alarm system fails you.
Carrying too much luggage is a burden and not always necessary on business trips. A good tip is to dress up in you business outfit if you have a meeting straight after arriving. Among other things it acts an insurance in case you luggage is lost - this has happened thousands of times, to thousands of people don't think you are excluded; just don't take the risk. Pack the least amount of clothes and shoes you think you can survive on. This way you will also save on tips having to be giving with help with you luggage from porters.
A very simple bit of advice is to take mainly dark clothing for the simple reason that unlike light coloured clothes they don't show up stains, wrinkles are disguised and dark clothing is always fashionable both in leisure and business.
Clothing includes footwear. The question is how many shoes do you need to take? The answer, two pairs, one for business one for casual. You will always be wearing one pair, so you only need pack one set. Don't bother with slippers; just take a thick pair of socks to wear in hotels instead.
Communication is important and a good tip is to send faxes back home to communicate if you are in a different time zone. Not only that a fax is cheaper than you think it is definitely cheaper and more practical than calling by telephone at an unearthly time. It also adds a personal touch if you send it handwritten. In fact, this is quite romantic nowadays to send handwritten messages through the fax medium. If you leave the hotel fax number with friends and family they can contact you. Email is the other unromantic option you can normally set up an email account for nothing for your children and send them lots of massages and attachments. Pack a digital camera, and send digital photographs of you destination - it's free don't forget.
I hope these tips give your trip a much easier time and will improve your overall experience.
By Martin Miller-Yianni
9 Good Ideas For Enjoying a Romantic Getaway to the UK
The Dragon House Hotel
The Dragon House is situated on the outskirts of the market town of Dunster. It is a short drive to the coastal resorts of Porlock, Lynton and Lynmouth. Depending on whether the two of you wish to explore Exmoor or you choose to simply relax in its peaceful surroundings, The Dragon House Hotel is the perfect alternative for couples. Situated on Dragon Cross, the hotel was built between 1660 and 1704 on this ancient crossroads,. The Dragon House prides itself on their beautiful manicured lawns, fruit trees and arromatic herb gardens. Couples can relax amid the
traditional cobble stoned courtyard with a refreshing drink in the summer months or enjoy the comfort of the roaring log fires and leather couches during the winter months. Either way as you step into The Dragon House Hotel you will be warmly greeted and happy you chose to stay here.
The Horn of Plenty
This beautiful and warm country house will have you enchantment as it is nestled in five acres of gardens and orchards. You can enjoy its elegantly furnished rooms in the main house which are decorated in pastel shades that create an aire of luxury. The superbly converted rooms in the adjacent Coach House all have balconies for you and that someone special to enjoy as you overlook the walled garden and beautiful wooded valley. The gardens themselves will delight both of you with their trees, shrubs and quiet sunny nooks. The Horn of Plenty offers couples a tantalising choice of traditional and imaginative cuisine which provide a harmony of taste that graces the palate and adds to the romantic atmosphere.
Three Ways House
The two of you will enjoy this house which was established in 1985 but originally built in 1871. The Three Ways House is privately owned with friendly and attentive service for the couple wanting a romantic getaway. The Three Ways House is fortunate enough to be on the northern edge of the Cotwolds. This very beautiful area is officially designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and is only a few minutes drive from the London's famous West End theatres and Shakespeare Centre. You and yours will especially enjoy a romantic getaway to this destination.
Beechfield House
The Beechfield House provides a uniques getaway opportunity for couples. Its location provides a perfect base from which to explore the region. When you stay at the Beechfield house you can choose a classic automobile in which to tour the region. With one of their classic cars the two of you can cruise the countryside or stay in and simply relax in their delightful surroundings . The Beechfield House boasts of an excellent restaurant; well stocked wine cellar, outdoors swimming pool and a professional beauty and treatment spa to help you rejuvenate. A beautiful four-poster bedroom with views of the garden and woodland views awaits your romantic vacation getaway.
York Minster
A visit to York Minster is to experience a moment in the history of northern Europe's greatest gothic cathedral. You'll see evidence of every age from the Roman occupation of York and onwards to the future of this active and engaging church. York Minster provides a wealth of history to be discovered by the curious visitor. It is an architectural masterpiece as well as a treasure house of stained glass. It is an active Christian community of worshippers where choral music has enriched the souls of visitors for centuries.
Cafe Concerto
This small but quant café in the shadow of York Minster is popular with locals and visitors alike. Its appeal lies in its easy reach to some of York's finest attractions. The dining area has a continental feel and an atmosphere that is lively and talkative. To find jazz music playing in the background is also common at the café. The English and European menu is a mixture of different dishes with international appeal.
The Yorkshire Eye
The Yorkshire Eye s a London-eye style observation wheel soaring 196 feet above the city and offers riders a 20-mile panorama of the surrounding area. The eye has 43 climate controlled capsules for 8 people. The big wheel is one of the tallest structure in York second only to the highest standing structure; York Minster's famous Lantern Tower, which is an additional 40 feet higher. Expect to pay a small charge to board the eye but the views will be enjoy of the city will make it worth it.
The Black Swan
This pub screams with authenticity and history. As soon as you step through the solid oak front door you can see the master craftsmanship and you know you are entering an original and distinguished medieval house. The large stairway constructed in original oak leads off the main hallway to another room with a roasting pit and a giant open fireplace. The house was originally built in the 1400's with the gables being added in the 1600's and the remaining alterations being completed in 1711. They can offer visitors pub style lunches, folk music and limited accommodations.
The National Railway Museum
York has one of the finest railway museums in Europe which has free admission for the public. The National Railway Museum has one of the finest collections of steam trains, diesel trains and electric locomotives. The museum also houses one of the fastest steam locomotives ever made. All of these models are on display for visitors to enjoy.
By Bill Whitmire
Business Travelling Expands Scope of Business Growth
Economic liberalization and globalization has initiated a tremendous growth of business travelling in India. Nowadays, business personalities have to travel frequently not only both domestically and internationally. Since, travelling is mandatory to expand and conduct your business activities smoothly; therefore careful planning regarding arrangement of travelling is must. Business travelling has become more beneficial for business men and the persons of corporate companies to attend meeting at scheduled time and want to save money.
Business travelling has taken a totally different meaning what it was previously. For accomplishing your business trip successfully, it is always advisable to make an itinerary of your travelling carefully. Business travelling itinerary must includes outline like places you want to visit, in which hotel you will stay in the meantime, which business personalities you want to meet and most importantly, your mode of travelling i.e. by commercial air charter services or by private corporate aircrafts. Private Corporate aircrafts are the best suited for all your business needs and requirements. Reason being, business meetings can be arranged within the aircraft and the specialized facilities of wireless communication aids in saving not only valuable time but also reduces the dilemma of meeting place and thus, widens the scope of your business.
Nowadays, numerous airline companies are offering attractive and ingenious schemes at the competitive prices to grab the attention of loyal customers. By maintaining the dedicated business catering unit, they arrange the special airfare packages for specific destinations which include hotel stays, return fares, rental cabs for local transportation and other value-added services. The main purpose of conducting the business travel on a regular basis is to improve the market credibility of the organization by interacting face-to-face with the various existing business associates and prospective clients.
However, internet has made an easy access of any information from sitting at your office only but travelling is a requisite condition of implementing business strategies successfully. Moreover, sometimes chartering with any new airline company becomes a clandestine way of generating lucrative business opportunities. As a wide number of organizations are getting globe-savvy, so travelling for business purpose has become more tedious task. But in order to do well in the present business scenario, it is vital to keep on arranging business trips regularly to stand out among your competitors.
What is Meant by Traveling and Its Benefits
People go abroad to see new places. This is called traveling. We do not like to remain at one place for a long time. We like to go from one place to another.
Objects of traveling
People do not travel always with the same purpose. Some people travel to gain knowledge. Some of us go to healthy places for a change of air. Some people travel for the sake of pleasure only. Businessmen travel for the sale of business.
Benefits
Traveling has many benefits. It is part of our education. Our education remains incomplete without traveling. We may read of many places in our history. If we can visit these places, the study of history becomes interesting. We can remember many things easily. We read about mountains, lakes, seas, waterfalls, etc. in our geography. How interesting it is, if we can see them with our own eyes. We read about men and things of different parts of the world. By traveling in different parts of the world, we see new people and new things. We can learn much about the manners and customs of those people. We can thus gain much knowledge. Our narrowness of mind disappears. Out eyes are open to new things. We can introduce many good customs and manners in our own country. Many students of our country go to England, Germany, America, Japan and other foreign countries to learn many things. They come back and teach the people of out country. Thus our countrymen can gain knowledge and the condition of our country is improved.
Great men of our country have traveled in foreign countries. People of those countries may have learnt many things about our country through them. It is good for us. Many famous travelers of ancient times visited India. They left valuable accounts of India. By reading those accounts we can learn much about out country at that time.
Many people travel in different places to improve their health. Their health may break down. If they go to a healthy place, they can recover their health. Traveling is also a source of pleasure to us. We see new objects and beautiful natural scenery. This fills out mind with great delight.
Traveling in modern times
In former times, traveling was not an easy thing. It was very difficult and dangerous. So, people did not travel much in those days. They traveled by boat or cart, or on foot. It required much time also. But now-a-days it has become easy to go from one place to another. Now-a-days we travel in steamers and railway trains. We save much time. There is no danger of being robbed on the way. So, at present many people travel in different parts of the country.
By Ts Saraswathi
Online Travel Guides Having a Heyday
As Online Travel has caught the fancy of the internet savvy travelers the online travel market is booming. No wonder that the online Travel is one of the fastest growing markets worldwide. India is also not left behind in this race as according to industry Pundits, Online Travel Market in India would be worth around US $ 6 Billion.
As a logical extension to such buoyancy, Travel Guides have shown a steady rising to move online and in the process fulfilling the needs of the niche readers. Both traditional print brands as well as purely cyber entities are slogging it out to grab the attention of this niche segment. The publishers of print brands after their initial reluctance have also started embracing the web and publish all their content online.
Travel Guides
Let's take a look at what the Travel Guides offer. Travel guides have become a necessary tool for anyone who is thinking of vacation. A Travel Guide is full of helpful advice, precise information, good ideas etc besides being well-written, well laid out as well as well indexed.
These City centric guides provide information on all aspects of travel. You can get good information on How to Reach, Attractions, Excursions, festivals, History along with the various kinds of accommodations available like lodges, hotels, resorts and the bed-and-breakfasts. Convenient maps make it easy for the newcomers to exactly pinpoint any destination.
An ideal Travel guide should also briefly outline the recreational activities coupled with more mundane activities of life that can be done in a particular city. Another important aspect that is generally missed out is the public transport of the cities where a traveler lands up. A genuine Travel Guide is also supposed to give precise information of the state of public transport highlighting bus routes, Cabs and Auto fares.
Another important aspect of a City Guide is to have a semblance of balanced information. This is important because travel can be both for as well as business.
Pros and cons of Online Travel Guides
More and more people are into researching the internet as a result the Online Travel Guides have become quite popular as compared to their print counterparts. However both the two brands have their own set of advantages and limitations.
Online Destination Guides are successful in tapping user-generated reviews and provide the added advantage of E- Commerce options. So surf the web pages of the guide and book flights, hotels and other arrangements at one go directly through the site. Another great feature of the Online Guides is that there is ample scope for value addition. For example Indian railway has planned a new train to connect Amritsar to Kasargod. This information can be easily updated in the Guide for the travelers to see.
As Hotels and rental agencies change their rates according to season and local competition, online travel guides also offer a dynamic lot of packages based on such variances. However coming to the flip side of it is very difficult to find Online Travel guides bereft of commercial influences. It is not uncommon to see many sites that are setup to merely attract the potential customers to a particular establishment, or sites giving reviews by travelers may not be wholly independent.
