The Rugby Six Nations

The Rugby Six Nations competition starts in February. Over six weeks France, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England will battle it out to be crowned winner. Games are played in all the competing countries so make the most of the HostelBookers January sale and book your nearby accommodation at a discounted rate.


The matches in Rome are at the Stadio Olimpico – the largest sports facility in the city and the home of Italy’s rugby team. Sat 11th February sees Italy v England at the stadium and then Italy will play Scotland there too on Sat 17th March.

In Paris the Stade de France takes centre stage. The 80,000 seat stadium is the fifth largest in Europe and will be hosting the first match on Sat 4th February between France and Italy. A week later on Sat 11th February it will be France v Ireland and the final Rugby Six Nations game held at the Stade de France will be France v England on Sun 11th March.

Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh will host the matches for Scotland. It’s got the largest permanent big screen in the country and more than 67,000 seats. On the first day of the Rugby Six Nations – Sat 4th February – Murrayfield will host the first match for Scotland and England. Just one other match will be played there on Sun 26th February between Scotland and France.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Twickenham Stadium in London and the Millennium Stadium in Wales are also playing host to matches between 5th February and 17th March. So save money and book your accommodation in the HostelBookers.com January today.

Venice Carnival, Venice

In 2012 Venice Carnival will run from 11-21st February. The traditional masked festival brings thousands of visitors to the island with parades, open-air stages and theatrical performances to entice them year after year. There are special events like themed dinners at casinos, burlesque shows and super indulgent feasts in restaurants. The usual food is served – sweet galani pastries, sardines in saor, cod in a salty sauce – just in much bigger quantities.


The island is buzzing with party goers hidden by masks. The finale is an impressive procession of gondolas down the Grand Canal lit up by candlelight and lanterns as everyone gathers to watch. There are a few hostels and hotels in Venice to choose from in the January sale.

Valentine’s Day, Amsterdam

Do something different for Valentine’s Day this year and treat your beloved to a weekend away in Amsterdam. You can make the city as romantic as you like, with a boat cruise, a show at the Pathe City Theatre, or a hand in hand ice skate at the Jaap Eden Ice Skating Rink. Or, you could even take a horse and carriage ride around the old cobblestone roads of Amsterdam to arrive at your dinner time destination for the evening. Move to one of the many pubs and bars in Amsterdam once you’re done, such as MOMO or Harry’s Bar, and enjoy a cocktail or three. All that’s left to do is make sure you’ve chosen the best hotel in Amsterdam from our January sale, and that’s your Valentine’s present sorted!

Spending your honeymoon is something you would want to be remembered forever, something very exciting, something magical and something very special. Whether you want to spend a cruise, a honeymoon at the beach, discover a new and interesting city, there are a lot of unique honeymoon destinations in the different corners of this world. Be sure to plan everything ahead to avoid stress. You might also have a chance to get cheaper honeymoon deals and packages.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Some honeymooners might find it not interesting to spend their honeymoon in a beach or a cruise. They might prefer the excitement of a big city. This is especially true if both want to visit a city that they dream for a long time. Las Vegas is a unique honeymoon destination not only because it is the the Entertainment Capital of the World but also other things it offers. You experience vibrant nightlife, various concerts and shows, sightseeing tours, great shopping and experience lots of different restaurants and cafes in this fabulous city. The most interesting part might be encountering people of various cultures and origins.


Cruising in Danube River in Europe

This is such a unique honeymoon vacation. Cruising in Danube River in Europe and seeing various cities and landscapes in the different countries of this continent will be a very exciting, fascinating and memorable trip. You can start your cruise in Regensburg or Passau in Germany going to Linz, Melk and Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary until Bucharest in Romania.


Paris, France

Being one of the most romantic cities in the world, spending a honeymoon in Paris is truly an unforgettable experience. A romantic walk in Champs Elysees, a cruise in Seine river, a dinner on top of Eiffel Tower restaurant are only some of the wonderful things you can experience in Paris. This so-called "City of Life" is truly one of the perfect honeymoon destinations.

Island Honeymoon in Sicily

A romantic island honeymoon is no doubt a popular choice of some honeymooners. Sicily is quite an attractive island to visit in Italy. You can spend your days lazing on one of its beautiful beaches like the San Vito lo Capo, Marina di Ragusa or Vendicari, while sipping cool margarita by the pool or alongside crystal clear lagoon waters. Some relaxing moments while watching the sunset on the horizon. If you want a bit adventure you can also do some diving or trekking in Sicily.

Sharing on a blog can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. It can be sheer joy to share the excitement of a favorite vacation destination with others. It can also serve as a journal to help you reminisce about a special trip. These are only some of the reasons why I always love to share my travel experiences in my blogs.


If you are thinking about starting a travel blog now, these tips from Graf von Faber-Castell experts, The Pen Company should help you get started:

1) CONTENT COUNTS

Be sure to remain focused in your writing and really pinpoint your message without allowing your thoughts and words to wander too far from the subject at hand. Again, the goal is to keep the visitor engaged in the material being presented on the site.

2) IT’S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION

One of the first things to note about travel blogging is that visitors to your site will stay longer and will be more likely to recommend your site to others if they find it to be visually appealing. Use a font that will allow your visitor to comfortably read the text.

3) ROLL UP THOSE SLEEVES

While writing a travel blog is certainly an enjoyable experience, it is not all fun and games. The best blogs require almost constant work. Between writing, updating and making sure that your content is relevant, it is far from easy money. Also remember that you can also turn you blog into a travel book. There are affordable online printing services to do it for you.

4) AND SPEAKING OF MONEY...

There are several ways that you can make money with your blog. The most common way is through advertising. Most major search engines usually have a program set up that will allow you to place their ads and banners on your blog for free. You will then receive a certain amount of money each time one of the ads on your blog is clicked.

5) SPREADING THE WORD

No matter how beautiful, relevant and up to date your blog happens to be, you will need visitors to make your travel blog a success. One fast and easy way to do this is by getting your blog listed on as many blogrolls as possible. This can be done by contacting the owner of a blog that you are interested in exchanging links with. This is usually a win-win situation in that it will increase traffic for both blogs. You can also ask the services and advice from online and social media experts who will help you promote your travel blog online.

There are many great hotels to stay but few have the much-coveted ‘wow’ factor. In the last 30 years, the emphasis on eco friendliness and preservation has inspired many a hotel owner to experiment with alternative hotel concepts. Of all the unusual hotels in the world, the following truly provide a once in a lifetime experience:

Chillingham Castle

As the name suggest, the castle really gives chills. It is located in Northumberland and is a Grade I listed historic building, which is now marketed as the most haunted location in Britain. This castle has also been featured in many popular documentaries. If you don't believe in ghosts, you may want to rent a room in this castle. Maybe, you will have other thoughts, after visiting this place.

360 Leti

Perched on the Himalayas are four perfectly placed cottages which boast a breathtaking view of this majestic mountain range. The village houses overlook the Ramganga River and snow capped mountains. From your sitting area, you’ll get a glimpse of the untouched Himalayan mountains and wilderness. Crafted by local tradesmen and staffed by locals, 360 Leti serves a variety of cuisine, including Indian, Tibetan, Continental and Asian. 360 Leti is a true Himalayan experience and has to be seen to be appreciated. This must-visit hotel has made 360 Leti very popular amongst travelers and adventurers alike, and has recently been voted in the top 101 hotels in the world, for the third year running.

Hotel Palafitte

Built on wooden silts in the middle of a lake in Switzerland, this hotel is an example of things to come. All water cabins have private terraces and some of them have direct access to the lake. A good restaurant provides various menus and delicious meals while room service caters to the need of most demanding guests.

Quinta Real Zacatecas

No one would expect an unusually characteristic lodging from a big chain but Quinta Real in Zacatecas has defied imagination by restoring a former bull fighting ring into an architectural jewel. The award winning building gives the feeling of a real Mexican fiesta in action. All suites face the cobblestone ring, which itself overlooks an old water aqueduct.

Jules Undersea Lodge

It is the only place on earth where you can spend a night underwater without any direct connection to the land. The lodge is located in Key Largo, Florida. To access it, one has to take a course in scuba diving. Once inside the small lodge, guests can enjoy every facility imaginable in a 2 star hotel. The freshly cooked seafood is provided by trained divers. There are two bedrooms, wet room and a common room. This undersea lodge contains a microwave, refrigerator, TV and stereo. There are three 42 inch windows.

Don't miss all these unique accommodations when you have the chance.

When you bring some gadgets with you when you travel, I do the same. Aside from the personal things I bring with me every time I travel, I always make it sure that I also pack my important travel gadgets in my bag. My trip would be incomplete without these stuffs. One tip to share with you guys before you take off, always check online or read some travel books to get inform in advance about the place you will be visiting.

Here are some of the important gadgets I have in my travel bag;

Pens and A Notebook

Oh yes, I always have ballpoint pens, highlighters and a notebook or journal where I can write notes especially about interesting sights we visited during our trip. I also have an address book with emergency phone numbers in my backpack.

Digital Camera

This gadget is already a part of my daily gadget. Wherever and wherever I go out from the house, this is always packed in my bag. Whether I go shopping, visit a doctor, go walking around, attending parties and other activities, my digital camera is always with me. How much more when I go for a trip? I always love to take pictures as remembrance for my travels. Besides, it is always nice to remember those places we visited and take back memories by looking at the pictures we took during our travel.

Summer is here again. This is the best time of the year to go for vacation. The weather is warm and nicer compared to winter season. When you plan to spend a holiday anywhere in the globe, here are some of the things you need to consider;


1.) Budget

First of all we have to consider our travel budget. You cannot say that you want to tour around the world if you don't have any money set aside for it. Unless you win free trips and everything is included in it like hotels, flights and pocket money, then touring around is not a problem anymore.

We planned last year to make a vacation in my home country this summer but due to tight budget, it did not push through. Besides we have important projects at home that are still going on and need to be done before the next winter season comes. Unless I win the lottery, we can go anytime this year and booking for a trip is not a problem anymore. I am dreaming again of winning!

I am happy that I found cheap trips in Europe this summer. I am quite excited about it.

2.) Destination

Sometimes you got confused where you go for a holiday. I experience the same especially when there are cheap trips I found online or in travel catalogue and the travel dates are the same. What I do with it? I always choose the cheapest one and always decide to a destination where I haven't visited yet.

3.) Accommodation

I talked to some friends last weekend. The husband said that they want to drive to Italy to spend a week vacation this coming July. He said that he has difficulty in trying to find hotels with parking lots to the different places they will be visiting in Italy. There are hotels with parking lots but parking is very expensive.

Finding an accommodation according to your needs is quite difficult sometimes. That is also the reason why you need to plan your trip months before. In the case above, July is high summer season in Europe and the prices for hotels apartments and form of accommodation are quite exploding. Sometimes you are lucky to find cheap accommodation in the net. I always do.

4.) Transportation

It depends on the location where you want to spend your trip. Sometimes if you find it cheaper to drive your own car with your whole family, why not? Travelling from London to Manila for example is faster and more comfortable if you travel by plane. If you are not in a hurry and want to have a relaxing vacation, cruising for example in Europe is also great. I also love travelling with a couch or bus in Europe. I always find it cheaper and I can enjoy the scenery around.

5.) Travel Insurance

Do you know that getting a travel insurance especially when you are travelling out of the country is very important? We never know when emergency happens and it is always an advantage when we have such kind of insurance to protect us from any emergency and accident that may arise. Don't forget to get one before you go.

I am always reminded of my two months vacation in Las Vegas last 2008. It was truly a fabulous and stunning experience I had in this so-called "Entertainment Capital of the World." Las Vegas with its gigantic mega-casino hotels whose themes and names makes you feel like traveling to far-away destinations. Caesars Palace for example takes you to Rome, the Venetian let you travel to romantic Venice, Luxor seems to bring you to an adventure in Egypt, you seems like in Paris, France when you are in Paris Las Vegas and so many hotels and casinos whose themes evoke mystery, romance and experience to interesting destinations worldwide.


I did not noticed the passing of time when I was in Las Vegas. Until one day, I realized that I had only some more days and nights left and I have to fly back to Europe. I was even looking for cheap flights to Paris that time to make a detour of my trip back home. I was not able to make it due to some circumstances. I also planned to stay and find a job in Las Vegas but I realized that I need to be backed home. Las Vegas for me, is just a place to make a holiday and not a place to live and to retire. It has its own beauty and charm but I love Europe better.


The highlights of my vacation in Las Vegas was watching the Red Piano concert of Elton John in Colosseum in Caesars Palace and seeing live the performance of the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. I also had the chance to visit Hoover Dam, one of the famous attractions in Nevada. I was amazed by the superb man-made engineering of this dam. Our visit to Disneyland and Universal Studios in California was also a wonderful and memorable experience for me.

I am happy to be backed in Europe now. I am wishing to have more travels in any interesting destinations in this continent.

Florida is located in the most south-eastern state in the United States of America. It is known as "The Sunshine State" because of its warm climate. It is also know for its beautiful landscape, amazing them parks, gorgeous beaches and interesting cities. No wonder it became a popular winter destination not only for Americans but also from tourists all over the world. Plan in advance your vacation in Florida. I am quite sure, you can search for affordable Florida holidays online. This is one advantage that computer and internet can do for us when planning our trip.

Travellers out there, here are some tips on what to see and do when visiting the Sunshine State of Florida

Go To The Beach

Florida is famous for its beautiful fine white beaches. Its warm weather and hundreds of miles of beaches attracts millions of visitors every year. Some of the best beaches include the West Palm Beach, Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach but I would also love to experience a day in Miami Beach.

Visit Florida's Theme Parks

You can visit here the Disney World, the biggest and most renowned theme park in the world . I envy my cousin who was able to visit this famous park two years ago. I had the chance to visit the Hollywood Universal Studio in California last 2008 and I also wish to visit the one in Florida. The world class water parks to see and to experience are the Sea World, Islands of Adventure and the Wet and Wild.

Take a Cruise

This is one thing I would especially love to experience when I visit Florida in the future. Cruising in a luxury ship going to the Caribbean would be a fascinating experience. You can leave in the port of Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami or Canaveral.

See and Experience

You need to see the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex, Space Shuttle Launch, Gatorland, the numerous Florida Lighthouses, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Salvador Dali Museum and other interesting sights in this country.

Some outdoor activities worth to experience are diving, hiking and backpacking and fishing. Florida is also well-known for its lively night life. Regardless of preference Florida has something to offer for any kind of traveler like you and me.

Spring is coming soon! Next to that will be summer season. I believed there are already a lot of people who are planning for their 2011 summer holiday. Are you one of them? Did you already decided for a certain city or country to spend your vacation. Whether it is a family holiday, cruise trip, relaxing vacation at the beach, weekend city break or simply touring a certain city or country, I suggest you need to plan it ahead of time to avoid stress and to save time and money as well.

There are a lot of beautiful places in this world and I believed each and every place has its own charm, beauty and uniqueness to offer to its guests and visitors. Here are some of the places I can suggest for your 2011 summer holiday.

Las Vegas, Nevada

You love shopping and entertainment? Las Vegas is one of the best place to go in this planet. Being the Entertainment Capital of the World, for sure you will have a lot of unforgettable, exciting and fabulous moments in this city. Its major attractions are the mega-hotels and casinos especially in Las Vegas Strip, simply called as the Strip.

Don't miss to visit the famous Fremont Street Experience, watch the Fountain Show in Bellagio Lake, the Volcano Show at the Mirage, Botanical Gardens at Bellagio or maybe a walk or window shopping at the famous Fashion Show Mall or Forum Shops in Caesars Palace. These are only some things to see in Las Vegas and there are still tons of them.

I love Las Vegas and hope to visit it again in the future.


Cape Town

This city in South Africa is not only a famous travel destination for European people but also from different tourists from all parts of the globe. No wonder, it is the most popular tourist destination in Africa. Spending a holiday in Cape Town is a good choice not only because of its natural setting but also because of its good climate and well-developed infrastructure. Don't miss to visit its popular tourist attraction like the Table Mountain, the so-called Cape Point or maybe a drive along Chapman's Peak Drive. You might also want to take a hike up to Signal Hill to have a great view of Table Mountain and City Bowl.

I believed Cape Town is truly a wonderful place to visit during summer holidays.

Sweden

Are you familiar with the European country that houses the Nobel Prize committee except for the Nobel peace prize? It is no other than Sweden. This country is a member of the European Union since 1995 but they did not join the European Monetary Union and the euro currency. It is also the largest of the Nordic countries in Northern Europe.

Why do you think that spending a holiday in Sweden is worth it? I heard from a friend in Sweden that it is a country that is great for outdoor life. Depending on the season, skiing, hiking, cycling and canoeing are only some of the outdoor activities that you can enjoy when visiting Sweden. If you love shopping and night life, Stockholm, its capital city and Gothenburg are the best ones to go.

You don't have to worry about your travel safety in Sweden. It has a low crime rate and is generally a safe place to travel.

I wish you all a wonderful and memorable summer holiday!

It is almost three years now since I visited Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States of America. I would say that it was one of the most memorable and fabulous vacation I ever experienced in my life. Special thanks to my dear sister and hubby for everything.

I am sharing some luxury hotels that I had visited during my two months holiday in the so-called "world's entertainment and gaming capital", Las Vegas. Here they are;

Caesars Palace

If you happened to visit Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, you also feel that you are in Rome, Italy. Here you can find some replicas of Rome from Trevi Fountain to Colosseum and other statues and architecture of the Roman Empire inside the hotel.

Caesars Palace has five towers, the Augustus, Centurion, Roman, Palace, and Forum where its 3,348 rooms are distributed. Don't forget to visit the Forum shops when visiting this hotel. Also take a look on its famous spiral escalators which is the defining feature of the Forum shops.

I had witnessed Elton Jonh's Red Piano concert at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace. It was a wonderful show!


Paris Las Vegas

Visiting Paris Las Vegas is like seeing Paris in France also. You can find here smaller replicas of Eiffel Tower, the Montgolfier balloon, La Fontaine des Mers, Arch of Triumph and a 1,200-seat theatre called Le Théâtre des Arts. The front of the hotel suggests the Paris Opera House and the Louvre.

I felt like in Paris, France when I visited this hotel. The following year after my visit here, I finally went to Paris, France.


Excalibur

Remember the legendary sword of King Arthur? This is where this hotel got its name, Excalibur. This luxury hotel in Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada is themed from Camelot.

I felt like seeing a faiytale castle when I visited this hotel last 2008. Famous shows in Las Vegas like Thunder From Down Under and Tournament of Kings are being held in this hotel.

I always love to talk about my travel escapades in my blogs. It is because I would like to also share the beautiful and interesting places I had been too! Thanks to the blogosphere where we can share our travel experiences and images or anything that we would like to impart to our readers and viewers. That is also the reason why I am sharing this post to you.

I had been to the United States of America for two months last 2008. Being the third largest country by land area and population, I believed you cannot just tour it in just two months, also considering your finances. But I am happy to see a lot of Las Vegas and some places in California.

There are still a lot of cities and states that I would love to visit in the U.S. One of it is New York City. For sure, I need to search first a cheap plane ticket and an affordable hostel in New York whenever I will spend a vacation there in the future. With the many travel experiences I had, I am very optimistic that I can find one that fits my holiday budget.


Here are some of the New York Sights that I would love to see:

1. The Statue of Liberty

I just found some images of the Statue of Liberty in one of my friends in facebook. I envy her visiting this city. This statue has become an iconic symbol of freedom not only in New York but in the whole of United States as well. It is said to be a gift of French people to the U.S.. It has a colossal neoclassical architecture designed by Frederic Bartholdi in 1886. It is also included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are a lot of replicas of Statue of Liberty that are found around the world. The one I saw are in Paris, France and Las Vegas, Nevada.

2. The Empire State Building

The American Society of Civil Engineers named this building as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is one of the famous landmark of New York City with a 102-story skycraper and a height of 381 meters or 1,250 feet. The Empire State Building is said to be the third tallest skyscraper in the United States after the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower, both are located in Chicago.

3. The New York Times Square

It is formerly called Longacre Square. It is a major commercial district in Manhattan, New York City. Having the nicknames, "The Crossroads of the World" and "The Great White Way," it has become an iconic world landmark and considered to be the major tourist attraction of New York City and the United States.

I am quite sure that I will visit this city in the future. In God's will! How about you? Don't forget to browse for cheap New York hotels to spend your future wonderful vacation in this amazing city. I might see you there!