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Things to keep in mind when planning your vacation

Thinking of going out for a vacation? Well, that’s a wonderful thought. It’s always good to go on vacation. It is a break free from the monotonous life. Vacations are relaxing and it fills you with new energy. But if vacations are not planned properly, they can be nightmarish and leave you with bad memories. There are a few things to keep in mind while planning a vacation. If planned well, vacations leave you good memories and you look forward to another vacation. Few points are mentioned below which if followed, you will have a memorable vacation.

WHERE TO GO

It is always advisable to plan a destination wisely. Planning a destination depends on who are your companions and what is it that you seek from this vacation. If you are accompanied with elderly people, choose a destination which has city life and easy site seeing. Difficult terrain destinations are not for the elderly. Reason of your vacation is also a deciding factor of the destination. Is it for adventure, relaxation, enjoying the natural beauty of the landscape, shopping and partying or for cultural festivities? Keeping these few points in mind will help you decide upon a perfect destination for your vacation.

WHEN TO GO

Once you have zeroed in on a destination, you must decide upon the time to visit that place. It is always good to know the climatic conditions of your destination and accordingly decide upon the time of your vacation. Some knowledge of the weather conditions of the destination will help you enjoy your vacation to the full else it might spoil all your plans. Imagine rains washing all your plans of a dream destination. Educating yourself of the weather of the destination is a must.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL TICKETS

After you have decided upon a destination, you need to book your flight tickets if going abroad. If the destination is within your country, then book a flight or train ticket much in advance. Search on net for cheap and best flight available. Many airlines increase or decrease the air fares depending on the crowd and the season. Therefore it is always wise to book your flight tickets well in advance.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION

Sleeping well and waking up relaxed during your vacation adds to the enjoyment. It becomes important to check out the hotels before you make the bookings. If you are going with your family for a week or two, it is better to book an apartment which has added facility of a working kitchen where you can do a bit of cooking and be economical. If the duration of your stay is short or just the weekend then book a hotel. Compare the rates, facilities and the hotel’s accessibility while booking your accommodation.

Half of your planning is done by now. Let us look at some smaller issues which if planned well, will save you from landing in big issues.

Check your passport.

Get your visa done.

Get yourself immunized and vaccinated if required.

Inform your bank if you will use your credit card abroad so that they don’t block it considering a fraud transaction taking place.

Get your money changed to your destination’s currency or check for ATMs at the airport from where you can withdraw money.

Check out the transport system of the place and if available buy full day or weekly tickets or cards online.

Find out the restaurants and bars of your choice and book your table online, avoiding the waiting time.

Do a research of the place and find out about the places of attraction so that you can plan your day to day itinerary. The local newspapers or online city guide helps you book the tickets in advance of the shows of your interest.

Get a travel insurance.

Getting your travel insured is a very wise thing to do nowadays. There can be any kind of mishap that you can face and if your travel is not insured, you are in for a lot of inconvenience. You might have to cancel your trip at the last moment, fall sick, lose your luggage, lose your passport or any other kind of mishap is taken care of by your travel insurance. There are many travel insurances available which you can check online and buy which suits you the most.

PACKING YOUR CLOTHES AND OTHER ITEMS.

Always travel light. Choose your clothes according to the weather and keep one set extra in case you happen to spoil one. Clothes should be comfortable and elegant keeping the culture of the place in mind. You don’t want to displease your hosts by overlooking their culture. Your footwear should be comfortable and according to the terrain of the place. It might sound silly but keep mosquito repellent and sunscreen. It might just come handy.

Altiqa Lifestyles gives you all travel services under one roof so that you have a relaxed and wonderful vacation!!

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Holidays in Turkey with Altiqa Lifestyles

It’s a wonderful idea if you are planning your vacations in Turkey. This place is a bundle of excitement amidst beautiful landscape, shimmering beaches, turquoise sparkling waters and a host of historical places to visit.

Summers in Turkey are from June to September which is very hot, autumn from September to mid November which has cooler temperature and clear skies. December to march has cold winters and April to May is spring. Autumn stands the best time to visit Turkey when the weather is just perfect, the days are shorter but with blue skies and cool breeze it is fun exploring the temples and the ruins. If you plan to spend your time outdoors, hiking and exploring the ruins, then autumn or spring is the time to visit as it is much cooler. But if you plan to visit the beaches to tan yourself and be in the waters, summers will be more appropriate time to visit.

Turkey provides E-Visa to citizens from eligible countries. So if you qualify, you can obtain e-visa online. E-visa allows you to travel in Turkey for 30 days as a tourist. Those who do not qualify for e-visa can obtain visa from the Turkish embassy in your country.

While packing your bags, you should keep the weather in mind. Keep warm clothes or windcheaters if visiting during autumn or winters. Turkish people have retained their old customs, traditions and values thus it is advisable to dress decently. Skin showing clothes need to be avoided if visiting religious places. If you are a woman and travelling alone then one should avoid wearing clothes which might attract attention. It is advisable to stay away from places located near Syrian border while the rest of Turkey is as safe as any other country. It is always better to travel in a group and a bit of research work about the place is helpful.

Some of the places you must visit while in Turkey – Istanbul is the most popular city. It is an old city with influences of culture of many empires which once ruled the place. Istanbul was once known as Constantinople. The iconic Hagia Sophia was the Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal Cathedral featuring 6th century dome and rare Christian mosaics, is now a museum. Opposite to it is the iconic Blue Mosque which was built in 1609 and 1616 is a popular tourist site. You can enjoy the landscape on a boat ride along the Golden Horn. The Turkish food in the city is worth a try. The natural beauty of honeycomb hills and towering boulders of Cappadocia is one of the most unique places of central Anatolia. The hot springs and huge white terraces of travertine white limestone deposited by mineral springs at Pammukale are unique and fascinating. Those interested in history must visit Ephesus. It is an ancient Greek city. It is famous for the Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. You will also find many ancient ruins and the Library of Celsus which is supposed to be the biggest libraries of ancient world.

While in Turkey, you should know how to bargain. Prices for tourists are marked really high where you should have good negotiation skills. Another tip for shoppers would be to check the stuff for any defect before getting it packed at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

While in Turkey you must try the Salep a hot drink made withflour of wild orchid and Dondurma or Turkish ice cream.

For best deals in Turkey, log on to www.altiqalifestyles.com for an amazing International Escapes or call 18001374124

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Exploring Abu Dhabi with Altiqa Lifestyles

United Arab Emirates is a collection of seven emirates and Abu Dhabi is one of them also the capital of UAE. Abu Dhabi is a wonderful mix of modern infrastructure and culture. Though tourists generally tend to spend more days in the more popular destination of Dubai, it is advisable to keep at least two to three days for Abu Dhabi. What is a vacation if you come back all exhausted? After all, vacations are for relaxation and rejuvenation. There is a lot to explore in Abu Dhabi without rushing and leaving sometime for getting pampered by the Arab hospitality.

The hop-in-hop-off bus is a practical approach to explore the place. You can buy a ticket for the whole day and visit places at your leisure. Start early so that you have enough time and don’t have to rush to places. Reach the magnificent Etihad Towers which for them skyline of Abu Dhabi and look marvelous in the day time with the blue glasses reflecting the sunlight. Go all the way to the 74th floor to the Observation Deck and take a bird’s view of the entire city.

Named after the President of the nation, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an embodiment of history and culture of UAE. It is also the largest mosque of UAE. It has walkways with marble pillars lined all along with beautiful designs in gold. The walkways lead to the main prayer hall which again has marvelous décor which will take your breath away. Large crystal chandeliers and exquisite Iranian carpets grace the mosque. Pure white minarets and the domes look majestic against the clear blue skies and the pools of water on both sides of the entrance calms your senses. The peace and tranquility of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is unapparelled. The waterfront at the back of Galleria Mall has a stunning view of the Abu Dhabi skyline where you can find a café or a restaurant and enjoy a meal by the waterfront. Imagine a long stretch of beach in the middle of the city, that’s what Abu Dhabi has to offer. The beach is all along the Abu Dhabi Corniche Road with restaurants, children’s play area and sea-bathing areas with watchful lifeguards around.

The WTC Souk is a shopping Mall. Half of this mall is built in the old fashioned market selling carpets, jewelry, spices and herbs. The Heritage Village takes you back in time. The village has been constructed in the traditional Emirate village style of the past. A walk around the village is quite a thing if you enjoy old historical things. The small shops here display various kinds of craftsmanship.

Louvre Museum is another place to visit. It is the largest and the newest art museum. It is situated in Saadiyat Island and displays the modern cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi. The grandeur of the museum in itself is a thing to be witnessed.

After going through the cultural and historical side of Abu Dhabi, you can opt for some fun filled and excitement inducing activities. You can venture out to Yas Island which is 30 minute drive from Abu Dhabi. The island is a destination for adventure sports with Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World. The Ferrari is a themed entertainment park with 20 unique rides giving you the feel of fast and furious. It has the fastest roller coaster and Formula Rossa with its top speed of 240km/hour. The thrill and excitement you get here is unimaginable. The Yas Waterworld is a themed aquapark having more than 40 unique rides. Splash around in the water, go for a crazy tornado water slide, suspended roller coaster and many other thrilling water-based rides.

After having explored the culture, art and architectures of Abu Dhabi and indulging in activities full of adventure and excitement, you can explore the markets of Abu Dhabi. A visit to Marina Mall is a shopper’s delight.

UAE’s weather is typical hot desert weather. It has very hot summers and extreme humidity with a few sandstorms. June to September are hot months. The temperature is considerably low from November to March and this is the most favorable time to visit Abu Dhabi.

Altiqa Lifestyles has some amazing deals for Abu Dhabi under its all time specials International Escapes!

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Vacations in Hong Kong and Macau - Altiqa Lifestyles

Hong Kong is a vibrant and futuristic city and it's a wonderful idea to visit this place with family for vacations. Enjoy a weeklong holiday in Hong Kong and a day or two in nearby Macau. If you are going from India then there are many direst flights from New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata for Hong Kong. There are connecting flights from Chennai, Ahmedabad and some other places too. It takes 5 hours to reach Hong Kong from New Delhi. Hong Kongbeing a subtropical region, it becomes an all the year round destination. Summers in Hong Kong are really hot and humid and so it should be avoided. Winters are dry and cool making it the ideal time to visit Hong Kong. During autumn, the evenings are cool and there is pleasant breeze throughout the day with moderate temperature. Autumn is really the best time to visit Hong Kong. Autumn in Hong Kong is from September to November and winter is from December to February. Best months to visit Hong Kong would be from October to December. One more thing to keep in mind while planning a trip to Hong Kongis to avoid going there during Chinese New Year as many shops will be closed. You can check the dates as they keep changing. Hong Kong is one of the busiest and developed metropolitan places in Asia. Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories and 200 outlying islands. All these areas are very well connected with trains and bus networks. Hong Kong Island is where Central area is located. It is the political and economic center of Hong Konghaving an expensive look but you can find a number of affordable guesthouses and hostels in this area. Victoria Peak is a tourist attraction in this area. It is a hill station with natural wonders. In Kawloon Peninsula you find the museums, the markets and Avenue of Stars. Modeled on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Avenue of Stars honors the celebrities of Hong Kong film industry. Kowloon is full of affordable and cheap guesthouses. The New Territories is that region of Hong Kong which has parks, wetlands and mountains. It includes the outlying islands. The Lantau Island has the famous Disneyland theme park and Tian Tan Buddha which is a giant bronze statue with gardens and restaurant of Po Lin Monastery. This is a place you cannot miss as a tourist. You also have Lamma Island with beautiful laid back beaches for relaxation. After going around Hong Kong you can visit Macau which is one hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. Once in Macau, visit the most famous The Venetian Macau which is a luxury hotel and casino resort. It is the largest casino in the world. After having spent some time at the casino, you can visit City of Dreams, a resort and casino full of entertainment. A unique aquarium, The Bubble Fountain and Dancing Water Theater are the attractions of this place. "House of Dancing Water" is a show you cannot afford to miss. Wear casual shoes and carry lots of water with you as you will be walking a lot at Disney Land and Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Explore Hong Kong with Altiqa Lifestyles' International Escapes and get amazing benefits.

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Holidays in Maldives with Altiqa Lifestyles

Dreaming of a holiday on an island, far from city life, in the tranquility of sparkling clear turquoise water? Maldives is that place. It fulfils all your dreams of a vacation which allows you to relax amidst nature or become a part of nature itself. Maldives is a turquoise jewel in the vast Indian Ocean just below India and Sri Lanka. Made up of 26 coral atolls, ring shaped multi colored coral reefs which were formed by extinct volcanoes, Maldives looks like a pearl necklace from the sky. It has some 1200 coral islands out of which some 300 are inhabited by locals and resort owners. Maldives is a hot destination for adventurists as well. It offers scuba diving, surfing, yachting, spas and much more since the tourism industry was given a push in 1970s. Many tourists give up their dream vacation due to some misinformation regarding Maldives like high cost of stay and restrictions due to its Islamic culture. It is important to have clarity on these issues and have a delightful vacation in one of the most enthralling islands on earth. Accommodation does cost a fortune in Maldives. Resorts charge exorbitant price sometimes specially the ones which are private islands. Maldives was really for the affluent. Altiqa Lifestyles offers excellent deals for Maldives accommodation at unbelievable prices which save you heaps. Maldives gives free 30 days tourist visas on arrival at the international airport. When should you visit Maldives? Now, this depends on what are you expecting from your vacation in Maldives. Though December to March is the peak tourist season but if you want to have fun with the waves and enjoy the marine life, wet season from May to October is the best time for you to visit Maldives. If your tour is a budgeted one, then also wet season is the best. Being a tropical island, weather is balmy. Temperatures range from 24C to 33C throughout the year an the constant sea breeze keeps you cool. Maldives is spread across 90,000 sq km of ocean. Tourists who have little time to explore will have to go about their way by air. The Trans Maldivian Airways flies Twin Otter seaplanes from the capital city of Male. Service is efficient and offers breathtaking view. You can book a speedboat ferry if you are not in a hurry. The ferry tickets come for $50 to $100. Maldives is an Islamic country therefore there are certain restrictions which tourists need to follow. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere in Maldives except for private island resorts. You cannot bring alcohol from duty free shops to Maldives. There is strict reservation on pork products and non Islamic religious text. You cannot carry tobacco products without health warning printed on it. Being an Islamic country, going nude and topless on beaches is strictly prohibited. Local women wear headscarves and some women wear burquas. This is not binding on women tourists but they are expected to wear decent clothes. Maldives have some of the best marine life, both above and under the water. The South Ari Atoll is famous for having a population of whale sharks throughout the year. You can spot dolphins in this area as well. There is a high concentration of Manta Rays in the North Male Atoll. The Rasdhoo Atoll is the only place in the world known for Hammerhead shark dives in addition to the regular marine life of sea turtles, rays, colorful fish and reef sharks. Explore Maldives with Altiqa Lifestyles International Escapes and enjoy luxury at unbelievable deals.

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"Malaysia, truly Asia", as they say stands true to its words. Malaysia lies in the Southeast Asia, divided into two regions by South China Sea, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia It shares its borders with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines. Kuala Lumpur is the largest city and the capital of Malaysia. The place has a diverse variety of attractions. If there is abundance of breathtaking natural beauty then it is also a symbol of development with striking skyscraper buildings and architecture with new age infrastructure. If Malaysia's rainforests are rich in flora and fauna then its cities are an amalgamation of diverse culture with Indians, Chinese, Hindus and Muslims all living together with the aboriginal group, the Orang Asli. Malaysia is referred as equatorial rainforest. The ecosystem has been protected and saved by national parks. The lush green jungles and the twisting rivers with immense biodiversity spread all over is a lifetime experience for nature lovers. Colorful birds are a delight for bird watchers. One can be lucky if one gets to see a silvered leaf monkey or an orangutan in its natural habitat. The turquoise blue oceans and the sparkling silver sand beaches are a treasure trove. Their natural beauty is breath taking. The underwater world offers shoals of tropical fish, colorful corals, turtles, sharks and dolphins. Snorkeling and diving are the most preferred activities of the tourists here. Malaysian cuisine reflects the diversity of culture. Besides the traditional cooking, Malays, Chinese and Indian dishes also find place in multi cuisine culture. Malaysia is hot and humid throughout the year due to its proximity to equator. It is best to visit Malaysia in the months from march to September and November to august.

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