Archive for the Category »Travel Guidance «

Australian Travel Visas
Friday, May 24th, 2013 /



Short term visits require either visitor visas or business visas depending on the nature of visit. Three types of visitor visas are available for individuals traveling to Australia. Short term Business visas are of two types. All applicants must possess a valid passport issued by the country in which they reside. Applicants above the age of 70 need to complete a “Fit for travel” certificate from a registered MD.

Short Stay Visitors

ETA, or Electronic Travel Authority, allows entry into Australia for a limited period of three months or less. This visa is for persons who wish to enter Australia for tourism, visiting friends or relatives or for a short period of study. Citizens alone can apply and not residents of USA.

Tourist Visas

Tourist Visas can be applied for if the stay is more than three months, but less than a year. This visa is also for persons who wish to enter Australia for tourism, visiting friends or relatives or for a short period of study. Further information of the necessary documents to be attached with the application can found at http://www.austemb.org/DIMA/visiting/short_stay_visit.html.

Sponsored Family Visitor Visas

The Sponsored Visitor Visa allows for a close relative, who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, to guarantee your visit. The visa is for a stay of three months or less. This visa is applied by the sponsor in Australia. This visa is also applicable for members of a Federal, State or Territory Parliament, a local government mayor or a representative of a government agency. Sponsors may be requested to lodge a security bond of between $3500 and $7500. There are several conditions attached to this visa, information about which can be found at [http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/54sponsored.htm].

Business ETA

The Short Stay Business ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) allows business persons to visit Australia up to three months. This visa is applicable for persons who wish to conduct business such as a conference, negotiations or an exploratory business visit. In this category two types are available depending on the period of business. If the business is just for a short time, Short validity ETA is available. This type is valid for twelve months with multiple entries and allows only a maximum of 3 months stay for each entry. The second type is valid for as long as the passport is valid. This type is business long validity ETA and is available for a fee. This will allow multiple entries to Australia for the life of passport and to remain in Australia up to three months on an entry.

Short Stay Business Visas

The Short Stay Business Visa allows for business persons to visit Australia for up to three months to conduct business such as attend a conference, meetings or negotiations, or explore business opportunities. A single-entry or multiple-entry visa may be issued.

Visa charges are $55 for all the above types except the Sponsored Visa.

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Interactive Travel Guide – Technology to Help in Your Trips
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 /



For sure you have heard something about them, but as a recent invention I think it is good to talk a bit about what is it about and which benefits can it bring to have the support of an interactive travel guide during your trip. Also, I’ll look in which places having some interactive travel guidance can be more suitable.

As a starting point, let’s look at what we are talking about. I define an interactive travel guide as an electronic device that is aware of its position thanks to a GPS system for open wide spaces or an internal system of sensors for closed or little areas. This system detects where a tourist is and starts playing a recording teaching different cultural aspects of the place where the traveler is placed. Instead of the need of carrying lots of books and papers to your destination to make your trip a cultural experience or needing to get a guide explaining to a crowd of people, you can get this cultural immersions on your own way, either if you are in a museum or traveling with a campervan through a whole country.

Benefits of the system? It really depend on where you are going to use it. As a first example, I’ll put the wax museum in Salzburg, Austria. They have a device you connect to your ears which detects areas you cross in the museum and starts with an explanation of what it is about. This allows people to go into the experience at their own speed, repeat explanations if they haven’t understood, and it is an advantage for the museum guys because they don’t need to pay for a tour guide.

On the other hand, if your purpose is to go on a road trip across a country for example, I’ll put the example of a device made in New Zealand for exploring the country. In fact, this device was the first one in it’s class and many tourism organizations worldwide are buying the idea to improve the immersion experience to visitors. It uses a GPS system that is connected to the radio of your vehicle and it starts playing a recording every time your vehicle enters any area of special interest. It includes recommendations on hot spots, cultural background, history about the place, legends and myths, or it even recommends a restaurant or a special off the beaten path place where you can spend some nice time.

Advantages are many. You no longer need the help of a book for understanding more deeply any region you cross, you get some good advice about the places you visit and recommendations on what to do and you don’t need of course any guide who travels with you in the campervan! The guys running this project have it always open for adding new places with new recordings and even ask New Zealanders to contribute with any of their personal experience in the country.

Finally, thinking ahead in the future, this device could be combined with audiovisual material (not of course while you are driving!) and even incorporate some interactive functionality that could allow you to explore a certain zone with a menu every time you enter it or, in the case of New Zealand and road tours in general, every time you tell the device your vehicle is stopped.

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Checkout These Travel Services That May Benefit You
Monday, May 13th, 2013 /



Travel services have become an integral part of the fast growing tourism industry in the United States. Travel agents can provide specialized services which are in demand like never before and play a vital role in helping travelers manage their travel needs.

There are number of reasons why travelers require travel services. Some of these include better hotel deals, package deals, hassle free vacations, itinerary planning, and advice. While domestic travel can be managed without the professional guidance of a good travel agent, you will need his services for a foreign trip.

Listed below are some of the important reasons why you must use the services of an agent for making your travel plans:

For local trips:

Many travelers use the services of an agent to plan their local trip to avail of the bulk airfare and cheap local tour packages they offer. For most travelers, it is the convenience that is most important when planning a trip. If you are managing everything independently, you will have to spend a great deal of time and energy booking your air tickets online, booking car rentals, making hotel reservations, and so on.

However when you work with a travel agent, he takes care of all your travel needs and ensures that he works out the best deal that fits your pocket. Generally, hotels tie up with prominent travel agencies to ensure clientele all throughout the year. They may offer discounts and package deals, which you can avail of only if you plan your trip using these travel agencies.

For foreign trips:

Apart from the convenience of booking your holiday with the help of a ravel agent, you can be assured of a hassle-free holiday even in high season. Small travel issues such as hotel booking cannot be managed easily if you are traveling to a foreign land.
Unless you know someone who has been to that country before, you will have to rely only on the Internet for information about that country. Often, images on the Internet are misleading and you may end up with a bad deal. If you are planning a trip during the high season, you may not get reservations or convenient flight bookings.

Your travel agent will guarantee you a stress free holiday in some of the most exotic destinations in the world.

Negotiating – Travel agents are in a better position to bargain for good deals, as they have access to all available flights, car rentals, package tours, and hotel bookings.

Visa – Your travel agent knows the visa requirements of the country you are traveling to. In addition, you can look forward to a smooth application process when working with a travel agent. Travel agents can also help you to obtain or renew a passport making your travel easier.

Professional guidance – Your agent can help you to chalk out a convenient itinerary on the basis of places of interest and also inform you about the etiquette, culture, and customs prevailing in that country. You can also seek assistance of your travel agent for currency exchange.

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Sightseeing While Vacationing in St Thomas
Sunday, May 12th, 2013 /



If you’re planning a vacation to St. Thomas, you’ll want to plan in advance. Planning ahead doesn’t imply packing your bags. This also means deciding what you plan on doing once you reach the place. To take full advantage out of your vacation you ought to determine which activities you would want to engage in and where you would like to go, before leaving home.

St. Thomas is a popular destination. This means that you can do and see an unlimited number of things on the island. That’s why it is advised that you plan your activities in advance. Planning ahead will ensure that you’ll be able to visit all of the aspects of the area that you might be thrilled to see.

When visiting the place chances are that you’ll want to visit the beach. Spending your vacation at the beach is nice, but you ought not confine yourself to just the beach. Around the island you may find excitement by experiencing what the island is offering.

Sightseeing and tour in St. Thomas can be accomplished in several ways. Depending on the duration of your vacation, you might be able to view a lot of the popular sightseeing attractions in the place. This is due to the size of the island. To be able to find and visit more interesting attractions while on vacation, you might consider renting a car. Hiring a car will provide you with the liberty to sightsee wherever and whenever you wish.

In addition to sightseeing by yourself, you should be able to be involved in guided tours. Guided tours take place on a daily basis, all over the island. If you would like to explore the ocean and view what St. Thomas appears like from the water, you might consider reserving a tour on-board a boat. Boat trips are a favorite and enjoyable option to travel around the island.

While boat tours are well-known they aren’t the sole tours that are offered. You might find multiple bus tours, bike tours, or walking tours in St. Thomas. Each of these tours will offer the chance to sightsee in St. Thomas. You will find that guided tours do charge a small fee. Regardless of their cost, you can find tourists who take pleasure in having the ability to see the region while learning useful data, simultaneously.

Whether you decide to go sightseeing and tour within the island yourself or join a guided tour, there are a number of places and interesting attractions that you must make sure you stop by. One of those particular attractions is Paradise Point. Paradise Point is most well-known for its tramway ride. For a small fee, you will see the Caribbean Ocean while suspended in the air. The Paradise Point Tramway shows up well liked among both locals and travelers.

You may also enjoy visiting the St. Thomas mountains. Guided tours of most of the mountains are available. In addition to guided tours, you can drive yourself to many popular mountain destinations. What you may find most enjoying about visiting the mountains is the view from above. Along your way, you will likely come across a number of beaches and other attractions that you may wish to stop at.

The above mentioned things to do and places to visit are just a few of the many that you may find in St. Thomas. By researching and examining popular St. Thomas tourist attractions you could possibly create a trip itinerary. If seeing as many places as possible is the purpose of your vacation, this itinerary may come in handy.

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Tourist Attractions Inside Sariska National Park
Monday, May 06th, 2013 /



Sariska National Park is one of the most wonderful parks created in the country which is open all through the year. It was originally the “hunting reserve” for the Royal Family of Alwar in the Rajasthan region.

Due to the fast depleting population of tigers in this region, the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1955 and then in 1978, it was taken under the Project Tiger and in 1982 it was converted into Sariska National Park. The National Park is spread across an area of 800 square kilometers, out of which 498 square kilometers form the core region of the Park.

The National Park is home to the majestic Bengal Tigers, Panthers and Leopards. Till a few years back, the tiger had almost disappeared from the National Park and then two tigers had to be relocated from the Ranthambore National Park to this forest. The main reason behind this is said to be the illegal poaching this wild cat.

One of the most amazing creatures of this jungle is the Four-horned Antelopes (Chausingha) which is the only animal to have two pairs of antlers. Apart from this, there are large numbers of Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Sambars, Chitals, Nilgai as also lots of Langurs.

The avian population also forma a major part of the jungle eco-system. There are a variety of birds which inhabit this jungle and include species like the Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Golden Backed Wood Pecker, Great Indian Horned Owl and the Crested Serpent Eagle.

But the main thing which attracts people to this National Park is the presence of several historical and religious monuments present in the precincts of the Park. Some of the major places of tourist significance inside in the Park are:

Kankwari Fort: This fort was originally built by Raja Jai Singh II and is located near the center of the Park. The importance of this fort was also recognized by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when he briefly kept his brother, Dara Shikoh, a prisoner here.

Hanuman Temple: The Hanuman Temple is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from the entrance of the National Park near the watch tower. It is well hidden among the dense green foliage of the jungle and reflects a mystique quality about it. The temple has a giant idol of Lord Hanuman in a reclining position. The origin of this temple dates back to the Mahabharata days. A large number of monkeys inhabit the temple premise, most of which are harmless enough.

Pandu Pol: One of the must see places in Sariska National Park is the Pandu Pol. As the legend goes, the Pandavas had spent some of their time here during the exile. And this is where Bhima acquired the strength of a thousand elephants after a serious battle with Lord Hanuman, which saw the defeat of the former.

The Pandu Pol is shaped as a natural arch formed due to the constant action of water against the limestone and in the rainy season, one can see a beautiful waterfall that is created.

The Sariska Palace: Sariska was the hunting reserve of the Royal Family of Alwar. The Palace has been built by the Maharaj of Alwar which has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

The Sariska National Park is one of its kinds in the country and is also the one which is visited the most due to its proximity to Delhi and Jaipur.

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