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Finding cheap hotels online with Easytobook.com

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Easytobook.comEasytobook.com is a hotel booking site that searches hotels online. Easily search through thousands of cheap hotel deals that are available in destinations around the world.

One of the most useful features of Easytobook.com is the compare tool. If you have used other booking sites before you might have opened a new tab for each hotel you are interested in. Pretty soon you have half a dozen tabs open which makes comparing a real pain. With the Easytobook.com compare tool, you can save the hotels you are interested in, then once you have compiled your short list compare them all side by side.

The comparision shows a map, the features of each hotel, what is included in each deal (as deals can vary at the same hotel), Wi-Fi Internet (very important!), and the rating from the TripAdvisor user reviews.

The TripAdvisor user reviews are integrated into the site, so everything you need is on the same page. No need to open browser tabs from various hotel booking sites here as this site is designed with usability in mind. You can get a quick overview of the Tripadvisor rating, or click to expand for detailed rating, all while keeping the booking page you are on.

While having a hotel booking site that is easy to use is one thing, an impressive hotel booking engine is next to useless if you can’t find cheap hotels. Easytobook.com offer the best rate guaranteed, and there are no extra hidden charges for using this service. Each search result also clearly highlights when there is a special offer on at the hotel, and how many rooms are left available at that rate. Hotel bookings made on the site are confirmed immediately, so the rate you booked at is the rate you will pay.

Should you have any questions or problems with your booking you can contact Easytobook.com via email or via a free call number (in selected countries.)

When you visit the site be sure to bookmark the travel tips blog, as it features interesting destination guides as well as travel competitions and special offers.

Easytobook.com does just what its names suggests – making it easy to book a hotel room.

Top 5 experiences to be had in India

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India is one of those nations that lures travellers year after year. It’s so vast and the experiences you can have are so diverse that, when planning trips here, it’s hard to know where to begin! For a little inspiration, read on to discover our top five Indian experiences.

Discover urban India

If you’re planning an India tour, you’ve got to make sure you hit at least one of the country’s urban areas. Since it’s the capital city, Delhi is a popular place to choose – and it’s particularly interesting thanks to the blend of Old Delhi (which was the capital of Islamic India) and New Delhi, created as the new seat of government by the British.

What will hit you first when you come here is the dizzying amount of traffic – people, cars and animals seem to be everywhere. Top things to do include visiting some of Old Delhi’s historic sites (like Jama Masjid, the country’s largest mosque), perusing the colourful bazaars and getting a taste of New Delhi in its modern cafes and restaurants.

Head out of the cities

While India might be famous for its urban buzz, there’s heaps to discover when you head out of the big cities. Unsurprisingly, given India’s size, there are a lot of places to choose from, depending on what exactly you want to see.

If you’re after a total contrast to the cities, try to spend some time in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. You can book camel rides here that’ll take you deep into this quiet expanse – and you can even camp under the stars.
Alternatively, head to Kerala and explore the famous Kuttanad backwaters by boat. The best way to do this is by converted rice barge, which are often luxuriously refurbished these days, meaning you can float past rice fields and lagoons in comfort.

Spiritual India

Of course, India’s a very spiritual country and it’d be a shame to visit without experiencing this side of it. There are a number of ways you can do so, such as by getting Ayurvedic treatments. This is a traditional form of Indian medicine, and you can indulge in things like massages that are meant to be good for both the body and mind.
Alternatively, head to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and see Ganga Aarti – praises sung to the River Ganges – performed in the evening.

Visit the Taj Mahal

Another thing that’s got to be on your to-do list is seeing one of India’s famous buildings – and there’s none better known, or more beautiful, than the Taj Mahal (which you’ll find in Agra). It’s an image most of us are familiar with, since it’s one of the world’s most prized buildings. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it dates back to the 16th century, when it was created by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Go wildlife spotting

It’s hard to think of India without images of exotic animals, such as tigers and elephants, springing to mind. So, while you’re travelling, one of the best experiences to have is to see these creatures living in the wild. The country is home to lots of conservation areas, including Ranthambore National Park, which is regarded as the best place to see tigers in the wild.

To spot the rare Asiatic lion, you’ll need to head to Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat. This is actually the only place left where you can see them in the wild, so doing so is a pretty incredible experience.

How to integrate with local communities when volunteering abroad

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If you’re about to become an international volunteer, lucky you! There’s really nothing quite like heading overseas and utterly immersing yourself in a local community. That said, it’s understandable if you’re a bit apprehensive about how well you’ll fit in – especially if you’re travelling somewhere with a really different culture.

It doesn’t need to be a terrifying prospect though – read on to find out all kinds of ways to make sure you integrate into the community smoothly.

Learn the local language

Now, us UK travellers have a bit of a reputation for heading abroad and speaking nothing but English – and thinking that if we just speak a little more loudly and a bit more slowly, we’ll be understood.

Ok, we might get lucky and talk to someone who understands what we’re going on about, but it’s not the best way to ingratiate yourself with the locals. You’re a guest in their country, so make an effort to use their language. Even if you don’t do it particularly well, the fact that you’ve tried will speak volumes – so give it a go.

You can make things easier by preparing as much as you can before you travel. You could take a short course, for example, or get a friend who knows the local lingo to help you out. It’ll definitely help you communicate more smoothly and make friends faster – which can only be a good thing!

Research local customs and traditions

Another frequent stumbling block when you’re living with other cultures is being unfamiliar with their customs and traditions. This is definitely an area where research before you travel is essential – otherwise it can be pretty easy to accidently offend someone.

For example, if you’re in India and your hosts offer you a flower garland, make sure you accept gracefully; being given a flower garland is considered an honour and to refuse would be disrespectful.

Of course, learning every single custom and tradition before you go might be a bit of a tall order. So, while you’re there, be willing to ask questions if you’re ever unsure – people will usually be only too glad to tell you more about their culture. Plus, it shows you’re interested in them, which will always help you make friends.

Get involved in local life

The next step is throwing yourself into local life. Since you’re taking part in a volunteering project, you’ll probably be doing this already, so you might not need to think about this one too much. Don’t be shy about getting involved in local activities or trying a new type of food – you might discover a new passion!

Don’t cling to your camera

It’s pretty easy to spot a tourist a mile off – they’ll be the ones with the camera, the map and the slightly confused expression on their face. When you’re travelling, that’s you. If you really want to fit in, try to leave the map behind – once you’re familiar with your surroundings and are comfortable doing so – and don’t incessantly take pictures. I’m not saying don’t take any, but having a camera permanently hanging around your neck will mark you out, so try to let the tourist side of yourself go for a few days and just enjoy being where are you and doing what you’re doing.

Find low cost flights with BravoFly.com

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With rising gas prices affecting airlines, the brunt of the money to cover expenses always gets put on the flyer. Whether you like it or not, costs of flights around the world are soaring to all-time highs and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. Additionally, the charges that are put on for checked baggage, plus even further fees for bringing carry-ons onto a plane have become simply ludicrous. Therefore, to capitalize on your own bankroll when you travel, it’s important to make sure you find low cost flights on the same top airlines that are charging these exorbitant fees. When you need low cost flights across the country or around the world, consider BravoFly.com.

BravoFly.com is the exciting new way to save on airlines. Rather than searching for individual flights, you now have the power compare and contrast what airlines will charge for any flights during your travel time and go with the lowest fares available to you. Additionally, whether you go with the cheapest airfare or not, BravoFly can save you as much as %60 on flights with major airlines.

If you’ve got family travelling with you, BravoFly offers you the opportunity to share low cost flights with the rest of the group through social media and email. With one click, you can post the link to the same great deal you found on a flight on Facebook and Twitter. Share low cost flights with your friends and followers alike who are looking to book the same flight as you.

BravoFly.com has one of the most expansive collections of airlines and flights that are available to you when compared to other major low cost flight web sites. With over 400 airlines and growing, you’re bound to find a flight heading out of and back into a major airport near your city. Whether you’re travelling 6 months from now or heading out next week, you can still save a bundle with low cost flights from BravoFly.com.

There are more than 80,000 flights across Europe alone on a daily basis, and well over a quarter of a million flights worldwide. There are empty seats on nearly every one of those flights, which is potentially lost money for any major airline. By offering low cost flights, airlines make some money, and you get to save some money, making it a win win for everyone. You just need to know where to look. Choose BravoFly.com for finding low cost flights the next time you need to travel.

Torres Del Paine: one of the world’s ultimate trekking destinations

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It’s always hard when someone asks you to put together a list of the best destinations for a trekking travel adventure – after all, there are so many places in the world where strapping on your hiking boots is pretty much mandatory.

That said, Torres del Paine in the Chilean part of Patagonia is likely to feature in most top tens and with good reason. If you’re curious, find out why the national park should be on every hiker’s bucket list.

Varied landscapes

There are definitely lots of destinations around the globe where you’ll discover fantastic scenery while trekking – but there are certainly far fewer locations where you can look forward to seeing towering mountains, vast lakes, massive glaciers, gushing waterfalls, sprawling ice fields, stretches of Andean desert and large tracts of forest – oh yes, there is also a wide range of wildlife that lives in the region.

That certainly ticks off a few boxes and there are several routes you can follow during your break to see the best of Torres del Paine, which leads nicely on to the next point …

Dedicated trails

While hikers love getting off the beaten track and exploring, it can be hard going if you don’t have proper paths to follow for the majority of your trip. There are two particularly popular routes in Torres del Paine - the W and the O trails.

If you only have a few days to spend in Patagonia, pick the W tour, which covers a little over 76 km in four days. You’ll enjoy some amazing mountain views along the way, as well as visiting the Frances and Grey glaciers. Keep your eyes peeled on the sky and you may even catch a glimpse of one of the world’s most impressive and rarest birds, the condor.

Should you have longer to spend exploring Torres del Paine, which is definitely advisable, tackle the O trail. The circuit usually takes around seven days to complete and runs for 93.2 km. You’ll have the same starting point as with the W route, but you’ll walk around the Paine massif, as well as getting a stunning view over the southern ice field.

Lots of wildlife

Patagonia is home to a vast array of flora and fauna, some of which you’ll be able to see as you wander. The condor is certainly impressive, but that’s not the only bird you should look out for, with eagles, woodpeckers and even flamingos among the other winged creatures that live in the national park.

If you’re lucky, you could catch a glimpse of a puma, while there are several species of fox that inhabit the region, as well as skunk, guanaco (a close relative of the llama) and the south Andean deer. You’ll find operators that run dedicated wildlife spotting tours, so it might be worth considering one of these if you’re particularly desperate to see some of these creatures.

Year-round hiking

A final reason why Torres del Paine is one of the world’s ultimate trekking destinations is that you can visit at any time of year. The national park doesn’t have a season when it shuts down, so you can pick when you want to travel and go for it.

The summer is the most popular time for trekking, due to the warmer weather and you’ll get around 16 hours of light every day thanks to its southerly position. One thing to remember – spring/summer here is between October and April, as Patagonia is firmly in the southern hemisphere.

Winter is colder and, of course, snowier, but you can still get out and about as long as you’re prepared. You might not be able to access all the park’s trails, but at least you’ll have the ones you do walk along all to yourself!

Written on behalf of Explore for itravelnet.com.

Marrakech – The assembly of the (not so) dead

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The Djemaa El-Fna square is the beating heart of Marrakech, which translates roughly as ‘the Assembly of the Dead’, but it could not be more alive. It is unorganized chaos and bedlam, people will accost you each and every way you turn, trying to sell you god only knows what. Trying to tell you stories you can’t understand, taking you by the hand and proceeding to henna tattoo it, asking you for money having already done the tattoo. These are known as the Henna Hustlers, and are just one of many ‘traders’ that make up the cacophony of Djemaa El-Fna square. However this is somehow only adds to its charms, you simply have to adapt. You have to realise that you will be targeted for every possible blag for money as a westerner, but as long as you are aware you can start to understand and enjoy this magical place. For example if you wish to purchase something, be prepared to be asked for around %500 than it is actually worth. One way to barter is put the amount you want to pay in your pocket, say that is all you have and start to walk away. Nine times out of ten they will make the sale to you. You will soon realise that you are not in the UK, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

The square gets its name from what it was originally a parade ground made by the Amorovids, in front of their royal fortress. The name ‘Assembly of the Dead’ specifically refers to the executions which would take place here, the pickled heads exhibited for all to see upon spikes.

By night the square literally transforms. I would recommend sitting and waiting for the sunset, and watch the whole scene unfold before your eyes, like a theatre of the night with the cast of thousands. Night and day the orange juice sellers will be ever present; gypsy style ramshackle carts piled high with oranges, other traders crammed into every other nook and cranny with all manner of dried fruit and nuts for sale. The many mint sellers you can barely see behind their small green mountains. To the ever increasing throng of tribal drums played on animal skinned drums, more and more clusters of figures gather under rough parasols. The Henna Hustlers will be out in force seeking undrawn hands and feet, and the snake charmers sat cross legged playing entrancing sounds holding the mighty cobra in a somnambulistic trance, which in turn is strangely entrancing to watch. You will see men leading nappy wearing monkeys, charlatans, beggars and traders performing the most weird and wonderful spectacles before your eyes.

It is a bizarre bedlam, entire make shift kitchens are pulled onto the square with tables and chairs making it a huge outdoor restaurant of sorts, with scooters and rickshaws beeping and weaving through it all. It has a circus like atmosphere, and you will go away with some definitely perception changing memories!

Staying in a Riad in Marrakech is the only way to experience the country just as the locals do, book one by clicking here for your next holiday!

Top 10 Museums in New York

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New York is full of amazing art, culturally significant museums, and amazing tourist attractions. A typical stay in this legendary city will afford art lovers an incredible variety of museums to visit and if money is an issue, you can look into 0 APR credit cards to help you finance your museum tour. Here are the top 10 museums for you to visit in New York:

Ellis Island Immigration Museum — This museum is located in the New York Harbor, where immigrants who entered the United State during the early part of the 20th century were inspected. The museum is devoted to educating people about these immigrants and the experience they went through.
Ellis Island, New York- Admission free – Hours 9AM-5PM Mon-Fri

American Museum of Natural History — The 7th most visited museum in the world, the Natural History Museum features rotating exhibits with 25 interconnected buildings, 46 exhibition halls, and 32 million specimens. It also sponsors hundreds of field expeditions each year.
Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY – Adults $19, Children $10.50 (non-members) – Open daily 10AM-5:45PM

Guggenheim Museum — One of the more popular destinations for art lovers with collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and contemporary art and designed by the famous architect Frank Loyd Wright. Located in the upper East side of New York, this museum is a unique cultural landmark and overlooks Central Park. 1070 5th Avenue (at 89th Street) NY, NY – Sun–Wed 10 am–5:45 pm, Fri 10 am–5:45 pm, Sat 10 am–7:45 pm, Closed Thurs, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day – Admission Adults $18 Children under 12 free Students and Seniors $15

Metropolitan Museum of Art — With 19 different departments and 2 million works of art, this museum has one of the largest collections in the world. It even contains 1st century Roman interiors.
1000 Fifth Avenue New York, New York – Tuesday – Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Closed Monday (except Met Holiday Mondays), Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1 – Admission Adults $25 Seniors $17 Students $12, Members and children under 12 Free.

Museum of Modern Art — Known as the MoMA, this museum has been around since 1929 and hosts only contemporary art. Containing work from over 70,000 artists, many art critics consider it to be the most influential modern art museum in the world.
11 West 53 Street New York, NY 10019 – Open daily 10:30 AM-5:30 PM except Tuesday – Adults $25, Seniors $18, Students $14, Children 16 and under and Members Free, Guest of Members $5.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum — This is a guided tour of the tenement building that was home to around 7,000 immigrants from over 20 different countries. Visitors get to observe the apartments inhabited by these immigrants of the Lower East Side and hear stories about their lives.
103 Orchard Street NY, NY – Tour only, call to set up a time – Admission Adults $22, Students and Seniors $17, Members Free

Museum of the Moving Image — This museum is focused solely on film, television and digital media in our society. Popular destination for film buffs and families.
36-01 35 Avenue (36/37th Streets) Astoria, NY – Monday Closed, Tues-Thurs 10:30AM-5PM, Fridays 10:30AM-8PM free from 4-8PM, Saturdays/Sundays 10:30 AM-7PM – Admission Adults $10 Seniors and Students $7.50, Children 3-18 $5, Children under 3 Free.

New York Historical Society — Founded in 1804, this museum is dedicated to exploring the historical documents, decorations, paintings, and furniture of New York.
170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way New York, NY Mondays ClosedTuesday-Sunday 10AM-6PM, Fridays 10AM-8PM

Whitney Museum of American Art — Focused on taking a broad view of 20th century art, the Whitney is home to over 120,000 works of art.
945 Madison Avenue New York, NY – Closed Mon and Tues Wed-Thurs, Sat-Sun 11AM-6PM Fri 1PM-9PM – Admission Adults $12, Seniors and Students $9.50, Members and Children 12-under Free, Friday 6PM-9PM Pay-what-you-wish.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum — This museum present exhibitions related to historic and contemporary design and how design has affected people’s lives.
2 East 91st St, New York, NY – New Graphic Design Exhibit open May 26th!

As you can see, there is no shortage of art in the Big Apple. In fact, one could spend years in this city and not even come close to taking advantage of all the great galleries. If you’re planning a visit to New York even for a business trip, look into your best business credit cards for small business 2012 to look for group discounts for weekend museum crawls.

Three top tips for Canadian travellers

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As a North American country consisting of ten provinces, Canada is a glorious place to explore. Frozen landscapes combine with luscious forests, geologically active volcanoes and one of the world’s most voluminous waterfalls – Niagara Falls – to make this a diverse and versatile holiday destination.

Canada also boasts numerous claims; being the second largest country in the world with the largest number of lakes, the longest coastline and the longest border (the common border which lies between the country and the United States of America).

All of these features make it a great place to explore, even for native residents – but what travel advice should Canadians follow when looking to travel around their home country?

1. Start local

The easiest way to begin exploring your own country is to start with what you know – your local environment. Many people who live in close proximity to key tourist areas, such as Ontario in Canada or London in the UK, often fail to visit the area’s main attractions.

If you are lucky enough to live close to these areas then make sure you give them the attention they deserve and take a short holiday. For most tourists, starting with the main attractions and working your way to smaller, lesser known, regions is the logical way to work. This allows you to see your country’s best features before taking a look at the hidden gems.

2. Plan in advance

Another important piece of advice is to make sure you plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Just because you are staying on home soil doesn’t mean you can afford to be lax with your preparation and having a clear idea of what you intend to do will help your holiday run as smoothly as possible.

Remember that popular areas will book up quickly during peak times when both national and international visitors flood to the area. Visit experts such as Hayes and Jarvis to get advice on the best places to stay and look at their extensive list of suitable hotels and holiday accommodation in your chosen area.

It may also be worth considering how you intend to travel to the destination and whether a self-drive option would be best. You could always combine the trip with a tour of the country or even cross the border into the United States if you fancy a more adventurous holiday.

3. Go further afield

Of course, if you have already travelled extensively within your own country then you may fancy going a little further afield. Whilst the United States would be the next logical choice, there are plenty of other options and luxury Dubai holidays would provide a unique contrast to the Canadian landscape.

As a country which is known for its arctic conditions, Canada could not be more different to Dubai – although surprisingly both destinations are home to ski slopes with Ski Dubai (the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East) proving to be a great attraction for winter sport lovers.

Other destinations, such as holidays in Caribbean, would also provide an interesting change for Canadians, offering the chance to relax in luxury on some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic beaches.

Northern Lights: Please Wait for 11 Years

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Seeing the Northern Lights is on everyone’s bucket list. Whether you have an interest in science and astronomy, just think they’re pretty or worship them like a Norsk God.

Northern Lights
[Photo by Schwebbes]

Northern Lights holidays are a lucrative trade and a valuable source of income for countries that extend into the Arctic Circle, like Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada and even Scotland; even though they can be seen as far south as Mexico.

Arctic Circle
[Photo by duncan]

It’s definitely the mystery that surrounds them that makes people go on these pilgrimages though, a sense of adventure that just wouldn’t be the same if you were just sat with a telescope in the back garden.

Telescope setup
[Photo by robglover]

The best time to see the Northern Lights is when there is high sunspot activity, which is about every 11 years. Which is a long time to spend in an igloo, but they can be seen all year round if a decade out in the snowy wilderness doesn’t sound appealing.

Igloo
[Photo by alastairhumphreys]

The Northern Lights can be seen all day every day if the conditions are right, meaning that if you can’t be bothered to work out when the next 11 year cycle will be you could always go during the Arctic winter when it’s almost permanently black, almost all the time, to improve your chances of a sighting.

The best place to see the Northern Lights is, technically, Yellowknife in Canada’s Northern Territories, which has often been labeled as the ‘capital’ of Northern Lights experiences, having had the highest ratio of sightings.

Yellowknife
[Photo by bendavid]

If you don’t want to risk an Arctic expedition with the chance of not even seeing the Northern Lights, then there are plenty of weekend tours to places which offer excursions for one day on Lights tours, meaning you can still enjoy your city break if you don’t see the greatest show on just off-Earth.