Plan to lure workers from cars to eco travel
Titans, Cardinals plan to practice together after preseason game
The Arizona Cardinals will travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans in the second week of the preseason, and then they plan to stay in town to practice with the Titans for the last two days of Tennessee’s training…
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Martin Travel consultant talks about benefits of buying travel insurance
Martin Travel consultant Judy Miron says a typical travel insurance policy covers trip cancellations caused by a variety of problems, including medical conditions.
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Plan to lure workers from cars to eco travel
MORE THAN one million people who drive to work each day are being targeted to switch to more sustainable transport, such as car-pooling, walking or cycling.
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End Of Summer Travel Plans
Most parents like to give their children the chance to travel somewhere fun right before they have to return to school. This type of travel is in addition to the family vacation that they took shortly after school let out and will be afforded on a slightly cheaper plan because parents must spend so much getting their child ready for school time such as buying uniforms, books and of course, tuition.
The travel plans might not take them far from home but will be to places where the parents know the kids can have loads of fun. Many beach locations are perfect for travel at the end of the summer because there is a lot of a wide and open space that kids can produce as much noise as they want. Kids can play all types of games on a long beach and still enjoy swimming in a heated pool or the open ocean.
Some parents find amazing discounts offered at theme parks right before the Memorial Day weekend. Kids love amusement parks and find that they have a great time riding rides and eating a variety of foods that they have never had before. Parents love the opportunity to stay at stellar hotels that offer amazing service at affordable prices, and these accommodations are usually less than a mile from the amusement park.
When parents choose to travel with kids right before school starts, they try to fill each day with as much excitement as possible. They might make it a habit to put a trip to the local ice cream parlor on the travel itinerary each afternoon and by the end of the trip the kids will have had the opportunity to taste all sorts of flavors and enjoy the rich creamy flavor of home made ice cream that is simply delightful.
Parents might be inclined to spend more on souvenirs when they travel right before school starts. Shops along the beach will certainly be interested in reducing their inventories because in a few weeks, they know that they will be closing their doors until the next summer season rolls around. Parents that travel with kids can buy stylish swimwear and souvenirs for friends and family members that stayed behind to watch their home or had other travel plans to enjoy.
Any beach resort is certain to have seafood on the menu and parents that travel with their children right before school know how healthy seafood is. The price of seafood in their home which is not close to the beach might make it high priced and the family can only afford it on special occasions. When on vacation though in a beach resort, they are sure to get their fill of flounder, shrimp and delicious scallops.
James Brown writes about , and
To Buy Hotel Rooms Or Not To Buy Hotel Rooms
To Buy Hotel Rooms Or Not to Buy Hotel Rooms
In recent years, experienced hotel and resort developers have been offering private investors the chance to invest in hotel rooms on a buy to let basis.Visit Here
Of course, the idea that you can buy hotel rooms sounds glamorous but how do buy to let hotel developments compare with traditional overseas property investments? If you’re thinking about investing in property overseas then there are probably a few things on your wish list. A manageable investment level, a hands off project, an excellent return on investment and possibly a magical destination that you’ll want to visit year after year will all be important.
Of course, with the current economic climate, you’ll also want a secure and safe investment that is likely to ride out the property downturn.
It’s not that surprising then that one of the more recent features of the overseas property market – buy to let hotel rooms – is continuing to grow despite the doom and gloom elsewhere. All but unheard just a decade ago, the opportunity to buy hotel rooms is often seen as a perfect way for private investors to limit their personal exposure while still enjoying both the income benefits and potential capital growth of buy to let property investment.
So what, exactly, do you have to do to buy hotel rooms?
Buying a hotel suite is not that different to traditional buy to let property investments. A hotel developer will sell a number of rooms, suites and apartments within the hotel to private investors. As business travelers and tourists book the rooms, the developer pays out a percentage of the room rates back to the investors.
Investors who buy hotel suites get a ‘hands off’ investment where an experienced hotel management team handle everything from marketing to maintenance. Financially, buy to let hotel developments can deliver both capital appreciation and regular income with returns in the region of 10%+ from income alone being regularly achieved. Of course, when you buy hotel rooms there’s always an added bonus to consider – free and discounted stays in a high-end hotel.
So how do they compare with other overseas property investments? Buy to let hotel developments can help minimise risk.
The way in which hotel developments offset individual risk is one of the biggest attractions for investors keen to buy hotel rooms. Buying an overseas property to let out brings with it one big risk – not being able to let the apartment or villa you buy. When you buy hotel rooms, the returns are not based on the particular suite you purchase but rather the success of the entire hotel. An occupancy rate of just 50 – 60% would normally be enough to deliver a solid return on a buy to let hotel room.
You can buy hotel rooms as part of a SIPP or other personal pension investment.
Usually when you buy hotel rooms, one of the perks is free or heavily discounted stays at the hotel. If you don’t need personal use of the hotel though, buy to let hotel rooms can be perfect for buying via self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs). If you buy hotel rooms through a SIPP you will benefit from tax free capital growth and earnings. In fact, your SIPP can own an individual hotel room or even share in several through a syndicated arrangement.
Many people buy hotel rooms for a hassle free investment.
From fixing the broken toilet to choosing the curtains, traditional buy to let investment properties come with their own set of headaches. Investors usually get around this by paying for a management company to keep an eye on things and take bookings. With buy to let hotel room investments, everything from marketing to maintenance is a part of the package from the start. Experienced hotel management companies ensure the highest quality standards in everything from customer care to the furnishings in the rooms.
Buy to let hotel rooms offer a solid return on your investment.
As the last 12 months have shown, investing in property can be a harrowing experience. Falling property prices have created the ultimate buyers market, but unfortunately, no one can be sure when, or even if, property price increases will return to their pre-crisis strength. An overseas property today could actually fall in value before things get better.
This is perhaps the biggest reason for the rise in popularity of buy to let hotel rooms. The option to buy a hotel room should be considered less of an investment in property and more of an investment in the tourism of the region – with the benefits of property appreciation thrown in for good measure. Even as overseas tourist numbers ebb, the growing number of people taking their holidays in their home country tends to pick up a lot of the slack. High-end hotels also benefit from the conventions, conferences, weddings and other events that they host throughout the year.
No investment is free from risk, but for people considering an overseas property investment, buying a hotel room could offer just the right balance between reduced risk and potential for growth.Visit Here
Visit Here
Trying to plan rail travel in Europe?
I am looking for some good websites on planning train travel in Europe. Looking to go from Amsterdam-Prague-Bucharest. Having trouble finding times/route times etc. I am understanding that it is best to buy on site, but need some info to plan. Any help much appreciated.
Getting the Most Out of Your Travel Deals – By Best Hotel Deals
The lowest and the cheapest travel deals are not always the best deal.
Today, travelers could be overwhelmed by the numerous travel deals being offered. Therefore you should weigh all options before choosing the right one in order to get the most out of it.
Hector Milla Editor of the “Best Hotel Deals” website — — pointed out;
“…The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discounts is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them…”
And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.
Whether you’re a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:
1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.
2. Buy your ticket all at the same time instead of buying one at a time. Booking fee may be discounted.
3. Booking for a package tour could be a wise choice for some destinations.
4. When planning a more complex trip, a travel agent can save you more time and money.
5. Compare prices online for the best deal. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.
6. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or season of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal.
7. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.
8. Smaller airlines often have lesser fees. Additionally, small airlines don’t necessarily mean smaller airplanes.
9. Alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.
10. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.
11. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.
12. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler.
“…Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower airfare, lower hotel rates. However, it is important to weigh and compare all options since not all cheap travel deals will give you the travel value you deserved. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most of your hard earn vacation budget…” added H. Milla.
Further information about the cheapest rates on hotels all around the world by visiting;
Hector Milla runs his corporate website at where you can see all his articles and press releases.
Are Buy to Let Hotel Rooms a Safer Bet? They Could be ..
The recent economic woes and collapse of the housing market is leading some investors to consider non-traditional property investments – specifically buy to let hotel rooms – as safer bets compared to traditional buy to let and renovation projects.
Under normal circumstances the phrase ‘non-traditional investment’ would not be associated with playing it safe, but the investment market at present is far from ‘normal’. The uncertainty in the financial markets and the collapse of both property prices and mortgage lending, have hit property investors hard. For those investors looking for a good place to park their retirement funds, safety and diversification are key factors.
The idea that you can buy hotel rooms might seem like a strange concept but its growing appeal is down to these very same motivators. Experienced hotel and resort development companies invite individual investors to buy hotel rooms within high-end hotel developments. Investors who buy hotel rooms see returns from both capital growth and regular income from rooms let.
Buy to let properties have always offered savvy investors a keen return, but as mortgage rates climb faster than rents can go up, many have been left out of pocket. Moreover any time the property stands empty means hefty monthly mortgage repayments and no income.
Buy to let hotel rooms offset these risks by basing the investors’ income on the performance of the hotel as a whole, not their individual suite, and so provide a regular income level. Even a half full hotel can provide a solid return on investment for private investors who buy hotel rooms.
Of course, having all your eggs in one investment basket is still a risky move, which is one of the reasons why buying hotel rooms is often viewed as a way to diversify an existing portfolio. Buying a hotel room is much more of an investment in tourism than a straight property play.
It’s a fact that particularly appeals to those planning for retirement as, provided you don’t need the free stays on offer, you can even buy hotel rooms via your self-invested personal pension (SIPP) scheme.
Case in point, a recent development in the upmarket tourist town of Sesimbra is offering freehold luxury suites on a buy to let basis.
Keen to attract secure investments the developer is also offering to cover all closing costs and paying cash back to early investors.
Of course, for those not buying via a SIPP, investors also get the perk of free stays in the hotel as well – a little bit of luxury to part the dreary economic clouds.
Adrian Warriner / Owner Invest are the UK-based specialists. For more information on how to buy hotel rooms and current developments in Portugal visit >>