Haggling Tips for your Holiday in Dubai

The UAE’s markets and souks are legendary. In particular, Dubai’s holiday makers are spoiled for choice when it comes to their shopping options, with everything from leather goods to gold available to buy and sell on the markets. Everyone knows that haggling is to be expected, and yet somehow British tourists often feel uneasy with this – especially when it comes to the legendary gold souks. Don’t be intimidated – learn these handy bartering tips, and you’ll be boasting about the bargains you got on your luxury holiday in Dubai for months to come…

Know the market and the currency

The first thing to remember about bartering is that you shouldn’t head off to the souks on the first day. Spend the first few days of your Dubai holiday browsing the shops and markets to help you get your head around both the currency and the general value of goods. It’s all too easy to be drawn in by a shop keeper’s smooth tongue and end up badly overpaying for low quality goods – especially if you’re new to the currency.

Spend a little time figuring out the currency (you don’t want to realise days later that you spent half an hour haggling over 10p!), and the general value of goods so that you’re in an informed position when it comes down to making your bids.

When it is finally time to hit the souks for the first time, remember that a lot of haggling is in how you look. This may seem unfair but consider this: if you were a shopkeeper, would you be more inclined to accept a low offer from an inconspicuously dressed person or the tourist in the expensive looking suit flashing a rolex watch? Dress down for the occasion and make sure they don’t see you coming to ensure the best bargains on your luxury holiday in Dubai.

It’s all about the mannerisms

The interesting thing about haggling on holiday in Dubai is that it’s less about the words that are said, and more about the things which are not. A well placed sign of hesitation can have a shopkeeper instantly offering you a lower price as he senses you ‘weakening’, for example. On top of this, facial expressions play a huge part in the process – a quick flash of amusement, surprise or horror can see an instant advantage to you. Imagine you’re an actor and convince the shopkeeper that he must lower his offer, or lose the sale.

Do bear in mind during this that the haggling process is supposed to be fun, though. Never be rude, and enjoy it as the game it is. A playful, likable demeanour is more likely to get results than a surly attitude.

Be ready to walk away

Before you begin haggling on the item you want, set an absolute top price you’re prepared to pay, and if the shopkeeper doesn’t offer it be prepared to walk away. With all the souks in Dubai, you’re best off saving your money for a better deal (providing you’re being reasonable), plus the very act of walking away is often the sign for the stall keeper to throw in one last gasp attempt to make a deal. Walking away, bizarrely, can be the ace up the expert haggler’s sleeve, and can get Dubai holiday bargains beyond your wildest expectations!

It’s quite possible to enjoy the markets of Dubai without haggling, but it’s definitely more satisfying if you can talk your way into a bargain during your holiday. Dubai’s store owners expect it, so give them what they want and hopefully bag yourself some high quality souvenirs in the process!

Peter Vasilou is a Dubai specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in luxury Dubai holidays, as well as holidays in Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and Southern Africa. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

It barely needs saying, but Beijing is an absolutely fascinating city. There is a proud ancient history demonstrated by monuments and museums, juxtaposed against the impressive modern structures constructed in time for the Olympics this year. In this list of 10 must sees, you will see the old mixed with the new – all part of the contrast which makes China’s capital such an exciting, vibrant destination to visit.

Drum and Bell Towers

In olden times, most cities in China would use their drum and bell tower to sound the beginning and end of each new day. Nowadays, Beijing’s drum and bell tower is largely for tourists, but is well worth visiting on a holiday in China – if nothing else than for the wonderful panoramic views of the city offered from atop the tower! There are hourly performances as well, giving you an insight into how days were greeted in times gone by.

The Forbidden City

Refurbishments due to this year’s Olympic Games have been particularly kind to the Forbidden City – home to 24 emperors of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Essentially a huge imperial palace, this is one sight that is an absolute must-see, and although it would take two days to see it all, the main attractions can be seen in a single visit. Be sure to take in the great halls and the imperial gardens, and be left in awe at the incredible architecture and huge sense of scale. A must see on any Asia holiday!

The Summer Palace

If you have not had your fill of palaces with the Forbidden City, the longish trek to the Summer Palace is well worth it. Located in a tranquil lakeside location, the complex has a huge number of walkways, gardens and temples to explore and you should be sure to have your camera handy for the brilliant view of distant Beijing from the Tower of Buddhist Incense.

798 Dashanzi Arts District

Once upon a time, this was an electronics factory. Now the site is home to a buzzing collection of cafes, galleries and studios with a very trendy feel to it. A nice alternative to the ancient monuments and sites, Dashanzi Arts District is a must visit part of the city for those with any interest in modern Chinese art.

The Great Wall

If you think of the biggest tourist attraction for a holiday in Asia, the Great Wall of China has to be a major contender. Originally built to keep out the Mongol forces, the wall is synonymous with the country and it’s hard to imagine a luxury holiday in China passing this by. Despite being photographed an incredible amount, the Great Wall still always manages to leave me in complete awe at the sheer scale of the amazing structure every time I visit.

Lama Temple

Visiting various temples is a key part of most holidays in Asia, but if you only have the time to visit one of them, Lama Temple should be the one. Regarded as the most important Buddhist temple outside of Tibet, this collection of shrines is guaranteed to leave you impressed almost beyond words. The craftsmanship is always impressive, but perhaps no shrine more so than the enormous Maitreya Buddha, which is officially registered as the world’s tallest Buddha in the Guinness Book of Records!

CCTV Tower

One of the more modern wonders of Beijing is the China Central Television Tower – or CCTV Tower for short. By far the tallest building in the city, its observation deck sits at an impressive 238 metres, with the tip of its antenna reaching 405 metres! As the name suggests, the tower contains broadcasting equipment for China Central Television, and the observation deck offers incredible panoramic views of the city.

Temple of Heaven

Although the Temple of Heaven sounds on the surface like one to miss for those suffering from temple fatigue, it’s actually an entirely different proposition from most holy sites. As well as having particular historic worth (it was the main centre of worship for the country’s leaders, and ancient emperors would come here to give thanks with offerings), it’s a popular hang out for many local residents, who can often be found singing, dancing and exercising in the surrounding gardens.

National Centre for the Performing Arts

For a more unusual modern structure, China’s holiday makers should look no further than the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Colloquially labelled “The Egg” by locals, it’s a dome of glass and titanium surrounded by an artificial lake. Love or hate the architectural style, it’s certainly a talking point and well worth a visit.

Beihai Park & Houhai District

While central Beijing can be a little on the overwhelming side with its crowds and bustle, the same accusation cannot be levelled at Beihai Park and the nearby Houhai shopping district. The former is an oasis of calm that seems to encourage relaxation, and the latter is a quiet area dotted with quaint little shops and charming restaurants. If the pace of modern Beijing is getting to you, make sure you stop by here on your holiday in China.

There’s plenty more to see here, but this should definitely give you a start. Whether you’re interested in history, art or culture, a luxury holiday in China’s capital cannot be recommended enough.

Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With holidays in China from AITO, you can tailor-make the dream holiday.

Ohio theme parks are some of the best in the world, with the biggest rides and even bigger thrills. But, these major tourist destinations can also be a major headache. From the lines to the ticket prices, a trip to the park is often easier said than done. So, if you’re planning an upcoming Ohio theme park vacation, keep reading for some tips and tricks that are essential to family survival.

Can Your Kids Handle It?

Certain rides may come with age restrictions, but theme parks don’t. However, just because you can take your three-year-old to Six Flags, does that mean you should?

Remember, younger children can really slow down the pace of the day as you make your way from the rides to the potty to the cafeteria and back to the rides. Smaller infants are often easier as they can be pushed in a stroller, but it also limits your options as a parent. However, before you take your kids to a theme park, ask yourself if they’re ready.

Have a Realistic Budget

A simple five day vacation to some of the best Ohio theme parks will cost you more than you might think. A family of four eating at restaurants, sleeping in hotels and paying for gas can easily work up a tab of well over $2000. So, be realistic about your budget.

Start saving by avoiding the pricey junk food stands and by toting plenty of healthy snacks, such as juice boxes, dry cereal and fruit, string cheese, and granola bars. Next, don’t buy items like sunscreen and film at park kiosks - the prices are generally higher than they’d be elsewhere.

Skip the Crowds

Finally, call the park you want to visit and ask for a vacation-planning guide and a map so you can plot out your plan of attack. In general, theme parks are laid out in a giant convoluted circle. Theme park vets will tell you that most people veer to the right after entering the gate - so go left and work your way through in a clockwise rotation.

You can also avoid the crowds by heading straight for the rear of the park and slowly work your way toward the entrance. While you make your way to the front, you’ll avoid the rush of people. Also, get a map of the park ahead of time and plan out your route the day before.

Say No to Ticket Lines

Most parks in Ohio allow you to purchase your tickets online in advance, meaning you can avoid the massive ticket lines at the start of the day.

Where to Go

The best known out of all the Ohio Theme Parks is the Cedar Point amusement park, the biggest park in the world. However, there are numerous others and multiple water parks in the surrounding area, such as King’s Island, Six Flags and SeaWorld. For more information, contact the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism for additional details about any of their parks and the various rides.

For fun information about recreation and travel ideas - please visit recreationtraveltips.com - a popular site about creative ideas for your next vacation - such as golf hotels in Spain - Beaches Turks and Caicos - and many more!

Are you visiting Madrid on a very tight budget? In this article I’ll show you how you can comfortably eat, drink and sleep in the Spanish capital on a budget of no more than

By pre booking your transfer from Malaga you can arrive content in the knowledge that you won’t have to worry about language barriers and long waiting times when you arrive. There is no guarantee that a taxi or transfer would be available to you as you arrive it is much wiser to pre book and save yourself time and money.

You should attempt to book your transfer at the same time as your flights to Malaga and holiday, this way you’ll make the best savings and be sure of getting a booking to suit your needs. Once booked the company will send you all of the relevant details you will need to get to your final destination. They also send a confirmation of your booking nearer to your time of travelling. Ensure you take with you all of the appropriate booking references.

A Transfer shuttle works in a different way to a private taxi and for this reason the cost is a lot less. You will be met at the airport by a member of their staff who will take you to the shuttle bus. Shuttle busses can work extremely well if you have extra luggage, sometimes there is a supplementary charge so make sure the travel company is aware of this prior to travelling.

A shared shuttle transfer usually leaves within 45 minutes of your arrival the company tries to guarantee that you won’t have to wait around for passengers for longer than this. Once on board your bus may make more than one stop. You will have been told which stop is yours and where you should disembark. Generally speaking you are always within short walking distance of your accommodation if you can not stop at your accommodation itself.

Airport transfers from Malaga are a safe method of reaching your destination without having to worry about it when you arrive. Transfer companies hold public liability insurance but you should always make sure you have private personal insurance in place when travelling abroad.

Airport shuttles are a very affordable way of reaching your destination. Often when you book a taxi transfer they will charge you a set rate for the size of vehicle which they use if your group is either quite small or a strange size you can find yourself paying for empty seats. A shuttle transfer eliminates this problem and will save you money.

Travelling in a shuttle bus is also a sociable occasion it’s a great way to meet people of a like mind who might be staying at your destination. The Sierra Nevada Ski region is relatively close to Malaga a shuttle transfer to this region is the best way of reaching the Ski resorts near to Granada; they make a fantastic winter break destination.

Holiday taxis offer a similar service to Resort Hoppa, their prices are based on the type of vehicle which is used. Again it depends on the size of your group as to how much money you may save; take a look at their booking system to see how you fare. They also offer a premier service for any one who wishes to travel in luxury. Holiday Taxis are also taking a ‘greener’ stance regarding vehicle emissions; this allows you to off set your carbon footprint for a small fee.

How to find the best Airport Transfers, Malaga at La Manga Club .

Top Five Resorts in Menorca

Menorca sits like a beautiful teardrop in the Mediterranean, just south of France and east of the Spanish mainland. As you can imagine, the weather is balmy, the sea is clear and the air is clean, crisp and fresh. It’s almost as if Menorca was designed with resorts and relaxation in mind, and we believe that visitors to the island should experience this to the full. Indeed, Menorca has many villas, apartments, and resorts that lift your enjoyment to the highest possible level. We count down the top five resorts on the island for a perfect mix of relaxation and fun.

5. Binibeca

A great little resort on Menorca’s south eastern tip, Binibeca starts our count down in style. The resort leans towards the relaxed rather than active end of the scale, with the surrounding areas being peppered with well presented Menorcan villas. The sparkling white of the villas creates a pleasing tableau amongst the area’s sloping, wooded hills, while the warm Mediterranean wind completes the picture. It’s instantly relaxing and welcoming from your first moment there, and there’s a palpable feeling of a weight being lifted.

The choice of catering options is wide, but if you choose to go self catered your stay is even more secluded. Food packs can be set for when you arrive, and when you need supplies you will find most of your needs locally as well as some good bars and restaurants for eating out. Further facilities can be found in Sant Lluis just a short drive away. The row of shops has all the necessities you will need, as well as some bars and restaurants for eating out. All in all, Binibeca is just a great place to lose yourself, relax and unwind.

4. Torre Soli Nou

Torre Soli Nou is a step up from Binibeca in terms of seclusion and relaxation. Villas in this part of Menorca fit with the even more laid back attitude of the area. Situated in the bay of Son Bou, the resort gives you complete control over your choice of experience; you can walk to San Jamie, enjoy the wide variety of beautiful flora and fauna or just sunbathe on the beach. The area is entirely as you want it to be.

3. Santo Tomas

To the west of Torre Soli Nou is Santo Tomas, a resort with a greater feeling of community. Wide wooden walkways, bars and excellent local restaurants are populated but not as brimming as some parts of Menorca; Villas and apartments in the area create a neighbourly feeling, as does most of the local area. This small, community feel also extends to the nearby Es Mijorn Gran, a village with many different attractions, from churches to caf

We take travel and the hospitality industry almost as a given – whether it be travel by air, rail or road as well as the service industry of providing fro accommodations. Where and how did this all arise in terms of history and historical records?

Indeed many historians and anthologists consider travel for trade and commerce to be a common well established history in the histories of civilization’s in mankind. Civilizations of great power, long duration and extensive dominions were by and large known for their sophisticated levels of commerce. Along with travel for commerce grew travel for pleasure or enjoyment itself. The ancient societies of Greece m Egypt and Rome openly encouraged pleasure travel by providing necessary ways and means. With such support, travel contributed to the success of each of these great empires.

The ever increasing specialization of labor within ancient civilizations fostered the growth of travel. As ancient communities grew in size, the tasks and roles of the population became ever more specialized and skilled. This made it possible for communities to develop an array of products that increased in quality in each generation. Craft persons honed their skills and passed them along to family members or others willing to learn. Such division of skills meant that people needed to exchange goods to survive. For example a craftsmen or craftsperson busy producing pottery products would not have time to plant and harvest crops for food. This scarcity of time required by craft persons to obtain the necessities through barter and trade with a person who specialized in planting and harvesting crops.

This exchange of products and currency required travel. Caravans and trade expeditions moved people, products and even ideas between entirely different cultures. The oceans provided the great major routes of travel for the cultures centered in the Mediterranean – particularly the Greeks, Egyptian and Roman empires. Toads too, supported the swift deployment of military power as well as facilitating the exchange of good over what might be considered previously vast distances. Indeed over time, what were foot trails along the Mediterranean or even in the Manitoba prairie became major overland trade routes. As these routes were maintained and improved, they became the basis for extensive road systems.

Based upon the history and quality of these road systems, it can be assumed that historically travel became a most important part of commerce, government as well as cultural exchanges during the rule of the Roman Empire. Now the stage was set for what became the service industries of the hospitality trade to be developed. In the later years of the Ronan Empire, the road system began to include inns, stables for animals. Travel became even more predictable and easy to accomplish with the introduction of simple maps and mapping technologies.

What resulted was that onwards travel as well as travel and transportation technologies improved to support commerce and trade over long and longer distances. This included travel for all types – whether it was for trade and commerce, communications, military travel and even simple basic travel for pleasure and enjoyment/ it can be said that war itself increased the growth of travel. The victors would establish communication routes back to the home business office. Travel would thus blossom with those in power and their new citizens as people and trade would increase and even blossom with these realms.

Thus the basis of our travel, hospitality service industries – be they travel means themselves – be they air, road, ship or railway, the promotion and the development of the food and lodging service industries all can said to be the result of trade and commence between people and groups of people all seeking different and better quality good and ultimately man’s trade and commerce.

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Now when it comes to retail therapy Liverpool excels. Offering a wide range of fashionable, chic, individual and eclectic shops as well as all the major names you would expect to find in a major city.

Anyway enough introductions, lets get in to specifics:

Liverpool One

Liverpool ONE offers more than 160 famous high street stores, ultra-hip fashion brands, cool independent boutiques, caf

A glance around Southampton’s multi-million pound city would reveal its delicate and vital history. A city that has been at the forefront of shipping, engineering and government for decades holds significant magnitude among the United Kingdom’s biggest cities. The HMS Titanic made her fateful maiden voyage from the docks in 1912 and the distinguished landmark of World War II, the Spitfire was constructed upon Southampton’s hallowed grounds by engineer Reginald Joseph Mitchell.

With such anticipation then it is no wonder the jewel of the South is subject of many city break guides. So whether you are here to absorb or unwind it is down to the accommodation to encapsulate the soul.

Arguably the Jewel of the South’s Jewel is the beautifully constructed diamond of Southampton. Exploding out of the original contused wall in the 15th century the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel takes on a floor-less diamond image with its exquisite exterior.

The hotel with sumptuous sea views has played host to BBC Sports awards, housed celebrities and is a mere stone’s throw away from the Central Southampton. The shopping districts of West Quay, Above Bar Street and Bar Gate, astride the sophistication of Oxford Street & offer some of the most elite eateries in Southampton.

With over 320 rooms ranging from £90 to £425 introduces the best way to witness the city. The three restaurants, bar, swimming pool, sauna and gym help to sweeten the deal, keep an eye out for any special offers.

For individuals living on a shoe string Southampton does offer cheaper alternatives. The AA Awarded ** Brimar Guest House prides itself on friendly staff and clean exemplary rooms. With 15 years of experience and a recent renovation, the Bed and Breakfast holds 21 rooms and continental or full English awaits when you awake.

Situated 10 minutes drive from the bustling city centre and located near bus and rail links in and out of Southampton, gives easy access for all individuals or families. Free parking and free wifi internet means if the nights aren’t spent on the town in one of many night clubs catching up with friends and family is effortless. The Totton based B & B offers rooms ranging from £30 to £60 so to ensure you are not disappointed book in advance.

For those one with nature a beautiful escape to the commercial world sits merely 9 miles outside of Southampton. The New Forest holds acres and acres of luxurious woodland and within sits Woodlands Lodge *** Hotel. The old hunting lodge dating back to the 1700’s has been recently renovated and boasts 16 regal rooms complimenting the Bentleys Restaurant for elegant dining. Being a mile from any main road and far from central Southampton, having a car is recommended however public transport is around and bicycles are an enjoyable way to experience the Forest. The three acre garden encapsulates the soul with strolls encountering the many ponies that make the Forest unique. Rooms range from £70 to £249 offering a truly sophisticated excursion.

For those who prefer a quieter, more tranquil experience, The Riverside Bed and Breakfast will almost certainly entertain the imagination. The two bed room B & B offers one single and one double bed perfect for single or couple travellers. The hidden ace is the mooring dock which has been converted for the guests. The Dock reaches out in the River Hamble, extending expectations of catching a sunset bouncing off of the River. The humble family run establishment is based in bitterne, a simple ride or walk from the centre. A stay in this idyllic house will cost £30 for the single and £60 for the double room, do book in advance otherwise someone else will be enjoying your view.

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There are many reasons why Wigan is a popular place for the visitor. It could be sport for Wigan Warriors in Rugby League, the Latics for a football fixture or Orrell for Rugby Union. Wigan is the “homeland” of Northern Soul and had many thousands of visitors to the world famous Wigan Casino in the seventies. It could be that you may be visiting for the heritage of Wigan or to visit the legendary Wigan Pier. One thing is certain; there are many ways to get to Wigan.

Fully blessed with a full Motorway network, the M6 runs alongside Wigan and the home of Heinz Baked Beans can easily be seen when travelling along the M6 motorway. The M58 is a less widely known Motorway but leads to the Northern end of Liverpool and is a popular motorway for locals on their way to Southport for a day out at the seaside. It also leads to Skelmersdale where there is a plethora of industries housed on the industrial areas. The M62 passes closely by and can be used for the centre of Liverpool or Manchester in the other direction, miss Manchester and you will continue over the Pennines and end up in Yorkshire, for Huddersfield, Halifax and Leeds.

Wigan has two railway stations, there used to be three! Today the famous Wigan Wallgate is used to travel to and from Manchester and Liverpool as well as a lot of smaller stations in the immediate area. The main railway station is the Wigan North Western which is almost equidistant between Glasgow and London and can be reached by train in approximately two and a half hours. The geography of Wigan is fantastic as the town is also equidistant between Liverpool and Manchester thus making the town a very popular commuting point.

The canal is another method of travel and the Leeds to Liverpool canal snakes around Wigan and over recent times has seen an enormous transformation. Famous for the Victorian times and it’s industrial heritage the canal has always played a very important role for Wigan and indeed, its banks are also home to the world famous Wigan Pier and is still today a visitor attraction for visitors from all over the world.

The canal also passes by the golf course at Haigh Hall, a wonderful visitor attraction for the town, where the golf course has a couple of holes that run by the banks of the canal. Many a local kid has spent their summer holidays “rescuing” the errant golf balls from the “cut” and earning their spending money by selling the balls back to the golfers.

Today the canal is also home to an increased number of people that have escaped the rat race, sold up and bought a houseboat. There are a number of marinas around Wigan and these have developed over the years into small communities that share this common interest and that also travel the canal visiting the numerous canal side hostelries around the area that provide some fantastic food and “water” to the travelers.

So there we are, many ways to get to Wigan and whilst there is no airport, Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool are all close by and accessible within an hour, well by car and train, the canal may take a bit longer!!

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