Venetian Las VegasTravel Like A King On Pauper's BudgetHow would you like to visit Paris in the spring?
Sample local wines in Tuscany in September?
Enjoy the English countryside in the summer?
Sound like a dream? It doesn't have to be. You can travel to some of the world's most exotic and beautiful locations, and stay in an Italian villa, a Parisian pied-a-terre, or an English manor and you'll only pay for airfare, dining out and tourist attractions! How? By using a housing exchange service. Some of these companies have been around for 50 years, and are widely used in Europe, Asia and Australia.
It works like this. You pick what country you want to visit, when you want to go, and how long you want to stay. Arrangements are made, and you exchange homes with someone else. This is a wonderful way to drastically cut costs, and yet see exciting, wonderful places. By staying in a home, you're not paying the high cost of hotels (which can run upwards of $125 a night) or dining in restaurants, saving you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars! Plus, you get the added benefit of living like the locals do.
You enjoy total immersion into the culture, and rather than being treated like a tourist, you have the opportunity to make new friends and participate in your surroundings as a member of the community. With a "homebase" you have the choice of how you want to explore the region.
You also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your home is being carefully looked after, your plants are being watered, and your pets are taken care of. So, how do you get started?
Do an Internet search for "housing exchange." Find a company that you're comfortable with. Sign up and join the housing exchange list. (Some companies have over 10,000 members!)
Decide where you want to travel, when and how long you want to stay. Then, with a click of your mouse, you can find information of other, like-minded travelers, who want to visit your area.
You can look at pictures and read short bios about the homes, to help you make your decision, and then contact the owners to reach an agreement. Here are some of the things you'll want to agree on: Total number of adults and children staying in the home Use of the vehicle and it's maintenance What linen will be provided in house, and how will it be cleaned? Care of pets Long distance phone calls Don't worry though. Your housing exchange company can help you put together a list, and give you ideas for preparing for your guests.
Instead of going to a cold, impersonal hotel room, you go "home" and are welcomed by your next door neighbor, who gives you the house keys and invites you to dinner the next evening, telling you to call them if you have any questions. When you enter the front door, there's a bottle of wine and fresh flowers on the table to welcome you. You find a note on the fridge, telling you how to heat the light meal that's been prepared for you. On the kitchen counter is a pile of brochures and maps, giving you insider information about where to go and what to see.
Over the next week, you visit the places you've only dreamed about during the day, making new friends and building memories that will last a lifetime. And every night when you come "home" you get to relax and unwind, without stress or worrying about anything. You can have the vacation you've always dreamed about, and save thousands of dollars at the same time!
Bon voyage!
Venetian Las Vegas
Careful Preparation Makes for a Great Vacation
Venetian Las VegasFinally, the time has come that you have decided you either need, deserve or just want to take a vacation.
The Venetian Las Vegas is a great getaway! You might be the type of person who quickly throws stuff in a suitcase and caution to the wind. However, most people like to arrange their vacation to make it as worry and trouble free as possible. The key here is planning and organization.
First you should select the type of vacation and its destination. Are you looking for a relaxing time on the beach, an exciting skiing vacation or a thrilling gambling junket to the islands? Once you have narrowed down the type of excursion you have chosen, it is time to do some research.
You will want to find the peak time of the year to go for your particular trip along with the best prices on transportation and lodging. You can get the information from your travel agent or do it yourself on the Internet.Then depending on your decision, purchase the airline tickets, schedule the cruise, rent a car or reserve the hotel or campground.
Arrange for transportation to and from the airport. Allow enough time to get your traveling documents in order. For instance, ordering a notarized birth certificate or applying for a passport, visa, international driver's license, travel insurance, etc. Be sure if you will be going as the solitary parent, to obtain a notarized letter of consent from you spouse or ex-spouse that you have the permission to bring the child with you to your destination. However if the other parent is deceased, you may need to present their death certificate. Then again, if you will be leaving your child with a guardian, give him or her a notarized letter allowing them to authorize emergency medical attention.
Check to see if any mandatory inoculations are necessary for immunization to travel in the area you are going to be visiting. Verify that your health insurance is up-to-date. Plan your itinerary because a well-planned itinerary will save you both time and money.
For example, if you decide you really want to attend a special festival, concert or other activities while you are away, check out if it will require tickets or reservations and order them before hand. This will avoid arriving to find a long wait or the activity is sold out. Do not overload your schedule. See how long it will realistically take to get from place to place. What is the best way to get there? How long will you stay? Realize there will be delays caused by weather, transportation and possibly health issues. You will want to make sure you have everything at home tended to while you are away. You will need someone to take care of your pets, plants and trim the lawn. You may wish to hire a house or pet sitter. Otherwise, you will have to arrange to have your pet boarded, the mail held at the Post Office and deliveries like the newspaper and bottled water temporarily stopped. Make sure that you supply your house sitter with a key and the alarm code to the house.
Provide instructions for taking care of your pets. Also make a list of emergency phone numbers they might need, such as, the veterinary, police, fire department, alarm company and where you will be staying. Shortly before you leave, make sure you have your prescriptions refilled. Pay any upcoming bills. Shop for things you will need to bring with you. Give yourself plenty of time to pack your luggage so you will not forget anything. Advise your alarm company and police department of the time you will be gone. Put lights and maybe a radio on timers so it looks and sounds like someone is home. Throw out anything in the refrigerator that will spoil.
Make sure to have the credit cards, travelers checks, cash or foreign currency, reservation confirmations and traveling documents you will need. Right before you depart on vacation, shut off all electrical appliances and unplug televisions and computers. Depending on the season, raise or lower the heat and air conditioning. Take out the garbage. Shut off the water to your washing machine and outside faucets.
Check with the airline to confirm your flight is on schedule. Lock up the house and car. Get ready to have a fantastic vacation knowing everything has been taken care of due to your careful preparation.
Venetian Las Vegas
