How To Choose A Hotel At The Right Price

Whether travel is for business or pleasure, the choice of hotel is important. Savvy travelers know what to consider before selecting a hotel. Anyone can make the perfect choice by using these guidelines.

Financial Considerations

Whether you have an expense account with a limited amount or are on a budget, finding a hotel within an affordable price range is vital. There are several ways to do this and these include:
Hotel coupon books. These free guides can be found in many places, including travel centers, convenience stores, airports, supermarkets, restaurants, and attractions.

One of the most popular hotel coupon books is called "Travel Buddy." Look inside for clip and save coupons to major hotels. Savings are less than standard rate but carry some restrictions. Most hotels won’t accept discount coupons during holidays or special events or with near full occupancy. Be sure and understand any limitations before you book a room or check in. Some coupons are for walk-ins only; others allow travelers to call ahead to make a reservation at the lower rate.

Go online to save. Many online travel booking sites exist that offer consumers lower cost lodging. Some of these include Expedia, Travelocity, and PriceLine. Book through one of these sites and save.

If you prefer a chain hotel, go to the main website and book. In order to compete with online travel services, many hotel chains have lower rates online for those who make an advance reservation.

Compare rates and save.
Join a travel group. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the best known of these but there are others. Such groups offer members savings beyond those offered to the general public.

Consider making a trip during off-season or on days that are not peak. In resort areas, weekday rates are sometimes less expensive than weekends. Las Vegas and other popular gambling destinations often offer lower rates on Mondays and Tuesdays than later in the week.
Visit the website of an independent hotel to check rates and book a room.

Backpacker Travel Tips

There are a number of practical steps you can take to avoid running into difficulties and dangerous situations and stay safe overseas.

Money and valuables
Before departure:

 organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash
 check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas
 make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While overseas:
 don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves
 wherever possible, leave passports, travellers’ cheques and other valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
 if you have to carry them with you, keep your passport and valuables in something that can be worn around the neck, under your clothes and out of sight (eg. money belt)
 lock your baggage when unattended, particularly at airports, train stations and on buses.

Personal safety
While overseas:
 be wary of food and drink spiking – never leave food or drink unattended
 comply with local dress codes and cultural sensitivities (this applies to both male and female travellers)
 don’t hitchhike
 avoid unlit and back streets at night
 avoid travelling alone in train carriages and keep the carriage door locked on sleeper compartments
 keep your hotel door locked and meet visitors in the lobby
 never give out your hotel name or room number to strangers
 think twice before accepting an invitation to go out with a stranger alone
 to ensure you are familiar with the types of crime and scams that might occur - check out the crime section in the travel advice for your destination at smartraveller.gov.au.

Sydney Travel Guide

Sydney belongs to the exclusive club of world cities that generate a sense of excitement from the air. Even at the end of a marathon flight across the Pacific, there's renewed vitality in the cabin as the plane circles the city, crossing the branching fingers of the harbor, where thousands of yachts are suspended on the dark water and the sails of the Opera House glisten in the distance. Endowed with dazzling beaches and a sunny Mediterranean climate, its setting alone guarantees Sydney a place among the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Korea Travel Tips

Government offices are open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. from March to October, and between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m. from November to February. On Saturdays, they are open from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Most private businesses open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. but some are open until late evening. Major department stores open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Visitors with confirmed outbound tickets may stay in Korea for up to 15 days without visas. Exceptions to this apply to visitors whose countries do not have diplomatic relations with Korea.
Upon arrival in Korea, all visitors are requested to fill out an embarkation/disembarkation card (E/D), along with a customs declaration card. An oral or written declaration must be made to the customs upon entry. Like any country, Korea prohibits the entry or exit of certain articles (e.g. weapons, drugs, and explosives) and places heavy restrictions on other articles. When departing, be sure to pay the airport tax of 8,000 Won.
Korea's currency unit is the Won. Coins are in denominations of 10, 50,100, and 500. Bank notes are of 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000. Foreign bank notes and traveler's checks can be converted into Korean Won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized moneychangers.
Value added tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10%. In hotels, tax is applied to rooms, meals, and other services, and is included in the bill.
Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom. A 10% service charge is added to the bill and tipping is not expected. It is also not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless extra services are provided.
Outlets for both 110 and 220 volts are usually available. However, newer hotels may only have 220-volt current. Always check the power supply before using equipment.
There are four types of public telephones: blue, gray, card, and credit card phones. All four can be used for both local and international calls. A local call costs 50 Won for three minutes, while inter-city calls are slightly more expensive.
There are many hospitals where some English is spoken.. However, it is always best to use the international clinics at larger hospitals.