Published on: 03 January 2018
Last Updated on: 19 August 2019
Planning your abroad trip could be a quite daunting task, so it is always rewarding to find a reliable travel agent. Imagine squandering your precious efforts and time and still facing some glitch during your vacation. Sounds disheartening, isn’t it?
From booking cheaper flights to arranging the accommodation for your stay, you can be dependent on a prominent service provider. Numerous people usually face issues while they hire an unskilled professional for planning their trip.
Picking a promising service provider is necessarily crucial to ensure that you return with some cherished moments. Here are some of the aspects that you should keep in mind before you finalize a travel agency.
Does the Travel Agency possess a Valid Certification?
One of the significant things that require adequate consideration is the certification of the travel agency. Always prefer hiring a professional having proper certification issued by the legal authorities. It is perhaps the essential thing that many of the travelers usually ignore.
These registered travel agents could offer you better reliability and commitment as compared to the ones that are not having a valid certification. You can explore the internet to check whether a service provider is registered with the government agency or not.
Are you considering a Local Agency?
If possible, stick to the local agents that could guide you appropriately regarding the best packages and available deals instantly. Sometimes you can’t rely on the service providers whom you can’t meet. It is always a decent decision to hire a person that is always ready to fix a meeting regarding your concerns.
For example, if you are resident of Dubai, undeniably, you must give your first preference to Dubai travel agents that can be communicated easily whenever you face any issues. Moreover, it is recommended that you must always prefer the one that is ready to serve you 24×7 without getting annoyed.
What is the Overall Experience of the Travel Agent?
When you are shortlisting the service providers, make sure that you pick the ones having adequate experience of the domain. Choosing an unskilled professional for planning your vacations could be the worst decision. Always go for the agent that has a reputation in the market and is ready to provide unmatched services.
Booking cheap flights and finding cozy rooms for your stay are some of the tasks that require precision and experience. It will be a great option if you consult your acquaintances regarding some references for the same.
Have you Researched Regarding the Prominent Service Providers?
A little research regarding the available travel agents could be the finest thing that would lend a hand in picking the appropriate service provider. You can explore numerous websites offering an easy comparison of these travel agencies and individual agents without many efforts.
Moreover, you can compare these service providers with the prices and availability, which is perhaps the reason why most of the travel enthusiast prefers comparing these agencies online.
Conclusion
These are some of the essential questions that you must keep in mind before you finalize a travel agency for your next vacations.
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Say goodbye to your usual city tours and hello to excursions worthy of the travel bucket list! These quirky excursions are some of the most unusual ways to experience the world, be it scuba diving an underwater museum in Mexico or floating above the temples of Myanmar in a hot air balloon. Read on to discover our roundup of the quirkiest excursions on the planet…
1. Dive an Underwater Museum in Cancun :
A visit to Mexico’s glorious Yucatan Peninsula yields many treasures but the chance to dive the MUSA Cancun Underwater Museum is an absolute must. An impressive collection of 475 submerged statues, including an old VW Beetle, act as artificial reefs to stimulate new coral growth and the surrounding sunlit caverns, ancient shipwrecks and fascinating marine life make diving here simply unforgettable. Don’t have your PADI yet? Don’t worry – you can snorkel the museum too!
2. Hot Air Balloon Ride in Myanmar :
If you’ve always wanted to tick a hot air balloon ride at sunrise off your bucket list, then Myanmar is the place to do it. Taking the Telegraph’s number three spot of the best balloon rides in the world, Balloons Over Bagan offers a choice of sunrise and sunset excursions where you’ll gently drift over 3,000 colorful temples and stupas. With a 45 minute flight, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the spellbinding beauty from your enviable bird’s eye vantage point.
3. Underwater Sea Walk in Mauritius :
Have you ever dreamed of being able to take a casual stroll along the seabed to experience life underwater? Well, now you can! The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the unique excursions in Mauritius and it’s highly recommended by Best at Travel if you’re looking to absorb the beauty of the colorful coral and unusual marine life of Grand Bay. Don’t worry if you’re not good at holding your breath – you’ll be fitted with a helmet and special breathing apparatus to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
4. Swim with Pigs, Bahamas :
The beaches and waters of the Bahamas are famously filled with iguanas to stingray and magnificent marine life. But what you may not know is that a small stretch of sand, known as Pig Beach, is filled with wild pink and brown hogs that will swim out to meet you as you paddle the crystal-clear shores. These friendly beasts are tame enough that you can even feed them by hand! Like the sound of swimming with these gentle creatures? The Bahamas Tourist Office offers an excursion for those staying in Nassau or the Exumas that includes a boat tour through the Exuma Cays.
5. Gorilla Trekking in Uganda :
Tracking rare mountain gorilla through the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi in Uganda is nothing short of life-changing. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ecological uniqueness, the forest is home to half of the world’s gorilla population which means there’s a very high chance you’ll stumble across the fascinating troop sooner rather than later. Accompanied by a professional guide, you’ll track these magnificent creatures through the forest, passing waterfalls and steamy jungles filled with incredible wildlife.
Which of these quirky excursions is next on your bucket list?
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Business road trip often includes spending plenty of time at the airport, but that doesn’t mean taking an airplane is always the best option. If you’re only traveling a few states over, or if the Coronavirus has you scared to share a plane with a bunch of strangers, you may decide that a road trip is a better choice.
It’s true that driving a car is going to take longer, and it’s going to take more work, than flying in a plane, but your trip can be successful if you plan ahead.
Drive Safe
No matter where you’re going, whether you’re driving alone or with others from your office, it is important to drive safely.
That means doing things like making sure everyone is wearing a seat belt and making sure you avoid driving in truckers’ blind spots. It also means making sure everyone who drives the vehicle is legal and capable of driving.
If you’re renting a car or using a company vehicle, make sure everyone who is driving is an authorized driver. You also have to make sure everyone who is driving is awake and alert enough to drive. For example, if one of your passengers didn’t get a good night’s sleep, let them take a nap in the car while someone else drives until it’s their turn.
Read more: 7 Important Car Driving Safety Tips You Should Not Skip!
If Traveling With Others, Get Together Before You Leave
Traveling alone can get boring, especially if you spend hours alone on the road, but traveling with coworkers poses its own set of problems.
Traveling with coworkers can be a bit uncomfortable because you may not know each other very well. Instead of suffering in silence hour after hour during your road trip, take the time to try to get to know the people you will be traveling with before you leave.
That could mean doing something outside of work, like grabbing dinner or drinks, but you can also try to get to know them better during your regular work hours in the office. You can get to know your coworkers better by asking them a fun, random question every day, asking if you can eat lunch with them in the office, or giving them a call when you have a question instead of sending them an email. That way, you can ask about their day in addition to getting the answer to your question.
Bring Something to Keep Your Mind Busy
You may be able to fill up some of the time in the car when you’re traveling with others by talking or playing road games, but inevitably, there will come a time when everyone is quiet. It’s good to make sure you have something to keep your mind busy.
A few ways to keep yourself entertained include:
Watch a road trip movie
Read a book
Do crosswords or word finds
Download an app or game
Work on a work project
If you’re driving alone, you can also find ways to keep your mind busy. Create a business road trip soundtrack, listen to a podcast, or listen to an audiobook.
Schedule Breaks
You may be able to make better time on the road if you take as few breaks as possible, but that’s not a good idea. It can also be uncomfortable for passengers not to know when they’re going to stop, and not planning in breaks can make you arrive at your final destination late.
Instead of winging breaks, schedule them into your trip, and give the schedule to all of your passengers. That way, you have plenty of time to rest and everyone knows when to expect the next bathroom break.
Bring the Tech You Need to Get the Work Done
If you’re on a work trip, chances are, you and the rest of the people in your group will want to get some work done. That might mean working in the car or working in the hotel. To make it easier for everyone to get their work done, make sure you bring all the tech you need.
That might include laptops and tablets, but it also includes making sure you have the right car chargers and other device chargers. That way, everyone has a chance to make sure their devices are charged when they need them.
Going on a business road trip can be a bit nerve-racking, especially if you’re traveling with others. Don’t fret! With these tips, you can ensure your trip is safe, comfortable, and productive, no matter what your final destination.
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The Most 7 visited place in Dubai
Israel captures a person’s imagination at first sight. This is the place to come across the myriad colors and wonders of nature. If the various sacred sites strewn across the region strike the spiritual chord in you, then the wonderful shiny beaches enliven your stay. This place also displays its cosmopolitan side at its various bars, cafes and beaches at Tel Aviv, and at the boutique wineries of the Galilee region.
Naturally, experiencing the best of what Israel has to offer is a pretty daunting task. However, with the list of things to do in Israel described in this blog, you can be rest assured that every moment in Israel will seem like a celebration.
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Red Sea Star
Image source: Pinimg.com
Ever heard of underwater dining? Red Sea Star, the underwater restaurant, brings that wild imagination to life. Created 10 years ago, it constitutes a combination of two areas. The one above called the Metro Bar, offers splendid views of the Gulf of Aqaba, while the underwater area, called the Red Sea Star (so-called because it resembles the shape of a star), consists of an underground bar, including a floor covered in sand.
Beit Guvrin Caves
Beit Guvrin Caves were excavated from an area that was once called the Israeli cities of Maresha and Beit Guvrin. Archaeologists have come across many caves that spanned across several eras, from the Sidonian and Israelite to the Roman. Some of the caves may have served as hideouts and defenses. The highlight of these caves are the painted burial rooms created by the Sidonians. A Roman amphitheater, standing above the ground ruins of the city of Maresha, is an attraction in its own right.
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes
Image source: ravelingisrael.com
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes, located on the coast in proximity to Lebanon’s border, was once a diver’s delight. The pure blue waters found in the caves here are as much of an attraction as a mystery.
The caves were formed through millennia of strong waves crashing against the soft chalk cliffs on the Mediterranean Sea. The gondola cars that operate here transport the riders from the top of the white cliffs to the bottom in just around two minutes. Naturally, this site is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Israel.
Shrine of the Book
Israel’s Shrine of the Book, part of Israel Museum, was constructed in 1965. It houses ancient biblical parchments known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. This modern womb-like shrine has been created in the modernist line of architecture.
The exterior assumes a rounded peak with sculpted striations lapping up its walls, while the spacious interiors display the Dead Sea Scrolls the year-round. The glass cases on the outer ring of the shrine contain pages, but, it’s the central display which resembles a giant Torah scroll, that hogs the limelight.
Tel Hazor
A tour to Israel must involve visiting Tel Hazor, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site located over the ruins of an ancient city. Occupying over 200 acres just north of the Sea of Galilee, this region has yielded some incredible archaeological finds.
Some of the major attractions for the tourists here are the Solomonic city gates, a restored Late Bronze Age Temple and the city acropolis. The Canaanite Orthostat and Stele Temples are other sites that are worth visiting.
Makhtesh Ramon
Image source: igoogledisrael.com
Israel is full of bizarre geological formations called makhteshim (craters), and one of them is Makhtesh Ramon. Extending to 40km in length and possessing a width of almost 10km, it is undoubtedly Israel’s largest national park – Ramon Nature Reserve.
Visits and expeditions to this region can be conducted from the valley’s only town, Mitzpe Ramon (Ramon Observation Point), albeit visitors should avoid the mid-day heat. The best way of experiencing the magic of this place is staying overnight in one of the hand-woven tents and enjoying the company of the Bedouin herders.
Dialogue in the Dark
How about going blind for a day? Well, not literally! Dialogue in the Dark, an exhibition funded by former journalist Andreas Heinecke, consists of a series of pitch-black galleries which require visitors to experience their surroundings through visionless stimuli.
The visitors here are guided by blind or partially sighted persons who orient them to the surroundings, thereby providing a heightened sense of security in the darkened environment. The completion of the tour is followed by a conversation between the guide and vision-restored visitors.
Atlit Yam
Your holidays to Israel are incomplete without a visit to Atlit Yam, which contains the submerged ruins of a Neolithic coastal settlement. Dating back to 6900-6300 BC, these underwater excavations have unearthed wells, graves, and houses.
This historic site was discovered by marine archaeologist Ehud Galili and holds several unique fascinations. One of these is the seven megaliths arranged in a semi-circle encircling a freshwater spring, located in the center of the settlement.
Saba's Little Museum
Saba’s Little Museum is a wonderful museum located in the Jerusalem Hills. Its uniqueness arises from the various items that trace the history of the Jewish people and their way of life from Biblical times until today.
Stuffed in a small cluster of warehouses, this museum contains a collection of items ranging from memorabilia and junk to modern appliances. Children’s toy cars, vintage radio sets, along with some barrels and rusted steel cooking barrels are some of the items that a visitor comes across.
Meah Shearim
To get a glimpse of the ultra-conservative lifestyle of Jews, head to Meah Shearim. This neighborhood in Israel is home to the ultra-orthodox Haredim. A visitor can easily recognize this neighborhood by the community that resides in it – black suits with matching hats, full beards, and long and curling sidelocks known as eyes. You may end up buying Jewish texts with a high discount and gorging on some traditional baked goods.
Golden Calf Altar
The Golden Calf Altar was an idol made by Aaron for the Israelites during the absence of Moses. However, most of Israel’s idols were destroyed by the Assyrians when they raided them for their gold in 722 BC. Although visitors can no longer view the Golden Calf as it once existed, they can explore the ruins of the main sanctuary where the calf could have been located. Besides, visitors can also examine the numerous standing stone shrines that line the gate to the city.
Yad Layeled Children’s Memorial Museum
Among the many tourist places in Israel, this one will move your soul and heart completely. Yad Layeled Children’s Memorial Museum is a moving memorial to the 1.5 million Jewish children who were victims of the Holocaust. Visitors are shown various exhibits which include films, period artifacts and the testimonies of children who had to live during those frightening times.
Ein Bokek beach
Image source:.deadsea.com
The Ein Bokek Beach is a wonderful stretch of fine, golden sand that attracts a steady stream of visitors the year-round. The beach is equipped with various facilities like beach showers, changing rooms, lifeguards, etc. It’s a wonderful place to while your time and enjoy the pleasures of the beach.
Shahrazad
Want to taste some authentic Middle Eastern cuisine? Go to Shahrazad. This Middle Eastern restaurant in Haifa serves authentic cuisine of the region with an indigenous twist. An example of this is the dish “mansaf” (rice with ground lamb, tangy goat yogurt, pine nuts, saffron, and nutmeg), which is served with ordinary falafel balls. The tamarind juice here is another great stuff to try out.
Mount of the Beatitudes
This spectacular Roman Catholic Church, built-in 1937, stands on a site where it’s popularly believed that Lord Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. The sermon’s opening lines begin with the phrase “Blessed are.”
The octagonal church inside which is looked after by Franciscan nuns are commemorated in the stained glass just below the dome, with the seven virtues being represented around the altar. Besides, the wonderful balcony and gardens provide spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee.
Hecht Museum
Hecht Museum is one of the many amazing places to visit in Israel. However, the one collection that stands out is the Ma'agan Mikhael Shipwreck – the well-preserved remains of a 13.5m long merchant ship from 400 BC. Apart from these, the archaeology section also contains an entire section on the Phoenicians. Besides, Israelite, Moabite and Phoenician seals from the First Temple period and an incredible collection of ancient coins can also be found here.
Al-Jazzar Mosque
Al-Jazzar Mosque, built-in 1781 in typical Ottoman Turkish style, is the third most important mosque in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The mosque is distinguished by its enormous green dome and is accented with a graceful pencil minaret. Somewhere around the base of the minaret, one can find the small twin-domed building which contains the sarcophagi of Al-Jazzar and his adopted son and successor, Suleyman.
Tabor Winery
To know the ins and outs of wine processing, and sampling some of the best wine to be found anywhere, visit the Tabor Winery. It has gained a legendary reputation both for its red and white wine and produces almost two million bottles a year. Apart from been given a free tasting of the wine, visitors are provided with guided tours for groups of 10 or more. The winery also runs one-and-a-half-hour grape harvests from late July to August.
Beit She’an National Park
To get a glimpse of what life was like during the Roman Empire, visit the Beit She’ a National Park. The opulence and grandeur that surrounded the everyday life of the Romans is reflected through the colonnaded streets, a 7,000-seat theatre which looks the same as it did 1800 years ago, two stone columns and two bathhouses. The incredible part about all of them is that they lie exactly where they fell during the Galilee earthquake of 749 AD.
Centre International Marie de Nazareth
Any tour to Israel inevitably involves a visit to the Centre International Marie de Nazareth. Located across the street from the Basilica of the Annunciation, this place serves as a venue for ecumenical work among Christians, besides the promotion of inter-faith dialogue. Built by Chemin Neuf, a Roman Catholic community-based in France, this fabulous cultural center consists of peaceful rooftop gardens which contain plants mentioned in the Bible. They offer amazing 360-degree panoramas.
Agamon HaHula
Your holidays in Israel are incomplete without a visit to Agamon HaHula – one of Israel’s favorite parks, located in Hula Valley. To see an unbelievable amount of storks, pelicans, and cranes, you need to head to this place right away. This crane-watching opportunity really comes as a privilege. Comfortably seated in your vehicle, you can view these magnificent creatures from the closest range possible. The other birds that can be seen here occasionally include pelicans and storks.
Bahai Gardens
Visited by over half a million visitors a year, the Bahai Gardens are one of the major tourist attractions in Israel. Their unique design, which combines geometrical shapes with the conservation of natural and historic landscape features, enchants the visitors to no end. In July 2008, these gardens were included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for being holy places possessing outstanding universal value. The gardens comprise a staircase of 129 terraces which extend all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel.
Yad Vashem
A visit to the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem will move your inner spirit and overwhelm your emotions like never before. This memorial is dedicated to the six million Jews who died at the hands of Nazis. One can find the names and personal details of millions of victims recorded in the Hall of Names. The centerpiece of the museum is the Holocaust History Museum, which lies on the lower level. Exploring the entire museum takes about three hours in total.
Ancient Galilee Boat
To come across a fascinating piece of history during your holidays in Israel, visit the Yigal Alon Museum, where you will stumble upon the ancient Galilee boat. The discovery of this boat was made by a local fisherman in 1986 when the waters of the Sea of Galilee were at their lowest ebb. The fishing vessel measures 8.2m in length and is made from 12 kinds of recycled wood. Wall panels and three short films tell the amazing story of its discovery and preservation. It’s said that this boat was used by the members of Jesus’s ministry.
Said Abu Elafia & Sons
You cannot be in Israel and not visit Said Abu Elafia & Sons – one of the best bakeries of Tel Aviv. Established in 1880, this bakery spans across four generations. Visitors love to gorge on its bourekas (stuffed bread with sheep’s cheese), sambusas (filled pastries) and a unique Arab oven-baked pizza-like concoction filled with eggs, tomato, cheese and olives.
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