For The Value Conscious Las Vegas Traveler, The Medieval Excalibur Hotel

The Excalibur Hotel & Casino opened in 1990 with 4,008 rooms and was one of the original themed resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The medieval theme can not be denied with the white castle jetting up into the sky surround by the two room towers on either side, Camelot roaming the resort and a live medieval dinner show. And don’t let the fact that Excalibur is nearly 20 years old concern you, the resort has recently undergone an extensive renovation.
Conveniently located at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, you will find yourself next door to the Luxor, and across the street from New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the Tropicana and MGM Grand. And visiting Mandalay Bay or the Luxor couldn’t be any easier. You can either take the monorail that connects the three hotels or you can beat the heat and walk from one hotel to the other without ever stepping outdoors.
Room rates are certainly a value at Excalibur. Depending on what time of year you visit Las Vegas and what events are taking place in the city you can get rooms for as little as $70 per night. You will pay at least three times that amount at some of the newer resorts on the Strip. In addition, a number of their rooms have been refurbished to include pillow top mattresses and widescreen televisions. Of course, these rooms will have a slighter higher nightly rate than the standard rooms, but they can still be considered a good value.
Although most resorts in Las Vegas no longer cater to families, as most resorts did back in the early 1990’s, Excalibur still welcomes vacationing families. The entire family will enjoy the Tournament of Kings dinner Show. Jousting, fireworks, horses, dancing and singing, what more could one ask for? Maybe eating dinner with your fingers? Other attractions include the newly-renovated pool area and the Fantasy Faire midway where you and the kids can test your skills at arcade and carnival style games.
The casino isn’t for the kids but it does cover over 100,000 square feet. The Excalibur casino floor features hundreds of the latest slot machines with denominations from $.01 to $100, for those of you who like to think of yourself as high rollers. You can also spend time wagering on your favorite sports teams or the horse races in the full-service Race and Sports Book. And if poker is your game you won’t be disappointed by the Poker Room.
In the dining category, Excalibur offers something for every taste. Try the RoundTable Buffet or the 24-hour Sherwood Forest Cafe. A recent addition is Dick’s Las Resort, very casual and very fun, the menu includes Macho Nachos, Ride’m Cowboy Rib Eye and a Case O’ King Crabs. For a dining experience that is more high-end you can tempt yourself at Sir Galahad’s, a pub and prime-rib house, or The Steakhouse at Camelot.
Coming to Las Vegas to get married? How about getting married as the king and queen of Camelot? The Canterbury Wedding Chapel has period costumes based on the Renaissance period. If you prefer something a little more on the traditional side you should explore the many wedding packages that are available.
The best values at Excalibur start with the room rates. But those values also extend to all the other amenities the resort offers. And the best part? Being located on the south Strip allows you to step out from under the castle and explore the five other resorts that are literally located next door. Plan your Las Vegas vacation at Excalibur and live like a king or a queen for a few days!

When Vacationing In Las Vegas You Have A Choice – A Hotel Off The Strip Does Offer Advantages

Everyone knows of the Las Vegas Strip; the lights, the sights, the sounds and unfortunately the crowds and the traffic. The home of big hotels with thousands of rooms such as MGM Grand and The Venetian. Some of the best dining to be found anywhere and high prices to match. World class entertainment. And of course the casinos, with table games and slot machines as far as the eye can see. But when it comes time to plan your vacation, staying off the strip can present some advantages.
Most of the hotels and casinos located off the Strip are referred to as ‘local’s casinos.’ This is due to the fact that locals, those of us who live and work in Las Vegas, do not frequent the Strip casinos that often. We prefer to stay close to home and have found that many of these casinos offer amenities similar to those on the Strip. And the best part is the prices you pay for these amenities are less than what you would pay in the better known casinos on the Strip.
The Green Valley Ranch Resort is by far one of the best off-strip hotels in Las Vegas.
Actually, Green Valley Ranch is not located in Las Vegas, but in the city of Henderson. It is easy to travel to the Strip either by car or taxi and your no more than 15 minutes away. Room rates generally start from $139 a night, of course this depends on what time of year you are planning to travel to Las Vegas. The décor of the rooms is comfy and contemporary without being overly modern and intimidating. When you reserve your room and when you check-in be sure to ask for a room that offers a view of the Strip.
There are so many dining options at Green Valley Ranch you will never need to have a meal at the same place twice. On the high-end you will find Hank’s, a steakhouse and martini bar. Or you may prefer some Asian fare or sushi at China Spice. If an Italian meal is more of you liking then head over to Terre Verde. Sure there aren’t big-name celebrity chef’s attached to these restaurants but you also won’t pay the big prices for those chefs, as you will at the restaurants located on the Strip.
One of the local’s favorites at Green Valley Ranch is The Original Pancake House. A Las Vegas institution since 1953, The Original Pancake House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and it is all reasonably priced. But as the name suggests they are famous for their breakfasts, especially their huge omelets and the incredible variety of pancakes. Whether you plan to go for breakfast, lunch or dinner you must order breakfast.
The Feast Buffet and the Grand Cafe both offer great value and quality food. The buffet can get very busy on the weekends and in the evenings. Try to stop by for breakfast or lunch during the week or arrive early for dinner. When the local’s are out on force on the weekends, there will always be a wait, but usually you will never wait longer than 20 to 30 minutes. The menu at the Grand Cafe covers breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are open 24 hours.
After the sun sets you can put on your dancing shoes or if you just prefer a cocktail or two you have options without traveling to the Strip. How about a hearty beer at Quinn’s Irish Pub or a drink in the center of the casino at the Drop Bar. If you wish for a little more excitement head outdoors to Whiskey Beach and party under the stars and around the pools. You can even take off those dancing shoes and run your toes thought the sandy beach.
If you want to take in a show you probably should head to the Strip. The only entertainment at Green Valley Ranch, besides the movie theaters, is the occasional concert in the Ovation club or at Whiskey Beach. If you are looking for something on the caliber of Cirque du Soleil or Celine Dion plan a evening on the Strip and book your tickets well in advance.
Shopping at Green Valley Ranch does not come close to the offerings on the Strip, but you can spend a nice relaxing afternoon at The District. Located adjacent to the casino, The District has small shops and big name stores such as Sharper Image and REI all in an outdoor setting. There are also many restaurants most offering outdoor terraces so you can enjoy your meal under that warm Las Vegas sun.
If you plan on doing some gambling during your stay one of the first things you should do is sign-up for their players club. The Boarding Pass, as they call it, gives you more generous rewards than the casinos on the Strip. You can even sign-up before you leave home on their website. The rewards can add up fast and who wouldn’t like a free meal?
While you are visiting their website to sign-up for the player’s club it would be worth your while to give your email address. This can be especially beneficial if your travel dates are flexible or if you are not yet sure when you will be traveling to Las Vegas. Periodically they will send you promotional offers for great package deals or special room rates.
Booking a hotel room off the Strip does not mean you have to sacrifice luxury, comfort or convenience. The Green Valley Ranch Resort is a prime example of this. It does mean you can have all the benefits offered by the big-name hotels, like Wynn Las Vegas or Bellagio. You can always take that excursion to the Strip, but you can also escape the big crowds and retreat to a more relaxed setting. And the best part, your pocket book will have a little more cash in it so you can enjoy a few more hands of blackjack.

Budget Travel And Vacation In Europe

Many budget travelers assume that a multi-city European vacation is beyond their means, but that is often not the case. The large number of budget airlines that have sprung up in Europe in recent years have dropped the average cost of airfare between many major European cities.
In some cases, the cost of coach airfare between major European hubs like London and Amsterdam is lower than a comparable first or even second class train ticket.
And of course flying between cities is far less time consuming than taking the train or driving yourself, and that means more time to explore the places you’ve always wanted to see, as well as more money to spend once you get there.
The key to getting the best airfares, both from the United States to destinations in Europe, and between European destinations, is to shop around and compare carefully.
Most major American air carriers have partnerships with one or more European airlines, and therefore it is often possible to shop airfares between European cities from the web sites of these airlines.
In addition, the major European only airlines all have their own web sites, and most provide for online booking and confirmation as well. This makes it easy to line up all your airfare before you leave the United States.
This is an important consideration, since it is often more difficult, and more expensive, to book airline tickets or train tickets after you have arrived in Europe.
The choice of European cities you plan to visit can also have a major impact on airfare between destinations. Many of the low cost European air carriers are based in London, so it is often considerably less costly to fly from London than to fly from many other major European cities.
Therefore, many budget travelers choose to make London their primary destination, and to take two and three day trips from there to the places they have always wanted to see.
While it is possible to get great deals from other European gateways, it is often more difficult than flying to and from London.
Just as American airlines have their own major gateways, such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta, so too do budget European airlines.
Planning your visit around these hub cites is often the best way to get the lowest possible airfares between European cities.
Flying within Europe is surprisingly affordable for way for many budget travelers to get around.
Many first time travelers to Europe, and some seasoned travelers as well, are shocked to find just how affordable it is to fly around Europe.

Making The Most Of Your India Vacation With An India Travel Guide

If you’ve decided to travel abroad, why not make your first international trip one to a country with the widest possible range of attractions?  And if you do, you won’t find any country in the world which has more to offer a first-time visitor then India.  India, in fact, is so blessed with natural and cultural wonders that your first trip is sure to be only the first of many.  You simply will not be able to see everything you want to see in one vacation.

The sheer breadth of India will leave you both amazed and intimidated.  India is a country in which you will find some of the Earth’s most magnificent architectural accomplishment (like the Taj Mahal), as well as some of its largest and poorest urban slums.  India is a country in which sacred cows wander freely on the same streets were low-caste beggars plead for pennies.  India is a country immersed in spirituality, yet beginning to emerge as one of the world’s great economic powers.

How can you ensure that your first visit to India will let you take in its aspects which you find most appealing?  You should begin by consulting with a travel agent and requesting to have a tour package customized specifically for you.  Doing so is the best way to have a vacation which includes a properly-planned itinerary at the most affordable price.

The Internet is the best place for you to find a travel agent familiar enough with India’s attractions to create the best tour for you.  Deal only with a travel agency known for its high standards of honesty and customer service.  You can check on any travel agency are considering by looking for positive customer reviews at travel websites.

One of the ways to get the most out of your first visit to India is to hire the services of a professional Indian tourist guide.  Your tourist guide will make it his or her responsibility to see that your vacation time is spent in the way you imagined, regardless of whether your interests are in relaxing at the beach, participating in a pilgrimage, or hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Your tourist guide will ensure that you have the opportunity to view some of India’s most spectacular scenery, enjoy her remarkably abundant wildlife, participate in a religious festival, or do whatever else will make your vacation complete.

Your Indian tourist guide will make sure that each moment of your vacation in India is different from what came before.  Perhaps he or she will arrange a trip to Indians “Golden Triangle,” by traveling between her three most vibrant cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.  At Agra, you‘ll be humbled by simple yet staggeringly beautiful Taj Mahal, perhaps the world’s greatest monument to romance. 

If you want your India vacation to leave you rested and relaxed, spend a few days at the peaceful beaches of Goa.  One of the best aspects of vacation in India is that traveling within the country is reasonably simple, because of the excellent bus and train service.  Your travel agency will be able to make your travel arrangements well in advance, even if you need to move about the country by air.  So why not start thinking about India as your next vacation destination, and be sure to include the services of an India travel guide to make sure that you don’t miss a thing!

Getting Peace Of Mind With India Travel Insurance

If you are like most people who travel for pleasure, you may have to sacrifice in order to save money you need to make your next vacation everything you wanted to be.  If, for example, you have decided that you cannot live another year without treating yourself to a vacation in India, one of the expenses you will have to factor into your travel budget is India travel insurance.  This may take a little more skimping on your part, but given today’s uncertain political climate, having India travel insurance will give you the peace of mind you need to completely relax and enjoy your vacation.

While thousands of travelers are able to talk themselves out of having travel insurance, thinking it an unnecessary expense, traveling in a foreign country is always a little riskier than staying at home.  Of course you hope that everything will go as planned, adventure vacation in India will bring you nothing but happy memories.  But there is no way to be completely certain that you won’t become ill, injured, or find yourself in another sort of emergency. 

Your problem could be something as simple as lost luggage, or it could be something as serious as being stuck in a foreign country because of a natural disaster.  Having India travel insurance will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are prepared for any negative situation so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.

Before you purchase India travel insurance, you should go over the terms of the policy are considering with a fine-toothed comb.  Examine the clauses concerning medical situations and deductibles; find out if pre-existing conditions are covered; and learn if the medical coverage will protect you in case of both illness and injury.  By seeing what is not covered in each policy you look at, you’ll be able to decide which policy most closely meets your needs.

Most India travel insurance policies are quite affordable.  But before you can choose yours, you should have a definite idea of your itinerary while in India, and the sorts of activities in which you will be engaged.  Your India travel insurance can be written to cover one or several trips; cruises; or outdoor activities like backpacking.  You’ll only be compensated if you become ill or injured during an activity specifically covered by the policy, and only up to the amount stated.

Almost all India insurance policies will compensate you for lost luggage, a cancel or delay in trip, and accidental death, or medical treatment.  You can find policies which cover emergency evacuation in case of a natural disaster, and some which will protect you if you have an accident while driving a rented car.  But you will have to ask for those options specifically.

You should arrange for your India travel insurance directly through an insurance company, and not through your travel agent.  Doing so will enable you to get the amount of coverage you want, and choose which portions of your vacation in India you want covered.  Do not settle on an India travel insurance policy until you have talked to several insurance agencies, and received a number of quotes so that you can compare the coverage offered by each.  You can do this most efficiently by searching for your India travel insurance on the Internet.  When you have done your comparison-shopping, simply choose the policy which is best for your needs and budget.

How To Apply Successfully For An India Travel Visa

While you may have dreamed of traveling to India for your entire life, you will never get there until you have any India travel visa.  Even your passport will not get you into India without an India travel visa, which is an official stamp allowing you entered into India for a specified time and reason.  You must have an official travel visa to enter India, because without it the Indian authorities may refuse to let you in.  If, for some reason, you are able to enter the country without an India travel visa, and your entry is later discover, you can be forced to leave.

Getting in India travel visa, fortunately, is quite simple.  As long as you meet the regulations, you will have no trouble qualifying.  While some people who are qualified fail to get India travel visas, in most cases they do so because of a failure to understand what the visa officer is telling them.  Here are a few suggestions which can make qualifying for an India travel visa as painless as possible.

First, if your trip to India will be your first experience in international travel, your passport will be considered a “virgin passport.”  The visa officer, on examining your passport, may either regard it as belonging to someone who has never before traveled abroad, or as belonging to someone who has visa applications to other countries have been refused.

Second, your passport may contain multiple visas.  Doing so is an indication that other countries felt safe in issuing an entrance visa, and may make it more likely that you will qualify for an India travel visa.  India, however, is a country with fairly high visa application approval rates.

Third, your travel agent should be more than willing to assist you in getting an India travel visa.  But no matter whose assistance you ask for, here is a checklist of questions you need to have answers for before you apply:

* Have you already made arrangements for lodging or a hotel in India?

* Do you possess an authentic letter of invitation from someone in India?

* Are you financially responsible, and do you have a bank statement?

* Has one of your previous visa applications ever been rejected?

* Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

* Do you have a travel sponsor?  If so, what is that person’s name?

* For what purpose are you visiting India?

The issuance of your India travel visa will depend on your answers to these questions.  You need to be able to answer most of them positively.  If you’re not sure what the India travel visa requirements are, have your travel agent explain them, or try to find someone who is already been issued in India travel visa.

Finally, your India travel visa application will have a better chance of being excepted if you have an embassy contact.  Take the time to do an online search and educate yourself on the visa application process.  Your entire vacation in India depends on your ability to get in India travel visa, and being rejected will only make it more difficult for you to get travel visas in the future.

Haridwar Tour – Pilgrimage Travel in India

Haridwar, India known as the Gateway to the Gods is home in the foothills of the Shivaliks along the banks of the River Ganga. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places in all of India according to Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology states that the Gods left their footprints in this city. Not only is Haridwar known for its mythology roots but also as a gateway to the three pilgrimages, home in the Uttrakhand region which are Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath. These pilgrimages mentioned in scriptures as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar are still today a main pilgrimage for Hindus.

The water found in Haridwar is clean and clear with herbal remedies, as many believe. All along the shore of the river, you will find ghats where many takes baths utilizing the healing powers believed to be in the River that is believed to cleanse the soul and open the way to Nirvana, the ultimate freedom.

Haridwar is known for providing the source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies along with possessing beautiful scenery and lush greenery. Many love to bask in the beauty as well as enjoy nature in the Rajaji Park. Tourists that love wildlife and nature truly enjoy a Haridwar vacation.

The major draw of Haridwar is that it is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in all of India. If you plan to visit during one of the many festivals, you will see people from all over the world as well as various walks of life including devotees, sadhus, and holy men.

While visiting this pilgrimage you will need to visit the Har-Ki-Pauri, which is the sacred ghat built by King Vikramaditya in the loving memory of his Bhartrihari. The temple of the Chandi Devi is located a top the Neel Parvat along the bank of the river Ganges built in 1929AD by Suchat Singh. In order to visit the Temple of Chandi Devi you will need to follow a ropeway that begins at the Gauri Shankar Temple.

The Vaishno Devi Temple is a newly built temple that is a replica of the original temple home in Jammu & Kashmir.

Just outside of Haridwar, you will find the Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary. This amazing sanctuary covers about 240 square Km. Twenty three different species call the sanctuary home as well as 315 plant species. Some of the animals you may get the chance to see including chitals, jungle cats, elephants, leopards, tigers, Himalayan yellow throated martens, barking dear, sambers, langurs, wild boars, sloth bears, ghurals, woodpeckers, and king cobras to name a few. You can even try your hand at fishing in the river as long as you have a permit.

Preserving The Memories Of Your Mexico Vacation

If you are one of the millions of people who decide to enjoy a Mexico vacation each year, you were in the vacation of a lifetime.  Mexico is a vibrant, exciting country where you will be surrounded by new sites and sensations.  Mexico is a land of contrasts, where the warmth of the sunny beaches offers a sharp counterpoint to its cool mountain valleys.  But the most delightful aspect of vacationing in Mexico will be your encounters with the Mexican people who see life as a celebration.

From their love of spicy food and invigorating drinks to their enjoyment of exuberant music and dance and their bold approach to art and architecture, the Mexican people live in a world which makes other cultures seem dull by comparison.  With your first Mexico vacation, you will be exposed to a way of life which will remain with you forever, and make it very hard to leave.

One of the ways you could bring a bit of Mexico home with you on your return is in photographs.  Carefully select the camera you use to commemorate your Mexico vacation, because you will need one which can take great quality photos in a wide range of environments.  You might automatically assume that your best choice of cameras will be a digital camera, because of its ease of use and the fact that using a digital camera relieves you of having to cart around several roles of film.

One of the disadvantages, however, of bringing a digital camera on a Mexico vacation, is that the cost of a good digital camera makes it an attractive target for thieves.  So if you are traveling with one, you must be sure to leave it locked up or keep it in your possession at all times.  You should also protect you whenever you are in environment where it might get wet. 

A much cheaper yet still convenient alternative to digital cameras is a disposable camera.  Anyone who knows how to use a 35mm camera can use a disposable camera.  The major difference is that you must turn in the disposable camera in order to get your photos developed, and the camera will not be returned to you.  Using a digital camera, however, will have the advantage of letting you transfer your Mexico vacation photographs onto a CD.  Most photo centers offer this service, and they will also let you customize your pictures by cropping them, reducing the “red eye” effect, and making other changes.

You should take care to keep a disposable camera dry if you are visiting a beach or participating in a water activity.  If you intend to do snorkeling or scuba diving, you might bring an underwater camera along on your Mexico vacation.  Underwater cameras are also sold in disposable form, and you can even waterproof a traditional camera by purchasing a waterproof casing for it.

You all have any trouble finding a camera in Mexico if you forget to bring one.  Mexico has many retailers who sell digital, 35mm, and disposable cameras.  The only disadvantage you face in purchasing a camera in Mexico is that it may be overpriced if you buy it from a retailer in a popular resort area.If you do not want to carry a camera on your Mexico vacation, but you have a cell phone, you may be able to use it to take pictures.  Having a camera cell phone will enable you not only to store your vacation pictures, but to share them immediately with the friends and family back home, and to transfer them to your PC on your return.  Why you cannot expect the sharpest quality in the pictures you take on your cell phone, they will still help you capture your Mexico vacation memories.

Using a video camera to record your Mexico vacation adventures is another great way to keep your memories alive.  Look for a camcorder which will let you record your video footage to a DVD, because you may have trouble finding a VHS recorder on which to play them back.

Your Mexico vacation is sure to provide you with photo opportunities at every turn.  Having a way of recording them in photographs will let you hang onto your memories for a lifetime!