If you are planning a South African safari trip, then it is your safari operator who will be responsible for putting together your experience in a way that is best suited to you. For that reason, it is imperative that you find a safari operator that meets all of your vacation wants and needs. Here are some pointers for how to choose your South African safari operator: Ask veteran safari-goers. Ask potential operators for some references, and then call those references to find out what their experiences were like. A recommendation from a previous client is extremely valuable when it comes to finding a great South African safari operator, as there is probably no better indicator of an operator’s quality than a satisfied customer.

Verify that the operator is licensed by an air department. Licensing with the Airlines Reporting Corporation or the International Air Transport Association means that the operator has in-house capabilities to handle your flights to, within, and out of South Africa. This can really come in handy in the case of unexpected flight delays or changes, as your operator will be able to provide you with an alternative plan without you having to go through a third party.

Ask how long the operator has been in business. You want to choose an operator that has been around at least since the Gulf War (an event that put many operators out of business), because that means the operator is running a strong business and has ample experience putting tours together for American clients.

Customized Itinerary. There are countless South African safari experiences to choose from, and your operator of choice should be willing to listen to your individual needs and put together a customized itinerary to suit your desires. For example, you will need to decide things like what type of accommodations you prefer to stay in (hotels, lodges, campsites, etc.), and whether or not visiting the surrounding villages is important to you, and then find an operator who will accommodate.

Giving back. A number of South African safari operators make it a point to use a portion of their profits toward bettering the people of South Africa. Many South African villages are impoverished, and if you care about the land you are travelling to, then it makes sense to ensure that part of the money you spend on your safari will go toward giving back to the South African people.

As you can see, there are some simple things you can do while screening operators to make sure you choose the best one to handle your African safari tours. Keep all of these tips in mind when planning your vacation, and you will have the trip of a lifetime.

About the Author: Moises McKellip loves to travel and has been on several South African safaris. He recommends screening operators and getting recommendations from others who have taken this type of journey in the past.

Ask any parent about the challenges of traveling with children and you will be met with a series of moans and groans. Getting children to do anything is not the easiest task and traveling presents a whole new set of problems. Despite this, parents make every possible effort to taken children out on trips and vacations. The mind of a child soaks up every experience like a sponge and travel offers them the opportunity to learn so much about the world they live in. Moreover, vacations are excellent for strengthening family bonds. Traveling with children doesn’t have to be as big an issue as people make it out to be. With the proper amount of planning, every family can enjoy a trouble-free vacation. Here are a few top tips for those who will be travelling with children.

Pick the right destination

The most important decision you will make, with regards to traveling with children, is the destination itself. All you have to do is employ a little bit of common sense and you should be able to steer clear of any locations that will fail to please your child. You may love architecture and like to visit cities for their architectural merits. But, would your children like to spend their holidays walking around a city staring at buildings? We doubt that is what children want. Entertainment and theme parks are always a safe choice and are guaranteed to delight any child. However, you cannot go to theme parks for every vacation and trip. Do your research and look out for cities that offer a variety of sight-seeing spots and activities for children. When picking the destination, it is important to remember that children fatigue easily when travelling long distances. Avoid destinations that may possibly cause jet lag. Also, take into consideration the weather of the destination as well; too hot or too cold and your children will be very irritable.

Keep them occupied, keep them busy

Most of the problems associated with traveling with children often occur during the actual journey itself. Whether you are travelling by plane or driving to your destination, your children will be expected to stay stationary for a long time. Anyone who has dealt with children can vouch for the fact that staying stationary isn’t exactly one of the things that children are known for. Getting irritable and throwing tantrums? That they can do just fine. The key lies in keeping your child occupied for the duration of the journey. Pack enough items to ensure that the children are always involved in some sort of activity. Simple things like coloring books, building blocks or video players can ensure a peaceful journey.

Choose an appropriate hotel/motel

Not all hotels are family-friendly and when they say “family-friendly”, they are strictly talking about children. If you are travelling as a family, it is only right that you chose out a family-friendly hotel or motel. These hotels often have a plethora of activities for families to engage in and a staff that is tolerant of any shenanigans you kids may get into.

Going on a vacation is one of the best activities that a family can indulge in. Just because you are travelling with children does not mean it should taken any of the fun out of the holidays. Simply follow the mentioned tips and should make traveling with children a great deal easier.

Susan Close is the author of this post. She has been providing tips on ways to travel comfortably and helps you plan your holidays on www.mega.co.uk.

If you’re a big fan of golf, and if like most people you like to travel, then playing golf abroad makes a lot of sense and is surely one of the best ways to experience something different in the country and to make sure you get outside and in the thick of the area you’re visiting.

But the question is, how do you go about narrowing down the number of locations you want to visit for a round of golf? Golf is such an internationally popular sport with so many avid followers, that you can really find brilliant courses to play on wherever you go. Here we will look at how to go about choosing the best places to enjoy golf and what to look for on a golfing holiday.

The Climate and Scenery

You can often guess fairly easily which countries and areas are going to lend themselves greatly to golf – these will be the areas that are warm and have excellent climates, and the places that feature spectacular views and dynamic landscapes. Golf is all about getting a ball to travel through some incredibly treacherous terrain, while at the same time getting to spend a day out in it yourself and soak up some rays. So think – which countries have the kind of scenery you’d enjoy playing in? And which ones would you be happy to spend the day walking around in? While a little wind and rain can help to make your game more challenging, it’s hardly fun having to walk around in it all day.

At the same time think about which places are likely to offer something a bit different. Playing in the sun across a beautiful coast line is a brilliant way to spend a day, but sometimes it can also be good fun to try something different like firing your ball over abandoned quarries or off cliff tops and over trees.

The Courses

This last point is going to come down very much to how the course is designed, and precisely how the shots interact with the scenery. This is what makes the difference between a good course in a beautiful location and a great course in a beautiful location.

There are many famous courses that you will have seen in the various golf tournaments, and that you will have probably played yourself in golf games etc. These courses are normally famous for a reason and can often offer a much more exciting experience as well as one you can brag about when you come home (and it makes watching Tiger Woods play the shot on TV all the more engaging). Do some research and head somewhere that has not one but several amazing courses.

Resorts

Of course you also need to think about where you are going to stay, and just how much you want your trip to revolve around golf. Many golf resorts have accommodation and there are some fantastic places you can stay right on the courses. This might be what clinches the decision for you if you find somewhere with a great clubhouse and fantastic place to stay right on the green. If you’re going with your family though and the golf is just to indulge yourself, then you might want to choose somewhere that has something else to do and somewhere nice to stay nearby.

The Country

Of course it’s also important that you consider the rest of the country when you go on holiday and you should find a golf course if possible that is located somewhere with lots more to do so that you can have a great holiday overall as well as a great golfing trip – and so that your family don’t get bored out of their mind.

Ethan has keen interest in travelling and giving tips regarding it. He even offers golfbox equipment through his website at a highly reasonable price and ofcourse of an excellent quality.

Going for a vacation is wild fun and you simply cannot wait to get there. You can already imagine the white sand, the exotic food, the lovely weather and the experience of a new place. Wait! Before you get your mind wandering, be prepared and pack up well before you leave. The worst thing is to come home to a robbed house, a flooded room because the taps were left on, or an outrageous electrical bill!

Before embarking on your trip, here are a few items you need to check off your list to ensure you have a wonderful time at vacation and back at home to know nothing went amiss.

1. The mail

An over flowing mail box or a door that will not open due to mail is not a big problem as is someone going through your mail. A full mailbox is a sure indicator that no one is home. An ill meaning person may spot this and get hold of your magazines, your packages and that dress that you have been waiting for the longest time. Even worse is a burglar who may plan to rob the house, now that they can see no one is home.

The solution is to hold your mail for the period you will be gone. Ensure you state that the mail should only resume once you make the call. This way even if you extend your vacation for another week or a few days, the mail will not overflow at your door.

2. The bills

During the vacation, you are bound to spend. Nothing is wrong with that, treat yourself as much as you can. However, do not leave home without paying all your bills. Most likely when you come back from the trip you will have little money on you and paying bills will be an issue.

Furthermore, the longer you stay without paying a bill like the credit card bill you will face high interest rates. You would rather pay in advance if possible rather than suffer when you come back. Let not your bills spoil your holiday mood.

3. The documents

Go through your wallet and remove some documents and cards. You do not need all the credit and business cards in it. Place what you do not need aside and even leave some credit cards to avoid spending too much.

The same applies for documents; only carry the necessary travel documents. If your destination requires you to carry, your marriage certificate and such like important documents, carry the copies and keep originals safe. Inquire with the agency what you should carry before you pack up. This ensures that all your vital information is safe, in case a misfortune occurs when you are on holiday.

4. The perishables

To avoid coming back to a smelling house, empty the fridge and the bin. The last few days before you travel ensure you eat all the perishable foods in your fridge and clean it out. You can clean it out completely if you are traveling for over a week since you will unplug the fridge.

Get out the trash and empty the bins to avoid finding maggots and foul smells in your house. It may cost you to deodorize your house later on.

5. The house

When it comes to your house, here are some quick tips that I summarize in a list:

• Do not leave your house without a caretaker. Get a friend to pop in occasionally and to check on the house, sweep the lawn, run the car and other simple activities.
• Alert the police you are traveling and the neighborhood patrol if you have one. The will keep a closer watch on the house and this will keep burglars at bay.
• Ensure your alarms are working well and all doors and windows have strong locks. If anything is loose, fix it before you travel.

6. The electrical appliances

Unplug all electrical appliances from the sockets. Appliances even when off still consume some amount of energy. Most people leave the lights on to avoid showing no one is home. This actually shows that no one is home because the lights would not be on during the day otherwise. Instead, get a timer for your lights that will switch them on at night and off during the day. This way it will truly show some one is home and it will save you a lot on the electricity bill.

There are many other items to check off your preparation list so this depends on your schedule, but with the above crossed out, you should be ready to embark on your vacation!

John is an avid blogger. He writes on topics related to travel and provides tips on his website for the same. You can Visit the Lanzarote1 website for interesting tips on how you can have the most memorable holiday ever.

With the London Olympics being such a big recent talking pint and with the Queen’s Jubilee and Will and Kate’s marriage, London has been the center of a lot of positive attention lately and has been very much a presence on the international stage. As such you might have thought it would be interesting to visit the country yourself, and there will no doubt be an influx of tourism as a result of all this attention. And if you’re in the big smoke, then you should definitely consider doing a night out to sample the local nightlife. Here we will look at some tips on how to do this and how to get the most from a London night out.

Travel and Timing

London being a big city is highly busy and crowded and can also be a little costly to get around. Getting a taxi then is not a smart move if you want to keep prices down and avoid a lot of stress (though of course you might like the idea of travelling in a London black cab), which means you need to take the tube.

And this is why I highly recommend going on your London night out earlier than you might do a night out at home. Head into central London for 5 or even 4, and you can this way start drinking early and get a good seat before the bankers and other business men and women start to arrive.

This has several other advantages too – firstly it means you will be there for the happy hor drinks and this way you can save huge amounts of money that you would otherwise spend on even a single drink so you can ensure you’re in good spirits early on. Then you will head to the club for around 9.30 or 10 – missing the expensive entry prices that tend to come into effect around 11, and you’ll be able to head back around 12.30am/1am after a good night of dancing and still get the tube home to where you’re staying very cheaply and with no hassle.

Where to Go

The best place to go for your full London experience is Covent Garden. Covent Garden is a fantastically scenic area that’s within walking distance of some of the other central areas too like Leicester Square. It has plenty of great places to eat, but also a lot of brilliant clubs and bars. A few exciting and different places to visit are Adventure Bar – a bar/club set underground where the staff set fire to things and get half undressed creating a very crazy atmosphere, Roadhouse  – a club with lots of great rock music and cheese, and Foundation Bar – where you can drink cocktails out of teapots and test tubes and enjoy a dance floor with its own live Saxophonist. Alternatively if you want to try something a bit different you might want to sign up for the Medieval  Banquet where you can watch a brilliant show while drinking out of chalices and eating with your hands.

Of course there are plenty of other great areas to visit in London too, such as Camden which has a brilliantly artistic and alternative vibe (try the great pub called The Camden Head), or Kingston for a huge Oceana with multiple floors and different themed rooms. If you just want some quiet drinks meanwhile with some atmosphere, then the O2 can offer a lot of brilliant cocktail bars, while you can also get a lot of nice drinks at the Westfield Center in Shepherd’s Bush.

Jeff is an avid blogger. He has keen interest in writing about travelling. He is part of the team www.lanzarotevillas.ie, which is a volcanic island having spectacular scenery and stark beauty.

When you go on holiday many different things can affect whether you have a good time or a less pleasant experience. Of course the destination is rather important, but so is the weather at the time, how well organized your journey is, and whether or not anything goes wrong during your adventures.

Some of these aspects are outside of our control such as the weather, while others we can affect if we choose to but often forget. One thing that falls into this latter category is the type of bags we take with us – which can help to make transport much easier, ensure we don’t lose anything (always a downer on any trip) and allow us to carry more with us. Here we will look at the best kinds of bags to bring with you for carriers such as www.bravofly.com and how you can get more from them.

Your Luggage

Your luggage will want to go in a suitcase, but there are variations in the type of suitcase you can take and this will have a big impact on how well your things travel and how conveniently. First of all then you want to make sure that you get a suitcase that is as small as possible. This will straight away force you to carry fewer items that add up to less weight in total which will mean you are far less encumbered. More to the point though, having a small case will allow you to get easily through small gaps when you’re on the train and mean you can store them more easily overhead on buses etc. The secret to getting lots into your suitcase is to have a zip up top that allows the case to extend out upwards if you fill more than you would normally have space for.

Meanwhile you should make sure that your case is as sturdy as possible, and that it holds its shape well which will again make it easier for hauling around as well as aiding security. For further security, make sure you invest in some padlocks – it’s a small investment that can keep all of your things safe on a long journey.

At the same time you should also think about tying something to the handle of your luggage such as a colourful ribbon. This can be very useful as a way to make your case stand out on the conveyors and on the train. That not only helps you get out more quickly, but also prevents people from thinking to steal it because you’ll be able to tell more easily (and they can’t make the excuse that they thought it was theirs).

Hand Luggage

Having hand luggage in a backpack or a shoulder bag is a great way to free up your hands and to let you deal with your cases etc. more easily. Use your hand luggage as a way to transport things that don’t fit in your small suitcase and to transport things that are perhaps too delicate to go in your cases or too valuable. Got a laptop for instance? Then make sure that it’s in your hand luggage and not your suitcase where it can get damaged. Bringing back an ornament as a souvenir? Then put it in your hand luggage!

A good hand luggage bag will once again be small, but with lots of compartments for lots of things. You might want to use this while you’re travelling around later too, so think logically about what could be useful and what won’t weigh you down when you’re trekking up a mountain.

Small Bag

Finally having one very small bag – no larger than A5 – can be an absolute Godsend for keeping your passport, your phone and your other valuables close to you. When you’re on holiday you stand out like a sore thumb as a tourist which means you are an obvious target for pick pockets. Likewise you’ll probably be wearing baggy Hawaiian shorts half the time with loose pockets so you’ll need something to keep your belongings a little more tightly packed in and close to you. This is also great for scenarios where you maybe want to leave your camera on its own at the beach but of course don’t want to stand it directly on the sand.

Flying cheaply, for example the deals on low-cost airfare with Bravofly can mean knowing your luggage allowances is very important. Mike Johnson is an avid traveler who writes extensively for Port Stephens accommodation. His passion for meeting new people and exploring new locations is well documented in his travelogues.

Dublin Zoo

The Dublin Zoo opened in 1830 and is the biggest zoo in Ireland, with around one million visitors a year. At Dublin Zoo they pride themselves on education, conservation and study to help protect endangered species. Animals at the zoo are housed in naturalistic spaces, and the zoo follows strict codes of practice for the welfare of animals. The zoo is also a registered charity, so profits from your entry fee are fed back into the zoo or to conservation programs.

Located in PhoenixPark, Dublin Zoo has numerous themed areas for you to explore, including the:

• World of cats
• World of primates
• Kaziranga forest trail
• Fringes of the Arctic
• African plains
• Endangered species

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park, established in 1662, is one of the largest dedicated recreational spaces in the world. About 30% of Phoenix Park is covered with trees, so there are many places for you to curl up with a good book or have a picnic. While in the park, you may encounter the resident herd of Fallow Deer, or some of the other local wildlife. The park is also full of historic buildings and monuments, including the Papal Cross (a 35 metre high cross erected for Pope John Paul II) and the President of Ireland’s residency.

Other key attractions at Phoenix Park include:

• Dublin Zoo
• Ashtown Castle
• Magazine Fort
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre
• Ornamental lakes
• The children’s playground
• Flower gardens

Temple Bar

With its beautiful medieval design and cobbled streets and laneways, Temple Bar has earned the title of ‘Dublin’s cultural quarter’, and is the top reason many people travel to Dublin. The streets are alive with cool shops and cafés, and at night the area takes on a party atmosphere with many hip nightclubs and bars to choose from. So Grab your flights to Dublin and join the crowd.

If you want a more laid-back vibe, the Temple Bar square hosts a book market on Saturdays and Sundays, and there is a fashion and design market held in Cow’s Lane every Saturday.

Temple bar is home to such cultural institutions as the:

• Irish Photography Centre
• Irish Film Institute
• Temple Bar Music Centre
• Arthouse Multimedia Centre
• Ark Children’s Cultural Centre
• Temple Bar Gallery and Studio
• Gaiety School of Acting

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1792 and is Ireland’s most famous former prison—now a museum. Just 3.5km from the city centre, Kilmainham Gaol is a popular tourist attraction for those visiting Dublin. The gaol is a very important part of Irish heritage, with the Goal the site of some of the most heroic and tragic events in the country’s history.

If you take a tour make sure you visit the art gallery on the top floor. The exhibition focuses on the history of the gaol and features paintings, sculptures and jewellery of ex-prisoners.

Kilmainham Gaol has featured in numerous films over the years including The Italian Job and Adventures of the Young Indiana Jones, and was also used to make a music video for U2.

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is a seven-storey tourist attraction that has welcomed over four million visitors since it opened in 2000. Visitors to the Guinness Storehouse can marvel at the glass atrium in the shape of a pint of Guinness, learn about the history of Guinness and relax in the Gravity Bar (46 metres off the ground) with amazing views of Dublin.

As well as learning about its history, you can interact with the various exhibitions that tell the story of the famous beer. You’ll also learn some interesting facts about the adjoining brewery that produces around 3 million pints of Guinness every day. If you’re a beer lover, this is some kind of paradise!

Author Ross Hope+

Since it’s inception the wonderful world of Harry Potter has delighted readers and viewers alike. Now you can experience the magic of the Harry Potter films in a way like no other, with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Through this unique walking tour you can delve behind the scenes, and see exactly how this record breaking film series came to life.

Explore the iconic sets – some of the biggest ever built in the UK – such as Hogwarts great hall and Hagrid’s hut. Want to see where Harry tooled up for his life at Hogwarts? Step onto the actual Diagon Alley, and see the famous shop fronts of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Ollivanders Wand Shop and many more.

Every great wizard must have a house, and there is only one tool fit for this purpose: The sorting hat. See it with your own eyes as well as countless other iconic props which will suck you into the fantastical world of Harry Potter.

Some of the most wonderful magic of the Harry Potter films was in its creatures; discover the techniques behind the magic and how these creatures were brought to the screen. From animatronics to green screen technology, you are sure to be amazed by the technical wizardry behind Harry Potter.

Explore the studio at your own pace, and linger where you are most fascinated. When you’re finished, be sure to refuel in the Studio Cafe which offers a range of hot and cold refreshments served all day. Relive the magic after your visit by stopping by the gift shop, and find a memento of your tour.

Just 20 miles from the heart of London, the Harry Potter Studio tour is easily accessible, but if you’re looking for even more convenient access to the tour you may want to consider overnight accommodation. Many sites offer a great range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, many with close proximity to the Warner Bros studios. If you want to stay in London, a fast train operates from London Euston station, and Superbreak have plenty of available hotels in the surrounding area.

Check out more information on the tour at http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/