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Basic Travel and Vacation Safety Tips

Traveling far away needn't be worrisome, just follow these simple tips for staying safe on your next vacation or trip:

Do Your Research

One of the most important things you can do before a trip is to do your research. Research your hotels carefully, read the many available reviews to make sure the area in which you are staying is safe. Get all the best guide books for your destination and make sure they are the most recent versions. The latest guidebooks will help you decide where to go and what to do, and also give you specific safety tips for that particular area. Get maps for each area you will travel around in, so you don't get lost. Visit hotel websites and tour websites. Don't hesitate to contact the hotel before booking, should have a question.

Hotel Safety

If you're hotel provides a safe, make sure to use it for any valuables you may have in your room. Take a note of where the exits and fire alarms are on your floor. When checking in to your hotel, don't leave your luggage unattended at any time. Consider registering with only your first initial and last name or as Mr. and Mrs. so that one cannot tell whether you are a male or a female or are a female traveling alone. Be sure to memorize the hotel address and name or to carry a hotel matchbook or notepaper with you at all times to avoid confusion with similar hotel names. Try to avoid rooms on the ground floor of a hotel as they may have doors or windows that are open to the street or a back alley, increasing the chances of a break-in during your stay. Guest rooms that are closer to the elevator are safest due to the higher amount of traffic passing by. However, these rooms may tend to be noisy, so consider a room that is one room away from the elevator as an alternative. Consider leaving your television and a light on when you leave the room, so a would be burglar would think someone is in the room. Purchase a safety appliance such as the SwissTech BodyGard which has a hotel motion safety alarm option, where you can attach the alarm to your door and if someone tries to open it, the tool emits a loud noise.

Health Safety

Make sure you get any needed shots or vaccinations before your trip. Bring along a basic, compact first aid kit. Bring or rent a cell phone and make sure you are able to use it in the area where you are staying. Make sure to learn the basic emergency numbers for your area. Make sure you bring any necessary prescription medications with you and keep them in their original container, clearly marked. Get travel insurance that covers any health problems or accidents you should have. Avoid drinking local water out of a tap, instead opt for bottled water.

Financial Safety

Avoid carrying a purse or wallet. Consider using a concealable waist or wrist belt to carry your passport, credit cards and money. Avoid wearing expensive looking clothing or jewelry, these items can make you a target. Consider taking just two or three credit cards only, instead of a stack. Consider traveler's checks instead of credit cards. Only exchange money at reputable agencies and banks. Take a note of the credit card company phone numbers and keep them in a separate place on you. This way, if your credit cards are lost or stolen, you can call the credit card company right away.

Trip Planning Help

It may be helpful to use a trip planning website such as TripIt to organize all your tickets, times, maps and other important information. The service is free and you can share your itinerary with others in your party easily.

Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita - Riviera Maya

In the heart of the Mexican Riviera lies AMResorts' flagship Zoetry property, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, offering unsurpassed luxury and elegance to discerning travelers. The resort offers 90 luxuriant oceanfront suites located on a quiet part of the private beach between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Stay in Zoetry's exquisite oceanfront suites that have been designed around the concepts of physical and spiritual wellness as well as environmental responsibility. Situated on fourteen acres, this resort is only 20 minutes from the Cancun airport. Suites are appointed with lavish amenities and 300-thread count Frette bed linens, Italian bath robes, balcony showers, and poolside access.

Zoetry's delectable cuisine is evidenced by the property's La Canoa gourmet restaurant, an elegant Triple A Four Diamond establishment that features the resort's French chef's "La Cuisine de los Soles," a fusion of styles using the spices and chilies of several warm-weather countries. This all-inclusive resort offers a la carte and premium liquors included with your booking. However, no aspect of your stay at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita can compare with the service. Zoetry's staff is trained to extend the hospitality of the Mexican Riviera to each guest, whether it be an extended checkout or full bottle of wine delivered to your room. The mini-bar is refreshed twice daily, and evening meals are provided at Zoetry's gourmet restaurants with additional snacks available all day. Guests are also offered a 22,000 square foot Thalasso Center and Spa and ocean view fitness center, and many other activities.

Sandals Resorts - Jamaica

Sandals Resorts offers romance with a capital 'R". Starting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with the first property, Sandals now has more than a dozen (and growing) spread out over several other islands, including St Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas. The resort company's all-inclusive, couples only concept continues to score a "ten" with honeymooners for a number of reasons. For starters, their ultra-inclusive plan, whereby you pay one price up front for virtually everything, is a real winner. Accommodations, meals, snacks, bar beverages including name-brand liquors, water sports, tennis, golf, tips, and just about anything else you can think of are all rolled into the package. Since many young couples have a set amount to spend, knowing there will be no surprises when they check out provides a high level of emotional comfort.

The resorts themselves are romantic and special. Guided by its dynamic founder and chairman, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, Sandals have a reputation for consistently delivering what it promises: a "no problem" romantic holiday. Sandal's standards are king-size beds, beautiful décor, a whole range of sports and fitness facilities, every water sport you can think of including scuba diving and staffs that radiate as much good cheer as kids on their first day of summer vacation.
The fact that you can walk up to any of the bars and order the drink or food at will without having to sign a chit or pull out your wallet is a big plus. This also goes for the restaurants. You can eat at the same one every night or eat around. You can order anything on the menu, wine, beer, mixed drinks, whatever you're in the mood for, and it's all part of the package.

There is huge list of activities available to guests, all complimentary. On hand to keep the mood upbeat and arrange special activities and parties are the energetic Playmakers. If you like to be on the go from dawn to dusk water skiing, hiking, or playing tennis or golf at the Sandals Golf and Country Club, you can pick out at the vast array of activities on tap on any of the Sandals properties. And if you tire of the scenery where you're staying, you can hop on a shuttle and spend the evening at one of the other Sandals resorts as part of their "Stay at One, Play at Six, Enjoy All" concept.

You'll find many other young newlyweds to exchange wedding stories with on your honeymoon at Sandals, and since the resorts operate exclusively for couples, you won't have to share your pool space with any kids. Many couples marry here and go on to make friendship that may last a lifetime.

The restaurants in Sandals are wonderful. Dinners feature a la carte menus, and couples can dine alone or with other couples. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, but a nice Sandals touch is the "white glove" service, where a waiter carries your tray to your table. Each resort averages four restaurants, and all offer a distinctly different dining experience, ranging from informal to elegantly casual. Most of the restaurants are oriented to the sea, and the Bali Hai restaurant at Sandals Royal Jamaican is actually on its own island.

If you like Italian food, you can head to Cucina Romana, at Sandals Montego Bay, where you can dine on freshly made pasta of your choice while enjoying the sunset view from your table on the open-air deck. Next door, at Sandals Royal Jamaican, the Courtyard treats its diners to fresh-grilled specialties. And if you like Japanese food, you can try Kimonos at Sandals Negril. Here you'll dine on exotic Oriental food prepared right in front of you.

Sandals went all the way to Holland to find an authentic Indonesian chef for Bali Hai. Since the restaurant is located just offshore from Sandals Royal Jamaican, getting there via the resort's private launch is part of the fun. Once you arrive at the entrance of the restaurant, a hostess wraps a colorful silk scarf around you, your "costume" for the evening. Diners sit at long tables where hot and spicy as well as mild dishes are placed in the center for everyone to sample.
In the elegant category, Sandals Montego Bay's Oleander Room, brainchild of Horace Peterkin, the resort's enterprising general manager, has stenciling on the ceiling and warm décor accented with brass lamps, chandeliers and Palladian windows overlooking the sea. This is your chance to try some tasty Jamaican specialties.If you get hungry between meals, each Sandals resort has an "anytime grill" open well into the night, offering snacks as well as made-to-order meals. Each of the Sandals properties offers the same quality of services and amenities. Where you choose to stay, however, will depend what is really important to you. Each place has its own unique attractions.

Pamper Yourself at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans

Whether visiting for business or pleasure, the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans will surpass your expectations. The hotel staff will go out of their way to spoil you. They uphold the "lagniappe" tradition of New Orleans by always providing a little extra.

Unique Accommodations for You and Your Family

Charming, spacious rooms provide total comfort and offer spectacular night views of the Mississippi River. After a good night's sleep, guests can enjoy their favorite latte in the hotel's Starbucks store. Then, the roomy fitness center offers many treadmills, elliptical trainers, and weight machines for a morning workout. Later, guests can lounge lazily around a very spacious pool. When they are ready for a good meal, Chef Chris Brown serves up delicious full-flavored New Orleans' specialties. The Sheraton provides your family with the perfect day experience.

Perfect Place to Host Your Wedding

Brides seeking to plan the perfect wedding should come to the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans. Five beautiful ballrooms offer elegant settings for the perfect affair. The hotel wedding planner will lighten your burden, as together you plan everything to the smallest detail. And the lucky couple will be given the royal treatment. They will have a personal assistant at their event. They will be served breakfast in bed to celebrate their first morning together as a married couple. And many other special touches will make their wedding experience one to treasure always.

Caters to Businesses and Organizations

With over 50 meeting rooms, the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans can comfortably accommodate a large conference. The hotel's planning team is dedicated to taking the stress out of your event planning. The hotel provides catering services and a full business center. Furthermore, your conference attendees will absolutely love experiencing the Big Easy.

Surrounded by Charm, Tradition, and Entertainment

The hotel, situated on the outer edge of the French Quarter, is located near entertainment for every age. Families will enjoy the underwater world at the Aquarium of the Americas and a 3D movie at the IMAX Theater. Or they can cruise on a steamboat to the Audubon Zoo. The Children's Museum is also a favorite for young children. They love the interactive exhibits. And parents are sure to have a great time, too.

Sheraton guests can browse the quaint shops in the French Quarter. They can stroll through Jackson Square to see the artists painting and to listen to teens playing the kettle drums. Then a stop at the Café du Monde for beignets and coffee is a must. An evening meal at one of the fabulous New Orleans restaurants - Antoine's for Creole dishes or Galatoire's for seafood delights - will satisfy guests, leaving them in the mood for a little music. They can enjoy the sounds of jazz at Preservation Hall or join in the singing at Pat O'Brien's Piano Bar. An exciting stop at Harrah's Casino tops off the evening. At the end of the day, weary guests happily fall into Sheraton's signature Sweet Sleeper Beds.

Whatever the occasion, the staff of the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans is ready to ensure you have the perfect stay.

5 Star Hotels in Bangkok & Phuket

South-East Asian city Bangkok presents varied many attractive destinations which prove its diverse culture and interest. Bangkok is the great place for fun and entertainment. Shopping in Bangkok can be a great happening moment as its grand shopping malls proffers international brands of clothes and other luxurious accessories. Have a great time in Bangkok by arranging your stay in one of the 5 Star Hotels In Bangkok.

The popular locations of Bangkok city offer various luxury motels and resorts. The clean and comfortable accommodations with world class facilities are the main feature of 5 star hotels in Bangkok. Such hotels features personalized services and warm hospitality. The luxury hotels like 5-star Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel and Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri Hotel are worth to mention. The locations of these hotels are at the close proximity of tourist attractions and commercial centers. So, the tourists can have an access to explore those places.

The beautifully and tastefully decorated hotel rooms reflect the image of Thai architecture and style. Perfect array of comfortable stay is the prime factor of Bangkok's luxury star hotels. The hotels also have recreational centers like spa center, fitness center, swimming pool, bar, lounge, etc. The tasty Thai cuisines and comfortable accommodations will definitely make you stay in Bangkok a memorable one.

Phuket is another alluring tourist destination of Thailand. This largest island presents a picturesque view of the Andaman Sea. Holidaymakers find this place as a sheer beauty of paradise on earth. This beautiful island province is home to many luxury and cheap hotels. Five Star Hotels have its unique charm to attract the visitors. The long beaches of Phuket with its cozy atmosphere will mesmerize you calmly. Look forward for a great summer holiday at Phuket.

Accommodations of Phuket include all kinds of hotels. Luxury travelers can opt for 5 Star Hotels In Phuket for such hotels are especially designed for honeymoon makers or other luxury guests. Located on the backdrops of natural scenery such motels and resorts of Phuket feature all kinds of modern facilities.