iReview

I was watching CSI NY the other day, when I was reminded of a shirt that my other half bought during his work trip to Boston last year. Actually the “I Love NY” tee was bought for a friend but since it didn’t fit him well, it has been kept in the closet till now.

Anyway, if next time he’s going to the US and I have the opportunity to accompany him, I already made plans on things to do in New York City. I will for sure insist on taking the hop-on, hop-off bus tour with top-deck-only seating so that I will get the best possible views of New York City’s attractions, neighborhoods and places of interest.

Getting on such ride will enable me to snap pictures (for those who know me, I hate walking and tiring myself out while traveling..heh!) I will also go on their night tour from as low as $44 (with online booking). As stated in their website, I will get to enjoy the nighttime views and ambiance of Times Square, Chinatown, Empire State Building , Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and Lower East Side.

Now, I wonder while I am in New York will I be able to see Mac Taylor and his CSI team in action?..haha!

*This is a sponsored post*

I think I haven’t been on a bus for ages, what more a bus excursion anywhere. The last was maybe when I was 10 or 11, on a school trip to the capital city..heh!

One of these days, I think I will make it a point to go somewhere and use the hop-on, hop-off bus tour that the city might have. (I had that chance in Singapore but missed it)

One major benefit of taking such bus trip would be the ability to capture as much pictures from the top-deck seating without worrying that I will get lost and get stranded in an unknown street. (I do hate driving in unfamiliar territory anyway..huhu!)

If you are handling a large group tour to New York for instance, try bus charter services like New York Bus Charters.

They have video and audio capabilities, PA systems, reclining seats and lavatory in their vehicles. To ensure comfort, all their vehicles are clean and well maintained. The buses are all equipped with the most modern communication equipment in order to keep in contact with their 24-hour dispatch operation, thus providing reliability and on time services.

The company could provide transportation for your group to amusement parks, conventions, trade shows, day trips, Atlantic City, tailored custom tours and hotels or transfers between airports. Go on, hop on the bus and make your trip a memorable one!

*This post is written for HotelReservations.com*

My new year resolution would be to go on tour outside of my home country. Maybe if I couldn’t afford much, after reading the guide at Hotel Reservations, a trip to the neighboring country, Singapore will do.

What I would like to gather before I embark on the journey is to check about accommodation options, where to go, how to get there, how much will it cost and other interesting things that could be done while in the new place. You can get all the basic info at HotelReservations.com.

Whether you are planning to go on cruise, road trip, renting a beach house or simply looking for rental car, they have all the good offers waiting for you to discover. Have a look at their website and tell me which travel destination will be next in your holiday list.

*This post is written for DialAFlight.com*

I have a new resolution for the new year 2008. No, I’m not going to lose weight or anything like that, but I’m going to save money so that I can go for overseas holiday. Looking at the website of DialAFlight makes me drool over the offers they have all around the world destinations. For example the fare for flights to Wellington from Heathrow will be £670 inclusive tax. So if I am frugal enough for 6 months I might be able to actually be in the capital of New Zealand sooner, heh!

Well, for the geeks out there, here is one interesting fact I found about Wellington. It is said in the website that Wellington is the most “fully wired” city in the most “fully wired” country in the world. It has one of the fastest and biggest fibre optic loops in the world providing the CBD with high-speed data transfer and Internet access.

Now for someone who can’t live without Internet connection, he has no excuse not to join my trip to Wellington..hehe! Of course being a big fan of the trilogy Lord of The Rings I think I will take the tour trip to experience Middle Earth. Oh, I do hope I can visit the most scenic LOTR film sites, including Hobbiton Woods, Helms Deep, the River Anduin, and the Gardens of Isengard.

* This post is written for HolidayHypermarket.co.uk*

I first heard about Goa when my history teacher in high school mentioned about it many years ago. Whenever I heard about Goa my mind will relate it to Vasco da Gama..heh! Not that I am so interested to history lesson back then. But if you need a new destination to explore and spend the last few days of your year end leave, this is your chance to get your hands on cheap flights to Goa.

Whether you are a backpacker or a particular traveler, Goa, the former Portuguese colony separated from British ruled India by a mountain range could give you the unique and fascinating holiday experience you crave for. If you are a beach person, you will enjoy the water sports, miles of fine sandy beach and immerse in the serenity of swaying palm trees lining by the ocean.

Or if you want to taste the local flavor, head to the bustling markets for authentic cuisine of Goa both for meat lovers and vegetarian. Don’t miss the Anjuna flea market either as you might find the best souvenirs to bring home. Or if you are on a tight budget, just enjoy the atmosphere of traders haggling and bartering their trade at the market.

A great new year might start with a new eye to see the other side of the world, try Indian Ocean destinations like Goa for a change.

A friend of mine is telling me her plan for vacation next year. Currently she is saving enough money to go to Australia specifically to Gold Coast. Although I’m not really into theme parks and beaches, I’m sure for those who love to be on the thrilling rides and unique animal attractions, you will enjoy the visit to Dreamworld, the Australia’s favourite theme park.

And to be save make sure you have reserved your place for Gold Coast accommodation as December is summer and Christmas season as well as the start of school holiday in the sunny Queensland. You might want to go there in early December to avoid frustration and long queue at the theme parks..heh! Of course when you are in the Gold Coast there are Crystal Castle, Sea World and Warner Bros, Movie World for you to visit as well.

Next, from Gold Coast we head to Brisbane as it is only a one hour drive. What I wouldn’t miss to visit in Brisbane after finding a place to stay, (any hotels in Brisbane will do as long as it fits my budget) will be to see koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. I’m not sure whether I am brave enough to hold a koala or feed a kangaroo, but seeing the real animals would do..hehe!

Then if I get Brisbane accommodation in the area of its CBD, I will spend some time to go to the City Botanic Gardens, which is an easy walk from the busy CBD and to The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. From what I read in the Internet, the City Botanic Gardens are Brisbane’s oldest park, originally planted by convicts in 1825 with food crops to feed the prison colony.

In the meantime since my friend will be going there first, I am looking forward to hear about her Queensland’s experience before I get to savour mine.

I was doing some work downstairs last night when the Globe Trekker went to German. I have read about German - The Oktoberfest, Brandenburg Gates, the castles, the museums and the history but seeing the real things on TV was much better.

Finding hotels in Germany shouldn’t be a problem as long as you are not fussy and have enough budget..heh! From the website the cheapest I can find is EUR13 for A&O Hostel Mitte Berlin, of course there are many more choices of hotels in Berlin you can check later.

But like any other travelers, staying the whole day in the hotel wouldn’t fit the purpose of your journey. So while in Berlin, check out places of interest such as Schloss Charlottenburg (Charlottenburg Palace), the one-time summer residence of the Prussian kings or Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s only remaining city gate.

Then after you are done with Berlin, head to Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria which lies near the foot of the German Alps. It’s the high-tech capital of Germany where company like BMW has their headquarter office. Munich is also where the famous Oktoberfest is held year after year. The Oktoberfest began with the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria in 1810 and has been held every year since then.

While you are enjoying your party time, make sure you have done reservation for any hotels in Munich. It is said that about 6 million people attend the event every year.

But for me, a not much party goer, perhaps a visit to the Deutsches Museum or Neuschwanstein Castle will complete my journey to Munich.

Do you know that the famous J. R. R. Tolkien, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings grew up in three of his childhood homes in Birmingham? If you are somehow on a trip to Birmingham, check out places like Moseley Bog, Sarehole Mill and Perrott’s Folly which are supposedly being the inspiration for the various scenes in The Lord of the Rings storyline.

Formerly the industrial hub of the country, Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city situated between Manchester and London. It is home to nearly 1 million people in the area. It is a 1 to 1.5 hour’s drive north of London and is approximately another 2 hours away from Manchester. To get accommodation there would not be a problem as there are many Birmingham hotels to choose from.

Or if you are planning to celebrate a White Christmas early this year, make sure you check out the best rate for Cardiff hotels, since there will be Cardiff Winter Wonderland held there at the beautiful Civic Centre from November 15th 2007 to January 6th 2008.

This should be a nice winter experience not to be missed by an experienced skater or a complete beginner. Or if you are not into skating, there are many more attractions like the ice cafe bar, heated terrace overlooking the ice, traditional children’s carousel and rides, Big Wheel and free festive entertainment.

Survey around for the best deal for hotels in Cardiff, as you might want to spend more time there, visiting all the attractions such as Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch or a modern one like Doctor Who Exhibition.

Reading a travel blog entry about New York Hotels and attractions at RealTravel.com, make me wish that I have money to go on tour.

As a fan for Friends series for years, I have heard about Central Park, Times Square and many more places of attractions in New York. Even if you watch the movie Hitch, there is one scene whereby they went on excursion to Ellis Island to check the history of the immigrants to New York many decades ago.There are many more places of attractions in the vicinity of New York hotels. With the help of RealTravel.com, you don’t have to scratch your head to find the exact location once you step out from your hotel’s room.

Anyway, if you happen to be in New York, which New York hotels will you stay for the duration of your travel? You can opt for New York Marriott Marquis Times Square with the rate of $280 per night or Murray Hill East Suite Hotel at $149 per night. Don’t miss the chance to find and try the dining experience at the best restaurants available nearby New York hotels. A travel experience wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local dishes.

While you are there, say Hi to the Statue of Liberty for me. I will see her next year..(hopefully)..haha!

Have you ever wish that when you have to travel somewhere, all the travel arrangement such as accommodation, flight and food are all taken care of? If you are planning to go to Sydney for business trip and short vacation, check out the list of hotels available at HotelClub.net.

What I like about the website is that they list down all the hotels according to star rating, price and location. And when you click on the hotel list, it will describe the location, rooms, restaurant and general info that might help make decision whether it is a worth place to stay or not.

For hotels in Sydney, I have a few choices in mind. Based on the price and reviews done by people who have stayed there before, looking for cheap hotels are not that hard. If you want a place near the beach, check out Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments. It is located 8 kilometres from Sydney’s International and Domestic Airport and the city’s Central Business District. Or if you really want a place in the middle of the city, Wyndham Vacation Resort is located at the cross roads of Sydney. This all-suite hotel is just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park, Oxford Street and the CBD.

Or if you are into business and retail therapy, check in at the Rydges World Square Hotel. With the World Square Monorail located on the hotel’s doorstep, you’ll have easy access to Sydney Entertainment Centre and Sydney’s shopping precincts.

Since it is stated that Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, and the 21st most expensive in the world, I’m not sure how much retail experience I can get from my trip to Sydney..huhu!