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London, England - new codes and attractions passes Stretch Travel Dollars Stay Away From Costly Hotels The US Dollar Accepted Worldwide Choose Affordable Destinations Stretch Travel Dollars Stay Away From Costly Hotels Those travellers who do not need room service, valet parking or gym facilities might consider saving money by staying at other places. Many hostels provide accommodation for adults these days and rooms can be reserved by using a credit card. Self-catering apartments are good for longer visits. Lower rent and facilities to cook your own meals and do your own laundry can save your hard-earned tourist dollars. For something unusual, some convents accept paying guests at modest prices. Often convents have stricter rules for visitors, but if you’re a family who enjoys the quiet life at night, staying in convent accommodation may be the answer. During the summer, when school is out, some universities and college apartments are available to rent. A Bed and Breakfast facility often has parking, is near to local transit and provides a hearty breakfast for much less than a hotel. The US Dollar Accepted Worldwide The US Dollar in small demoninations and US travellers cheques is the currency accepted in most countries. US Dollars are easy to exchange at local banks universally and US travellers cheques are recognized in most countries. Having some small one-dollar bills is handy for tips and really appreciated by many third-world country local guides. Sometimes, in those countries where one bargains for goods, the US dollar (cash) can get the traveller a better deal on merchandise bought from stalls and local vendors. Of course, never carry too much cash. Thieves are always watching tourists and flashing around large amounts of cash could be asking for trouble. Often using ATMs will save you some harsh exchange rates and fees associated with travellers cheques. Check with your own bank before leaving with regard to location of ATMs in places you will be visiting and make sure to ask how steep the fee is for using the ATM machines in that country. ATMs are handy for just taking out the amount you will need on a daily basis, hence the costs of being robbed could be less. And certainly, should you lose your cash, you have not lost all your vacation money. Often, by withdrawing small amounts daily, you can take advantage of fluctuating exchange rates. Be sure to weigh the costs of ATM fees with those of using travellers cheques. Choose Affordable Destinations Turkey, Mexico, and many South American countries are bargains right now. All-inclusive tours and cruises usually provide the traveller with places to stay, some meals and pre-arranged guided tours. Pre-pay your trip and take advantage of offered discounts. City passes are offered by many major cities worldwide. The one-cost pass can allow the traveller to visit museums, historic sites and attactions and be sure to enquire about a local transit pass. Local transit passes can be used for a single day or longer. Hopping on and off buses as you please adds versatility to those wishing to save a few dollars and see areas that they are curious about as the local transit twists through main throughfares and back streets. Buy a local newspaper, if you can manage the language. If a traveller wants to see attractions that might not be on the normal tour, a local newspaper can provide a wealth of local attractions information. If language is not a barrier, the local papers will tell the traveller what events are going on in the city and where those attractions can be found. Usually booking a tour or trip early can save money, but booking at the last minute can save hundreds of dollars too. The advantage of booking early, is getting the trip you really want, but if you will settle for a limited itinerary, booking late may be the answer. Ask your local telephone company if they have a USA or Canada direct number. By linking to your country direct number, you can save a lot of money on telephone toll charges. If an operator asks for a credit card number, hang up......use the instructions you received from your local telephone company before going on your trip. Always know where your emergency exit is located. Take a few minutes to read the fire route information attached to the room door or located elsewhere in your room. Then leave your room and walk towards the exit, counting the steps. Although one should follow the individual instructions for each, individual hotel, (I.E: crawling along the smoke-filled hallway to your exit), by taking a few moments to familiarize yourself with the location of the exit and its use, this gives the traveller some idea as to the distance of the exit from your room. Make sure your exit is in working order. Try the exit door; it should not be locked.
The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has a site well worth
visiting at : www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca London, England - new codes and attractions passes PHONE CHANGES Telephone numbers in several British cities have changed since April 22, 2000. New codes will be introduced in Cardiff, Coventry, London, Portsmouth, Southampton and Northern Ireland. For more details check out www.numberchange.bt.com NEW LONDON PASS A new tourist ticket includes admission to 40 attractions in and around London, free travel on public transport (buses, 'tubes' and trains) and a pocket guidebook. The London pass costs 18 Pounds for one day, 42 Pounds for three or 72 Pounds for six days (children rates are 11, 222 or 34 Pounds). The fee covers admission to St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Aquarium, HMS Belfast, the Curzon Cinema (before 6 p.m.), Eltham Palace, the Jewish Museum, Thames Barrier Visitor Center and the Fan Museum, and others too numerous to mention. There are also substantial discounts on services such as open-top bus tours, London bicycle tours and canal boat trips. The pass will eliminate ticket lineups as visitors swipe the pass through a special machine at each attraction. Get it in person from the Britain Visitor Centre at 1 Lower Regent Street (near Picadilly Circus) or place an order on the web site at www.londonpass.com or telephone 020 7287 6020. |