Vacation Dreams

Category: Sidebar

  • Strange but True!

    Both the Paris and Hong Kong metro systems regularly
    use air freshener. Apparently studies reveal that if the system smells
    good, customers feel more positive about the travelling experience. London
    Underground, with over 3 million passengers a day, has started to trial
    a fragrance called Madeleine to see if fragrance will make a positive
    difference. If customers like it, it will become a permanent item. Sound
    like the sweet smell of success?


  • Mutual Aid

    Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a
    place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our
    Mutual Aid section of the Website:
    Mutual Aid


  • Have you got a tale to tell??

    If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell.
    Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and
    share it with the world. Travel
    Sized Bites


  • Scams

    Paying by credit card? Check the currency you think you’ve
    just paid in! Ensure that the currency you have paid in is
    clearly marked on the credit card slip and don’t forget to
    match it to your credit card statement when you get home –
    you may be in for a surprise!

    Got any scam experiences you’d like to share with the
    Beetle? Then e-mail them to:
    the
    Beetle


  • Mutual Aid

    Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or
    country – want to share something with us – why not visit our
    Mutual Aid section of the Website:
    Mutual Aid


  • Have you got a tale to tell??

    If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then
    why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website
    and share it with the world. Travel
    Sized Bites


  • Home Base Holidays

    Travelling abroad but finding accommodation expensive? Try
    home exchange, a rent-free and friendly option.

    Home Base Holidays
    was established in London, UK in 1985 (by a Canadian) and now
    has attractive exchange offers world-wide. Full descriptive
    listings and photos can be viewed by visitors (contact
    information available to members).

    New listings on-line daily plus three print directories
    annually. Free ‘Home Swappers’ newsletter provides
    information on arranging successful home swaps, stories by
    experienced exchangers, special offers and travel
    information. Visit Home Base Holidays to sign
    up.


  • Not to be Seen Dead In?

    The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel
    to Pakistan until further notice unless there are
    compelling reasons to do so. They advise all British
    nationals still in the North-West Frontier Province,
    Baluchistan and the northern areas to leave those areas
    immediately.

    This is of particular interest to the Beetle as she used to
    live and work in Karachi and was due to go out to Islamabad
    during the month of November. Plans are on hold!


  • Burmese Food… London

    If you find yourself in London, at a loose end, fancy
    something just a little bit different, then give the Mandalay
    a go.

    It can be found at 444 Edgware Rd Tel: 020 7258 3696. The
    nearest tube is at Edgware Rd.

    The London and New York Globetrotter chairs went to dinner
    there earlier in the year (with their friend Rob of Grand
    Canyon fame!) and they had a great time saying the food was
    fantastic and the owners really friendly and interesting
    about their country.

    Want to tell us about your favourite coffee corner,
    restaurant or watering hole? Then contact the Beetle:
    the Beetle


  • Bali in a nutshell by Shirley of London

    This was our first trip to Bali and I have to say that the
    Balinese are in general the loveliest people, very gentle and
    welcoming.

    Driving out there was a real experience though! It appears
    that the traffic laws (where there are any) don’t apply to
    the thousands of motor bikes on the road. It was common to
    have them coming at you in a one way street!

    Prices are fantastic, it cost us about a fiver to tank up a
    big people carrier, they thought we were mad driving
    ourselves but once you get used to it and remember to use
    your horn as much as they do it’s not too bad.

    Certainly a destination I’d recommend and will definitely be
    going back. Kuta is very touristy but get out of town and
    it’s a whole different world.