What To Do When You Visit Peterborough

Peterborough is a historic city which can trace it’s fenland roots back to before the Bronze Age.

Peterborough has good transport links with the local area, so it makes a good base to use for any explorations you plan. The cathedral was originally built in 655AD, although the current building is newer at "only" almost 900 years old. Although the cathedral wasn't chosen as one of the locations for the Harry Potter movies, its gothic architecture would fit well into the scenes in the movie.

Evenings in the city can be livened up by the local music scene, which caters for everything from the usual pub and club discos, through to acoustic and electric sessions from local bands. Some venues offer the opportunity of an "unplugged" session, so you can enjoy a peaceful time. You should be able to find local bands playing somewhere in the city most every night.

Check the program in Peterborough in case one of the various popular events such as the Campaign for Real Ale's beer festival are taking place. If this is the case, make sure you book your accommodation ahead. The city is also the site for the annual East of England Show. If your stay in Peterborough is at the same time as these events, be certain to book your accommodation in good time.

There are a myriad of places to dine out in Peterborough. There are Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants aplenty. Polish restaurants have also sprung up in and around Peterbough.

Spring and summer in the city feature regattas and the chilly month of February sees a river race on the river Nene.

More energetic visitors could take part in the Great Eastern Run. Over three thousand runners attempt this half marathon through the city's streets, watched by even more spectators.

Whatever your reason for staying in Peterborough, you’re bound to find a warm welcome in one of Peterborough’s hotels and guest houses. There is accommodation available to meet with all budgetary requirements, from small family run guest houses through to the larger Peterborough hotels.

Italy Vacation HInts and Tips

Italy is a very popular travel destination for many visitors. Here are some quick Italy travel tips

Tips for Italy

  • The most popular tourist season is June through September: aim for May or October and you will enjoy smaller crowds and still have good weather.
  • Bring as little as possible. One small bag that you can easy carry yourself on and off planes, trains and up and down stairs will give you a lot more freedom. Don’t expect every hotel to have an elevator - they don’t.
  • Most long-haul flights arrive in Rome or Milan and these gateways will give you the best selection of discount flights. You may get a better over-all cost looking for a cheap flight into London or Amsterdam and then connecting on to Italy using a local European budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryan Air.
  • If you do use a low cost airline check how far out of town the airport they are using is and how much it will cost you to get back into town. Few of the cheaper airports will be as convenient as Rome’s Fumcino airport where you can catch the Leonardo Express train to Rome’s Termini Station for Euro11
  • Don’t worry about not speaking Italian - if you speak French or Spanish you won’t have a lot of problem. Even if you don’t patience, acting, sign language and a sense of humor will get you a long way.
  • Train Travel. If you are going to use the Eurail pass for discounted train travel within Europe you need to purchase your pass before leaving home. Do you figures carefully though, many of the passes are not good value unless you are traveling from one end of Europe to the other. Also if you are over 26 you will have to travel first class on an Eurail pass while second class is comfortable and available for tickets bought in Italy.
  • Italy has a fairly low rate of crime. Be careful of pickpockets in major cities but there is probably less violent crime than in your home town. Be aware of your surroundings in large train stations and popular tourist sites. The Romans never carry a bag slung over a shoulder but hung diagonally across the body - and you should too.

Enjoy your Italian vacation: hopefully these Italy vacation tips have helped

Think You Can't Afford a Vacation in Paris, France?

You can’t afford a luxury trip to Paris? Reconsider, read on for tricks on how to get a luxury vacation for a three star price.

The single most important thing for a cost-effective vacation is pick you time. Times to avoid in Paris: Christmas, September/October when there are large trade shows. Want a luxury hotel? Rates may well be cheaper at the end of the week an particularly during the summer months.

Try to time your departure so that you leave late at night having had a full day in Paris: your hotel will hold your luggage even if you have to check out in the morning. You have now got an extra day in Paris, and no hotel bill! Sleep on the plane its the best thing to do on them.

Don’t go alone: preferably take a couple of friends and share a room: you will normally pay the same for two adults as one and the third person is much less than half the tarrif for two.

Don’t hire a car . You do not need a car in Paris; the central city is compact and walkable and the Metro will get you around faster than a taxi in rush hour. If you are hiring an auto for the remainder of your vacation, arrange it so that your hire period begins as you say au revoir to Paris.

Use the internet to find the best deals on hotels. Don’t just book with the first site you find though. Try five or six especially if you are looking for smaller, boutique hotels. Not every hotel is on every travel website portal.

Beware that a lot of museums and art galleries are shut one day a week: normally Monday or Tuesday. If you are in town for those two days then double check which days your “must see” sites are open to avoid disappointment.

Don’t use taxis to hop around town: use the Metro for longer trips or walk: Paris is one of the most walkable cities in the world and most of the major sights and shopping areas are within easy walking distance.

A new development in inner city transport is the Vélib program (”vélo Liberté” or Freedom Bikes) by which it is possible to rent a bike for a very modest price. The first 30 minutes is free (plus a Euro1 daily fee payable by credit card) and prices rise raipidly for longer rental: designed to encourage you to drop off the bike and pick up a new one as you require: what a great reason to stop at cafe or two…

Paris is a wonderful city and who doesn’t want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musse d’Orsay, Notre Dame Church. Make sure you make the effort to make it to top stared restaraunt at least once on your visit.

Choose a Paris Luxury Hotel for your next European vacation and really see a different side of that wonderful city. A central Paris hotel will help you spend most of your time in the city of romance not commuting from a remote suburb. Selecting the best Parisian hotel can make or break your vacation.

Tips in Medan

Medan

How much to tip in Medan

Before we get into tipping, you may want to know the value of your money in Medan Indonesia, no not just the exchange rates.


Minimum Wage in Medan

This is just rough indication to the value of money and tips in Medan. The standard minimum wage in Medan is about Rp980.000 a month which is around Rp38.000 (USD 4.00 ) a day. Some smaller shop and service industry even pays lower than minimum pay like Rp500.000 / month.So you can measure how much your tips are worth.

There are many times, tourists are the victims of extortion in Indonesia, hence, takes extra precaution. The amount of Rp 50.000 is a big sum as tips in Indonesia, hence do not fall into the trap.

Tipping at Restaurants & Hotels
Many restaurants and Hotels inn Medan have the standard 10% service charge plus tax directly charged to your bill. So technically, you are not required to give any extra.
Nevertheless, if you are feeling well served and generous, you may want to give extra tips to the waiters or waitresses.
There are no hard and fast rules on how much to tip in Medan compared to USA where 25% of your bill is expected.

For restaurants, the standard tipping is around Rp 5.000 to Rp 10.000. You may give more if you bring more guests. Rp20.000 should be a big tip.
Hotel porters and bellboys, probably the same aroung Rp5.000 to Rp10.000 depending on the amount of luggages you have for them to help you with.

Tour & Tour Guide
If you took a vacation package to Medan, you may be faced with Tour Guides: I would suggests Rp 50.000 each, for the driver and the guide ( for private tours ). This is based on the standard 3D2N tours. If you feel that you would like to show your appreciation, then really it’s up to each individual. If you are traveling on a group tour, then this should be optional.

Taxi Driver:
This is not expected. But sometimes due to the limited amount of change Indonesia such as the Rp100, Rp500 coins. You may just let them keep the change.

Airport:
Although it is clearly stated that the porter charges Rp 2.000 for each bag, many expect more of about Rp5.000 for each bag now (yes they will ask for more).
So be prepared. There was once, I was feeling generous and gave Rp20.000 for 3 bags and they still ask for more!
You will need the help of the porter if you have many luggages.

Remember, tipping in Medan Hotels, Hotels in Medan should be based on your own appreciation of service you received and your own financial ability. The amount stated here is just a general guide.

For the latest news and buzz on Medan Indonesia Hotels in Indonesia, please visit www.MedanTalk.com where you can find out more about Medan from the locals

You can also download special city guide and budget travel guide at MedanKu.com - The Pride of Medan Indonesia

Car hire: an important support when traveling

Imagine that it is the first time you visit a place. You are in a hurry because you have a meeting in only one hour. You will not be able to get your meeting on time if you do not have a vehicle at your service? After imagining this situation, now you know why car hire companies are so important.

Car rental industry has grown popularity since many years ago. In 1930’s they began being more important since people started to move from one place to another, in order to do business.

Today, the most well-known car hire companies operate lots of locations through corporately-owned and franchised stores. They have prepared really important organizations that offer their clients lots of benefits.

There are some features and requirements that all car rental kzn companies share. For example:

-       A base rate that does not include taxes or optional items.

-       Age limits. Clients must be over 21.

-       In case of accident, they offer call toll free and instructions that should be follow strictly.

Generally, car hire companies accept only credit card payments, but some of them let their clients pay by debit cards.

-       They provide their clients with general considerations about travelling internationally.

Many firms also provide their clients with call-back vehicles and one-way rentals in their standard packages.

-       Car hire / bakkie rental agreements often function on 24hour hire basis.

All the details mentioned above are the general facts that make car hire companies function every day. They are ready to provide their clients with the best service and clients are eager to get the best offer. These two factors create a strong relationship from which everybody gets benefits. Therefore, if you want to get a vehicle, you will have all these details on hand to help you with car hire process. It is a reliable system. It will be your best ally.