Travel and tips

The Kingdom of Bahrain basks in the warm, clear and calm waters of the Persian Gulf and is an incredibly prosperous and multi cultural country becoming increasingly popular with professional expatriates seeking well paying employment in a low taxation country where the standard of living in Bahrain is incredibly high and the local people are liberal and tolerant towards other cultures. Bahrain manages to maintain a relatively neutral foreign policy and because of its general liberalism it’s a great place for Western expatriates to experience a totally new life abroad. These facts mean that the number of international citizens living in Bahrain has increased substantially in recent years and directly contributed to the fact that Bahrain now has the fastest growing economy in the Arab world. For anyone considering living in Bahrain this article is an introduction to the country, the entry requirements and to living and working in Bahrain. Citizens of all nations other than Gulf Cooperation Council countries require a visa to enter Bahrain with the majority of those moving to live in the Kingdom being sponsored for their visa by their employer. The range of visas available is vast with much depending on whether the applicant has a job offer, is a spouse or dependent of an employed person in Bahrain, the country the individual heralds from etc., and therefore those considering travelling to Bahrain should initially contact their nearest Bahraini embassy or visit the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior website to find out which visa they should apply for and how to go about the application process. The capital city of the Kingdom of Bahrain is Manama and most expatriates live in and around the capital and work in one of the Kingdom’s main industries which are petroleum production and processing, IT, telecommunications, hospitality, medicine or banking. As a result of the popularity of the location, property for sale and rent in Manama is offered at a premium and those moving to work in Bahrain on a firm job offer should try and negotiate some money towards their housing as part of their overall remuneration package. Unlike in some other Arab nations foreigners are permitted to own property in Bahrain and because the economy of the nation is so strong many see investment into property in Bahrain as a solid move to make. However for those keen on living in Bahrain the first step to take is to secure a job offer and then to rent housing while settling into the Kingdom and ensuring it is right for them before committing to the purchase of immovable property assets that can be slow to liquidate should the individual in question decide to leave the Kingdom. Finally it’s worth noting that the standard of living enjoyed by westerners living in Bahrain is incredibly high. As stated Bahrain is a prosperous country and one offering residents and visitors alike a cosmopolitan destination with exciting nightlife and incredible shopping! Hence it is of no surprise whatsoever that the number of international expatriates moving to the Kingdom ever year is on the increase.

Limousines years ago were just a plain car that had been stretched. That’s it. Plain. Simple. Limousines have changed so much over the past years. They now come in all different shapes and sizes. A limousine can be designed from simple to extravagant on the inside and the outside. Luckily we have changed with time as well. Who can keep up to date with all the cars that are out there? There are all types of limousines such as Lincolns, Cadillac’s, Fords, Mercedes, etc. The list goes on to what types of cars are there. What is the difference between a 10 passenger and a 14 passenger? Or what about a Excursion and a Hummer? When deciding to rent a limo first decide on what is the occasion for you renting a limo. You also want to have a plan of your ideal night. Next decide on what are the cities you will be renting the limo in. Next decide on how many passengers will be going in the limo with you. Lastly you want to estimate about how many hours you will need the limo. How many passengers do you have and are they all going to fit? How do you know to decide what size of vehicle you want? First think what type of occasion is this. For example if the occasion were to be wedding and you as the bride had a big, poofy, princess dress, would you want anyone to sit on it or step on the dress in the limo. For something like that make sure you think about how much room each person needs. This bride may have ten people total in her party, but needs to count her dress as 2 passengers to protect it. You do not want to be upset on your wedding day because someone in the limo spilled something on you because you were all tight inside. Some occasions as proms kids do not mind having to sit on each others laps, as long as they can all fit in their limo. When planning a corporate affair, you want to make sure each client inside that limo is going to have space to sit inside that limousine. You do not want your night spoiled because you should have rented one size bigger of a limousine. You might be thinking to yourself what all these things are inside this limousine. Some limousines such as the basic Lincoln Town Car can just be a typical car. You might want to spice up the small town car and rent a Mercedes-Benz instead or a non-stretch Hummer. These are all your typical cars on the inside and outside for a simple look. Then you have your Lincoln stretch that have the all black interior and come supplied with a full stocked wet bar. There is also the big SUV vehicles when you really want to do it BIG. These types of SUV have come stocked with a complimentary wet bar, plasma TV screens, DVD players, surround sound system, twinkle lights on the ceilings, and the lasers. You might want to take advantage of the Hummer stretch and its zebra print interior, play station two connectors, and fog machine. All cars should come with professional drivers and should arrive on time. Make sure you get what you are paying for. If you book your limo too cheap, you run a big risk of the limo not showing up. They may tell you their limousine got into an accident or got stuck in Vegas. They may not even call you at all and say you must have booked with someone else and they did not charge you. You want the limousine company’s prices to be very fair and comparable for the types of vehicles and customer service they offer. As a customer you should not have to pay any hidden fees, surcharges, or taxes. You want to book a limousine with a flat rate and tip based on your satisfaction. Remembering these tips should help smooth out what you may be looking for and putting your night together. You deserve the best.

Light travel? The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.
Why travel lightweight? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still waited for their checked luggage. On busses our luggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. Others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, while we had our hands free and were walking comfortably with our daypacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.
Light Travel IssuesExpect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Also, a small bag may not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to buy a second bag at some point, to carry your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn’t as big a problem as you may think.
My silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what typical travel clothes weigh, these take less space, and function the same. There’s no sacrifice involved here.
You don’t even have to buy new clothes, if you don’t want to. You don’t have to buy a scale and count ounces. Just choose lighter alternatives whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is the goal.
More Light Travel SecretsMoney can replace weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles as you travel? It won’t cost much more to buy things as you go. Also, you really don’t know what you’ll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy things as you need them, and you won’t have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don’t we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during a trip?Gifts and souvenirs? If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.
What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)* Thin gloves (1 ounce)* Thin hat (1 ounce – honestly)* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)* Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)* Sunglasses (1 ounce)* Small chess set (3 ounces)* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)My pack weighed ten pounds. My wife’s weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I’m not suggesting you start counting ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., and you can enjoy the benefits of light travel.

I was a soldier stationed in Bangkok, Thailand back in the early 1970′s. Not always having a bunch of money, I used to eat food from the local street vendors. Most of my meals were served wrapped in either a banana leaf or yesterday’s newspaper. Some meals were even served off of unclassified military paperwork that was recovered from the rubbish.
Nowadays, everywhere in Thailand the vast majority of street vendors serve food and drink in plastic bags. McDonalds has nothing on this fast food experience.
Whatever you order, be it a rice or noodle dish, is scooped up into a plastic bag and then sealed with a rubber band. This also includes soups and drinks.
Smaller bags of sauces and spices are also provided. You can even get fresh sliced fruit to go in a small bag with a skewer to stab each sweet morsel.
Shopping on the streets, markets, and malls will also expose you to bags and bags of plastic. It doesn’t matter what the size of the item, it will go in a plastic bag.
I have had numerous occasions where I acquired a large plastic bag to hold a variety of articles and each successive purchase resulted in a small plastic bag being put into the larger. Despite my objections that the smaller plastic bag was not required, I was turned away with a confused look and a smile.
Needles to say, after a day or two in Thailand, you tend to acquire a pile of plastic bags. I do manage to use a couple of them for dirty laundry or to keep items separated, but most of the plastic goes straight into the trash.
I really don’t know what the Thai people would do today without plastic bags. If the tree-hugging environmentalists ever came to Thailand, they wouldn’t know what to do.
Where would they put their sticky rice and beef jerky?How would vendors sell coke to go?How would the bootleg software and DVDs be distributed?How would I get my bowl of Thai soup home?Would they be able to revert back to banana leaves and yesterday’s newspapers?I don’t think that the Thai people could live without plastic bags. And any attempt o stop the usage would result in disastrous results.

Obey Foreign LawsWhen you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. It helps to learn about local laws and regulations and to obey them. Try to avoid areas of unrest and disturbance. Deal only with authorized outlets when exchanging money or buying airline tickets and traveler’s checks. Do not deliver a package for anyone, unless you know the person well and you are certain that the package does not contain drugs or other contraband.
Before you think about selling personal effects, such as clothing, cameras, or jewelry, you should learn about the local regulations regarding such sales. You must adhere strictly to local laws because the penalties that you risk are severe.
Some countries are particularly sensitive about photographs. In general, refrain from photographing police and military installations and personnel; industrial structures, including harbor, rail, and airport facilities; border areas; and scenes of civil disorder or other public disturbance. Taking such photographs may result in your detention, in the confiscation of your camera and films, as well as the imposition of fines. For information on photography restrictions, check with the country’s tourist office or its embassy or consulate in the United States. Once abroad, you can check with local authorities or with the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Legal AidBecause you are subject to local laws abroad, there is little that a U.S. consular officer can do for you, if you encounter legal difficulties. As stated previously, a consular officer cannot get you out of jail. What American officials can do is limited by both foreign and U.S. laws.
Although U.S. consular officers cannot serve as attorneys nor give legal advice, they can provide a list of local attorneys and help you find adequate legal representation. The lists of attorneys are carefully compiled from local bar association lists and responses to questionnaires, but neither the Department of State nor U.S. embassies nor consulates abroad can assume responsibility for the caliber, competence, or professional integrity of the attorneys.
If you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Under international agreements and practice, you have the right to talk to the U.S. consul. If you are denied this right, try to have someone get in touch with the U.S. consular officer for you.
When alerted, U.S. officials will visit you, advise you of your rights according to local laws, and contact your family and friends, if you wish. They will do whatever they can to protect your legitimate interests and to ensure that you are not discriminated against under local law. U.S. consuls can transfer money, food, and clothing to the prison authorities from your family or friends. They will try to get relief, if you are held under inhumane or unhealthy conditions or treated less favorably than others in the same situation.

Leeds, capitol of Yorkshire, is an often times overlooked holiday delight. Easily accessible by air and auto with a wide variety of recreational and sport activities, Leeds offers fun for the entire family. Golf enthusiasts, art lovers and those who study British history will all find ample diversion within miles of this financial and industrial hub.
Prestigious art galleries and historic homes are to be found in both Leeds proper and within a short driving distance of the city.
Leeds Art Gallery. Dating to 1881, this museum houses French Post Impressionists, Victorian works and a widely hailed collection of modern British artists. The Craft Centre and Design Gallery, outlet for contemporary British craftsmen, shares the space. Free admission for most exhibitions and events.
Henry Moore Institute. Adjacent to the Leeds Art Gallery. A well regarded centre for the display of all types of sculpture, the Institute also conducts distinguished research. Top grade exhibitions make frequent visits. Many collections and tours are free. Advanced booking for groups is advised.
Harewood House. Residence of the Queen’s cousin, the Earl of Harewood, this home has a fine array of art as well as beautiful formal gardens. The house itself is also open for guided tours. Recent additions include boats on the lake and a children’s playground. Paid admission. Family tickets available.
Temple Newsam. This Tudor-Jacobean manor anchors more than 1,500 acres of park, wood and farm land. The world renowned house and gardens are open to the public for a modest charge. The estate is also the location of one of the world’s largest Rare Breed Farms which shelters nearly four hundred animals.
Royal Armouries Museum. Exhibits including a set of King Henry VIII’s armour are displayed here. Many other instruments of war are on view. Costumed re-enactments and actual jousts take place April through October. Paid admission for some events. Advanced booking advised.
After a day filled with cultural pursuits, a visitor on holiday in Leeds might want to take in a little shopping or a play. Leeds is no slouch in either department.
The Corn Exchange. Originally designed by renowned Yorkshire architect Cuthbert Broderick in 1862 the Exchange was retrofitted in 1990 as a wide ranging shopping centre.
The Victoria Quarter. This upscale centre is a destination in itself as well as Yorkshire’s premiere shopping experience. Prada, Hugo Boss and more than eighty other stores sit underneath a breathtaking Brian Clarke stained glass ceiling.
Headrow Shopping Centre. Headrow shopping street has managed to retain much of its original architecture while incorporating some of the best shopping in the country. The centre itself boasts the largest sporting goods store in England as well as Yorkshire’s biggest music shop.
The West Yorkshire Playhouse. This young but internationally respected theatre sees more than 250,000 patrons annually. It has two theatres, a restaurant, and a bar in the real ale tradition and rehearsal facilities.
Northern Ballet Theatre. This distinguished company was founded in 1969 and has experienced a consistent growth in reputation and repertoire.
From a friendly pub to world class restaurants and trendy celebrity clubs, Leeds has it all. A traveller looking for a quiet beer, a family friendly nosh or a fine dining experience will find it in Leeds.
Tetley’s Brewery Wharf. Tetley’s has been brewing beer in the UK since 1822. Not actually a drinking establishment a tour of its visitor centre built at a cost of nearly 10 million American dollars will give insight into the art of brewing before heading off to a true pub.
Whitelocks. Licensed since 1715 this small pub offers ambience and prize winning brew.
The Angel Inn. For a good price and a good pint in an old fashioned setting with a true beer garden, this pub can’t be beaten.
Salvo’s. A Leeds favourite since it opened in 1976, this Italian restaurant boasts desserts and a robust wine list; recently named one of the UK’s Ten Best Pizza Restaurants.
Simply Heathcote’s. Located in the Granary Wharf section in a renovated grain house this moderately priced restaurant offers traditional British cooking with both a kiddie menu and a wine list.
Parisб Cafй Bar. Sandwiches, sides, full dishes, beer, wine, reasonable prices, casual atmosphere; what more could a weary traveller desire?Leodis. Laid back but totally top drawer, this upscale eatery serves fine food well done with a wine list to match.
Leeds Hotels and AccommodationAccommodation in Leeds range from friendly and funky self cater establishments to the high end. In between there are numerous mid-level chains. Best not to visit without a reservation; University, sports, financial and cultural concerns keep most lodgings near capacity year round.
Ascot Grange HotelMalmaison Hotel LeedsExpress by Holiday Inn Leeds City CentreQuebecs, The Leeds Boutique HotelGolden Lion HotelWeetwood Hall Conference Centre & HotelComfort Inn LeedsMerrion Hotel42 The CallsThe Met LeedsHighbank HotelHarman Suites 1 & 2, Self-Catering Apartments, NeaRamada Leeds Parkway HotelRamada Leeds North HotelThe Butlers HotelVillage Hotel & Leisure Club LeedsCraiglands HotelOulton HallHaley’s Hotel and RestaurantRadisson SAS Hotel LeedsThe Queens Leeds – A QHotelRiva HotelPark Plaza LeedsNovotel Leeds CentreCrowne Plaza LeedsJurys Inn LeedsWoodlands HotelHarewood ArmsBesides culture, sports, shopping and food, what else does Leeds have to offer? Just a wide variety of sporting and entertainment venues, that’s what!Rugby, Football, Cricket. Leeds is an enthusiastic nucleus of professional sports. Two rugby teams, Rhinos and Tykes, are based in Leeds. Football devotees will enjoy a rousing Leeds United Football Club match. Cricket fans should stop by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club where the game has been played since 1890.
Golf. Several excellent courses pepper the Leeds countryside with Alwoodley Golf Club being among the best. Designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie, who would later configure Augusta National and Royal Melbourne, it is one of Leeds’ best kept secrets.
Millennium Square. As the name suggests, this 12 million American dollar multi-use facility was built to mark the year 2000. During the winter season it hosts the Ice Cube skating rink and notables from entertainers to politicians throughout the year.
Roundhay Park. Situated on 700 acres, Roundhay welcomes sporting events, concerts and fireworks to Roundhay Park Arena. This natural venue has seen crowds of up to 100,000 for artists including the Rolling Stones and Madonna. In addition to the amphitheatre, Roundhay encompasses parks, lakes, woods and gardens and plays host to skaters, bikers, tennis players and golfers. Fishermen troll; it’s Waterloo Lake.
Anyone making holiday plans should not dismiss spending a few days in Leeds. A true Yorkshire treasure, it has activities for all ages and interests. For an entertaining, educational and relaxing holiday, visit surprising Leeds.

What would you do if city authorities ordered you to evacuate ?There are only two choices – comply or refuse, and neither is going to be much fun. For many it means loading up the car with their family, pets and anything else that fits, then joining heavy traffic to shuffle towards an uncertain future. While the upheaval is inconvenient at best, choosing to stay could be the biggest gamble of your life.
Some types of disasters allow for warnings and time to evacuate. Bushfires frequently reach the edges of the suburban sprawl, initiating rushed evacuations, sometimes with only minutes to spare. In the case of hurricanes, sophisticated weather analysis and satellite images can give those in danger up to 3 days warning.
In the case of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the city government of New Orleans issued a mandatory evacuation of the entire city two days before disaster struck. While there were a large number of people who did not have the means to leave, others remained in the city by choice to face the fury of nature.
One factor in this seemingly crazy decision was the regularity of hurricane warnings over the years. Most hurricanes had amounted to nothing worse than a heavy downpour, so many residents calculated the inconvenience of leaving against the amount of actual danger they would face, and figured there was no good reason to walk away, not when so many storms billed as the Big One had ended up heavy rain and hot air. People have jobs, people have commitments, organising to uproot your life at short notice would surely test the preparedness of anyone. And of course, many folk would simply have no money, no transport and no contacts out of town. A tourist performed her own calculations shortly before the city was ruined – “They say it’s mandatory evacuations except for the hospitals and hotels. So it can’t be that bad.”Tourists who couldn’t organise transport out of the city did what they called vertical evacuation – getting rooms high enough in buildings that were known to have survived earlier major storms. Despite the huge inconvenience of evacuating, it should be remembered that authorities do not like to shut down their cities unless there is a compelling reason. Almost everyone who stayed to face Hurricane Katrina regretted their decision.

Towards the end of September Barcelona begins to limber up for the largest event on its festival calendar, La Mercй, a celebration of the city’s patron saint “Mare de Deu de la Mercй”. The festival heralds the end of summer and the onset of the autumn months. The festival is a real big deal for the people of Barcelona and the still temperate weather means that, in true Mediterranean fashion, must of the fun takes place outside. There’s a massive amount to do whilst the festival is on with events popping up all over the city and over 3000 artists and performers on display with over 500 activities to watch or take part in. The festival has a long and proud and first took place in 1902; today it’s a fantastic blend of tradition and innovation.
You’d really need to write a novel to keep on top of everything that goes on at La Mercй each year so, we’ll just have to settle for some highlights. We start with one of the oldest traditions; the human towers or “Castells” are a real must-see, sometimes as much as ten stories high they’re a fantastic display of teamwork, agility and balance.
A recurring theme throughout the festival is the celebration of fire and one of the most exhilarating experiences of La Mercй is the “Correfoc” (the “Fire Run”) where costumed fire-breathing devils rampage around the streets in a colourful pyrotechnic display. Kids absolutely love this sort of thing and audience participation is a big part as the devils chase after those foolish enough to get in their way. Another favourite of the children is the “Dragons and Giants” procession which starts in the Plaza Real next to Las Ramblas.
Foodies and wine lovers shouldn’t feel left out either as there is no shortage of indulgence in those areas. Food and wine shows run throughout the festival showcasing local produce and allow you to try and buy the best that Catalonia has to offer.
Festivities aren’t just kept on the ground either, La Mercй also celebrates the sky with static hot air balloon flights, kite displays and other aerial exhibitions taking place throughout the festival on the city’s beaches. Other areas around the city to look out for are the Centro de Cultura Contemperanea de Barcelona where you can view street theatre, Moll de la Fusta which will be giving centre stage to numerous circus acts and Plaza St Rei where various dance troupes and performing artists will be vying for your attention. There’s also a museum open day where many of the city’s museums and galleries can be entered free of charge including the Picasso museum, the Museum of History of Catalonia, the Maritime Museum and many more.
The culmination of the festivities is called “Piromusica”l – the finale involves music and a huge fireworks display choreographed together for an amazing audio-visual experience. A big named music star is usually brought in to play the finale and 2005 saw local singer and composer Pep Sala having the honour of closing out La Mercй.
For tourists La Mercй offers a perfect opportunity to see Barcelona at its best – it’s a colourful, vibrant spectacle which offers something for all age groups and all tastes. It also offers visitors the perfect opportunity to see more of this wonderful city.

Holding on to a Las Vegas Coupon and do not understand what you are holding? Well, coupons are basically tickets or documents that can be exchanged for either a financial rebate or a discount while buying something. Usually, they are given to promote the products. If there is a place that is absolutely famous for its amazing money savings, then it is certainly Begas. From, breakfast buffets price offs to ones for slot machines, Coupons for Vegas are available for anything! You can find Las Vegas Discounts on the Internet, in magazines, newspapers and even by post! Coupons for Vegas through Internet are especially popular as there is no postal charge and the printing cost is borne only by the use. This way museums have less expense and do not have extra expenditure. Wondering if it is possible to get Las Vegas Discounts? Quite possible every attraction and every casino in Las Vegas issues Las Vegas Discounts! Some amazing deals that you can get for free on the Internet for shows are the Barbara And Frank show, Comedy Pet Theatre, Madame Tussaud Interactive Attraction, Riviera Comedy Club and Sopranos Last Supper. Searching for Las Vegas Discounts on food? One place that accepts Las Vegas Discounts is Rosies Pizzeria. Freemont Street of Las Vegas, Liberace Museum, Not Just Antiques Mart and Treasure Island all have coupons that everyone can use! Some very good Los Vegas attractions also have coupons. The Hoover Dam Tour, Vegas Mob Tour, Las Vegas Power Pass, Sagebrush Horseback Riding, and Desert Adventures Kayak and Canoe Tours are some of these places. Seeking casino coupons? Slots a Fun and Riviera Casino are a couple that give out free blackjack comps that allow you to have a fabulous time at slot machines while spending less too! Rehab and The exotic are just two of the hot spots that give you discounts and free entrance Las Vegas Discounts. Most important, you must know that sometimes Coupons for Vegas might expire or that it is quite likely that the Las Vegas Discounts are not legitimate. Subscription printable coupons do have legal access Las Vegas coupons and often redeem them in case the customer has difficulties. Usually, every coupon is verified, reviewed, approved and authorized by the authorities. So the next time, you avail the amazing benefits of Las Vegas Coupon, make sure that they are valid, and have not are still being accepted.

Together with last minute flights, last minute hotels are big business nowadays. The idea is that you take a room that would otherwise be empty (often because of cancellations), and in return you get a steep discount. However, as ever, it’s a case of buyer beware.
It can be a very common experience to arrive in a hotel and find that there’s actually no-one in it who didn’t come on a last-minute travel deal. This is either because the prices the hotel is trying to charge normal customers are too high, or because it’s a terrible hotel. To avoid these places, check whether the hotel you find a last-minute deal on is otherwise fully-booked or at least busy – if not, you should probably stay away.
Even in good hotels, though, you might find yourself stuck with the one bad room that they haven’t been able to shift – the one that smells funny, or has a view of a brick wall outside the window. While this isn’t generally so terrible, you should at least prepare yourself for this possibility.
It’s also quite likely – though not inevitable – that the cheaper hotels will be nowhere near the city centre, leaving you to commute by public transport each day if you want to see the sights, or else hang around in the suburbs. You should consider the costs of transport before you book, as a slightly more expensive hotel that is more central can often save you more than it costs.
A final thing to be aware of is that you can often get a good discount by booking a last minute flight and hotel as a package deal through the various agency websites. If you are doing this, though, make sure that you don’t let the savings pressure you into taking a bad flight or a bad hotel just because the other half of the deal seems so good.