Travel and tips

A gap year, also known as a year out, is that year taken between high school and university, or after university and before getting a job, to travel and explore the world. It is that year that you set aside to become an adventurer and have fantastic experiences doing things you have never done before. It is that gap in your life when you break your routine and do something completely different! There are so many ways to spend your gap year, from volunteering on a wildlife reserve in Africa, to learning Spanish and kitesurfing in Ecuador! For those who are on a tight budget, working abroad can pay for itself. If you’re more career minded, there are thousands of International Internships which will give you hands on experience in your field of study, look great on your resume, and give you a great excuse to travel. You can also spend a year studying abroad at a foreign university and earn credits towards your degree at the same time. Or maybe you’d prefer to spend you time learning to scuba dive in Fiji while working on an environmental conservation project. The options are endless, but below is a little taste of some of the more popular ways to spend a fantastic gap year:Volunteer AbroadThere are literally hundreds of organizations and charities out there that place volunteers on projects around the world during their gap year. The two main categories of volunteer projects are community projects and environmental projects. Community projects include teaching English and other subjects in local schools, building projects like building houses or wells in small communities with sparse resources, or working in health care facilities among other things. Environmental projects on the other hand focus on being immersed in nature, perhaps researching wildlife which is becoming extinct, or working to protect forests which are in jeopardy. Volunteer organizations tend to send volunteers in groups, so that you can get to know the people you are working with. Accommodation and food are generally provided as part of the package, and there are often side trips and excursions planned for the group. Volunteering can be an immensely rewarding experience, and a great way to really get involved in the culture you are staying in. Not only will you do a good thing for others, but you will have amazing stories to tell when you get home.
Adventure TravelAdventure travel is a relatively ambiguous title, but this category includes the sort of gap year travel that gives you an adrenaline rush! Have you ever wanted to try scuba diving? Sky diving? Kiteboarding? Surfing? Skiing or snowboarding? How about going to mountaineering school in Patagonia? Well this is your chance! If you’re passionate about scuba diving, why not do it at the great barrier reef in Australia? Spend a few months and become an expert, get your PADI certificates and improve your skills. Or maybe you’re a surfer at heart but born in New York, why not learn from the best surfers in Costa Rica, and pick up a little Spanish along the way. Or for those that like the cold, you can spend a while in Switzerland learning to be a ski instructor on the great Alps! Adventure travel lets you really test your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you the opportunity to learn something profound about yourself and the world. Many Adventure Travel companies will offer packages including room, board, and training and equipment needed for your adventures.
Internships and Work Experience ProgramsSo you finished school, and now it’s time to get a job, but you have no experience to show on your resume! A gap year internship is such a great way to gain experience which will prepare you for the work force, and why not enhance your experience by doing it abroad! Europe is a particularly popular place for doing internships these days, but its best to go where your industry shines, for example an interest in Fashion can be nurtured with a fashion internship in Italy, home of the great designers. Or a business internship can be conducted in China, what a great asset to have behind you when you later apply for a corporate executive position. From engineering to graphic design, there are all sorts of great companies out there looking for eager young people wanting to get their feet wet. Internship programs usually include room and board, and often include language lessons to help you get by in your new culture.
Study AbroadIf you’re intent on finishing your career studies without taking a break from your schooling, then study abroad during your gap year! Speak to your own school or university and ask for the guidelines regarding transferring your credits, educational institutions tend to respect the value of travel and almost always grant credit for such programs. Imagine spending a semester in Spain or Italy! Learn a bit of the language, live with the people, enjoy the cuisine and continue your studies, it will only enhance your employability later. There are lots of study abroad programs to choose from, some are focused on a certain area of study while others are focused on relationships with particular institutions. Consult your own school for credit information.
Work AbroadA lack of money is a poor excuse not to travel and take a gap year. If you can do it at home you can do it abroad. No matter where you go in the world every restaurant needs waiters, and every office needs someone to answer the phone. And what better way to see how the average person lives in a foreign country than by joining them for the 9 to 5! Find a job that is similar to what you might do at home, this will help you to surround yourself with people you would normally hang out with. But don’t work too hard! Make sure you find some time to spend that money on sights and side trips. There are lots of jobs available to travelers, you can easily apply before you go and secure your position before you get there. Jobs may or may not include your room and board, and weather they do or not will be reflected in your salary earned. As you can see, the gap year opportunities are endless and there is definitely something for every type of person. A gap year provides a way to see the world, to experience other cultures, meet different people, and also to learn new skills. A gap year can be personally enriching, and at the same time gives you great experience to enhance your resume when you return home.

The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below.
ExemptionsDepending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600. There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products you may include in your duty-free personal exemption. The differences are explained in the following section.
The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if:• The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts.
• They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $800 duty-free exemption. (Exceptions apply for goods sent from Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.)• They are declared to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.
• You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. For example, if you leave the United States at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, you would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3. This time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• You have not used all of your exemption allowance, or used any part of it, in the past 30 days—for example, if you go to England and bring back $150 worth of items—you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $800 exemption. • The items are not prohibited or restricted as discussed in the section on Prohibited and Restricted Items. Note the embargo prohibitions on products of Cuba.
Joint DeclarationFamily members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions. This is called a joint declaration. For example, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith travel overseas and Mrs. Smith brings home a $1,000 piece of glassware, and Mr. Smith buys $600 worth of clothing, they can combine their individual $800 exemptions on a joint declaration and not have to pay duty. Children and infants are allowed the same exemption as adults, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Types of Exemptions$200 ExemptionIf you cannot claim other exemptions because:• you have been out of the country more than once in a 30-day period or because• you have not been out of the country for at least 48 hours,you may still bring back $200 worth of items free of duty and tax. As discussed earlier, these items must be for your personal or household use. If you bring back more than $200 worth of dutiable items, or if any item is subject to duty or tax, the entire amount will be dutiable. For instance, you were out of the country for 36 hours and came back with a $300 piece of pottery. You could not deduct $200 from its value and pay duty on $100. The pottery would be dutiable for the full value of $300.
You may include with the $200 exemption your choice of the following: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 milliliters (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 milliliters (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Note that unlike other exemptions, family members may not combine their individual $200 exemptions. Thus, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith spend a night in Canada, each may bring back up to $200 worth of goods, but they would not be allowed a collective family exemption of $400.
Also, duty on items you mail home to yourself will be waived if the value is $200 or less. $800 ExemptionIf you are arriving from anywhere other than a U.S. insular possession (U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam) you may bring back $800 worth of items duty free, as long as you bring them with you. This is called accompanied baggage. For Caribbean Basin or Andean countries, your exemption is also $800.
You may include two liters of alcoholic beverages with this $800 exemption, as long as one of the liters was produced in one of the countries listed above.
Depending on what items you’re bringing back from your trip, you could come home with more than $800 worth of gifts or purchases and still not be charged duty. For instance, say you received a $700 bracelet as a gift, and you bought a $40 hat and a $60 color print. Because these items total $800, you would not be charged duty, since you have not exceeded your duty-free exemption. If you had also bought a $500 painting on that trip, you could bring all $1300 worth of merchandise home without having to pay duty, because fine art is duty-free. $1,600 ExemptionIf you return directly or indirectly from a U.S. insular possession (U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam), you are allowed a $1,600 duty-free exemption. If you travel to a U.S. insular possession and to one or more of the Caribbean Basin or Andean countries listed above, let’s say on a Caribbean cruise, you may bring back $1,600 worth of items without paying duty, but only $800 worth of these items may come from the Caribbean Basin or Andean country(ies). Any amount beyond $800 will be dutiable unless you acquired it in one of the insular possessions. For example, if you were to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Jamaica, you would be allowed to bring back $1,600 worth of merchandise duty free, as long as only $800 worth was acquired in Jamaica. Also, you may include 1,000 cigarettes as part of the $1600 exemption, but at least 800 of them must have been acquired in an insular possession. Only 200 cigarettes may have been acquired elsewhere. For example, if you were touring the South Pacific and you stopped in Tahiti, American Samoa, and other ports of call, you could bring back five cartons of cigarettes, but four of them would have to have been bought in American Samoa.
Similarly, you may include five liters of alcoholic beverages in your duty-free exemption, but one of them must be a product of an insular possession. Four may be products of other countries.

When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws, and American officials are limited as to how they can assist you. They cannot, for instance, represent you in legal proceedings or pay your legal fees or other expenses. They can, however, perform a variety of vital services, which include providing a list of attorneys, assisting in contacting your family in the U.S. if you wish it, helping you obtain money from family in the U.S., and monitoring your health and welfare and the conditions under which you are being held. If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Under international agreements, the U.S. Government has a right to provide consular assistance to you upon your request. If your request to speak to your consul is turned down, keep asking—politely, but persistently.
Special warning about drug offenses abroadEvery year, several hundred Americans are arrested abroad on drug charges. Persons caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country are subject to the drug laws of that country, not those of the U.S.; as always, ignorance of the law is no excuse. In many countries, the burden of proof is on the accused to show that he or she is innocent of the charges. Some Americans take advantage of an offer of an all-expenses-paid vacation abroad in exchange for carrying a small package in the luggage. When, to their surprise, they are caught, the fact that they did not know that there were drugs in that package will not reduce the charges against them. Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be different from U.S. practice. For instance: * few countries provide a jury trial * many countries do not permit pre-trial release on bail * pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, can last several months * prisons may lack even minimal comforts, such as beds, toilets, and washbasins * diets are often inadequate and require supplements from relatives and friends * officials may not speak English * physical abuse, confiscation of property, degrading treatment and extortion are possible.
* persons convicted may face sentences ranging from fines and jail time, to years of hard labor, and even the death penalty * penalties for drug possession and for drug trafficking are often the same abroad, so possession of one ounce of marijuana could result in years in a foreign jail As with any arrest of a U.S. citizen abroad, consular officers perform a variety of services. But, you will basically be on your own. Don’t be stupid. Stay away from drugs.

While every hostage situation is different, there are some general considerations to keep in mind.
* U.S. Government policy is firm: they do not make concessions to terrorists. When Americans are abducted overseas, the U.S. government looks to the host government to exercise its responsibility under international law to protect all persons within its territories and to bring about the safe release of hostages. The United States works closely with these governments from the outset of a hostage-taking incident to ensure that their citizens and other victims are released as quickly and safely as possible.
* At the outset of a terrorist incident, the terrorists typically are tense, high-strung and may behave irrationally. It is extremely important that you remain calm and alert, and control your own behavior.
* Avoid resistance and sudden or threatening movements. Do not struggle or try to escape unless you are certain of being successful. Don’t try to be a hero, endangering yourself and others.
* Consciously put yourself in a mode of passive cooperation. Talk normally. Do not complain, avoid belligerency, and comply with all orders and instructions.
* If questioned, keep your answers short. Don’t volunteer information or make unnecessary overtures.
* Make a concerted effort to relax. Prepare yourself mentally, physically and emotionally for the possibility of a long ordeal.
* Try to remain inconspicuous, avoid direct eye contact and the appearance of observing your captors’ actions.
* Avoid alcoholic beverages. Eat what they give you, even if it does not look or taste appetizing, but keep consumption of food and drink at a moderate level. A loss of appetite and weight is normal.
* If you are involved in a lengthier, drawn-out situation, try to establish a rapport with your captors, avoiding political discussions or other confrontational subjects.
* Establish a daily program of mental and physical activity.
* Think positively and avoid a sense of despair. You are a valuable commodity to your captors, and it is important to them to keep you alive and well.
Your government will do everything short of conceding to gain your release. Political and media pressure may assist in your release. Keep your cool, say your prayers, and avoid endangering your life and the lives of others.

This can be compounded if you are in a foreign country and the language barrier becomes insurmountable. Airline offices may not be located in the city you are spending your holiday in, funds may not be readily available to re-purchase a ticket, and time may be of the essence.
Many passengers believe that air tickets can be replaced as easily as traveler’s checks just because the reservation is in the computer, but that is not the case. Your ticket number may be shown on your credit card receipt or travel agency itinerary. If it is not, jot down the number on a sheet of paper and carry it separately from your ticket. Bring it with you on your trip. If the ticket does go astray, the airline can process your refund application more quickly, and perhaps issue an on-the-spot replacement ticket, if you can give them this number. You should report a lost ticket immediately to the airline that is shown as the issuing carrier at the top of the ticket. You may be required to repurchase a ticket in order to continue your trip. If you no longer meet all of the restrictions on your discount fare (e.g., seven-day advance purchase) the new ticket may cost more than the old one did. In that event, however, it is generally the higher fare that is eventually refunded, as long as you don’t change any of the cities, flights or dates on your trip. Once the airline establishes that you actually bought the ticket, they will begin processing your refund application. There is often a waiting period of two to six months. If anyone uses or cashes in your ticket while the refund is pending, the airline may refuse to give you your money back. Finally, there is a handling charge that the airline may deduct from the refund. All in all, getting a refund or replacement for a lost ticket is a lot of trouble, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive either one.
Ensure that you make a copy of your ticket (the back page), and store it in a safe place. At your hotel, keep your ticket in the in-room safe or at the safe behind the check-in counter. Never carry your ticket around with you while you are out sightseeing, shopping or dining. Prevention is the key to a hassle free vacation. So, the best advice is-don’t lose the ticket in the first place.

Although it is recognized that hard-and-fast rules cannot be applied in incidents of kidnapping, the following points are worthy of special consideration: Under all circumstances attempt to stay calm and be alert to situations that you can exploit to your advantage. Remember that the primary objective of your family and law enforcement officials will be to secure your safe return as quickly as possible. Do not attempt to fight back or to struggle physically. No matter how reasonable your captors may appear on the surface, they cannot be trusted to behave normally and their actions may be unpredictable.
Comply with the instructions of your abductors as well as you can. Do not discuss what action may be taken by your family, friends, or company. Make a mental note of all movements, including time in transit, direction, distances, speeds, landmarks along the way, special odors, and distinctive sounds like bells, construction, voices, etc. Whenever possible, take mental note of the characteristics of your abductors, their habits, surroundings, speech, mannerisms, and what contacts they make. Generally, you cannot expect to have a good opportunity to escape. No attempt to escape should be made unless it has been carefully calculated to ensure the best possible odds for success. Avoid making provocative remarks to your abductors. As noted, they may be unstable individuals who react irrationally. If you have a disease or physical condition that requires treatment request special medicines or medical attention immediately.
Try to establish some kind of rapport with your captors. Maintain your cool, use your head and you will get out of this terrible situation. The odds are very long that this will ever happen to you, but you want to be prepared in the event that it does.

When you are booking a vacation rental property in a ski resort there is an indisputable magic to the phrase ‘ski-in, ski-out’. It conjures up images of a loving restored log cabin on the edge of an immaculately groomed piste, of watching fellow skiers carve elegant turns from your living room window, with the occasional spray of snow against the window pane. It suggests stepping out of your front door, clicking on your skis and gliding down the slopes to the lift. You may anticipate avoiding the crush of people waiting for a lukewarm and soggy pizza in the mountain restaurant by using your own chalet as … a mountain restaurant. And, perhaps best of all, you may look forward to skiing back to your own front door at the end of the afternoon and forgetting about trudging along paths and the indignity of crowded shuttle buses.

The reality may be very different. Knowing the power of the term ‘ski-in, ski-out’, vacation rental providers are quick to use it to cover a myriad of different arrangements and a range of proximity to the slopes. Here are a few things to watch out for: 1. The ‘ski-in ski-out’ home that is really ‘hiking distance’ to the slopes. The economics of housing development on mountainsides mean that when an area is developed next to the slopes, only some of it is actually next to the slopes. There is almost certain to be a hinterland of properties that have access to the slopes…via pathways, steps, roadways etc. The pathways may be short, or they may not. Make sure you ask exactly how far a particular property is from the actual ski slope, and what the path is actually like: is it a level walkway or a series of dozens of icy steps? 2. The ski-in, ski-out home that is reached via an ungroomed trail through the woods. When these homes were originally built the developers cut a trail to them so that they could be sold as ‘ski-in, ski-out’. However these trails are very often too narrow for a snow-cat to use; furthermore, they are very likely private property and the lift company which grooms the slopes may have no responsibility for them. Only if the owners of properties served by that trail get together and make private arrangements for grooming will you find the trail in good enough condition for safe usage. 3. The ski-in, ski-out home that offers good ski-in, ski-out access…if you’ve chosen one of the 2 weeks of the year when the snow is down to that level. Many resorts that offer ski accommodation are down in the valley, and global warming has led to a raising of the snow line and a decline in the number of weeks that snow is on the ground at given elevations. 4. Finally, there is the nirvana: a ski-in, ski-out home that is what it says it is: situated right on slopes which are snow-covered throughout the season and groomed by the lift company’s snowcats daily. This is what is often now referred to as ‘true ski-in, ski-out’. However, you may find that because this real estate is so scarce it is also very pricey, or alternatively it is developed with rather high-density and charmless accommodation. The Aspens in Whistler is a good example of this. The situation is perfect, right on the slopes, but the accommodation is mostly fairly spartan. The lesson here is simple. When you are booking ski-in, ski-out accommodation, make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. If you are booking a resort such as Whistler, where there are many gradations of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, consult one of the local property management companies like Holiday Whistler, and question them very closely on its exact location before you book your Whistler ski accommodation.

While traveling for business or pleasure try to minimize your impact on the environment.
Whether you are traveling to a conference, important meeting, island retreat or an amusement park, you can be conscious of your impact on the environment. Here are some green traveling tips to help you have a fun and eco-friendly trip.
Planning your trip:Look for hotel accommodations and tours that carry environmental friendly certifications or memberships in green industry associations – such as Green Seal or Green Leaf. Several organizations have developed standards to measure the environmental initiatives of hotels and tours. Standards vary depending on the organization; however, green hotels and tours include reducing energy consumption through fluorescent lighting, instituting recycling programs, conserving water either through installation of energy star products or by asking patrons to reuse towels and by purchasing local organic foods. When hotels and tours meet these standards, they are certified as “green.” Select a hotel close to public transportation or near the places you are going to visit during your stay. When flying, book electronic tickets. It reduces paper waste and you are less likely to lose your ticket. Before you go ull the plug on any unnecessary appliances – such TVs, VCRs, stereos, toasters, and microwaves. These items can still use energy in their off mode. Set your thermostat and water heater at low settings so that energy isn’t wasted while you are gone. Stop your newspaper or donate the paper to a school while you are gone. When you’re there:If the hotel has an environmental program, participate as much as possible. If you have any questions about how, simply ask when you check in. Never leave lights on when you are not in the room. Lower the thermostat when you leave the room for long periods of time. If your destination is a warm climate then close the drapes. Or, if you have Venetian blinds, angle them up to bounce the sunlight off the ceiling. This will keep the room cooler. Conversely let the sun warm up your room during the day if you are in a cooler climate. Leave unopened shampoo, soap, and other items in the hotel unless you are taking it home to use. Avoid room service and carry-out which increase waste. Use water sparingly. In some places this is a very scarce resource. Never buy items made from endangered species. Walk or use public transportation. Grab only the maps and brochures that you will actually use. If you are in a large group, share brochures whenever possible. Take pictures and leave the location as you found it. Never remove wildlife from its natural environment including shells, flowers and coral. When hiking or camping, stay only in marked areas to avoid destroying vegetation. Buy locally produced produce in order to reduce the pollution required to import goods. When you come home:Write a letter or email to your hotel or tour guide telling them that you appreciate their efforts to minimize the impact on the environment. This will encourage them to promote and institute more environmentally friendly activities.

Safety begins when you pack. To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress so as to mark yourself as an affluent tourist. Expensive-looking jewelry, for instance, can draw the wrong attention. Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to put them in various places rather than all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer. One of the safest places to carry valuables is in a pouch or money belt worn under your clothing.
If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Bring them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.
To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.
Bring travelers checks and one or two major credit or debit cards instead of cash. Debit cards are much preferred over credit cards.
Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.
Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. If possible, lock your luggage.
Consider getting a telephone calling card. It is a convenient way of keeping in touch. If you have one, verify that you can use it from your overseas location(s). Access numbers to U.S. operators are published in many international newspapers. Find out your access number before you go. If you have an unlocked, tri-band or quad-band GSM phone, you will be able to buy a SIM card and use it locally. This will be much cheaper than using your home service and international rates or roaming fees.
Check with the TSA web site to see what the latest rules and regulations are for carry-on baggage.

Blackpool is a small town in Lancashire. Not too long ago was Blackpool a hamlet by the sea. This antiquated Midland resort however is soon becoming a popular holiday resort in England. It does not boast a large population and hence is an ideal spot for a holiday. Due to its gaining popularity, the summers are now filling up with a lot of tourists. This has been a holiday spot since Queen Victoria’s times. Often people belonging to the working class would visit Blackpool for a short but refreshing break. Its main attractions are its beautiful beaches, towers, amusement parks and piers. This small town often reminds you of Atlanta city or even a bit like Vegas but in a very different Victorian way. So if you are looking out for a holiday that is fairly inexpensive but every bit relaxing and entertaining, Blackpool is your spot. Even if you can’t afford to take a couple of days off from work and have only the weekends off, this is an ideal spot for you. It is a small town and the weekend is just about enough for you to have a quick look around. It is easily accessible as there are several trains to Blackpool from Manchester as well as Liverpool. Especially for those who live in Manchester, Blackpool isn’t very far away. It is about an hours drive away. It’s near but a complete different experience from Manchester. With its amusement parks, sites, rocking nightlife, it is entertaining and great fun. So how do you go about planning this trip?First you need to find yourself a good hotel, one within your budget. Blackpool has tons of resorts and hotels. You have a wide variety to choose from. They offer you fantastic rates. You can book rooms ranging from rates at 20 pounds per night to rooms that charge over 50 pounds a night. Accommodation in Blackpool bears no problem at all. You can check in at a guesthouse or live it king size in a luxurious hotel. The hotels are well placed all over Blackpool, so depending on which area you want you can find a hotel or guest house to suit your needs.
What is really great about the hotels is that each one is unique and they all provide you with great views. The hotels boast beautiful architecture and Victorian styles. You will find plenty of hotels that offer you the ocean view, view of the promenade, view of the Blackpool tower, the North Pier, Central Pier, etc. Most of the hotels here have their own restaurants and bars, and hence you need not bother about food or drinks. There are several large hotels that have over 130 rooms each. You have guesthouses as well as hotels ranging from three stars to five stars. You can always be guaranteed shelter in a hotel at any time of the year in Blackpool. However you may want to be on the safe side and book yourself a room in advance since Blackpool is becoming a tourist hot spot. Now that we’ve firmly established that there is no hassle or problems with accommodation. For those of you who have a keen eye, you can even find cheap bargains with rooms and interesting offers all through the year to Blackpool. Depending on when you visit Blackpool, you get different offers. Like if you’re visiting during November to mid March, you can be sure to find low rates. If you are looking only for bed and breakfast accommodations, you can be sure to find especially low prices. March to July marks the mid season in Blackpool and you can find accommodation at reasonable prices. The peak season is mid July to end August. In this season most of the rates are high but you can still find good deals. You can find accommodation at about 56 pounds per night. During the winters you can find several interesting packages that offer you a 4-night package with half board accommodation and an unlimited membership to a local health club. These offers are usually during the week. You also get to choose from a wide range of guest rooms. You can chose from single rooms to family rooms. The room has a TV, tea-coffee making facility and central heating. Most of the hotels and guest rooms in Blackpool pride themselves on doing their best to suit the accommodation needs of everyone at reasonable prices.
Blackpool is an interesting place to have a vacation at and what is more, it is affordable. At a low price, you can have a fun filled holiday.