New For 2008 -Nude Cruising !

Taking off on vacation looks set to take a whole new meaning with a growing trend in Europe -nude cruising !

Cruise travel agents Bare Necessities and Castaways Travel are offering nude cruise departures for 2008. These cruises are generally charters of mainstream cruise lines.

Bare Necessities currently lists 6 nude cruises in 2008 including the South Pacific, Greek Islands ,Eastern Mediterranean. Don't forget your sunscreen !

See It Before It Goes - World's Most Endangered Travel Places

A recent Reuters report lists some of the most endangered tourist spots in the world. Whether it be through war, environmental or over tourism here are some places you need to see quick before they disappear:

* Dampier Rock Art Complex, Murujuga, Australia.The largest collection of rock art in the world that dates back to 10,000 BC. Industrial development has already damaged 25% and the discovery of natural gas in the area threatens it further.

* Sonargaon-Panama City ,Bangladesh. This ancient city boast architecture dating back to he 15th century. Plague by a host of problems both natural and man made this area is in real area of being wiped out.

* Chinguetti Mosque,Mauritania,West Africa. Located in one of Islams seven holy cities the Mosque was constructed in the 13th century and was a stopping point for Sahara traders. Natural problems from soil erosion to flash flooding to extreme temperatures threatens this UNESCO World heritage site,

* Panama Canal , Panama City,Chargres River. An engineering feat where up to 340 ships a day pass through is becoming silted up decreasing the amounts of ships that can pass.

* Dhangkar Gompa , Himachai Pradesh , India. One of the five major Buddhist monastic centres and built thousands of years ago erosion is causing this important site to literally fade away.

* Old Damascus , Syria. One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world is now being slowly demolished by modern construction.

* Babylon,Iraq. 80km south of Baghdad, Babylon was originally a city of Mesopotamia, regarded as one of the cradles of civilization. Slowly being wiped out by modern warfare.

* Leh Old Town ,Ladakh,India. A rare medieval city of the Himalayas. Changing weather appeterns and heavy rains are threatening the unique architecture.

* The Coral Triangle , Sulu and Sulawesi Seas. Located in the seas between Indonesia,Malaysia and the Philippines the area is hoe to over 450 types of coral. A recent study found 70% of the coral is in danger of being wiped out by over fishing ,coral bleaching,sedimentation and pollution.

* Greenland. The ice is melting folks as global warming keeps on coming. see it before it goes.

Hot Hotel Secrets For 2008

Nothing impresses more at a good dinner party than to drop a few hotel names that are not that well known but soon will be ! The Times Of London has just released its picks for the Hot Hotels For 2008. Stick this list on your fridge and go forth and impress !

*Le Couvent d'Herepian,Languedoc Roussillion,France. Very chic, a converted convent with just 13 suites.

* Bob Marley Resort,Nassau,Bahamas. Opens in March. Owned by Bob's wife Rita. All of the 16 suites are named after Bobs songs and the hotel will feature nightly reggae ! From 250GBP gunga not included !

*Carbon Hotel,Genk,Belgium. Strange name but apparently very funky with a hot spa. Opens in April.

*La Casona Inkaterra,Cusco,Peru. At the gateway to the Inca rooms this new 11 room boutique hotel opens next month. The best in 'colonial chic' with heated floors , wireless Internet and I-Pod stations.

*Alila Villas Uluwatu,Bali. Opening mid year this stunning new resort sits on a cliff top overlooking the ocean with each villa has its own pool and garden.

* El Silenco Lodge & Spa,Costa Rica. Set in 500 acres of tropical jungle - 16 suites all with hot tubs.

* Six Senses Hideaway,Zighy Bay,Oman. Oman is sooooo chic and this new five star resort allows you to arrive in style by paragliding into the reception area from a nearby mountain ! The hotel has 82 pool villas, a mile long beach and a dramatic mountain top restaurant.

* Tierra Atacama Hotels & Spa,Chile. Situated on the edge of the Atacama desert this newly opened hotel is a 'must' visit in 2008. You can relax in the hotels pools of volcanic mud from the nearby Lican-cabur volcano.

* The Other Side,Neiden,Norway. Strange name but the place to stay and see the Northern Lights Opens in March.

* The Lodge,Verbier,Switzerland. Latest addition to Richard Branson's Virgin Limited edition in this popular ski resort. Opens this month.

*Midland Hotel,Morecambe,Lancashire. This art deco gem opens in May after a 7 million pound restoration. Stay where Noel Coward,Laurance Olivier & Coco Chanel slept !

*Layla Hotel,Liverpool. New chic SAS hotel due to open in September overlooking the Mersey.

* ABode Manchester. Opens in spring. The fourth in the funky,fun & good value ABode chain.

* The Vincent,Southport,Lancashire. Opens in April with minimalist rooms that look like a Manhattan hideaway.

* The Augustine,Prague. Open in summer. This new 101 room hotel overlooks the castle with stunning Baroque features.

* Vain Boutique Hotel,Buenos Aires. Opens this month with 15  high tech minimalist rooms. The hotel lives up to its name with mirrors everywhere.

* Beyaz Yunus,Olu Deniz,Turkey. Just opened ion this beautiful resort town which is know for its lobster dishes. Each suite has a private terrace with a hot tub overlooking the sea.

Tips For Savings Money At Hotels

How many times do you spend the time to itemize your bill at check out at your hotel ? We found a great tip to check on overcharging. Every time you make a tip make sure that the bill ends up with same digit. As an example tip odd amounts so that your bill ends in say a nine. It then only takes a minute to skim down your bill on check out to make sure all items end in a nine !

If you have the time to be flexible book your hotels rooms at the last minute and call the hotel directly - not through their central reservations systems. Ask for the 'duty manager' and ask him what is the best deal he can do on a room for tomorrow. before you call check what the going rates are on a number of Internet hotel sites and on the hotels site directly so you know your getting a good deal !

Free High Speed Internet !  Often you can get a better deal than what the hotel charges by just bringing your own ADSL cable and plugging into the jack instead of renting one from the hotel. Sometimes the service is password protected and sometimes not. Also with everybody going wireless these days chances are you can pick up a free wireless connection from your room courtesy of someone else in the hotel or a nearby Starbucks!

Ask for a 'corporate discount'. Hotels rarely check that you're company is registered with them and will normally volunteer a corporate discount rate.

And finally never be afraid to say " Is that really the best rate you can do ?". There's a pretty good chance you will get a better rate !

Travel Rewards For Getting Old !

OK so you heading towards retirement and its time to splash out on some long deserved travel.Many travellers over the age of 50 or 55 don't realize that  age has its discounts in the travel marketplace. When your booking your travel always carry your ID card with your birth date and ask if there are any special 'seniors discounts'. Here are just a handful we have found:

* Free cruises for single men.Because unattached males over a certain age are rarer then hens teeth two cruise lines , Royal Cruise Lines and Delta Queen Steamboat Co, offer free travel to single men over 50 who will act as paid hosts for single woman on board the ship. Duties include dancing,dinner parties and mingling - but please no 'funny' business !

*Great Britain Heritage Pass. Gets you into over 600 castles, palaces & homes. Contact the British Tourist Authority.

*Great Britain By Rail. Whopping seniors discounts on first class travel throughout the UK.

*National Parks Passport in the USA. Lifetime admission to all US Federal Parks,monuments and recreation areas if your over 62 and discounts on camping,boat launching etc. Contact National Park Service.

*Travel Discounts. Always ask if your airline, car rental company or hotels offer 'seniors discounts'. You will normally find you get a 10% cut. Sam applies for Car Insurance.

* Save up to 50% on Cruises. Retirees have lots of time on their hands and if your willing to go on short notice you can save heaps.. Check these agencies -  Moments Notice ,Vacations To Go or Last Minute Travel Club.

Worlds Most Expensive Restaurants

Getting a little tired of your average take away and think its time to grab the missus and splash out a bit ? Well Hotel & Resort Insider have just published their list of some of the most expensive restaurants in the world. Here's what you get for your cash :

*El Bulli. Located at Roses,Spain the restaurant is only open for 6 months of the year but when they do open go hungry ! At $US270 you can sit down to a 30 plus course menu. Yep that's 30 courses folks !

*Masa. Its in New York where nothing is cheap but Masa packs the big punch ! Fresh fish and shellfish is flown in daily from Tokyo (now there's a carbon footprint for you !). The cheapest Sushi dish on the menu will set you back $US24.

*Aragawa.Next time your in Tokyo and feel like a good steak this restaurant will make your wallet lighter at $US550 per steak ! Its prime hand fed Wagyu beef folks.

*Joel Robouchon. A french gem located in the MGM Grand you will pay about $US360 for a 3 course dinner -each !

*Alinea. Its in Chicago and when you consider you get a 24 course meal for your $US195 its probably not too bad.

*Tetsuyas. An icon of Sydney dining where you need to book months in advance. A 10 course Japanese feast will run you at $US195 a head.

*Restaurant Gordon Ramsey London. Well it is London after all so noting is cheap but 7 courses here will set you back $US224.

*The French Laundry. A San Francisco foodie icon. None courses for $US240.

Hot Diving Vacation Secrets For 2008!

If you love going off on a diving vacation here is our list of hot diving spots your should check out in 2008 !

* Blue Hole. Located at Lighthouse Reef in Belize this near perfect blue hole was thought to have been created in the Ice Age. Some 110 foot under water the cave features stalactites and stalagmites 

* Bonaire. In the Dutch Caribbean some 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela this destination has been rated #2 in the PADI network.

* Cocos Islands. Some 300 miles from the coast of Costa Rica the area abounds in dolphins , tuna,giant marble rays, hammerhead sharks & whale sharks.

* Northwest Point Drop Off. In the Grand Caymans. Consistently rated # 1 for the ultimate dive experience.

* Stingray City. Also in the Grand Caymans and known for its giant sting rays.

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year From Travel Secrets

May all our bloggers have a great Xmas and a terrific 2008. This blogger is off to tuck into the plum pudding until January 6 and we look forward to bring you more breaking travel secrets in 2008 !

Cheers

The Travel Secrets Blog Team !

London's Top Spots To Get Married !

Getting married can be exclusive and yet not expensive. Here are two of the most extraordinary yet inexpensive places to get married in London !

* Westminster Register Office London. With its four wonderfully decorated historic rooms you can

join the likes of Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman , Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach ,Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit ! 

Cost ? Between 43 and 250 Pound

*The London Eye. What could be better to complete your nuptials suspended above London ? The capsules hold up to 20 invites and can be decorated with your own floral collection. 

Cost ? 1700 to 2000 Pound.

Who says weddings need to be traditional ?

Air New Zealand Offers Concierge Service In Flight

First it was Virgin Atlantic offering in flight massages now respected Pacific Airline Air New Zealand will start offering an In Flight Concierge Service on its long haul flights. 

Believed to be a world first the airline will have a dedicated staff member on its long haul flights . The airline says it is currently recruiting 90 Concierge staff.  

And what does an In Flight Concierge do ? For a start the airline says they will be walking guru on all Air NZ destinations. As well as helping passengers on the ground, in the air they will advise passengers on everything from car hire and accommodation to the top tourist attractions. The new service launches in April next year between Auckland and Los Angeles,San Francisco,Vancouver & Hong Kong but if successful the airlines expects to extend it to all international routes. 

And here is the good part - its not just for those premium passengers in the pointy end. Even us poor cousins down the back will get the same service. Good one Air New Zealand !

Hot Dog ! New 5 Star Pet Hotel Secrets.

Just when you thought the world could not get more silly comes a story about a new 5 star doggie hotel that has opened in Washington. Why not ? After all its where all the dogs we voted for hang out anyway! 

The new PetSmart Pet Hotel offers more than your Holiday Inn for humans.

An overnight stay runs around $US20 and for that your little darling gets:

*Pet Themed TV shows. Heaven knows there are plenty of 'dogs' on the box every night so no shortage of programming !

*Lactose free ice cream

*Indoor recreation

* A 'relief' room for potty breaks complete with plastic tree for cocking the old leg.

* Pet massage.

The group that owns the pet hotel currently have 32 'pet hotels' and hope to have 240 by 2010 ! Sounds like a growing market - after all Americans spend a staggering $US40 billion a year on their pets 

Hot Travel Destinations For 2008

Respected international newspaper The International Herald Tribune has just published its list of the 53 Hot Destinations For 2008. We think this is a really cool list. A lot of these places you may not have even heard of but the people in the know say these are the destinations you should check out in 2008. You can read the full article here. So heres the list to keep handy as you plan to go somewhere different in 2008:

1. Laos

2. Lisbon

3. Tunisia

4. Mauritius

5. Miami -Mid beach

6. Miami -South Beach

7. Maldives

8. Death Valley

9. Courchevel France

10. Libya

11. Hvar Croatia

12. Puerto Vallarta Mexico

13. Sylt Germany

14. Prague

15. Quito Ecuador

16. Liverpool

17.  Munich

18. Iran

19. Tuscany

20. Anguilla

21. Bogota

22. Playa Blanca Panama

23. Alexandria

23. Mazatlan Mexico

25. St Lucia

26. Oslo

27. Buenos Airies

28. Rimini Italy

29. Malawi Africa

30. Roatan Honduras

31. Mozambique

32. Kuwait City

33. Verbier Switzerland

34. Lombok Bali

35. Northwest Passage

36. Easter Island

37. Virgin Gorda BVI

38. Namibia

39. San Francisco

40. Detroit

41. Itacare Brazil

42. Kilimanjaro

43. Algeria

44. San Diego

45. Malaga

46. Puerto Plata Dominican republic

47. London

48. Vietnam

49. Essaouira Marrakesh

50. Las Vegas

51. Barossa Valley Australia

52. Tokaj Hungary

53. New York

RIght now could you send us a postcard from all of them please ! If you want to read full details on all these hot spots for 2008 click here

The Worlds Best Amusement Park Vacations

While cruising ,condos,biking holidays, and canal boats are gaining every year in popularity those of us with families still love to take vacations centred around Amusement/Theme Parks. When you think of Theme Parks of course we all think of Disney and yep they are right up there in terms of popularity but there are a few surprises as well. Here's the Top 5 Most Visited Theme Parks:

* Disneyland,Anaheim California. An oldie but still a goody ! More than a 15,000,000 pass through the gates of the Magic Kingdom annually. Latest attractions include the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

* Magic Kingdom ,Walt Disney World Florida.  Florida has become THE place for Theme Park junkies and this one is rated as the best with that 'old Walt magic' shining trough. With nearly 17 million visitors a year try and avoid the summer crush but when you do go  a 'must do' is the Cinderella's Castle.

* Tokyo Disneyland. This was the first Disneyland to be built outside the States and attracts 13 million visitors a year. Its a big park with 7 themed lands and the must ride is Big Thunder Mountain.

* Disneyland Paris. This one has been a struggle from Day 1 but still 11 million visitors pass through the gates. The French once called it a 'Cultural Chernobyl". That being said don't the kids deserve a treat after you have dragged them around all those French churches and monuments !

*Everland,Kyonggi, South Korea. Fun in South Korea ? Its the only non Disney park to make it into the Top 5 so they have to be doing something right ! Yep this park is 30 years old and puts 7,500,00 guests through its gates each year. They specialize in lots of themed festivals throughout the year. Check whats on before you go.

If your thinking about taking the kids on a Theme Park holiday make sure you check out some of the great packages on offer. These normally include airfares,accommodation at or near the parks and multiple entry tickets. Its the cheapest way to go. And the other tip - avoid weekend and major public holidays if you can. Web site Orlando Theme Park Vacations has some great deals for Florida you might want to check. If you have any great Theme Park secrets we we love to hear them !

Our Final Airline Story Of The Day!

When researching the story below we came across this little gem. Its a handwritten note from an 8 year old on a Qantas flight thanking the pilot. No ice cream for you tonight little girl !

WHOOPS ! Er Lets Go Around Again - Secret Airline Screw Up Photos.

Further to our story above below are some photos that did not involve any fatalities but probably caused the pilot to look for a job at Burger King - Enjoy!

Airlines To Avoid in 2008 Secrets!

Flying is still safer than walking across the road -right ? Er well depends on what airline your flying on. We found these little statistics that you should keep handy next time your booking a flight. Based on the number of fatal accidents per million flights are the following to scratch off your list:

Aeroflot (Russia)

China Airlines (Taiwan)

Turkish Airlines

Egypt Air

CAAC (China)

Meanwhile just to doubly assure you, the worst airlines based on the number of fatalities per million passengers are as follows:

Turkish Airlines (124)

Air India (21)

Avianca (5.93)

Nigeria Airways (5.53)

Lot Polish (4.54)

The Best New Years Eve Secrets!

Tired of the same old same old at the local pub on New Years Eve? 

Internet hotel company boo.com has released its survey of the New Years Eve Hotspots they say you won't want to miss. Here they are:

* Moscow, Russia.Shake your tail in Red Square,get dressed as 'Grandfather Frost' and 'The Snow Maiden' and grab that Vodka bottle baby !

* New Orleans USA. Er excuse me didn't it get washed away ? Nope word is the French Quarters back and there going to throw the mega party of the year in "The Big Easy".

*Melbourne Australia. Please they can do it better than fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge ?? I don't think so but maybe the staffer at boo.com has a little something on the side in Melbourne ! My view - head to Sydney mate !

*Rio De Janeiro,Brazil. Natch - they invented the party ! Its not much of a crowd puller though - only 2.5 million people. Watch your toes!

*Prague,Czech Republic. Supposedly one of the biggest fireworks displays in Europe and rthe Czech's now how to party.

If you have any great New Years eve party secrets - let us know !

Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Secrets

Just when you thought they could not get any bigger word comes this week of the the keel laying ceremony  for what will become the worlds largest cruise ship...er that is until someone builds something bigger !

Its the Royal Caribbean International's Cruise Lines Project Genesis. 

Weighing in at a whopping 40% bigger than any other cruise ship afloat the behemoth will accommodate a staggering 5,400 guests ! 

And the size ? - 1200 feet long ,154 feet wide and 240 foot high -ouch. 

Costing a whopping $1.2 billion its also the most expensive cruise ship ever built. Project Genesis will take to the water, with its final name still to be decided, in early 2009 and be based permanently in Fort Lauderdale,Florida. 

The company currently operates the worlds biggest ships , "Freedom of The Seas" and "Liberty of The Seas" carry 4,000+ passengers.

The arrival of yet again an even bigger cruise ship will continue to ignite discussion on whether big is best. Those that continue to flock to award winning small cruise liners like the Silversea Line will run from ships like this in droves. What do you think ? We would love to know your cruising secrets.

Win A Weekend Away - Just Tell Us Your Wish Weekend Destination For 2008!

If you have promised yourself some more time off in 2008 here's how to get a weekend off at your favorite destination for FREE ! 

Hotels On Sale has given us 2 nights free accommodation at your favorite destination in 2008. 

Just tell us on this blog where your favourite weekend destination is. Entries are open until March 31 and we will announce the winner April 15 2008. Prize is accommodation only for 2 nights and subject to availability. Prize can be taken any time in 2008 subject to availability on the dates you are requesting

Make sure your post your first name or nick name and city and then check back April 15 to see if your the winner !

Sexy Travel Secrets For 2008!

Ok the new year is coming and its time to rev up your existing love life or go somewhere new with someone new ! While a candlelit dinner at KFC might do the trick chances are your going to zoom up the love scale if you get away somewhere really sexy for a break.

 Here's our recommendations for some of the sexiest places on the planet for 2008.

*Tahiti. Its French. Its in The South Pacific and whole place oozes sex - what more could a girl want. One of the better hotels -The InterContinental Resort Tahiti even has shirtless bellboys. The site off well buffed lads should get you in the sack within minutes of your bag being dropped off !

*British Virgin Islands. No limit to tiny little private beaches  where you can redo Deborah Kerr & Burt Lancaster's surf grope from Here to Eternity. Check out Little Dix Bay for the sexiest hedonistic retreat !

*Fiesole Italy. Book yourself into Villa San Michele and you may never leave. Set in a 15th century monastery the ultra chic hotel frequented by the likes of Julia Roberts and Madonna has jaw dropping views down the mountain to Florence.

*Go Bush - er make the Go VirginBush! So how about an African safari company that is run by two babes - one blonde and one brunette that call themselves VirginBush Safaris. Bedouin style tented camps,canopied beds and evening martinis after wildlife spotting then off to bed against the lions roar - perfect !

*Phuket. Sexy,chic and cheap. One of the hot new resorts is the Aleenta Resort & Spa.Super stylish rooms with indoor -outdoor flow and your own private plunge pool for doing the buff thing - bliss !

*Queenstown New Zealand. Probably NZ's most stunning destination and if you want to really impress your love head to Blanket Bay. While the helicopters coming and going to whisk guests off on some new adventure can get a little annoying laying back in the indoor spa with massive windows looking across fields to snow capped mountains is sure to get you mojo going.

* Bintan Island. Its a 45 minute fast cat ride from Singapore. The spot to stay is the fabo Banyan Tree Resort. Private walled villas with infinity swimming pools overlooking the South China Sea. Make sure you order the Romantic Moment. While your away at dinner the little pixies slip into your villa and place scented candles around the swimming pool then follow the candle trail to your outdoor spa bath which has been surrounded in more candles  while the pool is filled with hundreds of fresh flowers and a chilled bottle of champagne awaits your arrival - bliss!

If you have any other sexy getaway secrets for 2008 we would love to hear from you.