Luckily, the cheapest places to live in the world are also some of the best. Countries like Cambodia, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia, for example are all beautiful and affordable. If you have the luxury of choice for where you move to next, be sure to consider one of these places.

Cost of Living in Cambodia

Securing a Visa

In order to live abroad you need a visa, and for some countries this is both expensive and difficult. In Cambodia, it is the opposite. Getting a business visa is relatively simple and if you love living in Cambodia and want to stay longer, it is only $280 to extend for another year. There are many places to extend your visa and the turnaround time is a mere days. It is really convenient.

Housing

What you pay for accommodation in Cambodia does vary, depending if it is in the country or the city but overall it is still a country with the lowest cost of living in the world. Prices for a one bedroom condo in the capitol Phnom Penh is about $250 to $300 per month, or for a multi bedroom condo $400 to $650 per month.

In contrast, the city of Siem Reap is much cheaper. There $600 a month will get you a villa with a pool. The further out in the country you go, the cheaper Housing becomes. If you’re retiring and looking for a cheap place to stay and a quiet local, this is a great option.

Food and Drink

Next to accommodation, another marker of the cost of living in a country is the price of Food and Drink. In Cambodia, a meal at a mid-range restaurant can be had for only $3. Beer is only $1 and a coke is less than $1. At the supermarket, bread is around $1.25 and a dozen eggs are $1.50.

Whether you eat out or prepare your own food, Cambodia has great prices for even the smallest of budgets.

Cost of Living in Argentina

Securing a Visa

Argentina lives by its Latin principles which includes not having too many rules. This applies to the visa situation as well. When you first come to Argentina a visa can be expensive as the country charges you the same price as your country charges Argentinians. This is called a retaliatory visa fee policy.

However, the visa is then good for 10 years of the life of your passport, so you might not need to worry about renewing it. You can always make frequent trips every three months which then automatically renews your visa. If you forget to renew it, don’t worry as Argentina is fairly lax about it. You may be fined about $40.

Housing

Argentina is a very large country, and Housing costs vary greatly depending on where you’re living. As always, prices are more expensive in larger cities than in smaller towns. In certain parts of Buenos Aires you can find an apartment for rent for $500 to $700.  In the countryside, however, a multi bedroom house with acreage can go for the bargain price of $350.

Buying a house in Argentina is a bit different as many people pay in cash. This may seem odd, and possibly unrealistic, but with interest rates so high, nobody wants to get a mortgage.

Food and Drink

An average meal at a restaurant in Buenos Aires will cost about $11. If you’re in a smaller town it will be considerably less. Beer is about $2.50 and a coke about $1.50. While city restaurants are not real bargains, supermarkets offer better food pricing. Bread costs $1.80 and a dozen eggs $2.00.

If you like the supermarket prices, but don’t want to cook, Argentina has very affordable as you can employ a maid or a cook for only $10 a day.

Cost of Living in Portugal

Securing a Visa

If you are an EU resident moving to Portugal, all you need to do is prove your income and that you will be able to support yourself. If you can do this, then you’ll be granted permanent residency in Portugal for five years.

However, if you are not from Europe, you will most likely need to employ a lawyer to help you with the application process for a residency visa and it will take about six months.

Housing

Portugal is one of the cheapest places to live in the world and this is reflected in Housing costs. A two bedroom apartment in the city can cost about $550 to $600. As you go further out into the countryside, Housing costs get even cheaper.

If you are able to buy in Portugal, prices are very reasonable. A two or three bedroom apartment in the city would cost about $250,000 while the same apartment in a more rural area would be half the price.

Portugal was hit hard by the recession in the last decade and there are a number of homes on the market at bargain prices. And a lot of banks will even offer 100% mortgages so if you don’t have a very large down payment you can still purchase a new home.

Food and Drink

A meal at a restaurant in Lisbon would cost a person about $8 and a beer is about $1.70. A coke would cost $1.30. Overall, restaurant prices in Portugal are low and eating out is a convenient option.

For supermarket prices, bread costs $1.25 and a dozen eggs costs $2.00. Anything that is local including produce, meat and fish is very reasonable to purchase. The Portuguese love to eat delicious food and they make sure that everyone can afford it.

Cost of Living in Colombia

Securing a Visa

When travelling to Colombia for short amounts of time, it is very easy to get a visa. A visa is good for three months and can be extended for only $40. However, the extension is only good for another six months. If you want to stay longer there are many options to choose from; so many that it is recommended to get advice from an attorney.

Housing

An apartment in Bogota, the capital city will cost about $650 per month. The range, though is anywhere from $400 to $1000 per month, depending on the size, location and condition of the apartment. A lot of people in Colombia end up sharing apartments so that you can get a nicer, bigger place, but pay a cheaper amount of rent.

Food and Drink

Eating in Colombia is very cheap. At a restaurant, an average meal will cost about $4. Beer is only $1 and coke is less than $1. Many people eat out regularly in Colombia because it is so affordable.

A trip to the supermarket can be overwhelming at first because of the great prices. Bread costs less than $1 and a dozen eggs costs $1.50. Overall, you won’t have to budget too much for food.

There are many cheap places to live in the world, but it’s important to pair living costs with desirability. Luckily, there are many countries to choose from that meet both criteria.

Countries with the lowest cost of living in the world like Cambodia, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia are beautiful places to spend time in and, as a bonus are all affordable, no matter what your budget.

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Travel is an exiting way to spend some time off, whether hitting a rental home on the shores of a serene lake with the family or ordering up room service in a fancy hotel. While the allure of travel can be fun, don’t ignore the threats that could lurk in the house, hotel, motel, or inn you’re staying at. Asbestos, though it may not be at the top of your priority list, is a very real concern and should be addressed. Although its use is now banned and has been for decades, older structures may still contain this dangerous mineral fiber that, when released into the air, can be breathed in and lead to cancer and other serious conditions. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family against the effects of asbestos when traveling:

The Presence of Asbestos

While you can’t see it with the naked eye and you don’t even know it’s there unless it is labeled, asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is 700 times smaller than a strand of human hair, according to Princeton University. The most common types are Chrysotile, which is white, and Amosite, which is brown or off­white in color. Asbestos was often used in fire­resistant materials for construction, textured paint, siding, spray­on fire proofing, brake linings, roofing shingles, putties, and floor tiles. It’s also typically found in old insulation, due to its high insulative properties. If left undisturbed, asbestos doesn’t pose a threat. It’s when the fibers are touched and handled that the fibers are released and can be ingested. When trapped in the mucous membranes, those fibers can move to the lungs where they can develop into cancer. The most common form of cancer from asbestos is mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the chest and the abdominal cavity lining, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It can take decades for these cancers to be diagnosed. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are entitled to compensation under the law for their pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. In fact, you may be eligible to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial for further research into this debilitating disease.

Be Aware When Traveling

Sure, that old inn you’re staying at with the family is charming. However, it’s also old and could contain asbestos that is harmful to your kids and pets. While you know enough not to eat chipped textured paint, poke at old insulation, and steer clear of crumbling drywall, your kids may not. It’s easy for them to get curious and touch things they shouldn’t, especially when on vacation at an exciting old rental home. Even as an adult on a business trip, you should be aware of the threats of asbestos lurking in your hotel room or on an old job site, for instance. Perhaps you have to inspect a demolition site of an old historic building. You don’t know if asbestos is present and could be in the air. Wearing the proper safety gear, such as gloves and masks, could help guard against exposure. Take precautions when around substances like vinyl floor tiles, cement wallboard, decorative plaster, boiler insulation, caulking, spackling, cement siding, fire blankets, elevator equipment panels, and thermal paper products—all of which could contain asbestos, explains Asbestos.net. If you suspect asbestos is present where you’re staying or on a job site for work, report it to the proper authorities. It’s crucial that you don’t handle the substance. Instead, an asbestos remediation team, skilled in removal of this dangerous material, should be hired to handle the task.

This article was contributed on behalf of Shrader and Associates LLP, your number one choice when seeking representation for cases involving asbestos and mesothelioma while providing support for veterans. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!

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It feels really nice to have people care for you and your wellbeing, however doesn’t it make you wonder, why do people think that a female traveling alone is so scary or dangerous? It made me wonder why it’s generally OK for a guy to wander the world, but not for a woman? While I do know there are some parts of the world that are a certainly more sketchy, whether you’re a dude or a chick, overall I think traveling solo, especially for a woman, has a bad rap.

What constitutes a place as safe? What’s the crime is like your city? Many people would rather leave travelers alone as tourism is a huge part of the industry. If tons of people died, get robbed constantly, and who knows what else, do you think tourists will be coming around for much longer? Not a fat chance.

Personally, I have felt very safe while traveling and living abroad. I’ve been living in Thailand for nearly three years now and I have traveled to the surrounding neighbors like Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Sometimes I was alone, sometimes with a friend, and sometimes I was alone, but made a friend along the way. Traveling alone doesn’t always mean you’re alone.

So what does is take to travel as a solo female abroad? What does one do to make sure they are safe and nothing bad happens to them? It’s actually super simple. There is a secret way to ensure this happens and I’m going to give it to you here.

Be smart. Stay out of sketchy situations. Be aware.

Not the answer you were expecting, huh? My point is, it’s not hard to travel as a solo female traveler, you just need to be careful and make smarter decisions.

So I think you might want some real tips on making it around the world as a solo female traveler. If that’s so, after three years on my own I have a collected a massive list of awesome tips for you ladies out there who want to do traveling right and safe. Feel free to check out my top solo female travel tips and anything else you find around the site.

Are you a solo female traveler already? What responses have you got? What do you do to make sure you have an awesome, but safe time while traveling?

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But there’s always that once in a lifetime opportunity or the golden flicker in your luck when you have the prospect and the finance to manage a travel trip of your dreams. So to overcome all sorts of evils associated with travel planning in the middle of your busy business routine, I have compiled some valuable tips to ensure that your travel experience is enriching and at the same time tension free.

Planning beforehand:

Postponing your travel decision is out of the question as deferring important events in life often leads to calling off or cancelling the entire idea. So the best way to manage work with your travel planning is to have a strategic travel schedule preplanned at least three months’ prior to your travelling date. This will give you ample time to manage your deadlines before taking off to your new destination. Draw up a work plan which outlines all your chief tasks and meetings. List down all your priorities and also jot down duties which are of trivial importance. Having it all in front of you will aid you in keeping track of your crucial responsibilities and will help you to bring a skillful balance in your work routine and your travel planning.

Delegating tasks:

Restrain your fussy side and start delegating tasks. Most people believe that carrying out important tasks by themselves is the only way to ensure its successful completion. Where it is true in most cases, it is also vital that you train your employees or your subordinates to handle those tasks with effortless ease while you are absent for a sick leave, important emergency or a long holiday. Delegating and training beforehand is one of the key formulas that ensure that you have sufficient hours to focus on imperative tasks that need your sole supervision and your specific skills.

Giving extra input:

With your travel date quickly approaching and your work load getting higher, there is one way to manage it well. You can input extra number of hours each day for a month or two instead of overworking 4-5 hours two weeks before your departure. Draining yourself thoroughly before your travelling day and overworking without some balance is truly a ruinous scheme. If you have sketched your work plan way before your travelling time, you will have a fair idea of the number of hours required to complete your deadlines. So instead of working endless hours in the last two weeks, plan smartly and start overworking an hour or a two a month before.

Getting help:

Though asking favors is never a favorable option in a motivated work life, you can go ahead and ask your friend or colleague to help you to get rid of your mound of work before your big day arrives. As long as you return the favor when you get back or you have some method of repayment thought of, you can definitely ask a trusted person for help just this once. After all, this is the big chance of your life and you want it to shine as much as possible!

Photo by Matt Hintsa

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Cameras:

Cameras are the ulterior must for capturing the memorable moments and encapsulating them forever in a snapshot. Besides no trip seems complete of you aren’t escorting this favorite and indispensable gadget along.

A reliable USB stick:

This tiny gadget can hold all your important files and data which can be retrieved in a matter of minutes anywhere and this teeny gadget is a godsend if you aren’t carrying your laptop along with you.

Torch:

Torches are of great assistance especially when you are returning from a night trip and don’t want to disturb others who are sharing your room by switching on the light. Moreover, they are also helpful when sudden power failures can take you off your guard.

Laptop:

It is recommended to take a battered and small laptop along instead of a sleek and brand new one to reduce the risks of robbery. Tagging along a laptop along will ensure that you are able to keep abreast of your work, associate with your friends and share your travel adventures with your family.

Travel ear plugs:

They are a boon when you are onboard the plane as they provide the perfect escape from the wailing of the babies and the chitchat of the uninteresting and dull neighbors and sanction you to repose peacefully and comfortably at your own will. They are small, portable and travel savvy gadgets that are a must for your air travel.

Swiss knife:

A Swiss knife is an absolute imperative and a very handy travel gadget showing great assistance when you want to butter your bread or slice through a stubborn plastic bag.

Extension Power Cord:

This vital travel accessory will ensure that you can connect up to three or more gadgets at once using just one adapter. It also solves the issue of having to bear the inadequacy of power plugs in two and three star hotel rooms.

A Waterproof Notebook:

Taking a waterproof notebook along warrants that you can record all the favorable and happy instances in all kinds of weather whether you are beholding the landscape atop the pinnacle of a mountain or enjoying a jungle escapade.

Smartphone:

A good smartphone can help you link up with your family members in a matter of seconds. Plus you can download some great translating and game apps to help you keep entertained and mingle with the locals on your journey.

A First Aid Kit:

This is important travel equipment because you don’t want to run around in search for a pharmacy or medical store in case you suffer minor bruises, cuts or wounds.

Packing these travel gadgets along can save you time, money and some acute travel headaches and make your journey more enriching, lively and animated.

Photo by Phil Campbell

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The Big Bird

Despite this animal being the countries national bird, it will still find it’s way to your plate. Emu, although a funky looking bird, is quite a popular dish in Australia. It’s a healthy meat due to it’s lack of cholesterol and fat and it’s high iron content. Emu is used in many ways from smoked delicacies to a pizza topping, be sure to grab a bite at your next dinner.

Pie Please

Sometimes referred to as “dog’s eye,” a meat pie says a lot about Aussie cuisine. It is served virtually everywhere, for any event, and comes in many ways. The flaky pocket is filled with all sorts of goodness and obviously containing some sort of meat. The most traditional meat pie is a simple beef and mash potato pie with gravy.

What a Croc

Scary and abundant in Australia is the crocodile. Although you might be trying to avoid these dangerous and ferocious beasts, you can rest assure that it’s safe to approach if it’s on your plate. This dish is popular in other countries besides Australia, but this delicacy has still found it’s way to the tables of many. Along with being a delightful snack, the skin is also made into a number of things such as belts and bags.

Vege-What

Don’t mess with an Aussie’s Vegemite. Really, just don’t do it. They love this stuff, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, anytime is a good time for some Vegemite! Vegemite, a savory dark spread, is commonly put on toast. Glob it on or spread it thin, just taste it and for heavens sakes, don’t be afraid to put it on other food.

Grill a ‘Roo

Another national icon, the national animal of Australia, also hops out of the kitchen and on to your plate. That’s right, they even eat those cute kangaroos! In some areas these animals are over populated so lovers of this rare meat don’t feel so bad to sitting down to a ‘roo dinner.

What’s on the barbie

“Throw another shrimp on the barbie.,” is NOT what an Aussie would say. They actually refer to those little critters as prawns, so don’t be that guy and say this with your new Aussie friend. Just go to a barbecue and enjoy whatever they are throwing on it.

Photos by Dave Palmater, Ron Dollete, Terrazzo and Peter Shanks

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Shop Around for a Good Rate

If you will be taking out a holiday loan, it is best to shop around for a bit in order to find the best possible rate. You will want to compare APRs or Annual Percentage Rates before you sign any necessary papers. The APR will tell you the total cost of the loan as it takes the interest payable and other charges into account. If your bank states that it offers preferential rates to current customers, do not simply take their word for it. There could still be much more affordable rates elsewhere.

Consider all Early Repayment Charges

Some individuals like to focus on paying off their personal loans early so that they do not have to endure so much interest later down the road. If you are one of those people then you will want to find out if there are excessive fees if you choose to pay off your debt earlier than expected. There are some loan providers that will apply a fee if you plan to do so, therefore it is a good idea to find out how much those fees would be before you apply. If you feel like there is a good chance you will pay off your loan early, it would be worth taking the time to find a bank or loan provider that offers loans with lower or no early repayment charge.

Find Out Your Current Credit Rating Score

Applying for a personal loan requires you to have an ideal credit rating. You can save yourself a lot of time and effort by finding out the status of your credit beforehand so that you will know what you are getting into. Some loan providers will allow you to take out a loan with fair to good credit while others may expect you to have an excellent rating before they will even consider presenting you with a loan. There also may be various interest fees associated with clients who have less than perfect credit scores. Find out more about your area bank’s terms before making a final decision on where to apply for a personal loan.

Taking out a personal loan is a great way to get the funds that you need in order to take a small holiday. But you must be sure that you will be able to pay the loan back once your personal holiday is over. By doing your own research on area banks and loan provider’s rates, you will be able to ensure that you are getting the best possible rate that is available.

More advice about budgeting for a holiday is available on the Money Advice Service’s website here.

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Road trips are a common way of travelling for anyone looking to get a glimpse of other destinations without having to fly. It offers an affordable way of taking a holiday and can make it easy to explore different landscapes and cities. It may be easy to plan for a road trip, but it’s nevertheless important to avoid some of the more common problems if you want to ensure a fun holiday.

Running Out of Fuel

Running out of fuel is a common problem for those passing through areas that are void of any fuel stations. Instead of keeping your fingers crossed that you won’t get stranded, map out a route with fuel stops along the way, which will also make it easy to know when everyone can grab a bite to eat or stretch their legs out.

You can also pack an extra can of fuel before hitting the road to avoid running out of fuel completely in an unfamiliar area. Even the best laid plans can fall apart, so don’t forget to get insured. The Caravan Club can sort you out.

Fighting Over the Music

With a number of different people all travelling together in an enclosed space, it can be difficult to agree on the same type of music after several hours on the road. Between classical to rock, there is bound to be a disagreement at some point or another on what song should be played.

This problem can easily be solved by allocating a certain amount of music time to each person so everyone has a fair share. An hour is a good amount of time for a CD to be played or a playlist to be listened to for each person for an easy rotation that will make it easy to share the radio.

You also have the option of bringing along a pair of headphones for a great way to listen to your own music without disrupting other passengers. Make a few playlists before you leave so you have a wide variety of options.

Boredom

In a society that is obsessed with connected technology, it can be easy to get bored when travelling and only having the open road to look at. It’s important to bring along a bag of activities that will keep you busy for several hours at a time, which can include a portable DVD player with your favourite films, magazines, a travel board game, a novel, and even a laptop loaded with apps.

There are also a number of games to play that are specifically for road trips and don’t need any materials to play. Whether playing the alphabet game or counting unique car models, it can be easy to be entertained by your surroundings. This Pinterest board has even more ideas.

Getting Motion Sickness

Getting motion sickness is one of the most common problems when travelling for several hours and is easy to have when trying to read or do an activity. It can make it intimidating to take a road trip, but fortunately can be avoided.

Although your body can get out of balance while driving, staring at the scenery passing by out of the window will prevent you from feeling sick. Similarly, it’s important to avoid turning around a lot or looking from side too side too consistently, while also not focusing on a single object too much.

For more air, open the window a quarter of the ways to allow different food smells to exit the cabin and for a fresh breath of air. Nausea can further be prevented by eating a handful of ginger biscuits, eating two mint leafs, or keeping a small candy in your mouth. Ginger candies will also work to relieve the symptoms.

Photo by Peretz Partensky and Tudor Barker

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• Always wash your hands after using a bathroom, or after coming in from a day out, as you never know what your hands have touched. Dry them with a paper towel to minimise bacteria, or use a hand sanitizer.
• If in doubt, avoid foods like seafood, dairy and part-cooked meats, as these are the most likely to spoil. Look out for foods you prepare or peel yourself, and you can’t go too wrong.
• If you are travelling somewhere with a poor water system, consider purchasing some water purification tablets so you have a good source of clean drinking water. You can also boil water before drinking it or using it to brush your teeth, to kill bacteria.
• Keep antibacterial wipes in your bag, so when you are out and using cutlery or other communal items, you can wash your hands or the item using the wipes.
• Avoid touching local wildlife, even animals such as cats and dogs, as these can be carrying diseases and parasites.
• Try not to let pool water or river water get into your mouth when swimming, as this can contain unsanitary bacteria.
• If you are staying in a hostel, consider bringing your own pillowcase and sleeping bag if you can carry them; in some lower quality hostels the beds can contain bedbugs and dirt.
• When backpacking you might be unsure of when your next opportunity to wash is, so take advantage of public showers on beaches too. Avoid using them at busy times, but if you need too, you can use them early in the morning or late in the evening. Just make sure you avoid getting soap in the local water system.
• If you can, purchase a small bottle of antibacterial cleaner (Enzy Clean has a good range that can be popped into travel-size bottles) while on your travels and decant it into a small spray bottle, this way, if you really need to you can clean tables and plates before eating from them.
• You might also want to keep a small packet of tissues or wipes to hand too, as these are great for toilet paper in public toilets, and for helping you to clean dirt off your skin.

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China’s Great Wall

You might initially be shocked at this suggestion, because it’s true, China’s Great Wall is crawling with tourists and it’s so packed, you can barely walk along it. However, if you venture away from Badaling and Mutianyu you can explore the 640km of wall that is unknown to most tourists. You can actually hike along this expanse of wall where possible, and you can camp on the wall too! Imagine what it would be like in the wilds of China for a camping holiday; secluded and faced with stunning views and extraordinary unspoilt villages and farmland.

Terelji National Park, Mongolia

Venturing across a cold and snowy landscape can seem unappealing at first, but this is an unmissable cultural experience; as you walk the barely used roads you’ll come across tiny settlements and see some of the rarest animals in the world. The great open plains are unlike anything else on earth, and you can break up your walk by staying with a Mongolian family in a traditional Yurt! The cold won’t be a problem if you have a pair of Dubarry Galway Boots however, and a good winter coat. Come prepared!

Haputale, Sri Lanka

Looking for a taste of home in the middle of the Sri Lanken mountains? Head to Haputale and trek part of the journey. You can find markets in this area selling English produce, and the area is surrounded by tea plantations that are still being processed by Victorian machines. It’s all reminiscent of the English occupation of this area back in the days of the empire, and it’s a little taste of history.

Photo by Francisco Diez, François Philipp and Indi Samarajiva

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Checks Required

But to make your travel hassle free, you should check that everything is in order. You should confirm a day in advance about your travel arrangements to the airport, for getting one at the last moment may give you nervy moments. Check all your travel related documents and have a back-up for them in photocopies if possible and keep them separately. It is a good idea to reach the airport or the port in case of ferries, well advance in time. The distance between the cup and the sip may be too much at times. And most importantly, don’t forget to count your touring members to ensure that nobody is left ‘home alone’.

Get a Visa

Yes, before you venture out to a foreign land you need to have a visa. In your hectic daily life, this could be nagging and time consuming. The minute technicalities and the know-how of the travel documents may not be your cup of tea, hence taking help from any visa online immigration sites like ixpvisas.com is a great idea. You can assess you application online, and seek guidance from them. These reputed sites process thousands of visa applications each year hence you can be assured that you are in safe hands. And you will get prompt and hassle free service.

Accommodation

To ensure you have a successful trip, it is pertinent that you book a decent place for yourself well in advance. You can browse the net for relevant information on accommodation and best travel packages on offer. Booking in advance may get you benefits of special discounts. You may find travelling in off-season more beneficial as you can get cheaper accommodation and lesser rush at the tourist hot spots. Furthermore, you should choose a place where you can get public transportation with ease.

Medication

Before you travel, you can get yourself a complete medical check-up to ensure you are in the pink of your health. Discuss your travel plans with your physician and take your medications along if required. You can carry a small first-aid kit, in case of minor accidents. You can also check out whether any vaccination is required before your travel to any particular place. And if mosquitoes, flies and other insects can be a concern, having an insect repellant with you is advisable.

Travelling now-a-days is no more a grinding job, it a pleasure trip taken by people to soothe their bodies, mind, and soul. Hence, take some basic steps to ensure that your travel serves its purpose.

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Situated in the core of South Beach’s Art Deco Street, adjoining the stylish Lincoln Road and just four blocks away from Miami Beach Convention Center and Fillmore Theater, Albion South Beach Hotel is an architectural work of art which was erected in 1939 and was recently renovated in 2005. This nautical style, smooth and yet contemporary hotel plays host to business and leisure clients although people hailing from media, fashion and art also prefer to make their temporary lodging in this stunning hotel.

The Albion South Beach Hotel is idyllically located a block away from miles of pristine gold beaches. Its perfect location also proffers the clientele with ample opportunity to savor the pleasure of exquisite dining, first class shopping and effervescent nightlife.

Many of the Florida’s famous attractions including Ocean Drive, Art Deco District, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, Holocaust Memorial Museum and symphony orchestra are positioned at a walking distance from the hotel. The opus magnum architectural design of the hotel is the reason why many catalogue crews, magazine editors and photographs are intent on framing the backdrop of the hotel in their photo shoots.

Features of the Albion hotel:

The Albion Hotel renders superb amenities and services to its guests and they are meant to make the holiday retreat of the guests an unforgettable experience. Aside from its perfect and peaceful locality, some of the other features which this top notch boutique hotel has to proffer are:

• Full service business center
• 60 foot outdoor pool with a sun deck which is encircled with shady palm trees
• Bar/lounge
• Fitness room and fitness facilities
• Valet parking
• Services of concierge
• Public areas which are fully air-conditioned
• Porter
• Room service
• Meeting space for small crowds
• Laundry and dry cleaning services
• Room service
• Newspapers are available in the lobby
• Wireless internet connection is free throughout the acreage of the hotel
• Lift/elevator
• Garden
• Dogs are allowed inside the hotel
• Conference room
• Staff is multilingual and is available 24 hours 7 days a week

The hotel also maintains a poolside restaurant named Albion Café where visitors can enjoy sumptuous meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner time. The menu includes both Mediterranean and local cuisine which the guests can savor either outdoors or indoors. Many of the foremost and renowned restaurants serving international cuisines at an affordable price are at a walking pace from the Albion hotel. Visitors can also enjoy many other athletic activities within the hotel’s vicinity or near the hotel and some of the popular activities include boating, surfing, parasailing, volleyball, aerobics, water skiing, tennis, golf, bicycling and bowling.

Accommodation:

The Albion hotel prides itself on providing chic accommodation to its guests molding comfort with elegance. There are 100 minimalists guestrooms each embellished with minimalist interior decoration. The rooms are bedecked with bold colors and black wood and stainless steel furniture and every room features a grand king size bed, designer bed throws, oversized pillows, Mediterranean style curtains, luxurious bathrobes, bathrooms that are spick and span, 32 inch LCD TVs, iron board, iron, full length mirror, mini bar, alarm clock, room safe, desks and a telephone. Whether you have planned a family vacation or a romantic getaway with your loved one, Albion Hotel is the perfect dwelling that not only offers opportune access to restaurants, beaches and shopping centers but also is a top notch restaurant that caters to every needs of its guest. There are three types of rooms which the guests can select from according to their demands and these include Petite Double room, Deluxe King room and Deluxe Queen room with two queen beds.

Positive reviews of the guests concerning the Albion Hotel:

Innumerable guests who have resided in this grand boutique hotel were extremely gratified with their choice of hotel and uttered ravishing praises in favor of the hotel. Many said that the price of the rooms was economical and service of the staff was excellent. The bathrooms were quite tidy, the pillows were extremely comfortable and the air conditioning service was first-rate. Many of the guests considered the location of the hotel to be idyllic as the popular tourist destinations are just a walking distance apart. Guests who were allotted the back rooms reflected that the view of the poolside was impressive and outstanding. Guests were also content with the admirable customer and housekeeping service.

Negative comments of the guests:

Some customers who opted to spend their vacation residing in Albion Hotel were not very ecstatic with their preference of hotel. Many remarked that the hotel lacked the look of grandeur and elegance, appeared to be dilapidated and was surely in need of a thorough renovation. Some guests complained that the rooms and the bathrooms were squashy and quite small. Guests who were granted the rooms overlooking the street complained that the noise approaching from the busy avenue beyond prevented them from enjoying a peaceful slumber. The limited choice of cuisines in the café and expensive parking disappointed many of the customers.

Final verdict in favor of the Albion hotel:

The 3.5 star Albion Hotel renders the services and advantages according to the price that it charges its customers. The economical charge of the rooms outbalances any other negative aspect of the hotel as the other hotels in the neighborhood are very expensive. Children younger then 18 years old can stay in their parents or guardian’s room and share the existing bedding free of charge and this additional facility functions as a great advantage for families trying to rein in their finances. Although the rooms of a 5 star hotel are really voluminous and capacious and surpass those existing in Albion Hotel, customers are nevertheless satisfied with the comfy, cozy and pleasant ambience of the rooms prompted by the wooden furniture, spotlessly white linen and Mediterranean style draperies. This hotel has been the ultimate choice of many visitors flocking Miami and will continue to please others with its superlative location near the beachside and other popular landmarks and its unparalleled and quality service.

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