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www.hoochfrog.com
TRAVEL - LINKS COLLECTION
As any surfer in cyberspace knows, you can find information about anything on the Internet. Here is a collection of the travel resources I have found to be useful...
Agents & Operators:
One of the most well known major tour operators in the UK is Thomas Cook Travel. Apart from being one of the most popular, they were also one of the first to embrace e-commerce in the travel market and, their site has evolved and improved consistently since first going live. My favourite online version of all the high street travel agents is Travelcare who are the largest independent UK agent. The vast majority of my holiday and travel arrangements are made with this company. The first 'electronic' travel agent in the UK was probably Teletext Holidays, having been around since before the popularity of the web took off, they have adapted their business to new technology in a very successful and easy to use manner. Tour operators that I have used and can recommend include; Airtours.co.uk, Goldenjoy Leisure Plc, Sunquest Holidays to Turkey, First Choice and JMC Holidays.
UK & Ireland Information:
Before travelling further afield, why not take a look at Good Ol' Blighty? If we all lived to 100+ we wouldn't see all there was to see in our own Country. I know the weather is not up to much and, a holiday abroad is often cheaper than staying at home however, take some time to enjoy our islands... The following sites will give you good advice and information; The British Tourist Authority, This is Britain, Britannia Travel - UK Guide and the UK travel guide at kasbah.com.
Some of the most peaceful and beautiful landscape in the UK can be found over the border in Scotland and you will find all the information at The Scottish Tourist Board. Don't forget the hospitality and remoteness of the Scottish Islands like Orkney, The Hebrides and The Shetland Isles. And last, but certainly not least, our neighbours across the sea in Ireland... Visit the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Irish Tourist Board.
Travel Guides:
Before venturing world-wide many people buy guidebooks to refer to both at home and during their travels. Much of the information that was once only available in paper form is now available online and, is often very up to date,the first example of this can be found in the UK government Foreign & Commonwealth Office site which offers advice for travellers. Some other examples worth looking at are; Rough Guides the World Wise Directory, Lonely Planet Online and one of my favourites he World Travel Guide. For comprehensive advice on health matters try the e-med service, Health Service - Advice for travellers or TravelHealth.co.uk.
Long Haul World Travel:
Travel to long haul destinations such as New Zealand, Australia and the Latin World has increased in recent years. Destinations like Brazil, Belize, and Mexico in Central America, The Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, The Cayman Isles and The British Virgin Islands are all on the shopping lists of the average holiday maker today.
The continent of Africa is also embracing the power of the Internet to attract tourists with websites like the African Travel Gateway, Africa Net and Africa Online. The most popular destinations for main stream tourism, after the colonial exploring days of African travel, were probably those with a Mediterranean coast like Tunisia and Morocco, just a little extra flying time from European Countries. The Safari trip and Adventure Travel in Africa to Eco-Resorts in East Africa like the Watamu Marine Park in Kenya, along with trips to the fabulous island of Mauritius all await you.
Asian countries have not missed the boat either. The India Travel Network, N E P A L .c o m and Himalayan Kingdoms Treks will appeal to the adventurous whilst those looking to relax on far flung exotic beaches should try some Lazydays in Goa , Amazing Thailand or Malaysia and the islands of Phuket and Samui.
Closer To Home:
Well at least for Europeans... Some of the most popular holiday destinations are the Balearic & Canary Islands. However mainland European nations such as France, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Turkey (a favourite of mine) are also as popular as the islands of Spain.
Before you go:
When making your holiday arrangements ensure that the agents and operators you use are covered and bonded by the appropriate trade organisations such as, ABTA, ANTOR, ATOL and IATA.
Search & Directories:
To find your holiday package in the first place, try one of the following; Bargainholidays.com, Kasbah.com - Search, lastminute.com and the Teletext Holiday Search will all provide you with reasonable deals. The Virtual Tourist site, Travel Donkey, TravelGate UK - The Independent Directory and Onlinetravellers.com are also worth a visit.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION:
I hope you have found this section of hoochfrog.com useful and who knows, you may even have found something you did not previously know about. If that is the case my efforts were not wasted and if not, well thanks for the visit any way. Enjoy your travels across the world and in cyberspace!