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A Quick Tour through Jerusalem! Tours, Hotels and Vacation Rentals


Dec 31

Posted: under Destinations and Places.
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Jerusalem is packed with many important historic sites for which at least an entire week is necessary to see. Leave aside some time to walk around the bazaar, quarters and roofs of the old city. The Old City is divided into Arab, Jewish, Armenian and Christian quarters. No cars are allowed in the Old City and Museums and most other new attractions are found outside of the old walls. Religious sites can be explored for free but museums charge an entrance fee. There are a few select places that should not be missed while you are in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem Old City:

• The Western Wall
One of Judaism’s most sacred spots where men and women slip prayers between the stones. Men and women pray separately and have separate entrances.

• Dome of the Rock
A gold dome which acts as a shrine to the rock where Mohammed rose to heaven. Non-muslims are not allowed inside but exploring the surrounding area is a powerful experience in its own. It is one of the world’s oldest Muslim structures dating back to 688.

• Stations of the Cross
Small (and easy-to-miss) bronze tablets mark the 14 noteworthy stations of Jesus’ day of trial and procession to Golgotha.

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The church marks the locations of Jesus’ crucifixion, death and burial.

• The Wohl Archeological Museum
Great museum of archeology

• The Upper Room
Also known as the Coenaculum or the Cenacle. This is the second-story hall where the Last Supper was said to have taken place.

Jerusalem Photo Art by Laurent Harari

Jerusalem Photo Art by Laurent Harari

Outside Jerusalem:

• Bethlehem
Passports are required to get passed the West Bank check point. This trip is one to be taken at your own risk. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges against travel to the West Bank.

• Israel Museum
Contains several fascinating displays including The Shrine of The Book – the Dead Sea Scrolls.

• Garden of Gethsemane
Caretakes say some of the olive trees here could have been saplings when Jesus prayed here during the nights following the Last Supper.

• Yad Vashem
A museum made in honor to the Holocaust victims. Exhibits include a memorial to the 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust.

Lodging and Accommodations in Jerusalem:

Visit EscapeRental.com to book   Jerusalem Israel vacation rental.

A few top favorites Jerusalem hotels are:

• King David Hotel

• Three Arches YMCA

• Austrian Hospice

Jerusalem Tours and Guides:

• David Pelmutter

• Yael Shilo

• Susan Weinberg

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Eco-friendly Accommodations


Dec 26

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Listen up responsible, eco-friendly travelers! WholeTravel.com is a website that caters to eco-trips.

It lists accommodations that are economically-friendly, support the local culture and promote sustainability among guests. The website features a ranking system that ranks accommodations based on environmental customs, management and cultural support.

Unfortunately, the website performs its searches based mainly on the type of vacation you would like instead of where you would like to vacation. Such a search would be better used as a supporting feature rather than a main one.

It may be best to figure out where you want to go through websites such as Escaperental.com and then search the listed properties in WholeTravel.com for your options.

Vacation Retals in Miami Offering Bikes

Vacation Retals in Miami Offering Bikes

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Disney Vacation Steals - January 2009


Dec 26

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Come January, 2009 brings Disney vacation steals. Three major travel deals include:

Visitors celebrating their birthdays at Disney World or Disneyland get in free when they show a valid ID at the front gate (www.disneyparks.com)

Buy a four-night Magic Your Way package for Disney World by January 24th and receive three nights of lodging and tickets. The four nights can be any of most nights between February and June (www.disneyworld.com/3free)

Children 12 and under can sail on a 3-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder when they are accompanied by two paying adults. This deal is available for sail dates between January 22nd and May 28th. Fares start at $349 (www.disneycruise.com/kidsfree)

Planning a visit to Orlando for your birthday? Check out Orlando holiday rentals! Vacation rentals usually offer lower rates than hotels.

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Hurting Luxury Travel Industry Provides Great Travel Deals!


Dec 26

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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US Luxury hotels are offering great deals to compensate for the decline in occupancy rates.

Smart travelers will take advantage of hotel incentives including free nights, discounts, free activities or spa treatments.

The Angler’s Resort in Miami is offering rooms for $260 a night for the end of December. That is 50% less than rates a month ago.

Last minute travelers are undoubtedly benefiting from the declining occupancy rates.

For instance, travelers who wish to stay in a quality Miami Beach vacation villa can find some great deals in January at 50% less than rates from the end of December. The Yacht Club Miami on Virgin Gorda will have 25% discounts.

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Get it while it’s hot! Best Travel Deals


Dec 24

Posted: under Airlines News, Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Get in on the inside scoop for the best travel deals.

Plan your vacation for that time frame right after New Year’s but before President’s Week.

That pocket of time is sure to be quiet and lonely in the travel industry.

Around January 7th and 8th, it is not uncommon to find a variety of deal options, including discount hotel rates, deals in vacation rentals, and discount flights.

Do yourself a favor and discover some secret savings.

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Great Airline Deals - Flying for LESS


Dec 24

Posted: under Airlines News, Transportation News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Luxury travel is suffering more than budget travel. So much so that airline companies are starting to slash their rates to attract business and first class travelers.

Lufthansa offers huge discounts on business class fares for people booking from December 26 2008 to January 2nd 2099.

You can fly from New York to Rome for just $1900. Normally, that can run you up to $8000.

Smart travelers should check all the airline websites to find the best deals.

Find accommodations in New York and Rome, Italy, including New York vacation rentals and Italy holiday rentals.

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Luxury Travel and Auctions, Luxury Hotel Room Auctions


Dec 24

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Ritz-Carlton Hotel in South Beach

Hotels and some airlines are welcoming the help of other industries and participating in auctions to increase occupancy rates.

Hotels are turning to websites such as luxurylinks.com, nextag.com, priceline.com or ebay.com to auction and fill up their rooms.

Auctions are a good affordable way to travel and stay in great luxury hotels. Getting hotel deals in luxury palaces or in a vacation villa is easy. Just research and ask. Vacationers find deals up to 50% off.

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How to Get Good Deals when Traveling - Last Minutes Deals


Dec 24

Posted: under Airlines News, Transportation News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Nowadays, airline companies are offering great prices to travelers that reserve well in advance.

Travelers that were monitoring flight rates to get last minutes deals from Montréal to Miami were surprised to actually see the rates increasing right before their eyes while the time elapsed.

It seems that airline companies are charging more for last minute travel reservations.

We strongly advise that you book well in advance in order to get the best prices.

However, that does not mean that travelers should not look for last minute deals.

Subscribe to airline newsletters and websites specializing in last minute deals and auctions and find great travel deals.

Planning a trip right now? Yes, other good smart travel tip is to make your hotel reservation or booking a vacation rental in advance.

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Luxury Travel Impacted by Crisis - Smart Travel Tips


Dec 24

Posted: under Destinations and Places.
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Miami Art Deco District Photo - Miami-Info.com

Now, travelers can even find great vacation deals in the most popular tourist destinations such as Paris, New York, Las Vegas and Miami.

Vacationers and business travelers are cutting their travel budgets as an adjustment to the new economic situation.

Many tourists now negotiate with hotels or simply switching to vacation rentals.

The impact of slashed budgets has affected luxury travel and in result, rates have become comparable to “regular travel” rates after a decline of 4%.

First and business class airfare has also experienced a decline and are being offered at great prices for affluent travelers.

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The Benefits of a Recession - Discount Travel an Travel Deals


Dec 24

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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We are in crisis but the situation results in gains in some areas.

As a result of our current economical situation, travelers are at an advantage and can find better deals than ever.

Accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel rooms and transportation such as airfare and car rentals have stooped to ultra competitive prices and offer outrageous deals in order to survive these hard times.

Savvy travelers can save a lot of money with a bit of research. The luxury travel sector of the industry is feeling the effects of the economy even more than regular travel.

Occupancy rates for luxury hotels have declined 9% while regular hotel rates have dropped 7%. Search the internet and call hotels, vacation rentals and airline companies to get great deals.

Discounts of up to 50% off are not uncommon anymore - even during high season. Smart travelers can find discounts in hotels in New York, hotels in Miami and vacation rentals in Miami even during holiday seasons that get booked to full occupancy.

Photo of  a luxury vacation rental loft in South Beach.

The Illona Vacation Rental in South Beach Picture.

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