Try attending soccer games on your next trip
During my last business trip to Amsterdam, I tried something different for a change. I looked up the upcoming Dutch league soccer matches, and to my delight, it was the big match between Ajax and Feyenoord. This is one of four high-risk Ajax matches, and what that basically means is ten times the excitement, if things go well. And lucky me, the match was just the next day after my conference, that all I had to do now was to get a ticket.
Now the problem with top soccer games is tickets are usually expensive, and hard to get. On my first day in Amsterdam, I took a tour around the Ajax Amsterdam ArenA, where they would take you around the stadium, explain about the facilities and history of it, and you get to walk into the press conference room, and set on the very same chair top Ajax players have been in. It was a quite joy.
The let down however was when I knew only season ticket holders are allowed to get a ticket for the big match. Now when you find yourself out of luck getting tickets directly from the club, there are other places to look for. Good amount of people end up selling their ticket online (for a higher margin ofcourse), and you can usually find the ticket you’re looking for. One such site is Sports Events 365, where people offer their tickets usually for a profit margin.
The experience for me turned out to be the highlight of my trip, especially with the thrashing 5-1 victory of the home team. I would really advise anyone (not just soccer fans) to try it out. It’s a bit costly yes, but it’s once in a while thing, and would give a memory that lasts.
Guidelines:
- Find the match you want: Start by looking at the soccer schedule from places like Soccerway or Koora.com. Or you can even use Sports Event 365, as they usually highlight the big games. Look for big games, rival matches, or decisive ones. Don’t just go to any ordinary game.
- Find your flight ticket (if you haven’t already). Dohop is a favorite place to start for me.
- Find your hotel. You can use our hotel price comparison search service for this, or any other that you might prefer. Just pay attention to how far you are from your match.
- Find your game ticket: You should try first booking from the official team site, or official league/cup site. If that doesn’t work, you’re off to find people selling their tickets at sites like Sports Events 365. Take care of the seat location. Some places are quite breathtaking, others aren’t worth your time and money. Luckily Sports Events usually tries to give you the seat location in a visual way. No guarantees though. It all depends on the seller’s provided info.
- Do a bit of research: You don’t wanna go to a match without knowing what the hell is going on. It’s more enjoyable of you know a bit about where the team stands, who are his top players, and what does this match mean to him.
- Get your self the Home Jersey: Don’t feel cheap about it. For one, you will meld and feel the joy of cheering up for the home team, and two, it’s also your insurance policy shall things get out of control. Fans would see you on their side rather than an intruder. I mean let’s face it, sometimes fans go mad
.
This was the last goal I recorded from the match.
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Monitor Swine Flu Spread on Google Mashup
You must have, or should at least, heard of the new quickly spreading fatal Swine Flu. It’s spreading badly unfortunately and there is no cure for it yet. If you are traveling, or even while you stay at your own country, please keep an eye on this Google Mashup map which will monitor the progress and spread of the disease worldwide.
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Wanna visit the Grand Canyon? Here is a tip!
Wanna go there?
I’ve been to it as a teenager. It’s long and hard trip. I don’t recall the ring road over the edge, but the Helicopter ride is so much breath taking. Plan to go there? TravelMuse has the tips for you.
Accommodations In Grand Canyon.
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Get your VISA before it’s too late
Those of you planning to travel this summer might want to consider applying for VISA from now before it’s too late. In summer, it’s usually too crowded, takes long time, and some people end up paying hundreds for 3rd-parties to finish their papers. To be best prepared for your VISA application and make the process easier, below are some quick guidelines:
- Make sure your passport is still valid and not about to expire. You need minimum of 6 months on it when applying for the new VISA. Expired? Renew all travelers’ passports at your earliest.
- Gather information about the VISA for the country you want to visit. Try Googling for something like “UK visa”, “Shengen VISA” and usually you’ll find the information you need. Make sure you get the VISA details for your nationality, as it differs a lot from one nationality to the other. See if they have online application as well, as it’s usually much easier that way. Some worldwide travel guide info sites might help, like WorldTravelGuide.net. Search for your destination and see the VISA page.
- Get all your papers ready, get as much as you can. Include destination, purpose of visit, travel dates, airline tickets, hotel booking confirmation, what you plan to do there. Some destinations require a look at your past bank statements and salary certificates. They are usually interested in making sure you intend to come back, so help them feel sure about it. A look at their official website should help you know more about what type of papers are required. Basically, the more clear and proof you have, the easier your papers will be processed.
- Apply either online or through the local official or nearest to your country office. Again, have everything ready, and make sure you have enough tipe for the VISA processing before you submit your application.
Some VISA Sites:
- US VISA: Official United States VISA Information Source
- Shengen VISA: (sites not necessarily associated with the European union):
- Shengen VISA Services
- The Shengen Office (Explains Shengen VISA in more details, and can help you in your application)
- UK:
- UKVISAS (UK VISA Info)
- VISA4UK (UK VISA Application site)
- Tips for UK VISA Application
- Turkey:
- Turkish Consulate (For many countries, tourist visits less than 30 days can get VISA at Turkey airport entry point)
- Malaysia: (Some countries do not require or can get VISA at entry point for specific short type of visits)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Malaysia
- TravelMasti.com (General information about VISA Application)
- Worldwide: (While helpful, always double check with official country VISA source for latest information. Sometimes worldwide sites are not up to date)
- WorldTravelGuide.net
- VisaHQ.com (Very easy to use to see if you require VISA to certain country, though still need to confirm with direct official country source. I can see some discrepancies)
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Social Media Is There To Help Travelers
The power of social networks and sites is irreplaceable really no matter how you try, people are swearing by it as the future of the web. Social sites are not only for chatting and wasting time, but has a much greater value in them for the people seeking it. You can use it to reach out, learn from different cultures, get targeted advise where you need it from people who want to help. And the same applies for traveling. You can use these social sites to learn more about the different destinations, use what people shared from their experience, and then use other interactive social sites, like Facebook and Twitter to get the extra help you need. In fact, a British guy named Paul Smith (TwitchHiker) is doing just that with his half-across the world trip to raise charity money, relying solely on Twitter for followers offering help, advise, stay, and transportation. So far, he’s already approaching the end of his trip with about 11,000 followers and saying “11,000 people and managing to twitchhiker around the world can’t be wrong“.
Ofcourse, you don’t have to go to that extreme, but Mashable have prepared a very nice article about how and what to use of the social media for your travel needs.
Popularity: 2% [?]
7 Cheapest ways to travel
Independent Traveler, an always great source for hot travel deals and tip, have published an article about the seven cheapest ways to travel, from couch surfing, to low season travels, cruise and others. Read the full article for all the details
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Why Travel Now?
Why would anyone choose to travel now instead of the summer travel season? I my self have just gotten back from Istanbul and could easily tell one of the reasons. There is simply no one there. That means by it self several things. For a start it means the city is less crowded, and so are the main tourist attractions. Isn’t it disappointing when you spend thousands of dollars to visit some historic or main attraction, only to be blocked and time wasted by the heavy crowd infront of you? Not only do you enjoy more freedom when traveling now, but you will have less headache in all your ticket, bookings, tour reservations, as they’re likely hunting for customers. We basically booked in the early morning for a hotel pick-up tour that starts at 8:30 AM.
Another reason is, less demand means less price. You are likely to get better rates for all your travel expenses, thus saving extra. The only drawback for people who hate it is the cold winter season. For me it’s an added value actually.
The Independent Traveler have compiled a more detailed list of 10 reasons why it is wise to travel now. What’s your preference?
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12 ways for discounted rates
Newsday have published an article showing 12 ways you go out for discounted travel rates, saving you some of the extra burden. Some of my favorite tips in short are:
- Check sites compiling travel deals, perhaps even subscribe for their newsletter.
- Check with big travel sites for hot offers and deals
- Check for discounted tours and cruises.
- Work backward. See what’s a good and cost-effective destination rather than seek offers for pre-determined destination. You never know where you could end up and see.
And then, I would also add to the list using hotel and ticket comparison sites, such as our 7ojozat.com for hotels, and Mobissimo, dohop, or Fly.com for air ticket price.
For the 12 tips in details, see Newsday.
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Home Rental or Swap Vs Hotels
In the age of the economic crisis, it is becoming more and more important to make saves on your travel, if you can at all afford it. Recently, it has become more popular it seems to swap homes or lease them, rather than swallow the high cost of hotel rooms whichs the extra cost of daily home service, and everything else that goes with it.
I have personally found it both money saving, and more relaxing to lease apartment as we traveled in a small group, bot I guess the option of a house for a larger family would make sense as well.
Read this article by Los Angeles Times about the home swap and rental service, and how does it compare to hotel one.
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Travel Photography Tips
Nice quick hints and tips from MSN Travel for your travel photography. Don’t spoil your next trip photos and be ready for it. Read full 2 pages article here.
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