Book Your Catered Chalet Holiday Now

If you are looking forward to a fun filled and adventurous holiday during this Christmas or New Year, then Catered Chalet Ski Christmas and New Year packages are what you should look at! This is the best time of the year to go for a family vacation or to go on an expedition with your bunch of crazy friends. The air is thick with festivity spirits and the mood is set for relaxing and having fun.

Catered chalet holidays are the best holidaying option for everyone looking forward to a holiday. You can bond with the family on this vacation, you can have an adventurous time with your friend while on this vacation or you can spend some quality intimate moments with your lover with the beautiful snow capped mountains in the backdrop.

Moreover, you can go on these holidays without burning hole in your pocket! Most of the travel agents and companies offer lucrative discounts on chalet holidays at this time of the year. There are special Christmas and Ski New Year packages available at unbelievable discounts! These discounts get better if you book them well in advance. The holiday package rates depend upon the dates of departure, holiday destination, type of chalet resorts and how early you booked your tickets.

Generally, for a tour that leaves around 15th December to 20th December, you can save up to an unbelievable £380 per person! Many agents and travel companies also offer lucrative couple offer. A tour package with the departure dates around 10th to 31st January 2010 can give you a whooping discount of up to £50 per couple!

The offers become more irresistible as January passes. If you are short on budget, then you can give a miss to the New Year celebration and can instead celebrate Easters lavishly that too on a small budget! You can avail exclusive couple discounts which can save you up to £100 per couple!

If you cannot make for a holiday during Christmas, New Year or Easter, do not lose heart! There are travel agents and travel companies that offer attractive discounts on chalet holidays throughout the year! You can avail these discounted services in all seasons and can just pack your bags and take off! You can save up to £100 throughout the year with these special couple packages!

These packages may include catering, self catering, ski offers, airport pick up services, car hire services, travel insurances, ski insurance, and many more services. It is always recommended to book these holiday packages in advance to avoid any last minute confusions and hassles and to get best bets!

For any help on Chalets Austria, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the Ski new year!

French Farmhouse - An Ideal French Renovation?

The idea of renovating a French farmhouse is extremely attractive to a lot of people. Whether it's the half-timbered buildings of Normandy, the sturdy stone of the Limousin or the airy homes surrounded by fields of lavender in Provence, there's a style to suit everyone. Depending on where you are coming from buying one can be very affordable too.

As you drive across the French countryside you will often see charming old structures of all shapes and sizes in a variety of conditions from immaculately restored to tumble-down ruins. If you really want to renovate a French farmhouse you won't be short of choice!

Planning permission is generally not difficult if you are doing something sympathetic. In fact according to French law, as long as it has an end wall it is a renovation, not a new build, which makes everything much easier. You have to be a little bit cautious about what real estate agents tell you because they have been known to be a little economical with the truth. In a lot of cases you can submit your own plans but it depends on the floor area of the finished building so it's best not to take it for granted.

Unless you are an experienced builder it is probably best to allow for architects fees. Actually, unless you speak competent French it is probably a good idea anyway because French paperwork is notoriously complex! But if these lovely old buildings make such great projects, why aren't the French farmhouses all being renovated by the French?

The truth is that the majority of the French would rather live in a modern building. Actual ownership is less important for many and they are quite happy to rent. In addition, it's much cheaper to build new than to restore. You don't end up with the kind marvelous building that appeals to so many of us but a great number of French people would rather the convenience of a modern box. That's why there are so many Farmhouses available to people moving in from other countries.

To be fair, renovating a French farmhouse certainly isn't cheap. The idea that you can buy something for 50,000, spend a few thousand on it and live in splendor is a myth. These beautiful old buildings are full of character but not full of straight lines! You will likely find that every door and window is different so everything for your new home has to be hand-made. For hand-made read "expensive". You probably have walls a couple of feet thick. It isn't going to fall over any time soon but working on it is hard. French masons are highly skilled but... you guessed it, not cheap.

Having said that, if you have the time, or you don't mind getting your hands dirty, the result can be hugely satisfying and quite lovely to look at and to live in. Even if your budget isn't all you would like there are areas of central France, like the Indre, which still offer tremendous value. If renovating a French farmhouse is a dream of yours and if you can keep a sensible, practical head about it then it is certainly achievable.

For more info about French Renovation and a light-hearted but informative view of all things French pop over to French Life For Real. It's by an English-speaking ex-pat living and working in France full-time so whether you're coming to France on vacation, or thinking of moving to France permanently, it's well worth a look.

A Closer Look at Home Exchange

While the holidays provide a great way to relax, rejuvenate, and spend time with your family, it can be expensive too. One-week stay in a hotel room can cost around $ 1500. Add in the cost of your food, and the cost becomes higher. Home exchange is a new trend, not only free you from the hassle of worrying about your accommodation, but also provides the opportunity to visit new and exciting places.

The basic domestic trade is simple: you swap your property with another family. The technology of the Internet has made finding a property to swap cheaper and more convenient. By accessing a home commerce site, you can find a list of available properties for swapping. When you find a property, work details with the owners of the home.

While working out the dates and times when the swap will take place, you must be flexible when it comes to the place and date, so the trade would be easier and more successful. It would also be helpful if both parties would come out with an informal agreement on the terms and conditions.

If you wonder what are the benefits of domestic trade, here is a look at the benefits of switching your home over a vacation home or a hotel.

As already mentioned, the main advantage of switching your home is that you do not have to worry about the cost of your property. In the same way you do not need to worry about food because you can do the cooking on your vacation property. You should not hesitate to leave your house empty because you do not pay higher prices.

Additionally, you can be sure that your house is guaranteed for a longer period, because there are residents. The good thing about this solution is that it allows you to visit new places at a price below the normal price. You can make your vacation truly fun and memorable.

When listing your property for domestic trade, it is very important to make potential partners see the advisability of making your property as a vacation home. Just because you do not live in a mansion does not qualify you to trade your home. That would be your best interest if you provide quality photos of internal and external environments in your home as well as some description.

Your privacy is the primary concern why some homeowners are reluctant to offer their property for swapping. If you belong to this group, you find a site that would not reveal your name, address, contact number or e-mail address and instead rely on an online form that will store your personal information. Just make sure you get the most out of the online form.

Moreover, when describing your property to a potential partner, do not forget to give information about your property and community. Indicate who will be with you during the trip, and when the agreement will happen. Prior to reaching an agreement, you should get in touch with your partner. Successful bids are based on mutual trust, so it is important to feel comfortable with the trade.

Home exchange is still a matter of personal choice, so you can still choose vacation rentals. But there is no harm in trying the domestic trade, since you will probably get a good result and happy with your decision.

Also read how can you find listing price of your home here: http://our-home-builders.com/2010/01/20/find-listings-price-of-your-home.html/.

Get The Orlando Vacation Home Of Your Dreams

Florida, the sunshine state, is known for a good reason; the sun never disappoints you at any given time of the year and that is the main reason why many migrate to this state in the cold winter months. But, if you want to know how to get the best deal of staying in Orlando during the winter while not having to spend a fortune in the process, the answer is simple, get an Orlando vacation home.

Why Choose Orlando?

Florida holds many attractions out of which one of it's biggest is the Walt Disney World situated in Orlando. This attraction alone brings millions of people from around the world year round to vacation in the magic land of Walt Disney World due to which any property in Orlando is considered an absolute fabulous investment.

Besides Walt Disney, there are many other attractions, which involve the adults as well (not that adults don't enjoy the world of Walt Disney) such as golf, Sea World of Florida, Parks and Museums. Acquiring an Orlando vacation home is a wise investment that will reward you year round.

You can use your Orlando vacation home when you desire in the winter months and the rest of the year you can hire it and, thus, have your property pay you for vacationing as well as for its own maintenance and taxes.

Renting An Orlando Vacation Home

If you don't choose to invest in purchasing a vacation home you can always rent one whenever you desire. There are two ways to rent an Orlando vacations home and they are: through time-sharing or just for the time you desire. If you choose to hire a vacation home through time-sharing again, you will have to make an initial investment and then work out the dates when you want to spend time in your Orlando vacation home with the person with whom you just brought the home.

However, if you want to hire a vacation home only when you desire then you will need to approach a travel agent who will help you find the best available bargain for you and your budget.

Helpful Tip

If you are planning to spend more than couple of months every year in Orlando, the best way to is to invest in either a time-sharing vacation home or purchase a property that you can hire when not in use and if you are not sure when or how long you are going to spend each year in Orlando then you may want to consider hiring for the limited period you visit only, in order to save yourself money and time.

If you are looking for exciting vacation destinations and ideas visit [http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com] and http://tours.every1loves2travel.com

Budget Hotels, Where You Make a Living While You Pay

Traveling is a new found charm of every Indian in the present scenario which is why hotel business is flourishing equally well. Not to deny the fact, budget hotels are offering the best of the facilities that are worth what we pay.

In recent years, lots of modifications have been seen in the area of hotel sector too. In addition to hotels, one can find well to do resorts equipped with trees, well constructed bio-diversity and lot of environment friendly facilities accompanied with outstanding packages and facilities.

In order to meet all the traveling and residential demands of any traveler, these budget hotels offer substantial discounts which makes easy for anyone to afford a stay in hotels. These discounts involve a considerable reduction in the charge, thus, it definitely caters well the needs of people from all class. That is why, its been noticed that more and more people are planning trips yearly now.

Apart from the discounts being offered, special packages are also a part of hotel stay. Thus, it increases the frequency of travelers visit. Moreover, as these hotels and resorts provide substantial discounts and packages, question of security does arise too. In this regard too, these hotels or resorts management and have ample facilities with regards to security provisions. Also, one can choose from luxury to cheap, B&B to 5 star hotels and others preferences available.

Following are some of the features all hotels generally offer:

24*7 facilitated
Medical help round the clock
Access to transport of all forms
Access to computer, network and technology
All facilities and amenities available

With the increase in traveling business today, considerable change has been seen in the outlook of people. Especially in country like India where, traveling is unplugged and is a revolution off late. In order to meet various requirements of the customers, thus the budget hotels and resorts provide en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning or climate control, a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, and Internet connectivity and others.

Some other common features include snack foods, drinks and others which are supplied in a mini-bar accompanied by facilities for making hot drinks. Larger hotels in particular often provide a big number of additional guest facilities like restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare etc. Also, these hotels and resorts provide facilities for conference and social function services. As a matter of fact, hotel rooms usually are numbered or named in some smaller hotels and B&Bs. so as to permit guests to easily identify their room. In this way, there are a plethora of facilities offered which make a stay worth living a life.

Know more about budget hotels and travel agents India.

Get Your American Passport Expedited Online

It used to be, back in the day that is, that it was necessary for you to have a travel agent. Upon calling him/her, you would tell them where you want to go, and they would book you the flight and take care of any passport issues, find the best priced package available for your needs. Withing a matter of days - weeks - you would get your package with your departure date.

Those days are pretty much over. Now we can be own own travel agents through the power of the internet. No more need for long waits, expensive travel agent booking fees, or anything like that. Now we can actually go to the airliner or cruise company, select our own package, and we're good to go. There are also discount airfare and cruise websites which add a significant amount to your savings now.

However, if you're traveling out of the country, you will need a valid US passport.

In the area of getting a new or renewal US passport, there have been many exciting, helpful changes to facilitate that process as well. If you would like, you could still go through the slow and inefficient government runarounds - and get your passport within 1-3 months - but, why go through all of that, unless you are a glutton for punishment! Is it necessary for you to obtain your US passport within a few hours? 24 hours? Obviously, you would need your passport mailed to you overnight at the most, or available for pickup that same day. Even if your trip will not take happen for a few weeks or even a month, do you really want to leave it in the hands of the federal government to botch everything up for you, miss the mark, which in turn makes you miss your trip?

There are now much more efficient ways to obtain a US passport in cases of emergency or just last minute decisions - or, to compensate for laziness. There are a good number of websites that will expedite the processing of your passport, and you are able to get it the same day, if it is so needed.

You would naturally still have to pay the regular government fees for your passport, but in addition, it would be required for you to pay these government authorized, third-party companies that provide expedited US passports and visa services. The cost of the expediting process differs in regards to how soon you may need your US passport. Of course if the sooner that you need your passport, the more the additional fee will be. As mentioned before, you can get your passport within a matter of hours, or if you have the time, have it in your hands in two weeks.

The extra fees, with these companies, may be about 60% more than if you were to choose going through the regular waiting period, but well worth it - and still a bit cheaper than utilizing the government's procedures. If you're stuck and need a passport quick, there literally is no other option - don't make the mistake of missing a last-minute trip because of a passport issue.

Thanks to the revolutionary power of the internet, the process of getting a new passport, whether it's a new issue or renewal - whether expedited or regular issue - is now a reality, with a much higher rate of success than going through the tedious procedures of the federal government. Save money and time today from the comfort of your own home by ordering or renewing your passport online today!

Need to know more about getting your passport online, or need to take care of it right now? The best time is now rather than later! Get your copy of our 7 page guide, "The US Passport Blueprint," absolutely free and check out this site today to save yourself money and time, and get your passport today.

Do not delay the processing of your passport! The longer you delay, the more expensive it gets -- the best thing for you to do is to get started on it now so you can save some $$$.

Tom Netau is the operator of the website, Get US Passport Fast, which processes expedited US passports and standard issue US passports -- both new issues and renewals. The URL for Get US Passports Fast is http://www.GetUSPassportFast.com

Did You Know Manhattan Beach Is In California? Find A Vacation Home There!

From quaint cottages to luxury beach-front homes, Manhattan Beach rentals are just waiting to turn California dreaming into California reality. Located just minutes from Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach rentals are ideal for those who want to enjoy a slower pace without missing out on all the action of the big city.

Finding the right Manhattan rental to suit your personal needs will require some advanced planning. But don't fret, with the number of choices, there's no reason not to locate the ideal Manhattan Beach rental.

Before seeking out a Manhattan Beach rental, it's a good idea to narrow down what exactly is desired in a vacation place. Since the options here include freestanding homes, hotel rooms, cottages and beyond, personal choices can almost always be met. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help narrow down your search for a perfect rental:

* Is location important to you? Are you insistent upon being right on Manhattan Beach or will a few blocks away do? How about being near a park? The pier?

* Price, does it matter? If it does, set a limit to help narrow your search for a perfect rental. Make no mistake, the prices for Manhattan Beach rentals can be high, but there are some very reasonable accommodations to be had, as well.

* Does size create a concern? Are you willing to keep four family members in a two-bedroom rental or do you want a sprawling home with four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms?

* Kitchen and/or kitchen privileges. Do you want these or do you intend to each out three meals a day during your stay?

* Special features. Are things such as a Jacuzzi, DVD player, big-screen TV and so on important to you? If they are, list them out. A lot of Manhattan Beach rentals offer all the conveniences of home, but it's important for you to list out what you want in a rental to make the search more targeted.

* Freestanding or not? Is your heart set on staying in a Manhattan Beach rental home or are you okay with a duplex, hotel or even a timeshare where others might be staying next door or above or below your rental space?

Once you've figured out what out of a Manhattan Beach rental, it's time to start looking. Some of the best places to turn for great Manhattan Beach rentals include the Internet, area Realtors and even your own personal real estate agent in your area. Check out rentals before signing a contract and do be certain to look at pictures and ask pointed questions.

Remember, Manhattan Beach rentals might not be the cheapest accommodations going, but they do offer some serious perks. Considering the beaches, the proximity to big city action and the fact these rentals are generally full homes, they provide guests with ideal home bases for great getaway vacations. Perfect for families or even couples on romantic vacations, Manhattan Beach rentals give a different view of the Los Angeles area.

More information on Manhattan rentals

beach rentals [http://www.manhattanbeachrents.com]

[http://www.manhattanbeachrents.com]

Washington D.C., the White House

The original White House was neither white, nor referred to as a house. The first President of the United States lived in three houses while President, none of which were the White House, as it was not completed while he was President. The White House was first referred to as the Presidential Palace, later the Presidential house, and finally the White House, after the war of 1812 when British troops attacked and burned the house. When it was rebuilt it was painted white, and the name White House was born.

An Interesting Fact about the White House

When George Washington was deciding where to build it, there was some controversy as to whether it should stand in the North or on the property of the South. Washington finally picked land between the two, and Maryland and Virginia, who were on the border, were happy to donate the land on which the White House now stands, neither north nor South, but in a district, the District of Columbia.

The Oval Office, a Symbol of the Modern Day President

For President Taft, the Oval Office may have symbolized his view of the modern-day president. Taft intended to be the center of his administration, and by creating the Oval Office in the center of the West Wing, he was more involved with the day-to-day operation of his presidency than were his recent predecessors.

What President Taft could not imagine in 1902 when he built the Oval Office was that the office itself would become a symbol of the Presidency. Over the years, Americans developed a sentimental attachment to the Oval Office through memorable images, such as John Kennedy, Jr. peering through the front panel of his father's desk or President Nixon talking on the phone with astronauts after a successful voyage. Television broadcasts, such as President Reagan's speech following the Challenger explosion, would leave lasting impressions in the minds of Americans of both the office and its occupant.

The Oval Office became a symbol of strength and reassurance the evening of September 11, 2001, when President George W. Bush delivered comforting words through a televised address from the Oval Office. Less than six months later, President George W. Bush welcomed Afghan Interim Authority Hamid Karzai to the Oval Office. The meeting was a sign of significant progress in the war on terrorism.

For more information, visit http://www.WashingtonDCInfoCenter.com

How I Get Paid to Travel

Have you ever wondered how it could be possible to get paid to travel?

I have been around the world and it has been a wonderful and enlightening experience. Riding the elephants in Thailand, climbing the mountainous regions of Europe and enjoying the beaches of the Caribbean. It was even better than I expected, the world is truly a beautiful place.

I am not trying to brag; but the point of telling you my good fortune is to help you see that you can have the opportunity to travel as well. It is very likely that you still have the traditional way of thinking when it comes to achieving your travel goals.

Maybe you still have the impression that you have to work your butt off so you can save money for your vacation. And when you think about it, you think you'll have to reach old age before going for the journey of your dreams. It doesn't have to be that way and you don't have to be rich either.

This is why I'm telling you, I have done it. I was not wealthy when I started traveling and I am definitely not a retiree. It's just a matter of knowing what opportunities the travel and tourism industry has to offer and having an awareness and knowledge for utilizing technology to earn a passive income.

I have seen a lot of people like me. Every one of them has their own story to tell but there is one common factor; they all know how to earn and manage their finances while traveling. They are what I call "enlightened" and the more they travel and explore, the more they learn about making money on the move.

There can be a lot of ways to get paid while traveling. So let me disregard the idea that you're only option is saving money for a long duration of time. Here are better alternatives.

The Backpacker Approach:

Backpackers are people with a tremendous craving for experience and exploration. What they do is save a bit of money, pack their stuff and go on a journey. They sustain their travels by finding work in hostels, ranches, or farms all over the world.

They take advantage of the openings. People all over the world especially in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia offer jobs for nomadic backpackers. Jobs are typically helping with the daily chores and other menial tasks. Backpackers will get free food and accommodations in return. Extra pay for additional income is very common as well.

Experienced travelers know where to look for jobs and if they wanted to, they can go on traveling forever because they know how to find money in their travels.

Getting a job with travel perks:

Travel and tourism have a lot of jobs openings. Tour directors, adventure guides, and travel agents can travel for free because it is all part of the job. Hospitality workers can have jobs in hotels and resorts in tourist destinations. Others can work as flight attendants and cruise liner staff where traveling is a lifestyle.

Even teaching and medical jobs also have travel opportunities. They can have work assignments from different parts of the world.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

You can travel and buy products from foreign places and sell them on eBay with huge profits. Travels can also be used as topics for your website to get more traffic. With, savvy optimization you can monetize it either by ad space, affiliate marketing, or product selling. Freelancers can also travel and work anywhere they choose to.

**Attention Readers**

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Travel Agents and Why You Need One

Agents are still a vital part of the industry. Since the internet has revolutionized the industry many people have taken to making their own arrangements. An agent still provides valuable time saving, money saving convenience and personal attention that you just can't get from your computer. Here's how using an agent can help you have the best experience.

They save you time.

You can spend hours searching for the right place at the right time and the right price. Who has that kind of time? An agent does the work and has the insight to match the travel with the appropriate needs. This is especially helpful when the itinerary is complex. Agents have the expertise to efficiently find the perfect arrangements for you.

They save you money.

An agent will help to get you the best value for the money. They also have access to pricing and package deals that are not available to the public. They are connected directly to the resorts, cruise lines and hotels so they can get the first and best for you.

They offer personalized service.

Agents offer a personal touch to your planning by offering help and advice that a website cannot provide. An agent can prepare you a personalized trip based on where you want to go and what you want to do. If you're not sure about that, an agent can provide you with suggestions based on your interests.

They lessen your stress.

Traveling away from home means many details have to be looked after. To avoid the headaches, agents can handle every aspect of your trip from airline tickets to lodging, ground transportation, car rental, activities, tours, passport and visa requirements and more.

They are experts.

Like other professionals, agents keep up in their field and have ready access to the most current information and trends. At their fingertips is the latest information from airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, visas, and other services .

To sort out the many options, agents help you to make the best possible arrangements. The next time you want to go on a trip, instead of turning on the computer use your phone to call your travel agent.

Want more ways to save money on your next trip? Visit The Pilot's Wife Travel Tips for a FREE copy of Budget Travel. You'll also find all the information and tips on where to travel, how to get there, where to stay and what to do.