July 2022

AIRASIA PROMOS & PISO SALE 2022-2023 + How to Book Successfully

[ad_1] Last Updated: 25 July 2022 AirAsia has announced another BIG P1 SALE for AirAsia members! This latest massive promotion covers all 16 domestic routes for 2022-2023 travels, including to and from newly launched destinations like Dumaguete and Roxas City, as well as crowd favorites like Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Caticlan (Boracay). Here are more details about this sale: SALE Period: 25-31 July 2022TRAVEL Period: 1 October 2022 to 28 October 2023 On top of domestic sale, flight costs to international destinations like Singapore, Kota Kinabalu and Singapore have also been slashed down to as low as Php 688, base fare. Note that the P1 or PISO price refers only to base fare, which is NOT inclusive of fuel surcharges, government-mandated taxes, terminal fees, and other fees. “The AirAsia BIG Sale is among the many regular promos that we roll out to cushion the fuel surcharge cost,” shares AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson & Head of Communications and Public Affairs Steve Dailisan. “We encourage our guests, especially those giddy to fly home to their families or spend time with their loved ones out-of-town over the holidays, to plan around these promos to maximize their travel budget.” Aside from flights, guests can also snag up to 30% discounts off of SNAP flights+hotel bundles through the airasia Super App and up to 50% off at TravelMall (50%) by using the code TMSAVE50. If you always try to snag cheap plane tickets during sale but end up empty-handed all the time, you might be doing something wrong. Understanding how the AirAsia booking process and how seat sales work is important in order to successfully score insanely low fares. This post might be able to help. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE? Booking a promo fare is like going to war. Haha. Thousands of hungry bargain-hunters will be fighting for a very limited number of seats. Prepare for battle! A fast, reliable internet connection. The faster the connection, the better. Airline’s websites slow down during sale because of the sheer number of people and having a sucky connection would make matters worse. An AirAsia account. Sign up for an AirAsia account before the sale so you won’t need to type your personal and credit card details when booking a flight. Time is very important during a seat sale. Having an account will save you time and effort. They sometimes launch sales exclusive to members or give members 24-hour early priority access! Here’s how to be an AirAsia member. AirAsia Super App. Sometimes, Super App users get first dibs on seats on sale. Booking through the app is sometimes prioritized and app users get early access to promo fares. Using the app can also make the booking process easier. Your travel details. Your target destination, travel dates, and preferred time. Your PLAN B details. In case your first choice isn’t available anymore, having an alternative destination or date ready will make the process go more smoothly. Your companion’s personal details. These include their full name and birth date. Usually, passport number isn’t a required field. You may also ask your companion their seat (aisle or window) and meal preferences beforehand. Lots of patience. Booking promo flights isn’t easy. It takes a lot of patience and determination, hahaha. When the site crashes or your connection fumbles, don’t give up easily. Just keep your game face on! SEAT SALES ARE REAL. They’re not deceiving you when they say there’s a sale and you can’t find any discounted seats. It’s just that, it’s getting increasingly difficult to get those lately because more and more people are becoming more aware of seat sales. But that’s not the only reason. Only a limited number of seats are put on sale. The number of seats on a plane is finite and the airline CANNOT put all of them on sale because they need to earn too. If you’re a group of 20 and you want to be on the same flight, forget about it. Published rates often refer to BASE FARES only. What are base fares? These are the actual costs of the seat, minus all the government taxes, terminal fees, and other surcharges, that are out of the airline’s control. When AirAsia says ZERO FARE, don’t expect to really get these tickets for free. You will still need to shell out a little bit of money. Here’s a sample breakdown of flight costs. You’ll notice that the base fare is on sale at only P61. But the taxes, terminal fee and fuel surcharge push the price up to over P1000. BUT STILL, this is still much lower than the regular rates, when the base fares are not discounted. You need to be early. It’s first come, first served. Even when the selling period lasts several days, don’t expect to see promo fares on the last few days. Chances are, others might have already booked those precious seats way before you. You need to be fast. Each customer is given only a limited time to book per session. The specific seat you’re eyeing might be gone in a matter of minutes (or seconds). If the promo seat you’re about to book becomes unavailable, you’ll get this error prompt: The first step to grabbing a promo fare is knowing when the sale is going to be. Back in the day, we relied on email blasts and broadsheet print ads. But now, it’s much easier. Like AirAsia on Facebook. Promos are usually announced on Facebook first. If you really want to make sure you don’t miss the sale, you may choose to prioritize AirAsia posts on your News Feed. To do that, visit AirAsia’s FB page, hover on the FOLLOWING button. On the list of options that will be revealed, choose SEE FIRST. Like THE POOR TRAVELER on Facebook. Yep! On our page, we always announce major seat sales and promos not just by AirAsia but other airlines as well. Visit AirAsia’s official website: www.airasia.com. Choose your origin, destination, travel dates, and number of travelers. Book

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Where to Stay in Chicago When Your Visit (Updated 2022)

[ad_1] Where to Stay in Chicago When Your Visit (Updated 2022) Get my best stuff sent straight to you! [id^=”_form”] [id^=”_form”] [id$=”_submit”] [id$=”_submit”] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [id^=”_form”] [id^=”_form”] [id$=”_submit”] [id$=”_submit”] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [ad_2] Source link

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Things you Need to Know When Visiting Oman

[ad_1] Have you ever thought about visiting Oman? The Sultanate of Oman is a destination where your dreams of 1001 nights will come true. Only few countries have changed so dramatically in such a short space of time, from travelling on a donkey to the next village to a infrastructure most countries would be proud of nowadays. The big change came in 1970 when Sultan Qaboos came to the throne in a bloodless coup. Since then Oman is celebrating its “Renaissance”. But you can still feel the spirit of the Arabian myth as the Omani never lost their affinity to their cultural roots and that’s why you’ll find in Oman what you’ll miss in Dubai. Here are a few things that you should know when planning on visiting Oman – you can also discover Oman here. Things to know about visiting Oman Visiting Oman isn’t necessary at the top of most traveler’s bucket lists. But, it’s a fascinating country to visit, deep in cultural history and traditions. If you’re unsure about whether it’s a destination you’d like to visit, first put some effort into learning more about Oman. Then, once you’ve decided to put it on your travel list, here are a few things you need to know. Muttrah Corniche at dusk, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. – depositphotos.com The best time to visit Oman is between November to mid-March The best time to visit Oman is between November and Mid-March, when the average temperature is around 25° Celsius. In Summer, it’s very hot and hazy in Oman. In southern Oman, a good time to visit is also in September after the rainy season when everything is beautifully green here. Tip: If you decide to go to the desert during the winter months (and you should) bring some warmer clothes as it really can get very cold here during the night. You’ll find frankincense everywhere The scent of frankincense is everywhere. Whether you go to a typical souq or step in one of the many luxury hotels, you can’t escape the scent of frankincense. Oman was the centre of the frankincense trade and myth says back then even the Queen of Sheba ordered Omani frankincense as a gift to King Solomon. And I bet you know the “legend” of the three wise men in this book called Bible… There are loads of outdoor activities in Oman Oman is a great destination for every outdoor fan. Besides hiking, climbing, snorkeling and diving, there’s one thing which will make your heart skip a beat: Offroad driving. Although Oman has an excellent infrastructure there are still vast tracts of land without a road where you have the chance to find literally hidden treasures like an unknown wadi. Bashing the dunes in the desert is a thing you’ll never forget. Besides the fun it’s important to be careful as Oman is a big country and if you have a car crash or even just a flat tire it can take some time until help arrives. Sidenote: Road signs are written in English and Arabic and there are even some special brown tourist signs which highlight sites of interest. Dune bashing when visiting Oman – depositphotos.com The locals are really friendly The Omani people are very friendly and open. It will often happen that they start a conversation with you and if you visit a town or area where not so many tourists go to it can even happen that they will invite you for dinner. Like in most Arabic countries you shouldn’t take pictures especially of women without asking. It happened to me that I had a nice conversation with an Omani woman but when I asked to take her picture she denied it but introduced me to her husband and kids who were happy to have their picture taken. Like traveling anywhere, it’s always important to be respectful to the locals and their customs. You should wear appropriate clothing Another way to be respectful to local customs is to wear appropriate clothing. For women this means to cover their knees, shoulders and cleavage and when visiting mosques also to cover their hair and ankles. Men should actually consider the same, except covering the hair. It happened to a friend who was wearing normal (even covering the knees) shorts when we wanted to enter Muscat Festival that security refused to let him in like this (carrying a Sarong in your bag can be very helpful in such situations). Travel Dudes I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes. [ad_2] Source link

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2022 UBE EXPRESS SCHEDULE for NAIA to Cubao, Santa Rosa & Robinsons Manila

[ad_1] Last updated: 17 July 2022 UBE Express is back! One of the most convenient Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) transfers, UBE Express was also affected by the pandemic. Thankfully, since travel restrictions and protocols had eased, it reinstated some of its pre-pandemic routes including to and from Araneta City (Cubao, Quezon City) and Santa Rosa (Laguna) starting June 30; and to and from Robinsons Place Manila starting July 1. If you have travel plans coming up, you can take note of these details for your transportation to and from the airport. Below are the complete schedule, fares, and payment methods of these UBE Express routes. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE? 6:30 AM 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 6:30 PM Fare: P200Payment Method: Cash and Beep Card 8:00 AM 12:00 NN 3:30 PM 8:30 PM Fare: P200Payment Method: Beep Card ONLY 8:30 AM 12:30 AM 2:00 PM 6:00 PM Fare: P150Payment Method: Cash and Beep Card 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 8:00 PM Fare: P150Payment Method: Beep Card ONLY 3:30 AM 4:30 AM 6:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM Fare: P300Payment Method: Cash and Beep Card 5:00 AM 6:00 AM 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM Fare: P300Payment Method: Beep Card ONLY Accepted payment methods indicated below are as of July 6. No payment method updates were included in their July 15 release. Allow some lead time, especially if you have a flight to catch. This is Metro Manila. Every schedule is tentative and you’ll never know what’s going to happen on the road. It’s always best to leave your house 4-5 hours before the flight to be sure. Be at the airport at least 2 hours before a domestic flight or 3 hours for international. Do not try to alight other than the designated stops. These buses WILL NOT stop to pick up or drop off passengers elsewhere. Don’t expect the buses to arrive or leave on time. There are many factors affecting it. Traffic conditions make it hard to stick to the timetable. TripAdvisor also has records of complaints about long waits and deviation from the schedule. They also seem to not follow the schedule strictly. Schedule may change without prior notice. These timetables change frequently. We indicated the date this timetable was last updated. Although we try to do our best, we cannot guarantee that the info above is up-to-date all the time. We only rely on the timetables released by UBE Express and posted at public spaces. We still strongly encourage you to call UBE Express directly for the current schedules. This post is a work in progress. We’ll be updating this as we get more information. If you have something to add to this post, let us know in the comments section below. If you want to stay at a hotel near the airport, here are some options. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City. Image from Agoda. UBE Express is the first premium point-to-point bus to operate in Metro Manila. It’s owned and run by Airfreight 2100 Inc, the company behind AIR21. The service is still in its toddler years, but it has been growing fast, testament to the amount of public support it receives. In its first years, it ferries passengers from NAIA to Manila, Makati, and Pasay. This year, it has expanded to include Cubao, Alabang, and as far south as Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna. UBE Express takes pride in its fleet of new top-line air-conditioned buses that are all equipped with free wi-fi, GPS, and CCTV for additional safety. As a point-to-point service, it skips the countless stops that regular public buses wait, thereby cutting the travel time short. It’s also spacious, with adequate compartments for luggage, and PWD-friendly, with low-floor entry and wheelchair ramps. Images courtesy of UBE Express [ad_2] Source link

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NM+ Weekly Update: Europe Edition

[ad_1] Posted: 7/16/22 | July 16th, 2022 It’s been a bit, hasn’t it? This is the first post since May and, while I’ve had the best intentions of writing, time just slipped away. As they say, the days are long but the years are short and here we are. The last seven weeks have been a busy, busy time. So, let’s recap! At end of May, I flew to Los Angeles to film some educational videos for a financial education company called Onomy. Those will come out soon. While in LA, I also did a … Hey! Sorry to interrupt but…. You seem to have stumbled onto a subscriber-only article! (Already a member? Log in here.) This article is exclusively for members of Nomadic Matt Plus! NM+ is our member’s only program that gives readers like yourself access to bonus blog posts. Members also get free books, guidebooks, blogging courses, access to our events, event replays, monthly giveaways, t-shirts, exclusive money-saving travel discounts, and more! As a member of Nomadic Matt Plus, you not only get tons of perks to make your travels cheaper but you help us keep creating the in-depth travel content you love! Best of all, subscribing costs less than the cost of lunch! If you want access to this article (as well as 100+ other member-only articles) and all those other amazing perks, join Nomadic Matt Plus and start getting more out of your travels today! Learn More The post NM+ Weekly Update: Europe Edition appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. [ad_2] Source link

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Things to Do in Singapore for the First-Timer

[ad_1] If you plan on visiting the island nation of Singapore , just know that you are about to embark on one the greatest adventures around. One of the many attractions of this gorgeous location is the fact that there are plenty of things to do in Singapore! With the most incredible tropical climate, fantastic weather all year-round (with just a bit more rain than usual in February), and an array of fun things to do in the city – especially for the first-timer in Singapore – Singapore is the ultimate destination. What adds to the charm of this island country is the fact that it is perfect for all types of travellers, including couples, families, solo travellers, foodies, and party lovers. There’s an abundant list of restaurants and bars to try out and numerous family-friendly attractions to explore that will both shock and delight you. With so many places to visit and things to do in Singapore, it can get overwhelming for a first-timer in the city. So, if you’re planning your first trip to Singapore below is a list of the top things to do in the city for a first-timer in Singapore. Related Read: Exploring Singapore for the First-Time Things to Do for the First-Timer in Singapore 1. City Walking Tour A great way to get a quick overview of a new city is by doing a walking tour, you always seem to experience so much more exploring a city on foot than by a bus. It also gives you a better feel for the area when you can see, taste and smell your way through the streets. Thankfully, there are numerous walking tours in Singapore, including a few free ones to look out for. The people around are pretty helpful and friendly, so feel free to ask the locals about these free walking tours. Walking tours are recommended to do on your first day in the city as you can then get a better idea about which areas you’re keen to explore further over your next few days. Keep some kind of notebook or open your notes app on your phone so that you remember all the places you want to visit. 2. Gardens by the Bay No first-timer in Singapore guide would be complete without mentioning the ever-popular Gardens by the Bay. It is without a doubt one of the best examples of responsible tourism Singapore has to offer. This beautiful nature park is knownfor its super-trees which are 16 stories tall, and will definitely keep you entertained for hours, so make sure to allocate enough time to viewing this Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Also keep in mind that a few of the super-trees are connected by a skywalk where you can get an aerial view of the gardens. It’s recommended to stay until the evening when the lights come on and the trees perform a ‘Garden Rhapsody’ light and music show. Trust us when we say that this is something that you have to experience before you leave. Buy your entry tickets below: 3. Marina Bay Sands This is another epic landmark of Singapore. This luxury hotel complex is made up of three high-rise buildings connected by the most unreal infinity swimming pool overlooking the city at the top. If you can’t quite afford to swim in one of the highest infinity pools in the world (it’s reserved for guests of the hotel only), you can still catch a glimpse of it along with some stunning city views by going to one of the rooftop bars for a drink – it’s worth the views! Bring a camera along, you will want to snap pictures. 4. Orchard Road If you consider yourself to be quite the shopaholic, then you most likely already know all about the infamous 2.2-kilometer-long Orchard Road. It’s packed with all sorts of shops, from discount retailers to high-end boutiques. Even if you’re not a keen shopper, Orchard Road makes for a lovely stroll in the city with the huge Angsana trees shading the streets. If you start walking at Orchard Road, you can literally walk through three of the city’s main shopping areas (including Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut) all the way to City Hall. It’s also a great place to grab a few souvenirs for friends back home! 5. Museum Hopping If you are looking for a more cultural experience then you will be happy to know that there are some really good museums in Singapore, featuring a mix of both cultural and futuristic exhibitions. The National Gallery Singapore is the art hub of the city, with a gallery of unique art showcasing the heritage and history of the region. Singapore Art Museum features contemporary art from Singapore and Southeast Asia, including sculptures, paintings, moving media and installation art. Better yet, it also has free entry on Friday evenings! 6. Sentosa Island You’ll find the Universal Studios Singapore theme park within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. For families, this is a must visit. Though, even if you aren’t traveling with kids, this theme park is great fun and an awesome way to enjoy a day in the glorious sunshine. There are seven movie-themed zones, and each is uniquely designed with breath-taking and thrilling rides and attractions. If you’re not too keen on spending the full day in a theme park, then you can head over to the nearby man-made Sentosa beach, with loads of restaurants and bars to visit nearby. When it comes to beaches in Singapore, this is definitely one of the favourites. Buy your entry ticket to Universal Studios Singapore below: 7. China Town If you are a total foodie, you will absolutely fall in love with China Town! Singapore’s China Town is renowned for its delicious street food and fascinating markets. You’ll be able to try the ‘smelliest fruit in the world’, the Durian fruit here as well as various other Asian cuisines. Be prepared to be inundated with numerous different smells and a busy buzz of action all over the place. It’s best to go at night to fully experience the hustle and bustle

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Top Tips for Booking Flights in Europe During Summer

[ad_1] Europe in the summer has always been the most popular tourist season – which makes booking flights for Europe during this time pretty stressful. Apart from higher than usual prices, we’re also seeing more delayed and cancelled flights than usual this year. Many European airports have also turned into complete mayhem with hoards of tourists ready to take on their much awaited summer vacation. From using a VPN for cheaper flights to knowing which flights to book, here’s our top tips for doing your best to avoid (at least be prepared for) delayed and cancelled flights in Europe this summer. Passengers at Stockholm Airport Top tips for booking flights for Europe this summer Here’s how to book the best flights in Europe. 1.      Use a VPN to search for flights This tip applies to booking all flights. It’s always best to use a VPN when booking flights as it prevents airlines and flight booking platforms from tracking your search history. That means that even if you’ve searched for the same flight multiple times, the price won’t go up. You can also search from different “locations” to look for cheaper options – sometimes flights are cheaper when booking from certain countries. See also: How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets Using a VPN 2.      Book the first flight of the day If there are multiple flights per day to your intended destination, always book the first flight. Sure, 5am flights aren’t the most convenient, but it means that you’re more likely to fly that same day. If your flight gets cancelled, then you’ll likely still get moved to another flight that day opposed to having to spend the night. The first flights of the day are also less likely to be delayed as the ripple effect of delayed flights hasn’t started for that day yet. 3.      Book directly through the airline Always, always, always book directly with the airline. You can use third-party booking sites to search for different flight options, but then always go straight to the airline’s website and book there. If there does happen to be an issue with your flight, it’s much easier to get in contact directly with the airline opposed to via a third-party service. Even if it costs more, it’s worth it. 4.      Avoid the bigger airports This isn’t always possible, but if you can, try avoiding flying to the bigger airports in Europe. Some of the airports to avoid include Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Heathrow Airport in London, Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris and Frankfurt am Main International Airport in Frankfurt. Europe is well connected, so you can often fly to a nearby smaller city instead and then travel to the main city if needed. Better yet, avoid the big cities in Europe entirely during the summer! 5.      Fly direct Again, flying direct is not always possible depending on where you’re going and where you’re coming from. But connecting flights can turn into a nightmare when cancelled flights and delays enter the picture. Pick destinations that you can flight directly to or book longer layovers – two hours isn’t enough during the peak season! If you do have to book a connecting flight, make sure to book the entire trip on the same booking with your airline. That way, if you happen to miss your connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, the airline will rebook you on the next flight. How to prepare for your flight Now that you’ve booked your flight, there are still a few things that you can do to prepare for your flight. 1.      Check in online before you go to the airport Always check in online to avoid having to stand in long queues at the airport. This also allows you to confirm the flight details. 2.      Carry hand luggage only Flying around Europe is much easier with a carry on! Firstly, you don’t have to wait in the long queues to check in your luggage (and collect it again). Secondly, if your flight happens to get cancelled after you’ve checked in (it happens), you don’t have to wait to get your luggage off the plane. You’ve got everything with you already! Many low-cost airlines in Europe charge a fortune for checked-in baggage anyway, so this is the more affordable option! See also: The Best Sustainable Luggage Combination for Digital Nomads Travelers waiting to catch their flight 3.      Arrive earlier than usual at the airport Standing in a line at an airport is inevitable, but during the peak summer months in Europe, those lines get unimaginable. To avoid the long lines, or at least reduce your stress levels while standing in those lines, make sure to get to the airport a bit earlier than you normally would. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to get through all the checks and get to your boarding gate in time. Check out our guide on How to Entertain Yourself at an Airport. More preparation means less stress While booking flights in Europe during the summer months may sound like a crazy idea, it doesn’t have to be. There are ways to still get a good deal and find the most stress-free options. But it’s also always best to be prepared for the busyness and potential delays. They can’t always be avoided. Just remember, you’ll get to your destination eventually. While you’re at it, here’s how to avoid being an annoying passenger! See also: Top Reasons to Travel to Europe in Autumn Travel Dudes I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes. [ad_2] Source link

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