Welcome to Travel News Articles, a great source of travel news and ideas for stress-free travel. There are three parts to this website.

1. The travel directory on the left has many interesting websites for you to check out. Website owners, why not advertise your site here.

2. The buttons above take you to a variety of travel articles written by people who have "been there done that".

3. The news feed at the bottom of this page features the latest travel news from around the world.

Preparing to Travel

The world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings. We also have a number of options open to us to help us plan our travels, and choosing wisely can help save time and money.

1. travel Agents

Many people have the misconception that using a travel agent entails paying a fee. Nonsense. In actuality, most travel agents receive commissions from the vendors (airlines, hotels, tour agencies); they are the ones paying the fee, not you. A travel agent has access to deals that often are not available anywhere else. He or she can help take the headache out of planning, allowing you to sit back and relax while the logistics are plotted out. Another bonus is that travel agents often include travel insurance in their packages, to ensure that you are getting what you paid for. You might consider Heathrow Airport hotels if you are travelling to the UK and require convenient accommodation without the stress of meeting flight deadlines or having somewhere comfortable to stay if your flight is delayed. And be sure to enquire if hotel security is up to industry standards set by the best Toronto locksmith.

2. Internet

With the widespread use of the world wide web, travel prices have gone down considerably. Using travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity, buyers can find lower rates than ever before for airfares, hotels, and package deals. The downside? Truly finding the best travel deals often requires a lot of time and patience as you compare rates with other sites and with direct booking. Another downfall is that you can't always find availability at these lower rates, but it is nice to plan right at home. And real saving can be made when you use a Travelodge discount code 2011.

3. Guidebooks

Tried and true, travel guidebooks are a traveler's best friend. Seasoned travel writers research and compile guidebooks based on their own experiences, and who better to give advice than someone who's been there, done that? Depending on your preferred level of luxury, you are sure to find a guidebook to meet your needs. Best of all, travel guidebooks are often available at your local library-for free!

4. Booking Direct and accommodation options

Sometimes travel companies will offer special deals to customers who book directly. This is especially true with tour and cruise companies who advertise travel deals to repeat customers. You can often find rates as low as half-price (or lower) if you book at the last minute. If you have the flexibility and the determination, this may be the way to go. And if you are planning stag weekends Europe has many great destinations.

If you look around on this site you'll find plenty of information on Costa Blanca golf holidays and Tuscany villas, luxury Marrakech villas, a Meribel luxury chalet, villas in Lanzarote, Portugal property for sale, Lapland adventure holidays and even winter snow weddings.

LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

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Frugal Traveler Blog: $100 a Day on a Southern Route
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A Mother-Daughter Spring Break on Fisher Island, Florida
A private island. A luxury resort. An opportunity for quality bonding time. What could possibly go wrong?

5 Tips for Traveling With Your Mother
A daughter?s five-step program for dealing with probing questions, outfit commentary and sleeping discrepancies.

Choice Tables: A Gastrocrawl Along the French Riviera
Eating his way down the Côte d?Azur, the author discovers four restaurants dishing out vibrant takes on local cuisine.

Heads Up: In Philadelphia, Food Trucks are Rolling
The food truck scene may have reached its saturation point in some cities, but not in Philadelphia. Here?s why.

Bites: Restaurant Report: Tycoons in Duluth, Minn.
What?s with the name of this Minnesota eatery? A surprising bit of history.

Letters: Letters to the Travel Editor
Readers respond to a profile of London.

The 45 Places to Go in 2012
London, Havana, Lhasa and, yes, even the final frontier. A year?s worth of reasons to pack your bags and take off.

In Transit Blog: The Top 10 of 2011
A survey of the top articles of 2011 from The New York Times Travel section.

New York City App
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Eva Perón?s Buenos Aires
The wife of Juan Perón made an indelible mark on the Argentine capital.

Q&A: Tales of Adventure From Bear Grylls
The host of ?Man vs. Wild? describes what happened after his parachute failed to open and names his most dangerous trip.

Napa Valley, Beyond the Vines
Yes, there?s plenty of wine here. But look a bit deeper and you?ll discover seafood, sculpture and more.

Paddleboarding in Hawaii: Who Cares About Surf
Paddleboarding while upright means venturing far and wide without having to hunt for waves.

The Falcon: A Jazz Haven in a Hudson Valley Hamlet
Away from Manhattan?s urban frenzy, one man?s hospitality has created an intimate stage for top-tier musicians.

Breaking Ground: Sound-View Homes in North Carolina?s Waterfront
A waterfront second-home community in Merry Hill, N.C.

From Frozen Vines In Ontario, a Sweet Specialty: Ice Wine
The Niagara Peninsula in Ontario is ground zero for ice wine, whose grapes are ready for harvesting in the middle of winter.