Important Things You Should Know About Shipping Luggage Abroad

You need to go abroad and the timeline is relatively short. There are so many things to do to prepare for the move that you may feel as if you are turning in circles. Things have to be organized and packed and shipping luggage abroad means another thing to add to your list of things to do...or does it? Many people travel around the world on a regular basis and as such, there are some very important things you should know about shipping luggage abroad. This information can save you time, money and keep your stress levels down to a minimum because the truth is, there are some very great international movers who can help you to get your luggage shipped overseas or abroad to more than 300 countries and territories.

One of most important things you should know about shipping luggage abroad is the requirements for the luggage. This does not have to be a hassle when you choose knowledgeable experts at international moving companies who can answer your questions about whether or not luggage must be specially packaged, if luggage can be left unattended for pickup, the best way to ship luggage that is excess and many other common questions.

With just one telephone call, you may be able to resolve all of your concerns about shipping luggage abroad. No matter if you are a student, expatriate, business person or individual who travels abroad frequently. The experts can help you explore your options for getting your luggage from one country to another and to do so by discovering the most cost effective and practical way to ship. Knowing whether your best option is air, sea or land freight or a combination of the three is something you should not have to figure out on your own and with international shipping service, help is readily available.

The top international moving companies can help whether there is just one piece of luggage or a large order. Whether you need to leave unaccompanied baggage for pick up or have personal effects attended that must be safely and quickly shipped overseas, get the answers to your questions and learn the important things you should know about requirements for shipping luggage abroad from international movers who are specialists at accompanying your belonging from one country to the next. Services are available for both to and from more than 300 countries and territories.

When you have to move a long distance and need to use an international removals company for removals to Australia and other destinations make sure to find out prices to get everything you need to come with you.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival - Great For Tourists

The most important Phuket festival that is held each year must certainly be the Vegetarian festival. The Vegetarian festival in Phuket takes place during the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar.

The Vegetarian festival normally falls in the last week of September of within the first week of October.

The Phuket vegetarian festival is organized each year to celebrate the start of the Taoist lent. Due to the large number of Phuket residents with Chinese roots, the Taoist lent is celebrated among a large group of the population of Phuket. The festival starts of by devout Chinese religious believers completely abstaining from all dairy and meat products.

The festivities in Phuket that are held during the vegetarian festival can be found at one of the five main Chinese temples on Phuket. The best Chinese temples to visit are the Bang Niaw Chinese Temple and the Jui Tui Chinese Temple.

The vegetarian festival involves more then only the abstinence of dairy and meat products. Other parts of the festival includes the temple offerings to the Monks, offering of gifts to the nine emperor gods which awake during the festival, fireworks and cultural shows but to name a few.

A number of participants to the vegetarian festival on Phuket act as mediums between the 9 deities to earth. These mediums try to achieve a special state of trance. Once this state of trance is reached, their cheeks are pierced by numerous sharp objects such as spears and knifes.

Afterwards these special Vegetarian festival mediums all join a large procession which takes them by many shops which have places altars along the street with special offerings. These mediums pick up the fruits which are offered to them by the shop keepers and they add the offerings to the sharp items which are sticking out of their cheeks. If there is no space available the mediums will give the offerings to bystanders.

It is said to be a sign of good luck and a true blessing if one is to receive a gift from one of the mediums during the festival procession.

The atmosphere of the vegetarian festival is certainly unique and should be experienced by every traveler who is staying on the island during the event. If one was to describe the whole event in a few words then the festival could be described as a religious frenzy.

Where ever you look you will see spectacular ritual dancing, loud fireworks, blood stained shirt worn by the mediums and ancient religious worshipping activities.

If you ask the Phuket residents with Chinese roots as to the origin of the festival then they will tell you a tragic story. They say that a Chinese theatre troupe visited Phuket around one and a half century ago.

The Chinese troupe was struck by tragedy when all members of the Chinese theatre troupe turned seriously ill. The story goes that they had turned ill because they had neglected to offer respects to the nine emperor gods of Taoism. The only way in which the Chinese troupe members could cure themselves was with a 9 day lent which included solely vegetarian foods, long periods of meditations and acts of self piercing.

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Samui in his Samui Guide

Ten Destinations That You Should Reach in Cuba

Cuba is recognized as the largest island in the Caribbean Islands. It is further subdivided into three provinces; namely, the Western Cuba, the Central Cuba, and the Eastern Cuba. This is a wonderful country to visit as it has lots of beautiful places for visitors to explore as well as a very rich culture to share. Listed below are the popular tourist destinations in Cuba.

1.) Havana

Havana is Cuba's capital city, and it is also one of the most popular tourist spots in the country as well as the world. Here, there are lots to see like the Museum of the Revolution as well as the Capital Building, and you should certainly visit the Havana Club Rum Factory as well as the Plaza de la Revolucion. You should also take advantage of strolling along the Prado Street as well as El Malecon at night.

2.) Baracoa

This was the first capital city of Cuba until the mid 1500s. What you will be doing here most of your time will be relaxing in its pristine beaches and soaking in the sun. You should also visit El Yunque as well as Yumuri where you can take a relaxing stroll.

3.) Pinar del Rio

In Pinar del Rio, you should visit La Estrechura where you can view the Cuyaguateje River. You will also see here a lot of bohios, which are the characteristic houses of rural Cuba. If you want a nature walk, then you should go to the Valley of Isabel Maria where you can enjoy its magnificent sight as you walk.

4.) Santa Clara

You can find in this city the mausoleum for Che Guevara. There are daily tours here that you can take advantage of, just keep in mind though that taking photographs is not allowed inside the mausoleum. You can also see here a museum dedicated to Che Guevara, and it is a must-see destination also.

5.) Santiago de Cuba

This is a great place to visit if you enjoy hiking and mountaineering. Once you reach the summit of the mountain range called La Gran Piedra, you will be greeted by a sight so beautiful as you gaze at nature all around you. You can also dip your tired feet in the Carpintero River and have a quick rest there.

6.) Trinidad

This place is famous for its waterfalls that can be found just near the town of Topes de Collantes. You can reach them by car or by one of the guided tours going to the area. Once you are done with your visit to the falls, you always have the salsa dancing to look forward to when you reach the city square.

7.) Cayo Largo

This is a little island in Cuba that is fast becoming popular. It offers a lot of activities to do such as swimming and bowling as well as singing in a karaoke bar. This is also the only nudist beach in Cuba.

8.) Jardines del Rey

What makes up Jardines del Rey is a group of tiny islands. These islands are Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo as well as Cayo Romano and Cayo Paredon Grande. Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are the only developed islands in Jardines del Rey and are fast becoming favorite beach resorts.

9.) Maria la Gorda

The main tourist attraction in this little village is its water activities. Here, you can go snorkeling. The village also offers some scuba diving activities where you will get to see beautiful marine animals.

10.) Varadero

This is also a primary beach resort in Havana, Cuba. Here, you can go on catamaran trips and go snorkeling. You can also visit the Bellamar Caves.

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/cuba] to view or share Cuba travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/cuba]

Top Resorts in Phuket - Keeping the Family Together

The island of Phuket in Thailand is formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang. It is the largest island on the west coast of the Andaman Sea. The 570 square meter area of Phuket provides spectacular scenery and soft white palm beaches. More tourists come to see the warm hospitality and great accommodations of fun-filled family resorts in Phuket. Here are the top family resorts you may want to visit.

JW Marriott Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is an award-winning resort in a vast tropical landscape paradise. It lies on Mai Khao, the longest beach in Phuket. The 11 hectare resort offers tropical gardens, lily ponds and the preserved coastal wetlands. It is close to Phuket airport and a few minutes away from Blue Canyon Country Club.

This five star resort has 265 guestrooms, 10 meeting rooms with 10 restaurants and bars. There are three swimming pools that include the main, the shallow bubble pool and the waterslide. You can also workout at the gym and relax at their magnificent spas. The kids can enjoy playing at the area called kids club wherein they can play computers, doll houses and wooden toys.

The resort was ranked 8th among the top 25 Spa Hotels and Resort in the region by Smart Travel Asia.

Laguna Beach Resort
Laguna Beach Resort lies between a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. This low rise resort is located at the land of Bang Tao Bay. It is just 20 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. The 20 acres of land embraces a Thai architecture of local landscape and architecture.

The resort features a number of sports and leisure facilities. This includes three swimming pools and a waterpark. Families can enjoy playing tennis in one of the three outdoor courts and one indoor court for kids. A class of batik is also offered with a visit of the resort's two baby elephants. However, sailing on the beach and playing computer games will add fun to your stay.

Holiday Inn Phuket Resort
Holiday Inn Resort is at the heart of Patong Beach that offers white sandy beaches, tropical scenery, excellent food and a lively nightly. The resort provides a 265 themed room for the entire family. This includes a kidsuite, a pirate theme children's room, a standard room and a family suite. Rooms can accommodate two adults with 2 children less than 12 years old. Room's amenities offer electronic games, toy box, TV and video and a play station for kids.

The resort also offers premier resort facilities such as large swimming pools, Jacuzzis at the Busakorn Wing and a freeform pool at the Main Wing. Hence, a world class spa and a fitness center is an ideal place to relax and be healthy. Food lovers can enjoy a choice of Thai, Italian and international cuisines at the resorts restaurants and steakhouse.

Movenpick Resort & Spa
Moevenpick is surrounded by Karon Beach that showcases 140 elegant villas. This includes Garden Villas with outdoor showers with private pools and a Penthouse Pool. There are 194 Garden View and Deluxe Ocean Rooms set in an international standard of accommodation.

Resort facilities include a fitness center, four swimming pools, pool tables, tennis courts and gaming rooms. The Spa at Movenpick offers Eastern and Western treatments and exotic ambiance. Guests with children can play at the Play Zone. It is the largest club for children that provides indoor and outdoor entertainment such as a play station, internet access, a reading room, DVD lounges, sport utilities and craft activities.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa has something to enjoy for every family who visited the place. The fine golden sands and clear waters have made the place a dream destination for a family vacation.

Ramada Beach Resort
Ramada Resort in Karon Beach is a newly opened resort that features a unique Mexican Hacienda theme. It has 121 rooms and suites with warm lightings and comfortable design. This includes a standard room, deluxe room, duplex adventure suite, junior suite, two-bedroom adventure and a two bedroom family suite. There are also magical theme rooms like the Outer Space, Underwater and Castle rooms. Other rooms offer spectacular views of the sea.

The resort offers leisure facilities like the Kidzclub, Siam Adventure Club, Main and Dino Pool and a Tour Desk. Other services include audio and visual equipment, baggage handling, babysitting, dry cleaning, handicap facilities, a limousine, smoke detector and a switchboard.

Phuket's family resorts offers excellent services like any other top resorts in the world. This fun island presents a smile-filled holiday with its secluded and luxurious resorts to keep the family together.

For more information on Family Resorts and Family Resorts Hotels please visit our website.

Tiger Muay Thai Camp Review (Phuket, Thailand)

This is a review for Tiger Muay Thai & MMA in Phuket, Thailand. I turned up and originally planned and paid to stay here for 1 week... 1 week turned into 2 weeks. Then I came back for a month.

Pricing
The cost for training is about average for a Farang training in Thailand, and is as follows:

• Half day 300B


• Full day 500B


• Week 2500B


• Month 9000B


• 3 Months 24000B

A strong recommendation I will make, is that if you are coming here on a budget and/or have not done much intense training before, then only pay a week or so in advance. Time and time again people pay up for 3 months in advance, then only train a few times a week. Pay a week in advance and then see how much you think you will train before shelling out loads of cash in advance.

Payment is accepted via cash or credit card (Visa & MasterCard).

Accommodation

Rooms vary from 2,500B (small room with fan) to 20,000B+ (room with air con and all modern facilities and a swimming pool)/month. I was paying 12,000B for a very nice double room with cable TV, Wi-Fi, hot electric shower etc. at a place just down the road called 'The Nature House'.

My advice for accommodation is to only pre pay a few days or a week to start with. As you may find something much cheaper or if you already have a cheap room you may not like it and wish to upgrade.

A good (but not exhaustive) accommodation list is available on the TMT website.

Food

Eating in the local area can be anything from 40B a meal to 350B+ depending on where and what you eat. The cheaper meals tend to be Thai food (generally consisting of rice or noodles dishes), western food is much more expensive. A restaurant called Mama's is one of the cheapest around here and has a solid reputation. They also have cheap rooms available (9,000B/month).

Whatever you do, DON'T pay in advance for the food plan at the gym. It is overpriced and many people end up missing meals. There are plenty of other places to eat, variety is more fun than eating at the same place every day.

Training

As well as Muay Thai, the gym offers classes in MMA (mostly no gi jiu jitsu and sparring), Western Boxing, Krabi Krabong, Yoga and Circuit training.

In all honesty, the Muay Thai classes are overcrowded, and you will unlikely be recognised and given individual attention unless you stay a long period of time, or pay extra for private sessions. But you can still get a good work out.

The western boxing classes are good, with two world champions and a stadium champion instructing. But can still get very busy.

The MMA classes I have mixed feelings towards. The mornings are just no gi jiu jitsu (which is taught to a fairly decent level by Ray Elbe) and the afternoons are fairly intense sparring. And they do have a nice cage to train in. However no wrestling is taught.

If you want to do MMA here then my advice is to get the best of it by training the morning no gi BJJ class and then do the Muay Thai or Western Boxing class in the afternoons.
The gym also hosts seminars often (most of which are free) with visiting fighters. Whilst I was there Royce Gracie, Alberto Crane and Roger Huerta gave seminars!

Facilities

Tiger Muay Thai has some of the best facilities in all of Thailand. At the time of writing they have 6 rings, a MMA cage, a weights room (with enough benches, racks, machines and weights to get a really good workout), another weights area with lots of kettlebells and several spinning bikes, and many heavy bags. They are also having a large extension built.

Location

Phuket is a very large tourist destination. However, Tiger Muay Thai is located in the subdistrict of Chalong, which is cut off from most of the distractions this brings (beaches, bars, nightlife etc), but these are easily accessible by taxi or if you rent a scooter for 3-4,000B per month.

I'd recommend a scooter if you are staying for any period of time (just be careful, there are some 10,000 accidents a year in Phuket alone involving bikes).

With the freedom of a bike you can access the food and clothing markets, Central Festival shopping centre (including cinema), Beaches, Bars & Clubs, the local Zoo, the aquariam, Elephant trekking, Snake shows etc!

Equipment Shop

The price of most things in this shop are jacked up. Shop around unless there is something really specific you want here.

Personal Comments

Your time at Tiger Muay Thai will be what you make it. It can be a serious training camp or you can come here with the best of intentions yet get caught up in boozing most nights and spending your days on the beaches... or you can do a bit of both.

This place is aimed more towards the casual trainer on holiday with plenty of cash to spare, so unless you are quite tight fisted you can easily spend a lot of money.

I made lots of friends and enjoyed myself and what all the different classes had to offer, but after a time I grew tired of the overcrowded and commercial side to the gym and decided to switch over to Dragon Muay Thai just down the road...

Check out my blog for more reviews: MMA & Muay Thai blog.

Where to Find the Best Places to Stay in Phuket

Are you longing to feel powdery sands beneath your toes and take a dip in crystal clear waters? Then head on over to beautiful Phuket for your next beach holiday. Tourists and beach lovers not only go to this destination for its amazing beaches, but also for the wide range of activities and adventures they can experience here. Phuket tourism definitely knows how to take care of their guests.

While Phuket tourism is known for its breathtaking scenery, it was put on the map because it was badly hit by a killer tsunami back in 2004. Top destinations are the Phromthep Cape which is known for its breathtaking view of lovely sunsets, the Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple off Chalong Bay, and the numerous national parks and waterfalls.

There are plenty of places where you can stay at in Phuket. You can choose from a five star hotel to an ordinary village hotel, or you may opt to check in to a resort or a guest house, depending on which suits your taste and what fits your budget.

The Patong Resort Hotel situated conveniently at the heart of Patong Beach is a highly recommended place to stay for beach bums and lovers of aquatic sports and adventure. It is also an ideal place for family vacations as well as for honeymooners. A wide array of sports activities is available at this hotel which has swimming pools and tennis courts. Aside from that, it has a handful of restaurants that offer international cuisine such as Italian and Japanese food.

Similarly, the Kata Beach Resort and Spa is a recommended haven for spa regulars and beach lovers. Aside from its well-maintained rooms, it is also popular because of its lush gardens and gastronomic offerings. It boasts of lush palm trees, a beautiful fountain in its lobby, and two exquisite beach-side pools. Tourist come-ons such as first class amenities and unlimited internet access are also available and the resort has a number of restaurants and coffee shops to satisfy everyone's taste buds.

If these hotels seem too expensive for your budget, it doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the Phuket adventure. You can also find several guest houses just around the areas of Kata and Patong Beach. Accommodation is equally pleasant but much more affordable. You can avail of your meals at a minimal price. Besides, street food in Thailand has been proven to be amazingly delicious too.

Personal choice and preference should be the top determinant in deciding where to stay in the island. If you love to be in the center of fun and activity, the Patong Beach area should be your choice. However, if you prefer the secluded surroundings, the Kata Beach area should be an option. While it's not as popular as Patong, it is still a prime destination.

Phuket Island has a lot to offer for everyone and it is a distinctive destination for adventure lovers and those out to discover exotic places. However, you should be prepared for things that can possibly go wrong. While a holiday and vacation is meant as a time for relaxation and fun, it should also be a well-planned one. One's budget and financial limitations should be a consideration and a thorough preparation is always a wise move for the regular tourist and traveler.

Michel Gerard is a Travel author based in Asia. Visit the Phuket Guest House website to book a room online and download your *free* ebook: "Stories of Authentic Eco-adventure Destinations for Travellers in Thailand" =>> http://www.guesthousephuket.com/ebook.html

Phuket Tourism - Amazing Thailand

The glory of Phuket tourism is in its resplendent coast. This southern island is surrounded by warm turquoise waters of the Andaman. Thailand beach travel does not get any better than this, with coral reefs, cliffs, spectacular bays that range from calm and blue water beaches to rocky forelands pounded by high raging surfs. And while the coastline is considered as the icing on the cake, the cake itself is just as desirous. Phuket Tourism offers its tourists a lot more than just beaches. The island is a mixed bag of temples, aquariums, theme parks, golf courses, waterfalls, war monuments, museums and wildlife sanctuaries. A few of the must-see places in Phuket include:

o Hat Patong (Patong Beach)
Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city, this beach is one of the most vibrant and most visited in Thailand beach travel. With a picture perfect postcard view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy beach this one is perfect for swimming, lazing, and enjoying challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing and parasailing. The beach offers all ranges in accommodation, shopping and a dazzling night life.

o Phi Phi Island
With just a short 45-minute journey from Phuket, you will be transported to the tropical paradise and famous islands of Ko Phi Phi. It's the ultimate tropical getaway in Phuket tourism, where every moment is picture perfect.

o Phuket Fantasea
Located on Kamala beach, Phuket Fantasea is the ultimate night-time cultural theme park of Phuket. It has won several awards including the 'Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award' Attractions include the Culture-Illusion Stage Show, Fantasy of the Kingdom and a spectacular buffet restaurant Golden Kinnaree Restaurant.

o Wat Phra Thong
A temple which remains as mysterious today, as it did centuries ago. A major attraction in Phuket tourism, the temple has a solid gold idol of Buddha. But here's what should interest you - the idol apparently cannot be moved. The legend goes that hundreds of people who have tried to move it since it was first found, have died. Located in Thalang, away from highway 402, this mystery temple attracts thousands of tourists every year.

With an array of international and domestic travel options and its grand hospitality, Phuket tourism offers everything you can dream of in Thailand.

Willium Taylor is a travel author. Visit Phuket tourism website to enjoy Thailand beach travel along with many other Thailand tourist attractions.