Though it is not officially listed as the world's most spoken language, English is easily the most understood tongue on earth. Officially, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language on earth with 1.1 billion speakers. The problem is that it is only spoken in China. So, if you aren't travelling to China, it doesn't do you much good. And with all of the restrictions and visa costs to do so, who wants to?

English, on the other hand, is the closest thing we have to a global language. Estimates put the total number of English speakers at just over one billion. But hundreds of millions more know at least some English. This means that if you are in a foreign land and you start speaking English, you are far more likely to find someone who understands you than if you speak any other language.

English is also the language of business. Professionals from Japan to Russia to France are expected to know English, since many of the world's largest economies are in English-speaking nations. And since business travellers are the lifeblood of the hospitality industry, it is important for the staff to learn Hotel English. You can be sure that the guests will have a thorough working knowledge of hotel English. (more...)

As a frequent business traveller over the last few years, I have always stretched my travel budget to the max, in the expectation that the higher the cost, the better the hotel. If the travel budget per night was £300 I would pretty much meet the upper limit every time, believing that I would receive a more comfortable and luxurious experience.

During these years, I shied away from budget hotels in Kiev, B and B's in Bulgaria and Rome apartments. Why not take advantage if the company was willing to pay for it?

Now that I travel mainly for leisure I can see that I have really missed out in the last few years! Not only are many far less expensive hotels up to the mark, but in fact they often provide a more homely and comfortable experience – and certainly far more friendly! (more...)

Scots are renowned for being adventurous travelers, and also for being respectful with the people and cultures they visit. Backpacking is only one way to visit a country, and it should not be taken as word of Bible.

Backpacking is ideal for summer travels, yet you can undergo a totally different experience in winter, especially when time is of the essence. When Scotland plays Rugby vs. Italy, it generally occurs in Rome, which is generally not suited for backpacking. However forget backpacking and rent a pristine apartment in Rome , through awarded agencies which come handy. While you can still bring your backpacks and leisure outfit, by staying in a comfortable apartment near to all the sights and to the stadium you will be able to experience the best of both worlds.

Nowadays Rome apartments come in all shapes, sizes and prices, competing with other Rome accommodations, but they are more comfortable and safe. (more...)

Despite the boom in low cost airlines and the price of flights coming down over the past few years, going on holiday is still a pretty expensive business and costs soon add up. All travellers should be looking at ways to cut costs – without cutting corners.

The exchange rates are one factor that has added to the cost of our holidays considerably in the last couple of years. The weak pound means that there is a high foreign exchange risk and you can lose out big time if you change your money at the first place you come across or in the hotel exchange office.

Shop around before you go and find out where you can pick up the best foreign exchange rates. Don't just look for the lowest rate, but also check out how much commission each company charges. (more...)

The Republic of Turkey is in the fortunate position of being on the brink of the east and the west. Its location has, over the centuries, resulted in a unique, varied and beautifully rich culture. Travel enthusiasts and explorers of the world will find that visiting and experiencing Turkey is a delight for the mind and the senses.

Many travel companies arrange visits to Turkey that include travel and stay. If you're a budget traveller, you will be happy to know that it is also possible to arrange very cheap holidays to Turkey. However, if you would rather plan your trip independently, here is some information that could be useful.

Everything in Turkey seems to be a blend of the east and the west with an added original flavour. Turkish culture, including Turkish music, food and architecture is a treat for travellers. There is a lot to see and do, so in order to make the most of your visit, make sure you plan everything that you want to fit into your time. (more...)

Travelling through Kenya, I was amazed at how friendly the people were. I must confess that it took some time to hit me as we were in a hotel in Nairobi for the first couple of nights, and while the people were friendly they were not overly so.

When we reached the country though, it was a totally different matter and the friendliness shone through in the people and the children. They seemed genuinely pleased to see us and asked us questions about our life. These people were poor and yet they asked us for nothing, although many of the people we came into contact with were in the tourist trade and so our visit did benefit them.

The guides on the safaris, real Masai's, were so knowledgeable, with an understanding of nature and animals that we will never have. They seemed happy to welcome us, and we did not feel as if we were intruding. (more...)

When you are choosing your Kenya safari resorts and accommodation there are several different types of hotel or camps to choose from and you should put some thought into the matter before making your final decision as it could be the difference between the holiday of a lifetime or a real disappointment.

Firstly there are the camps – some of these are quite small taking around twenty people, while others are much larger. Just about all of them are luxurious with en suite real bathrooms and other facilities, although many of these do not have swimming pools.

The camps can be quite intimate and romantic but they can also be quite quiet and if you like a good nightlife it is not for you. You may also have to be escorted to and from your tent at night due to the wild animals. (more...)

Amsterdam makes a great weekend city destination for so many different reasons. Firstly, it makes for quite an inexpensive weekend if you plan it right. There are all sorts of places to stay in Amsterdam, from hostels to hotels and a little research can go a long way in finding a comfortable and clean hotel or guest house within your budget.

Secondly, it is not too far away so can easily be reached after work on a Friday and you can be in a restaurant or pub for your evening meal. A short hop across in the ferry or an even shorter plane journey – you go up and seem to come straight down again – and you are there.

Thirdly, it is foreign but not too foreign for those that are easily out of their comfort zone. Just about all the Dutch speak English – many better than we can – and it is a very cosmopolitan city. (more...)

Cold and damp weather seep into the bones, not to mention the spirits. Sometimes all a person needs is to get away for a trip. Finding a place in the sun is not hard, and the travelling itself can be affordable. The Mediterranean is a warm, inviting place and getting there is half the fun on a cruise.

A ship is a good place to enjoy a romance or perhaps find a new romantic interest. It is also a perfect place for a long party all the way to an exotic locale with some friends.

Med Cruise Deals are found online and with travel agents. A cruise to the Mediterranean is not as expensive as many other forms of travel considering factors such as hotel bookings, dining, or entertainment. On a cruise dining, a suite, and entertainment are all part of the same package. (more...)

Stag and hen events can simply be evenings of fun, or they can be much more than that. Stag and hen parties are essentially celebrations of singlehood. They are sort of like going away presents from our soon to become past single selves. So why not go out in style!

Turning the stag event into a weekend affair is a popular concept nowadays. With stag weekends uk the party can go on all weekend, and there is time to include other fun activities into the trip. In fact, activity based stag parties are also becoming more and more popular.

If you like a particular activity, say, climbing, or golf, or fancy going bungee jumping, it is possible to make this a part of your stag party. There are companies that can arrange stag and hen weekend parties and customise them to suit your specifications. (more...)

For many of us cooking is a chore, we come home from a long day at the office and the last thing in the world we want to do is cook. But when you travel it is different. For the most part when we travel we still want to do as little as possible and so we go to a restaurant for very meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you are travelling on a budget this can absolutely cripple you, even though you can eat quite cheaply if you are careful, all the bills will add up. If you are using Italy Villas why not cook your own food.

While you would be remiss if you didn't sample the local food, you also want to do other things with your money. There are many sites to see and in most cases there is an admission charge. (more...)

Travelling the world while working has a number of benefits. Firstly, it provides travellers the opportunity to earn money while travelling! So even if you don't have a large amount of holiday money stashed away, but can't resist the urge of exploring the world, ther'’s no need to worry.

Working holidays are not rare; in fact, it is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular. The best part is that there are different kinds of working holiday jobs, depending on the location of course. One of the most popular jobs for travellers is teaching, and especially teaching English.

English is a global language, and English courses are available everywhere in the world. There are English courses in Australia, China, the Middle East, America, and India, you name it! Teaching English is one of the most popular jobs among gap year students who travel abroad. (more...)

The joys of travelling the world and exploring new places can be boundless, but it's not always possible to save enough money to go on a prolonged world tour. This is where working holidays come into the picture. The concept of working holidays is becoming more and more popular today, as it affords the opportunity to travel while working and making an income at the same time.

A brief holiday is one thing, but living and working in a place is a way to get truly assimilated. Travelling while working can be a boon in many ways. Not only does it allow you to make money while travelling to different places, but it also allows you to live in a place for long enough to experience the place fully.

One of the most popular vocations for travellers is teaching. There is a great demand for learning English across the world. No matter where you are, there are likely to be teaching opportunities available. There will be people who want to take a German Course in Europe and people who wish to learn English in Hong Kong. (more...)

Short stay travel insurance, which is also referred to as single trip insurance, is one of the most common and affordable types of travel insurance available. It is often taken out by those who plan on travelling once or perhaps two times a year only. This type of travel insurance will usually cover you for a set amount of days only, therefore is perfect if you usually plan for a two week holiday abroad.

Due to the popularity of this type of insurance there are now many providers who are able to offer you shorty stay cover. You will also find when taking out insurance for your trip, that you will have ample control of the premiums, as you can often add or remove any extras that you feel are specific or even irrelevant to the purpose of your trip.

There are many areas and events that you will be covered for when you take out single trip travel insurance , thus you will always have piece of mind that you have appropriate insurance coverage when going abroad on holiday, whether it be for business or pleasure. (more...)