As a state organization, Sato Travel government agency is one of the most important travel service provider in the US, selling tickets of almost $4.2 billion yearly. The agency has been functional for fifty years now and enjoys a good name for offering quality travel conditions to the U.S. government all over the world. Sato Travel government agency contracts not only airline tickets, car rentals and hotel bookings, as it is also specialized in airport meeting and leisure travel services, also proving end-to-end travel solutions. In the United States there are three hundred customer on-site offices, but the agency also has bureaus in ten other countries.

advantages of Sato Travel government agency refer to a very advantageous fee policy, the possibility to book routine travel on the Internet, the chance to use vouchers, all activities being tackled with superior management skills. The necessities of a military or a governmental traveler are unique in terms of service, and it is only natural that there be an organization to meet specific requirements. Sato Travel government policy relies on the use of the Defense Travel System that enables any military or government member to set the details of their trips in the best of conditions whether for work or leisure purposes.

Since its launch, Sato Travel government agency has served the purposes of the Department of Defense for good airline traffic at the highest extent. Thus, the agency covers all the departure details from the the booking and the specific estimates to the authorization approval. Moreover, the traveler receives weather updates as well as all sorts of tips for destination planning. The fees for the reservations are considerably lower as compared to any other travel agency. Yet, alarming reports and very serious accusations have been made concerning the purchase of millions of plane tickets that were never used or refunded, which equals with a very serious budget waste.

Presently, Sato Travel government agency is an official partner of FlyteComm, a top service provider of travel flight tracking solutions. The Sato Travel government clients receive recommendations for various kinds of flight tracking services that refer to real-flight data from many North American airports and airlines. The travel experience is thus expected to increase in terms of quality and efficiency, since the managing companies now have all the tools necessary to coordinate the flight traveling schedules of their customers in the most advantageous of ways.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2006 – The Defense Travel System continues to evolve as it efficiently serves military and civilian travelers on official department business, a senior military officer said yesterday. DTS is “an end-to-end, secure, integrated financial-management system that automates the temporary duty (travel) process for DoD,” said Air Force Col. Lynne T. Hamilton-Jones, program management office director at the Defense Travel System Office, in Arlington, Va.

“DTS works,” Hamilton-Jones emphasized, noting the system is available around the clock to provide superior customer service.

The automated system administers authorization, reservation, voucher and reimbursement processes for DoD’s business travelers, Hamilton-Jones said. It also accelerates travel-related task processing time for customers, she said, while saving taxpayer dollars.

People on official DoD travel orders are required to use DTS to make their airline ticket, lodging, rental car, and other travel arrangements, Hamilton-Jones said.

The automated system began as a pilot program in June 2001, the colonel said. Now accessed at more than 8,700 sites, DTS is slated to expand to more than 12,000 sites by the end of fiscal 2007, she said.

DTS has undergone many fine-tunings designed to provide better customer service since the system was implemented worldwide in 2003, Hamilton-Jones said. In November, DTS will introduce more upgraded features, such as fewer pages for travelers to fill out, she noted.

More than 50,000 customers log in to access DTS daily, Hamilton-Jones said, noting the system processes more than 7,000 travel authorizations and about 6,500 vouchers each day.

DTS usage “continues to increase significantly, as we continue to evolve the system and increase overall functionality,” she said. “The more users we have for the system, the more costs will be reduced overall for DoD.”

Most DoD travelers will spend about 15 to 20 minutes arranging a trip using the DTS web site, Hamilton-Jones said. That’s a vast savings in time compared to previous processes when travelers had to make airline and hotel reservations over the telephone and fill out reams of travel-voucher paperwork, she noted.

System customers “can take care of all of their travel needs and basically get reimbursed between four-and-a-half and five days,” the colonel said. “I really encourage people to use it

Smoky Mountains
I have found it very hard to convince people that I'm a nature girl and that I have absolutely no problems roughing it. This maybe because I spent a good part of my career with the Travel Channel staying at exceptionally luxurious hotels where I would indulge in their award winning food, wine and spa treatments. With that show I certainly grew a fondness for a nice bed and a deep soaking tub but I wouldn't wither away if I didn't have that. So let's just say I am really excited, no overjoyed, about this trip. Even though I love the outdoors I never camped -- my family preferred the kidney shaped pools and scratchy small bath towels of Motor Lodges. But I always thought that I could really get to love camping if I just had the chance.

Before we start our next few days of camping we are staying at a beautiful hotel called the Lodge at Buckberry Creek. Located on top of a mountain it looks out over a beautiful forest with large balconies and even larger fireplaces. First order of business is to go for a quick hike to absorb the outdoors, next is to buy beer and wine for the crew. I headed down to Gatlinburg to find a liquor store when I brought my order to the counter the older gentleman asked me if I was going to Dolly Parton's parade that night in Pigeon's Ford. "Is Dolly Parton going to be there?" -- ask a stupid question -- "well, yeah" he said, "that's why they call it Dolly Parton's Parade." I deserved that.

Gatlinburg is an interesting place. Considered the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, an area of extreme natural beauty, there's actually nothing natural about it. In fact I needed to buy a few more pieces of outdoor clothing and foolishly thought I could pick something up in town but driving down main street with its fudge shops, t-shirt emporiums and wax museums, I realized that it's easier to buy camping equipment on the island of Manhattan. Unless of course the t-shirt which listed why a six pack of beer was better than a man had wicking technology. The one place we all desperately wanted to go for dinner was a place called Cooters with a replica of the General Lee out front. We never did make it.

Morning at the trailhead we all feel like we are school kids away from our parents on a field trip. We have a very challenging hike ahead of us -- 7 hours to the top of the over 6,000 foot Mt. LeConte. I think I practically skipped the first third of it I was so happy. Rory on camera and Damian on sound have a more challenging task due to the added weight of their gear but everyone is pretty fit. Even Christina my intrepid stylist is hiking along. There of course is some concern about "my look" a large hike followed by camping with no water or electricity means no shower or blow dryer. Let's just say I don't wake up looking like I do on camera -- no where near it in fact. Actually my skin's pretty good, I don't need or like a lot of make-up but my hair is another story. Not blessed with beautiful hair when I wake up I could pass for one of the members of 80's rock bands like Poison or Flock of Seagulls. So in Christina's bag she has packed dry shampoo, Velcro rollers and hairspray. Items you would never find at an R.E.I store.

We all did very well on our hike until I would say the last hour. The trail was at its steepest and 18 inches of snow had dropped two days before making it a bit more strenuous. The good news was the snow had forced a group of hikers to cancel their trip so a large cabin opened up and now the entire crew would be sleeping in a cabin as opposed to a bear shelter (???? -- I didn't ask). By the time we got to the top I was too tired to move my lips. I could have so easily curled up in the snow and fallen asleep. We still had to shoot the dinner and as we sat down with the camera rolling my mind went blank and I couldn't remember what the fluffy white contents in the bowl were (mashed potatoes) I think I just mumbled "please pass the…the…" and then my voice trails off. The people who run Mt. LeConte Lodge are just awesome. Smiling happy faces -- a welcome site for tired souls and soles. They even made me a birthday cake. As exhausted as we were at the end of dinner the crew and the staff sat around a kerosene lantern with mason jars of wine and talked. Well fed and exhausted it was time for bed.

We were all sharing the same Cabin which had a large main room and two smaller rooms off to each side. Christina and I were in one of the side rooms WITH BUNKBEDS! There's something really wonderfully awkward about sharing such an intimate space with the people who you work with. We end each shooting day exiting a van, confirming tomorrow's call time and saying good night ultimately going our separate ways to our own rooms behind bolted doors. Now it was like a 13 year old's sleep over party. Christina and I ended the night in fits of giggling -- about what I now forget -- and we all yelled good night to each other like our last name was Walton.

Nashville

This is my first time to Nashville. Then I think, maybe I'm wrong because
that just sounds weird. How could I have traveled to places like Nicaragua
or Xi'an China and not good old Nashville? The theme of the episode has got
me very excited -- I have to become a Country singing sensation in two days. I
like this theme a lot because along with visiting places that the normal
traveler/tourist could visit we are also showing a more immersive insider's
view that will bring out the essence of this city that might not be so
obvious to someone traveling there. I like when I get to go "behind the
scenes" so to speak. Instead of standing and watching a band at a famous
Honky Tonk, I get to spend time with a band and get up there myself and
hopefully convey how truly difficult it is to "make it" in this city. It
reminds me of NYC in a way in that it's a real creative center. Where NY is
known for actors, Nashville is filled to the brim with songwriters. Both
have to hold survival jobs, which is usually waiting on tables. Something I
became very good at for 8 eight years in the Big Apple. When we arrived at
Loveless Café I was more than happy to put on an apron and see if I still
got it. The plates rested on my arms so easily and the pencil still fit
snug behind my ear… it's like I never left. Good to know I still have
waitressing to fall back on.

We were setting up a shoot at Ernest Tubb Records with Those Darlins, the
band I'm going to join on stage if I don't chicken out. I was in a back
room reading a short article about their music as they were setting up their
instruments and amps. I am not in any way exaggerating this story
-- promise -- but as I was reading the description of their style "sometimes a
playful 50's romp with screaming thrown in like in Leader of the Pack -- look
out, LOOK OUT! LOOK OUT!!!!!" At that moment I heard screaming come from the
record shop, then I heard some smashing noise and other people shouting. I
thought to myself, man this article ain't kidding. When I came out something
very different than playful music had happened. One of the girls was being
electrocuted by an ungrounded mic, the voltage running thru her body was so
intense that her body curled around the stand making it impossible for her
to be released from its hold. She was physically unable to utter even a
cry for help so for a long time no one even realized it. Enter MY
HUSBAND!!!!! (the hero in this story) who was the first to recognize what
was happening. As it was later described to me he leapt onto the small
stage and firmly smacked the metal stand to the floor. At which point the
poor thing dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Needless to say we
cancelled that scene. She went to the hospital immediately and wasn't truly
alright for another three days.

I don't get to meet a lot of celebrities in this job and certainly don't get
to sing with them either so meeting Vince Gill was a bit of a nerve racking
experience on so many levels. I had heard he was simply a good person, as
normal as can be. How can you be normal with over 30 Country Music Awards,
Grammys and American Music Awards? I don't know his music well, I know him
mostly as the host of the Country Music Awards, which was his gig for over 12
years. (An interesting fact about me is that I don't really follow country
music but I never miss a CMA awards show -- even with my travel schedule, the
stars somehow always align and I'm in a hotel room watching it every year.)
Although we are really excited to meet Vince Gill, the ladies in my crew --
Christina my stylist and Elizabeth my executive producer -- are HUGE fans of Amy Grant, Vince's equally talented wife, and really, really hope she comes along to the recording session. We all loved Amy, we all wanted her hair, her
clothes, and her corn fed girl next door style. She didn't come. But let
me tell you what a great guy Vince was and how I will now always be a big
fan. First off whenever we have to play any kind of music or I, heaven help
me, have to sing the clearance issues are a real nightmare. Managers,
agents and lawyers go back and forth round and round earning their
retainers. So when we walked into Dark Horse recording studios we just had
no idea what was going to happen. Especially since Vince Gill agreed to be
on the show at the last minute so there was no time for all the legal eagles
to get involved. We asked him if there was a song he wouldn't mind we used
on the show. He said sure, which song do you want? Ummm … well, which one
would be okay and cleared to use for repeated broadcast? What do you mean?
he asked. Ummm … well. We usually need the writer of the song, publisher and
singer to sign off on it. Then he said something that to me summed up his
incredible music career in one sentence. "I wrote, published, recorded and
sang all my own music. You can pick whatever you want."
We had a great day with Vince.

Memphis

Like most people I have always wanted to see Graceland. I had heard about and seen in pictures the over the top interiors, the massive white couch and the shag carpeting not only on the floor but on the ceiling. I had expected to be in awe half snickering at the out of date-ness of it all in the same way you do when you see pictures of yourself back in the 70's with feathered bangs and blue eye shadow. But what I didn't expect would be to really feel a more personal side to the man we call The King and that even though this has become a shrine and museum like for the masses who make a pilgrimage here it still feels like a home. Which it very much still is. Priscilla apparently visits frequently (it's by law her residence) and what shocked me - she stays there. We did a basic tour of the house but were then given access to something very few get to see…Elvis's stables. Elvis loved horses and his estate will have them so that his spirit is always at Graceland. The plan is to eventually open up the stables to visitors as well so that gives everyone who has been to Graceland another reason to go back.
 


At Sun studio records the famous studio where Johnny Cash, Jerry lee Lewis and of course Elvis recorded music. Memphis is a city of music from the Soul, early rock and roll and Gospel taking in the city you can feel how all three have influenced each other. During the tour of the studio I noticed that a good number of people were actually visitors from England and Ireland - coming to see for themselves what would eventually become our greatest export to them -- great music. While at the studios I wanted a picture of me and Elvis's microphone so badly that I fumbled carelessly for my camera which then fell out of my hands and fell hard on the wood floor. It's broken. I have had my new camera for all of two months. I really should keep a ledger of all the electronics I go thru while on the road and the total costs, which I am thinking is up to a year in tuition at a nice liberal arts college


The only downside to my job is that there are things I don't get to do-so close and yet so far-as I always say. Every destination has its own list but in Memphis it's the National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Since we are working during its open hours the best I figure I can do is at least stand in its parking lot looking up at the rooms. So that's what I do.

Florida Keys

We are in Key West with my crew: Michael Wechsler Producer, Lesley Grossman AP, our Travel coordinator Rosalind making a rare appearance, Dave Gaffney on sound, Rory Mclees behind the camera and of course as always the lovely Ms. Burns. All of us are traveling on the day that just about 20 of the 50 states were hit by a terrible winter storm. We are all very happy to be in Key West.

First up aerobatics. Up in a bi plane doing loop de loops, flying upside down that sort of stuff I get motion sickness pretty bad, so the danger doesn't scare me as much as the thought of being nauseous does. There are three cameras taping this: one mounted outside on the tail, a lipstick camera in front of me to capture my expressions and Rory the cameraman in a helicopter doing side by side shooting. If I get really sick at least it will be well documented.

Up in the air I am nervous because I really don't know how my body is going to handle this. We go up and position ourselves next to the chopper and that's when the fun began. Flying upside down was crazy and I belatedly realized I should have removed the change from my pocket. I certainly shouldn't have brought my camera. The tricks got more and more extreme and at one point we flipped over tail over nose. That's when I started to feel sick. The good news was we were done and heading back to the airport.

We got back to the hangar and while I nursed an ice cold coke and put a cold compress to the forehead Rory and Michael went to check the tape in the cockpit. That's when what everyone fears in production happened. Absolutely nothing was caught on tape. The deck cut out when the plane engine was turned on. We have Rory's shots from the helicopter which are no doubt impressive but we have nothing to cut to as the camera rigged to the back of the plane didn't give us anything really interesting.

"I'll go back up" (it must have been the nausea talking). I see Michael, my producer's eyes go wide as even he -- A PRODUCER! -- wouldn't have suggested such a thing. My dare devil Pilot Fred asks me if I'm sure as going up again will absolutely without a doubt make me sick. I just think we didn't come this far for nothing. Just have another coke ready for me.

This time I hold a monitor in my lap with a running time code -- this way I'll be able to tell immediately if the camera is not rolling. The engine starts up and cuts off the camera, Rory makes a few adjustments and we are back in business.

I was told we didn't have to go thru all the aerobatics just a few to get some of me on tape. We do a side roll and I'm feeling fine, we fly upside down and I feel great. So I tell Fred to do more because with each turn my headache, my nausea is going away to the point where I feel actual euphoria. It's the strangest thing. Fred asks me if I want to do the doozy of aerobatics again: the forward tumble. Its name means headache in Czech so I don't remember it. We go tail over nose again -- which is just something no plane should do -- but its sooo much fun.

Going barhopping with a group called the Bone Island Buccaneers. I get to dress and talk like a Pirate. I have no idea why that is so much fun but it is. We raid bars, entering them and brandishing our pistols and daggers demanding patrons buy us drinks and hand over their jewels. This is Key West so our group of marauders is not seen in any way other than a normal fun group out on a Saturday night.

Walking up to a bar a man came up to me and told me that he wrote a book and I am in it. The book is strangely about coincidences. He gives me one of the books and finds a passage where he writes how fun it would be to travel with myself and Mr. Bourdain. He goes on to write that I am "Hot in a weird way." Okay, I'll take that

At dinner with the crew, at a restaurant called Abbondanza. It's a perfect place for us as it's a cozy place and not at all crazy like the restaurants on Duval Street. We all get big bowls of pasta that could feed a family of four. I ordered the spaghetti and homemade meatballs which is my favorite comfort food dish.

One of the best days shooting ever. Road trip to Key West. (We are shooting out of sequence.) To mix things up a bit during various points, members of my crew will be joining me in the shotgun seat for some good road trip banter. What's that saying? Nothing like a fistful of wheel and a full tank of gas?

It's funny what you learn about somebody while driving and listening to 80's music. I found out that Christina loves to listen to musicals like Cabaret and Sweet Charity and does her own choreography while driving and Rory likes the song Total Eclipse of the Heart which embarrasses him and his friends still make fun of him for it. I personally love that song and have it on my Ipod right now.

On a morning off I headed to a local favorite, Camille's, for brunch. I had their supreme omelet -- eggs, peppers, cheese, potatoes and turkey sausage. Didn't have to eat the rest of the day.

Just got to get up on stage with the band Mile Marker 24 and make fresh margaritas using a blender powered by an outboard motor while singing along to their song "Blame it on the margaritas." I get to sing the chorus and botch almost every note. I can't believe it after 12 years of voice lessons its official: I can no longer carry a tune. I guess I could just blame it on the margaritas.

Really bummed, because we are losing light, we now don't have time for me to learn how to kite board. It's that crazy sport where a boarder is hooked up to a parasail which can lift them up off the water and in the air. I have always imagined that to be one of the best feelings ever. All we have time for is a quick jet ski -- fun but not as thrilling.

Montreal

Last time I was in Montreal was when I was 13. It was a business trip for my father and we all tagged along. I don't remember it that well except for one very vivid memory. My parents bought me a really cool outfit that was mustard yellow and charcoal grey. It was a sophisticated ensemble that would betray any New Hampshire Mall purchase and make me stand out in 6th grade.

Montreal is a dead ringer for Europe and we are visiting at a time when due to dollar/euro conversion rates more people are looking for European alternatives. The two are so similar that even though flight time from NY to Montreal is a whopping two hours with no time change I still feel tired. I have phantom jet lag triggered by European architecture and the smell of cigarette smoke.

American Airlines to charge for checked baggage
By Peter Pae | May 22, 2008
With oil prices hitting new records almost daily, the nation's largest air carrier, American Airlines, announced drastic steps Wednesday to "remain viable," including charging new fees for all checked baggage, slashing domestic flights and laying off thousands of workers. It was one of the most extreme moves yet by a U.S. airline, and came as the price of oil jumped Wednesday to $133.17 a barrel, up $4.19. Starting June 15 most American passengers must pay $15 for checking a single bag.

A final flight into the history books

By Paul Thornton | January 7, 2007
FOR WHAT many consider an aviation failure, the DC-10 has had quite a run. But this morning, more than 35 years after the first of the planes was built, Northwest Airlines Flight 98 will pull up to an airport gate in Minneapolis after an eight-hour trip from Hawaii, and the last paying passengers in the U.S. to fly on a DC-10 will disembark. The DC-10 is indeed a remarkable plane, but not for its innovative wide-body design or even its signature tail-mounted jet engine.By Paul Thornton, PAUL THORNTON is a researcher for The Times' editorial page.|January 07, 2007

FOR WHAT many consider an aviation failure, the DC-10 has had quite a run. But this morning, more than 35 years after the first of the planes was built, Northwest Airlines Flight 98 will pull up to an airport gate in Minneapolis after an eight-hour trip from Hawaii, and the last paying passengers in the U.S. to fly on a DC-10 will disembark.

WiFi returning to airlines

By Peter Pae | May 16, 2009
Googling in the air After a three-year hiatus, airlines are bringing back wireless Internet service on planes, allowing business travelers to check their e-mails, browse the Web and log into their corporate networks while in flight. There hasn't been in-flight Internet access since Boeing Co. killed a very expensive, multibillion-dollar project to wire planes all over the world with a satellite-based system.

Googling in the air

After a three-year hiatus, airlines are bringing back wireless Internet service on planes, allowing business travelers to check their e-mails, browse the Web and log into their corporate networks while in flight.

With a quirky culture and a fleet of more than 500 Boeing 737s, Southwest Airlines has come to dominate domestic air travel in the United States. Its fares influence other airlines in many markets. Other low-cost carriers, notably AirTran and JetBlue, have copied and in some ways improved on Southwest's no-frills service. And its conservative financial management — it is the only major airline to have hedged most of its fuel needs — has kept it the only big airline to be consistently profitable.

In 2008, however, Southwest faces big challenges. Network airlines like American and United have reduced their costs, some by going through bankruptcy, allowing them to report profits in some quarters while competing directly against Southwest. Southwest needs to update its service, offering Internet connections or other tools on planes to attract business travelers. And its growth has slowed. That means it is hiring fewer new, lower-wage employees, pushing its average wages up and raising its costs. It faces negotiations with worker unions over new contracts that could further increase expenses.Meanwhile, its founder and chairman, Herb Kelleher, and its president, Colleen Barrett, are both scheduled to retire from Southwest's board this year. While Gary C. Kelly has been chief executive since 2004, Mr. Kelleher and Ms. Barrett are the connection to Southwest's past and to its raucous culture. Mr. Kelly, a former certified public accountant who rose up on the financial side of Southwest, has worked to also embody the irreverent culture — dressing up like Edna Turnblad, the bouffant mom from the musical "Hairspray'' for last October's headquarters Halloween party. The question is if he can keep Southwest standing out from the competition by as much. — Jeff Bailey, Feb. 12, 2008.

If you are an instinctive and adventurous traveler or even a normal person who likes to explore places you would surely love to be on the cruise. It is an experience that you will cherish, as you live...
If you are an instinctive and adventurous traveler or even a normal person who likes to explore places you would surely love to be on the cruise. It is an experience that you will cherish, as you live on waters and visit places that you have only seen in pictures, movies or heard about.

While you are going from place to place it is also important that you can select the best cruise because among the several options available these days, only a few luxurious cruises offer you all what they promise and can make your trip a truly memorable one.

The Caribbean cruises are considered to be some of the best in the world as they not only bring you a cruise liner service but they bring you an entire experience that is enchanting and enthralling. They bring on the Calypso flavors that can make the entire trip a lot more fun.

The Royal Caribbean Cruises can be the grandest of them all, as royal as it gets, the cruise ships offer you an unmatched experience. Traveling to various destinations across the globe, you can experience everything that you could possibly think of. You can avail recreation centers, malls, luxurious hotels and many more. You do not need to worry about your accommodation when you are exploring the most exotic places on Earth as you will have a luxurious place to stay every time. The world would never be as beautiful and mystifying as it is with Royal Caribbean cruises.

Next on the list are the Carnival Cruises which live up to their name. The cruises are fun to be on and every moment seems to be a carnival. They mainly operate in the Caribbean region and can be a truly wonderful option if you are looking for a relaxing vacation. The pools and the casinos are places you cannot afford to miss on the cruise. If you love to party and want to have a blast on the cruise, the Carnival Cruises are just for you.

Finally you have the Celebrity Cruises, if you've always wanted to be treated as a celebrity, these ships are for you. With exceptionally good customer service and unmatched facilities you will feel as if you are a celebrity. These cruises are famous for their architecture and elegance; it is the style and the sleek appeal that make Celebrity Cruises extraordinary. Get ready to acquire the celebrity status as you step onto the Celebrity Cruises for an experience of a lifetime.

All above mentioned cruises are for people who want to enjoy luxury but have a different taste, these Caribbean cruises not only offer you the best services but also an experience that is worthy. If you are planning a cruise vacation and want to make all the right choices you can find a lot of options online, especially with sites such as www.forestdirect.com which have a complete directory of the best cruises in the world.

Why the Discount Carriers are WinningOver the years, air travel has declined significantly. Bad economic times, acts of terrorism, and the overall high cost of flying have deterred many travelers from.
Over the years, air travel has declined significantly. Bad economic times, acts of terrorism, and the overall high cost of flying have deterred many travelers from flying the friendly skies. Instead, they're opting for local travel that doesn't require flying or selecting other methods of transportation such as driving, taking the train, or going "Greyhound". As a result, the major airlines are making less and less each year, forcing some to close up shop and call it quits.

However, bad economic times and acts of terrorism aren't the only things affecting the major airlines and the air travel industry as a whole. Discount air carriers who offer limited yet discount air travel rates have put a huge dent in the business of the major airlines. These airlines, such as U.S. based Jet Blue and Southwest Airlines, can undercut the major players in the air travel market because of lower overhead and less labor costs.

Since the discount air travel carriers are smaller and often only have one type of aircraft (compared to bigger airlines that have full fleets of varying plane types), they have more flexibility with their pricing and can offer discount air travel deals more often then their much larger counterparts. And when combined with the decline in overall air travel, the discount air carriers are winning out over the larger airlines, causing the major players to rethink their game plan and, in many cases, start offering discount air travel through dynamically priced fares.

Using Discount Air Travel and Carriers for Your Benefit

For the most part, discount airlines operate within their country of origin. In other words, many don't offer flights abroad. So if you need to fly domestically for business travel or a family vacation, a discount air carrier is the way to go. However, just because the discount airlines don't offer overseas travel, it doesn't mean you can't get discount air travel deals on international flights.

Remember, domestic AND international air travel has dwindled significantly over the years; so, the major airlines are often scrambling to fill overseas flights. As a result, the bigger airlines are starting to offer last minute travel deals and dynamically priced fares to try and fill their flights as much as they can. And since the discount air carriers are taking much of their previous domestic air travel customers, the larger airlines are desperate to make a buck any way they can.

Finding Discount Air Travel Deals

Some airlines offer last minute and discounted travel deals directly to the consumer; however, many work with online travel sites and supply them with bulk-rate deals on plane tickets. Either way, the key to finding discount air travel deals is to search the web and call the airlines. Compare prices and give yourself time to research your discount travel options. You may find that booking last minute will save you a bundle on your flight in some cases, but cost you twice as much in others; so be flexible and don't purchase the first ticket you find. You'll find a better deal on discount air travel if you shop around.

The discount air carriers have caused a significant shift in the air travel industry. There is more competition and less people buying, causing the industry to offer more discounted air travel deals than ever before. As a traveler, this means there are currently more ways to save on your air travel. All you have to do is go out and find those deals.

Sometimes it can be cheaper to stopover midway, so that you can buy two roundtrip tickets for the shorter parts of the journey. Make sure you compare this option carefully with flying directly, as it does involve extra hassle. You want to make sure you save enough on the fare to justify the extra time spent at the stopover airport.

Packages can often give you good deals on travel, so bundle together your flight, hotel and car rental. Some places you can check for package deals include cheaptickets.com, priceline.com and Travelocity.com

You might also be able to join a frequent traveler discount program. You can find these as loyalty clubs or frequent flyer programs. Check to see if your credit card has a special deal with an airline. Credit cards often form these alliances and then offer free flights as rewards. So every time you use your credit you can gain credits towards a free flight.

If you work for the government, military or a large corporation, then check to see if you can access cheaper flights. Some of these can be used for leisure travel, not just work related journeys.

Everyone needs a little time away, right? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and all that. Allow me to tempt you with some travel bargains. More accurately, allow TravelZoo.com to tempt you.

Of course, there are thousands of Web sites revolving around travel, but what makes this one different is that they don't sell travel; they just tell you about the best deals.

Sign up for free on the site, and once a week — typically on Wednesday — the "Top 20" e-mail pops in your e-mail inbox giving you a run-down of 20 of the site's hand-picked, very best travel-related offers from well-known suppliers.

The offerings run the range from flights, cruises, car rental, hotels, vacations, and all-inclusive resorts — all things travel basically. I love how the e-mail is simply a "get to the point" list of the deals; it doesn't get bogged down with adverts or other confusing information.

I can't recommend this resource highly enough. It's great to know that when you do want to get away for a few days or longer, you'll find something suitable from these e-mails. Check it out.

Goa is popularly described as the “Pearl of the Orient”. It is the place where tourists and people from all over the world come and spend memorable moment of their life. Goa and beaches go hand in hand infact they are synonymous. It has some of the world finest beaches in the world. Goa the smallest state of India and is globally famous for its palm fringed beaches. It is well known for picturesque beaches, azure sky, beautiful landscapes, ancient churches and monuments, etc. The state is the ideal destination for nature lovers, beach lovers, holidayers and honeymoon couples. It is the perfect place for relaxing and fun vacation. Every year tourists from all over the world come to Goa in India to enjoy mesmeric holiday vacation. Come once to this beautiful state of India and enjoy your vacation with your family, friends, beloved, etc in a delightful way. It is the tourists destination of all seasons and this beautiful state never fails give a warm welcome to its Guests. Visit this state and it is sure you will fall in love with the charming beaches and the magnificent surrounding.

Goa is popularly described as the “Pearl of the Orient”. It is the place where tourists and people from all over the world come and spend memorable moment of their life. Goa and beaches go hand in hand infact they are synonymous. It has some of the world finest beaches in the world. Beaches are really charming & breathtaking and are ideal for mesmerizing holiday vacation. These picturesque beaches grab the attention of tourists and vacationers all the year round from all over the world. Some of the charming and frequently visited Goa beaches are Colva Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Condolim Beach, Baga Beach, Arjuna Beach, Palolem Beach, Calangute Beach, etc. There are many other fascinating and captivating beaches that are ideal for beach activities and memorable beach vacation.

Picturesque beaches dotted with swaying palm trees are ideal for beach activities. Tourists loves to enjoy angling, skiing, sun set watching, wind surfing, swimming, sun bath, volley ball, etc. Couples can enjoy their honeymoon vacation in Goa enjoying the charm of the beaches. Take a memorable walk along the silver beaches holding hand in hand; motor boat tour, surf the cool wind, enjoy the rich sea food in the exotic resort of beaches, etc. In fact the beaches of Goa create the ambiance of heaven for honeymoon couples to spend their best time of their life being together.

Holidays in Goa also provide tourists wonderful opportunity to explore the rich flora & fauna and historical monuments of the state. The Western Ghats which form most of the eastern Goa have been internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot of the world. The National Geographic Magazine in the year 1999 compared the flora and fauna of Goa with Amazon and Congo Basin. Goa wildlife’s sanctuaries have preserved varied wild life species and birds which are worth seeing and exploring. Wildlife lovers and nature lovers from all over the world come here explore the rich flora and fauna of the state.

Well if you want to enjoy the mesmeric and wonderful charm of Goa tourism, visit this beach state of India. Explore breathtaking Goa beaches, rich flora & fauna, exquisite temples, magnificent churches and wildlife. Tourists can also have lots of other exciting option to enjoy holidays in Goa in a delightful way. Visitors can enjoy the night parties held on the beaches. Don’t forget to enjoy the mouth watering cuisines and mood making local wine of Goa. Visit this beautiful carnival state of Goa and make you Goa tours an experience of lifetime.

In the south of Argentina is a region called Patagonia. It is bordered by the Cuyo and Pampas regions in the north, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and by Chile in the south and westIn the south of Argentina is a region called Patagonia. It is bordered by the Cuyo and Pampas regions in the north, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and by Chile in the south and west.

Patagonia contains the southernmost part of South America. This geographic region is located in Argentina and in some parts of Chile. It consists of plateaus and low plains to the east and the Andes mountains to the west and south. Its name comes from patagón, a word used by Magellan to describe the native people his expedition mistook for giants. Patagons are now believed to actually be Tehuelches with an average height of 1.80 m, which is more than the 1.55 average for the Spaniards of that time.

Day 1 - The largest city in the Argentine Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is located on the Beagle Strait and is the southernmost city in the world. It was previously a missionary base, penal colony, and naval base for the Argentine navy. With its casinos and nice restaurants, Ushuaia is now considered as a major tourist town. It is also frequently used as a base for hiking, winter sports, and cruises to Antarctica. Tourists may visit the town’s museums: Museo Marítimo, Yagones y Gobernador Paz, Presidio, Museo del Fin del Mundo, Estancia Harberton, Mastil de General Belgrano, and Museo Mundo Yámana.

Day 2 - Patagonia is an adventurer’s dream destination. Hike the Glacier Martial to see a breathtaking view of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel – just make sure to wear comfortable shoes for the trek. Tierra del Fuego National Park also provides some nice day hikes on well-marked trails. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe cormorants, sea lions and penguins in their natural habitat by taking catamaran, kayak or Barracuda sail trips around the Channel. For more modern pursuits, Cerro Castor has facilities for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. One may also tee off at the southernmost golf course in the world, the Ushuaia Golf Club.

Day 3 - Here at the edge of the continent, nature’s beauty takes center stage. Start off at El Calafate, a picturesque town set on the glacial blue Lago Argentina. Just 50 miles away is the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the region’s main tourist destinations. Or take a boat excursion and see many of the glaciers and places in the National Park Los Glaciares. The colours and shapes of the icebergs floating in the lake are really awesome and inspiring, making a boat ride on a sunny day a fantastic day out. Another perfect point is Onelli Bay. For a touch of romance, bring a bottle of champagne, and chill it in the lake, or just add a piece of pure crystal ice.

If you have to travel at the last minute, then it's possible to find some amazing deals online. It doesn't matter what your reason is for traveling at the last minute, whether a death in the family, w...If you have to travel at the last minute, then it's possible to find some amazing deals online. It doesn't matter what your reason is for traveling at the last minute, whether a death in the family, wanting to surprise someone or just for fun - spend some time online and you might just score yourself an amazing airfare deal.

First, let's define last minute. Generally, last minute airfares are available between 3 and 14 days before the flight is scheduled. They don't tend to stick around for long, so you need to grab a good deal very quickly. So why do airlines offer such cheap prices? Mostly it's because they've got enough passengers to schedule the flight, but not enough to fill the plane. So rather than fly half full, they'll offer cheap airfares at the last minute to fill up the seats. Because they're so cheap, they are usually purchased immediately, so the airline can relax, knowing the plane is full. Better to sell a seat for a cheap fare than earn nothing at all from an empty one.

The good news is that it's easy to find cheap last minute airfares online. The main problem is finding them for the dates you want to travel, or for flights to your destination. So if you have very specific travel plans, you may not find a cheap last minute airfare. But if you can be a little bit flexible with your travel details, perhaps moving your travel plans forward or backwards by a day, then you might just get lucky.

There are plenty of sites to choose from, with Site59.com and 11thhoursvacations.com being two of the most popular. It's a perfect match - airlines who want to get rid of spare seats at the last minute, and travelers who want to grab a bargain.

So, what do you do if you can't find a cheap flight that suits your plans? Well, one option is to try flying to another airport close by. There's likely to be another airport within a couple of hours drive of home, so try looking for flights from that airport instead. It might take you a couple of hours extra to get to the airport, but if you save yourself hundreds of dollars on the airfare, it's worth it.

You can also try bidding for a last minute airfare at a website like Priceline.com. They take your offer, and then try to match it up with an offer from an airline offloading empty seats. The only problem is that there's no guarantee they'll find anything, so you may not end up with a flight. Also, be aware that if you make a big and an airline accepts it, you have to pay the fee, whether you've found a better airfare elsewhere or not. Still, it's another option you can try in the quest for cheap last minute airfares.

Finally, check out the websites of some discount airlines that fly to your destination. They often have last minute airfare deals, and are worth a look. Make sure you read their fine print carefully, though, in case they have conditions such as a no refund policy. Good luck with your search for cheap last minute airfares, and happy traveling!

Ho Chi Minh City travel guide with information on activities and adventures. Guidance on things to do with plenty of travel tips and advice. Find out what you need to see, what you must to do whilst there and what's hot right now. Vietnam is a great place to visit for just about anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Vietnam has a lot of great history, and carries a lot of events which helped shaped the world as we know it today and makes a great trip Vietnam.

Vietnam is located towards the south east of Asia, and holds a population of more than 86 million residents. Vietnam is the 13th most highly populated country in the world. So what are the historical events which took place in Vietnam?

First there was the Battle of Bach Dang River. This is the battle which gave Vietnam its independence from china. After many feuds with the French over the territory, this eventually leads to the famously known event of the Vietnam War.

So what makes Vietnam Unique? Vietnam has many beautiful locations unlike anything else in the world, along with many species of animals which can only be found around that region. Some of these places being;

World's Natural Heritage sites – 2 locations to be precise, Halong Bay, and Phong Nha-ke Bang National Park. Also containing 6 of the world's biosphere reserves. Vietnam containing one of the most highly bio-diverse life forms calling their sources of nature, home. Vietnam also holds more than 28 national parks; this is definitely a place to go if you wish to come face to face with a lot of life forms in which you have never had the chance to experience before.

Vietnam is also a great place to visit if you would like to experience a highly rich beautiful culture. From cultural history, to current culture today Vietnam has many historical and beautiful landmarks unlike any others in the world.

Many of the different cultures in the history of Vietnam religiously are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Roman Catholicism. You will find many of the historical landmarks and structures which can be found all over Vietnam are structured and designed around these religious cultures.

Vietnam has many different tourist programs in which visitors on Vietnam trips can attend to get the fullest educational experience from the community. Such tours consist of boat tours, tourism guides sponsored by hotels and ran by hotel staff, beach based tours, along with much more.

These are just a few of the countless sights which can be seen throughout the wonderfully unique country that is Vietnam. Come and discover this beautiful region, the land of plenty.

Seek the various online resources to plan your trip with ease and we suggest the comprehensive guide at http://www.puretravel.com/Guide/Asia/South-East_Asia/vietnam where this is plenty of advice, tips and suggestions.