Tag: attractions

South India Tour Operator : South India Tours

If you are really looking for a vacation, that has all the ingredients like attractions, relaxation, fun, excitement, and a pool of activities, then come for a South India tour. A South India tour packs in all the excitements you would look for in an ideal holiday. South India tourism is very popular since it not only offers sightseeing of the most scenic places but also offers an array of adventure sports for the adventures seekers, relaxation for the solace seekers and lots of shopping for the buyers. South India tour operator of TSI India offers various south India tour packages.

On your South India tour you will discover the beautiful states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry and the islands of Lakshadweep. You will discover everything, right from the most exotic beaches to hill stations; from wildlife to ayurveda; and from temples and monuments to festivals and fairs on your tours to South India. The South India tour packages include the most gorgeous beaches in South India. All the states of South India are coastal as they form the peninsular part of India, which is surrounded by water on both sides. Some of the most prominent of the South India beaches are the Alappuzha beach, Kovalam beach, Kanyakumari beach, and Maple beach.

Kerala besides its beaches is also famed for its backwaters which you will cruise on the traditional houseboats on your South India tour. Tamil Nadu is known for its beautifully architechtured temples and beaches. Karnataka is also famed for its beaches as well as majestic falls, scenic backdrops and historical structures. On South India tours and travels, you will also get the chance to stay in some of the luxurious spa and ayurveda resorts in South India and enjoy the therapeutic ayurvedic massages and learn Yoga and meditation.

On your tour to South India, you will get the chance to visit the enchanting hills and the picturesque villages dotting these green carpeted hills. Some of the famous hill stations that you will visit on your travel to South India, include Munnar, Kodaikanal, Nilgiri hills and Ooty. These hills with sprawling tea or coffee plantations exude a pleasant aura to the surroundings and make for an ideal retreat for the nature lovers and for the ones who want to escape the chaotic cities.

The wildlife tour in South India is perfect for the all the adventure lovers. The famed national parks and sanctuaries that you will come across on your South India wildlife tour include the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Crocodile bank, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole national Park and the Idukki Wildlife sanctuary. Coming to these parks and sanctuaries, you will get an idea of the rich and diverse flora and fauna of South India.

South India is a haven of temples and monuments. Some of these attractions you will visit on your South India trip include Somnathpur temple, Meenakshi temple, Tirupati Temple, Gol Gumbaz, Char Minar, Golconda fort, Mysore palace and others. TSI India has come up with the best deal South India tour packages to make your tours more exciting and fun filled.

TSI India offers online information and booking of South India tour, various South India tour packages, Kerala heritage tour, tamilnadu tour, tour to kerala, bangalore tour, golden triangle India tour, tour of golden temple, tours to cochin, ayurveda India tour, Tours to kanyakumari, Tour of India, Luxury India tour, ayurveda India tour, spiritual India tour, tour of golden temple, India religious tour by Indian travel agents and tour operator of Indian Horizons. During your South India tour you will be taken to the most popular destinations of South India.

Tips for saving money and sticking to a budget while traveling

How do you travel cheaply or "on the cheap?"

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First, if you’re a photographer or a writer you can become a travel photographer and/or a travel writer, which would allow you to travel free working for a magazine and/or selling your photographs and/or travel stories would help you pay for your travel. You can also use these monies to set up a "travel fund" so that when you want to travel you have a fund for travel, based upon a percentage of monies earned from your travel photographs and/or travel stories. If you don’t have a magazine, then you can go online and find the websites where you can publish your travel photographs and/or travel stories. You might also make travel audios and/or videos. Many of these websites don’t pay very much money, nevertheless these monies can be added (or deducted from) your travel budget.

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You should have a travel budget. How much money do you have for travel? How much money can you spend for hotels, for food, for transportation, etc. You should have a budget and also know how much money you want to spend per day. Suppose you go to Las Vegas and decide that you can only afford $20 per day for food, then you only spend $20 per day for food. You can go online and easily find the restaurants, hotels, and buffets in Las Vegas where you can buy food for $20 per day. Maybe your whole budget per day including gambling if you’re a gambler-and gamblers should also budget and practice what’s called "responsible gambling"-is $200, including staying at some cheapo hotel or motel. Then you keep to your $200 and stay at the cheapo motel. Many luxury hotels in Las Vegas also have discounts, so sometimes you can stay at a luxury hotel at a discount. You can find these discounts, including coupons online.

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Research and make a list of all the discounts, coupons, etc. Have a travel guide that includes information on cheapo travel. Many travel guides also contain discounts. Do your research online. There are also travel agents and travel consultants who have information for those interested in cheapo travel.

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Avoid the "tourist traps" that charge a lot of money to tourists. For food, for example, go to the less expensive place that the locals know about. Your guidebook should also discuss some of these less expensive restaurants and entertainments.

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Make a list of the freebies. If you like museums, for example, where are the free museums. What entertainments are free. Collect freebies coupons. You can search for travel freebies online.

Backcountry Tours in Whistler

Whistler is an incredible four-season resort in North America, located about two-hour drive along the Sea to Highway 99 from Vancouver, in Canada. Rated the number one ski resort by the Sky Magazine, Whistler provides a wonderful base for skiing, with its majestic mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, both of which together provide more than 7000 acres of skiable terrain, apart from 200 marked trails.

Whistler is also considered a perfect base for a range of other winter activities including heli skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and more. Besides, Whistler has superb options to enjoy a variety of summer activities in the form of fishing, golf, canoeing, rafting, and much more. In short, Whistler is a year-round playground, offering something for everyone.

With lush vegetation, picturesque views, and diverse flora and fauna, Backcountry in Whistler is truly unique. Backcountry tours in Whistler are a great way to explore the unparalleled beauty of the place. Further, a guided Whistler backcountry tour provides fabulous choices to enjoy a continuum of activities amid breathtaking settings.

Vacationers can choose from a variety of backcountry tours in Whistler. If you would like to take Whistler backcountry tours to discover the incredible views of the area, then choose sightseeing backcountry tours, which are mostly in the form of two-three hour tours. It takes you to such backcountry destinations as Callaghan Valley, which has been chosen as a venue to host 2010 Alpine, Cross Country, and Nordic events.

Another popular area that would be covered in backcountry sightseeing tours is Madely Canyon, which provides scenic vistas of 140 ft high Alexander Waterfalls. Sightseeing tours also take you to destinations such as Powder Mountain Glacier, charming Madley Lake, and beautiful Garibaldi ranges.

For those who want to go deep into backcountry of Whistler, then tours leading to old growth forest, unparalleled mountains over the emerald hued shores of Madley or Wood lake, are available. Mostly, in sightseeing backcountry tours in Whistler, you will be accompanied by an expert guide to navigate along the old forestry roads, rivers, mountains, and more.

Backcountry tours in Whistler are also designed according to the preferences of holidaymakers. For instance, if you want to have a unique skiing and snowboard experience, one of the best options would be to choose guided ski and snowboard tours to Whistler backcountry. Boasting of a range of bowls, gladed runs, and glaciers, Whistler’s backcountry provides an enjoyable skiing experience.

Additionally, backcountry ski tours are a great way to enjoy awesome powder skiing in the backcountry areas of Whistler and Blackcomb. Skiing tours are available in different forms including multi day skiing tours, guided skiing tours to explore deep backcountry, and ski mountaineering tours.

Likewise, for unique skiing experience, nothing would be better than taking a guided backcountry heli skiing tour. Heli skiing is an excellent way to explore the stunning high alpine terrain. With excellent mountain ranges, Whistler’ backcountry provides facilities for different types of heli skiing such as powder heli skiing, Big Mountain heli skiing, and mini golf heli skiing.

Different types of Whistler backcountry also include mountain biking tours. Whistler’s backcountry has some best biking trails for a memorable biking experience. Similarly, fishing enthusiasts can go for backcountry tours, especially crafted for fishing purposes. These tours not only allow to discover the beautiful lakes and rivers in the area but also to come through an interesting species of marine life including rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Salmon, and Cutthroat trout. Equally interesting would be to take guided ATV tours to Whistler backcountry. Other popular types of backcountry tours are hiking as well as snowshoeing tours, snowmobile tours, rafting tours, and rock climbing tours.

With scores of service providers in the scenario, finding a professional travel consultant for a memorable Whistler backcountry tours is no longer a chaotic process. Many of the world class hotels and resorts in the area also provide superb arrangements for a memorable backcountry tour. Some of them even provide assistance of an expert to guide you in exploring every type of terrains in Whistler.

There are also some service providers, offering some kind of discounts on tour packages when you book them with in a stipulated time period. In most cases, these tour packages are inclusive of transportation, rental equipments for experiencing backcountry activities, meals, beverages, and snacks.

Planning a Successful Tour in Mexico

Each year, a large number of individuals, couples, and families make the decision to travel to Mexico. Most have visited Mexico before. If you are planning a Mexico vacation, and you have never been there before, you may have some concerns. You may be wondering what places are safe for you to visit.

Mexico is like all other countries. There are areas that are known as tourists attractions and then there are other areas that tourists are advised to stay away from. You can easily learn about these areas online. Researching every city and town in Mexico is a long and daunting process. To save time and a costly vacation mistake, you are encouraged to examine the benefits of taking a guided Mexico tour.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of booking a guided tour in Mexico is that you will be with a local who is familiar with the area. Guided tours are held in areas that are considered safe. In addition to showing you around certain areas of Mexico, your tour guide may be able to offer you additional travel tips and suggestions. These suggestions may help you with your vacation after your guide has ended.

If you are interested in taking a guided Mexican tour, you will have to find the tour company which you wish to do business with. There are a large nubmer of guided tour companies in the area. If you do not have a preference as to which company you like to tour with, you may want to first search for a destination. The destination you select will be important in determining what you will learn and see while on a guided tour.

Many guided tours take place in Cooper Canyon, the Oaxaca Mountains, the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja. In Mexico, Baja is most known for its water activities. Many popular guided tours include whale watching and kayaking. Whether you set out to watch the whales or you select a kayaking tour, you are sure to see Gray whales. Many times, they will come right up to your boat, making for great pictures or video footage.

Cooper Canyon and the Oaxaca Mountains are guided tours that are ideal for those that love to hike. To participate in these tours, it is advised that you receive the proper health clearance. You tour will likely follow trails, but much of the terrain can be rough. The Yucatan Peninsula is ideal for travelers who wish to learn more about the ancient history of Mexico.

The above mentioned destinations in Mexico are just a few of the many. Guided tours are found all across Mexico. If there is particular topic or activity that interests you, you are sure to find a guided tour that will offer you excitement. Hikers often select a hiking tour, boats often opt for boat tours, and history lovers often select tours that focus on the history of Mexico.

In addition to selecting where you would like to go on a guided tour, you will also need to determine how long you like that tour to be. In Mexico, guided tours can last as long as one day or over one week. You should easily be able to determine how long a guided tour is by looking at the price. Weeklong guided tours can cost thousands of dollars, but most of your accommodations are taken care of. Some guided tours can be considered all-inclusive vacations.

Journey Mexico, Siesta Tours, and Ufly Mexico are three of the most well-known guided tour companies in Mexico. You can examine the tours found by these three companies by visiting their online websites or by requesting free travel brochures. If you are interested in finding additional tours, your local travel agent may be able to offer you assistance.

By selecting a guided tour of Mexico, you do not always have to be looking over your shoulder. Vacationing in a safe area with an experienced tour guide is about as carefree as your Mexico vacation can get.

Decorate your front door for the holidays

Considering that your front door is the entrance to your warm, humble abode during the holiday season, you might want to apply a few festive ideas to help keep with the holiday spirit and accommodate all of your guests. No matter what holiday they celebrate!

There are various decorative ideas that you could implement which go beyond that of a typical wreath or Santa Claus pin-up. For starters, you could add a large sheet of oak tag to the front of your door which is decorated in festive holiday colors and label the sheet “Wish List”. Ensure that every guest jots down his or her name, what holiday they will be celebrating and one gift they wish to receive this holiday season before entering into your home. This helps you gain insight into what your guests/family members are into and presents you with gift ideas. This helps take the pressure out of wondering about what to get individuals who are important to you!

Perhaps your wondering how guests would feel whom celebrate various holidays or only one particular holiday which differs from the one your family celebrates? If this is the case, you could easily alleviate this discomfort by designing your front door with an assortment of holiday ornaments from various cultures. Simply purchase or create a sign which reads “Happy Holidays”, as this has a general quality about it. Then, in each of the four corners of the doorway, add a specific ornament to categorize that one holiday! One may contain a wreath, another may have a menorah. Work around the holiday categories of guests you may have over for holiday celebration.

Another simple idea would be to stay with the seasonal theme of Winter. This is more general, however it does have a significant effect as individuals have the tendency to affiliate the winter season with the holidays. Add white snowflake cut-outs to your door. Purchase cotton balls and cover the circumference of your door to give that wintry, snowy effect. Sprinkle silver glitter over the cotton balls to add sparkle and shimmer which represent the glistening snow. Hang a sheer white sheet over the entrance of your door to create an elegant white winter motif. This general theme helps instill the feeling of the holiday season, yet surpasses specific attributes targeted towards one particular holiday.

Online travel services: Are travel agents becoming obsolete?

Much like blogs are making inroads on news reporting, so too are Internet sites are having an effect on the role that travel agents play. Will travel agents become obsolete? For much of routine travel, the answer is yes. For more specialized travel, they will always have a role to play. The thing that travel agents offer that websites do not is experience in dealing with a wide range of travel services, from cruises to airlines, from visas to dangerous areas for tourists to go. It is the wisdom behind the agent that makes an individual irreplaceable.

When to use a travel agent (vs. booking your own trip online):

* Travel agents can have specialized knowledge, for example, there are those who specialize only in cruises. With all the factors complicating a cruise choice (ship size, company, cabin location, reputation, itinerary, best ports-of-call), working with an agent can help a traveler sift through a wide range of information to make the best informed choice, stick to a particular price point, and get them some extra perks as well.

* Travel agents provide great service in planning for high end trips, like safaris, round-the-world itineraries, and travel to exotic locales or locations with a history of problems for tourists (due to civil war, for example).

* Travel agents are useful for large group planning and booking, ensuring that discounts not offered online can be secured for your group. Handling multi-stop travel plans for a large group of people is best coordinated through a central planner who can seek the advantages of discount rates.

* Some consolidated tickets can only be secured through a travel agent. Ever see those tiny ads at the back of newspapers and local magazines, and wonder if they’re real? They are, but typically these are for travel agents dealing in consolidator ticketing. Working with you, they can secure ultra-low pricing for restricted conditions.

For most people, and most simple vacation planning, travel agents are a thing of the past. There are many websites that help smooth the process. The travel industry has a great stake in trying to eliminate the kickbacks to these agents, too. Yet for certain travel situations, a helpful travel agent can save you time and money.

Celebrating 100 Years of the British Holiday Camp!

Imagine choosing between a guest house with a set of strict rules – and a landlady ready to enforce them, or a holiday camp with tents and daily chores to complete. Doesn’t sound like much of a choice, yet these were the accommodation options for those holidaying in Great Britain’s seaside resorts in the 1900s.

Given these were the only options, the ‘freedom’ offered by the holiday camp was instantly appealing and holidaymakers were welcomed at the UK’s first holiday camp in 1906 at Caistor-on-Sea, Norfolk. By today’s standards the camp was incredibly basic and certainly had no luxury accommodation on offer! Yet it paved the way for a holiday genre that has been thriving for more than 100 years.

Holiday camps continued to make steady progression and 1924 saw the arrival of a holiday camp in Hopton-on-Sea which boasted brick chalets, running water and electric lights – some of the ultimate facilities. However, global events were to have a serious impact on holidays with two World Wars, and the take over of holiday camps to be used as military bases in the Second World War.

Holiday camps really came into their own with a glorious golden era during the 1950s and 60s after the end of WWII. People hadn’t been on holiday for many years and many children had never seen the sea. Life had been incredibly hard and the public were in need of fun and entertainment. The holiday camp could provide all this and more. With swimming pools on site, entertainment in the evenings, competitions including ‘Glamorous Granny’ and ‘Knobbly Knees’ plus plentiful food the camps offered all the right ingredients for an fun and affordable family holiday.

While the offer of cheap sea and sun holidays drew many people to destinations such as Spain in the 1970s, UK holiday resorts such as Great Yarmouth have seen a resurgence of visitors in recent years. As the cost of living continues to soar and with the need to consider ‘greener’ ways to travel, a Great British seaside holiday – with glorious beaches, strolls along the pier and ice cream – is an attractive proposition.

And where better to stay than a holiday village? A far cry from their 20th Century counterparts, Great Yarmouth is home to some of the UK’s best including some with 5-star ratings. With the promise of modern accommodation, a huge range of indoor and outside entertainment for children and adults and onsite eateries, it’s the ideal choice for families.

Great Yarmouth has invested more than £25 million in redeveloping the seafront, creating a stunning new promenade area for visitors to stroll along, and a beautifully lit pedestrianised walkway linking the seafront to the town centre. The town’s rich maritime heritage is evident all around, with a heritage quarter rich in history to explore. The many holiday parks and villages along this part of the coastline expect a bumper year in 2008.

Spring and Summer Concert Tours of 2008

For any lover of music – whether it is rock and roll, hip hop, or country, or anything else under the sun, the spring and summer concert schedule of 2008 is set to blow your mind and give you a chance to see many different acts out there on the road. No matter where you live or where you’d like to travel to see shows, you’ll be able to find plenty of great spring and summer concerts, and you’ll be able to end the summer knowing you’ve seen the best that the music industry has to offer.
Rock Fans

No matter what time period of rock you are a fan of, you’ll be able to find something to delight you this summer. Neil Diamond is on tour this year, starting in the late spring. So is Celine Dion. She starts her tour in the UK on May 2nd, and tours there for the majority of the summer. On August 15th, she begins the North American leg of the tour with two nights in Boston. Bon Jovi starts a tour in the US at the end of April, and is in the United States through the end of May. Starting in June, he will continue to tour in the UK for several dates.

Rod Stewart is also on tour this spring and summer, and will most definitely be coming to a tour destination near you. His tour begins in California at the end of July and goes through the end of August. The Police kick off an exciting and spectacular series of shows. They begin in Ontario on May 1st, and their shows run through the end of August. The Cure is also on tour, beginning in May and running through the end of June.

Jimmy Buffet is also on tour this spring and summer. His shows begin at the end of April, on the 22nd, and they run through the end of September. The Eagles currently have four shows planned in late May in Georgia. Also, Eric Clapton currently has 12 shows scheduled in May and June across the US and Canada. Elton John is playing several shows in Las Vegas during June of 2008.

Rock fans from a later generation will also be pleased to know that some newer acts are out there on the road as well. Projekt Revolution/Linkin Park kick off a summer tour, and continue to tour through the end of September.

Jack Johnson and Radiohead will have several tour dates planned for spring and Summer of 2008. Also, Dave Matthews Band is also touring this summer. They’ll be hitting several major cities. They begin at the end of May, and the tour lasts through September.

John Mayer is set to launch his summer tour, starting July 2nd at Summerfest in Milwaukee. The tour runs through August as of now, and also has Colbie Caillat and Brett Dennen

Jonas Brothers “The Burning Up Tour” will begin in Toronto on July 4th. This is the first time that the Jonas Brothers have started a tour on their own, and they are hoping to have big crowds for their entire tour, which should last most of the summer.
R&B And Hip Hop Fans

Kanye West starts his tour at the end of April, in Los Angeles, and ends in Los Angeles again in June. Jay-Z and Mary J Blige are touring together in April and May. There are several tour dates listed for them, promoting Jay-Z’s new album.
Country Music Fans

Kenny Chesney and Leeann Rimes tour this summer a well, with the Pirates and Poets Tour, starting in May and going on for most of the summer. Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Sugarland all have separate concert tours that are beginning in the spring and going through the summer months, across the North American continent, mostly in the United States. Rascal Flatts begins a tour in May, and has dates that run through October, all in North America.
Reunion Tours

It isn’t only new bands that are on tour, or even bands that have been around awhile. This summer kicks off a great era in music tours, where bands that haven’t been together in many years are coming back together and touring. For instance, New Kids On The Block kicks off a spring and summer tour in late spring, and this is one that should not be missed by any fans, new or old.

Poison is also touring this summer, starting late spring and hitting more than 40 cities along the way. They are going to be joined by Dokken and Sebastian Bach.

Stone Temple Pilots, after being off the seen for eight years, and after being apart for five years, will reunite for a tour of North America that will last for 65 cities. The tour is set to begin on May 17th in Ohio.
Major Tours

It isn’t just single concerts that makes this summer amazing, either. The Lollapalooza event kicks off three days of great music – August 1-3, in Chicago’s Grant Park. This even is headlined by Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Wilco, and The Raconteurs.

You can also go to the Live, Raw & Uncut Tour, which is launching July 3rd at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. This tour runs through early September, hitting more than 40 stops along the way.

As a fan of any type of music, there are going to be plenty of chances for you to see your favorite artists, all across North America and even in Europe this summer. Keep your eyes open for tour dates and shows near you!

Private Tours in Israel

11 reasons to choose a private tour in Israel

There are 3 ways in which you can travel Israel: by your own, with a group or with a private tour. This article explains why preferring private tour on the other tour options that mentioned above.

Indeed Israel is a modern country with western culture, a country in which getting along should not be too hard. All signs written both in Hebrew and English, most people you will meet will speak Basic English and yet, here are 11 reasons for preferring a private tour guide when you are in Israel.   

  • Flexibility- You needs an itinerary that will fit your needs. The only way you can have this is with a private tour.  When you are tired you can stop and rest, if you want to change the plan, you can do it instantly. You have the final word.

  • Transportation- on private tours, the guide drives the car. He knows the shortcuts, where to park the car, how to handle other Israeli drivers, and he comes with a comfortable car. Israeli drivers are patient less, driving a rent car on roads that you do not familiar with, can lead to an unpleasant conflicts with the typical Israeli driver. On Private tours you have a driver guide that will handle that easily. Other driving issue relevant to Israel is: knowing where you are not allowed to drive for military reasons or for security reasons. Not that it’s dangerous! But avoiding incontinency is always better.    

  • Asking questions- Private tour is the only way that you can assure that your questions will be answered. Only on Private tour you can ask as many questions as you like. The guide will give all his/her attention just to you and to your questions. There are no other people that will compete on guide’s attention.

  • Hearing the guide – Private tour is the only way that you can assure that you won’t miss any information. On private tours the guide will wait for you and walk with you on you own pace. The guide will start explaining only on your convenient time and there will be no other people to block your way or access to the guide. You will never loose your group because you are the group and the guide is with you on all time.

  • Out of the ordinary sites- feel like seeing the battle field of David and goliath? Want to hike in the desert in a unique valley? Have you ever seen the stalactite cave? The only way to see unique and out of the ordinary sites in Israel is with a Private tour guide. A Private tour guide in Israel will take you to absolutely any place in the country.

  • Out of the ordinary hours- with Private guide you can see Jerusalem by night, with Private tour guide you can hike up the snake path to Massada for sunrise. Only on Private tour you can start and end the tour on your own your time.  

  • Budget – Private tours are not cheap (Compared to joining a group tour) but if you travel with your family or friends that share the costs, it’s really worth it. The friendly atmosphere and personal touch on private tours, worth every Shekel. 

  • Wasting time- your time in Israel is valuable therefore you don’t want to waste your time waiting for other people. In any group tour you will have this guy of family that is always late. You will wait for them in the morning on departure from the hotel and you will wait for them when they are shopping during the tour. The only way to maximize tour site seeing time, is by taking a Private tour guide in Israel. Not only you will maximize your time, you will do it in a very ease and tranquil manner. 
  • Friendliness- Your tour guide is someone who looks in your eyes, talks to you from a close distance and shares the adventures and experiences with you at the same time. From our experience the tour guide turns into a family member right from the beginning.

  • Shopping and restaurants – professional tour guide will also know where the good shopping places to be are, he can advice you for what should be a reasonable price for something. Private tour guide in Israel can recommend to you and take you to good non touristic restaurants, authentic restaurants that you will not find on your tour book.

  • Meeting Israelis- with a private tour guide you will have the opportunity to meet face to face with Israelis. Touring a country, especially a country like Israel, is not just site seeing. A very important part of Touring Israel is by knowing its people. With a private guide you will be able to sit down and talk to Israelis, understand their way of life and their culture.

Understanding and Commissioning a Virtual Tour – a Beginner’s Guide

A virtual tour is a complete 360-degree view of a space. The user can feel as if they’re standing within a space, and then can control their movement within the area. They can look up above them, at the floor below them, and all around. Users are also able to zoom in and out, giving them the ability to focus in on areas of interest. Each virtual tour is usually made up from a number of photographs which are ‘stitched’ together

Where are they used?
One of the most familiar applications of virtual tours is by estate agents. These virtual tours tend to be small scale, and low-quality, as price is the biggest issue.

High-resolution virtual tours that can be viewed at full screen are the best option for any organisation for whom quality is important. A hotel group will use virtual tours to show the potential clients the quality of the rooms. Other examples of potential virtual tour customers include conference centres, museums, hospitals, car manufacturers, football clubs, universities, architects and property developers – all of whom benefit by showing off their space to its best advantage.

What extra features can a virtual tour have?
You can use the virtual tours in many different ways on your site, depending on how you’d like to display them. Virtual tours can be linked to a floorplan, so that users can feel orientated and choose how and where to move within a space. This is particularly useful for architects or property developers. Eye Revolution have created an example of this type for The Edison bar and lounge.

A Google Maps interface enables users to see virtual tours that are geographically removed from each other – a large number of virtual tours can all be linked via a map. Britannia Vista offers an excellent example of this type of implementation.

Many virtual tour providers will also be able to integrate hotspots – special links within a virtual tour. You may even want to include an audio script, a soundtrack or even some video in your virtual tours.

Talk to the virtual tour companies about the project, and they will be able to suggest interfaces that may be appropriate for you.

What’s the advantage of a virtual tour on your website?
A virtual tour which is relevant to the viewer can help both build a brand and sell a product. So in the case of an architect’s website, where part of their portfolio is available to be toured, the viewer is able to see the quality of the architect’s work, choose where they’d like to focus on (rather than being dependent on the ‘right’ stills being provided) and then zoom in and see the small details. This gives the company a big advantage over their competitors as potential clients get a better insight into the product on offer.

How should I choose a virtual tour provider?
The good news is that there’s a lot of choice out there. The bad news is that there are some very poor providers too. The best bet is to make a shortlist of virtual tour providers and then have a very thorough look through their portfolios. Look for ‘stitching errors’ – places where the photographs that make up the tour don’t line up properly. Look for clarity – are the lines clear and sharp, or fuzzy, pixellated or indistinct? Can you see odd colours which don’t look ‘right’, particularly on edges of objects in the tours. Check for over-exposure – so can you see through windows, or are they all white and hazy? Can you look around a full 360-degrees, or are the ceilings and floors blocked off?

If you’re looking for a high quality virtual tour, it’s vital that your providers are good photographers. If they’re poor photographers, nothing will make your virtual tour look as good as it should.

So, going through their portfolio to make sure that you’re happy with the quality of their virtual tour work and that they’ve got a good range of clients and experience is vital to the success of your virtual tour project.

Is it expensive?
This depends on the type of project that you’re commissioning. Talk to the providers you’ve shortlisted, describe your project in as much detail as possible and ask them to quote. A ‘menu’ of prices (where you can see the cost per virtual tour, rather than the total cost for 10 virtual tours) is often useful, as it enables you to compare like with like.

The important thing to note is that the old adage still applies – if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys! Good virtual tour providers will be investing in new equipment, training and software on an ongoing basis. They will also be expert in retouching, and can use their skills to ensure your tours look as good as they can. This investment means that you get the best possible end result, and as you’re going to live with it on your website – possibly for a number of years – you want to make sure that the virtual tours are perfect. If you’re being offered a deal that seems to good to be true, again, look back carefully at the portfolio and assess the quality again.

How do I get it on my website?
Your virtual tour provider will provide you with files which can be uploaded to your site, or they can be hosted on your virtual tour provider’s server. They will be able to liaise with your web designer to ensure the smooth delivery and upload of the virtual tours.

There are several plugins through which people can view virtual tours (for example, Flash, QuickTime, Java, Shockwave and OpenGL). Flash’s high penetration (97% in developed markets) tends to make it the main choice, however, providers will be able to discuss the best options with you.

So finally…
Good virtual tours that stand the test of time and enhance your site visitors’ experience will be likely to increase sales, will encourage people to return, and may over time increase the traffic to your website.