Monday February 24, 2014, 6:08 pm
HOLLYWOOD, Feb 21 — When Hollywood was its own little town at the start of the 20th century, it banned movie theatres and liquor, except for medicinal purposes (wink, wink). That ended quickly when movie studios arrived and a louche Los Angeles annexed the upstart. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/trip-tips-hollywood-home-of-the-oscars#sthash.myfAK4Dd.dpuf

Tuesday February 25, 2014, 12:14 am
Travel Tips: Nantes, the Somerset Levels (after the floods) and the South Downs | Take me there: Nantes
Why go? Nantes's transformation from gritty shipbuilding city to edgy cultural hub continues apace. The birthplace of Jules Verne has a suitably quirky take on the arts, and the student population keeps things lively on the banks of the Loire.

Insider tip. "For nightlife go to the Hangar à Bananes, an old banana warehouse on the Île de Nantes which is full of bars, restaurants and clubs (hangarabananes.fr)," says Nathalie O'Donnell, a civil servant who lives just outside Nantes. Stereolux (stereolux.org), she says, is the BEST PLACE to hear live music.

Sunday March 2, 2014, 6:29 pm
Take me there: Formentera
Why go?
It's a refuge for hippies, clubbed-out Ibiza veterans, Italian tourists by the boatload and the occasional supermodel, yet Formentera manages to hang on to its bohemian, below- the-radar charm. The sugar-soft beaches and psychedelic sunsets are among the best in the Med.
http://westhillconsulting.info/

Monday March 3, 2014, 12:31 am
Additional Tip...

Don’t drink the water: Translated travel tips for coming to America

Travelers love coming to America, a land many of them have seen via exports from Hollywood. They rave about the landscapes, the recreational opportunities, the vibrant cities and the culture.
But like international travelers anywhere, foreigners visiting the United States from other countries can be flummoxed by some of what they encounter. Fortunately, their fellow travelers have plenty of advice. The picture they paint portrays Americans as relentlessly cheerful yet sensitive folks who just might raid your fridge.

What outsiders say about the U.S. will strike an American as very true, very strange, or both.

Monday March 3, 2014, 6:25 pm
My 55 best travel tips
It is almost May. I’m slightly alarmed by this. Not just because the year is zipping by, and I’m wondering how I squandered away all that time with so little to show for it (Whither the sample chapter of the great American travel memoir, Everywhereist? Whither the clean laundry you were going to do?), but because I am coming up on another anniversary.
Soon, I will have been blogging for three years. Read : http://westhillconsulting.info

Tuesday March 4, 2014, 1:00 am
For all the travel enthusiast..

Greek Islands: readers' tips, recommendations and travel advice | Readers offer advice on holidays in the Greek Islands.

Tulip time | North-west Crete is glorious in April. The White Mountains, covered in snow, make a glorious backdrop to the flower-filled olive and orange groves. Drive up the mountain road to the Omalos Plateau, and see rare tulips and the Samaria Gorge. Take the Sougia road out of Omalos, before heading inland through walnut and chestnut groves, alive with migratory birds. Stop at Deres for Greek coffee and yogurt at Yanni’s taverna, and buy his olives and honey raki.

Visit the huge cave of Saint John the Hermit, in the tiny village of Marathokefala, where the view of the coast towards Maleme is spectacular. From there, it’s a few minutes’ drive to Vouves to see the world’s oldest recorded olive tree, ancient and gnarled, and still bearing fruit. Visit the Minoan harbour at Falasarna, then avoiding the goats, drive along the windy coastal road to Sfinari, and lunch by the sea with Eleni and Yanni at their Sunset Taverna. Perfect.

Wednesday March 5, 2014, 1:05 am
Best travel tips ever

I log around 400,000 real air miles a year (those earned in the air, not by credit card purchases) as travel editor for CBS News, and if there's anything I've learned, it's that most airport, airline, hotel, and other rules and policies are only misguided suggestions. Here are my special tips on saving time, money, and stress, without breaking any rules or ever cutting in line -- in fact, without ever standing in a line!


Pick the farm-team airports
Unless I'm flying long-haul international nonstop, I try to forget O'Hare, J.F.K., San Francisco, and Boston. Instead, in good weather or bad, I head from, to, or through Milwaukee, Islip, Oakland, and Providence.

Avoid baggage blues
If you're like me, you believe that there are two kinds of airline bags: carried on, and lost. And while the airlines are doing a better job with baggage these days, I still don't check bags on domestic flights. I FedEx them or UPS them (or there are 15 other courier services that will do this job).

Wednesday March 12, 2014, 11:38 pm
The ability to waltz elegantly through chaotic airports like an individual actually on vacation isn't something you're born with; it is earned. Packing and planning for optimal travel serenity can take years of trips filled with stress and anxiety before you finally hit your stride and start coming out on top, no matter the lines or the hold-ups. The airport, or the train station or cruise ship dock is where many trips begin, and thus is your launchpad for an awesome trip, be it for work, pleasure or both.

http://www.topix.com/forum/id/jakarta/T4DMV4KO0L9A89RFF

Thursday March 13, 2014, 8:27 pm
Go and Travel to Jakarta

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours Singapore one of our most popular destinations Chaotic, crazy and crowded. But that’s what makes Indonesia’s capital so unique.
There are places you will fall in love with at first sight and some that you won’t. It’s usually the first impressions that makes us love or hate a place. But cities are like women. Some will throw themselves at you, and some will make you chase them. Which woman would you go for? Read more http://westhillconsulting.info/blog/go-and-travel-to-jakarta/

Sunday March 16, 2014, 6:36 pm
Travel to suit your personal style

Some are looking for creature comforts, others just want the bare essentials and Contiki, with their exclusive Backstage Pass, gives travellers the best of both worlds with wonderful inclusions and accommodation to suit your travel style and budget.

Concept and Camping are two styles of travel that appeal to Contiki travellers for a number of reasons.

Concept trips are all about stretching the travel budget to the max with overnights that give you a taste of all the ways to stay in Europe including overnighting in a French Chateau, a traditional sail boat or a chalet.

No two nights will ever be the same and the best bit? You get the amazing Backstage Pass with Contiki's exclusive team, exclusive food, exclusive options and inclusions on top of the exclusive accommodation. That's a lot of exclusives and you'll never share with more than three other people.

Enjoy a special stopover at the Chateau de Cruix in France or gaze out at the Swiss Alps from your chalet at the base of the Jungfrau Mountain. You may even find yourself at the Contiki exclusive Austrian Gasthof in the picturesque town of Hopfgarten. The on-site cooks busy themselves in the kitchens cooking up wonderful home-cooked meals using local produce and give you a taste of the local region and of course you'll also get to enjoy more local fare when you go explore the regions on your own during your ME TIME.

More info:
http://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-tips/travel-to-suit-your-personal-style-1.1659004#.UyclBfldWSp

Tuesday March 18, 2014, 8:12 pm
Crucial road travel tips for EU trips

If you’re fond of your motor and want to take it on holiday with you, you’re not alone. Having carried out a survey with 22,000 of their members, the AA recently found that 11% plan to take their car abroad this year.

If travelling by boat and car, the appeal is obvious: you can bring plenty of luggage, it’s often a cheaper way to travel and, most importantly, you have the freedom to travel wherever you want. Roger de Brett, travel manager for the AA says: “Away from the motorways you’re bound to find delightful places to explore as you go.”

Before setting off on a trip though it’s important to make sure you have the right documentation and that your car is up to scratch. Travel insurance, which can be purchased from the AA, is essential, along with AA European Breakdown Cover. The latter offers an English speaking helpline and repatriation of a car if necessary. If you don’t have cover, you could be looking at costs of up to £1,000 to bring a broken-down car home.

It’s also worth consulting the FCO website (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for up to date information on different countries.

But the preparations don’t end there. European countries have their own requirements for compulsory equipment to carry in cars so you’ll need to compile a shopping list before you set off. The AA website (theaa.com) offers downloadable guides for much of Europe, and while some countries are straightforward — for example there is no compulsory equipment needed for the republic of Ireland while in Denmark you just need to bring one red warning triangle — others have more road rules.

Monday April 7, 2014, 8:39 pm
10 Hotel Chains with the Best Bath and Beauty Products
There are plenty of reasons to care about what's on that hotel-room sink. When top-quality bath and beauty amenities are offered, travelers can leave their TSA-friendly bottles at home or take souvenir toiletries to go. Hotels, happily, have taken notice. More major chains have bid adieu to generic soaps and shampoos and upgraded their offerings in recent years. Now, complimentary brand-name skincare products, once limited to luxury lodgings and independent boutique hotels, can be found at less exclusive properties.
Here are 10 major hotel brands with superior bath and beauty products, along with tips on where to buy the products in case you're not traveling anytime soon.

Sunday April 13, 2014, 7:27 pm
Westhill Consulting Travel & Tours Singapore: Jakarta Weather


Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia, has a hot and humid tropical wet and dry climate.

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is located at the northwest end of Java Island faces north onto Jakarta Bay and the Java Sea. Being the regional center for business and culture and is also the jumping off point for reaching the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) National Park, Jakarta has been booming on its tourism.

Sunday April 13, 2014, 10:58 pm
The central tourist attractions are located in the center of the city. Westhill Consulting Travel & Tours Singapore provides you with useful information of must sees in Jakarta, Indonesia

Kota district is the centre of old Batavia. It is the tourist hub of Jakarta. The focal action is centered in the historic Taman Fatahillah, a paved square that looks like it came from another era. If you visit the old port area, Sunda Kelapa, you can see the schooners returning from the high seas to trade their exotic spices. It is a picture immortalized in Joseph Conrad evocative descriptions. Jakarta’s most unforeseen attractions is the vibrantly painted sailing ships are.

The Maritime Museum, is situated in Sunda Kelapa. A warehouse for the Dutch is now home to the maritime museum but not until the 19th century. The various adventures at sea was brought to life by the model boats and faded sepia photos, it includes the voyage to Jakarta from Europe via Aden. You can take in the spectacular views of the surroundings from the old watchtower.

From Indonesia and Southeast Asia, the Puppet Museum is a treasure house of puppets. You can witness an attention-grabbing collection of traditional Indonesian puppets like wayang kulit and wayang golek. You can enjoy puppet shows, which are a regular feature of the museum.

Jakarta’s most famous landmark, towering over Merdeka Square, is the National Monument (Monas). This imposing monument is a symbol of Indonesia’s independence and strength. The monument is 132 meters tall and topped with 35 kilograms of gold. The Freedom Hall represents Indonesia’s fight for independence through a succession of dioramas. Take an elevator to the observation platform and to have a bird’s-eye view of the cityscape. At the base of the National Monument is the National Museum.

National Museum is Jakarta’s most impressive museum, the National Museum presents fascinating flashbacks into the history of the city and Indonesia. There are early Chinese ceramics, pieces culled from Java’s myriad temples and a bronze elephant that was gifted to the museum by the King of Thailand as exhibits.

For More Information Visit us at:
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Experience the Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a sprawling 100-hectare park in Jakarta is an exciting diversion. Each of Indonesia’s provinces has pavilions with displays of regional handicrafts and clothing. There is a huge ‘lagoon’ where you can roam around the islands of this archipelago. You can also take in a bird’s eye view from the cable cars. What's more, there are museums, theatres, restaurants and a bird park with a walk-in aviary.

Ragunan Zoo is located 16 km south of the city centre in the Pasar Minggu area. The zoo is home to approximately 4000 animals, like the well-known Komodo dragons. The formidable Java tigers are a further highlight of this park. You can spend hours just wandering around the extensive parklands, rainforests, and a landscaped lake.

This stunning Old Dutch quarter, Taman Fatahillah, is home to some old and ancient monuments. This is a grand place to view some remarkable colonial architecture. The focal attractions here are the oldest church in Jakarta, the Gereja Sion and Si Jagur, the cannon which symbolized fertility.

Monday April 14, 2014, 8:53 pm
Business Trip? Book It Yourself
http://www.afr.com/p/online_booking_tool_keeps_staff_3KcfVkeOSf0MsXQYYPuZvK


CHRIS TOLHURST
Companies are increasingly insisting on their staff booking business trips online. In fact, a recent survey of European and US business travellers suggests 66 per cent now have access to self-booking tools and 60 per cent are using them regularly.


Take-up rates for self-booking are even higher among Australian companies. Local travel agents say 90 per cent or more of clients are booking their domestic business trips using customised self-booking tools (SBTs).


The results of the survey of European and US booking practices, by travel distribution company Amadeus, were disputed by key European corporate travel figures when the findings were released late last year. British travel agents said that 60 per cent of business travellers do not book themselves – a strong claim borne out by the amount of business transacted through specialist business travel agencies, known as Travel Management Companies (TMCs).

Monday April 14, 2014, 11:44 pm
Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia, has a hot and humid tropical wet and dry climate.

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is located at the northwest end of Java Island faces north onto Jakarta Bay and the Java Sea. Being the regional center for business and culture and is also the jumping off point for reaching the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) National Park, Jakarta has been booming on its tourism.

Located in the cosmopolitan, Jakarta has a superior modern edifices, old colonial style buildings, monuments, mosques and green parks that offer lovely contrasts. Visitor travels around in the central part of the city naming Merdeka Square and the National Monument, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral. There are a lot of shopping malls and the gem in the city's crown in the Old Jakarta city quarter.


Old Jakarta is full of heritage structures. The examples of these heritage structures are: Wayang Museum, the Port Tower (Menara Syahbandar) and Kota Intan Drawbridge while a cultural park, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, is in Jakarta's eastern suburbs and features exhibits, cultural shows and reconstructions from all over Indonesia.

The best time to visit Jakarta is during the dry season months from July to October but due to the drainage system being swamped, the Jakarta weather in the wet season months can cause flooding in parts of the city so this isn’t the best time to visit. While, visitors who wish to spend the holidays in Pramuka Island or other islands in Kepulauan Seribu near Jakarta may perhaps visit in the rainy season, as it seldom rains for the whole day.

It is the wet season in Jakarta during November till June Jakarta. January is the wettest month of the year when it receives around 400 mm of precipitation. Moreover, the month witnesses only 92 hours of sunshine. Throughout the wet season the average high stands at 32°C while the low falls to 24°C. In fact, temperature hardly varies from season to season in Jakarta. While the rest of the month remains dry in Jakarta. During Summer Jakarta remains hot and humid with the average high of 34°C while the low stands at mid twenties. Rainfall is very much uncommon in the city, but not rare as September gets around 29 mm of precipitation. Although temperature remains somewhat hotter than those of monsoon months, it is the best season to visit the capital city of Indonesia.

Monday April 28, 2014, 9:00 pm
Mangga Dua square, Pasar Baru, Grand Indonesia mall was a good place. It is convenient for me, but the traffic jam is terrible, just like Jakarta though, its too bad!

Monday April 28, 2014, 11:28 pm
Jakarta is not a pedestrian friendly city at all, the major problems is the lack of sidewalks. A pedestrian must share the road space with all passing vehicles, and exhaust fumes too, but the city is great overall if you’ll get passed all that.

Tuesday April 29, 2014, 7:00 pm
Ibis Mangga Dua had consistently decent stuff. It is also near electronics/cheap shopping malls. At night, the vicinity becomes quiet, though you're not far by taxi from major nightlife neighborhoods of the city so you can get to party but sleep in peace after.

Tuesday April 29, 2014, 11:57 pm
It is quite safe to walk to Grand Indonesia & The Plaza Indonesia. Takes about 15minutes.

Thursday May 1, 2014, 6:41 pm
Mangga Dua for me isn’t a good place to stay. Hot, humid, dusty, smelly. The traffic problem worse. I suggest that you stay in a better part of the city such as in Menteng or Jalan Sabang area.

Friday May 2, 2014, 12:03 am
I came to Indonesia for pleasure. I stayed here 4 days 3 nights. And I was never disappointed, no complaints at all.