Tips for Travelers Who are Going to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a key destination for many travelers. It has a population of more than seven million, scattered all throughout its more than 200 islands. It is located in Eastern Asia, near China and the South China Sea. Formerly, leased to Great Britain, Hong Kong was officially returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong offers diversity in: culture, religion, and lifestyles.

Chinese, (Cantonese) and English are both the official language here. So foreigners, who are planning to visit, should not have any problems exploring, and experiencing the culture of this vibrant place; since English is widely spoken here.

Hong Kong dollar is the currency in use here. One American dollar roughly equals around 7 Hong Kong dollars.

Hong Kong is known for: its unique energetic vibe, its wonderful food, and beautiful skylines. It’s best to always bring a camera when roaming around in the city, so travelers can capture the essence of this place, and will always have a memento of their visit.

Hong Kong offers many great upscale shopping districts that rival the high end streets of: Shanghai, London and Paris. But the best places to shop here are the unique shops, and street markets that exhibit the charm and uniqueness of the locality.

It is wise to look around at the various stores to compare prices before buying anything. The best part of all is that sales tax is exempted on everything in Hong Kong.

The best way to get around Hong Kong is to purchase an Octopus payment card. This card takes you everywhere. It can also be used on any public transportation system, except taxis. It can even be used in vending machines, restaurants, and convenient stores, fast food places, etc.

Some of the key places in Hong Kong are:

* Hong Kong Island is the most urbanized district. It’s the heart and soul of the city.

* Kowloon is one of, if not, the most populated cities in the world. It also offers the best view of the skyline.

* Disney Land Hong Kong which is located in Lantau Island. This is only the third International sight for a main Disney them park. It is best to make reservations ahead of time for lodging. It tends to be packed, especially during the holidays.

Hong Kong also has a great natural landscape that can be seen by riding a train that goes all the way up to the higher part of Hong Kong Island. With so many things to do and sights to be seen Hong Kong is truly a must see for any traveler.

About the Author

Jay is the web owner of http://www.airline-tickets.biz Lowest Price Airline Tickets, a website that provides information and resources on vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit his website at: http://www.hotels-in.net Hotel Discounts
Generally people deem traveling to be one amongst the most expensive event in their lives. But this can be proved wrong. A little judicious and cautious planning can save tremendous expenditure without compromising significantly on the fun and joy of your trip. There are various ways to do this.

1. What you first need to do is to prepare your budget-how much maximum you can spend on your outing and what is the minimum that you would want to consume.

2. The second best thing would be to choose the season to go. If it is an off-season, dont be reluctant to pack your bags. For during off-season, not much people are traveling to that place. Like winter and rainy seasons are believed to be off seasons for the beach locations. At this time the costs of the hotels, the availability of rooms and reservations etc. all will be conveniently available and that too at remarkably less price.

3. If you traveling domestically, for instance if you are a student willing to enjoy a good and cheap vacation and looking forward for accommodation, the best you can do is to opt for a hostel or pitching up your tent. Tents can be pitched on those recreational grounds that welcome such stays. This saves the huge amount you would have to expend for your stay in a hotel room.

4. Even if you are traveling domestically dont be shy in looking for discounts. There are many off-season discounts available. These are meant to lure customers even in the off-season. Various travel agencies (that offer excellent cheap package tours), hotels, restaurants, shopping malls etc. facilitate such discounts. If you plan to go through a travel agency, ask them about these beneficial discounts and do avail them.

5. If you think that distance can be commuted by a car and you do not require any travel agency then prefer to take your own car. Rented car can be a little more expensive. Try to work upon and minimize the consumption of gasoline (like less of air conditioner and excess speed etc.). For gasoline is costly and the cost varies from state to state. However, the best means to travel domestically is to catch up a bus or train. For that saves you from the weariness of driving and the expense of gasoline as well as the one for the wear and tear of your car.

6. If you propose to make a move internationally i.e. to take a destination abroad, the finest thing would be have a travel agent. An agent can help you in many ways. Ask your agent to go for those airlines that offer a good discount and offers like booking your lodging etc. Try not to make any last minute reservations for they are most often costly and you may not even find a seat.

7. You can also search the Internet for various airfares once you decide upon the dates to travel. Internet search can be very valuable in finding a suitable accommodation and eating joints that fit in your budget. Also try to know something about the domestic life of the place you are heading to. This can save you from many troubles later. Like if you have an idea of some restaurant that is hogged by the local residents, you have made your trip somewhat free of expenditure on food.

8. Last but not the least make sure you go with a travel insurance done. This insurance can make up for your cancelled fights, medical expenses, lost luggage etc. Travel insurance companies too provide various concessions especially when you are traveling internationally. Travel insurance is the best for your safety and happiness during your trip.

Remember, a little travel strategy and research will have a wonderful journey within your pocket.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about budget travel topics. Learn more at http://www.budgettravelhelp.com.

Finding the best deals for cheap tickets has just become easier. In the past, if you wanted to find cheap tickets and discount airfares you had to contact a travel agent and explain where and when you wanted to go. They would do some research and eventually get back to you with a deal. Well, not anymore!

Today you can seek out and find cheap tickets and discount airfares offering the best deal, just by entering a few words into a computer right from your own home. Are you looking for cheap cruises, Hawaiian vacations or an exciting Las Vegas vacation? Well, in a few minutes you can find a plane ticket that will take you anywhere you want to go. You can search out the Cheapest, most Discounted airfare originating from anywhere and going to anywhere…literally in the world.

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Today you can seek out and find cheap tickets and discount airfares offering the best deal, just by entering a few words into a computer right from your own home. Are you looking for cheap cruises, Hawaiian vacations or an exciting Las Vegas vacation? Well, in a few minutes you can find a plane ticket that will take you anywhere you want to go. You can search out the Cheapest, most Discounted airfare originating from anywhere and going to anywhere…literally in the world.

You choose your destination, you choose your schedule, you choose which ticket price suits YOU best and when you’re finished, you complete the transaction, right from the comfort of your own home. Cheap tickets and discount airfares, it can’t get any easier than that!

The best Cheap Tickets and Discount Airfares resource you’ll find.

When shopping online for cheap tickets and discount airfares, be sure to compare prices with flight departure times and schedules. Seasonal variations can affect travel prices and flight schedules. You’ll find that searching for and purchasing a plane ticket online is easy and fun.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Have you always dreamed of owning your own business, having the
time and money to visit exotic locations and being able to fly
first class? How about starting your own air courier service?

If you love traveling, live in or near a city with a large
national or international airport, and you have the kind of
lifestyle that lets you pick up and go on a moment’s notice,
then you might want to think about starting your own business as
an “air courier”.

What is an air courier? It’s a person who is hired to transport
a specific item from one destination to another, within a
specified deadline.

And, before you start imagining sinister men in trench coats
carrying guns with silencers, and beautiful foreign women
transporting secret microchips, let me reassure you that
traveling as an air courier is 100% legal and aboveboard!

What you are asked to transport varies tremendously — it can be
almost anything — legal documents such as letters or business
contracts, children going from one country to another, medicine
that was forgotten during a vacation, reports, computer disks,
product prototypes — the list is endless.

In fact, because of the “instant gratification” mindset today
where we are used to information and communication that travels
faster than the speed of light, air courier companies have seen
their businesses grow tremendously over the last ten years. What
that means for you is increased opportunities for free travel.

Who can start their own air courier service? Anyone who is over
18, holds a valid passport and who is in good health. It also
helps if you’re flexible and can pick up and travel on very
short notice.

Why is this a wonderful opportunity?

When sending a package by air, the shipper has two options –
the first is to send the package as “cargo.” Cargo travels alone
(especially since the tragedy of 9/11), is shipped in bulk in
large containers that usually aren’t sent until the container is
full, in order to maximize revenues for the airlines.

In addition, especially when cargo is sent overseas, there are
sometimes long delays getting the package through customs, there
are endless regulations that must be followed, inspections that
must be passed, etc.

For the air courier companies, who have to make sure the package
is not only delivered, but reaches the intended recipient as
quickly as possible, these delays are unthinkable. (If they
don’t make their deadlines, then their competitors will. Think
of the slogan from one such company…”when it absolutely,
positively has to be there overnight…”)

On the other hand, if the same item is considered “personal
baggage” and is carried with a ticketed passenger, it arrives
with the passenger, and generally passes through customs
quickly, without all the delays.

Plus, a person can book a ticket for a specific flight arriving
at their destination at a specific time — not so for cargo.
Which means that a shipment that could take days or weeks if
it’s classified as cargo, can take hours instead because it’s
classified as baggage.

Because very few of the air courier companies have the resources
to employ full-time couriers, the industry itself has come to
rely on freelance air couriers, which, even when having to pay
someone to travel, and covering the cost of their airfare, is
still a better ROI when compared against the paying full-time
wages, holiday and sick pay, insurance and all of the other
costs involved with having employees.

This is where you come in.

As an air courier, you are providing a valuable service in a
growing market. And from the traveler’s point of view, you might
find yourself flying to Paris one day, and Hong Kong a week
later!

Once you’ve been hired, the process is pretty simple: the
company contacts you, to check your availability. When you
confirm, they book the flight and let you know when to be at the
airport. You’re met at the airport by a representative, who
gives you your ticket, a list of item or items you’re
transporting, and your baggage claim tickets. They’ll usually
even have checked you in, saving you many hassles. You get to
sit in first class, and enjoy the flight. That’s it. You don’t
have to contact the recipient in the city you’re flying to,
actually pick up the package on your way to the airport, or do
anything other than be responsible for it going from one airport
to another.

At your destination, you’ll be met by another company
representative, who will take the baggage claim tickets, and
give you your return ticket.

How long do you get to stay? That depends on you and the air
courier company. Sometimes your schedule will be tight — you
may only get hours between flights. Other times, you’ll have a
day or two. Obviously, as your reputation increases and the
companies you work for know that they can rely on you, you have
more room for negotiating.

There are several ways to get started. There are actually
companies who recruit air couriers, and the fees for joining are
usually nominal. The benefits of going through a certified
company can be many. For example, they often provide information
that it could take you a long time to figure out on your own.
They also offer forums, newsletters and other resources to help
you succeed. Because they have built a reputation, you might
find it easier to get started in the business by working for one
of them at first.

But, you can also find the information completely on your own,
and start off freelancing. Look in the yellow pages for air
couriers that are located near your local airport. Figure out
where you’d like to travel to, and make a list of the locations
they serve. Because there are companies who transport items both
internationally or just within the states, where you travel is
largely going to be a matter of personal choice.

Also, make sure that you investigate each company before
applying with them. You want to make sure that they are a solid
business, with a good reputation. Once you’ve narrowed down your
choices, get on the phone, and find out what their application
process is. Many companies today prefer that you apply online.
Whatever the process is, make sure that you provide them with
all the information they request.

Timely tip: After submitting your application, follow up with a
thank-you letter, on your new “company” letterhead. Remind them
of your availability, that you can accept short or no notice
flights. Find a way to position yourself above that of the other
couriers.

Once you’ve gone through the process the first time, you’ll have
a much better idea about which other companies you want to apply
to and how to hone your interview skills. (So don’t make your
first application with the biggest company that you want to work
for the most.) Obviously, if you limit yourself to one or two
companies, you’ll also be limiting the amount of work you’ll get
and the locations you can travel to.

Timely Tip: Put together a database of the companies you’ve
applied to, the date you applied, and contact information.
Follow up with the company regularly, but don’t be a pest.

Once you’ve been hired, don’t be surprised if you start getting
calls within the first couple of weeks. There is a growing need
for professional, responsible air couriers.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you start working:

1. Be professional. Remember that while shorts and flip flops
may be comfortable for vacationers, you’re working and
representing the air courier company.

2. Often the only baggage you get to take with you is hand
carried. Invest in microfiber clothing in basic colors, and
learn to pack essentials only. If you do get to stay for longer
than a few days, you can always pick up some essentials once
you’re there.

3. Give your own business card to the company representative in
the country you travel to, and make sure that your email and
voice mail information is included.

4. Apply to all the companies you’ve decided you want to work
for, and then follow up with the ones that haven’t contacted you
regularly — perhaps a polite letter or even a one-page
newsletter that lists the latest on industry related news.

5. Stay organized. Don’t over commit yourself, and try never to
have to cancel a trip.

Starting your own air courier service is a great way to make
money and see the world.

About the author:
Team-Schuman.Com contains the best make money online and make
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Business trips or official trips are those that take you away from your place of work for a significant duration of time. In terms of IRS you travel away from your tax home (the place where you are currently working) to a different place for a specific interval of time.
A business trip is different from an ordinary one in some respects. In the latter you decide which place to go to have maximum entertainment, spend your own savings, generally your family goes along with you etc. but in the case of a business trip the most often your company decides which place to go, the company pays for your trip (the food allowance etc.) and most often your family does not hang around with you. If you are the owner of a company the decision of which place to go is centered round the bright business prospects i.e. the best place you think would be to enhance and promote your business.

So business trips are to be planned in a slightly different fashion than the usual. Usually the company does the bookings for you but if it is at your discretion then think a little. You can save some good amount here. Search online the various business sites like Expedia, Hotwire, Kayak, Travelocity, Priceline and the like. These sites will educate you about the various things. For instance you can know about the hotels and their charges, airfares, the cost to take a rented vehicle etc. at the destination you are heading for. It is better to search online and get your reservations and bookings done a little before than the dates to leave for a thought of last minute reservations can be troublesome.

While you making a business trip, try and save as much as you can but without compromising on your basic amenities. Like avoid spending your entire food allowance by eating lavishly, be fuel economic i.e. if you take your own car (which is not a very good idea) think about saving fuel expenses. Dont move into casinos and bars to part away with the annual bonus that you are sure to get. If you are visiting a place for the first time, one night to see the nightlife of that place is enough. Dont carry too many clothes with you. Some elegant official wear shirts and trousers should be preferred than a multitude dresses. Pack your suitcase nicely. Take that bag or suitcase which has several compartments. It will keep your official papers and other things segregated from the rest of the stuff (your toiletries etc.). Dont forget your credit as well as business cards to a camera. Remember official trips mean more work and comparatively less enjoyment. So make a note of all the essential official documents that you need to carry for your meeting there and if possible either leave a photocopy of them at your place or avoid carrying the originals for there is always a threat to lose or misplace them. Inform your family about your complete itinerary, the place and the numbers of the hotel in which you will stay etc. this will save them from worrying and will keep them in touch with you. Make it a point to speak to your boss before you leave, ask him any crucial work left undone. Also think about payments of your bills if you are going for more than a month or so. Keep an alarm clock with you for that will help you in waking up on time and reach your workplace without delays.

Lastly, reach the airport or station on time to avoid missing your flight or train. Go with a little planning and make your business trip a huge success.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about business travel topics. Learn more at http://www.businesstravelguides.com.

Want to save some money when booking your travel online? Here are some tips to help you do just that. You at home have access to thousands of travel deals with the click of a mouse.

Want to save some money when booking your travel online? Here are some tips to help you do just that. You at home have access to thousands of travel deals with the click of a mouse.

1. Subscribe to travel e-newsletters

Most airlines, tour operators, online travel agencies and travel sites have newsletters that they will send you via email; these usually include their latest travel deals.

2. Shop around

Check various travel sites and make sure you are comparing apples to apples, know what is included. That great cruise deal may not include airfare to the port! Also check in with a travel agent to compare prices. They may in fact have a better travel deal for you.

3. Consider all possible discounts

Do you have Air Miles or frequent flyer miles you can cash in? AAA/CAA membership or other affiliations? Ask about child or senior discounts. Do they have family rates or group rates? Don’t be afraid to ask.

4. Make the travel web sites do the work for you

Some of them will let you specify the dates of travel and vacation you are looking for and will send you an email when the price reaches your limit.

5. Travel in off-season.

Off-season will vary depending on where you are travelling so do your research and find out when that is. Off-season includes winter for Europe and Asia, summer and early fall for the Caribbean, when the kids are in school for theme parks and so on.

6. Traveling during the week can save you money

Saturday and midweek flights are less crowded and, thus, more prone to last minute discounting. Some companies charge a bit less for vacation package that leave mid-week. Also, business hotels are more likely to charge less on weekends.

7. Consult your newspapers travel section

The Saturday travel sections in newspapers are still a good source for travel news, tips and last minute travel deals, departing from your city. Read them religiously.

8. Do some negotiating of your own.

Just ask for a deal or a better price! This will usually work if you are dealing with a hotel or car rental company directly. It may also work with some travel agents.

9. Start looking around early for a last minute travel deal

When looking for a last minute travel deal, start shopping around about 6 weeks prior to your departure to get a good idea for prices and availability. Narrow down where you want to go and compare some prices. About 3 weeks prior to departure is probably your best time to book. When you notice packages begin to sell out, you want to book before you miss out on that travel deal. The prices only go so low and sometimes sell out before they really drop in price.

10. Book early

Some of the best deals may be had booking early. Most tour operators and cruise companies offer discounts for early booking. If there is a specific date you want to travel and or you have a specific resort or destination in mind, you are better off to book early and secure your vacation than to risk waiting for a last minute travel deal that may or may not happen.

No matter where you end up getting your travel deal, the more homework you do, the more informed consumer youll be. And online travel sites are a great place to start.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jakob JellingAs with any sport, sometimes you must travel to different locations to experience a different cultures take on the hottest sport around. Current conditions and water depths as well as different land and water formations make traveling the globe exciting as you venture out abroad. Different continents and countries provide new and exciting opportunities to enhance your KiteSurfing skills. Professionals travel the world wide for unique opportunities to brave ferocious conditions just to take to the air over a major body of water. KiteSurfing is no longer just a one country extreme sport; it is enjoyed around the world by people of all ages.

Legions of KiteSurfers flock yearly to the most popular hotspots around the seven continents to watch the pros as well as take to the air themselves using the fundamentals of KiteSurfing taught by the local experts. There is no doubt a large cost associated with going place-to-place, but you can space your trips and plan them in advance; especially during the colder months to save a lot of money on airfare during peak travel periods.

Once you have your reservations confirmed pack up your gear and get psyched, bring your kite and gear and get ready to brave the wildest waves of the hottest spots around the world. The following is a listing of some of the most popular hotspots on each continent. Each location has professional KiteSurf pros that are willing to teach you the skills you need for about $50 - $ 75 per hour. Depending how good of a surfer you are will depend on how fast you advance towards taking air.

North America
Location: Maui, Hawaii - Considered the Mecca of KiteSurfing
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn, however certain conditions exist that advanced level swimmers should brave the conditions.

South America
Location: Puerto Rico
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

Africa
Location: Cape Town
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn. Many events occur in December.

Europe
Location: England (United Kingdom)
Temperature: Variable
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

Asia
Location: Thailand - Hua Hin
Temperature:
Best Time: November April (Avoids Rainy Season)
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn, however certain conditions exist from May October that creates strong gusty winds spurned from rain and torrential monsoons.

Australia
Location: Wales
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

Legions of KiteSurfers flock yearly to the most popular hotspots around the seven continents to watch the pros as well as take to the air themselves using the fundamentals of KiteSurfing taught by the local experts. There is no doubt a large cost associated with going place-to-place, but you can space your trips and plan them in advance; especially during the colder months to save a lot of money on airfare during peak travel periods.

Once you have your reservations confirmed pack up your gear and get psyched, bring your kite and gear and get ready to brave the wildest waves of the hottest spots around the world. The following is a listing of some of the most popular hotspots on each continent. Each location has professional KiteSurf pros that are willing to teach you the skills you need for about $50 - $ 75 per hour. Depending how good of a surfer you are will depend on how fast you advance towards taking air.

North America
Location: Maui, Hawaii - Considered the Mecca of KiteSurfing
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn, however certain conditions exist that advanced level swimmers should brave the conditions.

South America
Location: Puerto Rico
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

Africa
Location: Cape Town
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn. Many events occur in December.

Europe
Location: England (United Kingdom)
Temperature: Variable
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

Asia
Location: Thailand - Hua Hin
Temperature:
Best Time: November April (Avoids Rainy Season)
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn, however certain conditions exist from May October that creates strong gusty winds spurned from rain and torrential monsoons.

Australia
Location: Wales
Temperature: 80 degrees and above
Best Time: Year Round
Level of Expertise: All levels can learn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

It’s just like the hamburger commercial; Have it your own way! Your annual golf outing deserves to be the best possible vacation. Make it your own way. Forget “the package” and design your own special, personalized group get away.

In my last article, I gave an overview of how you can put together a terrific group golf vacation. In this article, I will go into much more detail concerning the organization and preparation. I have been setting up the ideal gathering for our group for 18 years. There are refinements every year and we think we have arrived at the optimum outing.

You will be driving this bus, so get the ball rolling. Do a little research and pick a location. This location should have plenty of vacation rental homes and a good selection of golf courses. You do not want to play the same course every day. You should be able to do most or all of your research online to find out about rental house and golf course specifics, including costs.

Get the word out to the troops. I like to send out a humorous email to introduce the event and then follow up with more emails and phone calls. I recommend you send out an email to everyone you think might be remotely interested about five months in advance. Some will not be able to make it due to family, work, interest, etc. You should hope to wind up with a group size around eight. Anywhere from six to twelve is great. Five people is the worst group size due to tee times. More than twelve is too hard to organize or find lodging in the same house.

Pick out a window of time. We usually grab the last week in February to get the northern gents out of the snow and still stay in the low rate season for the southern golf courses. As an example of an introductory email, you could send something like this:

“It has come to my attention via the minions who surround me and perform my every whim that there may be those among you desiring driving sleet, incomprehensible wind chill, unplayable lies, unreachable par 3’s, impossible odds, foot-wedging opponents, gross bending of the USGA rules, hairy greens, thick frost, lightening fast down-hillers, moguls, knee deep rough, more sand and water than water front property, Velcro removal during back swings, exploding coughs during precision chips, un-winnable stroke spreads complete with unyielding stroke givers and takers, 179-degree dog legs, and brutal rangers in leather and chains.

If this is the type of outing you’ve been dreaming about, keep dreaming. I can’t make it happen. But picture this:

-A luxurious house with a separate bed for everyone. -18 to 36 holes of golf per day on pristine courses. -A gourmet meal every night. -All the comforts, food and drink of home. -Evening entertainment. -Sensational camaraderie.

I am looking at an arrival date of (date) and departure date of (date). We will be gathering in (city, state). For a group of eight of us, and assuming we average 27 holes per day, your cost should be around $XXX for the housing, food, drink, golf and rental cars. (Note: Our cost per man for food and drink for seven days was $160 in 2005.) Please reply before (date) by answering:

What is the percentage chance you can come for these dates? What is the percentage chance you could make other dates? What dates would you prefer? Other recommendations:”

You have now set the stage. For those you don’t hear back from, get on the phone and hash it out. Through all of your responses, you will come up with the consensus of length of vacation and dates through give and take.

Over the next four months you will be: -Getting firm commitments from your group members -Arriving at a firmer consensus on golf venue -Receiving food and drink orders to allow you to make the shopping list -Reserving the vacation house and rental cars -Getting tee times

I like to periodically whet everyone’s appetite and keep the excitement level up. Setting up a website especially for your group is a great way to do this. I stripped down the one I use and put an example up at http://www.eye-mind-tricks.com/golf for your review. It is just a little thing I whipped up using MS Publisher. An easier way for you to do this would be to get a free Blog set up for this purpose. I recommend blogger dot com.

Over the years, we have realized two key things about lodging. The first is that it makes a huge difference in camaraderie when the whole group stays under the same roof. The second is the value in everyone having a separate bed (you know how guys are). The only way to achieve this is to pick a location where there are a bunch of rental homes in order for you to pick one that allows this. (Plug for Isle of Palms, SC: you can find what you need there.)

It may not seem to you like time is of the essence, but work schedules, vacation allotments, spousal plans, ticket costs, and your preparation needs demand that you DO get this ball rolling. Once you have sent your introductory email and done your phone calling, several of your planned guests will have trouble pulling the trigger. Work with them as you can, but I have found that you will need your firm group established two months ahead of time (give or take one guy or so.) A fine point for you: Ask for a nominal deposit from each of the troops. Over time, I know that the cost of our vacation, outside of airfare, will be around $900. In one of my follow up emails, I simply ask the players to send around half of that to me. It emphasizes commitment.

In selecting the location of your rental home, consider the driving time to the golf courses you will be playing. We have found that twenty minutes travel time is great, thirty minutes is OK, but forty minutes is too long. The longer drives are certainly bearable, but if you are planning a winter vacation, you will have to have a fairly early tee time in the morning to allow lunch and another 18 in the afternoon. After telling tales late into the evening, beating the sun to the course, heading home and preparing the feast, it gets to be a long day.

This takes us to the minus-two-months time frame.

In Part Three of this series, we will get into getting great golf rates, shopping lists, and easy administration.

About the Author

Randall Ulbricht is a retired Nuclear Submarine Officer. He currently works from home sharing information via several web sites, including: Knowledge, Eye Mind Tricks, Family Tree Templates, and Hair Style Photo.