Thailand Smoking Ban
Tough laws
Thailand has some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world and it was the first to have cigarette packets carrying warnings about sexual impotence. Surveys have found a link between the popularity of film heroes and music stars and teenage Thais who pick up the habit. And there are more and more doing so, even though there has been a recent drop in the overall number of those who smoke. Almost 80% of smokers in Thailand started before they reached the age of 20.
The new smoking ban in Thailand bars and restaurants is in effect and from what I have observed the law is being treated like any other law in Thailand. What I mean is, some establishments have already set up smoking areas, others say you have to smoke outside the restaurant or bar, and others are ignoring the law altogether.

The reason for ignoring the ban could be that it will not really be enforced for a couple of months. Instead of stiff fines being issued, there will be warnings and education until the end of May, 2008.

But, then, the fines will be steep. If enforced, smokers can be fined 2,000 Baht (approximately $62 US dollars) and venue owners will be fined up to 20,000 Baht (over $600 US dollars).

This will force the bar and restaurant owners to enforce the law on their property. If the ban just penalized smokers, the establishment owners would completely ignore it.

This is nothing really new. Thailand has banned smoking in hospitals, government buildings, and train stations for a few years now. This is just an extension of an already existing law.

We have a similar law in Hawaii. It is a little more stringent in that we cannot smoke within 50 feet of the door of the establishment. The law also provides fines for smokers and bar and restaurant owners.

As a smoker, I was a bit peeved initially at the law, but as time has gone by, it is really no big deal. If I have to step outside to smoke it is no big deal.

I am currently visiting Khon Kaen, Thailand and go out almost nightly. I haven t been to any bars but I have visited quite a few restaurants. One of my favorites, La Mai, has set up a smoking area near the restrooms. Smile restaurant allowed me to smoke at the table. And, Bu-Sa-Ba restaurant has a small, covered smoking area in the rear of the restaurant.

So, between now and May 31, ask your waiter or waitress if it is alright to smoke. If they have a smoking area set up, please use it. If you have to go outside to smoke, like at Kit’z Caf , then just sit at the table and have your cigarette.

I am not sure how the major tourist areas, Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, are going to respond or what the impact on tourism will be. I would guess that starting on June 1, 2008, there will be a crackdown to show people that the government is serious about the ban.

So, if you are planning to visit the Land of Smiles, and you smoke cigarettes, make sure to ask if it is OK to smoke before you light up. Otherwise, you may have to pay dearly.

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Find Thailand travel and more useful information about travel and tourism on Thailand directory.

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The best place to camp in Europe
People go to Europe for a lot of reasons, but many people don’t realize the abundant amount of places to camp there.

If you like camping you can see a lot of Europe much more cheaply than you would if you stayed in hotels, and you can get back to nature with some beautiful places to stay and see the scenery.

One of these is Three Cliffs Bay, Gower. It has huge, panoramic views of the coastline and the beach is accessible from the site even though the climb up and down is a bit steep. It’s never a packed place because there isn’t a car-park close enough for a lot of the campers who aren’t really serious about what they do.

If France is more your style, you can try the Le Val De Cantonbre in Aveyron. Some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in France are to be found at this camping site, which is on the grounds of a farmhouse that was built in medieval times. There are places to pitch tents which are on terraces that look down into a valley and there are also a lot of activities there so a person certainly won’t be bored.

These are only two of the many wonderful campsites that are available all throughout Europe. If you do a little looking around and you ask other campers, you can find even more options for European camping almost anywhere. Many sites on the Internet also offer the personal experiences of other campers, so you’ll know what people liked and didn’t like. You can then make a determination of whether the things they mentioned matter to you, so you’ll know whether to camp there or to move on and camp somewhere else.

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This article was written on behalf of the Camping and Caravanning Club who offer members the best of Camping in Europe and Camping in England

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Tips for your Ski Break in France
Everyone knows that most ski holidays abroad aren t cheap, especially when you take into consideration the extra costs like lift passes and renting equipment. However there are companies out there where you can book a reasonably priced ski holiday whilst getting accommodation, ski lessons and equipment. Below is a guide of what you should do on your skiing holiday to make sure that you make the most of your time away.

When is the best time to go on a ski holiday?

If you miss the crowds during New Year and February s half term then you will save money, booking over January or March could save you up to 50%! The Easter period is also well known to be expensive so is probably best to not book during this time. The cheapest deals are generally found in the run up to Christmas but be warned the quality of the snow does vary.

The best way to travel?

Thanks to an increase in petrol prices, driving to your holiday destination is no longer seen as the cheapest or greenest option. The benefits to driving are flexibility particularly if you are going away with young children. The other option is flying which could save you money but will be a problem when it comes to having to look after your ski equipment and family.

Owning the correct ski clothing/equipment

If it is your first time away on a ski break then it is advised that you either hire boards, boots and ski s (or borrow from a generous friend!) This is so that you can try all the goods whilst talking to a professional who will use their knowledge and experience to decide the best equipment for you. If you are looking to purchase clothing the obvious like hats, jackets, goggles and gloves are a must.

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This article was written on behalf of Alpine Tracks Ski Holidays Norway ideal for a Ski Holidays France .

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Denver Day Trip to Grand Lake for Families
The joy of living in Denver or just visiting is the wealth of summer activities. One great day…

How to make the most of your self catering cottage holiday
In a tight economy a lot of people are choosing a self catering cottage holiday instead of a more expensive option. These can be great choices for people on a budget or people who just want more privacy than what a standard hotel typically has to offer. You won’t get turn-down service and mints on your pillow at night, but you will get the opportunity to have some time away from it all to spend with family and friends, that special someone, or just by yourself, if that’s what you like. That’s the beauty of a self catering cottage holiday there are really no rules. You can do as you please and just relax. When you want to make the most of it, there are some things you can look for, too. Before you make a hasty decision about where you want to be, look at a lot of brochures. Cottages aren’t the only self catering option, so make sure that you really want to stay in one and not somewhere else before you make your reservation.

The time of year should also be considered. What the temperature and the weather are like could seriously impact what you’ll be able to do in the way of outdoor activities, so you want to make sure that you’re prepared for the climate. Schedule your activities accordingly and plan ahead so you don’t have your holiday dulled by bad weather. You can’t plan for every eventuality, but you can pay attention and help reduce your chances of a bad time based on weather. Make sure you have some alternative plans in case the weather changes suddenly, which can certainly happen.

Another thing you should do is the math. It might seem expensive to have a self catering holiday, but when you divide the price by how many people are staying there it becomes much more affordable. If you’re going by yourself that won’t apply, but most people go with family members or a large group of friends, which makes the entire holiday cottage idea much more comfortable for the budget. If you want to go on a self catering holiday at a cottage during a popular time of year, make sure you book well in advance. It makes things much easier to deal with, and booking early can sometimes get you a discount, as well.

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This article was written on behalf of Northumbria Cottages who offer Northumberland Self Catering Cottages which are perfect Northumberland Holiday Accommodation

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Discount Vacation Packages To Get You On The Road

You know that vacation you’ve been wanting to take? Well, it’s time. Vacation is medically proven to be good for your health, so it’s time you got your bags packed and headed out. No really, doctor’s orders! People who spend two weeks on vacation tend to see better effects than those who spend less time away- it actually takes that long for your body and brain to fully decompress. The side effects last longer than your vacation as well. Studies have shown that people on vacation and newly returned from vacation tend to get an hour more quality sleep each night and are more alert, have faster reflexes, and are more productive. Sounds like something you should be pitching to your boss, right?

Many people don’t use all their vacation time, which other than being a poor health choice, is usually a decision they make based on finances. Travel can be expensive, especially with the rising cost of gas prices and the like. Of course, with the prevalence of discount vacation packages, there really is no excuse for not finding the best discount cruises or package deals available to you. Group travel is another really great way to save some money, as bulk rates are only the beginning of the advantages there. Regardless of where you want to go, or what you want to see, you can probably find a way to do so for less.

Some of the benefits of group travel and vacation package plans is that so much less of the work falls on your shoulders. It can be hard to feel like you’re entering into a relaxing experience when all you can think about is making travel arrangements. Buying airline tickets or figuring out how much gas it will take to drive and picking out hotels sight-unseen are not exactly stress-free activities. Then, there’s trying to fit everything you want to see and do into your schedule and before you know it, the decision making starts to seem like a lot of work, maybe even more work than the vacation is worth. That’s part of the beauty- somebody else deals with all of that; all you have to do is pack your bags, show up, and enjoy.

For many people, going in a group helps them to feel comfortable in different cultures. It also can be safer for people with health conditions, as there will be people around you who can get help should you have a medical emergency. Many tour groups also offer insurance packages, so you don’t have to worry about lost luggage or tripping on cobblestone. Well, you might still worry about the occurrence, but it won’t all be on your shoulders financially, anyway. Of course, all those people with you are also ready-made travel companions who are all seeking similar experiences. It can be nice to have that sense of camaraderie and shared excitement while still having the opportunity to head off on your own, on occasion. When it comes right down to it, discount travel really is a wonderful deal.

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Written by Mel Bryson. Purchase discount vacation packages and discount cruises for your family and group travel tours. Online at http://www.discountours.com .

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General Overview Of Eurail Passes
One of the most confusing things about any trip is navigating through the reservations and the specifics of the travel package. With so many options available, it can be easy to overlook certain options that could be perfectly suited for your vacation. Eurail offers many types of passes, and they all have specific purposes. It is often helpful to have all of the necessary information in front of you when making decisions for your vacation. Eurail has many options and passes all with separate advantages. The following is a list of Eurail passes that includes a summary of what they actually do and do not allow, as well as some additional general information.

Travel Day

A travel day is a 24 hour period from midnight to midnight in which one can travel on as many trains, even internationally, and have it only count as one day. Another beneficial factor comes with the 7PM rule. This rule states that, if you board a direct, overnight train after 7PM one evening, then only the following day will count as part of your travel day. The five hours from 7-12 are essentially free.

Flexi-Pass

Certain passes allow for a variation of the usual system termed “flexi-pass.” The Global Pass is the easiest explanation of this. If you are travelling on a “fifteen day pass”, you can travel as much as you want in fifteen consecutive days. If you have a “fifteen days in two months pass”, it means that you can spread those days out however you wish as you travel. This version is the flexi pass.

Saver Pass

This pass allows a group of 2-5 passengers to travel together at all times on a single pass that is 15% less expensive than a normal pass. This pass is a terrific option for families or friends traveling together. Not all members on the pass must be present at all times, but since there is only one ticket, it can only be used by one sub-group at a time.

Youth Pass

The youth pass offers a 35% discount for passengers under the age of 25. Youth can stay in first class cabins, but they must pay for an adult pass.

One Country Pass

The One Country Pass allows for travel in one of seventeen European countries offered by Eurail. They are excellent for a short survey of one country, and Italy has historically been the most popular location for a one country visit. Each nation’s pass is good for a number of days. Most time increments are anywhere from 3-8 days, with some that go up to 10. All time increments must be within a month of time. Some of these One Country Passes allow for special discounts in hotels and other location specific amenities. One popular example is Greece.

Regional Pass

This pass mimics the one country pass in being best suited for shorter periods of travel. Eurail offers 25 combinations of countries that can be visited in 3-10 day increments. These passes can be stretched over a two month period. Similar to the One Country Pass, special country specific offers are often available.

Select Pass

This pass allows for true flexibility of options. You get to choose between three, four or five bordering countries to visit. These visits can fit into 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days over two months, and can, for five country trips, be stretched to fifteen days.

Beyond the basic rules, there are many extra benefits that go along with the Select Pass. Among these benefits are the relatively common frills of discounted train, ferry or bus fares when using associated companies. Another perk comes in the form of potential hotel discounts. These benefits are not available at all times in all countries, and are limited by conditions of use that should be checked prior to making reservations.

Global Pass

The Global Pass option is by far the most extensive package available. It opens up the bearer to almost unlimited travel in twenty nations. There are many options in terms of duration in this plan that range from 15 days, to 3 months, to 10 days in two months, or 15 days in two months. This variety of dates combines with the number of nations available to be visited make the Global Pass the grandest of Eurail’s options. Although the Global Pass has the largest scope in terms of nations and time, between this option and other passes available Eurail has something for every vacationer.

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Nick Kakolowski is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as an Eurail Pass

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