South Africa the country which will host the 2010 world cup has three international airports managed by Acsa which operates 10 of the country’s airports and handles around 98% of South Africa’s commercial air traffic.
There are several different ways to get or go to the airports.

Local Travellers

If you are a local traveller you might drive yourself to the airport and park your car, this is a suitable option for business people who need to be very mobile, but has several drawbacks
1. The cost of parking can be very high on long trips.
2. If you park on the long term parking you will have to take a shuttle bus from the parking to the airport and back which will add to your traveling time.
3. After a long business trip you might be tired and then you still have to drive back home.

Arange a drop of or pick up by friends or family.
Some of the advantages of this one for the drop of are that it is quick and fast. You can be dropped of right in front of the terminal building and don’t have to worry about parking the car.
The pickup however can be more complicated as you don’t know exactly the time of arrival as your flight can be delayed or ahead of schedule so it normally means waiting for the person to be collected or the person who is collecting you has to wait and maybe even park his or hers car
However nothing is as exciting collecting friends or family which have been away for a long time. With this option there is allways the cost of driving it normally involves driving to the airport and back

Hotel Shuttles
Most major hotels near an airport have a shuttle service operating which drive several times a day between the airport and the hotel. Sometimes there is no cost involved for this service. The advantage of using this service is it brings you right where you might need to be. The disadvantage is that they drive normally on a set schedule so you will have to plan your time according to their schedule

Car Rental
South africa is blessed with many car rental companies amongst them europcar,avis,hertz to name a few. This is a good option if you need mobility while holidaying or doing business in south africa.

Tour Busses
You might come to south africa on an organised tour. Then normally depending on the size of the group you will have the driver of the bus or the tour guide welcoming you to our beautifull country in south africa

Shuttles
Shuttle services operate between all the major towns and cities and the airports, you can check out some shuttle companies on the following website http://www.shuttle.co.za and book a shuttle before you leave or you can arange one on arival. Shuttle services are very affordable the only drawback is you might have to wait till either the shuttle has filled up with enough passengers or a certain time has expired. You might not go directly to your destination as the shuttle driver will calculate the most optimal route depending on the destinations of the passengers

Metered Taxis
Metered taxis are a good choice if you need to be at a certain address close to the airport as they will drop you of exactly where you will need to be. Allthough they will not be suitable for longer trips as the cost can be high, but for a short trip they are affordable. For the longer trips it is advisable to organise ashutlle service
 

Gautrain
By 2010 the first section of the Gautrain which will run between Pretoria and Johannesburg and the airport will be ready. The gautrain will have feed transport from the stations which will bring passengers as close as posibble to the ultimate destination

Watch the video related to Africa Worldcup travel

video.news.sky.com In roughly 100 days time England will arrive in South Africa for the world cup. But it’s STILL not definite where they’ll be based. Today, Fabio Capello inspected what’s expected to be his team’s training base in Rustenburg – despite concerns its not yet ready. Sky’s Africa Correspondent Emma Hurd went and had a sneak preview.

Help answer the question about Africa Worldcup travel

About Author

Travel Advisor

Travel Adviser writes articles for the following websites http://www.shuttle.co.za

A special promotion allow travellers to earn money and credits of 1,5 euros by inviting other friends to subscribe and receive the monthly newsletter, rich of information about hostel and hotel deals. For each friend that sings up, our travellers get 1,50 euros: it is possible to earn up to 40 euros!

Flashbooking provides backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide -mostly run by locals- in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies. Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about Cheap hostel Paris location, description, contacts, prices, instant real availability, customer ratings, facilities and pictures.

In particular Flashbooking.com provides a large selection of cheap accommodation offers in Paris where there are plenty of low cost solutions for backpackers in budget Bed and breakfast Paris, cheap hotels and guesthouses.

As an online booker service Flashboking.com guarantees instantly confirmed and secure reservations thanks to a secure server, certified SSL provided by Thawte (the global certificate authority). This system encrypts all the processed data and guarantees that this will not be read, used or modified by other parties. Online bookings mean that your holiday is just a click away.

Recently put at travellers’ disposal is another useful tool: the Free Pocket City Guide of Paris. This free travel guide of Paris contains, in just 9 printable pages, all the essential information and very good suggestions about the France Capital as shopping areas and flea markets, Museums and Art Galleries, budget restaurants and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries you can’t miss, transports and a lot more. The Paris Travel Pocket Guide comes with colour pictures and it is free and downloadable for anyone who wish to book and go!

Moreover, for anyone that owns a personal website or a travel blog, the travel guides (London, Rome, Amsterdam, Florence, Prague, Barcelona and more coming on soon!) come for free and can be used as an extra travel resource for theirs users.

In Flashbooking website there is also a section dedicated to the world cities events where you can also get a quite exhaustive list of main festivals, exhibitions, concerts and cool things to do and see in other top European cities.

The customer service is always available to suggest you the perfect accommodation for your trip. A Skype account has been recently added in order to give more assistance to our travellers and backpackers needs. In just a sentence here the flashbooking motto:

Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trip, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low… THOSE ARE OUR TRAVELLERS!

So mates, we are looking forward to finding the best accommodation for you on your next trip!

Watch the video related to Paris Backpacker

Located in Paris’ 18th near Sac de Cour and surrounded by a lot of great pubs, bistros and cafés. Woodstock can very well be your home away from home. Known for its coziness as well as its party atmosphere, and is the ideal place to meet other backpackers and make lifelong friends. Watch out, because once you’re here, you might never want to leave. Woodstock is much more a hostel, it’s a way of life. Here we know your name and you will really feel in a special place.

Help answer the question about Paris Backpacker

About Author

Michele De Capitani

This article was written by Michele De Capitani with support from Cheap Youth Hostels and Mrs. Vera Bonaventura. For any information on how travel insurance, please visit us to download your free pocket travel guides for Paris City in France.

The FIFA Worldcup 2010 has been anticipated as one of the most exciting Worldcups in recent history. Several upsets during the qualifying rounds have set the stage for enhanced rivalries and passionate play by the 32 teams that will be involved. Poor officiating has been blamed for some of the placement of the teams in the tournament, and there will be a heightened attention paid to the referees as well as the behavior of the teams on the field. Since national pride is at stake, each team is followed by a nearly rabid fan base that is intent on seeing their country’s name etched into the trophy at the end of the tournament.

The FIFA Worldcup 2010 will be the 19th time this tournament has been held. Qualifying rounds for the Worldcup began as long ago as 2007, and were played by FIFA national teams. The Worldcup rivals the Olympics for national pride and elite athletic displays. The defending champion from the last FIFA Worldcup is Italy, and it is an easy bet that they will be anxious to repeat as champions. There are some powerful teams from outside of the usual leaders, including the United States, who could bring some extra excitement to the tournament this year.

The Worldcup 2010 is hosted in beautiful South Africa. Tickets to this popular event are difficult to come by, but you can still purchase them online. Be careful, though, as there are scams as well as legitimate ticket sales. It’s a good idea to book your hotel very soon, as the best rooms will fill up quickly the closer we get to the date of the tournament. Cape Town, South Africa, won the honor of hosting the Worldcup 2010 after a long bidding process. The city is gearing up for the hordes of fans and media that will descend on it later this summer. Since South Africa is the host, the South Africa football team is automatically included in the tournament.

The winner of the Worldcup 2010 will walk away with more than just national pride. This year’s FIFA prize money totals $420 million. Each team is given $1 million before the tournament begins so that they can prepare and travel. Once the tournament starts, the amount a team wins goes up with each stage they achieve. The second place team will take home $24 million, while the winners are awarded $30 million. That paycheck offers an extra incentive for a team to do well at this premiere football event. Ask any football fan, however, and they will tell you that the prize money is definitely not important to them. It’s the national pride that is really at stake in this winner-take-all contest, and second place means very little. The FIFA Worldcup 2010 promises to offer drama and controversy based on the problems that were experienced leading up to the final cut. From bad calls to trash talk, there is a sense of tension leading into this Worldcup 2010 that transcends the normal excitement of the world tournament.

Watch the video related to Africa Worldcup travel

www.royalbengalairline.com The first UK based company to launch an international, domestic and regional airline in Bangladesh to serve all our bengali communities.

Help answer the question about Africa Worldcup travel

About Author

Soophott Lert

If you want to find out more about football kits , please visit Football shirt Website for more information

The Worldcup 2010 football tournament is one of the most anticipated events in the sporting world this year. It brings together 32 of the best football teams in the world to compete over two months in the summer. These FIFA national teams have been competing for the honor of qualifying in the Worldcup 2010 since August of 2007, and now the time to play the tournament has finally arrived. Fans are buying their tickets and making travel plans to attend what promises to be one of the most electric FIFA Worldcup tournaments in several years.

Cape Town, South Africa, will host the Worldcup 2010. It won the honor through an extensive bidding process, and now the town is preparing for the influx of fans, players, and media that will descend in early summer. A state of the art new stadium has been designed and built specifically to host this event. The Worldcup 2010 rivals the Olympics as one of the biggest world competitions, and it creates the same sort of craziness for the host city during the event. Crowd control is a major issue at Worldcup events because the national pride of a Worldcup match tends to make fans more excited than usual.

Held every four years, the Worldcup football tournament is the pinnacle of the football world, and the champions hold the world title for the next four years. Italy has been the proud holder of the cup for the last four years, and there are several clubs that would like to change things up this time around. Some controversies over officiating during the qualifying rounds will add some drama to the Worldcup 2010 tournament this summer, with all eyes watching for fouls and screaming for each game to be called properly. There is bound to be some extra controversy if there are close calls.

There are several teams in the Worldcup 2010 tournament that feel like they have a chance to knock Italy off of the championship throne. At this point everyone has the same chance, and it’s always interesting to see which teams rise to the pressure and which teams crumble. Some of the more interesting teams to watch this year include the United States, which is not known for its football prowess.

A team to watch for a different reason is France. They advanced after defeating Ireland in a highly controversial game during which a French player was not penalized for handling the ball improperly. The French players are sure to be scrutinized in every single play with that famous controversy fresh in everyone’s minds.

If you’re a football fan, you’re probably anxious for the show to start. If you’ve never paid much attention to football, you’ll probably hear quite a bit more about it than you’re used to in the next few months. The world’s focus will shift to South Africa early this summer as the elite football clubs battle it out for the opportunity to bring glory to their home countries in the ultimate football tournament.

Watch the video related to Africa Worldcup travel

Have a look at all the 2010 World Cup venues in South Africa.

Help answer the question about Africa Worldcup travel

About Author

Soophott Lert

If you want to find out more about Football Kits , please visit Football Shirts Website for more information

Are you on a shoestring budget but still have the travel bug? Or would you really want to experience the day-to-day life of a community, its people and the sights of a certain country that you feel you might not see with a guide. Then, you could enjoy travelling and staying at a backpacker. These are also known as hostels, and are reasonably priced and efficient accommodations that are available worldwide, allowing backpackers a chance to experience the world on a tight budget.

If so, you might enjoy traveling and staying at a backpacker. Also called a hostel, these low-cost and efficient accommodations are available all over the world, giving backpackers a way to see experience the world on a tight budget.

1) Expect To Save Money!

The greatest advantage to staying at a backpackers is the price. These little gems offer clean, safe accommodations at a fraction of the price of a hotel, allowing you to do more or stay longer in the country you wish to visit. If you are going on an extended trip around Europe, or visiting a part of Australia you’ve always wanted to visit, there is a hostel waiting for you.

For example, if you’ve always wanted to see Venice, Italy, you can stay at a hostel for as little as $21 per person for a shared room, or $46 for a private room.

Want to see Paris? You can, for as little as $26 for a shared room or $55 for a private.

Want to bask on a Brazilian beach in Rio de Janeiro? You can, for the cheap rate of $14 for a shared room!

When you consider that the cheapest hotel rate for a single person for Venice runs around $91, Paris at $126, and Rio de Janeiro at $80, you can get a sense of the savings you’ll reap by going the backpackers route.

2) Be Prepared To Be Friendly.

Besides being low cost, backpackers tend to be a great place to meet other travelers. In fact the layout of the hostel encourages getting to know other visitors more so than a hotel or motel. Unless you request a private room you’ll stay in a dormitory-style bedroom, often co-ed. Most have a common area to gather and socialize, as well as a kitchen and an area to do laundry. It’s a great way to get to know people, but if you’re shy or value your privacy, you might want to think twice about staying at a hostel.

3) Carry Proper ID.

If you’re traveling in your own country, you’ll still want to carry proper identification, such as a photo driver’s license, passport or state/country ID. Most backpackers ask for more information than a hotel or motel would when staying with them because they want to ensure the safety of their guests.

Also, because of their cheap prices, hostels want to make sure that locals aren’t taking advantage of their hospitality, thus taking space away from an international traveler who really needs the cheaper accommodations. If you don’t have a passport, you might want to invest the time to get one, even while traveling your own country, just to give yourself one more ID choice.

4) Pack Lightly!

If you’re a true backpacker, you’re going to travel from hostel to hostel with your clothes on your back. You’re probably going to use local transportation, such as the bus or subway system, or your own two feet. Even if you’re not packing your way from hostel to hostel, keep in mind you’re not going to have a ton of space to toss open countless pieces of luggage. In either case, you don’t want to carry a ton of clothing and valuables to weigh you down and keep you from enjoying your trip.

What will you need?

- A sleep sheet: two sheets sewn together to put on your mattress so you can sleep in your own, clean bed. Some hostels rent them. Most hostels don’t allow sleeping bags because they offer ample places for bedbugs, fleas and ticks to hide in. Most hostels offer clean blankets.

- Toiletries, such as soap, shampoo and toothbrush

- Your own towel

5) Lock Up Valuables.

Although backpackers offer a secure and safe environment, you don’t want to take a chance of losing your more expensive personal goods by leaving them about. Just as you would in a hotel, you want to keep your valuables safe when staying in a backpacker. Most hostels offer a locker or safe of some sort to store valuable items while you’re out. You could also invest in a lock and key before starting your trip to keep handy in case it’s needed.

6) Check for bedbugs!

Unfortunately, bedbugs happen everywhere, be it a five-star hotel or a backpacker. These little pests do suck blood but don’t transmit any diseases, and aren’t any more pesky than a flea bite in most cases.

However, they do carry the stigma of a place being ‘dirty’ if you discover them. This just isn’t so. The cleanest, most expensive accommodations can have them. It’s important to know what they look like so you can tell the backpacker host/hostess. They will take the proper steps to clean the room and get rid of the little pests, since no one wants bedbugs around.

Bedbug signs:

- Most people think they’re so tiny you can’t see them, but this isn’t so. Bedbugs are about 5mm long, oval in shape and brown in colour.

- Check for flecks of blood on the sheets, mattress seams and bed slats

- A large bedbug infestation has an almond-like smell that’s very unpleasant

Bedbugs like to sneak into clothing and gear to travel to the next location with you, so if you think you’ve been infested with bedbugs, you should:

- Wash everything you own in the hottest washer setting and then dry on hot for at least 20 minutes-this includes your backpack!

- Wash yourself in a hot shower

- If something can’t be washed, check it carefully for signs of bedbugs

- Tell the backpacker hostess/host or staff so they can clean the room thoroughly

7) Learn the Etiquette.

When traveling in a different country or even in your own it’s important to know the proper etiquette and rules for that area to enjoy your backpacker stay. For example, some countries don’t allow smoking in public areas and others may have stipulations about drinking alcohol, such as age. You don’t want to end up breaking the rules and find yourself without a place to stay, or worse, locked up in a foreign jail cell.

You’ll also want to check if your backpacker observes a curfew or lockout times. A curfew means that unless you want to find yourself sleeping outside, you’ll be in the hostel at that time. You’ll also want to learn if there’s a lockout time, meaning the backpackers is closed for cleaning or to give the hosts time to run errands, so you can plan accordingly.

Book Online.

To ensure you have someplace to stay when traveling, you’ll want to book your stay in advance. The easiest way is to book your backpacker stay online. BUG (http://www.bugeurope.com) and Hostels.com offer accommodations worldwide as well as online booking. You can also see how others rated their stay and compare between other backpacker locations in the same city.

In Conclusion:

Going round the world or even travelling through your own country can be exciting and fun when staying at backpackers hostels. Providing you don’t forget to take proper ID, stick to the rules, check for bedbugs and pack suitably, you will be able to mix with the locals and save money while you travel. You may make a few new friends along the way!

Watch the video related to Paris Backpacker

After arriving in Paris, Eric, Tessa and Chris visit sights such as the Sacre Coeur, the Louvre, the Opera.

Help answer the question about Paris Backpacker

About Author

Julie Davidson

World travel isn’t just for the rich and famous–even if you low in cash you can still explore the globe! If you’d like to find an
Australian backpackers
hostel, Start Local is the spot for you. Start Local is Australia’s fastest growing local search engine and business directory. Get a list of the most popular backpacker hostels in Australia at => http://www.startlocal.com.au/accomodation/backpackers/

An archipelago in the Pacific, Japan is separated from the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan. It is approximately the size of Montana. Japan’s four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. The Ryukyu chain to the southwest was U.S.-occupied from 1945 to 1972, when it reverted to Japanese control, and the Kurils to the northeast are Russian-occupied.

With many hot springs in this country, they have given rise to some stunning resorts.

Tokyo, Japan’s city is a modern city of which is full of wonderful diversity. There are many sacred shrines and temples that hold there own amongst the imposing might of the skyscrapers.

The Tokyo Disney Resort in Chiba, is a holiday and recreation resort which has become the most popular and most visited theme park in the world since it was opened in 1983.

Mount Fuji is stunningly impressive and standing at a stunning 12,388 ft., has earned it the title of the tallest mountain in Japan. The Japanese revere this majestic mountain and use it as a symbol to the very spirit of their country. The best viewing place for Mount Fuji is Hakone and although it is almost always shrouded in clouds on a clear day the peak becomes visible.

The adventurous among you will be pleased to know that there are 6 ascents to the peak of the mountain of varying difficulties. Depending on the weather you can climb in the months of April to October although the “”official”" climbing season is from mid-July to the end of August.

Lake Ashi can be found in the volcanically active Izu National Park in Japan. The lake is breathtaking and was apparently formed in the caldera of Mt. Hakone 3000 years ago after the volcano’s last eruption. This is a popular tourist attraction which is well known for its hot springs and stunning views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

You will have the opportunity to take cruise boats resembling pirate ships along the lake where some small towns are located on the shore.

Nikko is a small city at the entrance to Nikko National Park. Here you can experience the famous Toshogu shrine which is Japan’s most elaborately decorated shrine.

Nikko National Park offers one of the most scenic landscapes, boasting mountains, stunning lakes, impressive waterfalls, hot springs. You can get close to the wild monkeys on one of the many walking trails.

Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoku region on the largest of Japan’s islands and was rebuilt after World War II.

You cannot mention Hiroshima without it conjuring up the reminder that it was the first place in history to be subjected to an atomic bomb by the United States of America.

Thankfully in modern times, new buildings have grown all over the city. Now proclaimed as a City of Peace by the Japanese parliament, Hiroshima has become the seemingly appropriate place for holding international conferences on peace.

Watch the video related to Backpacker Japan

3 backpackers take in seven days of japan during sakura season en-route to se asia.

Help answer the question about Backpacker Japan

About Author

Daniel Jowssey

Find Japan travel and many useful information about travel tips at this travel directory.

World will experience lot of enthusiasm and incitement on this occasion. Schedule has been announced for all countries qualified for the finals and it will took place in the following cities of South Africa. 

1-Johannesburg
2-Cape Town
3-Rustenburg
4-Orkney
5-Nelspruit
6-Kimberley 
7-Port Elizabeth
8-Bloemfontein 
9-Durban
10-Pretoria
11-Pietersburg

South Africa and the teams which qualified for the finals have started to get ready for this mega event.This event will remain point of attraction and excitement for the whole world during 11th June 2010 – 11th July 2010.UK soccer fans are really mad about this event and estimated figure of Uk fans who will catch flights to South Africa to witness the worldcup is around one million.

Economic hub of South Africa , Johannesburg will also witness matches of soccer world cup 2010.Many airlines come up with cheap deals and travel agents offering cheap flights to Johannesburg.Johannesburg is a huge city with an ostentatious lifestyle and a bouncing nightlife.The central part of Jo’burg whose tall skyscrapers are today a reminder of a previous era of commerce, has been returned to Africa.One can witness all flavours of African cultures in Johannesburg.

Soccer City Stadium and Ellis Park Stadium will host soccer matches in Johannesburg.Once you there don’t forget safari tours as your tour is incomplete without it.Search online to book cheap flights to Johannesburg which will help you to plan your trip to South Africa under your budget.Of course FIFA world cup 2010 will create a history in Africa.

To accomplish your trip under your budget look for cheap travel options that can be cheap flights , discount airfares or cheap holiday packages.Don’t follow a myth that you will get cheapest airfares while booking last minute.You need to book at least 6 months before to get cheapest flight deals.Dump the concept that cheap flight mean some low cost airlines with below standard services.cheap flights are the flights by airlines have good ratings at discount prices.

To accomplish your trip under your budget look for cheap travel options that can be cheap flights , discount airfares or cheap holiday packages.Don’t follow a myth that you will get cheapest airfares while booking last minute.You need to book at least 6 months before to get cheapest flight deals.Dump the concept that cheap flight mean some low cost airlines with below standard services.cheap flights are the flights by airlines have good ratings at discount prices.

Watch the video related to Africa Worldcup travel

Going to Australia from Brasil i stoped in South Africa Have a nice trip

Help answer the question about Africa Worldcup travel

About Author

Travelhouseuk

Travelhouseuk Offers Cheap flights and bargain holidays worldwide. Search millions of flights deals online and get Bargain Flights, Cheap Airline tickets, last minute flights. http://www.travelhouseuk.co.uk

Japan has four distinct seasons and enjoys a relatively mild and temperate climate, with the exception of Hokkaido to the north, and the subtropical area of Okinawa to the south. Each season has its own characteristics, with the highest precipitation in most areas falling during the rainy season, which runs approximately from mid June to the end of July. June is the official start of the rainy season, with conditions gradually becoming more humid and rainy in the steamy month of July when temperatures can soar into the high 90’s daily with almost 100% humidity. For those who plan to travel to Japan in the summer, an extended visit to Hokkaido in the north which is mercifully spared a rainy season is a welcome break from the heat of Honshu and the other major islands. Many Japanese living in the Tokyo area also take weekend getaways to the nearby mountains of Chubu or Tohoku to escape the relentless heat. In addition to the rain and sweltering temperatures of summer, the months of August and early September are also considered typhoon season, when high pressure systems formed in the tropical areas of the western pacific ocean occasionally strike Japan’s southern regions, inflicting torrential rain and strong wind.

The arrival of Autumn in late September usually brings drier conditions and a drop in temperatures. In addition to Spring , the months of October and November are possibly the best time to visit Japan, as most days are clear and warm, and the famous Fall colors that make an appearance are beautiful to behold. Despite the cold temperatures winter in Tokyo and it’s outlined regions can also be considered a relatively pleasant time of year, as most days are clear and brisk, with rain or snow falling only occasionally. It’s also an excellent season to visit one of the numerous onsens located throughout the Japanese countryside that accommodate the winter crowd. There are few greater pleasures than sipping sake in a hot spring bath situated among white covered hills as snow gently falls around you. For those who enjoy various winter sports, the northern regions of Honshu island such as Nagano and Hakuba which receive heavy snow fall are also popular destinations for skiers and snowboarders. If you’d like to take a break from the cold you might consider a week or two in Japan’s southern most island of Okinawa, where winter temperatures are comparable to those found in Hawaii. Spring has been toted as being the best time of year to be in Japan by most travel guide books, and for good reason. The temperatures are warm but not hot, and rainfall is sparse, with only occasional showers falling in late evening. The first week of April also brings with it the famous cherry blossom season that is one of the most magical times of year in Japan, with many cherry blossom viewing events and festivals taking place throughout the country.

Watch the video related to Travel to Japan

lance attenbrow enjoys traditional japnese food in the japanese dining bar in tokyo

Help answer the question about Travel to Japan

what is a good book to help with preparing to travel to japan?
i will be traveling to japan in early april '07 and i was trying to find a good book about japan to help me prepare for the trip. this is my first international trip. in the past, i have used the dummies books (i.e., hawaii for dummies, etc) and they have been very helpful, however, they do not make one for japan. i went to the book store and i was able to find a couple good books on customs and etiquette of japan, as well as, a basic japanese phrase book. i guess i'm looking for more of a travel guide book (i.e., where to stay, tips on getting around, best cherry blossom sites, etc)….frommers makes a book, but was hoping there was something simpler out there (like the dummies books). i should also mention that i will be spending my time in tokyo. thanks for your help.

About Author

Jim Sherard is the author of “Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan”, which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html

If you’re determined to explore Asia but unsure which country to visit, you might want to set your sites on Far East Asia and travel to Japan. Here is some general but useful information that is good to know when you travel Japan. It will help you get a better understanding of Japan before your trip and allow you to experience Japan more comfortably.

About the Country

Japan consists of four main islands and several smaller ones. Together the islands take the shape of a sea horse and occupy an area of 377,435 square kms. Tokyo, the capital city, is very modern and bustling with activity, so when you travel to Japan, be ready for a few crowds. The landscape of Japan, away from the big cities, is mountainous with spectacular scenery; some of the mountains are volcanic. Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan, and is known for its symmetrical slopes.

About the Climate

When you travel to Japan, it’s important to know the country’s seasons and when they occur during the year. The islands of Japan lie in the temperate and at the northeastern end of the monsoon area. The climate is generally mild, although it varies considerably from place to place when you travel Japan. Summer, which is warm and mild, begins around the middle of July following a rainy season that usually lasts for a month. Except in northern Japan the winter is mild with many sunny days. Spring and autumn are the best seasons of the year with balmy days and bright sunshine.

About the People

Before you depart to travel Japan, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the people and their culture. Japan is one of the most densely populated nations in the world, with some 330 persons per square kilometer (almost 860 persons per sq. mi.). The Japanese are a Mongoloid people, closely related to the major groups of East Asia. However, some evidence also exists of a mixture with Malayan and Caucasoid strains. About 750,000 Koreans and much smaller groups of Chinese and Caucasians reside in Japan.

Religious Beliefs

When you travel Japan, you will be exposed to a new world of religious and personal beliefs. Buddhism is important in Japan’s religious life and has strongly influenced fine arts, social institutions, and philosophy. Most Japanese consider themselves members of one of the major Buddhist sects.

Shintoism is an indigenous religion founded on myths, legends, and ritual practices of the early Japanese. Neither Buddhism nor Shintoism is an exclusive religion. Most Japanese observe both Buddhist and Shinto rituals: the former for funerals and the latter for births, marriages, and other occasions. Confucianism, primarily an ethical system, profoundly influences Japanese thought as well.

About 1.3 million people in Japan are Christians, of whom 60% are Protestant and 40% Roman Catholic.

Japan is an exotic and beautiful travel destination that is worth traveling to. Now you can travel to Japan for less with the lowest discount airfare on cFares. The number one wholesale travel site for the shrewd international traveler.

For more information on traveling to Japan and other locations in Asia, visit http://www.cfares.com

Watch the video related to Travel to Japan

Fourth part of my summer vacation video. Shinjuku Skyscraper District, Kichijoji, Ueno and the University of Tokyo campus. Song is Missing by Gackt.

Help answer the question about Travel to Japan

How can I start translating for bands and celebrities who travel to Japan? Degree or networking?
I am completely bilingual in Japanese and English. My dream job is to work with bands and celebrities who travel to Japan for business. I want to be their personal translator. How can I start up my own freelancing business? I have professional translating experience and experience working in venues. Should I get a degree in translating? Any advice?

About Author

Discount airfare to Japan

When traveling internationally, it is essential to plan ahead. Your first mission should be to obtain the necessary paperwork to enter another country. This requires a valid passport. U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter and stay in Japan for up to ninety days.

It is important to have back-up copies of important documents. You will want a photocopy of your passport, your flight itinerary, and prescriptions. Furthermore, leave copies of these items, as well as credit card numbers and traveler’s check numbers with friends or family.

Recently, tickets to Tokyo from San Diego could be found for just under one thousand dollars. There are over two dozen one stop flights between these destinations operating on over fifteen airlines. Since the flight is at least fifteen hours long, it is worth it to pay the extra money for a one stop flight. American Airlines operates the largest carrier on this route, and has all of the standard amenities in coach travel.

Prepare yourself ahead of time for the shocking size and population of Tokyo. It is a massive city, sprawling over a vast area, and filled with millions of people. Think twice the size of New York. It can be overwhelming at first, especially if you try to pack every tourist destination into a tight schedule. A Suica or PASMO fare card, which run around 3000 Yen, allow you access to public transportation and can be purchased at any train station. It is also an extremely expensive city, so prepare you wallet, too.

The best mid-range hotels can be found in the major epicenters of the city. There are a few other options to the traditional three star lodging. You may want to consider a business hotel. These cost around 6000 Yen a night and are quite small. Japan has what is known as love hotels, and there is one particular area of Tokyo, Love Hotel Hill, that offers a myriad of choices. Just be sure to specify that you want to rent by the night, and not simply stop in for a rest.

Travelers usually rave about Shibuya and east Shinjuku, two major train stations. You should also visit the Imperial Palace’s gardens. They are open at nine am daily (except for Fridays and Mondays). For the younger generation of travelers, spending a day at Harajuku, where fashion and trendiness abound, is essential. One can also visit a Meiji Jingu shrine. For the first-timer, a trip to Tokyo may be best spent losing oneself in the vastness of the city, exploring the various niches and neighborhoods that give Tokyo a distinct cultural flavor.

You will find amazing gifts. Hello Kitty wares are always popular, as are anime and other comic style items. Visit the Akihabara district for the best electronic devices and deals.

When departing Tokyo, be sure to allow yourself enough time to get to the airport. During peak rush hour times public transportation will be packed. It can take anywhere from 55 minutes on the Narita Express to 120 minutes by hotel bus service to arrive at the airport.

Tokyo is one of the top travel destinations in the world. Even the seasoned world traveler will be astounded with the culture and flare found in this capital city.

Watch the video related to Travel to Japan

Rail Travel by Japan Railways Shinkansen

Help answer the question about Travel to Japan

As a US citizen living in Japan, where do I go to get travel visas?
I currently have a work visa. It will expire in January. After that, I want to travel in Japan for a week, then other places in Asia, and then possibly return to Japan to travel for longer. Where do I go to take care of all this? I live in Osaka.

About Author

Author is the market analyst for the Web 2.0 Acobay Networking service. More info on Traveling Destinations, please visit Acobay.