Low cost accommodation in Switzerland

There is no question that travel in Switzerland is pricey and most travelers on a budget have to make a quick in and out visit to avoid paying for an over night stay. Well if you're up for an adventure try sleeping in a bed of hay on a Swiss farm. Schlaf im Stroh is a Swiss organization which regulates over 200 farms which offer camping, dorm and hay stays. The prices are more than reasonable at 20-30 SF a night and breakfast is included. Check out their site for more details:
Schlaf im Stroh

Cheeky Monkey Guesthouse in Phnom Penh Cambodia

The Cheeky Monkey Guesthouse Phnom Penh, Cambodia has an ideal location as well as home comforts and service from the English speaking owners. Here you get short or long term accommodation of a higher standard than you wouldn't expect for such reasonable rates.



Facilities:
All the rooms in the Cheeky Monkey have AC, T.V. and bathroom facilities (2 rooms have en-suite bathrooms). Of course there is a room cleaning service daily and clean towels and sheets available. On the top floor is an art studio open to all who feel like painting and painting materials are included in your hotel fee. There is also a book exchange, bar and communal area where you can socialize with the other guests.


Perhaps the best feature of this Phnom Penh guesthouse is the breathtaking view from the top floor. Not only is the guesthouse located next to a Buddhist temple but from the balcony you can see the Mekong River and the Royal Palace.

Continental breakfast is included in your room rate and evening meals can be ordered in from The Mad Monkey – the guesthouse's sister accommodation. All the food is free range and organic.

No need to concern yourself with safety issues here as each room can be locked and the guesthouse is locked at night with each guest having their own set of keys to get in whenever they choose.

Rates:
The room rates at the Cheeky Monkey Guesthouse in Phnom Penh range from $26 to $18 and include a continental breakfast. For this price you get a central location and friendly English speaking service in basic but comfortable accommodation.
The Cheeky Monkey Guesthouse Offers:

The Cheeky Monkey is a socially and environmentally conscious establishment, bottles and plastic are recycled and the Cheeky Monkey is eco-friendly. 10% of the profits are invested in the local community and social projects and local employees have social benefits and are paid well.

The staff also provides travel advice and services including visa processing services for Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. You can arrange boat trips and other excursions from the guesthouse.

This guesthouse offers the friendly hospitality of a traditional "homestay" where you are taken into a local home, coupled with the comforts of hotel services.

Children are not allowed at the guesthouse due to safety concerns as the guesthouse is on a high level.

There is free Wi-Fi and a computer for guest use.

Guests can use the guesthouse fridge.

Same day laundry service is also available at reasonable rates.

To book a room at the Cheeky Monkey in Phnom Penh go to the Cheeky Monkey website.

Cruisetimetables.com for all your cruise timetable info in one place!

If you are planning a cruise it's often frustrating to go from cruise site to cruise site looking for the ideal cruise for you. You probably have specific dates that you want to cruise; sights you want to include; a cruise departure point in mind and cruise destinations you want to visit. You may even have a particular cruise ship or cruise company you prefer. The problem is that you can't normally find a combination of all of these factors on one site, it's either a cruise company site or a destination specific site. However there is a solution – Cruisetimetables.com.

On cruisetimetables.com you can search for your ideal cruise according to:

• Ports of departure.


• Cruise destinations.


• Cruise ships.

Cruisetimetables.com covers cruises worldwide including the unusual destinations and the unique cruise ships like the cruise ship wind surf. The site covers every possible cruise option thoroughly in fact the landing page may be intimidating as you face the long list of search choices. However as you navigate through the site from your initial choice of port, destination or ship you will find the information provided is easy to understand and most importantly comprehensive.

If you search cruise timetables by port of departure you get:

• A photo of the port.


• A brief but interesting description of the port and its surroundings as well as port terminal details and a map of the cruises made from that port.


• From your choice of port of departure you can then refine your search by date.


• The date search will then show you a map of each cruise from that port on that day and details of price, ports of call, duration and the cruise ship name.

When you search by cruise timetables by cruise destination you get:

• Several photos of the sights in that port, for example in Southampton you get photos and descriptions of the Old Town, the Aviation Museum, The Titanic Trail, the Jane Austen Walking Tour and the New Forest.


• You can then extend your search by clicking on the dates cruises leave for that cruise destination. You can view all cruises visiting that port destination and see the cruise details.

When you search cruise timetables by cruise ship you get:

• Picture of the cruise ship.


• Cruise ship specifications – cabins, crew, year built, length, flag and tonnage.


• Dates to search where that cruise ship will be on a given date. This will take you to cruise details that are available on those dates for that ship.


• Find out where the cruise ship of your choice is in real time at the moment you are online!

Cruisetimetables.com is not only a comprehensive schedule of all cruises worldwide but also a great source of information about the ports of call and cruise ships. One of the best features is the fact that you can view prices, which makes it easy to compare and find the best deal. Cruise timetables.com is an invaluable tool not only for those planning a cruise and still undecided but also for those who have already booked a cruise and want to read more about the ports of call.

Cherry Tuesday!

For really low cost European flights check out Air Baltic on a Tuesday. There are specials for 24 hours every Tuesday on Baltic Air.

Site Review: Beacon Hill Farm

Beacon Hill Farm in Northumberland, England can be a perfect choice of vacation accommodation if you want to get out of the big cities, enjoy the British countryside and at the same time not compromise on luxury and style. These are not ordinary cottages; they are all furnished with top quality items and designed to feel like a country home including books on the bookshelves and a well equipped kitchen. There is even a washer and dryer!

The concept is that you get your own home away from home in the gorgeous Northumberland countryside where you can cater for yourself but at the same time have maid service and spa amenities usually only found in hotels.

There are 15 self-catering 4 and 5 star luxury cottages at Beacon Hill Farm each with an individual character. There are cottages suited to 6, 4 and 2 people.

The Beacon Hill Farm Spa
On the farm a short walk from the cottages is a fully equipped spa offering spa treatments and facilities such as Jacuzzi, steam room, pool and gym. All the amenities are included in the price of your stay. The spa has large glass windows facing the beautiful English countryside. This is really a top of the line spa facility and an unusual feature to get when staying in a country cottage. You get the best of both worlds, the secluded independent cottage with the luxurious and pampering spa.

Beacon Hill Awards
Beacon Hill Farm has won several awards: England's self-catering holiday of the year (twice); North-East England's self-catering holiday of the year; Green Tourism Silver Award; Pride of Northumberland (three times) and Country Landowner's Farm and Country Buildings Award.

The Beacon Hill Site
The site meets a good balance of informative text with pleasant graphics, there is a lot of information but it is not overwhelming as with some other travel sites partly because the info is sectioned off onto separate pages.

The site seems to have thought of everything, when going through the site I had no unanswered questions. Your every wish and query has been preempted: order pre-cooked meals; no pets allowed; no smoking; some cottages have wheelchair access; there is WiFi in the cottages and computers in the reception; there is a gym, beautician and spa facilities; plenty of outdoor activities in the area including fly fishing. This site will leave you fully prepared for your stay at Beacon Hill Farm.

Cancelation and Payment Methods
Their payment method and cancelation policy seem a little tough, this is normally the case when dealing with smaller companies as they can't take on the loss of a broken contract or a cottage standing empty when canceled. Full payment is due 8 weeks before arrival and if the booking is within 8 weeks of the stay you need to pay the whole amount up front. Cancellation also comes at a price. It is worth taking up the Rent Waiver of 5% which will cover fees if you cancel.
It is also not possible to book for less than a week in several of the cottages and during the peak tourist season. Rates range roughly from 255 GBP a night to 1845 GBP a week. It is hard to name an average price as the prices vary through the year and for each cottage.

Who does Beacon Hill Farm Suit
Travelers who prefer rural settings to big city life and who have rented a car can then reach the farm easily and explore the surrounding villages, national parks and coastline. This vacation location would best suit older travelers, those on an active hiking, cycling, riding or climbing holiday and couples looking for a romantic getaway, as well as families who want to self-cater. Younger travelers looking for night life and action should look else were, this is more of a sleepy hollow.

The prices could be economically viable for groups or families but for couples they may seem
steep. One also needs to consider the cancellation and payment method as discussed above.

If you've had enough of London and want to see another side of British life and enjoy the spectacular countryside as well as pamper yourself Beacon Hill Farm could be the place for you.