Copyright (c) 2009 Casper da silva

Let’s commence with the watch words of the year Credit Crunch and reccession, and what it means for holiday seekers this season. I remember when I first started in the Travel Industry last century – I do laugh when I throw that one out – twenty two years ago going on holiday was a luxury to be cherished. By the late eighties quickly followed by the naughty nineties, going on holiday evolved from being a luxury shared by a small minority to becoming an absolute necessity shared by the masses and a way to keep your sanity for the rest of the year. It was also something to aspire to and look forward to and despite the saturation of the travel industry it still holds that certain magic for the great British public going away wanting to leave their humdrum lives behind and live the dream, catching the rays, looking at beautiful sunsets, tasting different foods meeting different people as well as enjoying the culture. Needless to say this year in 2009, there has been a bit of panic about whether going on holiday is going to be a possibility for most couples and families and the media’s ongoing credit crunch mantra hasn’t helped those with fears to the average traveller.

However, I am going to go on record and state with absolute confidence and clarity that this is going to be a dream year for last minute holidays and great bargains will be bountiful in this buyers market. However and there is a ‘however’ to consider you’d better know what to do and when. As any self respecting gambler will tell you, you just have to know when to gamble and when to fold. A last minute holiday booking does not necessarily mean booking your holiday a day before departure to get the best deal, a day before departure can sometimes mean you pay more than your counterpart who booked four weeks before you and sometimes six weeks. If I could count the times I have heard my clients kick themselves in the shin for playing with waiting on brilliant holiday offers they were given and decided to take a gamble and wait till a day before departure thinking they would get it even cheape than chips is in fact a silly gamble and it wont work in your favour. If you have a specific somewhere that you want to go to with a certain type of board in a particular resort, frankly you book your holiday a minimum four weeks before departure so that you can get your particular deal. If however you are the type who wants to just turn up at the airport with a suitcase not caring where you go as long as you get a bit of sun then a few days before departure for a great late holiday deal will suit you just fine.

Again word to the wise, gambling with a last minute holiday a day before a Bank Holiday or the start of any school holidays is a definite no-no, trying to find a suitable last minute holiday bargain a couple of days before you want to get away can be an extremely stressful exercise for a family with specific needs and requirements, so always start looking five to nine weeks before departure. Be prepared when booking a last minute holiday make sure your budget is accounted for on your debit or credit card, losing a holiday to something as routine as a ten minute account to account fund transfer. If you are sans debit or credit cards, then phone a friend or family member and ask them to help you out with the use of their card details which you of course repay, and make sure you have this in place before you start searching for your last minute holiday, as some offers need to be booked and paid for straight away or you may lose out on a great deal by the time you try and sort out ways to pay for your holiday. Remember no one holds options on last minute holidays anymore. You will find companies are more than willing to offer competitive prices, and it’s easy to get caught up in getting companies to compete with each other to get the best deals. But take too long and use too many companies to do your bidding war and it could end up you become the loser, as the electronic data been gathered by the operator gives them the idea that the demand on the holiday you are searching for is great and the price will go up. So snap up that fantastic lasty minute holiday, and do so with some defiance, 2009 is going to be one of the best years to find last minute holiday, so enjoy it!

Starting from 29th of May to 26th of July 2009 a significant event will take place in Singapore, marking the exclusive season for discerning shoppers worldwide. It is none other than the Great Singapore Sale where almost everything under the sun is sold at unbelievable rates.

This island-wide major event is organized by Singapore Retailers Association and sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board and the Spring Singapore – a government agency promoting Singapore’s economic growth.

The whole island goes into an overdrive during this season where shoppers ranging from bargain hunters to label hunters throng to the city to join this exciting mega shopping spree. You can enjoy up to 70 percent discounts on any item from jewelry to high fashions as well as electronics to an array of luxury brands.

What’s more if you are a tourist in Singapore, then you are entitled for a Tourist Privilege Card delivering a plethora of benefits and discounts to your delight.

This card will come in handy when you are purchasing fashionable clothes and accessories, cosmetics and perfumes, camcorders, iPods, computers and games, household items and furniture, electronic goods and jewelry as well as watches. This card also entitles you to obtain best deals for fine dining options, services of healthcare and spa in addition to enjoying a vibrant nightlife among others.

The shopping areas are plenty too. You can start from downtown Singapore where you can discover the shopping hotspots such as Marina Bay, Orchard Road and Bugis Street. For a unique cultural shopping experience you can drop by at the Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam. In addition you can also check out the shops and malls in the outskirts of Singapore and in the VivoCity at Southern Waterfront.

While you are shopping you can also partake in many thrilling events such as the Great Singapore Shopping Challenge 2009 where you can win more than $ 10,000 worth prizes, Great Singapore Feast where you can sample gourmet specialties from classy restaurants island-wide, Club 21 Bazaar where you can shop for world famous designer labels at a spectacular 80 percent discount, above and beyond the Toy Universe offering the most alluring deals especially for the youngsters.

And that’s not all. You can even take pleasure in a late night shopping spree where numerous malls and shops will operate till 11pm.

Singapore not only offers the best deals for shopping, it also offers best deals for lodging. You can find scores a five star hotel in Singapore such as the Raffles Hotel Singapore catering to your subtle tastes and requirements. A Singapore hotel will offer you first-rate services ensuring your stay in Singapore more comfortable and enjoyable for your family and friends.

Portland is one of the greenest cities in the United States. The city lies along the Willamette River in an area that enticed thousands and thousands of nineteenth century pioneers to risk their lives trying to reach it. Today it is still a significant destination, both for business and pleasure. One of the most delightful lodgings in the area is the RiverPlace Hotel, Portland . Located right on the banks of the Willamette, it is a far cry from the log cabin hotel that greeted travelers at the time of the city’s founding in 1851. Then, you got an iffy meal and a lovely view of the sawmill. Today, at the River Place Hotel Portland you can dine sumptuously on the patio of the Three Degrees restaurant overlooking the river and the vibrant downtown. Set off from downtown just far enough to escape the noise and bustle, River Place Hotel Portland is near enough to allow guests to take advantage of all this rich city has to offer.

Portland is a city dedicated to green spaces. In fact, the western bank of the Willamette is a park for the entire length of Portland’s downtown. The city boasts one of the largest wilderness parks in the United States that is entirely enclosed in an urban area. For those interested in the floral, there are a host of other choices: Leach Botanical Garden, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, and the Japanese Garden. Of course, Portland is known for its roses. For a century it has been touted as the City of Roses, and the International Rose Test Garden is located there. River Place Hotel Portland is a fabulous base from which to explore.

The ambiance of River Place Hotel Portland is warm and inviting, and the Three Degrees Restaurant is no exception. It is a wonderful spot to relax and wind down after a long day wandering the gardens of Portland. Like the rest of the hotel, Three Degrees boasts beautiful woodwork characteristic of the Craftsmen period. Dine inside, or make yourself at home and enjoy Portland’s temperate climate and a great view of the Willamette. It is a lovely spot from which to view the marina. Not only is the setting inspired, but the dining is excellent as well. Visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or take advantage of the Sunday brunch—a favorite of guests and locals alike.

The RiverPlace Hotel Portland is a beautiful destination. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the surroundings are among the loveliest to be found in any urban setting. A stay in River Place will make any visit to Portland more special.