by Roy -

This article is written by Chris McGinnis; Chris is the business travel columnist for BBC Travel

Throughout the year, there are predictable peaks and valleys in travel demand and pricing. Travellers who study them can save money and have more comfortable trips.

In London, holiday shoppers keep hotels full and rates sky high throughout the holiday season

As the holiday season approaches, these peaks and valleys multiply — especially in the US, which celebrates Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years within a six-week time period. According to Expedia, most searching and booking for holiday trips occurs during October, so with that in mind, here’s a road map to help plan for the season:

Valley: 1 to 17 November
As Thanksgiving week in the US approaches, travel demand and pricing typically decline, making this a good time to schedule business or leisure trips. However this is also a very popular time for conventions, so be aware of major cities hosting large events where you’ll likely find crowding and higher prices.

Peak: 18 to 23 November
If you don’t have to travel in the US during this time, stay on the sidelines. During the Thanksgiving peak, airfares soar and US airports become clogged inexperienced travellers. However, it also means fewer Americans will be travelling abroad that week, making it a good time to snag a cheap transatlantic business class fare.

Valley: 24 to 25 November
Savvy travellers have learned to save time and money by flying in on Thanksgiving morning for the feast, and then flying out on Friday evening.

Peak: 26 to 29 November
As US travellers return from the Thanksgiving break, it’s time for big crowds. High prices. Big headaches. A perfect time for a teleconference or a staycation!

Valley: 30 November to 20 December
Early December is one of the very best times of year for business or leisure travel just about anywhere in the world. Prices plunge. Crowds go home. (Exception: New York City or London where holiday shoppers keep hotels full and rates sky high.) If you are travelling on business, clients are likely to be in good moods. On the leisure side, you’ll find some of the lightest crowds and lowest prices of the year on cruises or at Disney parks.

Peak: 21 December to 3 January
Christmas Day falls on Sunday this year, so peak travel days begin on the Tuesday or Wednesday prior. Try to avoid returning to the roads or skies until the Tuesday after New Years Day (also on Sunday).

Aside from the threat of inclement weather, January is also a fine time for business travel — it’s low season, so airfares and hotel rates are down, crowds are thin, and the airport belongs to the road warrior. You might even get a cherished upgrade.

Chris McGinnis

5 Oct 2011

http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20111005-roadmap-for-holiday-travel

Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 242 user reviews.

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by Roy -

Situated between India and Tibet, Bhutan is a landlocked country with limited access points. That brings to mind the question of how to reach Bhutan in the shortest, fastest way and what the available options are. The Kingdom of Bhutan is spread across the eastern Himalayas, and the popular way to travel in the country is via the winding mountain roads. However, there is more there is more than way to reach Bhutan. You could fly to Bhutan or travel to Bhutan by road.

How to Reach Bhutan by Air

Paro is the international airport of Bhutan. Regular flights operate between Paro and Delhi and Kolkata. If you are traveling to Bhutan from Nepal, you can avail of direct flights to Paro from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. All flights to Bhutan are operated by Druk Air, which is the national carrier of Bhutan.

Paro is a scenic valley-town of gurgling streams, quaint houses and old monasteries, hemmed in by the Himalayas. It is just a 2-hour drive from Thimpu. Car rentals and government bus services are available for the journey from Paro to Thimpu.

Druk Air currently operates two Airbus A319-114 with seating capacity of 124 passengers including 8 Business Class seats. Druk Air flight operates to Paro, Bhutan from Bangkok daily, two to four times a week from Delhi and Kathmandu, twice or thrice a week from Kolkata, Bagdogra and Dhaka, which originates from Bangkok. In Bangkok, Druk Air uses the new airport (BKK) Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Druk Air flight booking is centralized in Thimphu, Bhutan. It is not an IATA member and currently it cannot be booked on any Global System (GDS). Druk air do not accept Credit card payments.

Druk Air Flight Schedules, Fares regional Flights

    Druk Air fares – Coach or Economy Fares  in US $
    Sector Season Fare
    		 Off season fare
    (Jun, July…)    		 Taxes + Y-Fuel Surcharges
    PARO – DELHI 315 237 31
    DELHI- PARO 315 237 46
    BANGKOK- PARO 360 270 37
    PARO -BANGKOK 360 270 31
    KATHMANDU – PARO 190 143 31
    PARO – KATHMANDU 190 143 31
    KOLKATA- PARO 190 143 18
    PARO – KOLKATA 190 143 31
    Druk Air fares – Business Class Fares in US $
    PARO – DELHI 380 285 81
    DELHI – PARO 380 285 96
    BANGKOK -PARO 440 330 37
    PARO -BANGKOK 440 330 31
    KATHMANDU -PARO 230 173 31
    PARO – KATHMANDU 230 173 31
    KOLKATA- PARO 230 173 68
    PARO- KOLKATA 230 173 81
    Infant Fare: 90% discount on the base fare for Infants (below the age of 2years)
    Child Fare: 33% discount on base fare for Children (below 12 years on the date of travel)
    Student Discount: 25 % discount on base fare for Student (must be below 25 years of age and proof to show that one is a full time student, including ID card)
    Group Discount: For every 11th passenger, there is 50% discount on 1 pax or OR 1 person travel free for every 16th passengers. All passengers must be traveling on the same route and purchasing flight tickets at the same time. Taxes and insurance etc are still charged.

    How to Reach Bhutan by Road

    There is no rail network within the country and travelers can gain access to Bhutan by means of road transport – buses, private cars, which are authorized by the government of Bhutan. All parts of Bhutan are well-connected by a network of roads. If you are planning to reach Bhutan from India, the point of entry is the border town of Jaigaon. It is about 150 kms from Siliguri, the furthest that you can get near Bhutan by rail. A stately gate separates the Indian town of Jaigaon from the Bhutanese town of Phunsoling. Cars are available for hire from Siliguri to Jaigaon. You can book the very same car to take you to Bhutan or on reaching Jaigaon, get in touch with local tour operators to book a car for your tour to Bhutan and back.

    The laws for traveling to Bhutan are stricter for people of other nationalities than of India and China. The purpose of such laws is to preserve its environment and culture. Both the touring party and the car rental company need to acquire permits to be in Bhutan for a given length of time

    The ornate border gate between Bhutan and India

    13 Oct 2011

    Collected from various sources

    Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 225 user reviews.

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