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Reasons Why You Should Rent A Car On Your Visit To Saudia

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Saudi Arabia is a large country in the Middle East where lots of tourists visit every year for religious or commercial causes. They may move around in public transport or opt to hire rental cars while visiting different cities after landing in the international airport of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or Madinah. As tourists cannot spend money on buying cars during their short stay in this country, they should rent a car in Saudi to wander around freely here.

Different reasons to rent a car

Convenience as to not to follow any fixed schedule – All public transport vehicles run at a fixed time and travelers need to arrange their schedules according to that timetable. However, they can enjoy more flexibility in their tours when they travel by rented cars. Moreover, they can stop these cars whenever they want, to relax a bit during a long journey, which is not possible in public transport modes. Tourists can also stop and spend more time admiring the scenic beauty of some places on their way. People can reach their destinations much faster by driving their rental cars than public vehicles that take longer due to various stoppages.

More cost-effective though not cheapest – The fare in public transport is quite cheap compared to the rental costs of cars in Saudi Arabia. However, when the traveling costs by bus or metro for an entire day are added, it is found to be more than the rental cost of a car per day. So, it is best to take a car for rent after landing at any Saudi airport, to save the expenses of hiring a cab or looking for a bus to reach the booked hotel. Tourists should rent cars as per their requirements, as smaller vehicles consume much lesser fuel than larger ones. Moreover, they need to calculate the total expense of renting a car, by including the costs of fuel, car insurance, and parking during the entire tour.

More comfortable than public transport – Tourists can choose among a wide range of vehicles while renting a car in Saudi Arabia. So, they can pick up the car model that will comfortably accommodate all members of their group. They should also check other features of the car interior that will render utmost comfort while traveling, mainly during a long tour.  Moreover, these rental cars are much cleaner than public transport vehicles that are ridden by thousands of passengers before cleaning at the end of the day.

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Easiness of exploring new destinations – Passionate travelers can take their rental cars to remote destinations where public transport may not be available. In this way, they can visit the picturesque villages among the desert region or places on mountainous slopes. Thus, they can fully enjoy their tour by exploring different lesser known places in Saudi Arabia, which are usually not included in tour itineraries of travel agencies.

Few restrictions to be known before booking a rental car

Tourists should be aware of all the terms and conditions declared by a car rental company. So they need to go through the brochures of different companies, to know all about their restrictions. Some companies may have restrictions regarding the distance to be covered by a rental car per day. Some car rental companies do not allow taking their vehicles outside a specific Saudi state or to neighboring countries.

Select the car of your choice

Tourists should choose a rental car carefully before starting their tours comfortably in Saudi Arabia. They need to consider a few factors for this selection. The vehicle should not be too old, as older cars face frequent mechanical faults compared to newer ones. Therefore, it is okay to rent a car that is 3 – 4 years old. The mileage of a car should be checked to find if it suits the travel plan of the tourist. The distance already traveled by that car should be checked as well, as the vehicle that has traveled too much may have worn-out parts. The car should be insured by a Saudi insurance company and car dealers usually provide the option to get a comprehensive insurance plan for the rented car.

Check for any damages before registering the car in your name

The tires of the rented car should be checked for damages, as these are most easily worn-out parts and can cause an accident while driving. Other parts of the car, like the brakes, fuel tank, and engine, should be checked carefully before booking the car for rent. Any slight damage on any part should not be neglected and that car can be left out from the range of rental cars. Moreover, all the external damages, like dents or scratches, should be reported with photos to the car dealer before booking the car.

The distance covered by the car as appearing on the Odometer should be the same as written on the invoice provided by the car dealer while renting the car. This is essential as the car dealer will charge according to the mileage as shown in the odometer when the car is returned. The mobile oil and the oil filter of the car should be changed if the car is supposed to travel a long distance.

Return the car

When the rented car is returned to the car dealer, the customer should make sure to delete his name from the TAMM Traffic System. An SMS to the mobile of the customer proves that his name is truly removed from that system; else he will need to pay the charges when that car is driven by another person.

Documents needed for renting a car

A foreign tourist needs to get a driving license issued in Saudi Arabia if he intends to drive a rented car. If the person is here with a work visa, he should provide the Iqama or Residence Permit obtained by his employer for him. These documents prove his legal right to drive a car and to rent a car in Saudia.

Therefore, tourists can rent cars for traveling in Saudi Arabia. They should specify the time of return while renting, to avoid late fees at the time of return.

Family

3 Crucial Financial Tips for Traveling Students

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College can be an excellent experience regardless of your age, goals, or interests. Whether you’re looking to start a new career, or simply improve your earning potential, college opens the door to a variety of unique opportunities. Not only will you learn more about yourself, and the strengths you can bring to an employer, but you’ll make new friends and harness new skills too.

College can even open the door to opportunities to travel and see more of the world, through exchange programs, class trips, and chances to attend learning events overseas. However, as anyone who has ever struggled to live on a student budget will know, managing the costs of travel when you’re earning your education can be difficult. Fortunately, with the following tips, you can ensure you’re prepared for almost anything.

Create and Manage Your Budget

The first step in maintaining your financial health as a traveling student is learning how to use budgeting to your advantage. Chances are you already have a budget to help guide you through the challenges of managing everyday expenses like accommodation and food. However, if you’re planning on traveling, either for a short trip or a long-term event, you’re going to need to rethink your strategy. Start by researching the location you’re going to be visiting, and learning as much as you can about the costs of things like travel, accommodation, entertainment, and food. This will help you to plan how much money you need on a weekly basis. If you’re traveling as part of a program with your college course, your teachers and other students may also be able to provide some advice on how you can optimize your budget.

Have a Back-Up Source of Funds

If you’ve invested in building your savings account before your trip and you have a strong budgeting strategy in mind, you should be able to manage the costs of travel relatively effectively, without too much of a problem. However, the world can be an unpredictable place, and there’s always a chance you could end up running out of money faster than you’d expect.

It’s important to have a back-up source of funding available that you can turn to if something goes wrong. If you have extra savings in your bank account, make sure you can access them wherever you are. If not, it might be worth looking into student credit cards so you can leverage additional resources while you’re away from home. Make sure you look for a card that supports international usage and comes with the best possible terms.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Finally, technology can be an incredible resource for college students for several different reasons. Not only does the internet make it easier to communicate with professors and loved ones wherever you are, but it also ensures you can easily research everything from the cheapest sources of accommodation on your travel, to the best deals available for students. Make sure you have access to the internet during your journeys, so you can keep yourself informed, and stay savvy with your spending habits. It might also be worth downloading a mobile app for your banking service, so you can track your spending over time, and make sure you’re not going over your budget too often.

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Out of Town

Opening Night of Ragtime at the Boston Pops–and Tateh Took Me Home!

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With reporting by Jacquline Parker

The Boston Pops opened their Summer Season on May 12th with Ragtime, the award-winning Flaherty and Ahrens musical as a symphonic concert. Symphony Hall was ablaze with multi-colored lights on the marquee, giving the legendary venue the air of an old-fashioned event from the era of RagtimeIt was thrilling to finally be in the hall where Arthur Fiedler and John Williams once reigned, smaller by far than our Carnegie Hall, but warm and welcomingA huge screen hung behind the musicians displaying the Ragtime logo, and with stunning projections by Wendall Harrington became a vital piece of scenery as wellThe house in New Rochelle, newspaper headlines and pictures of Ellie Island and the Lower East Side appeared as the actors sang about themSeeing a moving picture of an early assembly line and immigrants at Ellis Island made the story even more vivid than I rememberedA highlight was a projection of the Polo Grounds during the baseball game songOne heard the crack of a bat, and watched as the young son reached back with his mitt to catch the ball, which Maestro Lockhart nimbly dropped in from behind.  

The cast was superb, with New Yorkers Klea Blackhurst as Emma Goldman and John Cariani as Tateh, all directed with skill, grace and surprise by Jason Daniely.   

Fortunately I ran into John afterwards, who kindly walked me back to my hotel when cabs were no where to be found. 

This 36-hour respite not only afforded me this glorious musical opportunityBoston was full of easily accessible treats like stained-glass windows by masters La Farge and Tiffany, architecture by McKim and Richardson, shopping, walking and excellent weatherIt is a clean and safe city, and easily navigableI returned refreshed and reinvigoratedPerhaps we New Yorkers can all benefit from an occasional weekend away from the Big Apple. 

This Ragtime is worth the trip up to MassachusettsIt will be performed at Tanglewood on July 8th, and there’s always the annual July 4th concert on the esplanade!   

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Family

The Complete Guide to Planning a Couple’s Vacation: Everything to Know

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The writer Ernest Hemingway once said, “Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” He makes a good point, which is why going on a couple’s vacation is so special. Traveling with your partner allows you to deepen your bond and enjoy special time together, away from the regular stresses and hassles of everyday life.

Taking a trip with a partner requires a certain amount of planning in order for it to be as enjoyable and memorable as you both hope. In this blog post, we will share practical tips and advice for planning a couple’s vacation with your significant other.

These include deciding on a destination that both of you will enjoy, planning an itinerary together, sharing responsibilities, and finding time to spend alone during the trip. Let’s get started.

Choose a Suitable Destination

Of course, it would be great if you and your partner were in complete agreement about where to go on your vacation. That might even be the case. However, in a lot of instances, each person will have their own ideas about where to go in order to have the very best trip.

That’s okay, too, given that we are all different and have different tastes. The key here is to find a common ground where you both are happy (which is really what being in a relationship is all about). Choosing a destination that works for both you and your partner might take a little planning and some debating, but it will be worth it.

If neither of you is sure where to go on your vacation, there are lots of resources available to help you. For example, travel magazines, blogs, and social media platforms are great starting points when narrowing down a list of suitable spots for your trip.

A big part of choosing the right destination is to first decide on your couple’s vacation budget. There is no point in planning an all-inclusive luxury trip if your budget won’t allow for it. So, be mindful of the cost when looking at potential locations.

Plan the Itinerary Together

Again, a certain amount of give-and-take is required here as both you and your partner may have a different idea about what constitutes the perfect vacation. The first thing that you should both do is plan a loose itinerary, to simply gauge each other’s interests. From that list, you can start to decide on what things you will be able to do depending on factors like location, time, and budget.

One person might want to spend the day hiking, while the other person might not have the physical ability for such a pursuit. Discussing things like this in advance will enable you both to plan an itinerary that works best.

When it comes to making a concrete itinerary for your vacation, there are a lot of online resources that will help. Even by simply Googling a particular activity in a specific location should bring up plenty of results. It’s always a good idea to book activities that you are planning to do in advance, to avoid disappointment if they are fully booked up when you arrive.

In instances where you and your partner are poles apart in terms of interests, try and make time for activities that each will enjoy. For example, spending time in the morning doing an activity that your partner enjoys is fine, so long as the afternoon activity is something that you like.

Share Responsibilities

When it comes to planning a couple’s vacation, there’s a lot to do. From booking flights and hotels, to planning and booking activities, to figuring out what to bring with you, and more, it can be complicated and stressful.

Given that you are traveling with someone else, it’s valuable to share the responsibilities so that one person isn’t completely bogged down in organizing. For example, one person could organize the flights and transport, while the other person can look after booking the hotel and the different activities you decide to do.

Enjoy Time Alone During the Vacation

It’s certainly exciting to be going on a trip with someone as a couple. It can be romantic and memorable to spend a whole vacation with another person, developing a deeper bond with them. However, that also doesn’t mean you can’t find time to spend time alone during the vacation, either.

This is particularly true if there are certain activities that you really want to experience but your partner doesn’t. Depending on the length of your vacation, you can parcel off a day or half a day to spend on your own, doing something you enjoy. During that time, your partner can also go out and have fun with a particular activity.

Of course, spending time apart during a vacation always allows you both to buy little gifts for the other person, so there are lots of good reasons, really! Click here if you are interested in reading about relationship, motivational, lifestyle advice and more.

Your Handy Guide to Planning a Couple’s Vacation

From choosing a couple’s vacation destinations to packing for vacations and more, there’s a lot to organize when traveling with a loved one. The above information will help you to have a fun trip and create memories that last a lifetime.

Like this blog post on planning a couple’s vacation? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.

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Events

Social Media Post Contest To Celebrate Japan Month

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Japan Month” is set to launch this May, with the aim of promoting Japanese food, culture, and charm to New Yorkers. The project is jointly sponsored by the Consulate-General of Japan in New York and JETRO, and is being promoted by Jforward Inc., headquartered in New York.

May is a significant month for Japanese culture in New York City, with the annual “Japan Parade” taking place alongside the Japan Street Fair on May 13th. “JAPAN MONTH” will extend the celebration throughout the entire month of May, with events and promotions to showcase Japanese food, culture, and more.

“Social Media Post Contest”

To celebrate the beginning of “Japan Month”, a Social Media Contest will run from May 1-31. Participants will be required to visit a participating Japanese restaurant in the city, take a photo of themselves enjoying Japanese cuisine, or a picture of a delicious-looking dish, and post it on their personal social media accounts with the theme “We love Japanese food” and the hashtag #mayisjapanmonth.

A number of participating Japanese restaurants will also be taking part in the Japan Street Fair in Manhattan on May 13th as vendors.

The grand prize is “A pair of round-trip air tickets to JAPAN”

With the sponsorship of Japan Airlines (JAL), the contest winners will receive a pair of round-trip air tickets to Japan in JAL miles.

A total of three pairs of round-trip airline tickets to Japan will be awarded. The winners will be selected by a selection committee consisting of representatives from Japan Airlines (JAL), the Consulate-General of Japan, and JETRO.

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Music

All Aboard The Holland America Line For Their 150th Anniversary

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ElizaBeth Taylor, other members of the press and I boarded the Holland America Line for their 150th anniversary docking at Pier 88. It was a beautiful day to explore what is new and exciting for this cruise line.

Pickleball is the newest in sport and it is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. Now Holland America Line, is the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. You can also earn the basics at a complimentary beginner’s lessons. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in the retail shops.

The press got a chance to not only learn but play the game.

The ship is geared to music as their are scores in a specialty restaurant.

To a music note just hanging out in the lobby.

Wanting to know more about the entertainment part of the ship, I go my own tour to Rolling Stone Rock Room.

BB Kings, which looks like to was transported from 42nd Street.

The chandeliers on the shop are true works of art.

As are the sculptures.

At Billboard Onboard’s venue dueling piano’s.

There is also a state of the art theatre with surround a round video capability. On our tour we were show a documentary of the 150 years that was PBS worthy.

More of the art and sculptures on the boat.

Looking for an exclusive dinning experience? Club Orange is for you.

The chandeliers are truely stunning. These are from the main dinning room.

This is one of the specialty venue’s that had the score inscribed. That alone would make me choose this room.

Another has culinary masterpieces by Holland America Line’s Rudi Sodamin.

All in all the the Holland America Line has much to offer.

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