adminfgx, Author at City Lodge Hotel Group - Blog

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES ON DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

May 21, 2013 No Comments

We’ve all seen that person at the airport; laden down with bags, boxes, suitcases, briefcases, packets, sporting equipment – everything but the kitchen sink as the saying goes! Standing behind that person at the baggage check-in queue can be painful as they take an absolute age to check in all their items and then start arguing with the airline staff about excess baggage fees… Image by © nongpimmy on Freedigitalphotos.net Some of us are even unfortunate enough to have been that person at the airport. So to avoid being that person on your next travel expedition – whether it’s business or corporate travel – we’ve put together a list of things you should know about luggage allowances on domestic and international flights! How many baggage items can you transport in the hold? What is the weight limit for each baggage item? Which items can you bring with you? Find all the information you…

TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT EAST LONDON

May 13, 2013 No Comments

If you’re not from East London, or you’ve never been there, the chances are that the only thing you’ve heard about East London is how windy it is. Yes, it can be windy – but let’s not forget that it can also be insanely windy in Cape Town, too… So if you were thinking that East London is a dry, boring (windy) coastal town – think again. Image by ©rwrant.co.za East London is actually a really cool South African place to visit! It’s full of seriously interesting culture, history, and beauty, and there’s quite a bit more to do there than you might have initially thought. DID YOU KNOW? East London was originally called Port Rex and it was founded in 1847 to serve as a supply port for nearby King William’s Town and it’s the only river port in South Africa. It’s home to Huberta, the wandering hippopotamus. Fossilised footprints…

THE SECRET TIPS OF BUDGET TRAVELLERS

May 3, 2013 No Comments

You don’t have to be wealthy to be well travelled. You don’t even have to go very far to be well travelled either… You can do all of your travelling and have a whale of a time in your own country without breaking the bank, using the secret tips of budget travellers… TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFF-PEAK EARLY BIRD SPECIALS Save on plane tickets. Plan your trip in advance and take advantage of early bird prices. Keep an eye on group buying discount sites to see if you can find discounted flights or travel packages. Travel during off-peak times. Midweek flights at odd hours are usually the cheapest. Finding accommodation mid-week or out of holiday seasons means you’ll save a bundle here as well. Avoid the first/last flight of the day or booking accommodation over long weekends, as you’ll just land up paying more. SAVE ON TRANSPORT Image by ©digitalart on…

48 HOURS OF FUN ON A BUDGET

April 25, 2013 No Comments

If you’re travelling for business or leisure, you need to find the right accommodation to suit your needs. If it’s best Rand value you’re looking for, you’re probably an astute traveller who knows that you only really need a hotel room to sleep and change; not much else. Here are tips for 48 hours of fun on a budget. When travelling, how much time do you really spend in your hotel room? There are so many other things you can spend your time and money doing! SO YOU’RE STAYING IN A ROAD LODGE Road Lodge recognises this and offers unbelievable value-for-money with the same rate whether there are one, two, or three people sharing one of the hotel’s comfortable rooms. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, and bathroom facilities, making them great for people needing a roof over their head during their travels. Road Lodge offers just what you need to get…

HOW TO BE THE WORLD’S MOST ANNOYING AIR TRAVELLER

April 17, 2013 No Comments

Long lines, uncomfortable lounge seats, and unexplained delays … air travel can be fraught with pitfalls and it’s relatively easy to become the kind of air traveller that other people secretly hate and curse… If you want to have a terrible air travel experience, don’t pay attention to the numerous frequent flyer tips offered online or by other travellers; instead, you should… AVOID PLANNING Image © artur84 on Freedigitalphoto’s.net Don’t find out what time you need to be at the airport, don’t pre-book your tickets, and don’t keep your documents close at hand… Instead, if you do manage to check in on time, wander aimlessly around the airport, and delay the flight by being the last on board after three announcements calling your name! PACK HEAVY Just throw all of your clothing into one large bag and all your cosmetics into a cloth toiletry bag and hope for the best… Even though having overweight luggage could mean a fine and…

CHEAP TRAVEL IN SOUTH AFRICA

April 9, 2013 No Comments

As South Africans, we should know how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful, diverse country. Not only is it culturally diverse, but it’s also geographically diverse – presenting more than enough to satisfy even the most hardened sightseer. In South Africa We have deserts, mountains, forest, cities, and savannas… There’s so much to do and see in all of our provinces, that we don’t even have to leave our own borders to get that tourist experience. Nor do we have to have loads of cash to travel around our own country – we can easily do it on the cheap! One of the best things about travelling in SA? We’re familiar with the currency (or should be) and should have a fair idea of what to expect to pay for things like accommodation, food, and transport. But you can never be too clued-up, so here’s some insight on how to travel on a budget in your own backyard……

DITCH THE DOWNTIME

April 1, 2013 No Comments

Travelling means being on the go…but it also has its fair share of just hanging around! Waiting for flights can be super-dull, particularly if they’re delayed. Instead of staring at the ceiling and twiddling your thumbs, make the most of it! CHECK IN WITH THE OFFICE If you’re managing staff, suppliers, or clients, now is the perfect time to phone in and touch base with how everyone is doing, talk about any challenges anyone is facing, or issue new instructions. At the very least, it’s a way to pass the time while looking productive… RESPOND TO EMAILS Whilst our smartphones make sure we get our emails on the run these days, it’s easier to provide detailed, thoughtful responses when we have a few moments to sit down and read through emails more thoroughly. When all else fails to entertain, you can read all the forwards your friends have been sending…

TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BLOEMFONTEIN

February 18, 2013 No Comments

It’s largely ignored for its tourist value, but Bloemfontein – a small city located in the interior of the country, midway between Johannesburg and Cape Town in Free State Province – has plenty to do and see. So, next time you’re on your way north or south, why not stay awhile? Here are 10 facts about Bloemfontein that will convince you there’s more to explore than a quick pit stop on your way through to somewhere else… 1. THE CITY’S STRANGE NAME Was Bloemfontein (‘flower fountain’ in Dutch) taken from Bloem, the favourite ox of a local farmer who mysteriously disappeared (thought taken by a lion)? Or from Jan Blom, a KhoiKhoi leader in the area? A mystery to be solved! 2. CITY OF ROSES Speaking of flowers, roses, notoriously temperamental, do exceedingly well in Bloemfontein’s semi-arid climate. The annual Rose Festival draws visitors from far and wide – with…

CO-WORKERS IN CLOSE QUARTERS: DOS AND DON’TS FOR TRAVELLING WITH THE TEAM

February 8, 2013 No Comments

Travelling with your colleagues isn’t the same as travelling with your friends. You usually choose your friends – but you can’t choose your colleagues… Business-related trips have higher levels of stress than a holiday, and there are also professional boundaries to consider. The last thing you want is someone going ‘postal’ because you dozed off on their shoulder on the plane, invading their personal space! Here are a few informal rules on how to make a trip with your colleagues memorable for all the right reasons… RELY ONLY ON YOURSELF Don’t expect others to take care of all the travel arrangements. Even if there’s someone else in charge of logistics, take responsibility for your own plane ticket, car rental, and accommodation by keeping keep copies of all the relevant documents. Whatever you do, if you’re a guy, don’t assume that the one lady in the group will be take over the role of your secretary…

10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RUSTENBURG

January 31, 2013 No Comments

Situated at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains in the North West Province, Rustenburg (‘place of rest’) is a city with a long history and a fast-growing future. Planning a trip to Rustenburg soon? Here are 10 things you might be interested to know… 1. BATTLEFIELDS The third oldest city (then town) in the former Transvaal, Rustenburg was established in 1851. Its main purpose at that stage was to serve as an administrative centre for a nearby farming area. Rustenburg boasts numerous sites of historical and cultural significance. It’s the home of the indigenous Bafokeng, Bakgatla, and Botswana tribes with their fascinating tribal history. It’s also the home of the German Kroondal community which traces its origins back to 1857, and Paul Kruger settled his family there in 1863. The Anglo-Boer War took place in the surrounding areas and one of the city’s battlefield tours will show you prominent battlefield,…