Tag: cash

How an Act of Kindness can Benefit You

How an Act of Kindness can Benefit You

Most of the guests at Silver Sands Jamaica utilize the professional transportation services provided by Mysilversands. One of Mysilversands contractor drivers, doing his usual duties, picked up a party of guests who had completed their stay in a Silver Sands villa, and took them back to the airport at Montego Bay.
The guests had a great vacation! They went out more and did more shopping than they had planned, maxing out their credit and debit cards. But they had retained a generous amount of cash and gave it to their driver as a tip for the excellent service he had provided them during their stay.
These guests did not realize that their airline had not included the usual Airport Departure Tax in the cost of their plane tickets. Their airline also had not advised them of the departure tax, which is required in order to leave the island.
Furthermore, this tax, if not included in the airline ticket, can only be paid at the airport in cash. When the guests checked in and were asked for the cash for their departure tax, they were stuck! They did not know what to do.
One of the party wandered outside the airport terminal and saw that their driver had not yet departed. He explained their predicament to the driver, who promptly said, “No problem! How much do you need?”
The driver shoved his hand in his pocket and handed back the tip, and then topped it up with more from his wallet to make the total necessary to cover the departure tax for all the passengers. The guests could not believe their luck, thanked the driver, promised to repay the loan, and left.
A few days later, the driver received a package by courier. The guests had returned the money for the departure tax and an even bigger tip this time! Fair enough, the guests showed their appreciation for the driver’s act of kindness and trust.
But that was not the end of the matter. A few weeks later, the driver received a phone call from some guests staying at a nearby hotel. They needed a driver and they wanted him to take them everywhere they wanted to go. They had heard about him from their good friends, the guests stuck at the airport without their departure tax. They had decided immediately that he would have to be their driver during their upcoming visit to Jamaica.
And so the story of the trusting, helpful driver was passed on and on. The driver continued to please, providing his usual excellent service. All his customers took his  phone number and they passed it, with the story, along to their friends who passed it along to their friends, and so on. People the driver had never met would call up and say things like “I hear you are the most honest driver in Jamaica, can you do my tours please?” The referrals kept piling up.
This single act of kindness from this driver started a chain reaction which resulted in this driver getting more jobs than he could handle. And being the kind person that he is, he started referring the business he could not handle to his trusted friends. And these drivers introduced many of these visitors who were staying in hotels to Silver Sands villas, thereby generating new business for Mysilversands.

Magical Marrakech seduces the senses

Magical Marrakech seduces the senses

1) There’s never a dull moment at Djemaa el Fna

The excitement of the Marrakech night market alone will keep you going back again and again.  As the best dinner spot in the entire city, the Djemaa el Fna is where all of Marrakech congregates to finish the day and it’s non-stop entertainment at each turn.  Wisemen tell stories, magicians show you their tricks, henna tattooists are always at the ready, performers, musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, and sneaky little monkeys – there’s never a dull moment.

2) Sophisticated, stylish & sexy: La Sultana Hotel

There’s something sexy and exciting about staying inside the ancient walls of the Marrakech medina.  La Sultana Hotel is a secluded refuge from Marrakech’s busy streets, and once you step into this exotic sanctuary, you’ll never want to leave.  Hailed as a Great Hotel of the World, the impeccably designed hotel is made of five smaller uniquely designed riads.  Guests can relax on a handful of terraces, take their pick of four pools located throughout the property, stay in the exotic Elephant or Zebra themed rooms, or catch a meal on the rooftop restaurant overlooking Marrakech’s Kasbah district. For more information on La Sultana or to book, visit Great Hotels of the World

3) Get scrubbed down at a hammam

When Japan, you visit the hot springs; when in Turkey, you visit the Turkish baths; and when in Morocco, you visit the hammam.  Visit a private hammam or hotel spa for a more upscale and costlier version; or head to the public hammam where you’ll find locals.  First, you’ll get doused with warm-hot water to help open up your pores.  Next, you’ll be lathered with black Moroccan soap.  Finally, the hammam finishes with a scrubbing-down so intense and exhilarating, you’ll leave with a new skin.

4) Moroccan delicacies: Exotic or bizarre?

When it comes to exotic foods in Morocco, it doesn’t get any scarier or more bizarre than eating a lamb head.  Part brisket chunks, part tendon and bones, and part fish-like gelatinous bits, it’s a delicious delicacy that even I couldn’t help tasting – and liking.  Served at the Djemaa el Fna at night, the best lamb head stall is the first corner stall perpendicular to the snail stalls.  The chef here is as hardcore as it gets and truly passionate about his food.  Besides the lamb head, he makes a killer lamb tajine that will keep you going back.

5) Bargaining for spices and goods at the souks

If you’re looking to visit the market, be sure you brush up on our guide on How to Bargain & Haggle at the Market (go to TripAtlas.com) for the best results.  Specialties to watch out for: cactus silk scarves, cashmere scarves, little camels for your mantlepiece, dried dates/fruits, leather pillow and ottoman cases, and carpets.  For spices, be sure to pick up a bag of the Moroccan 5-spice, Moroccan curry spice, some ground cinnamon, and saffron. 

Looking to book a trip to Morocco or anywhere else in the world? Visit Great Hotels of the World for inspiration and advice!

Escorted Single holidays for Singles

Escorted Single holidays for Singles

Singles Holidays can be a variety of short or extended breaks allowing single person to experience life on a different level.

As a single person and an avid world traveller with a website dedicated to bringing together single travellers, I got to think the other day about destinations for solo travellers.

Popular cities for singles holidays include: London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Dubai and Vienna.

Once you decide on your Solo holiday destination, a great way to get amongst other singles is to book an organized singles coach tour.

Meeting, like minded singles on exciting solo holiday’s packages that caters to the needs and desires of the solo single people. Many tour companies that cater specifically for soloholidays provide packages that include accommodation, meals and tours.

When you make the decision to participate in a singles holiday, the only dilemma you face is which location to choose. Chat to your local travel agent and check out all the options.

Many Single travellers find it easy to travel alone. Travelling alone is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Even married couples sometimes travel alone to different destinations and look for a travel companion.

There are a shed load of travel companies out there who cater for single travellers, but are there any real solo traveller focused destinations or hotels? Well, I guess there are many.

The concept of single people travel has changed the world for single travellers with unlimited choices for people seeking solo holidays. In the past very limited choices were available for single people seeking solo holidays. Times have changed for solo travellers where the availability of endless choices of destinations worldwide makes it difficult to decide on a particular solo vacation or singles travel tour.

There are many destinations which offer the ease and safety of travelling alone and the benefits of meeting many other likeminded travellers. The accommodation is often cheap and you can pick up some cash in hand work to help pay for your travel.

The decision of making the right choice regarding your solo holiday is really a crucial one, especially, when you are planning for a special single holiday for special occasion.

Solo holidays are in your reach now! Take the advantage of the offers being brought to you by Solitair Singles Holidays? If you are planning for short breaks as part of your solo holidays, prefer Solitair Singles Holidays, as wave got customised packages tailored for your requirements.