A PR job has its hang-ups, (I can't imagine doing anything else in the world though), but it's got its perks too. And one of them is staying in style in some of the best hotels in USA. My business sees me meeting clients in upscale USA hotels along the West Coast. And I am back from one of my quarterly San Francisco tours. I've always loved the look and feel of the hotels in San Francisco – but this recent overnight stay has got me thinking about how much our style of travel has changed. If the bigger names are overhauling their décor, redesigning their spaces, then it's a sign of changing times, changing tastes. For people like me who live out of their suitcases for a quarter of the year, this change is welcome…not without a twinge of nostalgia though.

I put up in the centrally located Marriott Courtyard, a place where many business deals have been signed, mergers talked of over coffee, business strategies solemnized with stamp paper and hand shakes. The scenes will no doubt be played over time and again. And just like conservative business suits have given way to a relaxed, on-the-go dressing style, the décor and amenities of the best hotels will always reflect their time. The new look of Marriott Courtyard points to such a trend.

It was a pleasant experience to see that this new-look, revamped San Francisco hotel is sporting a more social ambience. The brooding, heavy look of the eighties has been has been replaced by sleek, contemporary furnishings and lively spaces. After a day of heavy negotiating with my prospective client, I was glad to let my hair down at the hip cocktail bar which is a Starbucks-like counter in the daytime.

My friend, who runs an independent tour agency in the US and has been specializing in creating friendly world travel guides, packaging USA Tours and negotiating best deals for inbound flights to USA for donkey's years, tells me that a number of other hotels in San Francisco like the Hilton Garden Inn, Aloft and Hyatt Place are on their way to creating 'living rooms' in their hotel to lure younger generations who are sticklers for design, easy laptop use and lively lobbies.

At the crossroads of changing times, I see the necessity of such overhauls, but not without a slightly rueful backward glance.

“Australians all let us rejoice

For we are young and free”

Yes, it was a long long way to Australia with three transit stops in between, 4 pegs of martini and one clumsy encounter with the customs. The journey though strenuous was rewarding in ways more than one. After all, what can possibly beat the charm of the oldest rainforests or the mystery below the Great Barrier Reef! Glance through your world travel guide to check out the natural abundances here.

Flights to Australia from Mumbai are frequent and my first stop was Melbourne. The city itself was a great sight after the tedious flight. The first thing on my agenda was to check in at a decent hotel by the Melbourne Cricket Ground as I wanted to cover the game between Australia and South Africa in my Australia tours as well. Let me tell you, the Australians are crazy about cricket and in all the major cities here you will find people practicing wherever they get a patch of green. Australia hotels as it turned out are pretty reasonable as far as the tariff was concerned.

Melbourne with its planned roads and beautiful homes is a great beginning to Australia tours. I quite enjoyed the free shuttle tram drive around the city- hop on – hop off with a commentary about the history, architecture and heritage of the city. The Yarra River Valley was my next stop where I came across a number of wineries. These Aussies are fiercely proud of their wines so think twice before you impart your knowledge on French wine.

My next stop was Sydney and I still can’t forget my first view of the Sydney harbor buzzing with activity with the Sydney Opera House in the distance. Australia Hotels are doing quite well in the hospitality industry worldwide and hotel chains like The Park, Hyatt, Marriot, Radisson, Sofitel, and Sheraton can be seen in every major city like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

My next stop was Gold Coast and I put up in a resort by the beach. With surfers diving in and out of the wave, it seemed like I was on the sets of Baywatch. You can also lodge at the many apartment hotels and home stays that are an important category in the Australia hotels. Of course you are not expecting the glitz factor when you are putting up in one of these but what more can a real backpacker need other than a bed and a sumptuous meal.

Five rings in perfect synchronization! Blue, yellow, black, green and red. Yes, that's what the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Olympics the sponsors promoting the Summer Olympics here.

The first thing that struck me as soon as I landed in Beijing were posters of "One World One Dream" all over and the preparations that were ensuing for the Summer Olympics. If you want to see a city telling its own story through the pages of the dynastical era to the skylines of the post modern epoch Beijing is the city to be in. I already knew that as far is sightseeing is concerned, I will not miss at any cost The Temple of Heaven, The Great Wall (about a 1.5 hour bus ride from the city), The Summer Capital, Royal Quadrangle Courtyard and the Forbidden City.

I was dumbfounded to see the capital investments that went in building the setup of the stadiums and the equipments. A whooping 37 million dollars is the estimated cost. The stage has been set, the stadiums all ready, and the people eager for the 8th of August 2008. From the look of things, China's hospitality and tourism industry is going to earn millions during this time. A quick glance at an online world travel guide told me that most of the Beijing hotels are all booked for the next 5 months. Not only hotels in Beijing, but China hotels in general are going to be packed with tourists during this time.

I am sure like me, there will be plenty of tourists and sports enthusiasts who won't be satisfied just by being a part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Millions like me are waiting to see the final outcome of 2008 Beijing Olympics. That is quite evident. Let's see to what extent can the Oriental lives up to standards that have already been set by previous Olympics or if it will surpass all expectations.

Only time will tell. Meanwhile I shall enjoy my China tour and visit Shanghai on the weekend.

My last trip to Las Vegas was quite entertaining. I've been on USA tours before, but hadn't had the good fortune of going to Las Vegas. This time it was my cousin Peter's wedding and I happened to be a friend of the bride as well. The wedding was quite a gala affair as the wedding party was organized at one of those posh high-end Las Vegas hotels.

Las Vegas, to be very frank, is totally dazzling. With all those casinos and limousines and branded clothing stores as far as your eyes can go. However, Vegas can be quite intimidating for small town folks like me. But of course, you cannot show your discomfort in tuxedos. So I smiled on, raised toasts and behaved as if five star hotels and casinos are all I eat, sleep, and drink.

Anyways, these Las Vegas hotels are uncompromisingly luxurious. And since casinos and pulsating nightlife draw most of the tourists here, these hotels cash in on these two factors quite well. Many of them have in-house casinos, like say the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Nightclubs with regular entertainment programs are also quite frequent. In fact, I would advise anyone who is going for a Las Vegas tours to be well informed about the hotels in the city since some of them might just turn out to be too big for your budget. It would be best if you could look up some world travel guide websites like I did for instance.

And always keep your eyes open for the right things at the right time - lest you miss the bus. Cheers to Peter and Nicole!

Peru is one of the most colorful places to visit in South America. It boasts of natural treasures, colonial culture, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I was lucky to get cheap flights to explore Peru and enjoy Peru tours to the max. If you hit the right websites and travel resources on the Internet, you are sure to come across many cheap flights to Peru that are up for grabs.

Peru's capital is Lima. Popular tourist places apart from the capital city include Arequipa, Cuzco, Huaraz Area, Iquitos, Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail, Nazca, and Trujillo. One must make it a point to visit all of these places during a Peru tour and also enjoy the lovely hospitality offered by Peru hotels. It played a big role in making my trip unforgettable. 

Without a doubt, the most popular tourist attraction in Peru is Machu Picchu. No Peru tour is complete without a visit to this place that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However the journey to this "Lost City of the Incas" is not for the faint hearted, as one has to walk more than 30 km. Built around the year 1450, it was abandoned after a century when Spaniards conquered the Inca Empire. The most intriguing thing about Machu Picchu is that the Spanish colonialists could never reach or discover it. It was forgotten for several centuries until an American historian rediscovered it in the 20^th century during his Peru tours. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction and the final destination of the Inca hiking trail.

Several international world travel guide rightfully recommend the nation. Indeed embarking on Peru tours is one of the most worthwhile things you will do in your life!

My grandmother always said travel to New York City once but leave before it makes you too hard! Taking a queue from this I first set foot in New York 5 years ago on a windy night trying to catch the glance of others who might help me in this unknown city. There are so many New York flight and so many gates that I almost got lost in the JFK Airport. Yes, New York is all about survival, glitz, glamour, power and money! New York has been and continues to be one of the most developed and powerful cities worldwide. What struck me most is its architecture. Constructed in geometrical and Art Deco pattern with neat lines and with a free flow of glass they all tell the tale of this futuristic city. A cursory glance over the list of New York hotels told me that the premier hotels are concentrated mostly in the Lexington Avenue, Park Avenue, West Street, East Street, Broadway, Manhattan, Soho etc.

Growing up in a small town in India I was almost intimidated by so many luxury Hotels almost in the same row in Manhattan. My first experiences of Time Square with the surrounding glitz factor perhaps explain why I tipped the cabby more than what was necessary. With Hotel chains like Ritz, InterContinental, Waldorf, Meridian, Carlton, Regency, Four Seasons and Sofitel Hotels in New York covers a wide spectrum from Five Star Category to Three Star Hotels. However I was bit too judicious on my pocket and decided to try out a middle budget hotel with optimum level of services. Voila!

A casual stroll through the city showed that apart from the Signature hotels the apartments and budget hotels are also doing good business which was quite evident from the filled up booking list. Moreover a friendly staff at a three star category hotel in Park Avenue said in a confidential tone that the hotels started doing good business with the introduction of  NYC Sunday Stay. This is a new concept in the hospitality industry of New York where 20 to 30 % discount is given on the rooms, dining and complimentary breakfast and more.

Another thing I discovered on my tryst with New York Hotels is that some of these luxury hotels offer you a whole package including hotel stays and flights to USA.

So, whenever you open your world travel guide remember my grandmother's words "travel to New York City once but leave before it makes you too hard"

Thailand, earlier known as Siam, was the land of great oriental kings and empires. To many of us, Thailand conjures up images of popular places like Pattaya and its capital Bangkok. Thailand tours and Thailand hotels are especially synonymous with shopping because of Bangkok. But there is another side to Thailand as well. Most Thailand travel guides and world travel guides focusing on South East Asia will tell you that the nation is also a tropical paradise.

Therefore, Thailand tours offer two very distinctive approaches and the choice is up to the traveler. Some of the best Thailand hotels are located in its cool cosmopolitan cities and its beaches and islands. The Oriental and The Peninsula in Bangkok, Four Seasons Resort and Pacific Mansion in Chiang Mai, Hard Rock Hotel and Amari Orchid Resort & Tower in Pattaya, Amari Coral Beach Resort, Diamond Cliff Resort, and Thavorn Beach Village & Spa in Phuket are some of the best Thailand hotels. Details about these amazing hotels in Thailand can be found in good online world travel guides or Thailand travel guides.

Thailand is home to several tropical beaches and Islands floating on the stunning Andaman Sea. Some of the most beautiful of these are Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Phi Phi, Rai Leh, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Tao. Some of the most popular sightseeing locales to visit during Thailand tours are Ang Thong National Marine Park, Wat Arun, The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Chao Sam Phraya Museum, Underwater World Pattaya, Gems Gallery, and Khao Yai National Park.

Back from yet another Paris tour to make the most of the world capital of chic and style! I was looking for cheap travel deals and got an excellent one from a tour operator which books flights to Paris, London, and other happening travel destinations in the world. Located on the River Seine, France's scenic capital city never fails to mesmerize me or any visitor for that matter. And writing about Paris tour without mentioning about the Hotels in Paris will mean sheer injustice!

Just from my stay in one of the better known hotels in Paris, I am able to draw an undeniable conclusion on hotels in Paris. They are the perfect retreats to enjoy the best of luxury and comfort in as far as business and leisure's concerned. I went sightseeing some of the leading Paris Hotels like Le Grand Intercontinental and Champs Elysees Plaza. I was told they have played the perfect host to esteemed guests from worldwide, supporting their every need. While staying at the Radisson SAS Hotel at Disneyland, and other Hotels in Paris, I could make the utmost use of my time in Paris. I enjoyed the luxuries of life during my brief sojourn here – enjoying the amazingly wide array of sights and sounds of the City of Lights.

One of the world's leading business and cultural hubs, Paris features right at the top of any world travel guide. The breezy boulevards, impressive monuments, magnificent works of art, iconic landmarks, lovely parks and the magical lights of Paris have made it the most popular tourist destination worldwide. Not to mention the gourmet selection of cheese, chocolate, wine and seafood!     

If you are going to Paris, take the help of this amazing world travel guide to a hotel, book a flight according to your style and budget and enjoy extravagant luxury and comfort on your stay at any of the Hotels in Paris. But one word of caution – book well in advance as there's quite a rush for Hotels as well as for flights to Paris in peak seasons and during major international events like the French Open Tennis Championships – the world's premier clay court event! One of the major reasons for Paris' soaring popularity in the world travel guide – the French Open is held every year between mid-May and early June in Paris.

The hotels in Germany beckon tourists from far and beyond in this popular European country. Germany attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. A majority of tourists flights to Germany during international events such as the Frankfurt Book Fair and the upcoming Berlin Film Festival 2008. Doubtlessly all these tourists need hotels in Germany. These hotels range from luxurious to basic.

Some of the best hotels in Germany include The Regent and Grand Hotel Esplanade in Berlin, Kempinski Hotel Gravenbruch and The Pure in Frabkfurt, Bayerischer Hof Hotel and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München in Munich. There are many great hotels in places like Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and Hanover too. These hotels in Germany offer world-class services and modern amenities. Germany is also an important trade center of the world and so one can find many top of the line business hotels here.

Of course, one always has the option to book budget hotels in Germany. This especially holds true if you are on a leisure break or have limited means. Whatever mode of accommodation one may opt for, it will be a good idea to book a hotel along with a flight to Germany as it costs lesser.

Germany is a stunning and highly industrialized nation of Europe. The urban culture of Germany blends beautifully with its heritage. The capital of Germany is Berlin. Other important cities here include Hanover, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf. So get set for some fabulous sights and sounds as you board a flight to Germany!

London is a fantastic cosmopolitan city that boasts of several significant tourist locales. One of the fashion capitals of the world, London never allows its visitors to get bored. London hotels, museums, and its cultural centers make the city a haunt for many. No wonder so many people to return to London to enjoy a second, third and even fourth visit. London is also a preferred destination for those taking up cheap world tours.

London tours are synonymous with shopping, fashion, stunning British architecture, breathtaking monuments and internationally renowned museums. Nowadays London tours and packages are very affordable due to the low cost airlines that offer many cheap flights. Not only are these cheap flights to London available from cities in the UK, but also several other major cities of the world. London tour packages also include hotel deals that can be customized by guests according to their needs.

Four Seasons, Grosvenor House, Hyatt Regency Churchill, Le Meridien Piccadilly, Sheraton Park Tower, The Langham, Royal Horseguards, Landmark Hotel, Sofitel St James, The Ritz, and Swissotel The Howard are some of the finest London hotels. If one's budget does not allow one to afford the finest accommodation options while enjoying London tours, there are always the economical and cheap London hotels to rely on.

Some of the best sightseeing locales in London include The Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Museum of London, Buckingham Palaces, and more. London tours are highly recommended if you are a history and culture buff with a special interest in British or European heritage.