Abu Dhabi stopover .. budget hotel

Sorry folks if this has been asked here before, but thanks to you guys I've become aware that I don't need a visa for UAE. I'm flying from Europe to Thailand in January and the best deal by far I'm getting is to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi, with a 14 hour stopover on the way over. It's with Ethihad.

My flight from Geneva gets in at 7.30 p.m and I'm due to leave again at about 9.30 a.m., so all I'm really looking for is a recommendation for a budget hotel near the airport. And perhaps a suggstion for something to do in Abu Dhabi for just one or two hours before getting a lie-down.

Any recommendations would be appreciated from a Thailand bound Dive Master whose budget might not exactly reach UAE standards ... but I'm not looking for a fleapit either!

I've read here that Etihad provide accommodation for transit passengers whose stopovers are for longer than 12 hours, but can't really ... more »

TURKEY, GREECE, MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO, BOSNIA&HERZ, SERBIA, HUNGARY, UKRAIN

OK guys, It's time to start planning summer 2010 and I just want your advice as my guidebook isnt helping me that much and cant really find anything on the web..

I'm used to travelling on my own (Did Kyiv - Istanbul last year but down the east)

Here is my proposed route, im thinking mostly bus travel as I found this to be much cheaper than trains this year and as ever I am on a super tight budget.

Im more bothered about if its actually possible to travel between these destinations directly, not about accom or anything....

So, here goes... (In this order)

TURKEY:
Istanbul

GREECE;
Thessaloniki

MACEDONIA:
Skopje

***Possibly transit through Albania without stopping, unless you reccomend it...)

MONTENEGRO:
Bar
Budva
Kotor

CROATIA:
Dubrovnik

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA:
Mostar
Sarajevo

SERBIA:
Belgrade

HUNGARY:
Budapest

UKRAINE:
Lviv
Kyiv

T... more »

On foot in Pakistan

I am planning to make a journey on foot from Europe to India. I wish to walk through Iran- Afghanistan- Pakistan, but I think that Afghanistan is not a very good idea. So I like to walk through Pakistan, From Iran into Pakistan-Balouchistan to the east of Pakistan. I know its a dangerous plan, but is there anyone who can give me tips? And is there anyone who thinks it can be done?

Al comments are very welcome..

Riesj

Costa Rica for 2 Weeks low budget.

I am traveling to Costa Rica for 2 weeks (Dec 28th to Jan 12th).

I have been doing some investigating but would love some advice/opinions from those of you who have been to Costa Rica and can offer any good options for getting around on a low budget.

The bulk of money we want to spend on activities instead of lodging and transportation. Camping is key, so if there are any good recommendations for camp sites out there I'd love to hear them.

Also, any good advice for a play to be for New Years?

Thanks =)

Tulum/ playa vacation

My husband and I are going to Mexico this Jan 13th through the 19th. We fly out of Boston arrive in Cancun 12.35pm. Originally we had planned a day trip to Tulum (from playa), but are now considering splitting the trip in half. I was thinking of renting a car at the airport -drive to Tulum on the 13th stay till the 15th then drive to Playa. There we would drop the car and stay in Playa till the 19th when we would take a bus back to Cancun.

My question is how long does it take to drive from Cancun to Tulum and is it a pretty straight drive (meaning not alot of highway/back road changes)? Is it difficult getting out of Cancun?

Also does anyone have suggestions on a place to stay in Tulum? We have researched Playa extensively but have just started looking at Tulum. We would not be making reservation, just showing up. Are budget would be about $60 (high end) a night including a pr... more »

Please advise re: Swine flu situation & flight between Cancun-Havana

Hello,

I am hoping to travel Cuba around March - April next year, flying from Cancun, Mexico.
I believe flights from Mexico were cancelled last spring due to the Swine flu. What happened to it now?
I believe it is better to book the flight (Cancun-Havana) in advance, but if I know there is a big chance that flights from Mexico may be cancelled, I don't want to purchase it in advance.

Generally, can I buy a flight ticket in the same day of departure? (I am flying into Cancun, and I don't want to spend a night there.)

Could you advise regarding the Swine flu situation and flight from Cancun-Havana? Thanks!!

Baggage safety?

This query isn't strictly related to South Africa, but I couldn't find a thread which looked suitable (suggestions are welcome if there's somewhere better for this post).

I'm flying into Johannesburg airport next week, and have a few hours to wait before I get another flight to Polokwane (it's not a connection so I'll have to collect my bags from arrivals and check in again at departures). The British Foreign Office website warns that stealing by the baggage handlers is common at J'burg airport, and advises you get your bags vacuum wrapped before you leave. I've never done this before - can anyone offer me advice as to whether the vacuum wrapping is worth doing? How does it work?

Also is it allowed in all countries? I know you're not allowed to put locks on your bags, but I can't really see why vacuum wrapping is any different. I'm flying Birmingham (UK) to Paris CDG to Joh... more »