The good news is that with proper preparation and diligent follow-through start-up businesses do succeed and thrive. The keys to being one of the success stories and owning and operating a going enterprise is having a well developed business plan and sticking to it. Business plans all follow a set framework but there are things that are specific to a shuttle service that must be included.

The Business Plan
Business plans are often referred to as a road map to success which is an apt description. A well written and thoroughly researched business plan presents and honest evaluation of what needs to be done to start, run and grow the business. A good business plan also takes into account obstacles and makes provisions to overcome them.

A business plan has two main purposes, a guide for the ownership and management of the shuttle bus service and a means to attract and secure financing from potential partners, investors and banks. In fact most sources of financing will not even consider extending credit without a business plan.

The Paperwork
Many businesses require state and local licenses and permits before than can begin operating. A shuttle bus service is not exception and depending on your location may require a more rigorous licensing process than other businesses. Consulting with an attorney or CPA who is familiar with your locality will help you determine not only what licenses are required but also what form your new business should take, such as; sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), corporation or partnership.

Whether your plan is to drive your shuttle bus yourself or to hire a team of drivers, training, licensing and adequate insurance are considerations that you must take into account. The success of your business rests on potential customers trusting that they will be safe and secure when they step onto your shuttle bus.

Marketing
Marketing starts with determining what type of shuttle bus service you want to offer, commuter, airport, shopping or something else. Marketing starts with determining what needs are being underserved or can be better served by improved service and than seeking to attract those customers. For example a shuttle bus service that is geared toward serving the elderly but is located in a college community might not have enough potential customers to be a success.

Once the market for your shuttle bus service has been identified you will need to attract customers and that is where the advertising portion of marketing comes into play. Newspaper ads and fliers have to be designed and written for the specific market you are hoping to build. Joining organizations that provide access to potential customers and build word of mouth buzz should also be a part of your marketing efforts.

At the end of the day the success of your shuttle bus service rests on your shoulders and will be built on the foundation of research that you built in the preparation stage of writing and developing your business plan.

Bio – Paul is a freelance writer for Buses for Sale and is interested in places where individuals and businesses can find a shuttle bus for sale .

Car Hire: The Pros

The biggest advantage to hiring a car while you’re on holiday is the complete freedom to create your own schedule. No more waiting for local buses, taxis, or group tours to take you to the destinations you want to see. Car hire is especially convenient if you’re staying outside of a major city, where local transportation may be less frequent or reliable. If you’re planning to visit multiple destinations on your trip, a car hire can eliminate the headache of booking a bus or plane to get from one destination to another.

The other major benefit to hiring a car is the extra space. This is especially advantageous if you’re travelling with kids and need to have easy access to toys, snacks, change of clothes, etc. Most companies allow you to select the type and size of car, so you can choose the vehicle that best suits your personal needs.

Car Hire: The Cons

Of course, there are some pitfalls to car hire as well. The first is the issue of insurance. While most companies do offer some level of insurance, these “collision damage waivers” carry an excess that you will be expected to pay yourself should you decide to make a claim. The best approach is to take out a policy from a third-party provider before you depart so you can be certain that you are fully insured in the event of the accident.

Beware of mileage and fuel restrictions as well. If you exceed your allotted mileage on your trip, you will be charged for it. You should also plan to fill up the petrol tank before you return the vehicle, as the company is likely to charge you a higher rate for an empty tank. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting what you paid for. If you need help, get holiday advice from Irwin Mitchell to clear up any questions you may have.

Other Transportation Options

If you decide that hiring a car is too cumbersome, you’ll need to find an alternative means of arriving to your accommodations. Taxis are the most comfortable—if expensive—option; make sure you take a licensed taxi and check a site like WorldTaxiMeter.com to get an idea of how much the fare will be. Depending on where you go, you might also be able to take advantage of a local shuttle bus or subway service, but remember that these may not be the most convenient options if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage.

Finding the right camper trail requires thinking about a lot of different factors. One important factor is what manufacturer and brand you should choose. Below are four different manufacturers and their pros and cons.

1.   Lifestyle Camper Trailers
This Company offers a wide range of shapes and styles to suit any holiday maker. They have trailers that convert into tents and a caravan style trailer if you prefer something a little more solid. All of their camper trailers are spacious and versatile, offering a large area for you and your family that can be packed away neatly in the trailer. However, you should only choose Lifestyle Camper Trailers if you will use the camper trailer regularly as they can be a little more expensive. These trailers are for the more enthusiastic road tripper.

2.   Australian Off Road Campers
If you’re looking for a heavy duty camper trailer that you can take anywhere, Australian Off Road Campers is the manufacturer to choose. Their camper trailers are built for tough terrain and any weather, making them perfect for those who like the big outdoors. If you want something for a casual trip or a little more luxury, you may want to look at a different supplier.

3.   Ultimate Campers
Ultimate Campers are a little different from the norm, offering camper trailers suitable for water adventures, cycling expeditions and other outdoor road trips. Their Nautilus camper is inspired by yacht-building and can take you through shallow water, along the beach and on the road. The GO trailer has a smaller design with a multi-configurable frame and a tent feel, perfect for smaller groups of people. The only downside to Ultimate Campers is the minimal space.

4.   Mirra Steel Eco Campers
If you want to be more eco-friendly when you go camping, then a Mirra Steel Eco Camper is a great choice. Designed for on and off road exploring, this camper trailer utilises a water tank, its own power source with a battery storage box and environmentally friendly materials.

To check out other camper trailer manufacturers, look at a caravanning and camping website or look up camper trailer manufacturers online.

There are various sports that you can enjoy in the outdoors. Some of the most exciting ones that will give you an adrenaline rush are listed here.

Rafting

If water is your forte, then rafting is the thing for you. This exciting sport combines the thrill of water sports and adventure at the same time. This is a challenging sport in which you use an inflatable raft in order to navigate through rivers. You can choose the level of difficulty by going for the roughness of the river. It can be dangerous, and is categorized as an extreme sport.

Paragliding

Paragliding is one of the most thrilling adventure sports out there. Imagine flying over the land in the full flow of air. Paragliding is this, and then some more. There are different ways in which you can go about it, such as hang gliding, kite skiing and speed riding etc. If you have a knack for it, or get proper training, you can easily go up to a few thousand meters high.

Snowmobile

Snowmobiles are used to navigate places covered with ice or snow. The working mechanism is essentially the same as a motorbike on concrete roads. There are many sporting events revolving around these vehicles. You can go for races, mountain biking, slope riding and other similar sport types.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing involves climbing on artificial or natural rock formations. The objective is to reach the summit of the formation. In some events you may be required to do this in some stipulated time. On an individual or group basis, you can just pack your gears and climb up any outcropping that looks really difficult to capture.

Other Adventure Sports

Outdoor recreations include many other sports such as trekking, mountain biking, hiking etc. Trekking through a dense forest can be termed as an outdoor sport. The thrill of going through a jungle full of wild things cannot be replicated elsewhere. All you need is trekking gear, knowledge about the place, and precautionary and safety equipment, and you’re good to go. Similarly, you can go for mountain biking through a scenic mountain range, or even a hill.

Outdoor sports should be tried every once in a while. These sports allow us to be one with the nature, while working to make us healthier and stronger. These are a fun way to connect with friends and family, and meet new people in the process.

Grace is an author associated with Cheap BB Guns, an online firm specializing in all types of mock guns, such as BB guns, Airsoft guns and Electronic Airsoft guns. The author has written blogs for a number of sites and does this frequently.

Now all you need to do is stick a pin in a map and head off to see the big wide world – but woah there. Put down the keys, and listen to us – you’ll need to do some fairly thorough preparation before you head off.

Cooking with gas…

Don’t be fooled into thinking you can run an electric hob to cook from – nothing will eat your battery power faster. It’s always best to cook with a gas cooker, and even if you’re not leaving the country, stick with Calor Gas (it’s universal, so you’ll never have to worry about buying a bottle that won’t fit your stove).

Always cook in a well-ventilated area and invest in a CO2 detector. If that sounds like a bit too much fuss, try a woodburner. They’re not particularly glam, but they’re much cheaper to run. It goes without saying that you also need to purchase fire blankets and fire extinguishers – and never cook under the influence. Lecture over.

Keep warm (even in the summer)

Even if the van always seems to be ten degrees hotter than its surroundings, make sure you stock up on warm, comfortable bedding, and don’t scrimp on thermals – even in the summer. Hot water bottles are never a bad idea, and don’t forget to layer up before bed. If you’re used to, er, sleeping in your birthday suit, this can take some getting used to.

Unfortunately, this is tough luck. Also make sure that water, a torch, and loo roll are within easy access when you head off to bed. Make sure that you’ve taken enough batteries to power your torch for as long as you need, and always take more than one light source. If you don’t, good luck to you.

You can go your own way (within reason)

It sounds obvious, but don’t forget the satnav – or maps. Relying entirely on satnav is asking for trouble. It’s also a good idea to research your journey online before you leave, even if you’re fairly confident about where you’re heading. And don’t forget the music! Whether you’re rocking a tape deck or relying on CDs, take enough music with you to ensure you’ll have some charming background music when you run out of things to say to each other.

This will happen, so when it does, don’t be alarmed. Even the most convivial crowd can and will run out of conversation at some point – embrace it, and have a nap (if you’re not driving). Don’t forget to bring as many books as you can – if you’re travelling abroad, getting hold of them in foreign cities will be hard.

Food, glorious food

Food and drink essentials are a huge part of your trip, so listen carefully. You will need the following: mineral water, canned foods (soup, baked beans, chilli, peeled plum tomatoes – anything goes), crispbreads, pitta breads, cereal bars, sweets (for energy purposes), UHT milk, tea, coffee, and squash. This is just a short list, feel free to expand it – but anything that doesn’t need a fridge or go off in the heat is a good bet.

Last-minute preparation…

Don’t forget to make sure that your van is fully-serviced before you head off, and always check oil levels/antifreeze/water levels. Check that you’ve got enough windscreen fluid to tide you over, that your tyres are fully inflated, and that all your seatbelts are in good working order.

Don’t forget to top up your petrol levels in your excitement – and above all, make sure that you’ve got a renewed subscription to a company that offer 24/7 roadside assistance. They’ll be your new best friends if things start to go wrong…

About the author

Vicky Anscombe is a blogger, editor and travel enthusiast. By day she is a pioneering digital scribbler, but at night she fanaticises about hitting the open road. A lover of summer and music, she is naturally also a writer for Festival Mag.

Photo credit: aussienow.com.au

What is Travel Insurance?

Also known as trip insurance, travel insurance offers extra protection for frequent travelers on either business or leisure-related trips. The insurance commonly offers coverage that is outside the protection offered by other insurance plans. Travel insurance plans can address just about any facet of traveling, from offering compensation for lodging problems to covering spontaneous health ailments that your existing health plan does not cover.

Travel insurance plays a useful tool when it comes to managing unanticipated delays that lead to additional unplanned costs. For instance, flight coverage on your travel insurance can offer compensation in the event that your flight is delayed and you require lodging for the night to wait for the next scheduled flight. This type of travel insurance can also assist in covering the expenses of replacing vital items when baggage is lost or delayed as a result of the negligence of the airport staff.

There are also parts in other travel insurance plans that offer coverage for issues relevant to flight arrangements. Travel insurance packages may also offer identical coverage for trips made by boat. The cruise insurance segment of travel insurance policies can be handy when the cruise ship is delayed and lodging has been altered, ultimately leading to costs. In case of the need for emergency medical treatment, many travel insurance policies are offered with coverage for ambulance air transportation costs.

Getting Travel Insurance

• Assess your current insurance plans and credit card coverage features prior purchasing travel insurance schemes. You may already be covered for medical costs, cancelled tickets or lost baggage.

• Determine what coverage features best suit your needs and circumstances. For instance, if you are travelling to Iraq or Pakistan during wartime, consider a terrorism coverage on your insurance. Remember that the expenses differ extensively. Key factors that influence cost include age, health status, length of trip, and expenses related to the trip.

• Identify whether or not essential features are included on your travel insurance policy. These include international medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, unintentional death, and family travel promotions.

• Request for your travel agency to buy an insurance policy on your behalf or browse commission-free via the Internet. You will be given a myriad array of reputable insurance firms online that can get you a good policy within a day or so.

Tips to Remember

When purchasing a travel insurance policy, remember that many trip-related accidents and criminal cases are not completely covered by your credit card provider, homeowner’s, or medical insurance plan. Also, assess the fine print to guarantee that your cruise or airline is backed up by sufficient coverage in the event of bankruptcy.

Author’s Bio: Dan Young is a freelance writer, professional blogger, and social media enthusiast. His blog Travelinsurance.org focuses on travel bloggers and insurance bloggers. You can follow him on Google+

Holger.Ellgaard

Vacationing in a foreign country can be quite an adventure, packed with new experiences and memories to last for decades. Sometimes even the transportation offers an adrenaline rush! Americans driving abroad for the first time may find the experience a bit more challenging than anticipated. Armed with a bit of information about international driving, however, even cautious tourists will find themselves readily adjusting to driving in other parts of the world. Let’s begin with a review of American driving conventions.

In the United States, traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road, and drivers sit on the left. Speed limits are generally lower than they are in other parts of the world, as are the legal blood alcohol limits. Speed is calculated in miles per hour (MPH), and children under age four must be restrained in a child safety seat in the rear of the car. All drivers must carry a valid driving license; those still taking driving lessons may use a permit, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult driver.

Americans who wish to drive while abroad will need an international driving permit; these are excellent and affordable pieces of photo identification that can be extremely useful for quickly identifying oneself to foreign law enforcement officials, so it’s wise to obtain one even if you don’t plan on actually driving. The permits cost about $20. It’s also prudent to research the driving regulations in your destination country and bring a printed copy for handy reference while abroad.

The driving culture in many areas of the world differs significantly from that of the United States. This is particularly true in Latin America, where cars (rental or not) are often in serious disrepair and have no functioning headlights or turn signals. Major speeding, left turns from the right-hand lane and oblivious pedestrians can make Latin American roads very stressful for American drivers. If you must drive in Latin America, do it during the daytime only, and be on the lookout for giant potholes and other unrepaired road hazards.

Driving in India presents similar challenges. Urban roads are densely packed with vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and livestock – particularly cows, which are sacred in Hindu culture and must be given the right of way at all times. Some cities have laws that require drivers to wear helmets, although these are often poorly enforced. Eye protection is highly recommended due to the high volume of insects. International driving permits are essential, and tourists caught driving without one may face stiff fines; the police are particularly strict about this.

Americans driving in Europe often have difficulty finding a rental car with an automatic transmission. Tourists uncomfortable driving a stick-shift car should make a rental reservation as far in advance as possible. Filling stations and rental depots are often closed on Sundays. Many credit cards offer collision insurance that’s better than the insurance offered by rental agencies. This insurance rarely covers driving in Ireland. Car theft is a huge problem in Italy, so be prepared to pay a theft insurance premium of about $7 per day.

In many European countries vehicles travel on the left side of the road and sit on the right side of the car, which may be disconcerting for Americans. Practicing in a rural or low-traffic area is highly recommended prior to driving in big cities. If you have an accident, you’ll be asked to sign a European Accident Report, which contains details of the crash but doesn’t blame any party; don’t sign any other documents for any reason.

‘This guest post was brought to you by PassSmart.com; the quick and easy way to find a driving instructor in the UK

Arguably top of the list when we think about cruise holidays is the Caribbean. The region has so many of the world’s finest beaches and most idyllic hideaways that a tour is always something to savour however often you’re able to make the trip. A fortnight-long tour aboard a quality vessel will cost you a significant sum but there are bargains to be found if you’re willing to carry out some research and to ensure you’re being offered real value for money.

Other amazing trips take in the sights and the sites around the southern and eastern Mediterranean, where there is so much history and culture that your day trips on dry land are guaranteed to be truly unforgettable. As ever, a little research can go a long way in terms of saving you money and all inclusive packages help thousands of families keep their budgets firmly in check each and every year.

Another idea that may or may not be your proverbial cup of tea involves shorter trips to your favourite locations. So you can enjoy the energy and excitement of a cruise holiday in the space of just a few days with a mini cruise to somewhere suitably magical. But wherever you go and whichever kind of package you’re looking for there are perfect deals out there for you this year and next. And when it comes to planning an upcoming cruise Thomas Cook can help you on your way. In fact company’s website is packed with details, options and cut price offers throughout the year.

But I’m from Plymouth. It’s a port. A harbour. What about travelling over water? Perhaps because I’ve never had sturdy sea legs I’ve always looked at the ocean as a nemesis, an enemy; a problem to be avoided rather than an opportunity to be embraced. And yet here was the chance to experience another culture, by hopping on a ferry to Spain a stone’s throw from my front door.

The journey from Plymouth to Spain takes 24 hours. It’s an awesome gateway to Europe – perfect for a long weekend, holiday or short backpacking trip. Why spend a few short hours in a cramped car or plane when you can leisurely pass the journey strolling the deck of a ship, like one of the romantically poor steerage passengers from Titanic. One that didn’t die, obviously.

The prospect looked pretty good. On the ferry you can pay for a room and get some proper rest, or – as I had planned – simply wander the ship and grab a few hours sleep on a bench. Or even on deck, if the weather was good. The prospect of travelling by sea was suddenly appealing to me. Maybe there would even be some kind of authentic Irish jig below deck?

So it was a different idea, and one I’d never considered before. I knew I wanted to see some of northern Spain, and yet … travelling by sea made me nervous. As I said, travelling on water has consistently been a backpacking obstacle for me to overcome. In South Africa I jumped on a boat from Cape Town to Robben Island to see where the great Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for almost three full decades before becoming a legend. It was a moving experience, but tainted by the memory of losing my lunch on the way there. And back.

That’s not the only example. In Argentina I took a trip to see humpback whales mating in the ocean; a majestic, beautiful sight … tarnished by the parallel recollection of being rather ill over the side of the boat. In front of 30 people. This time it was breakfast.

After some hand-wringing and time in Boots searching for ‘pre-sea sickness’ solutions I decided to just do it. I found a deal, bought a ticket and stepped aboard an overnight ferry from Plymouth to Santander.

At first everything was fine. I was blown away by the bizarre experience of wandering a floating town complete with shops, restaurants and cafes. I relaxed, had a few drinks and gazed out at the sun setting over the horizon. And then I noticed that the horizon was moving; up and down in the window, a dark blue landscape rhythmically becoming alternately higher and lower.

I wasn’t ill straight away. But as the outside world faded to black, the combination of choppy waters and two bottles of white wine proved too much to bear. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice to say my cruel nemesis had won again. I wandered the ferry looking like a disorientated survivor from The Poseidon Adventure. I asked one of the staff why they sailed when the sea was so rough. He said the water was as calm as it gets.

It was late at night and the ferry was practically deserted, spare a few intertwined couples who were looking lovelorn and besotted. I decided to pull myself together and face the ocean like a champ. After all, motion sickness is caused by movements that lack visuals so, surely, looking upon the great black mass before me should cure me of the need to empty my stomach.

However, it had an unexpected effect. I’ve never seen the ocean by night. I guess I assumed that there wasn’t much to see.  And yet, without the orange hue of light pollution, set adrift as I was in the middle of nowhere, the nights sky was the clearest I could ever wish to see.  It was literally like gazing up into the wide open mouth of space, not to mention the fact that constellations, galaxies and the frothy sparkle of the Milky Way were being reflected from the tranquil waters. With face aghast and skin tingling with goosebumps, I soaked up that sky-scape for what felt like forever, clutching confidently to the handrails of the ferry with the steady legs of the hypnotised.

And not once did I consider my stomach. And I haven’t since.

Image Credits – Free Digital Photos

If you’re planning on buying a plane ticket, the time you buy your ticket can make a big difference. Sometimes you can save as much as 50% off the price of your ticket simply by buying it at the right time. In ticket timing, there seems to be two primary trains of thoughts: Buy them well in advance, or buy them as close to the flight as possible. Which is better?

An Overview of How This Works

There are two reasons why prices fluctuate as the flight date gets closer.

First of all, when you buy tickets a long way out, airlines try to make the ticket cheaper for you because they want to be able to gauge their ticket’s demand early on. Having half the plane booked two months in advance allows them to relax. If they have no bookings as it comes closer, they know they need to do some marketing.

The second reason why airline tickets change in prices as the date gets closer is simply because the moment a flight takes off, the value of any unsold tickets suddenly becomes zero. In other words, there comes a point close to the departure time of a plan flight when suddenly it’s in the airline’s interest to drastically lower the price.

You’ll tend to notice two trends if you watch a plane’s price over time. The most common pattern is that it’s inexpensive three or more weeks out. As the flight date gets closer, the price of a ticket goes up as seats fill up.

The second pattern however is that the seat prices may remain constant, or even slightly drop as the date gets closer. There might even be a sharp drop as it gets to the week of the flight. This is the pattern for flights that airlines are having a hard time filling up.

What You Need to Know About Last Minute Tickets

When you buy a last-minute ticket, you can often get a very good deal. However, you can’t always predict when you’ll be able to get a last-minute ticket. Sometimes last-minute tickets are very expensive, if a plane is nearly booked out.

If you don’t care too much about where you end up, you can try deal watching. There are unfilled seats every day. Just snap up a last-minute deal if and when one pops up. You won’t have much say over the destination, as these tickets are a little random, but it’s a fantastic way to have a cheap getaway.

In other words, booking last-minute tickets is a bit of a coin flip. You’re hoping you get the deal of a lifetime, but you won’t even know if you have a ticket until a few days before your trip. It’s great for people who can leave on a dime, especially to a random destination, but not the best idea for people who need to plan.

What You Need to Know About Buying in Advance

Generally, the further ahead you buy your tickets the better. The cheapest tickets come when you buy about two or three months in advance, although you can get cheap tickets as much as 3 weeks before your trip.

The great benefit of buying tickets in advance is that you’re guaranteed an affordable ticket. You know you have a spot on the plan. The downside is that it’s inflexible: You have to know exactly when you want to travel. If you need added flexibility, you can always buy a cancellation policy for your ticket.

So What’s the Verdict?

If you know that you’ll want to go “somewhere” on a certain date and just want a cheap flight, you can absolutely wait until the last-minute. Use last-minute deal finders to find last-minute deals. Browse the destinations and select the destination you want to go to.

However, if you have a specific destination you want to go to on a specific date, you’re better off planning in advance and buying your ticket as early as possible. This will guarantee you a spot on the plane and guarantee that you pay a good price. It’s very rare that a last-minute ticket will be cheaper than a ticket bought 2 or 3 months in advance.

Author Bio – Dillon Michaelson, the author of this article works for Insanelycheapflights.com. Their main goal is providing cheap tickets to destinations like New York, Orlando, Las Vegas etc. For some great last-minute deals on cheap flights visit their travel portal today.