What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park: Into The Darkness Of Subway Cave After A Fire Breakout

BY  Barsha Apr 24, 2023

It’s only normal that you have already heard of big companies like Skyscanner, Expedia, or even Booking.com, for that matter. These are all known as OTAs or Online Travel Agencies. Travelocity sell traveling services, making it relatively more convenient for their customers to plan a vacation with different alternatives from a single platform. With more options, detailed information, and instantaneous booking procedures, OTAs are ideal when you are planning your next trip. While some OTAs provide multiple services, others focus on specific services like vacation rentals and accommodation. Plus, you can also compare rates, especially when you have a strict budget. Travelocity is one such multi-service OTA. Although it’s an established brand, the question is - are they keeping up with its current market competitors? Before you can invest your money in Travelocity, let’s check out all that you need to know about the same. So, What Is Travelocity? The Travelocity website was first launched in 1996 - it is a travel agency online that offers a wide selection of services. The popular Expedia Group, a leading global travel service agency, owns and manages Travelocity. On this platform, you can book car rentals, travel packages, cruises, hotel deals, and flights. Additionally, you can even reserve tickets for various popular attractions, share vacation plans with family and friends, and read engaging travel content. The App: Before you can look for the best Travelocity flights online, let’s find out more about the all-elusive Travelocity mobile app. The app version also helps users to browse as well as manage their reservations easily. Plus, it’s available for iOS and Android services - users automatically get notified about gate numbers and flight status for tracking delays. Additionally, guests can communicate with different hotels by directly messaging via the application. More importantly, guests can also access all their travel data in a single place, even when they are offline. You can easily download the Travelocity app via your Android or iOS devices to ensure that you are able to obtain a convenient experience. What Does Travelocity Offer? Obviously, Travelocity offers so much more than just flights - from exciting Travelocity cruises and accommodations to really great Travelocity car rental services and even entire trip packages, you will get everything on this platform. Stay tuned to find out more! Stays: You can choose your accommodation from a wide selection of resorts, hotels, condominiums, and other types of stays. Flights: You can book airline tickets to your chosen destinations at both standard and bargain rates. Cars: You will find rental cabs and cars offering pickup and drop from/to the airport. Vacation Packages: You can book all-inclusive travel itineraries, including car rentals, accommodation, or/and flights. Travel Deals: You can enjoy discounted offers under travel deals. Activities/Things To Do: You can book tickets and make reservations for popular tourist attractions, exciting experiences, performances, and concerts. Using The Travelocity Platform: The Pros And Cons If you are already looking for ‘flights Travelocity,’ then stop - first, let’s find out the benefits of using this platform. And not just that - we also need to be aware of all the cons that are associated with using Travelocity. So without wasting time, let’s get started! The Advantages Of Travelocity: The advantages or rather the pros of using Travelocity are as follows, It’s a convenient platform - one single platform provides multiple solutions. Users can enjoy a wide range of choices when it comes to planning the perfect vacation. The Travelocity price guarantee is unbeatable, making the app ideal for budget-friendly trips. The Disadvantages Of Travelocity: The disadvantages or rather the cons of using Travelocity are as follows, The customer service provided by Travelocity is definitely not at par with the company’s top competitors online. Plus, customer support is mostly unresponsive. Although the platform promises no cancelation issues, so many customers have complained about the same. Exploring The Travelocity Application: Is Travelocity Legit? Before spending money on the Travelocity platform, it’s best to check out a few Travelocity reviews from Google Play for the most effective results. Stay tuned to find out whether the platform is worth spending your time or money on. Review By Deborah Eddy: “Enjoy using the app. It's easy to use, with lots of choices that are discounted off the airline and hotel websites. Love having one-stop shopping. Had an issue once where I couldn't complete a booking correctly. It took a while to get someone on the phone to help. Don't stop having a live person for 'support' issues.” Review By TMH: “Love this app! It is my go-to travel app. It's easy to use, has great deals, dual-pay options, and easy cancellations. One time I accidentally booked the wrong date for a staycation with my daughters. The Travelocity rep not only canceled my booking without charge but the rep also worked with the hotel to give me an upgraded room that same night at the same price. Amazing!” Review By BM: “Horrible experience all around, with the service. Had to cancel my flight, and I purchased a cancellation policy. Sadly things happen, and plans change. Don't need credit for a future flight, I need my funds back. I had to file a claim, where you have to attach files of everything, then proof of the reason why you cancel. I probably won't get my money back.” Review By Jaleen Martin: “Absolutely love the app! Very self-explanatory and so simple to use. My first go-to app when planning a trip is Travelocity. The only thing I don't care for is when you have to talk to customer service, you can't find a single person who speaks clear English at all. So terribly hard to understand. I hope to see improvement on that part soon.” And It’s A Wrap! And that’s a wrap on Travelocity. Now that you are aware of all the services you can get on this platform, you can go check out individual features, like this rental car services or accommodation options for your next vacation. So, what are your thoughts on using OTAs or Online Travel Agencies for planning a vacation? Have you used this in the past - then feel free to share your experiences mentioned below in the comments. Read Also: Hopper flights review- Login, services and Travel experiences Using flightscanner To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know! Using Google Flights To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know!

BY  Sibashree Aug 27, 2025

Have you decided to relocate to Cyprus for career purposes? That would be a wise decision as this island nation follows one of the EU’s most simplified tax regimes for expats. Beyond the economic aspects, you also get to enjoy year-round sunshine and its rich cultural tapestry.  Yet, the core question that you must be clear about before living this coastal life is, at the end of the day, what your real take-home pay will be? Relocation can be costly since it involves several factors, one of which is your net income. This is why it is necessary to validate your take-home pay; rent, healthcare, school fees, and day-to-day expenses can quickly accumulate if your financial estimates are off. Fortunately, Cyprus mandates a transparent and predictable taxation system, which is rather easy to navigate with the help of a Cyprus salary calculator. This guide explains how Cyprus’s 2025 tax rules work, demonstrating salary breakdown interpretation and offering a step-by-step case study example for clarity.  Decoding the Cypriot Tax System: The Core Components As per the Cypriot tax system, your net salary isn’t just your gross salary after deducting “a flat tax.” Instead, it’s the final value of a progressive income tax system, and a few compulsory, specific deductions. When you understand all these core pillars, you can proceed toward accurate financial planning. The Progressive Income Tax Brackets (2025) For the 2025 tax year, typically running on a calendar-year basis, Cyprus applies a progressive structure: Annual income tax (€)Tax rate 0-19,5000%19,501-28,00020%28,001-36,30025%36,301-60,00030%Over 60,00035% Optimizing Around the €19,500 Tax-free Threshold A unique feature of Cyprus’s progressive income tax system is the €19,500 tax-free threshold. This threshold is indeed advantageous for those moderate and higher earners, protecting a significant portion of their income from taxation by lowering their effective tax rate.  That is why it is often suggested to optimize financial planning, such as contributing to approved pensions, life insurance, or charitable donations (within the 1/5 cap), to further reduce taxable income. Structuring income and deductions strategically around this threshold is one of the simplest ways to optimize your relocation budget. Social Insurance Contributions (Sic) Everyone, including you and your employer, is liable to contribute towards the national Social Insurance Fund, which supports pensions, sickness benefits, and unemployment protection.  However, the limit of contribution varies by party: Employee contribution: 8.8% of gross salary Employer contribution: 8.8% of gross salary Annual cap: €66,612 (as per 2025 figure) Now, this annual cap highlights that even if your yearly income crosses €66,612, you aren't liable to pay Social Insurance on the portion above that limit. For high earners, this annual cap significantly lowers the effective contribution rate. The General Healthcare System (Ghs / Gesy) The healthcare sector in Cyprus is funded by the General Healthcare System (GHS), the amount of which is contributed by everyone living and working in the country through the comprehensive GeSY healthcare system. They provide all-inclusive medical coverage to residents, including GP visits, specialists, and hospital services. Employee contribution: 2.65% of gross salary Employer contribution: 2.90% Cap: €180,000 annual earnings Unlike Social Insurance, the GHS cap is high, where most employees have to pay the full 2.65% on their entire income. Employer vs. Employee Contributions If you are an employee negotiating your salary, be clear about your gross salary (the basis for your tax obligations and deductions) and the cost to the company (gross salary plus employer-side contributions). For employees, the compulsory deductions include: 8.8% Social Insurance (capped) 2.65% GHS Income tax per progressive brackets For employers, the mandatory obligations are higher and include: 8.8% Social Insurance 2.90% GHS 2.0% Social Cohesion Fund (no cap) 1.2% Redundancy Fund 0.5% Human Resource Development Fund Up to 8.0% Central Holiday Fund (unless exempt) Now, assuming that you are an employee structuring your budget, prioritize employee deductions. However, do not ignore the employer’s additional costs; understanding them would be beneficial during salary package negotiations, provided that benefits are negotiable. Case Study Example: Net Pay on a €50,000 Gross Salary This hypothetical example of €50,000 annual gross salary would help understand what the final take-home pay looks like in 2025 for an employee with no special expat exemptions or extra allowances. Step 1: Calculate Deductions Social Insurance: 8.8% of €50,000 = €4,400 GHS: 2.65% of €50,000 = €1,325 Step 2: Apply Progressive Income Tax €0-€19,500 @ 0% = €0 €19,501-€28,000 (€8,500 @ 20%) = €1,700 €28,001-€36,300 (€8,300 @ 25%) = €2,075 €36,301-€50,000 (€13,700 @ 30%) = €4,110 Total income tax = €7,885 Step 3: Net Pay €50,000 − €4,400 − €1,325 − €7,885 = €36,390 per year≈ €3,033 per month (assuming 12 equal payments). However, if your employer pays a 13th salary, a common practice in Cyprus companies, your monthly net pay will be even lower but spread across 13 payments. For that, you can use a Cyprus salary calculator to model these variations instantly. How Employer Costs Compare Using the same case study example of €50,000 gross salary, here’s what the employer’s total annual outlay would look like: Social Insurance: €4,400 GHS: €1,450 Social Cohesion Fund: €1,000 Redundancy Fund: €600 HR Development Fund: €250 Holiday Fund (if not exempt): €4,000 Total Cost: With holiday fund exemption → €57,700 Without exemption → €61,700 This difference is the reason to negotiate your salary package as much as possible. Moreover, some employers even offset holiday fund obligations by allowing extra paid leave instead. Final Words Relocating to an entirely new place with a new environment and legal systems is an adventure. But by taking control of your financial details upfront, and using the progressive tax brackets, understanding obligated deductions, and leveraging a precise Cyprus salary calculator, you can overturn uncertainty into confidence.

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 9, 2023

Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists get ready to head to Thailand, as the Land of Smiles continues to be immensely popular. It truly has something to offer for everyone, whether culture, history, relaxation, or excitement is being sought after. In order to escape from our mundane life, we are always in search of an enthralling destination, and Phuket is surely the one. Many love island holidays, being near the sea, enjoying beaches, or perhaps getting close to nature by indulging in diving and other water sports. A perfect way to enjoy such activities is by choosing a luxury pool villa Phuket can provide for the following 6 reasons. A luxury pool villa in Phuket will offer you better privacy and comfort and allow you to spend more time by the seaside. Top Six Reasons To Opt For A Lavish Pool Villa In Phuket Who doesn’t want to indulge in pristine beachfront lavishness in a picturesque destination like Phuket? With the widest availability of sophisticated luxury villas and sea-facing rooms, you would surely don’t want to miss out on this fun. So, listed below are six reasons that you would make you book your tickets to Phuket right away and also select a sumptuous pool villa. A Wonder Land Between The Oceans Phuket is a dream destination, located in the south of Thailand by the beautiful blue waters of the Andaman Sea and with a wealth of golden sandy beaches to enjoy. It has a rich history intertwined with nightlife that is renowned around the world. Endless restaurants serve amazing food, while there are countless activities to entertain the whole family. It is the total holiday experience with breathtaking scenery easily navigable for all to enjoy. Also, you get a home-like atmosphere that is unmatched by any trip experience. Certain resorts in Phuket offer you the feeling of being at home and in a relaxed state of mind. For families or for couples who wish to maintain their everyday schedule while they are on the trip, this might just be the perfect plan. Privacy The last thing you would ever want on your honeymoon is to be looked at by 6000 strangers on the road while you are drenched in the pool. Privacy is the next big benefit that luxury pool villas offer. With a calm ambiance where there is no disturbing crowd, opting for a private pool villa is worth the hype. To get the most out of a vacation on this piece of paradise, a villa with its own private villa, generally set in the rolling emerald hills overlooking the ocean, is the perfect base. What could be a better start to the day than waking as the sun rises and diving into the pool with sea views? Hopefully, all travelers will have made the right calls as to what to put into their makeup bag for the vacation. An Escape From The Reality Lying back and rewinding might be high on the list of those wanting to forget about their normal life and drift away while enjoying a read by the pool with some cold refreshments before the sun sets on another stunning day. Working 10 hours a day for 365 days is not how you should live your life. Taking a relaxing escape by the beach acts as a refreshment for another year. And especially with locations like Phuket, your travel will be the most memorable one. Unmatched Service The service and attention that guests will receive are second to none. A villa manager who speaks English is always on hand, and they will act as a concierge throughout the stay, ensuring that every assistance possible is provided. They can provide shopping, book restaurants, and arrange excursions to take away any hassle of the stay. Maybe a visit to a water theme park might be on the agenda. Those assisting you in a luxury pool villa are usually professional people who know how to take care of their guests. You can even ask them for security, customized meals, and party arrangements. Quality Time By The Seaside  What nicer way to make the most of the villa than enjoying a barbeque or lunch? Many have their chef included, who will make all the arrangements and go to purchase the ingredients, while a daily breakfast is also often included. This, along with all the modern amenities any guest could wish for, adds up to a perfect vacation. Resorts offer endless facilities that you can enjoy with your family by the ocean side. Try barbequing, taking a walk in lush gardens, or tasting wines and liquours. Great Deals During The Peak Season Booking through professionals who understand what their customers want and can provide the very best amenities, service, and options is a great start. Prices are worked out so that everyone gets the deal even when renting a larger villa than is required, as guests are only charged for what they use. November to February is the peak tourist season in Phuket. And this is also the period where you will get maximum deals on restaurants, air tickets, and our very favorite pool villas. The Vegetarian Festival is an unmissable event in this region. However, make sure to make prior bookings if you want the cheapest prices on your accommodations. You might seek the help of various websites to draw a subtle comparison between your selected pool villas in famous tourist locations. Discover The Best Luxury Villas In Phuket A luxury pool villa in Phuket will allow you to listen to the sound of waves, and the private terrace or pool will allow you to spend some moments of luxury in nature.  Luxury pool villas in Phuket are available at various tariffs. The rate of the luxury pool villas per night will be between $300 to $10000. Here is a listing of some of the best luxury villas in Phuket with the necessary details. Villa Amara, Kamala, PhuketContact Number: (+66)86 520 0855Price: $1400-3600 Per Person, One NightVilla YangContact Number: +66 95 031 1679Price Range:  $595 - $2,495 Per Person, One NightBaan NicolinaContact Number: +44 (0) 208 144 0482Price Range: $850 - $2,500 Per Person, One NightVilla PadmaContact Number: +852 8120 8488Price Range: $1,758 - $6,061 Per Person, One NightVilla Beyond NamasteContact Number: +66 87 888 5801Price Range:  $2,030 - $4,290 Per Person, One NightNautilus VillaContact Number: +66 95 155 2888/+66 65 403 1993Price Range: $2,879 - $3,333 Per Person, One NightVilla SkylineContact Number: +66 96 328 1356Price Range: $842 - $2,700 Per Person, One Night The Demand For A Luxury Pool Villa In Phuket Is On The Rise: Know Why Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) is a leading American real estate company with a presence in many nations. CBRE Thailand has highlighted that investors are now ready to invest in buying the luxury villas of Thailand. This is, of course, the impact of the rising demand for luxury pool villas among tourists in Phuket. People from many countries visit Phuket for its beach fun and luxurious vibe. Also, they keep coming back. So, for them, buying a luxury villa in Phuket is a more profitable option.  Moreover, according to CBRE, the ratio between the foreign and Thai buyers of a luxury villa in Phuket is 50:50.  Wrapping It Up Choosing to book a villa with a luxury pool in Phuket is the recipe to guarantee a happy and luxurious stay without any stress, which will recharge the batteries and provide endless fun. Get yourself a resort that has an in-built spa, entertainment zone, restaurant, and clubs to make a good value for your investment. While visiting Phuket, make sure your travel is worth remembering for the next few days of your life. 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