Interesting ways compiled by Jovago on how to spend Your Eidi

With Eid just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make up your mind as to how you plan to spend your Eidi this year. This makes a perfect time to execute all your once unaccomplished wishes. If you are one of those who always make million dollar plans before every Eid but are unable to execute even one of them, this article is exactly meant for you! Refer to the following ways compiled by Jovago Pakistan on how you can get the maximum bang for your Eidi bucks.

1. Spend on your most awaited vacation

There is no joy like that of traveling, hands down! So why not spend bucks on something as rewarding and fulfilling as traveling? Check out all the travel websites like Jovago.net to find out about recent deals and vouchers and make your reservation right now, to avoid any prices and rates fluctuations.

2. Pay out all your dues

Spare yourselves from embarrassing moments of coming in contact with people to whom you owe some money. Pay out all your previous dues and delayed payments and get this burden off your shoulders as soon as you get some cash this Eid.

3. Give a gift to share your happiness with others

There is no joy like that of sharing your joy with others. This Eid, don’t forget to make some donations and spend on charity to amplify the blessings of this month.

4. Plan a friends’ day out

Eid is a celebration of togetherness and it makes a perfect time to cherish some happy moments with your friends and family. Spare some time outside your everyday routines and relive your friendship memories with your buddies.

5. Save for your next vacation

Usually, it is difficult to spare some bucks to save for your next vacation. With Eid round the corner, make a resolution to bag your Eidi to bang your next vacation! Happy Travelling and Eid Mubarak!

Jovago provides dressing guidelines about what to wear while travelling

Nothing is more important than comfort when it comes to travelling. You would never want to experiment with your clothing, especially when you are on the go. A lot has been written on what and how to pack for your travel, however, the question of what to exactly wear while travelling still remains unanswered.

Dressing up for your voyage can be a bit tricky and might require a bit of extra thought and effort. In order to ensure a comfortable journey refer to the following dressing guidelines compiled by Pakistan’s largest hotel booking website, Jovago.net.

1. Jeans

There is no comfortable and trendy outfit as jeans. It is long lasting, comfortable and a perfect outfit for a long and challenging journey. No one looks under dressed in a pair of trendy jeans and it can be used as a business casual if you want to directly hit a business meeting as soon as you land.

2. Sunglasses

Easy to carry and classy to wear, sunglasses offer a perfect solution to cover your eyes when falling asleep or add an elegant accessory to your post travel look!

3. Cross Body Hand Bag

Most people prefer to carry a backpack over a shoulder bag as a personal item while travelling. However, due to security concerns it is always advisable to carry a cross body handbag to ensure all your important travel documents and accessories are well within your sight.

4. Slip on shoes with socks

Save yourself from the hassles of tying and untying shoe laces every time you have to go through the airport check in lines. Wear an easy to remove slip on shoes with a comfortable pair of socks to be kind to your toes during your entire journey.

List of selfie tools and photography gadgets compiled by Jovago to capture beautiful destinations while traveling

Why take the pains of finding a professional photographer to capture beautiful travelling memories, when you have an all time handy smartphone to capture all your amazing travelling moments while enjoying the beautiful destinations?

Needless to say, in today’s time selfies are the most common and trending form of photography. Unlike the common misconception, even a selfie can be captured in high quality resolution, which  is worth sharing on all types of social media.

Refer to the list of following selfie tools and photography gadgets compiled by Jovago.net, to capture beautiful destinations and landscapes while traveling.

1. Bevel

It is the world’s first attachment capable of capturing real 3D photographs on any smartphone or tablet. It can also be used for 3D printing. If you are planning to travel to the picturesque valleys of this country this summer, don’t forget to bag this gadget while packing for your expedition.

2. Moment

These are some of the best lenses for smartphone photography. They are available in two types, called Moment Wide and Moment Tele. Moment Wide makes a perfect choice for wide landscape pictures while Moment Tele makes a perfect tool for zooming options on your smartphone.

3. Shutter

It is meant for all those who love to take selfies but can’t handle the hassle of handling a selfie stick. Shutter acts like a remote control device which works perfectly well on iPhones, iPads and all Android devices without the need of any extra app.

It just needs to be connected to your Bluetooth in order to make it ready to click perfect selfies.

4. CliqueFie

As the name suggests, CliqueFie offers a complete package for all Selfie Lovers. It offers a light weighted portable selfie stick for your smartphones. It has a double pull tab that makes attaching and detaching your cell phones very convenient and safe.

Tips and Tricks compiled by Jovago Pakistan to use Google Maps

In today’s time, any traveler cannot afford to miss to download Google Maps app on their iPhone or Android smartphone while visiting any new place. In the past few months, Google has added more value added features to make this app more handy and efficient for its users.

Consider the following Google Maps’ tips and tricks compiled byJovago Pakistan that will help you make your next holiday destination more navigable.

Offline Mode for Google Maps

This feature is available for both iPhone and Android smartphone users. Through this, you may simply save maps of your desired destination while at home when you have access to internet and later access it offline. This would help you to greatly save on the mobile internet packages and help you efficiently allocate your limited travel budget on things that you desire to purchase.

Share location with your friends

Most people are still unaware of this functionality of the App. Suppose you want to share your location details with your friend in a foreign land but you are unable to describe your current location. In this kind of a situation, all you need to do is press the geo-locate icon on your app and then press and hold on that location to drop a pin on a map. By swiping on the display to bring secondary menu, you can tap on ‘Share’ option to share your location with anyone you desire.

Voice Search

In order to facilitate the consumers, this app offers the option of searching any surrounding location or destination by simply calling out the name of the place aloud. This saves a traveler from the hassles of excessive texting while travelling. By simply tapping the microphone option on the search bar and voicing your desired destination, Google Maps provides a range of appropriate results for your query.

Jovago Pakistan lists some of the festivals celebrated in Pakistan

Known as the Cradle of Civilization, Pakistan is the sixth most populous city in the world. Home to various cultures, religions and backgrounds, it comes as no surprise that all year round, Pakistan is celebrating one festival or another.

Jovago Pakistan has listed below some of the festivals celebrated in Pakistan that represents the different cultures and heritage of the country.

       1.MelaChiraghan

Also known as the Festival of lights, MelaChiraghan is celebrated each year in the Urs of MadhuLalHussain- a Panjabi Sufi Poet. Catering to the population devoted to Sufism, it is one of the largest gathering where thousands from all over Pakistan come and pray for their wishes to come true.

      2.Chilam Joshi

The famous Kalash festival celebrated in the month of May, is the most famous of the Kalash festival. People from all over the world come to attend the festival where the people of Kalash thank their gods for blessing them and their pasture for the upcoming year.

     3.Vesak Festival

Also known as Buddha’s day, is a day observed by the Buddhists all over the world. With the cultural heritage and Buddhists tombs in Taxila, Pakistan held the first ever Vesak Festival (when) where Buddhists from Sri Lanka came to visit the Holy sites. During this festival, people observing the religion gather at the temples to sing hymns of praises of the Buddha.

4. Seed Sowing Festival

This two days festival is to open the farming season for the valleys of Hunza, Gilgit and Baltistan. The ceremony is dependent upon the weather and the altitude of the valleys. For instance in Hunza, the ceremony takes place towards the end of February, Gojal valley on the 6^th of March, the Upper Gojal and the Chipurson valley celebrated the festival once the condition of the weather is stable and suitable for cultivation. The district of Baltistan celebrated this festival on the 21^st of March.

5.Shandur Polo Festival

A bit different from the other festivals, Shandur Polo Festival attracts tourists from all over the world. Shandur, also known as the roof of the World, is the world’s largest polo ground. One of the biggest festivals in Pakistan, Shandur Polo Festival takes place from the 7^th of July to the 9^th. This two days festival happens each year and history claims that it is a means of strengthening ties between Chitral and Gilgit.

With numerous festivals taking place all year round, listed above are some of the major festivals that Pakistan celebrates.

Book your trip with Jovago.com and get a chance to witness the upcoming Shandur Polo Festival, with the best accommodation and reasonable prices, making your trip a comfortable and a worthwhile one. Happy travelling!

Jovago offers the step by step guide to budget your travel for your next vacation

Everyone plans on visiting a place at some point in their life. However, only some travelers manage to accomplish their dreams without getting penniless or without spending all their fortunes on just a single vacation. Most people do not realize that the success of any trip or vacation depends on how well it was initially planned. Planning for travel is a systematic process which if followed correctly, can have endless perks and benefits.

If you are one of those who always fail to plan your travel, this article is exactly meant for you! Jovago Pakistan offers the step by step guide to budget your travel for your next vacation:

Step 1 : Reckon your budget

It’s only once you know your budget, can you stay within it. Once you have a budgeted amount in your head, you can then allocate your budget on food, shopping and other adventures. Don’t forget to keep an emergency back-up for the most uncertain situations.

Step 2: Make early reservations
Making your reservations and bookings in advance can be very cost effective to you. Once you make advance payments, there is no need to get worried about any increase or mark-ups over fairs.

Step 3: Track the exchange rates
This applies for all foreign travelers. Download a currency converter app on your smart phones to keep an account about the exchange rates. This will give you an evaluation of how expensive it will be traveling there. In case converting the currency costs you more than you anticipated, you can always find a more budget friendly alternative.

Step 4: Keep an account for all the ongoing promotions
A lot of your money can be saved if bookings are made via travel and hotel deals. Especially if you are travelling in a group, focus on the packages in which you don’t have to go for the individual costs and can avail group discounts.

Step 5: Make shopping your last priority
Most travelers make the mistake of spending on items like souvenirs and other utilities in the very start of their travel. This exhausts your budget in the first few weeks of your vacation and which might create funds shortages for the rest of your travel. Make sure you have spent on basic necessities and have enough buffer cash before you spend on shopping.

Do’s and Don’ts of Travelling during Ramzan compiled by Jovago

To travel or not to travel during Ramzan has been an ongoing debate. Some prefer to travel during this month to avail the discounted prices of airfare tickets and hotel bookings. In addition, the ongoing Ramadan deals at various shopping outlets also make it an attractive month to travel. However, some argue that due to shorter working hours during Ramzan, most tourists face the difficulty of exploring new places to the fullest; as most often find the popular sightseeing areas closed during this month. Refer to the following dos and don’ts of travelling during Ramzan compiled by Jovago Pakistan, if you are planning to travel during Ramzan this year:

Do’s:

1. Respect the sanctity of this Holy Month

Regardless of the fact that you are fasting or not, you need to strictly observe the fasting norms of the place you are visiting. Refrain from activities and behaviors which may be considered derogatory during this Holy Month.

2. Participate in the Ramzan specific traditions

Joining the natives in their Iftaar and Sehr meals is a sign of showing respect and openness towards their customs and traditions. Even the minute acts like greeting people ‘Ramzan Mubarak’ or ‘Ramzan Kareem’ makes a great impact in showcasing your respect and openness towards this Holy Month.

3. Consider fasting yourself

It may sound a bit too challenging especially if you are travelling but it is a great way to make you feel like you are also a part of all things happening around you. Experience the feel of getting the first sip of water in this scorching weather after the whole day fast; this would surely make your travel memorable.

Don’ts:

1. Avoid eating and drinking openly in public

It may be illegal to openly eat and drink at public places during Ramzan in some countries like Jordon, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries. If you are a foreigner, you might need to search special restaurants that serve food to the foreigners and non-fasters during day time.

2. Don’t rely on public transportation during iftaar times

Don’t try to get a taxi or a rickshaw within the hour or two before iftar. You would be very lucky to find an empty one and might have to wait for hours until the iftar time is over.

Jovago’s tips on how to cope up with Jet lag

There is no feeling like finally reaching your desired destination. However, it is important to cope up with your jet lag before it starts to ruin your travel. As unusual as it may sound, it is absolutely possible to cope up with your Jet lag if you start mentally preparing for it well in time. Following are tips and tricks introduced by Jovago, Pakistan’s largest online hotel booking website that will help you minimize your jet lag so that you may start to enjoy your stay at a new place as soon as possible.

1. Adjust your schedule according to new time zone

Start functioning according to your new time zone days in advance of your travel. This way you can easily adapt to the changes in your circadian rhythms once you reach to your desired destination. It is always a good idea to check travel blogs sharing experiences of travelers about how they dealt with their jet lags.

2. Prepare for new time zone while in flight

Adjust your clock according to new time during the flight. This has a psychological effect of preparing yourself according to the new time zone even before you reach the new destination.

3. Stay hydrated throughout the flight

This might be a bit challenging especially during Ramzan. However, having a healthy Sehri during your travel usually helps to stay hydrated throughout your journey which in return helps you to easily adjust to new circadian rhythms.

4. Reach your destination early

If you have to attend any event at your destination, try to arrive a few days early so that your mind and body can adjust to the new time zones.

5. Minimize sleep distractions

Most often the travelers face insomnia due to time zone differences. It is therefore recommended to minimize any sleep distractions during the initial days of reaching your destination. In addition, the intake of high carb or fatty diet close to bedtime should be avoided as it can exacerbate sleep distractions.

The Other Side of Travelling that No One Talks About

Enough has been written on the flashy and exciting side of travelling. Sure, there is no feeling like exploring the world, meeting new people, experiencing new customs and learning about different cultures. However, there are also some other realities of travelling that no one talks about. In the excitement of planning for our new life, no one discusses the feeling of returning back to the place from where you once started your journey.

Thanks to the emerging e-commerce services, settling in a new place is no longer as nerve wrecking as it once used to be. From finding accommodations to finding jobs to dealing with cultural shocks, a lot has been written online to smoothen your settling at a new place. However, what to do when you land back to the place where you once planned your entire journey is something that needs to be talked about as well.

It has generally been noticed that the first initial weeks of coming back to your home town is almost as exciting as visiting a new place. When you return home, you have your reunions, you spend your first few weeks meeting and greeting your friends and family trying to catch up on all the thrilling and exciting stories that you missed during your travel. You may find great things happened to your friends and colleagues while you were away. All of a sudden, you realize that re-adjusting to your old life is more challenging than it was to start a new life at a completely new place.

It becomes difficult to act like your old self when in just a span of a journey you have explored your new self. You may hear comments from your loved ones like, you look just the same and you haven’t changed even in a bit; when deep down inside you know that you have transformed into an entirely different person that looks exactly the same from outside but thinks exactly the opposite. How to communicate these changes with your loved ones and most importantly how to develop acceptability of your new self in your old life remains a mystery as yet.

Jovago provides a list of healthy items for Sehri during travel

Fasting becomes even more challenging when you are traveling. To ensure good health during your entire journey, it is extremely important to carefully plan all your meals. Needless to say, Sehri marks the start of your day and your fast therefore should be the healthiest one. If you are one of those who struggle with the lack of Sehri options every Ramadan, this article is exactly for you. Jovago Pakistan hereby provides a list of healthy yet fulfilling Sehri options that will keep you charged and on your toes during your entire travel.

Oatmeal dishes

Starting your day with an oatmeal provides an energy booster for the entire day. Rich in vitamins, minerals and lipids, oatmeal is considered fourth healthiest food worldwide which possesses endless benefits for our health. Start your travel with a bowl full of oatmeal to fuel up your entire journey!

Raw fruits and whole grains

One of the basic concerns during travel is to find food options which are handy and can be consumed on-the-go! In this case, it is best to bag some fresh fruits and granola bars in your bag which can be consumed anytime during your travel. Rich in nutrients and minerals and easy to carry, fruits and grains make one of the most gratifying and energy-rich Sehri option during your travel.

Lots of Yogurt and yogurt made products

With Ramadan also comes the scorching heat of early summers which makes fast even more challenging! Having yogurt during the early day cleanses and prepares our digestive system for the strenuous journey ahead. Yogurt made products such as Lassi , Chaas and Smoothies, therefore become excellent options to fuel yourselves for the rest of the day!

Water all the way

There is no other way to keep yourself hydrated to combat this hot and humid weather than to consume the right amount of water. Some people prefer to have caffeine over water during their Sehri which further dehydrates the body during the rest of the day. It is therefore recommended to have a good amount of water during your Sehri. However, be careful to drink water gradually and slowly while eating Sehri; as drinking too much water too quickly sometimes dilutes the stomach acid content and causes bloating and indigestion.

Jovago partners with SiteMinder to introduce seamless online distribution for hotels

Lahore, Pakistan–Pakistan’s No.1 hotel booking website, Jovago.com, has announced its partnership with the global hotel industry’s leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, to mark its first time enabling seamless online distribution for hotel clients. The agreement enlists Jovago.comamong the more than 300 channels integrated with SiteMinder’s Channel Manager and means mutual hotel clients can now seamlessly update their inventory and room rates to the booking portal.

“As the leading channel management provider for hotels globally, partnering with SiteMinder was an obvious decision,” says Eduard PosthumusMeyjes, global head of revenue management at Jovago.

“We aim to bring top-notch technology to our hotel partners across all our markets in Asia and Africa and SiteMinder offers the right technology to grow our supply of real-time bookable inventory for our customers.”

As the No. 1 and fastest-growing OTA in Pakistan, Jovago.com‘s partnership with SiteMinder creates massive opportunity for its large client base of hotels to reach and attract guests, and increase both occupancy and revenue in return.

Lisa Horne, general manager – South Africa at SiteMinder, says, “We are very happy to partner with Jovago, providing our hotel customers yet another channel to market their inventory and availability through. We are particularly proud to provide the first channel management solution that integrates with this on-demand hotel booking platform in Pakistan. Each of Jovago’s hotel clients benefits from their local presence, and commitment to developing both the continental and global travel market.”

Hotel managers whose properties are listed on Jovago.com say they are excited about the opportunities the website’s partnership with SiteMinder will bring.

Jovago launched an extranet application for its hotel clients earlier this year, allowing them to reach operational excellence with the online channel by giving hotel managers real-time access to, and control over, their room rates and inventory.

The booking portal says an integration with the market’s leading channel management solution was the logical next step, to offer its hotel clients value-added services.

About SiteMinder

As the leading cloud platform for hotels, SiteMinder allows hotels to attract, reach and convert guests across the globe. We serve hotels of all sizes with award-winning solutions for independents and groups alike, wherever they are in the world.

SiteMinder’s products include The Channel Manager, the industry’s leading online distribution platform;TheBookingButton, a wholly-branded booking engine for direct bookings via the web, mobile or social;Canvas, the intelligent website creator for independent hoteliers; and GDS by SiteMinder, a single-point of entry to a six-figure network of travel agents and the world’s major GDSs. With more than 20,000 hotel customers and 400 of the industry’s top connectivity providers as our partners, today we have presence in more than 160 countries on six continents.

For more information, visit www.siteminder.com or visit the team at HITEC, stand #1611.

About Jovago

Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with offices in Pakistan, Nairobi (Kenya) and 10 other offices accross the continent. Jovago is founded by Africa Internet Group and has Rocket Internet, MTN, Millicom, AXA, Orange and Goldman Sachs as its investors. Jovago.com, Pakistan’s No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and easy-to-use services. Jovago.com has over 2000 local hotel listings in Pakistan and over 200,000 hotels around the world.