Vacation and Travel Tips: 2010

Buy Your Hiking Gear and Supplies

9:10 AM | Labels: Adventure Gadget, Adventure Vacation

Are you interested in going on a hiking trip? Whether you want your hiking trip to last one day or last as long as one week, you will need to bring along multiple pieces of hiking gear and other hiking supplies. If this is your first time buying gear and other supplies to take with you on a hiking trip, you may be unsure as to where you can make your purchase or purchases from.

Hiking gear is a phrase that is regularly used to describe pieces of equipment or items that are important to hiking. Hiking gear is regularly known to make hiking easier and safer. If you are in need of hiking gear, like hiking boots or a hiking stick, you may want to think about visiting one of your local sports stores. Sports stores are one of the best places to buy hiking gear from. Depending on the size of your local sports store, your local sports store may have a whole hiking department, which will likely be filled with multiple pieces of hiking gear.

In addition to visiting one of your local sports store, you should also be able to purchase hiking gear from one of your local department stores. Department stores are nice as they often carry a large selection of products. If you are looking to not only buy hiking gear, but other hiking supplies, like extra clothing or snacks for your trip, you may want to visit one of your local department stores. Department stores are not only known for their convenience, but they are also known for their affordable prices.

In addition to traditional department stores and sports stores, you may also want to examine online department stores and online sports stores. These online retailers often have a large selection of hiking gear for you to buy. In fact, the selection that you will find online will likely be larger than the selection in your local stores. Online shopping is nice, as it is convenient. For example, with online shopping, you can shop for hiking gear at three in the morning, while in your pajamas.

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Ontario's Cities

9:08 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation

Ontario has one of the largest populations and is home to Canada's capital city, Ottawa, which is located in the South-East of the Province. The Greater Toronto Area is Canada's industrial, economic and population centre, home to the Provincial capital (Toronto) and is also located in the south. The vast majority of Ontario's population (11.4 million in 2001 census) lives in the South of the Province. The Lester Pearson International airport in Toronto is by far the largest airport in Canada and a major hub for airlines.

Also, the cities of Hamilton, London, Kingston and Windsor are large settlements with over a million residents between them and continue to grow. Auto manufacturing and aerospace have long been the largest employers in Ontario with several huge car plants in the region. The big 3 North American manufacturers Ford, GM and Dodge/Chrysler are represented in the region.
Thunder Bay is the largest port on Lake Superior and is a very commercial and industrial area.

Provincial Government

The Government of Ontario is administered by Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberal party. As with all the Provinces and Territories, the Provincial Government is responsible for Healthcare, all aspects of vehicle registration and Driver Licensing, Education and Welfare assistance.

The Province has a Sales Tax (PST) rate of 8% on top of the 7% Federal GST, Hotel room tax at 5% and also collects Provincial Income Tax.

As one of the main entry points along the St.Lawrence River, Ontario has a full history, especially since the Western settlers arrived with Confederation taking place in 1867. The Algonquian and Iroquoian native peoples lived off the land in Southern Ontario for generations prior to the arrival of the westerners – with the French explorers being the first. Ontario was originally known as Upper Canada and was settled extensively by English, Scottish and Irish immigrants along with the loyalists from the USA who arrived after the war of independence there.

The initial source of prosperity was the fur trading which was eventually surpassed by the discovery of massive mineral deposits such as gold, nickel and iron ore.

The Province of Ontario is an exceptional place to live or visit so for more information please go to http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com

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Ontario Province

9:06 AM | Labels: Vacation destination

The name Ontario is said to come from the Iroquoian (first nation) word meaning "vast body of water". It is the second largest Province in Canada, spanning approximately one million square kilometers. It stretches all the way from the Great Lakes to the frozen shores of Hudson Bay in the North. Situated between the provinces of Manitoba to the west and Quebec to the East, the Province borders the USA to the South.

It is home to 6 National and 280 Provincial Parks which give the Province a virtually endless array of Recreational Possibilities. The largest and probably most famous is the Algonquin Park which is home to Black Bears and the trademark Canadian Beaver and has amazing scenery. Most of the Province is in the Eastern Time Zone, which is GMT -5 hours, however some of Western and Northern Ontario is in the Central time zone, which is GMT -6 hours. Between the months of April and October Daylight Saving is in effect. Ontario has very defined seasons, the summer months can be very hot and the winter months extremely cold with a lot of snow. Spring and fall tend to have a lot of rain.

The Southwestern part of Ontario is normally milder than the rest of Southern Ontario. Northern Ontario is generally a lot colder due to the winds blown in from the Artic.
Northern Ontario is mostly occupied by forests and rocky outcrops, part of the Canadian Shield. Four of the five Great lakes and the St. Lawrence River form the southern boundary of Ontario. One of the most famous landmarks of Ontario (and all of Canada) is the majestic Niagara Falls, which are located south of Toronto near the city of St.Catherines on the US – Canada border. Thousands of tourists from around the world flock to see the falls which can be viewed from the USA side as well.

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Spain Business Apartment Rentals

9:42 PM | Labels: Travel Business

During the last few years, many small companies have popped up like mushrooms in popular business destinations such as Barcelona & Madrid, all promising to be the best at renting out business apartments. So how do you choose between them? What should you be looking out for? What should you try and avoid? How can you be sure that the business apartment you are renting out isn't miles outside of town in a place that even the taxi driver hasn't heard of? How can you be sure that you haven't just rented out a holiday apartment on the Costa Brava?

What you are looking for which sets the business apartment rental industry apart from holiday rentals is a certain degree of professionalism. You want and need a rental company which does what it says. You need to be able to rely upon check in times & dates, apartment costs, rental availability, extra services and furnishing quality. You don't want your company staff or guests, staying in a place with rats and cockroaches, any less than you want them staying in a place without the advertised wireless Internet connection, without the promised telephone line and without the washing machine and tumble drier to get those shirts ready for that next-day important meeting.

Look for a company that has a good reputation. Speak to people who have used these companies. Check out their web sites. Do they have a good image? Do they instil confidence? You can't always judge a book by its cover, they say. But if a company can't get a simple thing like a web site working properly, can they really provide all that is necessary to rent out professional business apartments?

Take a look at customer testimonials, but most importantly, try actually speaking to someone at the company before you go ahead and book the apartment online. Whilst you may never be able to go to the place in person before the planned business trip, there really is no substitute for speaking to a real human being. So pick up the phone, give them a call and ask them all the questions you have in your mind. Chances are that if they cannot answer all your questions and make you feel happy and confident, then you have chosen the wrong place. Customer service is paramount these days, and a good business apartment rental company will be aware of this. The decision making is then up to you.

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Jazz clubs in Berlin

9:08 AM | Labels: adventure travel, Travel destination

A funny way to cherish the urban life, as a citizen would do, is renting a bike. And don't worry, cycling in this City is a pleasure! For about 15€ per day or 50€ per week you can rent your bike atBerlin-by-bike in many Fahrradstation centres spreading all over Berlin . Visit the website of Fahrradstation or go to: Hackesche Hofe, Hof 7; Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat and Sun 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 28384848; or in Auguststr. 29A (Mitte) from Mon-Fri 8 am-8pm; Sat and Sun 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 2859 9661; or in Leipziger Str. 56, from Mon- Fri 8 am-8 pm; Sat and Sun from 10am to 4pm; ph:+39 (030) 666 49 180; or at Bergmanstr. 9, Kreuzberg from Mon- Fri 8am-8pm; Sat and Sun from 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 21515 66).

If you like the idea, you can count also on the silver CallBikes (+49/ 0700/ 05 22 55 22) available in different corners of the cities. Basically you can take the bike and leave it in every corner of the city simply using your mobile phone to connect to the central booking system! For as cheap as 0,06€ per minute or 15€ per day, all you need to do is call the company, give them credit card details and get a code to unlock the padlock. Better if you pre-register one week in advance. Then get cycling maps, information and assistance at Das Radlerzentrum (ADFC: Brunnenstrasse 28; ph: +49 (030) 448 4724; Mon- Fri 1200-8pm and Sat10am-4pm). With your bike now you can really reach every corner of West and EastBerlin.

In springtime a good place to be is the Tiergarten Park. Get a beer at Café am Neuen See, a Bavarian beer house: it's the ideal place to cool down with fresh beverages and small appetizers close to the pond. You can also indulge on boat trips, for a romantic afternoon. (Lichtensteinallee, 2; ph. +49 (0) 30 254 4930; all days 10am-1pm). To end the light meal with something sweet, get a special cake at thepark Café Buchwald, since 1852 an institution! (Bartningallee, 29; ph.+49 (0)30 391 5931; all days Mar-Oct 11am-11pm; Nov-Feb 11am-6.30pm)

For vintage second hand shopping don't miss the Flohmarkt am Ankonaplatz where you can get anything from 60's and 70's. (Prenzlauer Berg: U-Bahn Bernauer Strasse; Sun 11am-6pm) or the Flohmarkt Schönenberg, right in front of the homonym Municipal hall (U- Bahn Rathaus Schönenberg; Sat-Sun 8am-4pm).

If USSR still plays a role in your imagination, you'd better go to the small, students-run market at Boxhagener Platz (Friedrichshain; U/S Bahn Warschauer Str.; Sun 9am-4pm).

The evening is best spent in a Jazz club. Have a look at the berlinjazz where you can surely find a list of popular spots. Quasimodo is renowned among jazz lovers for sessions of jazz, blues, folk, funk, soul. You find it in Kantstraße, 12 in Charlottenburg. Or at Quasimodo. It is open daily from 9pm; live music from 10pm.

If you want to combine dinner and music then you have to try Soultrane, the elegant side house of the A Trane: after dinner, first class jazz is being served.

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Booking A Cruise

8:53 AM | Labels: Travel Tips

Cruises are the most versatile of vacations no matter what your age. Not only that, it's a great way to bring the whole family but still have time alone with your spouse while the kids-only activity coordinators take charge of your children's fun.

The first step to putting together a great cruise vacation is to find yourself a travel agency that specializes in cruises, or to book directly through a cruise vacation Internet site.

Before you contact the travel agent though you need to determine when you're going, where you're going and from which port you'll depart and to which you'll return.

There are some seasonal rules of thumb about your destination. If you're limited in the time of year you can get away then you're also somewhat limited in your destination. You can't, for instance, cruise the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska any time during the summer. Europe has about the same seasonal restriction as well. If you're planning on heading out in the spring or fall you might want to consider an excursion up and down the Panama Canal. Just about any time of year, including the winter, you can cruise to Asia or the Caribbean.

Determine who is going to go with you. Knowing if children or seniors will be a part of your vacation group will effect which trip offers the best choices of entertainment for your party. In fact, it's best to gather everyone together, or conduct a phone or e-mail discussion of what everyone wants to do. You need to know if crafts are important; how many are going to lounge by the pool; who wants to get off and explore at the first land stop; who prefers exotic locations and who'd rather just play shuffleboard

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Protect Your Passport

8:50 AM | Labels: Travel Tips

When entering some countries or registering at hotels, you may be asked to fill out a police card listing your name, passport number, destination, local address, and reason for travel. You may be required to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight so that it may be checked by local police officials. These are normal procedures required by local laws. If your passport is not returned the following morning, immediately report the impoundments to local police authorities and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Passport Fraud

Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for illegal entry into the United States, or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. This can cause embarrassment to innocent U.S. citizens whose names become associated with illegal activities. To protect the integrity of the U.S. passport and the security of the person bearing it, consular officers overseas have found it necessary to take precautions in processing lost passport cases. These precautions may involve some delay before a new passport is issued.

Safeguard Your Passport

Carelessness is the main cause for losing a passport or having it stolen. You may find that you have to carry your passport with you because you need to show it when you cash traveler's checks or the country that you are visiting requires you to carry it as an identity document. When you must carry your passport, hide it securely on your person. Do not leave it in a handbag nor in an exposed pocket. Whenever possible, leave your passport inthe hotel safe, not in an empty hotel room, and not packed in your luggage. One family member should not carry all the passports for the entire family.

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European Cruising

8:31 AM | Labels: Cruise, Travel Agent

The euro cruise vacation still ranks as an exceptional value. As the currency values continue to fluctuate, the cost of enjoying an adventure on the sea becomes even more appealing

The price for your cruise includes not only ship passage but also covers all accommodations onboard. This not only includes your cabin or room but also a meals, activities, use of the facilities and even entertainment. The actual cost of a euro cruise may at first seem a bit high but once all costs are considered, the value becomes even more apparent.

The biggest benefit of a cruise vacation above all else however has to be the Ports of call. These are the places, cities, or islands where the ship stops for a day or so. Imagine being onboard a modern cruise ship unpacking 1 time but still enjoying a full week of travel and new locations!

At each stop, you can experience a new culture, pace or historical area without the stress of constantly moving and relocating to yet another hotel. Another perk of the cruising vacation are the ship sponsored or suggested excursions. These are sightseeing tours and adventures specially designed for maximum guest enjoyment. These day trips usually feature the more most important or significant aspects of the area being visited. The trips are reasonably priced and your satisfaction is important as these trips and thecruise ship business is very important to the local economy. The people providing the service on these trips have a vested interest in seeing that cruising passengers are happy

The number of excursions is very much dependant on the length of your vacation and locale. Some of the more remote cruse destinations have far fewer opportunities for these extra activities while some specialize in a new port every day!

Excursions are also designed far a wide variety of traveler. From the very physical climbing a waterfall to the I want to just sit and enjoy the scenery group, there's a special excursion designed for just what you like. Longer trips usually include a lunch or on occasion is provided by thecruise ship directly.

The final thought is to really consider the benefits of a cruise when thinking about this years vacation. A euro cruise is probably the best way to see some beautiful European scenery while also not breaking the bank on the costs.

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Sites along the French Riviera

8:07 AM | Labels: Travel destination, Travel Tips

Holiday rental in France doesn't have to be all about the main cities of Paris or Versailles. You can find just as many enticing - and satisfying - cities along the French Riviera to enjoy with family or for a romantic south France getaway for UK travelers.

The French Riviera is located in south France on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Italy and flows from Cassis to Menton. It is also one of the most popular resort beaches in the world, hosting many movie stars each year. Some cities along or near the French Riviera include Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Monaco, Vence, Toulon, Cassis, Saint-Raphael, Menton, Monte Carlo, Juan-les-Pins, and Grasse.

The French Riviera has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and abundant sunshine about 300 days per year. Many festivities are held in the area each year such as the Monaco Circus Festival (January/February), the Nice Carnival (February), the Lemon Festival in Menton (February), the Jazz Festival in Nice (July), the Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival (July), the Jasmine Festival in Grasse (August), and the Rose Festival in Grasse (May).

French Riviera Sea and Mountains

Many tourists enjoy French Riviera rental cruises for relaxation, romance, and even recreation such as golf holiday cruises. There are several major ports including those in Cannes, Nice, and Villefranche-sur-Mer and many choices of adventures throughout the year. The French Riviera coast stretches about 120 kilometers with famous resorts, sandy beaches, islands, glistening night lights, and a variety of sea sports.

The French Riviera attracts mountain lovers each year with its Alpes d'Azur. The snow-covered peeks can be seen from the French Riviera, and ski resorts are within only a 90-minute drive from Nice. The mountains are great for a day France trip for travelers that are visiting the French Riviera and surrounding areas. Activities in the mountains include sightseeing of beautiful landscapes and many leisurely activities such as hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, white water rafting, and more.

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London – Every Travellers Dream

10:06 AM | Labels: Travel destination, Vacation destination

London is among one of the hot tourist destinations. Millions of visitors flock to London every year in their quest to see the various attractions that the city has to offer. The City is blessed with abundance of museums, palaces, magnificent landmarks, and wide variety of cultural sites including the parliament buildings, Buckingham palace and the Camden Town Market.

Being a tourist destination, London offers wide range of accommodation to its guests. There is no dearth of hotels as there are themed hotels in the central areas, every kind of hotels to suit the budget of every type of travelers, and little cottages or inns are also there for those who prefer peace and quietness in the outskirts of the city.

The City is well-served by good transport link, thus making it easy for you to go to any tourist attractions. You can also stay in any of the hotel and plan your short break to the city.

However, if you want to make your stay in the city incredible, it is advisable to plan out your visit in advance. You can look out foraccommodation from where you can get easy access to local attractions, shopping, and entertainment. Find out the best accommodation which will take care of your need and purse without compromising on quality of service.

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Key West Vacation

10:01 AM | Labels: adventure travel, Adventure Vacation

The most important thing about finding Key West vacation homes is to know when they are most likely to be available. The peak demand for Key West vacation home is between the mid-December and Easter, and if those wanting Key West vacation homes during that period will have to commit to renting them for a week at a time.

Key West vacation rentals will place their occupants at the southernmost tip of the United States, and they will be able to choose from among condominiums, elegant villas, fully equipped family homes, and Key West "cottages." Many Key West vacation homes are architectural gems, reflective of Key West's multi-cultural history. That history was shared by such notables as Ernest Hemingway, John James Audubon, and Thomas Edison; butKey West vacation homes are also perfect for those whose tastes run to outdoor adventure.

Visitors to Key West can leave their Key West vacation homes and head for the Bight to arrange a day of fishing, swimming, diving, or snorkeling. Returning in the afternoon, they can wait for the spontaneous sunset celebration which erupts at Mallory Dock. TheKey West sun is, oddly, at its brightest when it sets, and is put to bed by the antics of jugglers, street musicians, and mimes.

The Key West nightlife awaits those who take the time to freshen up from their day out at their Key West vacation homes, and offers everything from gourmet meals at world-class restaurants to night beat to tropically-themed drinks served at open-air bars. TheKey West theatrical culture is a vibrant one, with dramatic, comedic, and musical offerings to suit any sort of audience.

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Hawaiian Vacation is the Perfect Honeymoon

9:00 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Travel destination

So you are ready to say ?I do? but you aren?t sure where you want to spend your honeymoon? There?s no need to worry because you can find a wonderful honeymoon in the most exotic of all romantic places. Plan to see beautiful Hawaii. Vacation where the best is yet to be seen every day you are in the tropical Islands!

When planning a getaway, you probably just decide where you want to go and regardless of the reason behind it, you simply make the reservation and go. However, when you marry your true love, there?s something special about the wedding day and the event. It is far more important to make plans for eternity and begin the first week or weeks of your life together in a special place. Welcome to your honeymoon ? the ultimate of all honeymoon locations?your Hawaii vacation honeymoon!

A honeymoon in Hawaii is the ideal spot to rest and relax after a hectic sprint toward the alter. The parties are behind you, the search for the perfect dress, the never-ending parade of floral arrangements and catering decisions to be made, and the wedding day. However, the honeymoon begins when you are able to board the plane and kick back for some much needed time to collect your thoughts and begin a romantic getaway. Sounds like the Hawaiian vacation is perfect indeed!

While the all-inclusive resorts such as those found in Jamaica or the Caribbean aren?t as wide spread in the Hawaiian Islands, there are some wonderful accommodation choices. From private homes and condos to extraordinary resorts, whatever you want to find in guest room accommodations is readily available.

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How to get the Best Rates on a Carnival Cruise

2:46 PM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Cruise

This is our latest installment on helping clients find the best rates on any Carnival cruise. As one of the industry's leading online Cruise Specialists, we have put together some of easiest ways to ensure you will get the best rates on your next Carnival cruise!

First, pick a cruise specialist. Using a specialist will eliminate the uncertainty associated with using a travel agent in that a specialist knows the inner workings of the cruise line in regards to best travel dates, promotions, ship details, routes etc. When searching for a specialist, whenever possible, talk to them personally. Doing searches on the internet these days is leaving too much to chance. Everyone and their mother is selling cruises today and you want to make sure that the specialist you are buying from has actually been on a cruise! Makes sense, right? When choosing your specialist, find out if you will be taken care exclusively by the specialist through the entire booking process and not become just a number after you book. You are spending too much money to become a statistic! How do you know that you are receiving the best possible rate? Simple, call the cruise line directly and compare your rate. Make sure your rate includes all port charges and taxes. If you look close, 95% of so-called bargains on the internet are not bargains at all-you can get the same rate by dealing with the cruise line directly. Beware of outrageous internet claims-"75% off your cruise!", "Buy one get one free!", "Free Air". You've heard it before, if it sounds too good to be true… There are literally thousands of garbage promotion hooks. That doesn't mean there are not honest promotions out there. You can usually tell the difference by how they are presented. More to come!

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Packing For Adventure Travel

11:59 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation

There's a funny scene in Romancing the Stone when Michael Douglas' character meets Kathleen Turner's character and agrees to take her to a phone booth hundreds of miles away. He simply refuses to help her carry her completely impractical luggage and a few scenes later goes even further by chopping the heels off her shoes so she can actually walk in them. This little fiasco encompasses the essence of packing for adventure travel. Less is most definitely more!

When in a foreign country it is usually pretty easy to spot the experienced traveler from the novice. The novice is usually dragging a giant suitcase or trying to lug a brightly coloured backpack that is even bigger than they are. They are dressed in the latest "must have" adventure gear from the most expensive adventure stores and have "trekking" shoes worth hundreds of dollars. This is not the way to do it for several reasons. The first is comfort. You will usually be doing a lot of walking whenever you go on a vacation and walking with 50 kg of luggage is both tiring and difficult. You will also, most likely, be getting extremely dirty and ruining whatever clothing you take (even if it's expensive "adventure clothing") and don't forget that some of your gear may even be stolen (sometimes by other travelers). If you show up with all the best and most expensive gear you are also a walking target for hustlers and thieves. With all of this in mind here are a few tips:

Luggage – If you are going to be doing anything even remotely physical and walking any further than a few hundred meters, then a backpack is definitely the way to go. But not all packs are created equal! Think small and inconspicuous. Dark colours like brown and black will attract less attention than a bright purple or red pack. Make sure it is the type of pack that has a flap on the top that closes over the pack's opening to keep out water (the types that zip up WILL get your stuff wet). You will also want to put your clothing in waterproof stuff bags – I use standard plastic shopping bags, but there are tougher ones that you can buy from disposals and camping stores. You also want your pack to be as small as possible. Especially if you are only touring (mountaineers may need something bigger). I use a 30 liter pack but would say 45 liters is an absolute maximum for general purpose use. You will be carrying it around a lot and if you cannot fit something in then you probably don't really need it.

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Long Flights Survival Tips

11:57 AM | Labels: Travel Tips

Everyone, at one point or the other, starts disliking flights, when we were kids it was so much fun, but now it looks like the worst few hours we can spend, and on long flights it is almost a catastrophic, spending hours in that very small space, and without much free movement or quality breathing air can make some people really edgy. There are a few things besides the lake of fresh air and space for your feet in most flights, and this is what makes most of us dislike flying long hours.

However there are a few things that you can do to try and combat these long hour flights, and the boredom that comes with them, as well as take care of yourself while flying, here are a few things we thought can help.

On flight

If you are scheduled to fly for 4 hours or more, you probably be thinking of the things to do to kill time while on flight. Remember the following…

Bring pocket books. This will keep you busy while flying and the best way to kill the time. An MP3 player and a portable game console are also good. These things are helpful in case you do not want to watch or could not see the movie shown on the screen.

Exercise. Sitting on the plane for several hours would prevent your blood to circulate properly. Walk for at least 5 minutes every 2 hours during the flight. Shake your legs, bend your knees, and move.

Target the seat at the aisles. This will prevent you from disturbing your neighbor sleeping if you want to get up and take a walk or go to the lavatory. An aisle seat would also give you more legroom to stretch. Try to avoid a window seat; you would only see clouds and skies for most of the time.

Seats at the exit doors are the most comfortable place to be if you want all the legroom. On most airlines, these seats are reserved for disabled persons and are not available on pre-booking but can be requested when checking-in.

Drink plenty of water. Long flights can dehydrate you. Flight attendants will normally offer you water or juice in between flight meals. Go easy with caffeine and alcohol.

When the plane is descending, blow your nose while pinching it closed with your thumb and index fingers to help remove the ear pressure. Yawning and swallowing could help too.

And finally, do not rush to the door once your plane has landed simply to get out first. Relax and do not join the rushing crowd. There is no reason for doing this since you have wait for your checked-in baggage outside.

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Yacht Charter in the Central Cyclades

11:46 AM | Labels: Travel Agent, Travel destination, Travel Rental

The areas prevailing wind during the summer months is the infamous Meltemi blowing from the N-NW. It is first felt in June and becomes stronger through July, August and September when it can reach force 8. It dies down in October. In the spring and autumn gales are common from the N and the SE. The summer months are hot, average temperatures are 25 deg C and temperatures often reach 35 deg C.

Milos is the southwesternmost of the Cyclades. A large bay, Ormos Milou, was scooped out when an ancient volcano erupted and hot sulphur springs still exist today. Adhamas is the island's port Go bow or stern to the E side of the ferry pier or bow to the smaller pier to the E. It is also possible to anchor off to the SE of the short pier. The bottom is mud rocks and weed and poor holding in places. There is good shelter from the Meltemi but winds from the south can produce dangerous conditions. There is water on the ferry pier and fuel can be delivered. Most provisions can be obtained in the village and there are some tavernas. Climb the hill to the Chora at Milos for breathtaking views across the bay. There are several other anchorages in the bay that are exposed to the north. There are no facilities at any of them. Apollonia is in the NE of Milos. Go bow or stern to the pier or anchor of the beach. Holding is good on a sandy bottom. There are tavernas and a mini market ashore. Ormos Voudhia lies one mile to the south of Apollonia. There is good shelter from the Meltemi but the surroundings are unattractive with open cast mines and a wharf and ore carrier all in view.

Kimilos lies to the NE of Milos. There are two anchorages in Ormos Sikia in the SW of the island. They are exposed to the N - NW and unsuitable when the Meltemi is blowing. Pirgonisi is a long sandy beach on the south coast and yachts can anchor almost anywhere along it in attractive surroundings. Good holding on sand and weed. Psathi lies further along the coast to the east. Go bows to the quay or anchor off. There is little shelter from the Meltemi and yachts are advised to use this anchorage only in calm weather. There are a couple of tavernas ashore and limited provisions can be obtained in the village. Just to the north is Semina Creek andyachts can anchor in the bay. Like Psathi, there is little shelter from the Meltemi and Psathi should be used only in calm weather.

The in the NW of island of Poliagos there is a lovely secluded anchorage just to the south of the tiny island of Moanolsi. There is shelter from the Meltemi and good holding on the sandy bottom. On the south side ofthe island there are several coves that yachts can anchor in when conditions are calm.

Folegandros is another barren, rocky island with exception of the small Chora in the NE that lies among green trees and shrubs. The island's ferry port is Karavostasi. Go bow or stern to the mole on the south side of the arm extending westward. There is poor holding in places on sand and rock. There is reasonable shelter from the Meltemi. There are several tavernas but provisions can be difficult to obtain andthe island is totally reliant on deliveries by ferry. On the W side of Folegandros is the large bay, Ormos Vathi. It can only be used in calm weather and there is poor holding in places on sand and weed.

Sikinos lies to the E of Folegandros. Ormos Skala is the only harbour on the island. Yachts can go alongside the quay or anchor off. There are tavernas ashore and some provisions can be obtained. The setting is attractive and popular with Greek tourists.

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Adventure at Jaco Beach

9:43 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Travel destination

With only 2.5 hours (approx 117 km) drive from the capitol, San José, Jacó beach or playa Jacó is one of the most visited beaches in Costa Rica.

The long sandy beach has a shape and ocean floor that promotes big waves, very much to the delight of most surfers visiting Costa Rica.

The most common route to take when going from San José down to Jacó is to drive via Alajuela, continue to Atenas and further down the dark green slopes of the west side of Costa Rica until reaching San Mateo. Continue from there to Orotina and take highway 34 straight down to Jacó.

Also make sure to peek through the car windows when passing el rio tarcoles (tarcoles river) where you can see the natural habitat of the enormous crocodiles of the Tarcoles River and the mangroves.

The Beach
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The playa is a bit over 3km in length from one end to the other. It makes a nice walk and if your legs give up on you, the local taxis will be more then happy to help you out. You can also rent cars and bikes.

For reading, keep your eyes open and look for Jacó News, a monthly English language publication.

The surf is best in the rainy season from May to November, but depending on what you crave in size of waves; Jacó really can offer an all year surfing experience.

Sights of Jacó
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Jacó is really the kind of place where doers go. Not to much to see locally. Things you can do are rent kayaks, go deep sea fishing or take a sunset cruise. Horse riding is also very popular and most hotels can arrange that for you.

The latest craze to emerge in Jaco is paragliding and you can even go with a boat-plane to private beaches.

Places to go when in Jacó
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You can go with local tours to Carara National Park, La Catarata (waterfalls) and Tarcoles crocodile tours. You should also plan for a visit to playa Hermosa south of Jacó where you can take the canopy tour.

Some places to sleep in Jacó are, Jacó Fiesta, Club del Mar, Copacabana, Best Western Jacó Beach Resort and Apartotel Gaviotas.

Eating
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As Jacó is a quite big beach and a lot of tourism, you'll find a lot of places serving food. Visit Bananas, Chatty Cathy's, Emily'sto the north. La Fragata with pasta and fish. La Hacienda with mid priced snacks and La Ostra with fish as a specialty.

Bars & Nightclubs
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They come and go on almost a day to day basis. Two of the best are Central and Los Tucanes.

Shopping as what you expect on a tourist beach and if you run out of money, then visit Banco Nacional in the centre of town.

Finally, a warning
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Jacó has a bit too strong surf to really be a good place for small kids. Big waves, rip tides and under currents can be dangerous for someone young or unaccustomedto the sea.

And as always, when dealing the sea, be careful. The tide in Costa Rica changes the sea level many meters and can pull anyone out into the open sea.

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Vacation to Manila, Philippines

9:41 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Travel destination

The Philippines has recently gained itself a bad reputation due to all the political on-goings in the country. Clashes between rebel forces and the government, rumors of coup, status of emergency declarations, and even suspected links to the al Quaeda – no wonder some Western governments cannot help but release travel advisories against visiting this country.

Before you decide against a trip to Manila, you should bear in mind that the newspapers do not always give an accurate picture of a situation. Sensationalism is their business, and sensationalized news is what you usually get.

Manila is located in the northern island of Luzon. The terrorist stronghold is located in the southernmost part of the Philippines – two big islands away – in Mindanao. The status of emergency was indeed declared but civilians basically continued to live their normal lives even as it was in place.

It is very easy to get around in Manila. The jeepney is the Philippines' most common form of transportation. It is actually based on the US Army jeep but is longer and fits about 16-20 people. You can also get on buses, the Metro Rail Transit, and hire cabs. Language is not a major problem as even the people on the streets can speak rudimentary English.

Manila is well-known for its nightlife. You can find bars open until 3 or 4 in the morning. The Makati and Malate areas are where you can find the hottest clubs and bars. Makati is a bit more expensive but safer as well.

Malls abound in the metro. You can find anything from designer brands to nondescript but very cheap brands. Food is not a problem. Filipino food, American fast food, Japanese food – you can find anything there.

Filipinos are very hospitable by nature. You will be surprised at how friendly and helpful most of them are. It's actually a different form of racism – they seem to treat Caucasians in a much better way.

Cost of living and traveling is so much lower than in western countries. So if you have dollars or euros, chances are you will have no problems availing services that meet your standards. Hotels and other accommodations are abundant and easy to find.

If it is the beach you want, then you can opt to go out of the city. The nearest beach can be reached in about 4 hours from the city. You can take a plane to other parts of the country if you want to see more.

Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, Manila is a good place to visit. It will be a rich cultural experience for you.

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Michigan Getaways

9:39 AM | Labels: Travel Agent, Travel destination

As the season turns, it is time to consider a little vacation leisure time. If a Michigan getaway is on your menu, there are a lot of informal lodging options

Relaxing Lodgings for Michigan Getaways

Michigan is one of the most popular vacation spots in the Midwest. Situated between four Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Superior), this state has over 2000 miles of shoreline for excellent lakefront vacationing. Add to that the charm of the forest wilderness that abounds in Michigan, which includes great golfing, fishing and hunting, and the state becomes a great place to take a family vacation away from it all.

When you are thinking about taking a vacation in Michigan, why not choose to stay in one of the many vacation rentals that are more homey than hotels? Aside from being more rustic and outdoorsy, these cabin lodgings also offer families an affordable and fun place to stay. Available for long or short term rental, these cottages are perfect for family retreats and trips. Finding a relaxing lodgings that suit you is as easy as taking a look at the area you want to vacation in.

The beautiful area around Oscoda, Tawas City and Mackinac Island, Michigan is known as the "Sunrise Side", and it borders Lake Huron. Here, lodgings can be found on the sugar sand beaches of Lake Huron or on any of the smaller, more secluded lakes that are found in the vicinity. Some unique places to check out here are the Anchorage Cottages, located in Oscoda. Available with a weekly rental rate, these cabins are situated along 150 feet of sugar sand beach bordering Lake Huron. The Anchorage Cottages offer separate bedrooms, kitchens and living areas, as well as amenities such as water sports, swimming and fishing.

If you would prefer to stay in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there are also plenty of interesting little places to choose from. Here, A Cottage UP North, located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park, offers family vacation fun. UP North is actually a four season vacation home, which is available to be rented weekly year round. It sleeps ten with three bedrooms, and it is near both thestate park and Lake Superior. This gives you the opportunity to go water skiing, fishing, hiking or just loaf at a relaxed pace of life.

Whether you prefer to stay on a lake or in the mountains, Michigan offers the charm and economy families need and enjoy. Whether you plan on staying in Michigan for a few days or a week, relaxed vacation lodgings beat out hotels any day.

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Forgotten Royal Island

9:34 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Travel Agent

For a Mediterranean island with good year round weather, a friendly local English speaking population and facilities to rival that of any of her competitors, Malta is a suprisingly often forgotten island for many people planning a holiday in the Mediterranean.

Malta missed some of her own government's tourist targets in 2005, but a recent visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh resulted in four days of positive media coverage in the island's most important market – the United Kingdom – and also in over 50 other countries attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, including Canada and Australia.

The Queen began her official visit to Malta before she opened the meeting, and was warmly greeted by friendly islanders.

Malta was governed by the British for a hundred and fifty years, and became independent in 1964. But the island has retained many British characteristics, including driving on the left, and British visitors account for nearly half of the island's tourists.

The George Cross ranks with the Victoria Cross as Britain's highest award for bravery – and Malta was awarded the Cross in 1942 by King George VI for the island's resistance to German attempts to occupy the island, with Malta being under almost constant attack from June 1940.

As well as the challenge of drawing tourists away from other Mediterranean islands like Mallorca and Menorca, Malta has had to face the additional challenge of new holiday destinations in the former Eastern Bloc opening up, such as Bulgaria and Croatia, which tend to be cheaper.

Brighter Future

But where the Maltese tourist board has singularly failed to market the island's appeal to the mass holiday market with any degree of success in recent years, the Queen's visit has come at the right time for hotels and holiday companies hoping for a good 2006.

Tribune Properties, a British based company specialising in overseas properties including Malta comment:

'Malta is not a high priority on the list of holiday destinations for many British people compared to the Spanish Costas, Canary and Balearic Islands. The visit of the Queen showedMalta in a very positive light, and hopefully the island's tourist officials will be able to capitalise on the trip and increase hotel and holiday bookings in the months ahead. Given Malta's past record of promotion though if 2006 sees an increase in visitors it will be despite of the official promotions, and not because of it.'.

More good news for the Malta holiday industry came in October with the announcement that low cost airlines had been been given the right to fly to the island.

'This will help both the hotel and property industries in Malta' add Tribune. 'With the cost of getting to the island coming down, Malta should see her share of the short stay European holiday market increase substantially, increasing employment locally and benefitting the economy overall'.

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Caribbean Cruise

9:16 AM | Labels: Cruise, Travel destination

A longed for retreat is shared in the bright days of Caribbean. The beaches, the foods and all! What more would you ask?

The Caribbean is among the most in demand tourist spots in the world. So it is not surprising to see millions of vacationers flocking the Caribbean Islands.

Caribbean cruises are very popular as well. Cruising along the islands give vacationers the rare chance of exploring the entire wonders of this top class destination. Added to it are the fun that cruising entails; leisure at ones fingertips and luxury on the other.

Planning to go aboard a Caribbean Cruise is much easier compared to the hassles back then. Most Caribbean cruises have online portals, which make them easier to reach. Tour planners are sure to help you in your schemes with just a click of the button. They provide help that would be more than welcome especially on vacation periods when tourists abound.

While there may be a number of Caribbean cruises available at any time of the year, vacation periods are expected to be booked much earlier than normal. This then can make accommodations a challenge. You can access their web portals online and book instantly. However, you also must be choosy in the Caribbean cruise that you would want to book into.

The competition for taking the most number of passengers seems to be the ultimate motto for all cruise liners. In here, don't get trapped with the confusion of the game. Evaluate your purpose.

First, are you traveling with the family? Then it wise that you take a Caribbean cruise that will accommodate the youngest member up to the oldest of your party.

Check the facilities available. There are cruises that have equipments for childcare while there are those that does not have any.

Check also their programs for young adults and elders. With this, it would be a great idea to go on deck a Disney Cruise line where especially designed activities are made for both toddlers and teenagers. There are also themed presentations that focus on family.

Traveling on a budget? Caribbean cruises can also accommodate you with lines of medium-priced ships. However for those traveling without their minds on spending money, you will be amazed by the selections of cruises that will give you the best of everything, except only the entire sea! Take note of liners, which give high-endaccommodations like the Queen Mary II or the Silversea.

Yet, prior to any decision it is wise to get as much information as you would prefer to really know the differences of each cruise.

Each one in the lines of Caribbean cruises are made to cater individual needs while providing you options for ideal combinations of activities and prices and destination stops. Whether you are traveling on extravagance, touring with your family or simply would want to get away with the one you love, Caribbean cruises are sure to provide you with whatever you require.

There are basically two types of Caribbean cruises: the contemporary or value class and the Supreme or Luxury class.

The most popular among the contemporary class are the Royal Caribbean and Carnival, which cover almost the full section of the industry. These are especially created for the vacationers who are on the budget and for famous holidays.

Premium cruise lines on the other hand, offer superiority of service that is incomparable elsewhere however, they are considerably smaller in size. These include cruise lines such as Cunard and Seabourn that are among the most well known members of the industry.

For people who have the idea of making a Caribbean trip unique, there are cruises that cover especial tours in spots that are not normally reached by other cruise lines.

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Small Aircraft for Vacation

9:14 AM | Labels: Adventure Vacation

Anyone who has held their hand out of a car into the wind to play airplane already has a fundamental impression of control surfaces on the airplane.

When the heel of the palm went down, the airpressure under the hand pushed the hand up. That's called lift. The airflow over/under the hand changes with the shape of the hand or airfoil. If you had little cut-outs near your wrist, there wouldn't be as much lift.

The tail section contains control surfaces for keeping the plane stable and controllable.

1) Horizontal: The horizontal, non-moving part is called the stabilizer, and it prevents uncontrolled up-and-down motion of the nose. The small hinged sections on each side are called elevators, which work in unison. It is controlled by the cockpit control wheel/stick and increases or decreases lift. When forward pressure is applied on the wheel, theelevators move downward, which increases the length of the tail causing more lift, which forces the tail upward, causing the nose to drop. There is also a small hinged section in the elevator which is controlled by a small vertical wheel on the cockpit console which is used to finetune the elebator trim. Hense the name trim tab.

2) Vertical: The vertical non-moving part which prevents the nose from uncontrolled swinging side to side. The large hinged section is the rudder. The rudder is controlled by the foot pedals in the cockpit, and deflects the tail to the right or left.

The wings generate most of the lift to hold the plane in the air. Different models of aircraft will have wings of different shapes and in different vertical locations. On a Cessna, the wing is high, and on a Piper, it is low. On an F14, the can change from a forward angle to "swept back".

On most small planes, the wings also carry the fuel.

There are many control surfaces on a wing:

1) The aileron is the hinged part of the back of the wing towards the tip which is used to roll the wings from side to side. There is one on each side of the plane and they work opposite of each other. When one moves up, the other moves down.

2) Flaps are the hinged sections on the back of the wing near the fuselage. Flaps are deployed downward on takeoff and landing to increase the lift produced by the wing and allows the plane to fly at slower speeds.

3) Spoilers and Slats are used on high performance/commercial aircraft and also changed the aerodynamics of the wing.

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Cheap Hotel Reservation in Barrow

8:59 AM | Labels: Cheap Hotel Reservation

Situated on the coast line of North West England is a large town called Barrow in Furness, the town looks over the bay towards England's famous holiday area Blackpool on one side and has the historical isle of Walney on the other. The town is only a short drive away from one of the most beautiful areas of the UK, the Lake District national park and because of this the town can often provide a useful base for tourists and travelers.

There are plenty of hotels in Barrow to choose from, the town also has a lot of guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodations each with their own individual characteristics, from the friendly relaxed atmosphere of Roosecote farm houses who serve massive breakfasts in the morning to the ultra modern Travelodge hotel facilities in the middle of the town. Some of the guesthouses are converted Victorian buildings, however they have still kept the classic style of the age and look extraordinary.

If you are looking for a guest house or hotel in Barrow then you will find that many of them are located on Abbey Road, this is the towns main road which can make it much easier to get out and explore the Furness area. One such famous area to explore in Barrow is the 700 year old ruins of a Cistercian monk's abbey known as Furness Abbey, at one time the Abbey was the UK's second grandest Abbey and it is a very popular attraction. Keeping on the same theme near this famous abbey you can find the Abbey hotel with its large gardens. Sitting in 14 acres of its own private woodland the hotel has many facilities and can be booked for virtually any occasion such as weddings or parties. On the other side of the town is Walney island a great place for kite surfing, the island also has some great bed and breakfast places to stay at. No matter where you decide to stay in the area you can be sure that the service will be good and the stay will be pleasant, most of the family run guesthouses have been in business for a long time so they know how to make people feel welcome.

Thankfully now many of the hotels in Barrow in Furness now have their own websites so you can have a good look around and pick on you like the most. This also makes booking your place to stay much easier and whole break away from home run much more smoothly.

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Vacation Home Rental

3:09 PM | Labels: Travel Agent, Travel Rental

You love having a second home but the mortgage is putting a crater in your wallet. Many second home owners turn to renting their property as a vacation rental to help defray the costs of ownership. How do you price a vacation home rental without overcharging but making enough to cover your costs? Do your research.

Find out what other owners of, similar sized homes in the area are charging. You can ask a local real estate agent for a price range, scan local papers or go online. There are also vacation rental sites like eVaca.com. These types of sites have advertisements from owners around the world and weekly rates for the properties are listed.

The time of year you rent out a property is important as well. If you want to rent out a ski lodge in Vermont, August is not going to be your "high time" of year, but January will. If you are going to rent the property in an "off" time of year you will not be able to charge as much as if you were renting the property in a peak time.

You also want to figure out what lengths you want to rent your property for. A Florida property in July near the beach will go for top dollar for a week. However, that same property in January you might only attract the snowbirds who want to rent at a lower price and rent it out on a monthly basis. You have to answer questions like, "do I want to mess around with weekend or nightly rentals" and "is it worth the hassle"

Figure out how many weeks you need to rent your property in order to make a profit or at least pay the bills. Say you need to make $12000 a year in rental income. If, after looking at other rentals, a rate of maybe $1,000 a week seems reasonable than you know you need to rent the property out for at least 12 weeks a year. But you might have to rent for a few more weeks at a lower rate to make up for "off peak" times of the year or if you do not get someone to fill every vacant period.

Most important, do not forget to spend time in your own vacation home. Owning the property and not being able to enjoy it defeats the purpose of having that second home!

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Thing to do for cruise

3:05 PM | Labels: Adventure Vacation, Travel Tips

It seems like everybody these days is setting sail, cruising around the deep blue ocean on ships the size of small cities. Travelers return from their ocean adventures with strange and marvelous tales of grand movie theaters, huge climbing walls, water slides, and mounds of delicious food, but is this the reason why cruises have grown in popularity? What is it, exactly, that makes cruises so appealing to so many people.

Perhaps it's the price. Long cruises, especially, can be expensive, and port fees, cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare (if it's not included in the price), not to mention pricey shore excursions, can destroy your vacation budget. Just like with air travel, however, significant discounts can be found online and through travel agents, and when travelers factor in the meals, accommodation, and shipboard entertainment that are included in the fare, cruises can actually be pretty reasonable. There's also less room for the typical nasty surprises that accompany traveling to exotic locations on your own.

Unlike land tours, which offer a similar sense of security when traveling, cruises also allow passengers a great deal of personal freedom and the ability to set their own pace. If you don't feel like getting up for breakfast, then you can stay in your cabin and make it down in time for lunch. On a tour, if you miss breakfast, you might have missed the bus for the entire day, and you'll end up stuck in your hotel, while everyone else is seeing the sights. Cruises have a definite relaxation factor that accompanies the fact that you are, essentially, staying in a floating hotel, which is one reason why cruises attract passengers who are celebrating honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions.

The fact that cruises are actually carrying passengers from one port of call to the next with a minimum of fuss or fanfare is another reason for their popularity. Unlike planes, trains, or, God forbid, automobiles, passenger can sleep, eat, exercise, and even party while the ship is transporting them from point A to point B. As mentioned earlier, the pace is slower, but for many, that's a benefit rather than a drawback of cruise travel. Also, once you get to your port of call, you'll be all rested up for duty-free shopping (in the Caribbean, at least) or scuba diving or whatever draws you to exotic locales in the first place.

Traveling also entails meeting a lot of new people-some of whom are nice and some of whom are not nice. Dealing with nasty flight attendants, shady cab drivers, and grouchy hotel clerks can add a level of stress to travel that detracts from the sense of excitement and adventure that should accompany any vacation. Perhaps it's because everyone's so relaxed or perhaps it's because the staff is brainwashed (or desperate for a generous gratuity), but, in general, fellow travelers and staff on cruise ships seem to be a whole lot happier, nicer, and more accommodating than your average human being you encounter every day. Your fellow cruisers, who come from a variety of backgrounds, are not only happier but also more interesting to be around, and you're actually encouraged and able to socialize on a cruise.

But let's be honest. Nothing's more important to you than your stomach. Airlines understand that. It seems like, on some long-haul flights, attendants are walking around every hour with another opportunity to stuff your face. Airline food, however, will never be able to compete with cruise ship food. Food is often the highlight of a cruise experience. Whether it's at a buffet, in a dining room, or in your cabin, the food is delicious, and there's plenty of it. In fact, you might find yourself gaining a few pounds if you're not careful. Luckily, that's what vacation is all about. If you are worried about your waistline, there are plenty of opportunities to exercise and stay fit onboard.

Finally, one of the major reasons why cruise travel is growing in popularity is the variety it offers. Over 200 cruise ships float in the world's oceans and rivers today, and that number is growing by the year. Just like with air travel, there are the big names-Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival-and they each have their own fleet of ships. There are also smaller cruise lines, tailored to a specific region or for a specific purpose. These days, if you do your research, you can find the perfect cruise ship to fit your needs, wants and interests.

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Cruise Travel

3:03 PM | Labels: Travel Agent

Going on vacation with your loved ones can be an exciting and a fun experience for everyone. There are many possibilities when it comes to spending your vacation at sea. There is a cruise holiday that will suit everyone.You might ask yourself, "Where do I start?" Well, the first step is to figure out where you want to go. This might be the hardest step in planning your vacation but once you get past it, everything is a breeze.

There are cruises that go all over the world. Your choices could take you to Alaska or Venice and everywhere in between. Some factors that might help you in your decision-making are the possible ports you may want to visit, or cities of departure you prefer. You may want to depart from a city close to your home or a city you have always wanted to visit. This will limit your choices of ships embarking from those homeports.

Once you have figured out where you want to go, your next step is to decide what cruise company and ship you prefer. Today's cruise ships are some of the most innovative and advanced ships ever built. They offer many features that fit everyone's tastes. Some of the features include rock-climbing walls, self-leveling pool tables, ice-skating rinks and many shops and restaurants. These are just some of the many examples of what to expect from a cruise ship. There are many more amenities, as well as exciting activities that will make you forget to leave the ship even when you are at a port.

When choosing a cruise company, there are certain factors you will need to deal with before booking a reservation. First, read consumer reports regarding a ship's services. Then you confirm that they will actually stop at places they say they will. Remember that a happy occasion can easily become a very frustrating one quickly. The only way to prevent this is to be prepared and to do your research.

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Steps to design a tour or workshop

3:01 PM | Labels: Tour Tips

If you've dreamed of traveling the world and getting paid to do so, leading group travel is a good way to do it. I've combined the things I love best – leading groups, visiting France, making art and savoring the richness of travel – to create an enjoyable and lucrative income stream. I've been leading groups since 1994 and designing a workshop, enrolling people and providing a memorable experience for your participants is easier than you think. You can do it, too.

Developing a group tour or workshop takes imagination, time, and most importantly, good planning. From navigating your marketing strategies to designing course content to juggling the dozens of details, your success hinges on your organization.

The following four steps give you a sense of how to start developing your idea for a workshop, retreat or tour. Use them as a worksheet to begin today.

Start with your big picture vision. What do you want to do? What pain are you relieving for your potential participants? Perhaps you want to lead a healthy relationship group. Your participants are people who have failed at relationships and need tools and guidance to develop healthy ones. Write this down in a paragraph or two. Let your creativity out here. Feel free to draw, mind map or write about your big vision. As you're doing this, you'll get additional ideas. Use one notebook to capture everything. That way you have it in one place for when you sort it out later.

You'll lead, but who will follow? Who are you creating this wonderful experience for? Develop a profile of your ideal participant. Where does she shop, what are her interests, what publications does she read, what would she get from joining your group? Most importantly, what itch does your offering scratch? What problem does it solve? You want to make sure that there is a market for what you are offering before you create it. You'll need to know this for the next vital step.

Develop your marketing plan. Get a clear sense of what you will do to promote your offering. Your ability to relentlessly promote your tour, retreat orworkshop is the key to its success. You want to have strategies for online, in person, public relations approaches to getting the word out there. Don't shirk this step - spending plenty of time and being thorough here will help ensure your success.

Now you can dig into the fun stuff – designing the content of your tour, workshop or retreat. Go back to your original vision. What do you want people to take away from this experience? What is most important to you? Now, what elements do you need to have in place for that to happen?

Take time over a few weeks and use these steps to get started. Give yourself time to flesh out the dream and inch it toward reality. Then move toward bringing people together to share the journey with you as you create your group, tour or retreat.

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Enjoy your holidays & be healthy

2:56 PM | Labels: Travel Tips

Holiday season is the best among all seasons. Holiday season is the best for family gatherings, spending time with friends, and snowball battles. All of us want to enjoy holiday season. Several people feel migraine problems and severe headaches due to wrong strategy of spending holidays. You should follow some guidelines to enjoy wonderful holidays.

Following are some ideas that will definitely help you to make great holiday season:

During holidays try to eat little of everything whatever you want because holidays means fun not eating! Eat little instead of joining a gym after holidays.
Avoid potatoes & stuffed food. You should eat more vegetables during holidays to be fit and fine.
Don't spend your holidays in watching TV. You should spend your time with your nears & dears.
Make a list of important activities that you want to do during holidays. This will reduce your tension and headache.
You should also make a budget for your holidays and be familiar with your limitations. Don't try to create more social events.
You may also handover some of your important tasks to a responsible person who is able to perform those tasks efficiently.
Get familiar with your financial limitations and also don't try to cross your spending limit.
Don't forget to take rest because you've to go back to your work after holidays.
Do your regular exercises and drink plenty of water and juices.
Find some different ways that can make you happy. Forget the difficulties of past and be ready to enjoy your future.
Don't spend a lot on travel. You should try to participate in the festivals, marriages, birthday parties and other lovely occasions.
Always spend your holidays with your caring friends, colleagues and family members.
And of course don't forget to laugh.

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Best Deals on Hotel Lodging

2:54 PM | Labels: Cheap Hotel Reservation, Travel Agent

There is no doubt that hotel costs are among the biggest part of any vacation budget, and the failure to find affordable lodging has harpooned many an otherwise well planned vacation. One of the keys to enjoying a great vacation without breaking the bank is striking the best possible deal on the roof over your head.

Fortunately, the internet has made the process of finding a great hotel deal much easier. There are some great hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast deals out there, and the internet has made them easier to find than ever.

Booking ahead is essential, as is shopping around. You simply cannot expect to simply show up at a hotel and get a good rate. Most hotel chains reserve their best room rates, and they limit their numbers. Once those low cost rooms are booked, they are simply no longer available.

It is also important to book ahead because it can be difficult to gauge the demand for lording in a particular area, even if you are familiar with your destination. Special events of which you are unaware could cause a spike in hotel demand, and hotel prices, and leave you either paying an arm and a leg for a place to sleep, or, worse yet, find yourself without a place to stay at all.

It is also important to take advantage of all discounts to which you may be entitled, and not be shy about asking for discounts. Manyhotel chains and independent hotels offer discounts to those in the military, senior citizens, and members of travel clubs like AAA. If you think you are entitled to a discount, be sure to ask, and be sure to verify that the discount has been applied when you arrive.

In addition, many hotel chains offer programs that are similar to airline frequent flier programs. These programs reward loyal guests with free nights and other rewards. It is important to sign up for these programs whenever you can. Most of these programs are free, so signing up will cost you nothing, and you could end up with a free hotel stay.

When looking for those great hotel deals, a number of web sites compare hotels by price, star level, and even proximity to certain tourist attractions. It is always best to search several of these sites, since not allhotel chains participate in every comparison site.

There is no doubt that finding a great hotel rate will take some time and some hard work, but it is very important to keeping your travel budget under control. The cost of lodging often represents at least half, and often much more, of the total cost of a vacation. It is easy to see, then, how getting the best possible deal on your hotel can keep your cost level low and your vacation fun level high.

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Private Jet Charter Operators

2:52 PM | Labels: Travel Rental

Flying with the airlines can be a time consuming as well as risky proposition for businessmen as well as for people of wealth. If you absolutely, positively must get somewhere fast you are putting your trust in a system that is overcrowded, inconvenient, and failing when you fly with the airlines. What are your options? Rent or lease a private jet. The following list features some of the leading private jet charter operators in the U.S.
Atlantic Aviation Flight Services
Automotive Air Charter
Avjet Corporation
Business Jet Services
Clay Lacy Aviation
Delta AirElite
Elite Aviation
Executive Jet Mgt
FirstFlight Management LLC
Flightworks
Hop-A-Jet
Jet Aviation
Key Air
Million Air
New World Aviation
Petersen Aviation
Priester Aviation
PrivatAir
Regal Aviation
Richmor Aviation
TAG Aviation
The Air Group
Trans-Exec Air Service

One common thread with each of the operators is that they fly large cabin aircraft. This group is defined by -- but not limited to -- the following types of aircraft:

Gulfstream 450; 550
Boeing Business Jet
Canadair Challenger 604
Bombardier Global Express; 800
Falcon 2000

In each case you get the security of having two highly trained FAA licensed pilots and you can opt for a corporate flight attendant to provide cabin services and safety assistance. These are no King Airs, Lears, and Westwinds you will be flying. Many rent for $7000. per hour on up, but when you are talking about closing on a merger or acquisition in the morning in Dallas and being back in your Boston office in the afternoon, the price is inconsequential.

There are also several operations that will allow you to purchase a portion of a jet. No, you don't get a wing only, rather -- much like a timeshare -- you get to use a private jet operated by one of the providers. Chief amongst these specialized providers are:

Netjets
Flexjet
Flight Options
CitationShares

A third option is to approach one of the private jet aircraft brokers who will arrange the trip for you. Chief amongst these types of providers are:

Sentient
Gold Jets
Bluestarjets
Marquis Jet
AirRoyale

All in all, private flying is where it's at. If you live in the New York area, you can fly out of convenient Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and land at Van Nuys Airport near Los Angeles. By avoiding Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark airports you save precious time and land unruffled in L.A. Who can put a price tag on that?

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Cruise Ship Living

2:50 PM | Labels: Adventure Vacation

Well, living on a Cruise Ship is catching on.

Quite a few couples are now subscribing to world cruises and it is affecting the Cruise Ship industry.

In 2006 the Holland America Line is experiencing a 20 percent increase in the number of cruises longer than 12 days.

For 2007, the demand for world cruises for Cunard is so great the company is having two world cruises, including the Queen Mary 2's first voyage around the world, an 80-day journey.
Silversea Cruises, a very, very exclusive Cruise Line has just launched a series of voyages of 34 to 123 days and is having its first around-the-world cruise in 2007.

And Crystal Cruises Inc. spokeswoman Mimi Weisband said that they saw a record number of bookings for this year's 106-day world cruise.

Why is this happening?
Nobody likes flying anymore. It is not relaxing, you are stuffed like sardines in a tin can, you have to bring your own lunch, and have to take off your shoes.

Now think about cruising.
You've got your house with you, wherever you go, just like a turtle.
You get taken care of, whatever you need. Medical Care is close by, so are 10 bars and 4 restaurants open 24 hours a day in most cases.

You don't have to pack and unpack every day as with regular vacations, you can spend leisurely days playing pingpong and shuffleboard and relaxing with longtime friends.
The key selling theme for these long cruises is COMFORT.

You can see and do exotic things from 10 AM to 12 PM, go for lunch, and do more exotic things from 2 PM till 7 PM and then have a 10 course supper.

After supper there is a free show every night.

Perfect life
Rather than sitting in a summer cottage staring at the walls, on a cruise you have your social life built in, with 2000 possible friends.

Cruise lines say another key attraction is that now you can visit plenty of far-flung destinations - such as Hawaii and Tahiti- without dealing with airport security and other hassles.
The funny thing is that these Cruises are no longer exclusively populated by retired Seniors, but are becoming populated by entrepreneurial 40- and 50-people, who can turn the ship into a virtual, floating office.

You can successfully run a business from being on a ship, because of Wireless Internet Access worldwide available on these Cruise Ships.

Destinations are also being changed by the Cruise Ship industry; more and more exotic itineraries are being visited, because people like change, and if you have never seen the Pyramids, now is your chance on a 12 day Cruise.

The costs of a world cruise are no longer prohibitive, in 2005 a 100 day cruise could be had for $16,000 per person, that is $160 a day for travel, food, guided tours, shows and companionship.

Some people do this in their 30's, saying that they want to enjoy this while they can.
Others do this after they get a divorce, as a consolation prize to themselves.

As the demand for World Cruises increases, at some point in time entrepreneurs are going to buy a Cruise Ship at a reasonable price and are going to turn it into Condominiums.

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