A Ticket Booth

Guidebooks and travel magazines are helpful when trying to choose hotels, excursions, or a destination for your next vacation. Travel agents are even better. But what could be less biased and more helpful than no-holds-barred, word-of-mouth comments and comparisons of trips made by other travelers just like you. This is the idea behind MyTripReport.com, a web site devoted to consumer reviews – called “trip reports” – that provides these honest assessments for destinations all over the globe, sometimes with dozens of reviews for a single hotel or destination.

At MyTripReport.com members post their trip reports in three easy steps, and can even include photos of their trip within their report. The site is simple, uncluttered and very easy to navigate. Members can then send their family a link to their report and share their vacation and photos easily with their loved ones, friends, and even with strangers on message boards and within newsgroups. And trip reports are just as easy to locate; searching can be done by destination, resort, vacation theme, cruise ship, or by member name.

MyTripReport.com also includes a photo gallery of many destinations, including photos of many Caribbean resorts. A number of travel tools are also available on the site, including Government travel advisories, currency converters, airline seating maps, plus many more.

Word-of-mouth is such an invaluable tool available to us, it’s nice not to be totally dependant on squeaky-clean hotel websites and travel brochures.

About The Author

Leasa is from Vancouver, BC, Canada leasa@inspiringweb.com

Its no use saying you dont like to gamble. Gambling is a everyday factor. We gamble at home, in our professions and in life in general.

We take a risk every time we get out of bed. So online gambling is really not that big a deal.

Most people love Las Vegas and have heard about the Golden Nugget one of the oldest casinos in downtown Vegas. Gambling in the Golden Nugget is sort of a dream come true and yet, not many people can afford to travel that far. Its only Vegas I know but time, money and family is always a factor and people just dont wnat to risk a vacation in vegas.

So now we bring Vegas to you. Gamble online at http://banner.24ktgoldcasino.com/cgi-bin/redir.cgisara01

The online Golden Nugget Casino where we bring you the charm of Vegas to your doorstep.

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About The Author

Sara Sentor http://banner.24ktgoldcasino.com/cgi-bin/redir.cgisara01

An online casino is essentially a virtual land casino. While the games and the rules may be the same the environment and strategies change causing the online casino to become an independent entity. Consider the online casino sites at http://www.top-ten-internet-gambling-online-casino-sites.com/online-casino-chart.html

This means that while you may be a professional gambler at a land based casino in Las Vegas in an online casino on the internet it’s a whole new game.

The odds and risks involved in an online casino game change and it’s essential that you learn some strategies suggested by professional online casino gamblers so that you can play the online casino games with better odds. http://www.top-ten-internet-gambling-online-casino-sites.com/online-casino-chart.html

The online casino that you choose to play at will make or break your game. Every online casino has its own strategies to lure the players and allow the house to win. In order to ensure that the online casino at which you play is the one which will if not beat the house odds at least give you an even chance to win we recommend that you follow the following strategies:

1. Play at an online casino that offers the latest state of the art gaming zone. An online casino that has the PWC reviews and the player return numbers is reassuring as it shows that it’s an online casino where professionals astute and knowledgeable about their online casino games, play.

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2. 24/7 online casino support is essential. If an online does not have a 24/7 support numbers do not risk your money there. Online casinos are a risky place and you have to ensure that all odds are on your side. Playing at an online casino that does not offer support increases your chance of losing your money. The 24/7 support number will ensure that there are no confusions about the rules and any doubts that you may have will be clarified.

3. Do not choose an online casino because it appears in the top ten list of the search engine through the key words you choose. Many sites may advertise their site and appear in the search engines this does not mean they are trust worthy. Its always safer to follow a guide or a Top Ten Site recommendation as you can be sure of the professionalism of the sites advertised as they offer programs that are long lasting rather than temporary. You can be sure your money is safe at such a site.

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4. There are tens of online casino sites. Choose the ones that offer high bonuses and rewards. These online casinos will ensure that every dollar that you put in is stretched as much as possible so that you get the most play out of the least dollar.

5. Online casinos may offer interactive sites but if your are a professional you may opt for the state of art games at a simple site this will ensure that you do not get distracted with music, pop ups and other such gimmicks used to entertain and distract the players from their winning streak. Concentrate.

6. Play at US based online casinos that are if not licensed at least within your reach if they do not pay your winnings. The support number and US presence is essential for an online casino.

7. Once the online casino of your choice has been picked do not jump from casino to casino. That can be dangerous as many online casinos are scams and will disappear within a few months. If you get bored of one casino play at another casino of the same organization. Most regular online casino sites have a network of casinos offering players the most variety within the same terrain.

8. The Top Ten Online Casino Guide has the list of online casinos that feature only the casino sites with large networks. The online casino sites listed here are US based, professional offer 24/7 support, have licensed back ups and offer rewards and bonuses that give you the most money and online casino can offer.

So gamble at http://www.top-ten-internet-gambling-online-casino-sites.com/online-casino-chart.html and beat the odds!

About The Author

More articles are avilable at: http://www.top-ten-internet-gambling-online-casino-sites.com/online-casino-articles.html

Whether your flying out of Oakland International for business or leisure, we all know how parking at Oakland Airport can frustrate any human being. The lack of space, the price, the thought of your car being at an unsafe, insecure lot. As a frequent flyer myself, I understand that the person who only travelers maybe twice a year or 20 times year, the same holds true. Airport Parking is the toughest part of the trip. I have compiled a list of reason why it is extremely advantageous to “reserve” your airport parking before your trip out of Oakland Airport.

Reason 1: You will save money. The website I use is www.parkingaccess.com. They negotiate lower rates from the parking facility and offer them to you. You book online by making a deposit of the 1st day of parking, plus a small convenience fee. The 1 day of parking is then deducted from the total bill when you exit the facility. Parkingaccess.com provides you with a total quote as well. For instance, if you’re planning a trip for 7 days, parkingaccess.com will quote you 7 days, but only require the first day to be paid online. When you leave the facility, you’ll be responsible for only the remainder, or 6 days of parking.

Reason 2: You will save time. When you reserve airport parking, you know exactly where you are parking and that you have a guaranteed space. Unlike on-airport parking, where you drive up and down the rows looking for a space, the facilities that parkingaccess.com works with guarantee your space and directs you to it.

Reason 3: You car is safe and secure. Parkingaccess.com does a fabulous job making sure the parking facilities they work with; live up to the highest standards of customer service and security. Facilities are fenced, lighted, and open 24/7.

Reason 4: Never get lost again. After making your reservation, parkingaccess.com provides you with a map and directions that you can easily print out and bring with you on your way to the airport. We’ve all been there, trying to find a facility a friend or colleague told you about and waste 20-30 minutes searching for it.

Reason 5: Customer Satisfaction. Unlike on-airport parking, where you wait and wait for a shuttle bus to come pick you up, parkingaccess.com parking facilities either valet your car, or follow you to your car when you enter the lot. The shuttle bus drivers will even help you with your luggage and drive you immediately to your terminal, FREE of charge.

If only to look through the site to find information about the parking options at Oakland Airport, I highly suggest you visit the site before your next trip.

Parkingaccess.com will also assist you with any questions by emailing them at care@parkingaccess.com. Your trip starts and ends with parking, why not make it an experience you will remember, not dread to do again the next trip you make.

About The Author

Mr. Gregory Bessoni provides editorial on airport parking. Mr. Gregory Bessoni is the CEO and Founder of parkingaccess.com, one of the leaders on the Internet of providing airport parking reservations and airport hotel park and fly reservations. greg@parkingaccess.com

MADRID – ThinkExist.com, a comprehensive quotation search engine with over 90,000 quotations from 11,000 authors, has selected ten books for satisfying summer reading. Whether on the beach or a coffee break, this collection will surely engage and relax the most demanding readers.

1. American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power. By Thomas Reppetto. John Macrae/ Holt, $26. The story of the rise of the Mafia in America. Reppetto’s tale chronicles organized crime from the 1880s to post-WWII with a self-assured grasp of his subject. American Mafia is an extraordinary journey through Americas criminal subculture.

2. City Boy. By Jean Thompson. Simon & Schuster, $24. A newlywed couple moves into a Chicago apartment to find that their idyllic relationship is jolted by their chaotic surroundings and their own hidden fears.

3. Ghostfires. By Keith Dixon. St. Martins, $23.95. This incendiary first novel is a compelling depiction of the downward spiral of a wealthy family saddled with addictions that threaten their survival.

4. Hard Revolution. By George Pelecanos. Little, Brown, $24.95. Derek Strange, an African-American private eye, is the hero of Pelecano’s look at crime and its victims in Washington. The novel, told in flashbacks, travels to 1968 and revisits a family tragedy set against the death of Martin Luther King.

5. Natalie Wood: A Life. By Gavin Lambert. Knopf, $25.95. A contemplative look at an American icon that portrays her intelligence, vulnerability and foreboding fear of dark waters.

6. No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley. By Rita Marley with Hettie Jones. Hyperion, $22.95. This stirring memoir recounts Rita Marley’s life in the shadow of Bob Marley, the reggae hero, whose infidelity and religion intruded on their marriage.

7. Reds: McCarthyism in Twentieth-Century America. By Ted Morgan. Random House, $35. The rise of the senator from Wisconsin, whose paranoid struggle to eradicate Communism changed the course of American history.

8. Sepharad. By Antonio Muñoz Molina. Harcourt, $27. The author’s attempt to bring to light the lives that deserve to be told lest they fade from memory as if they had never existed results in a startling recollection of Spain’s past.

9. Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon. By Aram Goudsouzian. University of North Carolina, $29.95. An insightful biography of the pioneering artist who lived trapped between his talent and the reality of a racially divided America.

10. The Sleeping Father. By Matthew Sharpe. Soft Skull, paper, $14. This engaging rendering of a suburban Connecticut family, the Schwartz’s, is told through Chris, who observes that ‘‘anyone who didnt embrace irony was a fool, because whether you embrace irony or not, sooner or later irony embraces you.

For quotes on these authors and subjects, visit ThinkExist.com, Internet’s most comprehensive interactive quotations page.

About The Author

Mark A. Lugris Public Relations Director ThinkExist.com mark.lugris@thinkexist.com

Our trip to Thailand had been long awaited, originally planned for the winter of 94/95. My wife Karin had bought the maps and books and even packed; we were off. The balloon was ready at Thunder and Colt with a heavy duty basket tailor made for hard use overseas. And then they went bust. The delay meant that we missed the relatively short window available for flying in Thailand. So it was rainy old England for most of the winter and a rethink of the plan for us. I had been asked to go out there by Jon Nunns having previously worked for him in South Africa flying passenger ride balloons.

Jons interest in Thailand comes from several commercial tours hes probably had the most experience of flying in Thailand. Sky balloons agent in Thailand managed to sell one of the first balloons to roll off the production line to a pair of business men who wanted to learn to fly and fly advertising banners in I come again, this time to train and point them the right way.

So after a fantastic summer passenger flying in England, it was off on a Quantas Jumbo from a snowy December Heathrow. We caught a connecting flight from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, a city in the North which was hosting the South East Asia Games, SEA games our first port of call. Jon, returning from SAGA, was there for three days to ease us into things.

Our hosts had managed to find sponsors a cell phone company and we had a busy schedule ahead. The city was humming with activity related to the games and it was great fun to be there. We generally flew across the city in the mornings and over the main stadium in the evenings.

The stadium itself was about 10km from the centre of the city and lay under an east facing slope which of course moved into shade in the evening allowing us to fly over the stadium and away into open countryside, the mornings had the ability to take us up the slope and away to the west which was not a good idea as there was about 50km of forest and national park before the next road.

It was always fairly calm and finding places to land was not a problem. We were not alone in the air a Carlsburg balloon had been shipped in from Europe and a Cameron Gas airship from America. Strangely neither thought to visit or call the international airport 8km south of the stadium. This caused some amount of trouble as Thais love complicated permissions to fly and neither had any. As we did have permission we were contactable and received some amount of flack from their CAA. We smoothed the path quite well for them, prison was mentioned on more than one occasion!

The airship did a fantastic job seemingly never out of the air and carrying a TV camera beaming live pictures from the stadium. During the evening we tethered next to the stadium and the airship still plodded around dropping leaflets.

Thais are football fanatics and the Asian cup was also held during the games in the evening. Our tethers coincided with all the home team games. As Thailand progressed through the ranks tickets sold out and it started to get ugly at the gates. For the semi final the fans burnt down the ticket tents in protest and several thousand extra tried to get in causing an outbreak of police brutality.

We tethered high allowing us to see the matches and carried PR people, they tended to want to stay up a while as we had the best view in the house!

On the first and last day of the games we flew into the stadium itself, the first flight by Jon, with me on board and the last by myself. What a fantastic feeling when you drop over the edge of the stadium roof and come to a dead stop amid all that noise and then pile out again, really good fun, it comes highly recommended!

The flights over the city were also commendable. The airport required us to stay below 1000 and if we required to fly higher then we had to call them on VHF. It worked well and of course flying across temples at low level was fascinating. Chaing Mai old city lies within a square canel and contains some 300 temples in total. It was here that we aimed to overfly every day. The River Ping winds its way to the east of the old city and was very handy for big direction changes. As a rule most wind directions could be found and staying over the city centre for an hour or so and then climbing and departing was fairly easy.

I have to say that Northern Thais seemed more fun loving than their Southern countrymen. To this end they enjoy letting off fireworks and tissue balloons carrying balls of burning rag to keep them aloft. Not uncommon to see 10 or so cross the night sky glowing red when drinking a beer. They climb quite high as well I flew with some at 3000. On a couple of occasions, on landing villagers let off tissue balloons in our honour. They also flew bigger ones with strings of fireworks blasting away underneath. All good stuff for balloonists to watch. The last night of the games saw the launch of in excess of 1000 of these balloons in about 10 minutes from all around the stadium, and as it was a calm night it was the prettiest balloon thing Ive ever seen.

So once that was all over it was off to Bangkok eight hours South by road. Unbeknown to myself we had come to the notice of the Prime Ministers office and were sought out for a job!

The deputy Prime Minister, Thakasin Shinawat, had said on coming into office early in 1995, that by the middle of January 1996 or 2539 as it is over there he would sort out Bangkoks traffic problems. He has been pouring millions of Baht of his own money into what is basically an impossible task. He has also been doing all sorts of stunts to show the people that he is trying to remedy the situation.

We were asked to fly him over Bangkok to observe the traffic from the air, this being in their words, a low cost solution. Permissions obviously had to be sought. We were summoned for our first meeting with the CAA on Christmas Day, at 10 Oclock, everybody apparently finding it amusing that I was missing my Christmas day. On arriving it transpired that they didnt really want us to fly as it is a military state and they didnt want me to see anything I shouldnt. The Kings Palace is a no no to fly over as you should never have your head higher than his! However the civilian run Prime ministers office had put big pressure on and they felt they had to relent and by the way, what could we tell them about the other balloon and airship in Chaing Mai are you getting the picture that this is a warning. It transpired that we held the winning hand but they really had to tell us they did not like it first. There one and only request was that I didnt fly higher than 500. Now what! a pleasure. Royal helicopters fly at 800 so that was that. I walked away on Christmas days with a piece of paper that ordered me to fly not above 500 AGL wherever I liked! A trip then to the tower at Bangkok International to let them know what was happening and pick up an air chart. They already knew all about us and wouldnt give me an air chart: military secrets and all that. If Id known I could have brought them in England before we left!

Thus it came to pass that I was doing balloon traffic reports over the city of Bangkok with the deputy Prime Minister on board and a film crew and five TV crews following through the traffic. We flew two days doing four flights. The flights themselves were pretty exciting to the point that I wouldnt rush to do them again. The tallest building is getting on for 1000 and we flew right between a bunch of them of course stopping all the traffic as we went. For those that know we launched from just above Siam Square and flew across generally towards the Queen Siriket Convention centre and then over the river. The 500 level became a real pain in the afternoons as the OAT was some 37C and thermals were popping off all over the place I may or may not actually flown quite a bit higher at the beginning of these flights and came down when it cooled down, but perhaps Id set the altimeter incorrectly!

So after all the fun and games it was off to train three people in total: our agent and the two business men. To start with we went off to Rayong a Province to the SE of Bangkok renowned for its beach resort Pattaya. The guys for some reason where keen to train there. Unfortunately it proved too coastal and the sea breeze knocked out the evening flights and the land breeze in the mornings. Our permission was only for a 25 km square so we couldnt go any further inland.

Not a problem as one of the guys had relatives with a farm near Kanchanaburi, home of the bridge over the river Kwai in the west of the country. It was here that most of the training was done. It was an ideal area for ballooning, being generally flat with occasional 5-600 foot hills popping up like islands. The fields are mainly of Sugar Cane roughly three quarters and the rest are rice paddies. Everything went fine and after three return trips to Bangkok on business the guys where ready. They will be travelling to England to take their PPLs shortly.

One more surprise lay in store. Seeing as the flying into the stadium in Chaing Mai had gone so well I was asked to fly into another with a football to start The Thai football league. Not such a big deal but the stadium as 500 metres from the sea with houses all the way to it. Luck was on our side once more and after two days of strong monsoon winds on the day in question it was calm. We inflated behind a five story building which was right next to the stadium and bang on for the wind direction. The signal for us to launch was a series of fireworks the ninth being our go. At the practices which we couldnt fly into because of the wind we made sure that the marching bands had left and we had a clear stage. You know whats coming next.1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 Go, we rose from behind the building to see that everybody was still stood there,down between them all I came our official hopped out with the football and handed it to the President of Yamaha and we quickly deflated the balloon,! no way was I going to fly out of that one!

So thats briefly it, I havent touched on the really infuriating stuff, the stuff thats supposed to add character afterwards. Ill let you find out all those bits for yourselves.

If you are interested in going out there then the man to contact In fact the head man of the brand new Balloon Club Of Thailand is:-

YUTAKIT WANICHANOND 125/135 CHANGWATANA ROAD PAKRET NONTABURI 11120 THAILAND FAX 584 0042

To update the story in June 04, the deputy Prime Minister became the Prime Minister and is poised to buy a share of Liverpool Football club in the UK. I have since flown in Australia, Kenya and am now back in South Africa with my own ride business. http://www.airborneadventuresafrica.com

Gary Mortimer

About The Author

Gary Mortimer A commercial hot air balloon pilot that has flown throughout the world. Currently living and working in South Africa. balloonsafaris@hotmail.com

Locating the best airline prices on discount airfare just got easier. It used to be a cumbersome, time consuming task to buy your airline tickets, but not anymore. The ball really has shifted into the court of the traveler. No need to contact a travel agent and wait for them to get back to you. Today, you decide where and when you want to go, enter a few keystrokes into your computer and, like magic, all the information on airline prices on discount airfare and decision-making tools are at your fingertips.

Do you want to find the best airline prices on discount airfare for travel to Las Vegas No problem, a few minutes on the computer and youll be all set. Do you want to locate a company that offers streamlined airline prices on discount airfare to Cancun Simply enter your destination, when you want to travel and your set.

All the information you need for cheap airline prices on discount airfare is on the internet.

These are amazing times we live in. Take advantage of the power of computers to find the best airline prices on discount airfare with offers far below what you could have found just a few years ago. Remember that when shopping for discount airline prices on discount airfare online you should know when you want to leave and how long you plan to be gone. Simply type in your time of travel and very quickly youll receive back the answer you need.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheaptickets.html

Each major airline now gives you the opportunity to find information about airline flights and discount airfare and cheap tickets on the internet. One reason that each airline does this is because so many people now have access to computers..

What does that mean to you as a traveler It means that as you search for airline flights and discount airfare you can be very selective as to when you go and who you fly with.

Each Airline offer airline flights and discount airfare discounts on the internet.

Heres another tip that many people dont know about. If you called an airline reservation desk and asked for airline flights and discount airfare information to a given city, you would be quoted a rate that may not be the lowest you could find. Many times youll find that the cheap airfares are only offered on the internet, because when booking your airline ticket online your not taking up staff time or costing them telephone expenses.

If youve never done it before, explore the exciting options available to you when booking your next airline trip by doing your research on the internet.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheaptickets.html

Locating and purchasing the best airline fares for your flights just got easier. It used to be a cumbersome, time consuming task to find the best airline fares for your flights, but not anymore. The ball really has shifted into the court of the traveler. No need to contact a travel agent and wait for them to get back to you. Today, you decide when and where you want to go, enter a few keystrokes into your computer and, like magic, all the information and decision- making tools are at your fingertips.

Do you want to find the best airline fares for your flights for travel to Las Vegas No problem, a few minutes on the computer and youll be all set. Do you want to find cheap airline tickets to Cancun Simply enter your destination, when you want to travel and your set.

An abundance of airline fares for your flights information on the internet.

These are amazing times we live in. Take advantage of the power of computers to find airline fares for your flights far below what you could have found just a few years ago. Remember that when shopping for the best airline fares for your flights online you should know when you want to leave and how long you plan to be gone. Simply type in your time of travel and very quickly youll receive back the answer you need.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheaptickets.html

Imagine choosing from several all inclusive vacations and discount airfare where everything is taken care of for you. Once you board the airplane youll be pampered and cared for as you start the most wonderful trip of your life. Thats because when you choose from one of many all inclusive vacations and discount airfare, youll find that to the staff and professionals who attend to your every need, youre the most important person on that trip.

Whether youre planning a wedding, a honeymoon or the perfect family vacation, youll find that choosing from the many all inclusive vacations and discount airfare that are available will be just what you need to settle down and relax.

all inclusive vacations and discount airfare can take you anywhere in the World.

Whether youre looking for white, sandy beaches in Hawaii or warm, tropical breezes as you travel Mexico, youll find that purchasing a package that includes your airfare, hotel and sightseeing, is the easy, affordable, and fun way to forget about everything and simply enjoy.

With so many all inclusive vacations and discount airfare to choose from, its important that when planning your vacation you take the time to consider where and when you want to travel. Winter time can be especially dreary if you live in a cold, wet climate. Why not get away from it all for a few weeks and soak up some sun, surf and sand with a vacation that includes it all.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheapcruises.html

Alaska cruises can offer some of the most pristine, natural beauty youll ever see on your vacations. Beautiful crystal clear inlets of water found no where else in the world. Icebergs and sheer cliff walls rising thousands of feet into the air. Choosing from among the many Alaska cruises will be easy and fun; making your vacations an exciting and rewarding experience.

Deciding which of many Alaska cruises is right for your vacations.

One thing to decide is when you want to go. Many people favor the month of August because the weather and temperature are favorable to being outdoors. Another consideration to keep in mind for Alaska cruises and vacations is which direction on the ship youd like your cabin to face. Inside cabins are less expensive while outside facing cabins offer the convenience of stepping onto your balcony and seeing the many splendid sights. Dressing warmly and comfortably is another consideration, especially if youre susceptible to being cold at night. Also, be sure and bring along a good pair of binoculars to see the sights. Many times your cruise ship will pass by a stunningly close to an immense block of ice; youll want to see every detail that up close.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheapcruises.html

Most people envision Las Vegas as one big casino. Admittedly I was one of them, until I undertook the ride of a lifetime. Imagine soaring hundreds of feet above canyons of red and orange, walking over rocks that been sculpted by mother nature herself and floating down a river of dreams. These are the images that I will carry with me forever when I think of Las Vegas, Nevada.

After taking a break from about twelve hours of straight gambling, my father and I looked at each other and thought there must be more to Vegas than jangling slot machines and endless booze. So we asked our friendly concierge, at the Mandalay Bay Resort, for some suggestions and he arranged for the champagne lunch helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon.

Wonderful we thought, it looked good in the movies, might as well give it a shot. Neither of us was prepared for the adventure that we were about to take.

The helicopter company sent a limo to pick us up at the hotel. The ride lasted about five minutes then we were dropped off at the helicopter launch. Fellow passengers from all over the world chatted and waited for our journey to begin.

Moments later we took off for one of the waiting helicopters, with our pilot leading the way. Attractive and intelligent, in a boy next door kind of way, he quickly showed us how father and I ended up in a helicopter of our own because several of the other passengers decided to just fly over the canyon. The tour we chose actually had us landing on the bottom.

We soared for about a half an hour over a canvas which included every color imaginable painted by dessert, mountains and the Colorado river. Within thirty minutes of smooth flying we were over the canyon and able to see the landing pad, set in the middle of tumbleweed, mountains and cacti. As we disembarked the pilot helped us climb down the stone and dirt pathway to a little boat dock, where we met a family from Britain that would be our companions on our champagne lunch down the Colorado river.

The boat captain was a tiny oriental man with sparkling eyes and a rich sense of humor. He handed out our picnic baskets and regaled us with stories of how the Grand Canyon was created. He also had the sense to stop periodically and help us get the most amazing shots of the canyon. He seemed to know every rock and ridge and was able to point out eagles and faces carved into the rock by millions of years of erosion.

At the end of our Las Vegas helicopter tour we flew back to the original launch and took our limo back to the hotel, content, awestruck and absolutely certain that we would return to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and our Las Vegas helicopter tour.

About The Author

Caterina Christakos is an international travel writer. For more free articles on Las Vegas go to http://www.lasvegashotelandcasinoreview.com stockoptions101@yahoo.com

Air Travel and vacations, to get on a plane and go somewhere, can be one of lifes most rewarding experiences. Its so exciting to contemplate an exotic or relaxing destination, for no other reason than to just get away. Half the fun of air travel and vacations, or any trip for that matter, is the anticipation of waiting for the day of departure to arrive.

You know how it is; youre busy with your work and career, deadlines, meetings etc. One afternoon you look over at the calendar and realize that in only 6 weeks, a mere 42 days, youll be taking off for 10 days of fun, sun and excitement. You get a good, warm feeling knowing that your air travel vacation is just around the corner. Sometimes just knowing that your going on a vacation is all it takes to brighten your day.

Find the best air travel deals on the internet for your next vacation.

Because of the power of the internet, it is now possible to find wonderful air travel bargains and vacations right from your own home. It doesnt matter if youre looking for cruises, cheap airline tickets or Las Vegas vacations, youll find them all on the internet.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheapcruises.html

Finding the right priced airlines tickets for cheap flights is an important part of travel these days. There are many, many different options for you to take advantage of when trying to locate cheap airfare. First of all I recommend that, if possible, when planning your trip try to be flexible as to when you want to go. If you can be flexible with your schedule and have a couple of different departure and return dates in mind, youre more likely to find airlines tickets for cheap flights that is in your price range.

It used to be that an airlines tickets for cheap flights were printed off at your local travel agency. Youd call up and order the tickets and then drive by and pick them up. Today its all different. All of that can now be done from your home computer.

If your schedule permits, wait until the last minute before purchasing an airlines tickets for cheap flights.

Another method to use when searching for an airlines tickets for cheap flights is to wait to purchase your ticket until the last minute. Now granted, this method will not work for everyone; but if your schedule is flexible and you have some control over when you travel, why not let the clock run up until the last minute before purchasing your tickets. Many times airlines will be willing to let those seats go for a discount price.

How you travel and when you travel is now in the hands of the traveling public. Take some time and learn all the ways that you can find an airlines tickets for cheap flights to make the money you spend on travel go that much further.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheaptickets.html

All of the major airlines are now associated with different web sites allowing for you to find discount airfare and cheap tickets on the internet. One of the reasons the airlines have done this is because so many people now have access to computers and the internet.

What does that mean to you as a traveler It means that as you search the airlines for tickets you can be very selective as to when you go and who you fly with.

Airlines offer discounts on the internet.

Heres another tip that many people dont know about. If you called an airlines reservation desk and asked for cheap airfares information to a given city, you would be quoted a rate that may not be the lowest you could find. Many times youll find that the cheap airfares are only offered on the internet, because when booking your ticket online your not taking up staff time telephone expense.

If youve never done it before, explore the exciting options available to you when booking your next trip by doing your research on the internet.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheaptickets.html

Ever since I began working for that Florida vacation rentals website, I have been plagued by recurring nightmares. I am haunted at night by the spirits of hotel rooms past.

There was a time when I traveled quite a bit on business. Thankfully, I dont hotels hop any more. But at night I float off to a hotel room far away in time...

The days work done, I phoned home to check up on the kids. It seems there was a shouting match going on in my absence. It sounded like Pandemonium was winning, but Total Bedlam was making some noise, too.

"Can you just quiet down a bit," I said into the phone.

"YOU shut up," I heard the man in the next room growl.

I chose to ignore him. "Come on guys. Cant you just stop fighting for a minute"

"Ill show you what fighting means" I heard through the wall.

"Geeze. I cant even here myself think," I complained into the phone.

"Hey! Ive had just about enough of you," the guy on the other side of the wall screamed.

Suddenly I got very scared. I pictured a burly, six-foot-two weightlifter smashing his fist through the wall. I hung up the phone, wondering how thin the walls were.

Nothing happened. No fist. No smashed wall. No burly, six-foot-two weightlifter.

I decided to go downstairs for a stress-relief stroll. As I was closing my door, the man from the next room emerged.

Fortunately, he was no weightlifter.

I was about to ask him why he had shouted at me through the wall while I was trying to discipline my kids, when he called to me, "Hey you. I was on the phone with my wife. Why did you have to heckle me"

All of a sudden, I knew how thin the walls were.

In fact, I discovered that hotel walls come in two thicknesses:

If youre lucky, you get "Turn down the volume on your TV!" walls. If you are less fortunate, you get "Turn down the brightness on your TV!" walls.

Fortunately, hotel rooms are immaculately clean. Its true. The sign says so. Just as long as you dont look under the mattress to find a 1976 copy of Businessweek Magazine and theatre tickets to a 1982 showing of The Music Man.

I dont know why hotels pretend to be so spotless. All that junk under the bed could be used as a marketing tool. "Stay at the Hilltop Hilton and join in our under-mattress-scavenger-hunt."

If the hotels dont catch on, sooner or later the motels will. They can turn anything into a sales pitch. Like, for example, "Color TV" Ooooooohh.. And "Outdoor Pool" I think the "outdoor" feature is a nice added touch, dont you And how about "Free Parking" which is really a way of saying, "You dont have to park your car in your room.".

What worries me most about hotels is what they keep in the drawers. Did you ever notice there is always a bible in the drawer Why

When you buy a car, there is no bible in the glove compartment, although the road is where you need prayers the most.

When you dig for the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack box, its never a bible.

Even in hospitals, where a prayer might be all you have left, there is no bible in the drawer.

Only in hotels and on death row do bibles come as standard equipment.

And why just the Bible I have had plenty of spare time to search for Torahs and Korans in hotel rooms, and I have never found any. Do Jews and Muslims not stay in hotels What do they know that I dont

Fortunately, I dont have to stay in hotels anymore. I dont have to endure shadow-puppet shows from the guy on the other side of the wall. I dont have to keep from reading over his shoulder. I dont have worry about what he ate for dinner.

And I dont have to listen to his snoring. I can enjoy my own nightmares in peace.

About The Author

David Leonhardt publishes The Happy Guy humor column: http://www.thehappyguy.com/positive-thinking-free-ezine.html And A Daily Dose of Happiness: http://www.thehappyguy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html He also writes personal growth articles: http://www.thehappyguy.com/self-actualization-articles.html And sells liquid vitamins: http://www.vitamin-supplements-store.net Info@thehappyguy.com

Run Out Of Holiday Ideas

Have a basic understanding of French

Then plan a get-away to destinations youd not normally consider and...

Go Where The French Go!

Youll first need to get yourself to France, which is best done from where you are...

But why not start your holidays with a week visiting the vineyards of Bordeaux, the chateaux of the Loire or the hinterland of the Côte dAzur. Staying in a "gîte rural", a homestay.

But before leaving for France, use one of the principal French travel sites to book a package in the sun, or whatever you feel like... youll need some French to do so...

For flights, packages and everything else, the big three are:

Opodo, http://www.the-process-improver.com/OpodoVols

Anyway, http://www.the-process-improver.com/AnywaySejours

Promo-Vacances, http://www.the-process-improver.com/PromoVacances

Opodo is owned by nine of Europes leading airlines: Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa and by GDS and travel technology provider, Amadeus. So theyre pretty solid.

Anyway is powered by Expedia, well known in the North American market, and owned by IAC Travel which also owns Interval International, TV Travel Shop, Hotels.com.

Both these will provide you with the usual 450-500 airlines, 40-50000 hotels, etc, etc. And tend to fly out of Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly Sud.

Promo-Vacances is the best for Séjours packages. And theyre owned by Karavel, an interesting alternative to the large on-line agencies. They were started by 10 travel directors, have an office in Paris and their CEO is the past-CEO of Air France. So they too are solid...

Why French Travel Sites

Consider this...

The French have a highly developed travel industry

To match their highly developed sense of vacation... Why

Because they have time for affordable activities.

Whys that

From the UBS Prices and Earnings Survey, they have the lowest pay but the most paid holidays and work the shortest hours. How so You ask...

Well, in Paris, the average worker works less than 1600 hours per year and has 28 paid days holiday. In Toronto, she works over 1950 hours per year and takes less than 12 days paid holidays.

In London, the figures are just over 1800 hours per year worked and 22 holiday days paid. In New York, your average worker puts in close to 1900 hours per year and takes just 13 days paid holidays for his efforts.

Using the Big Mac index from UBS, a Parisian must work for 19 minutes to buy a Big Mac, a Torontan or is that Torontonite, 13. In London, its 18 minutes and New York, 12.

So, if youre stuck for ideas for affordable holidays...

Go Where The French Go!

And the French holiday "en famille" so all their destinations are family friendly...

About The Author

Stephen Hay has lived in France for a few years and now lives in New Zealand with his French wife and children. He runs a business catering to home-based and small businesses but misses the French approach to holidays, though not necessarily in France. Hence the article, and the link: http://the-process-improver.com/GoWhereTheFrenchGo stephen@the-process-improver.com

Can teens really have fun at a place like Walt Disney World Absolutely! Actually, be prepared to have the time of your life. It’s a safe place to assert some independence from your parents, a place you’ll never forget. Here are some of the best experiences for teens at "The Most Magical Place on Earth":

Have a Splashing Good Time at Disneys Water Parks

For a blast of a time, head to one of Disney’s two water parks. Blizzard Beach has a melting alpine resort theme where chairlifts carry swimmers instead of skiers. It’s a place for daredevils to challenge wild, rushing water and death-defying slides including the Summit Plummet, a 120-foot slide reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour. Those a bit less adventuresome will love Typhoon Lagoon, a tropical fantasyland offering a wave pool with the tallest simulated waves in the world as well as a chance to snorkel among tropical fish, leopard and nurse sharks, and picturesque coral at Shark Reef.

Live it Up at Downtown Disney

After the parks close hop a bus from your Disney resort for a night on the town at Downtown Disney. Highlights include Disney Quest with five floors of interactive games, a 24-screen AMC Theater, a Cirque du Soleil show, and over 60 shops and restaurants. Favorite dining choices for the younger crowd are Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Café. And definitely consider House of Blues where teens are allowed to attend some of the almost daily concerts in their live music venue next-door.

Cool Off at One of Disney’s Resort Pools

When your parents are wondering which resort to book for your Disney vacation, be sure and put your two cents in and steer them toward one with a great pool. Disney’s very best uniquely themed pools include the Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini-water park, the Swan and Dolphin’s lush, grotto-style lagoon pool, the boulder-strewn wonderland at the Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser, and the Volcano Pool at the Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect views of Cinderella’s Castle.

Plan Some Watersport Fun

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the place for water-ski, parasail, wakeboard, kneeboard, and jet-ski action under the guidance of a professional instructor. There’s nothing better than a bird’s-eye-view of the Magic Kingdom as you parasail high above the Seven Seas Lagoon. And the action down below on Bay Lake is a blast! For reservations call 407-WDW-PLAY up to 90 days in advance, and be sure to bring a parent along to sign a waiver to participate if you’re under age 18.

Pilot Your Own Boat

What could be more fun than renting a Sea Raycer, a 2-seater mini-power boat perfect for zipping around Disney’s waterways and lakes. It’s a great pastime for teens with a valid drivers license those under 18 must bring along a parent to sign a waiver. You’ll get the most bang for your buck at one of the resorts near the Magic Kingdom the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Wilderness Lodge where you’ll find miles of recreation on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

Scuba and Snorkel at Epcot’s Living Seas

Scuba dive or snorkel in The Living Seas 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium amid a variety of sharks, rays, fish, and turtles. Epcots DiveQuest Program along with the Seas Aqua Tour using a Scuba Assisted Snorkel unit snorkelers swim on the surface with a built-in flotation device while breathing compressed air from a regulator attached to a small tank are two of the most exciting behind-the-scenes tours offered in all of Walt Disney World. Dives include all equipment, but be sure to bring a bathing suit. DiveQuest is open to certified divers, but those ages 14 and under need to dive along with a parent or guardian. The Seas Aqua Tour is open to participants under age 18 as long as they are accompanied by a participating adult. Call 407-WDW-TOUR for reservations.

Surf’s Up at Typhoon Lagoon

"Hang 10" before park opening hours in the 2.75-million-gallon wave pool some waves as high as 6 feet tall! under the guidance of professional instructors with surfboards provided. Guests must furnish their own transportation to the park since Disney buses are not up and running that early in the morning, and those under age 18 must have a signed waiver from their parents to participate. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations up to 90 days in advance.

White-Knuckle Riding at Richard Petty Driving Experience

Lying next to the Magic Kingdom is this speedway where white-knuckle rides in a NASCAR Winston Cup–style race car are offered. If you are at least 16 you can participate in the Ride-Along Program where you’ll ride shotgun at speeds of up to 145 mph for three laps around the track with an experienced instructor riders 16 or 17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Even more exciting, those ages 18 and older can drive the car themselves after an introductory class. If you just want to observe you can do so for no charge. Call 800-BE-PETTY for advance reservations.

Head for a Theme Parks

Last but certainly not least are the theme parks. If you’re staying on Disney property it’s a cinch to board a monorail or a Disney bus and head out to the parks on your own.

At the Magic Kingdom you’ll find all the old nostalgic favorites like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. And don’t forget to head straight to Splash Mountain, an unforgettable ride that ends in a plunge over a 5-story waterfall! Epcot’s main attractions for fun-loving teens are Mission Space, a hair-raising rocket into space, and Test Track where you’ll speed through hairpin turns and then barrel outside onto a high-speed banking loop at over 60 mph. At Disney-MGM Studios you’ll be floored by Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, both a thrill a minute. Then there’s the Animal Kingdom where a trip around the African savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris and back in time 65 million years at Dinosaur are quite the adventure.

Super thrill seekers should plan a day at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure where attractions like the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dueling Dragons, and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman will leave your heart pounding.

So do you still think Disney is just for kids I bet you can’t wait to pack your bags. And don’t forget to thank your parents on your return home for taking you to one of the most exciting places on the planet.

About The Author

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com. info@luxurydisney.com

So you’re headed to Orlando... but where to start You’ll find such a wealth of fantastic resorts and restaurants it can be difficult to choose exactly what you wish to indulge in. How best can you plan a visit in which each day comes with the finest this marvelous vacation spot has to offer In order to help you in making the overwhelming decisions of where to stay and what places to dine, here are what I believe to be Orlando’s best offerings:

Best Deluxe Resort

On Disney property it’s the Grand Floridian with its upscale Victorian atmosphere and lagoonside setting facing the Magic Kingdom. Off-property, hands-down, it’s the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes where you may never even feel the need to leave the property. At Universal, go for the Portofino Bay Hotel with its unsurpassed ambience of an Italian seaside resort.

Best Resort Pool Disneys Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini water park The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s lush grotto-style lagoon pool The Volcano Pool at Disneys Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect view of Cinderella’s Castle The boulder-strewn wonderland at Disneys Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser The lush fantasyland pool at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress cooled by twelve waterfalls

Best Home-Away-From-Home Property

The Villas at Disneys Wilderness Lodge with its Bay Lake frontage and national park character or Disneys Beach Club Villas conveniently located next door to Epcot.

Best Resort Atmosphere

Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge where hundreds of animals roam the savanna and the air is pulsating to the beat of African drums. Running a close second is Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where guests are transported to a romantic, seaside Italian village.

Best Resort Lobby

How to choose Three of Disneys resorts make the cut: the Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, all eye-popping in their grandeur.

Best Access To The Parks

The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. At Universal, the Hard Rock Hotel is just a 5-minute walk or boat ride away to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.

Best Resort For Romance

Disneys Polynesian Resort whose lush tiki torch-lit grounds and white-sand beaches with views of Cinderella’s Castle are simply dreamy or Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where an evening stroll along the bay with Italian arias playing in the distance can’t be beat.

Best Resort For Nature-Lovers

Disneys Wilderness Lodge, a nature-lover’s dream of rushing waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbly creeks, all surrounded by stately pine trees and beautiful Bay Lake.

Best Resort Lounges California Grill Lounge found on the 15th floor of Disneys Contemporary Resort with unrivaled views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon, great for cocktails, sushi, and a view of the Wishes fireworks display. Disneys Grand Floridians lobby. Pick up a cocktail at Mizner’s, then head down to this magnificent oasis to relax in the cushy seating while listening to the sounds of a big band orchestra or live piano music. Tambu Lounge at Disneys Polynesian Resort’s Great Ceremonial House. Sip on tropical drinks amid lush foliage and views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Territory Lounge, a rustic retreat in Disneys Wilderness Lodge. bluezoo’s bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the coolest place around. Velvet, the ultra-hip cocktail lounge at Universals Hard Rock Hotel. Bar America, Portofino Bay Hotel’s sophisticated lounge overlooking the romantic piazza. Top of the Palace Lounge, a sophisticated bar with the best views around high atop the Wyndham Palace Resort near Downtown Disney.

Best Italian

Palio at the Walt Disney World Swan where the Tortellini con Aragosta topped with enormous amounts of lobster is amazing, or Portobello Yacht Club at Downtown Disney for a fantastic, thin-crusted pizza followed by the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, crimini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, black olives, and escarole.

Best Seafood

Flying Fish at Disneys Boardwalk for Potato Wrapped Red Snapper with creamy leek fondue and red wine reduction, or the newcomer on the block, Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, where seafood is taken to new heights. Off Disney property it’s got to be Roy’s on Sand Lake Road near Universal for Roy Yamaguchi’s remarkable Hawaiian Fusion cuisine.

Best Steaks

Shulas at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a standout for sensational Angus beef steaks cooked to perfection, or Vito’s Chop House on International Drive for the filet mignon stuffed with gorgonzola.

Best Restaurant For Romance

Victoria and Alberts at Disneys Grand Floridian, the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in Central Florida. Here you’ll savor a sumptuous six-course meal served on elegant fine china to the accompaniment of enchanting harp music. Or try Delfino Riviera at Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel whose breeze-swept terrace overlooks the resort’s picturesque bay and piazza. And I can’t forget Norman’s at the Ritz Carlton for fine dining in plush surroundings all enveloped in the grandeur of an amazing resort.

Best Restaurant For Kids

Children love the Rainforest Café at the Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney where they’re bombarded with thunderstorms and noisy audio-animatronic wildlife. A close runner up is Whispering Canyon Café at Disneys Wilderness Lodge; come prepared for plenty of hoopin’ and hollerin’ and please, whatever you do, don’t ask for the ketchup unless, that is, you like a lot of attention.

Best Character Meal

Cinderellas Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, a chance to feast in a fairytale castle with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin, Belle, and Snow White. Or try the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom for a tasty, bountiful buffet hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

Best Hip Atmosphere

Todd English’s bluezoo at the Dolphin, the coolest spot this side of South Beach, or Tchoup Chop at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort, a knock-em-dead, Asian-inspired beauty.

Best Disney View

Arthur’s 27 at the Wyndham Palace whose drop-dead setting is only topped by its creative cuisine, or California Grill at Disneys Contemporary Resort with its picture-perfect views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Wishes fireworks presentation.

Best Disney Resort Restaurant

Tough call. My favorites are the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort just about anything on their exceptional menu is fantastic, Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian particularly the Chef’s Table where Chef Scott Hunnel oversees an 11-course meal designed especially for you, and Todd English’s bluezoo at the Dolphin try the miso glazed Chilean sea bass with warm sesame spinach.

Best Universal Resort Restaurant

Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort. Wonderful Asian and Polynesian-influenced cuisine in a stunning setting of bamboo, waterfalls, and a lotus-filled reflecting pool. Share the Crunchy Shrimp with butter lettuce leaves and hot & sour chili glaze, move on to the Firecracker Fresh Fish served with papaya-serrano salsa, Asian pesto drizzle, and coconut-lemongrass sauce, and finish with a slice of Banana Cream Pie topped with caramel sauce and chocolate shavings.

Best Downtown Disney Restaurant

Wolfgang Puck’s Upstairs Dining Room for dishes like Szechuan marinated "Chinois" lamb rack served with a spicy cilantro-mint sauce or the restaurants exceptionally great Wienerschnitzel.

Best Epcot Illuminations View

Rose and Crown in World Showcase’s United Kingdom. Set your priority seating for about one hour prior to show time and pray for a table with a good view.

Best Milkshake

Beaches and Cream at Disneys Beach Club Resort serves oh-so-delicious thick shakes and malts in a frosty fountain glass with the extras on the side in the stainless steel shaker.

Best Pizza

You cant beat the pizzas at Downtown Disneys Wolfgang Puck Cafe choose the BLTA with applewood-smoked bacon, mozzarella, roma and sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, and chopped romaine, Downtown Disneys Portobello Yacht Club thin-crusted and smokey flavored, or Mama Melrose’s at Disney-MGM Studios dont miss the grilled chicken pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto, pancetta, and asiago cheese.

Best Breakfast

Spoodles at Disneys Boardwalk. I love the Egg Rotollo, scrambled eggs with chorizo, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese rolled in Lavosh flatbread and served with breakfast potatoes and marinated tomatoes.

I could go on and on but I’ll restrain myself and stop here. There’s a world of resorts and restaurants just waiting to be explored. And you’ll never even have to leave Orlando to find it!

About The Author

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com. info@luxurydisney.com

I lived in the suburbs of New York City almost all my life and it was only when I was in my 20s and working on 5th Avenue when I finally went to the top of the Empire State Building. It took me almost two decades as well to ice-skate at Rockefeller Center, browse the Museum of Natural History, and see a Broadway play.

Now living in New England I still tend to overlook the tourist attractions in my own backyard. It took us eight years after we moved to Keene, NH before we climbed the “most-climbed mountain in the world,” Mt. Monadnock, just a 15 minute drive from our house.

I once read a magazine article about a family that took a week-long vacation in their own hometown. They visited museums, ate out every night, and basically took in their surroundings with the new eyes of visitors. I didn’t have a week – but a few hours I did have. So when my neighbor suggested that we become tourists for a day in Keene I jumped at the chance. My neighbor and I planned a simple late morning excursion with our kids on the Keene trolley.

I have never been on the Keene trolley. I see it motoring around town every time I leave my house to run errands. It looks sweet, touristy, and fun. The windows are rolled all the way up in the warm weather. The seats are wood. The pick-up spot was a five minute walk from the house, so we all walked down to our local Hannaford’s to wait for the 11:35 a.m. trolley.

Why it seemed so exciting is beyond me. I knew where the trolley went and I’ve seen all those spots a thousand times. I knew our final destination was a mere one mile from our house. But somehow, shedding the car and climbing aboard the trolley made it all different. And the kids actually cheered the younger ones when the trolley made the turn into the parking lot.

I want to say it was a pleasant ride and wax philosophical about the wind blowing through my hair and seeing the familiar scenes through different eyes. And I would if my 6-year son had not had an intense attack of vertigo which made him exclaim uh, shout that the trolley was going to tip over with all of us in it with each turn the driver took. He insisted on sitting up front, where the windows were closed, with me glued to his side; I spent the entire 20 minutes of the ride trying reassure him that this was not a doomsday ride.

But hey, those are the chances you take traveling with children, even if it’s in your own backyard. The ride took us the “long way” past the hospital, toward downtown. “It takes a lot longer to get the Colony Mill on the trolley,” my son said when we finally got off, relieved to be on solid ground the driver I’m sure was even more relieved.

The Colony Mill Marketplace is the Keene, NH version of a “mall,” – it is actually a renovated mill originally built in 1838 to produce wool garments, including uniforms for the Union troops during the Civil War and the Allied forces during the World World Wars I and II. And it housed scores of civilian companies and families until it closed its doors in 1953. It was completely transformed three decades later into a regional marketplace.

Today it houses quaint shops like Dilly’s for Kids, Mill Toy Works my son’s favorite, Pocketful of Rye, Toadstool Bookshop this is my favorite bookstore – no Borders for me! and True Necessities my daughter’s favorite. My kids, with their pockets jingling with birthday money from grandparents, made some modest but happy purchases – a few shorts and a shirt for my 12-year old daughter; a strap-to-the-head flashlight and a pull- back toy car for my son.

We had lunch at the mall’s atrium -- unlike your typical “mall” setting in both food and atmosphere. Sometimes they even have live piano music. Homemade artichoke soup from Kristin’s Bakery, croissants stuffed with spinach and cheese; the other choice at the Marketplace is Chinese food and I ordered a plate of dumplings for us to share. It was good, satisfying; not a French fry or double cheeseburger to be seen yet all four kids ate heartily maybe it was the thrilling trolley ride that made them so hungry.

Our trip ended at another adjacent historic “mall” next door called The Center at Keene, originally a scenic railroad station in the 1800s that now houses several retail shops and a really good ice cream shop, Rick’s Gourmet Ice Cream. We ate our ice cream outside I had chocolate custard with chocolate sprinkles – yum!. While we were enjoying our ice cream, we suddenly saw the return trolley go by. “Oh well,” my son said, “we can walk.” And we did -- bundles in hand -- on the bicycle path.

My friend and I looked at each other, pleased with the day. It was already past 2 p.m. “It wouldn’t have been the same if we took our cars,” she said. And I agree. There is really something special about being a tourist in your own hometown.

Copyright 2004

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About The Author

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What to expect upon arriving in Jamaica and at your Sandals Resort

When your plane touches down at Sangster International Airport in Jamaica you will have to get your bags and then clear customs. Once through customs there will be many people wanting to help you with your bags etc. Id suggest just getting your own stuff over to the Sandals Tour desk. Here youll find a Sandals rep who will put stickers on your bags so they know which Sandals resort they should go to. A skycap in the red had will then load your bags and take them to the bus. Keep in mind these are not Sandals employees and they will expect a tip. I believe $2.00 USD per bag is customary. If you dont want to tip, Id suggest being upfront that youll take your own bags. Being that Jamaicans are very good hosts they will likely tell you to not worry and try and carry your stuff anyway. My advice is go with it and enjoy your vacation.

Once at your bus you will likely have to wait a bit for others to board etc. Id suggest wandering down the parking lot and getting a couple Red Stripes. Whether headed to Negril or Ocho Rios youre in for a long ride and youll feel better if your refreshed. You can even drink your strips on the bus.

If your headed to Negril expect a total trip time of 1.5 hours. Youll stop at the Apple bar for Red Stripes and a potty break. Again just go with it, dont be that guy on the bus complaining because we stopped.

If your headed to Dunns River or Ocho Rios you have a longer ride. Because the road is still under construction expect a two hour ride with the customary stop for drinks and jerk chicken.

At the resort youll be seated in the lobby. Men will be instructed to hang back to ensure all bags are accounted for. Id suggest in advance making sure your man knows what your bags look like. I didnt I just expected my wife to watch hers and Id watch mine. When all bags are accounted for your man will join you in the lobby. Sometimes you will receive a damp towel and most times a glass of champagne. In Negril I like to hit the bar and get a real drink as its just steps from the lobby. Soon after a host will collect your travel papers and return with a bag full of aloe lotion and suntan lotion as well as you room key. From here a bell hop will take your bags and you to the room. If you have any objections to your room now is the time to voice them. In our case our bell hop called the desk and we had a new room immediately.

From here, Id suggest a drink and a walk around the resort. If your in time for the orientation get right in there it will help you get adjusted to what happens when. If not then try to hit that the next day. I know it sounds dumb but we would have been up to speed immediately had we gone our first visit.

About The Author

John Gall is a full time IT Manager and IT Consultant in Minnesota. He runs several websites as a hobby featuring content similar to that in this article. http://www.gallconsulting.com http://www.sandalspictures.com http://www.napavalleypictures.com http://www.winesilove.com http://www.sturgistravels.com http://www.hdsportsters.com

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences with family and friends. Here are a few suggestions to help you capture vacation memories you will treasure for years to come.

PLAN AHEAD

Make sure your digital camera is in good working order before you go, and keep it in a water- and shock-resistant case. Bring two sets of rechargeable batteries and don’t forget the charger and relevant cords. Make sure your camera has enough memory. Packing an extra memory card is wise, as there is nothing worse than running out of room for pictures halfway down the Grand Canyon. It may be tempting to lower the resolution so you can store more pictures, but you will regret this later as it may result in poorer quality prints, or you will be limited to smaller size prints. Set your camera at its highest quality JPEG setting and get more memory if you have to. You will appreciate this when you’re viewing and printing your photos after your trip.

TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES.

With a digital camera you can always erase the photos you don’t want. Take pictures of anything you find interesting and try to focus on some of the details such as an attractive doorway or a colorful market, not just panoramic scenes or major landmarks. Let your pictures tell a story by creating a visual diary of your trip. Include street scenes, interesting signs, people you see along the way. For variety take both vertical and horizontal pictures.

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP

When taking people shots, don’t make the mistake of standing too far away. You want to be able to recognize the people in your photos. Get close enough so you can see the expressions on your subjects faces. Zoom in on individuals or capture them from the waist up. Pictures are often more interesting when you can catch people at candid, un-posed moments. In posed photos, try to incorporate some of the background into your shot. Try snapping from interesting angles rather than simply head-on.

USE YOUR FLASH

When photographing in bright sunlight, setting your camera’s “fill” or “forced” flash is very helpful, particularly when photographing people. Brilliant sunlight often makes peoples faces look harsh, casting dark shadows under the eyes and accentuating wrinkles. The daytime fill-in flash will soften the lighting and make the images more flattering. Your family and friends in the photos will thank you!

EDIT AND ENHANCE YOUR FAVORITE SHOTS

When you get home you can edit, crop and enhance your favorites using photo editing software such as Foto Finish, Ulead or Photoshop Elements. Consider adding drama to your images by turning some of your color photos into black and white or sepia tones and then upload all your images to an online photo printing service like Ofoto or Shutterfly for fast and convenient prints. You can take your best snaps and use your photo editing software to create a photo calendar or make photo cards for personal notes, or to email your favorites to family and friends.

Most of all have fun with your camera!

About The Author

Valerie Goettsch publishes the digital photography website http://www.digitalphotos101.com featuring reviews of photo editing and album software and digital photo printing services.

SABAH is Malaysias premier nature adventure destination situated in the northern tip of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. Sabah is popular for its wildlife conservation attractions, rain forest, surrounding nature and islands, beach resorts, tropical white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and its warm and friendly people. If you are thinking of visiting Borneo, these places of interest and activities will whet your appetite!

Mount Kinabalu

Let me begin with my favorite place and definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu 4,093m. It is the summit of Borneo and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At the feet of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise where rare plants are found: rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

If you haven’t heard yet, the most popular native of Borneo is the Orang Utan. The world-famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre enables visitors to come in close contact with these amazing animals. This sanctuary allows visitors to witness an exciting conservation programme in action. Set in 43 square km of beautiful rainforest, the sanctuary helps once captive Orang Utans learn to fend for themselves in the wild. Watch how these orphaned Orang Utans being taught to climb, and then go to a platform where you can witness them coming in from within the forest for their daily meals of milk and bananas.

Danum Valley Rain Forest

If nature is close to your heart, then this next destination I am going to introduce you is a must visit, Danum Valley. Danum Valley is nestled deep in the rain forest of Borneo where nature is at its most pristine. As you travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will suddenly come across a magical paradise of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge BRL, erected overlooking the magnificent setting of the Segama River and flanked by tall hill ranges. BRL is an impressive resort, designed by naturalists and built on stilts using traditional timber materials, and has the comfort of a 3-Star Hotel. I totally recommend Danum Valley to those who yearn to see wildlife in a primeval Borneo rainforest - the rare Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkeys, Orang Utan, elephants and over 275 species of birds.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park

When you think you have enough of sightseeing and you want to take a day’s break idling around to charge your energy, then I suggest you take a 30-minute boat trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is made up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace and tranquility prevails. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and tanning. The crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy snorkeling or watching the sea lives and corals. The park is also a great spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. Other activities include windsurfing, fishing, parasailing, kayaking and bird watching.

Golfing Holidays

If golf is your sport, then try the numerous high quality golf courses in Sabah. One of the courses as described by its designer - “I had to create a masterpiece by combining the natural splendor of the mountains and the seas, with ingenious architecture, and create a first class championship course to provide an enjoyable, yet challenging game for top professional golfers and amateurs alike" - Graham Marsh. Enough words said for the quality of golf courses here.

White-Water Rafting

For the true adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating thrills in the world. My scariest experience, only because I am not a good swimmer, is white-water rafting down the Padas River a grade-3 river. Whilst trying to negotiate the rapids along this raging river for a distance of about 5 kilometers, do enjoy the breathtaking view that the surrounding rain forest does offer. However, be warned, don’t take your eyes off the rapids and waves too long!

Scuba Diving

Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island, Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear waters of Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to descend into this tropical water, youll also understand why the World Wildlife Fund says, "No other spot on the planet has more marine life than this island."

About The Author

Walter Rajah is owner of Exploration Borneo Tours. Visit his site at http://www.explorationborneo.com for more information and images of Borneo – The Exotic Island Paradise. Check out all the travel packages to Borneo and subscribe to EBT Travel Newsletter for the latest events, travel news, Borneo articles and cheap deals! webmaster@explorationborneo.com

Are you planning your next family vacation Are you want to discover an exotic, wonferful and tropical paradise You have to go to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica offers plenty of pleasant choices like these, especially if youre interested in nature and outdoor activities. Thats why so many people have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the number of visitors has quadrupled, and tourism has become a big part of the nations economy.

Costa Rica is practically synonymous with ecotourism -- travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. The country has a large number of national parks and nature preserves that boast a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The variety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some 850 species are packed into a relatively small area. Approximately 25% of the countrys land has been set aside in protected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation as an environmentally sensitive country and leader in ecological conservation.

The country has excellent conditions for a number of adventure sports, among them surfing, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving. Those who prefer a less strenuous vacation can view active volcanoes, take boat trips down jungle rivers and float through the treetops in the worlds first Rain Forest Aerial Tram.

On this Costa Rica Travel Guide you will find important information for your Costa Rica vacations: costa rica hotels, costa rica tours, costa rica travel areas and much more.

About The Author

Andy Bezara. I came to Costa Rica in 1998 to study my MBA at INCAE. I love this country... It is very small, but it is a land of natural wonders. If you come with your family you will enjoy a magical experience. Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com They can help us to organize your Costa Rica vacation. andybezara@hotmail.com

So youve decided to shun the neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts After all, youve heard how much more personal and romantic the b&b experience is, right Well....usually thats the gospel truth. However, there are certain things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself and prospective innkeepers before you make your final decision and turn over your credit card number.

The first thing to consider is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many towns across America offer the b&b experience but only have a handful of options for you to consider. On the other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas population 9,000 there are literally hundreds of b&bs, reportedly the largest number of b&bs per capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.

These days it seems almost everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements through the internet. In fact you are probably one of those individuals or you wouldnt be reading this article. You can always begin your search by typing in your destination city or town and "bed and breakfast" into your search engine to get an idea of the options youll have. As you begin to view the properties, you should consider whether the b&b has the following amenities assuming these are important to you: private bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast, off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the ever-important factor....location.

Lets begin with location. Proximity to the "center of action" is often a plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be "on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the night Main Street is, after all, Highway 290! Some visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in the country.

Making this first decision will cut the number of properties you consider by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise "Located on Main Street," but what they dont tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the old addage, "Buyer Beware."

Question number two could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in addition to numberous true multi-unit inns. One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast at a pre-arranged time...along with other guests. So for many guests the choice comes down to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many different properties, there are no set rules; so check their website or ask!

One more common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly looking for a "magazine spread" when they walk in the door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and read, "When we opened the door the beautiful room just took my breath away!" Few people go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor they have at home...or worse, their grannys decor! However, many b&b owners are under the false impression that they can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests...but you dont want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I would never book a room that didnt at least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two photos potential guests are most interested in. I would be very wary of a facility that wasnt proud to show its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, its all out there for the taking...for those who do their homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway experience yet.

About The Author

Tammy Jordan Sikes is a former trial attorney-turned bed and breakfast owner with several b&bs in Fredericksburg, Texas in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. See www.absolutecharm.com and www.inn-on-the-creek.com tammy@tearosequilts.com

Vacation packages can be of different kinds, depending on the destination. Las Vegas is the place to escape from all sense of convention known by all as "The Gambling and Entertainment Capital of the World." In recent years the attractions have expanded to include theme parks, family activities, excellent shopping, spas and world-class golfing. The whole world comes to Vegas to let loose and, in turn, you find yourself happily lost in a skylines from all the great cities of the earth. If you didn’t know better, you might think it was some strange desert mirage and Who knows, Elvis might still be in the building!

Disney vacation packages, Hawaii vacation packages, and all inclusive vacation packages, can offer you a great deal. How about Orlando vacation packages A good travel agent can also help you with all this. Some package will handle virtually everything. For the same price you would pay for a hotel, a vacation rental home can offer you a lot more. Aside from the traditional accommodations, you will often get more space and amenities, a great alternative for family vacation package with kids.

Vacation packages in Hawaii, includes the best honeymoon location in the world. No place else on Earth is as romantic. With almost limitless attractions and activities, this is the perfect location for family vacations. It offers something for everyone - sports enthusiasts, beachcombers, adventure seekers . . . you name it!

Whatever you’re looking for, a well planned vacation package that includes covers all your concerns might be just what you’re looking for.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

All inclusive resorts are the best getaways for people who want to relax and enjoy the serene nature. The destinations are spread out all over the world. A lot of those depend on the qualities, price and ultimate extravagant fun. Sandals resort which includes Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas or Antigua that has been voted world’s Leading Honeymoon resort for six years in a row. Here you can engage in every land and water sport such as water skiing, scuba diving and an impressive fitness center. When comes to dining, there are extraordinary restaurants to choose from.

All inclusive resorts have a grand entrance; none can compare to the winding, palm-lined road that leads you to the beginning of your dream vacation. The playful dolphin fountain provides a dramatic sense of arrival to this gated Disney Area Resort. It is located just minutes from Walt Disney World in Kissimmee and can be perfect resort for a total vacation experience.

All inclusive resorts in Hawaii give you a great time to experience the scenic beauty and enjoy the great deal package indeed. The atmosphere at these resorts is laid-back, and the service is awesome. White beaches and sapphire lagoons at the Kauai are breathtaking. A line of chairs stretched across on grassy lawn. You can feel the crashing waves all day long. In all vacation resorts, guests can swim and snorkel and can be easily swept into the spirit of paradise.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

Car rental agencies, along with many other factors, have played a vital role in increasing the easiness of travelling by providing a service through which travelers can easily rent a car of their choice. One can rent a car of any color, shape and model at reasonable prices from these car rental agencies. A rented car, which has been rented from an office sited in one city, can be easily dropped at another office situated in a different city. Besides manual reservations, most car rental companies have developed interactive websites to assist in making online reservations and helping travelers.

Being able to rent a car is a service as the number of companies providing car rental services has greatly increased in the last few years. National car rental, Enterprise car rental, Budget car rental, Thrifty car rental, Alamo car rental, Cheap car rental and many others are all recognized for providing admirable amenities and services to their customers. Initially, many of these intended to capture the American market only, but now almost all have open sub-offices in many different countries of the world.

It really doesn’t matter where in the world you’re traveling to or from. You can easily rent a car to take care of your transportation needs. People even rent cars from the local car rental agency in their home town. Why Possibly because their car isn’t as late model as they would like, yet they still want to take some time and get away.

Be aware that some car rental companies have geographic restrictions on their cars. You’ll need to know where you intend to go and make sure that your rental agreement allows that. Once you’ve dotted all the I’s and crossed all the t’s you can hit the road and really enjoy yourself.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

A vacation is just what the doctor ordered for many people. While there is nothing wrong with working hard, it’s always fun to get away. Given the low cost of airline tickets these days, many people can go almost anywhere they want. From skiing in the mountains to sunbathing next to a pool, a vacation is a great time to relax and have some fun. Whether your have a day or a month off, make the most of it by doing something that you enjoy.

While many people like to spend their vacation in a warmer climate, others like to explore the great outdoors and go on hikes. No matter what your ideal vacation is, it will allow you to leave your troubles behind and embark on fun filled adventure.

Plan Your Vacation.

If you plan to fly somewhere for your vacation, book your airline tickets early. Also, try to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Doing so will reduce most last minute stress. It also helps to pack as lightly as possible. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do on vacation, it might help to check with a travel agency.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to travel far for your vacation. Many people take a vacation in their own town. Check out some of the tourist attractions in your own city that you might have forgotten about. If you pick the right vacation for you, you will be able to fully enjoy and look forward to a great time ahead.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

Hotels in Las Vegas furnish a guest with the excitement, amenities and appeal of this wonderful destination. Everyone has heard of Circus Circus. Its appealing restaurants, theme parks, shops, gaming and the worlds greatest circus acts guarantees good fun for everyone. Best of all, it continues to be the value leader on the Las Vegas Strip. The possibilities are unlimited in where to stay, when you play in Las Vegas! Some things to consider when selecting a hotel are its amenities, restaurants, attractions and more. Check out the casinos for games, dining and entertainment.

Hotels like Hilton have the hottest entertainment acts performing nightly. From the nightclub center stage to the world famous theater, only the top acts in show business perform on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton. It has spacious accommodations, which provides you a homey atmosphere and makes you feel like a pampered guest. Heck, you can even enjoy yourself in cheap hotels or discount hotels.

Hotel Marriot ----What I really liked about the room was the huge Jacuzzi tub that you could lay down in. That is ultimate pleasure! There are several restaurants presently at the JW Marriott. The pool is one of the best features at the JW Marriott. It offers a serene environment to host board meetings or romantic weddings, receptions and social affairs. Wedding parties have the opportunity to select a venue sited for rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids brunches or evening parties when staying at the Marriott.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

Vacation rentals are an option when you plan to go on a vacation and stay for any length of time. For example, Florida has the basic strategy of finding what the vacationer needs, what they are looking for and with what budget and then fulfilling that need. In the process, as a visitor to this beautiful state, you will have a wonderful and interesting vacation at a price you can afford. Stay as long as you like. A vacation rental makes that possible. It has both moderate and luxury accommodations in all areas of the state can be found very easily.

Vacation rentals can also be found with the owners. The owners are a pleasure to deal with, and most prompt with responding to the people. When you plan on taking a vacation, renting directly with the owner is less expensive; and you can receive very helpful, detailed information about the villa itself.

Vacation rentals in Myrtle Beach, the city thrives on millions of visitors to the beach every year has beachfront condominium complexes - these oceanfront condos range from inexpensive studios to luxury 4 Br suites. So is San Diego with the largest selection of Mission Bay and Mission Beach vacation rentals with daily, weekly and monthly rates. On the other hand, Kauai vacation rentals have an exclusive selection of accommodations with its breathtaking view and tropical surroundings making it truly one of the worlds most beautiful islands.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

Phillip Island is a small island and nature reserve off the coast of South Australia, about 140 km from Melbourne. On the island you can see koalas, kangaroos and the main to attraction, the Penguin Parade on Summerland Beach.

Every day at sunset, the Little Penguins also known as Fairy Penguins because of their diminitive size, return to the beach. As my husband is a penguin fanatic, it was one of the places on our list to visit during our trip to Australia.

There is a visitor centre at the top of the beach with details of all the worlds penguins, there is a gift shop too and rangers who can answer questions about everything you wanted to know about penguins and more.

As dusk was approaching, we made our way down to the beach, as did everyone else. On the beach was a stone grandstand, rather cold on the behind, so bring a coat or blanket to sit on.

Some people had even brought along a picnic, a family day out. As it got darker, people became more subuded and talked less, keeping an eye out on the beach to see the arrival of that first penguin.

Suddenly there was movement at the edge of the surf and all heads turned as one. There, standing by the edge of the water was the smallest penguin we had ever seen. He looked left, then right, as if he was contemplating crossing a busy road and then he ran quickly across to the sand dunes and the penguin burrows.

He must have been the scout, because after him, there came groups of penguins, some consisted of two or three penguins, some had about ten or fifteen, but they all made that same mad dash across the sand into the burrows, as if they couldnt get there fast enough.

The crowd of penguin watchers was quiet, except for the occasional, "ooh" and "ahhs" from adults as well as children. The groups started to dwindle and finally no more penguins emerged from the sea.

We sat on the grandstand for a while, not talking, just feeling awed at what wed just seen. Neither of has had ever seen penguins in the wild before, only in zoos and it was an amazing feeling.

You could see the penguins here every evening and morning, but they werent in cages or in small pools, the sea was their playground and it is a sight we would definitely recommend to anyone.

There were two floodlights by the grandstand, which didnt seem to bother the penguins, but you werent allowed to take flash photographs as it scared them. Of course, there were some people who didnt listen to the ranger and they were told off and escorted off the beach, so do listen to what they say.

After the penguins had gone to their burrows, you could walk along boardwalks and see them there. They make a lot of noise for all the size of them!

It wasnt available while we were there, but now there is the option to have breakfast at sunrise, just before the penguins make their way back to the sea. Thats got to be worth a look.

So if you are venturing down under, make a small detour to Phillip Island and Summerland Beach. You wont regret it.

About The Author

Annette Gisby is the author of the novels, Silent Screams and Drowning Rapunzel and the short story collection, Shadows of the Rose. She loves travelling and seeing new places, despite getting travel sick!

For more information on Annette and her books, please visit her website http://www.annettegisby.n3.net

Article copyright 2004, Annette Gisby.

annette.gisby@which.net

Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120 km separates the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea at the narrowest spot - Costa Rica still has some of the most diverse scenery in the world. Its coasts have both sandy beaches and marshy swamps, while its interior is dotted with volcanoes, dense with rain forests and abundant with unusual flora.

When you are planning your Costa Rica vacation, make sure to visit destinations like Monteverde Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park or Manuel Antonio National Park. In addition, you will enjoy in your Costa Rica vacation, a wide range of adventure travel activities, including scuba diving, hiking around the Arenal Volcano area, and exploring the dense tropical rainforests.

What to do Where to do Fly through the rain-forest canopy on a zip line Go white-water rafting Climb a volcano Laze on a white-sand beach in guanacaste and manuel antonio national park on the pacific coast or Limon on the caribbean coast Check out colorful marine life while snorkeling Or try to hook one on a deep-sea fishing excursion

Costa Rica offers plenty of pleasant choices like these, especially if youre interested in nature and outdoor activities. Thats why so many people have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the number of visitors has quadrupled, and tourism has become a big part of the nations economy. Costa Rica is practically synonymous with ecotourism - travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. The country has a large number of national parks and nature preserves that boast a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The variety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some 850 species are packed into a relatively small area, a bird watcher paradise. Approximately 25% of the countrys land has been set aside in protected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation as an environmentally sensitive country and leader in ecological conservation.

The country has excellent conditions for a number of adventure sports, among them surfing, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving, wind surfing and mountain bike.Those who prefer a less strenuous vacation can view more than 50 volcanoes Poas volcano, Rincon de la Vieja volcano, Irazu volcano and Arenal volcano take boat trips down jungle rivers and float through the treetops in the worlds first Rain Forest Aerial Tram, visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Tortuga Island, The Cafe Britt Coffee tour

About The Author

Andy Bezara Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com and find the most wonderful Costa Rica vacation packages info@mytraveltocostarica.com

I. Thou shalt pack HALF the clothes you want.

II. Thou shalt take TWICE the money you will need.

III. Thou shalt pack an abundance of Patience.

IV. Thou shalt NOT count calories, especially on cruises.

V. Your extra large luggage shalt have wheels.

VI. Thou shalt NOT feel guilty if you don’t write and mail postcards until after you return home.

VII. Thou shalt pack a little Caution.

VIII. Thou shalt practice using your new camera BEFORE

you depart on your vacation.

IX. Thou shalt NOT pack uncomfortable shoes, no matter how attractive they might be.

X. Thou shalt have wonderful experiences that will flow into wonderful memories!

Copyright C 2003 by Marlene M. Davis All rights reserved.

Now we can travel like pros ~

The Ten “Travel” Commandments ™ are from our guidebook, LET’S TRAVEL LIKE PROS. For details, please check “What’s New” at our web site.

ISBN 0-9728031-1-4 Trade Paper 48 pp. Only $7.95 USD plus S&H. 8.25% sales tax in Texas. Easy to order online, by phone or by mail. All sales final. Discounts for bulk orders.

About The Author

Marli Davis, M.A.S.S., has always felt that she was “born to travel.” In keeping with this insatiable interest, she has traveled domestically and internationally, casually i.e., camping and traditionally. Best of all, she can be packed and ready to go anywhere in the world in less than an hour! Here are her secrets. Ms. Davis also brings to this effort many years of professional experience. In the world of academia, she was a university Adjunct Professor of English and, in the corporate world, a Senior Editor and Writer, QA Engineer, Team Leader of Training, Manager of Configuration Management, and Director of Quality.

Marli Davis of MCJ Global Resources, Inc. Self-help Guides, Individualized Coaching & Workshops PMB 131A; 3941 Legacy #204; Plano, TX 75023; USA Series: NEW LIFE Guides ~ Helping people change TM Web: http://www.mcjglobal.com Email: info@mcjglobal.com Tel: 972-491-5441; Fax: 972-491-2428

Costa Ricas mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible for one of the best white water rafting river choices in the world. Experienced rafting outfitters regularly run about half a dozen of rambunctious rivers, and those river trips not only provide plenty of excitement, but also allow enjoying gorgeous scenery. Not only do white water rafting enthusiasts flock Costa Rica, including several Olympic kayaking teams, but every year tens of thousands of visitors experience here the thrill of rafting for the first time.

Costa Rica is the perfect place for a first white water rafting trip experience, since it has several rivers that offer a combination of reasonable rapids and beautiful floats. There are even rivers that are great for family excursions and bird watching, since they lack big rapids and flow through forests full of birds and other animals. In fact almost all river trips offer chances to see a bit of the countrys wildlife, such as iguanas, blue morpho butterflies, parrots, otters, king fishers, and herons.

The river routes available to rafters range from the turbulent waters of the lower Reventazon, where you hardly have enough time to catch your breath between rapids, to the meandering curves of the Corobici, where you spend more time watching wildlife than paddling. The most popular Costa Rica white water rafting trip offer a good combination of challenging rapids and calmer stretches where you can sit back and enjoy the passing scenery. If youve done a bit of rafting up north, youll find the comfortably cool water of Costa Ricas rivers a nice switch from the chilly water of the northern rivers. All white water rafting trips can also be done in kayaks, but kayakers must be experienced.

A wide selection of outfitters run trips down the countrys most accessible rivers using trained river guides and modern equipment -- all rafters are provided life vests and helmets -- ensuring safe but exciting excursions. Costa Rica white water rafting trip one-day include transportation to and from the river, breakfast and a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Overnight trips often include lodging riverside cabins and all meals.

Following are a few of the most convenient rivers for Costa Rica white water rafting trip:

Reventazon: The Tucurrique section Class III is easy enough for first-timers. The Pascua section Class IV-V is very wild, and requires previous rafting experience. Can be run year round

Pacuare: The countrys longest and most spectacular river trip Class III-IV can be run from mid May thru mid March. Two-day trip recommended.

Sarapiqui: Beautiful river Class II-III, good trip for beginners. Can be run out of San Jose or the Arenal area, from mid May thru mid March.

Savegre: Another beautiful river Class II-III excellent for first timers. River trips leave from Manuel Antonio and Quepos, May thru January.

Naranjo: A wild river Class III-IV near Quepos that requires some rafting experience. Run from June thru November.

El General: A popular three-day kayaking or rafting trip class III-IV best during the height of the rainy season, September to November.

About The Author

Andy Bezara For amazing Costa Rica white water rafting vacation package visit http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com info@mytraveltocostarica.com

Costa Rica has long been famous among serious bird watchers, but many people who would never consider the activity at home quickly have become interested in the countrys spectacular avian diversity.

With almost 850 species of birds -more than total of what North America has- packed into an area half the size of Kentucky, its hard not to become enthused about the variety of feathered creatures one encounters in Costa Rica. And we can provide us experienced nature guides who make any costa rica bird watching vacation an educational experience.

One of the reasons for Costa Ricas extraordinary bird life is the countrys great variety of habitats: rain forests, mangrove swamps, beaches, cloud forest, rivers, etc. And any two of those ecosystems, with their resident bird species, are often only a short distance apart.

Birders from North America who enjoy their Costa Rica bird watching vacation during the northern winter invariably recognize familiar faces in the forest, since many species of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, orioles, etc. migrate to Costa Rica every winter.

The countrys exemplary System of National Parks and Protected Areas provide more than ample stomping grounds for birders, but just about anywhere you look in Costa Rica, you spot interesting avian species. Even some of the hotels in the San Jose area have such colorful critters as blue-grey tanagers, great kiskadees and crimson-fronted parakeets in their gardens.

However, those interested in bird watching will want to see the resplendent quetzal, which lives in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Los Santos region and the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, and the equally spectacular scarlet macaw, which can be seen on the Osa Peninsula or the area around the Carara Biological Reserve.

Cano negro wild life refuge is other destination for your Costa Rica bird watching vacation. Cano Negro is a sweet water lagoon, not to deep, with an extension of 800 hectares. The lagoon and the nearby areas, are some of most important and vital biological areas that support environment quality in the north side of the country. The Cano Negro refuge is an important source of food to migratory birds from the north. There are also several species of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the country, birds and fishes for the human consume.

About The Author

Find amazing Costa Rica birdwatching packages in http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com whart@hotmail.com

It’s hard to find sometimes but it’s making a resurgence, black and white film. If you’ve never used this film now is the time to try it out. Here are some tips to using b&w film and what you can expect from the results.

1. Forget color. This is the hardest thing to do and the number one reason that you will not get good results with b&w film.

2. Look for contrast. Once you can ignore color look for contrast. You will want your image to have a bit more contrast than you would normally want in a color image.

3. Consider shooting situations that are more formal. Black and white film gives such a wonderful timelessness to an image and it’s perfect for formal situations.

4. Keep your photos simple. Black and white film simplifies so don’t fight it. Keep the images simple by keeping close to your subject or place your subject against a simple back drop.

5. Babies and pets look great on b&w film. Place the pet or baby on a white background and you’ll be stunned at the beautiful results.

Black and white film creates a timeless simple look. It’s wonderful for portraits and formal events. After shooting a few rolls of b&w you’ll notice that you start to pay attention to composition of your image more, since you don’t have to worry about color. If you’re just learned photography try using b&w film for awhile it will help you teach yourself good composition. Think of light and dark, black and white, and good composition and you’ll find that b&w film could be a whole new hobby for you.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography www.kellypaalphotography.com. She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.

So you have this great new camera. Now you’re standing in front of a display of more film that you’ve ever seen. All you want to do is take some great family photos but you don’t know where to start. Here’s short guide to help you get started.

Film speed is a number that represents the film’s sensitively to light. The higher the number the more sensitive to light, in that the less light is needed to take a well exposed photo. The number is also an indicator of the detail you will receive from the negative. The higher the number the more likely that you’ll see a graininess to the print when enlarged. Film speed goes from 25 to 1600 speed film.

25 to 200 Best for still life and portrait work, in studio conditions where the lighting is controlled. This is not the film for family shots indoors even with a camera mounted flash. You’d really need a complete lighting set up to use this film effectively. 200 speed film is very good for outdoor sunny conditions when you’re trying to get a shot of a beautiful landscape. It offers excellent detail and color saturation.

400 Considered the all purpose film. Most films touted as all subject or general purpose are really 400 speed film. When in doubt use 400 speed film. Though you may still be using your camera mounted flash in room lighting conditions. Also good for outdoor conditions, will give you some flexibility in darker conditions and where you are trying to capture a moving subject.

800 to 1200 Made for capturing fast moving subjects in all types of lighting situations. People running, playing ball, etc. This is the film you want if you want to freeze frame the action of a baseball game. This film speed can be used for capturing fast moving wildlife, like birds, but you will see less detail if you enlarge above a 16 by 20 size.

1600 This film is for super high speed shots. Unless you shooting a car or boat race you probably won’t need this film. Don’t use this for nature and landscape images the lack of detail will be obvious in enlargements.

Most of the time you’ll only need a 400 speed film for basic snapshots. But it doesn’t hurt to use the other speeds for special occasions, you’ll notice a difference.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography www.kellypaalphotography.com. She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.

Grips are the least expensive yet one of the most important parts of a golf club. Remember, the grip is the only part of the clubs that you make contact with, so it’s extremely important to make sure that you have the right size and the right quality of material. If you use a club grip that is too small, there is a good chance that the club will twist towards the target just before impact and cause the clubface to be closed. This often happens when the golfer unconsciously grips harder just before impact, resulting in the twist. If you use a club grip that is too big for you, your physical grip will often break loose at an off center impact causing the club face to be open

OK, so what grips are right for you Believe it or not, that depends more that just how big your hands are! Hand size, which is easy to measure, will determine the final grip size that you should have on your club. The size of your golf glove is an easy way to tell how big your grip should be. Basically grips come in Ladies size, which is also a Men’s small. Then there is regular, and midsize, and jumbo.

But here’s SECRET number ONE about grips!! Grips have an internal core that is different between styles of grips!! And here’s SECRET NUMBER TWO – the end of the golf shaft comes in different dimensions between styles of shafts!! What this means is that even if your golf glove size determines you need a particular grip size, you can still go wrong if you put that size with a smaller inner core on a shaft with a large outside dimension. So you see, it’s the combination of golf core size and shaft OD that REALLY determines the final true size of the grip!!!

You’d be amazed at how many golf club makers sell people clubs without even MENTIONING the grip! And you’ll find that most if not all of the “click and ship” websites don’t even take core size and shaft OD into consideration AT ALL!! They just ask you how big your glove is, and then stick a cheap grip on the end of the shaft and that’s it. PLEASE don’t let this happen, because you’ll pay for it in your golf game!!

Last, but certainly not least, you need to understand a very important piece of advice — CHANGE YOUR GOLF GRIPS OFTEN. Over time, grips will oxidize, harden, get slick and LOSE THEIR GRIP sometimes called tacki-ness, especially if you keep your clubs in the truck of you car which we don’t recommend by the way. You should remember to re-grip your clubs often — it will improve your game. Change your grips at least twice each season if you are an average weekend golfer. Does that sound like a lot to you Did you know that some of the pros change their grips every week So change your grips and change your game.

About The Author

Ben Poston is a builder of custom golf clubs and the author of the book "Saving Strokes and Saving Money". For more information go to http://www.trianglecustomclubs.com/savingstrokes.html info@trianglecustomclubs.com

Thwart wedding bell apprehension when you expl

The $30 K Wedding Alternative Holly Bentz

Thwart wedding bell apprehension when you explore your nuptial options.

The mayhem of a marital union can evoke enough tension to make the happiest bride say, “I don’t.” A second wedding, overbearing family personalities, cultural differences and financial restrictions are just a few reasons people skirt the mega marriage ceremony. For the woman, who has never envisioned the fairytale wedding, the ill trepidation of walking a mile of aisle can morph those butterflies into caterpillars.

According to a market report released by the National Association of Certified Wedding Coordinators NACWC, the average cost for a wedding in America ranges between $20,000 to $25,000. Over the last four years, the cost of tying the knot has increased by 18 percent. As people wait to get married, they are tergiversating the expense. Annually, an approximated 15 percent of newlyweds pass on the wedding circus and forego the City Hall route.

Prior to actualizing, you do not wish to produce the “event” of the year, your wedding there is a 5-letter word that will need nullifying, g-u-i-l-t. Family guilt is one of the most potent forces of resistance to wedding rights of refusal. Unless your family insists on doling the expenditures for the big day and you are 100 percent confident that the stress will be well worth the backlash – resist the temptation. In collaboration with your spouse to-be, consider your other wedding alternatives.

An Intimate Wedding Union

Less is more. A low-key wedding can be just as memorable and meaningful as an elaborate wedding event. If your guest list includes a total of 50-75 friends and family members, figure $5,000 to $10,000 for a sit-down dinner. The intimacy of family, close friends melded with an exchange of vows can set the stage for a magical wedding event.

The ideal location can be simplified if you don’t mind being hitched at home. Beware of losing sight of the budget especially, if finances are an issue. Bringing in additional tables, seating, lighting et al can add up – rapidly. Concerning other reception venues, do not rule out places like your family’s place of worship church or synagogue, country clubs, or social clubs/lodges.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship has its privileges. If you can find local businesses to donate their products and services in return for advertising at your reception, sponsorship may be a consideration. More couples are bartering a bit of promotion along with their nuptials, for complimentary or discounted goods and services.

Not all vendors will chomp at the bit to sponsor your special day. Certain vendors will appreciate the benefit of branding their company, directly to a target audience. Plan to approach a minimum of 100 vendors. Smaller and newer companies are more apt to participate. The ideal sponsorship situation is a win-win, for all. In example, the media buy for advertising costs 3-4 times the cost of the average sponsorship.

Sample Wedding Sponsorship Letter

Dear Marketing Department:

We’re seeking sponsorship in exchange for media coverage and free publicity. On Halloween, we are getting married in Las Vegas, Nevada. As recent college graduates, we’re a young couple with mortgage and car payments. As a court reporter, I possess many media contacts for top quality publicity in exchange for various items for our wedding.

Our wedding ceremony is being held at the Bellagio Hotel, an exceptional venue to showcase your business and demonstrate your company’s generosity. The details of our day are simple. Our guests are the perfect target audience, young single professionals.

Thank you for your consideration, I can be reached at 345.555.6666.

Appreciatively,

Mary Budgetwright

The Elopement

Elopement is self-indulgent bliss. There is nothing more relaxing then a well-planned elopement. Select an island: Kabel Santorini, Portofino, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, or wherever you prefer. If your preference is to remain in the states, conduct a search on Google.com, using the key word combination, “place to elope,” will return some 8,000 possibilities.

Then work backwards, set a target budget for your wedding/honeymoon and let the destination dictate your wedding. Bear in mind, the average cost of a honeymoon is almost four thousand dollars. Without the added expense of a wedding, hopefully you can afford to spend a little more on your romantic getaway. Once you and your fiancé have agreed on a destination, take 1 – 2 weeks to conduct a cost analysis and logistic research.

7-Top Reasons People Elope Affordability Timesavings Maintain serenity Alleviate stress Exhilaration Minimal planning The freedom of tradition

The Cocktail Soirée

Think outside of the bridal gown. A low-lost location, Veuve Clicquot, finger food and guests clad in casual attire is a nice way to celebrate your connubial union. Moreover, a historic landmark, a public garden or the local art gallery may feature inexpensive rental fees. With the cocktail party, all the elements that go into planning a full-blown wedding are unnecessary fittings, rehearsal dinners, transportation, gift registration, et cetera.

Regardless of your marriage ceremony decision – it a choice you will have to live with for the rest of your life. But then again, after you are married, you have the rest of your life to plan the perfect celebration.

About The Author

Holly Bentz runs a media services boutique, fruitionMedia.net. Her company is committed to providing a menu of media services designed to inform, educate and entertain. Information products, web content and esales letters are just a few of the writing products provided by her company, fruitionMedia.net. holly@fruitionMedia.net

Many people with a desire to live overseas have difficulty in deciding where to go and are sometimes in search of help in making their decisions. Cultural and other activities frequently play an important role in the decision making process. One useful parameter to consider when deciding on where to live and work, I term the "Intellijeune" factor.

Intellijeune is compounded from the English or French word intelligent and the French word jeune. meaning youth or literally young person.

The intellijeune factor or ratio is the ratio between the number of university or college students and the total inhabitants. Whether you are thinking of moving within your own country or of living abroad, the intellijeune ratio can be a useful parameter to consider.

The availability of higher education facilities benefits a city and its area in many respects. Not only is the visitor more likely to be exposed to young people and be able to interact with them on a higher intellectual level, but the community benefits too. Cities with a high student population are more likely to offer lively and diverse nightlife and cultural events.

Some students will remain in the city after their studies, thus helping to ensure a more stable economic future for the area. It might be dangerous to equate higher education with financial acumen, but that is my assumption.

That in short is the intellijeune factor. Could it be important to you in your decision making on where to live and work

About The Author

Dr. Otto Weizman is a seasoned traveller who has simplified his life to gain the personal freedom to live and work anywhere. He has written a step-by-step guide on the subject.

No one can truly say they know London well. To know London completely is impossible. London changes faster than pigeons descending into the fountains of Trafalgar Square. Home to inhabitants for over 2,000 years now London has grown from the protective circle of the Tower to a sprawling metropolis, the ideal platform for constant illustrious activity.

Always where there is history there are tales to tell. Tourists are naturally drawn to the regular tourist attractions, yet it is the true travellers that seek deeper to find the gems of a 2,000 year-old town. It only takes a very small amount of investigating to find something more rewarding, more interesting, more inspiring in London, than the London Dungeons although it must be said – is a damn good laugh if you can bear the hour long queues!.

For instance, not even a minute’s walk from the London Dungeons is the Hay’s Galleria. This gem is for some totally bizarre reason hidden from all guidebooks and tourist information – no doubt to preserve its lack of thousands of tourists making it a less exclusive haven. Please go there! It’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor menagerie of a few select shops, with a vast concourse of cafes, market stalls, bands, presentations, and of course, it overlooks a beautiful part of the Thames.

Turn right from Hays Galleria and you find yourself in a Thames-side walkway next to the newest buildings in town. The architecture is phenomenal, and these lord-mayor buildings are still so new that you can imagine that the cellophane has just freshly been peeled off all the windows. You are welcome to enter the Lord Mayor’s building it’s the one shaped like a golf ball, go to the top and marvel at the mind-boggling roundness of it all – plus of course see the spectacular views of the HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge & the Tower of London. Continue strolling directly into the I-Witness open-air gallery, before maybe snacking on a hot-dog in the mini-fairground.

Walk past the green that previously hosted many Hollywood film premieres in giant marquees, the David Blaine in-a-box episode, plus many other varied events, and you are literally underneath Tower Bridge, keep walking and you are now in Shad Thames, a true delight of traffic-free, cobbled streets full of people, giving you a precise feeling of how the London streets felt hundreds of years ago. It is as if these streets have been restored from long ago, thus delivering to the traveller a wonderfully rich blend of old and new in the same vicinity. Circle around Shad Thames, past the ever-changing Design-Museum, and find yourself in Butlers Wharf, a charming quay-side collection of bars & restaurants all overlooking the Thames opposite the equally picturesque St Katherine’s Dock. Trust me when I tell you that Butlers Wharf is the ultimate in romantic settings.

Hays Galleria to Butlers Wharf is one walk of quite possibly hundreds to choose from, in fact – that’s a whole day right there! There are equal delights even if you turned left out of Hay’s Galleria instead, especially the Clink Street Prison Museum, Vinopolis Wine Museum, Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, I could go on….

Great streets, great walks, great museums forget the big-ones – go to the Children’s museum in Bethnal Green for a real treat. It is frustrating to think that the bulk of visitors to London wind up staying in some of the least interesting areas. Paddington & Bayswater are both great areas, being so close to Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens now home to the finally-completed Princess Diana shrine. Kensington & Earls Court have their highlights too, but there is more to London than the tried and tested tourist routes.

I recently stayed in a five star hotel in the middle of the city on the weekend for less than one hundred pounds a night, and was amazed at exactly how completely empty the city of London was. I was in heaven! There I was in the middle of one of the oldest cities around, and I had it all to myself! City hotels are notorious for being completely empty on weekends, hence the great rates. I am sure tourists pay over the hundred pounds per night threshold to stay in ‘trendy’ Kensington etal, when they could easily stay next to Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Millennium Bridge etc, for much less.

Needless to say that the City of London the financial centre is absolutely coloured with history, everywhere you go there are buildings proclaiming their 16th century origins, and they are in abundance.

I was recently taken to what is supposedly one of the oldest London pubs in existence. Again, this pub is not only hidden from the guidebooks and the common information sources, it is also hidden from the public! I had to be taken there, as I would never have been able to find it unless accompanied. This pub is hidden from the world. It is sandwiched between two narrow streets and therefore completely obscured from any main thoroughfare. It has its own courtyard and as you stand supping a pint outside, it is as if you are in Victorian London. Look down the misty streets and it is easy to conjure up an old bobby on the beat blowing his whistle, or Jack the Ripper lurking in the shadows. Oh - and there’s a 150 year old tree growing through the building, to add to the oddity of the pub.

Hampstead is another great area waiting to be discovered. Covered in green spaces, Hampstead North London is perfect for the idyllic setting combined with the close proximity to the big-smoke. Steeped in its own folklore, Hampstead was home to Dick Turpin apparently he was born at the Spaniard’s Inn – hugely popular and famous pub on the Heath of which his ghost still roams Kenwood house, and the surrounding woodlands. The high streets of Hampstead, Belsize Park, and the immaculately kept Primrose Hill are possibly the last untouched-by-commercialism streets in London no Starbucks here!. If you want breath-taking views of the city, historical sites detailing the ‘first entry point into London’, combined with al-fresco dining, and an altogether more relaxed atmosphere, Hampstead is the place, and less than 15 minutes on the tube to the city centre! Now do you see why it seems frustrating that tourists stay in less desirable areas when they could stay in an altogether more inspiring location, just as close to all the major attractions

Of course, Hampstead is one of London’s many beauty spots, yet the city is not all about beauty. As with any home to approximately 10 million people, varied activity is rife. London events cannot help but affect all, every Londoner has an opinion on the congestion zone, on the ill-fated Millennium Dome, on Tony Blair, in fact on any topic you care to mention. Start a conversation with any London black-cab driver – typically famous for their outspoken views, and you will find yourself immediately thrown into the debate of the day.

So, when visiting London do not even attempt to see it all – you cannot.

In a city where already this year a Roman road has been uncovered a mile below ground level dating back to 1 AD, and where Paddington workers uncovered Brunel’s first iron-bridge – one they didn’t know existed - London is forever creating wonders on a regular basis.

enq@VisitHotels.com www.VisitHotels.com

About The Author

MD of Hotel booking agency VisitHotels.com Previously in the travel industry for many years Sales Manager of London hotels, and before that sailor of the seas on many an international cruise. Love to write, love to travel, love to exchange travelling experiences. enq@visithotels.com

Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.

What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening How can you take care of your passport Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.

Before You Leave On Your Trip

1. Check to see if you even need a passport.

Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive at the airport without the required documents, youll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, This isnt covered by travel insurance.

Currently, more than 80% of the worlds countries require a valid passport for entrance. Its important to verify the foreign entry requirements for the country you plan to visit as early as possible.

2. Apply for your passport early.

You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, begin the process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.

3. Fill out the correct form correctly.

Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you get the right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made on the application form can lead to delays, or even rejection of your passport request.

4. Follow the specifications for the required documents exactly.

When applying for a new passport, the most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid drivers license for proof of your identity.

Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrars raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrars signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrars office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your drivers license must be more than six months old.

For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way.

You must send two identical passport photos taken within the last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2 x2 with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view with the head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. The photos can be either color or black and white.

5. Sign both the passport application form and your check.

Surprisingly, many people forget to sign either the passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.

6. Request additional pages.

Are you a frequent flyer Request a 48-page passport at no additional cost. It will allow you to travel longer before having to replace it.

7. Sign your passport and fill out the emergency information.

When your passport arrives, check to see that all the information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it to the State Department for correction.

8. Make two copies of your passport and photos.

Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world.

While Youre Away

9. Always keep your passport in a safe place!

Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.

10. Never lay your passport down anywhere.

Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.

11. If you travel as a family or as part of a group, dont let one person carry all the passports.

The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.

12. Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.

When youre checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.

Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.

13. Immediately report the loss of your passport.

If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldnt have any problem with the loss of your passport.

If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States.

After You Return

14. Schedule your passport renewal.

Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it wont be forgotten.

15. Check the number of blank pages remaining.

Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited.

If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.

16. Store your passport in a safe place.

If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels.

About The Author

William Manor is the owner of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a very useful and com prehensive resource for U.S. citizens who travel internationally. http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com

There has never been a better time to Invest in Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate!

Collier County is ranked number one, and Lee County ranked number two in the entire State of Florida in Existing home re-sales sales ending February 2004. Collier County saw a 28% gain and Lee County had an 18% gain in sales of existing homes from February 2003 to February 2004.

New home sales put Lee County number one in the United States for the 4th quarter in a row and Collier County number five. These figures are based on the number of new home permits issued per thousand people.

We are seeing incredible appreciation figures, and rental rates are at an all time high. If you purchase a home in Southwest Florida, you should realize an unparalleled appreciation, and the figures indicate that, if you choose to rent your property out when you are not here, you should easily find a tenant.

The Median sales price for the same period saw Collier County with a 42% increase $273,100 to $389,000 and Lee County with a 31% gain $130,500 to $170,000. Once again, these value increases show that real estate in Southwest Florida out paced most other forms of investment.

For Updated Sales, Investment, or Equity Growth figures, please contact The Berry Realty Group or visit our website at http://www.napleselite.com

About The Author

Scott Berry is a Seasoned Real Estate Professional In Southwest Florida, and President of The Berry Realty Group with office in Bonita Springs and Naples Florida. 800-450-0198 scott@napleselite.com

Stretching from the peak of Snowdon to Bardsey Island or Ynys Enlli - the Island of the Tides, the Llyn Peninsula is a unique and beautiful part of North Wales, renown for its natural charm and mild climate.

So spectacular is its coastline that many thousands of acres have been protected by the National Trust, and vast tracts of land have been designated Areas of Special Scientific Interest. It is a haven for wild flowers and its indigenous wildlife attracts naturalists from far and wide - it even boasts its very own breed of sheep Llyn Sheep.

From the 5th century until the Middle Ages, numerous saints and pilgrims followed the holy route along the Llyns north coast, and it is steeped in early Celtic Christian history according to legend there are 20,000 saints buried on Bardsey. Quaint country churches can be found dotted throughout the region - an excellent example is St Marys at Bryncroes, where St Marys Well was an important stop on the pilgrims route.

Nant Gwrtheyrn, a once deserted quarrying village, now houses the National Centre for Welsh Language & Culture. It is also here that you can take a pleasant amble through an area teeming with Mabinogion folklore and natural history.

The remote fishing village of Aberdaron can be found towards the tip of the Peninsula. Traditionally, it was the last stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Bardsey. Its delightful beach has won awards and is always highly popular with families.

For the more adventurous, the areas magnificent coastline is ideal for sailing it is known as the Cowes of the North and other water sports. There are also plenty of facilities for golf, tennis, walking, fishing and horseriding.

There is an attractive sailing harbour at Porthmadog, which was a lively shipping port for the Welsh slate industry until the early twentieth century. While just outside the town is Morfa Bychan, where visitors are always delighted to discover the never-ending sandy beach at Blackrock Sands - one of Britains finest!

For families who fancy a spot of fun, Bodvel Hall Adventure Park at Boduan near Pwllheli lets the kids burn up some energy while the adults are able to relax in its wonderful grounds. On the other hand, Criccieth is the ideal coastal resort for visitors who prefer to sit back and relax.

In the village of Llanystumdwy is an excellent museum which celebrates the life of Lloyd George, the areas most famous son and one time Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Inland Llyn is well worth exploring for its lush valleys, crystal clear lakes and imposing mountains. The region is rich in mineral deposits and tourists can enjoy a visit to the Victorian copper mines at Beddgelert.

When you visit the Llyn Peninsuala, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had stepped through a time warp and had drifted back to a far less stressful period in history. Its tranquil beauty, its thriving use of the ancient Welsh language and its stupendous scenery make it a unique and fascinating part of Wales.

About The Author

Paula is a freelance writer who has contributed features to numerous publications on subjects such as literature, culture, history and humanitarian issues. She lives in North Wales and is currently the editor of two popular online guides: http://poetry.allinfo-about.com and http://englishculture.allinfoabout.com. paula-bardell@freelance-worker.com

Istanbul, situated along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, is the only city in the world bridging two continents, Europe and Asia; it is as old as civilization itself and as modern as carrying cell phones.

My husband and I were very excited about vacationing in Istanbul. We flew with Lufthansa Airlines from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in Frankfurt, Germany to change planes and approximately 15 hours later, we were there.

The entrance requirement for Turkey was a Passport with an expiry date one month past our exit date, and a Visitor’s Visa. The Visa can be purchased at the Ataturk Airport upon arriving in Istanbul. The cost is $45.00 U.S. per person.

We were met at the airport by the Bell Hop from The Hotel Zurich, the hotel we had booked over the Internet. We became friends with the hotel’s general manager, Mr. Turan islam, exchanging e-mail messages until we had agreed to $50.00 U.S. per night. The rate included a full breakfast daily, all the services in the hotel and transportation from the airport to the hotel. The Bell Hop had arrived in a taxi to pick us up.

Riding along in the back of the taxi, we were somewhat apprehensive as to what we should expect next, we were at the mercy of the Turks. We couldn’t speak the language and we weren’t familiar with the currency or their customs. Well, we didn’t need to worry; we were greeted with the very best in hospitality. A fruit bowl, a bottle of wine, an ample supply of bottled water and juice, and a hand written note from the general manager were all waiting for us upon arrival.

We were delighted with our room. We were on the 6th floor, a large room with huge windows that allowed us an unobstructed view of the Sea of Marmara and a large modern bathroom; hand soap, face cloths and tissues were not included. We were only steps from the hotel’s pool, exercise room and the stairway to the Dining Room.

I was relieved to see that female tourists were not expected to cover their heads with the traditional scarf called basortusu, or wear the traditional long baggy trousers called salvar.

Finding our way around Istanbul was easy a map helps if you remember to take one; transportation by taxi, bus or Tram was efficient and inexpensive and a life saver in the heat. Tickets for the Tram could be purchased at the kiosks located on street corners everywhere adjacent to the Tram stops. Istanbul’s only train travelled only around the outside of the city. It was clean but old and slow. We rode the train once and met an English speaking doctor who was born in Toronto and has lived and worked in Istanbul for the last ten years.

We found ourselves lost many times so we would ask anyone on the street for directions; with a little sign language we always got the information we needed. I would recommend that upon venturing out, you take the card from your room with the hotel’s name and address on it.

Public washrooms were not plentiful. When we did find one, a Turkish gentleman would be sitting outside the doorway for the equivalent of 25 cents he would give me two squares of toilet paper, that resembled sand paper. A good idea is to carry your own tissue.

I can’t say enough about shopping in Istanbul. The Grand Covered Bazaar has over 4000 shops, selling everything from Turkish rugs to leather goods, beautifully embroidered linens and fine jewelry. It was not unusual to see a shop selling tourist trinkets located next to a shop selling fine silk fabrics. We wondered for hours up and down the many lanes and alleyways and still didn’t see it all.

When we tired of shopping in the Bazaar, there were shops, boutiques and kiosks leading to the Bazaar and down every street. This was a shopper’s paradise. It was rare to see women working in the shops though; men dominate the market place even in shops where only women’s undergarments were sold.

The Turks are masters at bargaining so be prepared. Don’t pay the price marked on the item or you will have insulted the shopkeeper. If we left home thinking the last thing we needed was a Turkish rug, think again. We would be invited into a shop, offered a cup of sweet apple tea, or black coffee served in a cute little demitasse cup, and the bargaining would begin. Don’t be surprised if you go home with a rug, we did.

Also worth visiting was the Spice Market. Before entering the huge partially covered areas, the smell of cinnamon, mint and thyme greeted us at the door. Upon entering, I was hypnotized by the beautiful brilliant reds, oranges and yellows of every spice and herb imaginable. They were displayed in large jute sacks neatly stacked on the floor at the entrance to each little shop or in glass containers on shelves that lined the walls of the shops. The aroma of coffee beans, bulk tea and fresh baked goods made our mouths water. Be sure to purchase Saffron and pure Vanilla while you are there, the prices were reasonable and makes for wonderful gifts for family and friends back home.

There are many tours available in Istanbul and they offer English speaking guides. She Tours picked us up at our hotel and brought us back at no extra cost. The first stop on our tour was the beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus Strait. It was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, built in 1865 and is now a Museum for the public. As we entered the Palace, we were given plastic boots to cover our shoes, our purses were searched and we went through a metal detector before starting our tour. Continuing on, we crossed The Bosphorus Toll Bridge linking Europe and Asia and then stopped at Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul. The view of the city was breathtaking. This tour lasted five hours, cost $30.00 U.S. each and was well worth the money. She Tours offer many tours, one to fit every interest and time schedule. The larger hotels are happy to arrange the tours for you.

We didn’t need a tour guide to visit The Museum of Haghia Sophia or “Divine Wisdom” that was built in the 6th century or, The Blue Mosque named for the blue tiles covering its interior walls and built in the 17th century. The Blue Mosque is the only mosque in the world with six minarets and is the most beautiful and grand mosque in Istanbul.

We also visited The Beyazit Mosque the oldest mosque in Istanbul; the entrance fee was $2.00 U.S. per person however we found out later it should have been free admission. This mosque was the only one where we had to remove our shoes, and I was given a scarf to cover my hair. The scarf smelled musty and wasn’t terribly clean.

The Turks are purists in their culinary tastes so food wasn’t smothered in sauces and very little herbs or spices were used in the dishes we tried. The seafood was local and tasted fresh and was usually served with boiled rice; it was very tasty. A favorite meal of the locals was a Kebap; a large roll of mutton or beef cooked slowly on a vertical skewer in front of a heating element. When we ordered a Kebap, we could watch as it was shaved from the roll and served on an open bun. We didn’t need anything with it, it was very tasty all by itself.

The evening meals could be compared to an evening of entertainment. We were wined and dined for hours in air conditioned restaurants or outside on the patios and we would leave full and feeling like we had made new friends.

Breakfast was not a popular meal in Istanbul. If your hotel doesn’t offer it, be prepared, restaurants don’t open for business until late in the morning. We were fortunate to be staying in a hotel that offered a large variety of fresh breakfast items every morning; items like sweet buns, yogurt, cereal, hot soups and scrambled or boiled eggs. Their morning drink was the ever popular Tang orange juice.

The water in Istanbul was safe to drink but not wanting to take chances, we purchased our own bottled water very cheap 5 liters for the equivalent of 90 cents.

Every evening we would watch from our hotel window as vendors pushed their carts up and down the streets, offering stuffed mussels, meatballs made from barley, and pancakes filled with raw meat, as well as other carts loaded with every kind of fresh garden vegetable and locally picked nuts. And, not to be overlooked, Istanbul does have a MacDonald’s Restaurant for those who want to try Turkish hamburgers, french-fries and ice cream.

We never found a Laundromat anywhere in the city. With the use of sign language and lots of laughter, the maid in our hotel understood that we needed to do some laundry. She took it with her and brought it back the next day, ironed and hanging on hangars or folded very neatly. We used the service twice and the cost was $100.00 U.S. I would recommend purchasing clean clothes as you need them; Turkish made clothing was very inexpensive to buy, and fun to shop for.

Istanbul is the largest city in the Republic of Turkey. It has a population of more than nine million people and can have as many as eight million tourists visiting at one time. It’s main religion is Muslim; five times during the day and night, at precise times, we would hear the call to prayer from the various mosques. In the beginning, especially when we were awakened in the night, we would hear wailing echoing through the city, however after a few days and after we knew where the sounds were coming from, we became accustomed to it and actually listened for it.

The currency is the Turkish Lire. There were many banks in Istanbul; the most popular being the Yapi Kredi Bank where we could exchange our money or if the banks were closed, we had no problem using the many ATMs situated around the city.

Tipping was not the norm but just like at home, when we were given good service, we felt they had earned a tip. In our hotel, by the time we were leaving for home, we had trained the staff to accept our tips; they had definitely earned them.

This holiday was an amazing experience. I have barely touched on the many interesting places we visited. It wasn’t necessary to know the history, the language, customs or currency before embarking on this trip to Istanbul. We were made to feel welcome by everyone and the language barrier, only a minor inconvenience. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention that at times there was the odd hint of terrorism but nothing that affected us in any way nor would it stop us from returning to Istanbul.

As we were loading our luggage into the taxi to take us back to the Atutark Airport for our journey home, the staff on duty and the ones not working at The Hotel Zurich that evening came out to bid us a fond farewell and safe trip. Has that ever happened in any other country I know we have never experienced it, and it was such a wonderful feeling to know we were accepted, respected and considered their friends.

If you are looking for an exotic holiday destination, with friendly, hospitable people, an ideal climate and beautiful scenery or if you want to explore a city filled with Ancient sites and ruins mixed with increasing modernization, or how about just a fabulous shopping holiday well, Istanbul is the destination for you.

About The Author

Lori Guretzki lives in Abbotsford, B.C. with her husband of 23 years. She works in the office of a large high school in Abbotsford and has a home based business called Lori’s Canine Creations that she started 4 years ago. She also shares the love of traveling with her husband and together they have visited such places as Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Aruba, West Indies and many, many more.

Lori’s latest accomplishment is her book, The Reluctant Traveller, an amusing and entertaining day by day diary of the trials and tribulations of holidaying in Peru, South America, a country she new nothing about. Her book is in the process of being published and will be available soon through the Internet. Lori’s husband is also a recent published author.

Lori’s future plans include retiring from her full time job within 2 years; continuing with Lori’s Canine Creation and traveling with her husband. LoriGuretzki@shaw.ca

Located in southern Central America, Costa Rica is surrounded by three different bodies of water including the Panama Canal on the southeast, the Pacific Ocean on the southwest and west and the Caribbean Ocean on the east. Because of Costa Ricas close proximity to several bodies of water, the country is an ideal stopping point for various cruise ships carrying throngs of adventurous vacationers. Depending on the area of Costa Rica you are in, the climate can differ dramatically. There are cool wet mountain ranges, rain forests, dry tropical forests, cloud forests, the very dry Pacific coast and the damp Caribbean coast. Because of Costa Ricas diverse climate, the country is home to 850 species of birds, 205 species of mammals, 9,000 species of flowering plants, 1,200 species of orchids and 376 species of reptiles and amphibians. For a country that only measures 51,060 square kilometers, this is a wide variety of natural wildlife. Costa Rica strives to maintain the lands natural beauty and wildlife by designating one sixth of the country to national parks and wildlife refuges. Costa Rica is also home to several active volcanoes. Arenal erupts daily every fifteen minutes or so. The locals welcome foreigners with open arms making Costa Rica one of the most desirable vacation and retirement spots in the world. It is for these and other reasons that a Costa Rica vacation cruise should be booked today. The memories will last a lifetime.

An Abundance of Outdoor Recreation: Costa Rica is big on water related activities. Wave riders travel from all over the world to test out their expertise in Costa Ricas waters. Both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts offer up some notorious surfing. On the Atlantic Coast, Puerto Viejos Salsa Brava gets some great breaks during the winter months although this area is often crowded. On the Pacific side, Playa Hermosa is the most consistent place to catch some waves. If these areas are flat, no need to worry, snorkeling and kayaking are always an option. Wind surfers have nothing but praise for Lake Arenal. It is considered one of the worlds best wind surfing spots and on good days you can cruise over 25 miles across the lake. There might not be anything more romantic when youre on vacation with the one you love than enjoying a horseback ride. Whether its on the beach or through a National Park, the experience is sure to be memorable. Other popular outdoor activities to be enjoyed while in Costa Rica include hiking, mountain biking, deep sea fishing, bungee jumping, sailing, bird watching and ballooning. More adventurous activities include repelling down through the center of waterfalls, canopy tours through the tropical trees and white water rafting.

A Mecca for Nature Lovers: Nature lovers should take advantage of Costa Ricas numerous National Parks and refuges. Crocovado is both a rain forest and black sand beach. The Tabacon Hot Springs is natures equivalent to the Jacuzzi. Unwind near cascading waterfalls in the various pools and hot springs. A trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest will almost guarantee a sighting of Costa Ricas most famous bird, the Quetzal. The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is located out of San Jose, the countrys capital, and offers a guided canopy tour of the rain forest. Manuel Antonio Park is teeming with monkeys and other wildlife. The Tortuguera is Costa Ricas most famous protected nesting area. If you are not a fan of outdoor activities, dont worry, there is plenty else to do and see. The National Museum traces Costa Ricas colorful history and culture. The museum was founded in 1887 and is located in San Jose. Patrons of the arts should try and catch one of the numerous performance put on at the National Theater. The National Theater offers classical music and opera performances in addition to others. Sarchi is located outside of San Jose and is a great place to visit and admire the countrys handicraft.

Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com to receive a FREE Costa Rica vacation package quote.

About The Author

Aventuras Elegantes, AVEL, S.A. We are an american and costa rican group. Aventuras Elegantes, AVEL, S.A., started operation in 1995 as a receptive tourism agency specialized in promoting Costa Rica as a tourist destination worldwide. www.mytraveltocostarica.com info@mytraveltocostarica.com