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Kamis, 30 September 2010

Luggage, How Its Changed!

Ever since man has moved from place to place, they had to take their things with them. This required luggage of some sort to carry and keep valuables. Luggage started as heavy chests and boxes for the rich and royalty to keep all their belongings together and organized.

It has changed from those days to ways for most people to keep their items when on the go. Traveling by car, plane, train or boat, people needed luggage to keep their valuables in.

As more lightweight materials were invented, these materials were used to make durable lightweight luggage. Lightweight luggage is made of a combination of materials including cloth, vinyl and leather. These durable materials made it easier to carry, lighter to move from place to place and are less expensive than most quality luggage from the past.

We now have suitcases, tote bags, laptop cases, backpacks and briefcases. In fact you now can find luggage or bags for just about anything that people feel needs to be carried with them.

The neat thing as well is that with the cost of manufacturing today just about anybody can afford quality luggage and bags to travel with their valuables.

Rolling luggage was the next idea that was revolutionary that has now changed the whole travel industry allowing travelers to get around with even heavier luggage sets in no time at all with ease. Wheels on luggage that expands, luggage that is soft and able to be put in tight spaces, and hard luggage that protects your belongings and will survive the very rough handling of baggage handlers.

Rabu, 29 September 2010

London the wheel clamping capital of the Universe

I have lived in London for all of my life (38 years)
Yeah, there is no doubt it is a fabulous city, well what i have seen of it anyway.
Living so close to the city makes the average Londoner a little lazy when it comes to visiting the tourist attractions that London has to offer and i guess any traveler who has spent 2 weeks visiting our fine capital city would have probably seen more of London than i ever have 8)
I guess i visited more popular places when i was a child and often on school trips so i guess it was mandatory for me to attend a school day trip whether i wanted to or not.
Personally i would suggest that you visit the city in the evening after all you haven't come to London to sunbathe have you?
Seeing the sites of London is highly recommended but do not expect to be able drive around the city and park your car outside of your desired attraction. (no chance)
London supplies it's visitors (free of charge) with several thousand 'ninja, moped riding traffic wardens'.
I recommend using public transport such as buses and the London underground service as the roads are highly trafficked and if your were to win the 'parking lottery' and actually find a parking space, you would have to spend a huge lump of your winnings on the parking meter or car parking fees.
But hey, don't let this deter you from coming, it really is a great city.
Find out more about how to escape parking fines and wheel clamp fees at my blog.
http://wheelclamp.blogspot.com/
Regards to you the reader, surfson ;)

Selasa, 28 September 2010

San Diego Vacation Rental

The city of southern California, san diego is locally known as ‘America’s Finest City’. It’s located on San Diego Bay, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean near the Mexican border. San Diego is the second largest city in California and the seventh largest in the United States. It is also nicknamed as ‘America’s biggest small town’.
The beautiful city of san diego ca is well known for its wide selection of cuisines, expensive shopping malls, excellent architecture, museums, san diego zoo and animal parks.
San Diego is also dubbed as ‘The Plymouth of West’. It has a scenic coastline and it’s famous for its temperate climate and numerous romantic beaches.
San Diego is also known as the ‘City in Motion’ for being a major port of entry and a commercial, industrial, and research center. It is the home to various military facilities including Navy ports, Marine bases, and Coast Guard stations.
San Diego is also a city located in Texas. San Diego California is an excellent place for touring, as it’s bit expensive city, planning is very important in taking san diego vacation or san diego vacation packages.
It’s always wise to map out the place one is visiting in advance. Get complete information on san diego real estate, san diego hotel and san diego vacation rentals, before visiting San Diego.
Onlypunjab.com is the website that can facilitate you pick the best vacation rentals in San Diego. It’ll be providing you the valuable info and the best tips on taking san diego vacation, san diego vacation rental and san diego vacation packages.

Senin, 27 September 2010

Types of Honeymoons

Unless your dream destination has already been set in stone, first decide what type of vacation you want and then narrow down your list of destinations accordingly.

Resorts are the most popular honeymoon destinations, for they transport you into another world for a miraculous escape from the daily grind. Often set in the most picturesque places in the world, they include pools, private beaches and golf courses, as well as culinary delights and relaxing spas.

All-inclusive resorts streamline the enjoyment process by including everything — your room, transfers, recreational facilities, meals and drinks — all in one price. Without the worries of wondering how much everything little thing will cost, you are free to live the high life and experience everything you want as often as you want it.

If an all-inclusive resort sounds tempting but too stationary, consider taking a cruise. Cruises are floating resorts that whisk you away to one exotic port after another.

Looking for adventure? Ask us to help find you and your fiance' some outdoor exhilaration! Whether it’s white-water rafting in Colorado, hiking through the Alps or taking an African safari, sharing the experience will become a vital bond you both will share forever.

Cultural and historical trips are fascinating and romantic ways to reconnect with the past. Visit a famous European city — Paris, London, Rome…the list goes on — and inhale the culture, soak in the sights and experience the art of living. Or dive into the rich history of the old world country from which your family originated. The unique perspective you gain will become a central root for your future family tree.

Minggu, 26 September 2010

Thai Phrases That are Nice to Know.

Thai Phrases That are Nice to Know.

I want to learn Thai. (phom yak rian pa sa thai)
Don't forget men say "phom" for "I". Women say "di-chun".
Can you teach me Thai? (sorn pa sa thai phom dai mai)
Can you help me please? (chuay dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
Can you speak English? (poot pa sa ang grit dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
I can only speak a little English. (poot pa sa ang grit dai nit noi)
Here we didn't put in "I" in the Thai sentence. It is not really needed when you are speaking Thai.
Can you speak Thai? (poot pa sa thai dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
A little. (nit noi)
This is the best answer if someone asks you if you can speak Thai.
What do you call this in Thai? (nee pa sa thai riak wa a-rai)
Don't forget to point to some Thai words.
How do you spell it? (sa got yang rai)
Can you please write it down? (khian dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
Do you understand? (khao jai mai)
I don't understand. (mai khao jai)
If you understand just say "kao jai".

Can you speak louder? (poot dang dang dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
Can you speak slower? (poot char char dai mai)
For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.
Say again please. (poot eek krang)
I don't understand the word ... (mai khao jai cum wa ...)
Use this when a Thai person uses a word you don't understand.
What does ... mean? (... plae wa a-rai)

Sabtu, 25 September 2010

Yukon's Gold

The province Yukon is located north of British Columbia and it boarders Alaska to the west and to the east is the North West territories. Yukon was the 11th province to join the country of Canada. Yukon is probably best known for the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s. It is said that there is still gold in the rivers up there

This province is neat because of its beautiful landscape, from fresh water lakes to snow cover mountains there is so much scenery. If you are a hiker this is the place to visit. Hiking through the mountains and seeing all the wild animals is awesome. You can go fishing in the fresh water rivers and lakes. Or just float down some of the rivers in a raft. It’s something that you will never forget.

There is still a lot of mining industry going on. Yukon’s main industry is gold mining. Tourism is there next biggest industry. People from around the world come to this neat province to see these good mines. A lot of people like to tour the river where the big Klondike Gold Rush occurred. It’s got some awesome history there, so prep to learn a lot and experience the Klondike Gold Rush.

Facts
-Largest city is Whitehorse
-Is the 11th province to become a part of Canada?
-English speaking province
-Klondike Gold Rush

This province can offer a lot of history and its well wroth the trip to see it all, this is a province you don’t want to miss out on.

Jumat, 24 September 2010

Choose your restaurant in Rome: IL SECCHIO

Choose your restaurant in Rome

Choosing a restaurant in Rome can be not so easy, filled as the Eternal City is with hundreds of excellent places. The good news is that it's rare to get bad food. The even better news is that we've narrowed down your choices. Our restaurant il secchio has a wide range of flavours of the roman food.
Rome is not only the capital of culture, history, art and charme: Rome is also the home of Italy's most delicious ingredients.

Roman meals normally include at least three separate courses: pasta, a main course (usually a meat dish with vegetables or salad), and dessert. Meats, though tasty, are definitely secondary to the pasta dishes, which are generous and filling. The wine is so excellent (especially the white Frascati that comes from the nearby Castelli Romani) and affordable that you might want to do as the Romans do and have it with both lunch and dinner.




In addition to the restaurants located around your hotel in Rome, consider visiting our restaurant in rome that cooks the original roman cooking called " cucina romana".

Despite a sudden rise in prices after the adoption of the euro, Rome's dining tabs are still generally reasonable. One important tip: Check before if your restaurant in rome is open, because days off and vacations can spoil your dinner in Rome.

And remember that family-run trattorias are an extension of the home table. Do not forget to enjoy with your family a very intimate atmosphere tasting the roman food in my restaurant in Rome.
Visit our website at http://www.secchiorestaurant.it and write us at info@secchiorestaurant.it

Kamis, 23 September 2010

Larnaca Of Cyprus

Larnaca is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. In the time of the Old Testament, the city was known as Kition and the ruins of the ancient city can still be seen today.

Today, Larnaca is the international gateway to Cyprus; with very good resturants and hotels, excellent shops, sandy beaches and endless, blue sea.. In the last few years, as a result of huge development, many new resturants and hotels, opened thier doors, for people all over the world..

Three places you shoud visit at the time you spend in the city. First, Kition .This underground temple complex is the remains of the biblical city of Kition, which was settled in 1300BC. Part of the ancient Cyclopean wall and the temple of Astarte still exist. The second place is the Church of Agios Lazarus, In this beautiful little 9th century church lies the tomb of St Lazarus. This is one of the most important Orthodox pilgrimage sites. The third one is Larnaka Fort, This small fort served as a prison during British occupation.
It was however, originally built by the venations in the 15th century to protect the harbour. If you climb the wall you will get an excellent view of the town. There is also a small museum below the wall.

Larnaca large and safe beaches that go on for Km, are well known.
The two main beaches are; Mckenzie on the outskirts and Dhekelia beach which stretches for miles forming the backdrop to many of Larnaca's 4 & 5 star hotels. Most of Larnaca hotels. located out of the city, together with amazing, clean and clear beaches.

Rabu, 22 September 2010

London Hotel Market Booms

Whilst top end London hotels have had a fantastic year in London the same is not the case in the midmarket with the worse performance coming from the 3 star sector.

The best performance has come from the capital’s five-star hotels, which hardly missed a beat after the terror attacks in contrast with the harder hit three and four star sectors.

A surge in visitor numbers to the capital enabled five-star hotels to boost average room rate by 8.45% to £221.75, double the growth of 4.18% recorded in the same period of 2005. Occupancy rose 6.6 percentage points to 77.04%, compared with 3.97 percentage points in 2005. As a result, revenue per available room leapt 15.66% to £170.83 at five-star hotels, compared with 8.32% last year.

Four-star hotels in the capital also progressed. Room rate grew 4.76% to £98.51, and occupancy increased 5.91 percentage points to 81.61%. This lead to a double digit revpar gain of 10.95% to £80.40.

But the price-sensitive three-star market found it difficult to raise room rates, which grew by just 44p to £71.87. Occupancy grew 5.3 percentage points to 81.04% and revpar was up 5.96% at £58.25.

It is expected that there will be unprecedented growth in the second half of this year after the market was artificially depressed by last July’s London bombings adversely effecting the 2005 figures.

Selasa, 21 September 2010

Train Travel: On Track For Safety

To keep you on the road to safety, here are a few basic tips for motorists at rail crossings:

• Expect a train at any time. Trains can run anytime of day or night, on any track, in any direction.

• Don't be fooled. The train is closer and faster than you think. It's easy to misjudge a train's speed and its distance, especially at night. If you see a train, just wait.

• Trains can't stop quickly or swerve; be prepared to yield. After fully applying the brakes, a loaded freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a mile or more to stop.

• Stop and wait when gates are down or lights are flashing. Only continue across after the gates go up and red lights stop flashing.

Remember, too, that when on foot, you should stay off railroad cars and tracks. It's illegal and too often it's deadly.

These tips come from the safety experts at Voith Turbo, York, Pa., which manufactures a device that helps trains with braking, to make train travel even better. The new type of railcar is on track to save Americans time, trouble and maybe even their lives. These trains can go from stations in the suburbs to stations in the city without switching locomotives. Such flexible trains, called DMUs--or Diesel Multiple Units -were designed so commuters in the suburbs would not have to switch to locomotives that work only on city rails.

According to Colorado Railcar Manufacturing, the company that designed the cars, the DMU combines its drive systems and passenger accommodations into a single unit-each DMU has seating for 90 passengers and can pull additional motorized coaches.

Senin, 20 September 2010

South African Paradise Outback Adventure in the free state

Tired of busy traffic and the daily rush in Jburg we decided to head out to the Free State into the South african 'outback'. At 2,5 hours drive we ended up in Clarens. It is an artist's village, surrounded by the most beautiful mountains. There are lots of artists living there and they have their own galleries. It so relaxing just to stroll around from the one little shop or gallery to the next. In between the little shops
you will find cosy coffee shops and restaurants. Every shop is unique - from South African art and hand crafts to our wonderful South African wines. There is a very nice gallery with a wine tasting area.
You can go horse riding, walking and have the most wonderful drive through the Golden Gate National Park. A real adventure was our trip the day after to Lesotho, where you get some of the true African feeling and taste back. Very nice and wonderful people and beautiful
view and then back to our accomododation. A real Honeymoon Suite at the littleparadise of Caledon Gardens see caledongardens.com
where we had the most enjoyable evening since a long time. A hidden gem of Clarens Accommodation and a real impressive Guest House, with lots of art, must better than a
Bed & Breakfast, especially given the fact that they have a gourmet restaurant. A real romance's treat. After this we were ready for the
next crazy week in town again !

Minggu, 19 September 2010

Terms of static caravan ownership.

Both The British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) and the National Caravan Council (NCC) have recently agreed with the government run Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to offer fairer terms and conditions for those looking to buy a static holiday caravans on uk parks

As the leading industry bodies representing membership from a high percentage of UK holiday parks the BH&HPA & NCC have approached the OFT to discuss a template of best practice terms and conditions relating to purchase and licence agreements for a static holiday caravan pitch.

This agreement forms the key legal contract between vendor and buyer and many disputes relate directly to key issues which are covered within the proposed improvements, including pitch review and sale of static caravan.

These template terms aim to give more transparent terns for customers and will include;

• Increased clarity of rights and obligations of both parties concerned
• Increased clarity of expected behavioural standards.
• Fairer rules with reference to the owners rights when selling a caravan.
• Faire terms with reference to termination terms should an owner wish to cancel and agreement early.
• An improved process for pitch review.
• Preservation of owners rights when a park wishes to move static caravan due to site developments.
• Improved dispute resolution service.

The OFT also publish a leaflet called ‘A Fair Pitch for your caravan’ to help customers seek guidance on unfair terms and conditions in purchase and licence agreements provided to customers by park owners at the time of purchase. For more information visit the OFT’s website.

Sabtu, 18 September 2010

Luxury Car Hire - Prestige Car Hire

Signature Car Hire specialises in luxury car hire, (performance car rental), covering the hire of exotic performance cars, luxury and prestige cars. From its fleet of performance hire cars, Signature Car Hire offers Porsche rental, Aston Martin rental, Audi R8 rental, and other marques for rental including Ferrari hire, Bentley hire, Lamborghini hire and other performance cars. Signature Car Hire has expanded its performance car rental business, and offers a chauffeur service as well as the performance car-hire service. The luxury vehicle fleet used for the chauffeuring service includes S-Class Mercedes, as well as Bentley (Bentley Flying Spur), Rolls Royce (Rolls Royce Phantom), Range Rover (Range Rover Vogue), and the luxury Mercedes Viano.

Signature Prestige and Performance cars, we will endeavour to supply you with any car you desire. Specialising in the latest models we can offer you a driving experience not to be rivalled. We offer a very highly maintained luxury vehicle service, every car is meticulously checked and rechecked before you take to the wheel. Signature Prestige and Performance Cars offers for car rental some of the finest luxury and performance cars in the world.

Jumat, 17 September 2010

Fly Around the World Reviewing

Do you have a story of something that happened in a casino that is so unbelievable that no one believes you when you tell it? If so this contest is for you. The more bizarre the story, the better your chances of winning the contest will be, but all stories must be true.

Online-Casinos-789.com started an Unbelievable Tales from the Casino contest. All you need to do to enter is E-Mail your story of something odd, funny or unbelievable that happened to you or someone you were with in an online casino or casino during 2007 and you could win an all expense paid for two to Las Vegas for five days and four night at one of the strips 5 star hotel and casinos.

All you need to do to qualify is to be over 21 years of age and submit your story about what happened to you in the casino and Online-casinos-789.com will post the best ones on their site. At the end of the year you, the reader will be able to vote on the best submission and the winner will win the trip to Las Vegas and be offered a glamorous job involving flying around the world and reviewing all that the worlds casinos have to offer.

Kamis, 16 September 2010

Thai Massage

Thai Traditional Massage is a globally renowned science, another charm of Thailand’s uniqueness. Every pressure point of massage brings miraculous relief. The traditional massage, a truly unique science of Thai is performed by personnel with skills passed down form generations to generations. It can be said that Thai Traditional Massage is a cultural heritage whereby those experiencing it can feel the culture there of and Thai uniqueness in every touch. These are in addition to the relaxation and relief from the massage.

Each massage session features the use of natural Thai herbal medicines. This means that not only can Thai Traditional massage expel fatigue and tension but can also effectively remedy ailments related to muscles and bones. The extraordinary properties of both herbs and massage have conserved them and can be used complementary medicine nowadays.

Rabu, 15 September 2010

Three No-Nos in Thailand

Do NOT in anyway shape or form say or do ANYTHING that would be considered as being injurious to the dignity of the royal family. This includes but is not limited to saying anything bad about the king, stepping on or defacing Thai money or anything with the image of the King on it.

The Thais love their King. Remember this and act accordingly.

Don’t raise your voice or show anger. This has to do with face and if you cannot control yourself you will look like the ignorant tourist you really are.

Don’t hurt anyone especially a Thai. You will be held responsible and you really do not want to have to deal with the Thai police. It will cost YOU.

DO Smile A LOT and enjoy your trip.

Anyone else have suggestions in this vein, please feel free to add comments. They are most welcome.

Selasa, 14 September 2010

Places to stay in San Diego Downtown

Places to stay in San Diego Downtown

Places to stay Downtown for less than $100 a night

As for most popular cities to visit in the United States goes San Diego California ranks right up there in the top 10. The reason for this article is to explore what makes San Diego such an interesting place to stay to so many travelers. This article will reference things to do in San Diego, as well as places to eat. However, the primary focus of this article will be on Downtown San Diego.

This article is intellectual property of the author. Any republications should maintain the original work, and also credit the original author.

Senin, 13 September 2010

Places to stay in Anaheim

Places to stay in Anaheim CA

Places to stay for lees than $75 a night

Anaheim California has a great many Hotels, Motels, & Inns to choose from. For individuals looking for more economical places to stay in Anaheim, whether it be for a short weekend trip, or a family getaway this article provides information on places to stay, things to do, and places to eat. However, the nature of this article will focus mainly on Anaheim CA.

This article is intellectual property of the author. Any republications should maintain the original work, and also credit the original author.

Minggu, 12 September 2010

Ski Company Goes Green To Combat Global Warming.

Laura lives and works in Chamonix in the French
alps as a freelance journalist.

Sabtu, 11 September 2010

Family-Friendly Boutique Hotels

Boutique hotels aren’t just designed for wealthy couples or adults only. Many boutique hotels welcome children and families.

Should families be excluded from the boutique hotels experience? Many hotels in this sector think not, and happily open their doors to families with children of all ages, providing a range of services and facilities to suit this market. For many families, the size and location of these hotels is perfect for a family holiday, and allows their children to experience great design, service and cuisine from an early age.

Beach holidays

What child doesn’t want to go on a beach holiday? Yet what parent doesn’t want a bit of sophistication and style when it comes to spending time near the sea? Boutique accommodation in some of the world’s most attractive beach resorts can cater for children, allowing them to enjoy the simple pleasures of the sand and sea, whilst parents can enjoy the best food, thoughtful beach accessories and rooms that are designed to bring the outdoors in. Examples of these hotels include the Beach House in Marbella, the Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites in Crete, the JK Place Capri in Italy and the Villa Floriana in Croatia.

City trips

Taking the family to see some of the most famous sights in the world is usually a good reason for a city break. European cities like London, Seville, Vienna, Paris and Rome are all full of exciting things to do, no matter what age your children. Museums, art galleries, boat excursions, theatre trips, adventure parks – a city break can encompass all of these and a boutique hotel is a great place to relax at the end of a hard day’s sightseeing. Great service means that your children can get a glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate and something to eat to keep them going, and the central location of many of these hotels makes them an ideal base for exploring. Try the Egerton House Hotel in London, the hip Seven One Seven in Amsterdam, the Palacio Belmonte in Lisbon or the Hotel le Pavillon de Paris in the French capital.

Countryside capers

Explore a fabulous rural landscape by taking your family to a countryside boutique hotel. Hire bikes or take the bus into nearby towns and villages, or visit historic monuments, or simply go for a walk. Spending time in the countryside is a great way to unwind and the boutique environment gives you the perfect opportunity to relax. Choose one with a pool, and your children will be happy to stay and play whilst you read, use the spa or just take in the view. For a real treat, take a look at La Bastide de Marie in Provence, La Villa Hotel in Piedmont, Italy, the Cotswold House Hotel in Gloucestershire or the Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

Jumat, 10 September 2010

Enjoying A Boutique Hotel

If you’re choosing to stay in a hotel that’s been purposely designed to turn your holiday into an experience, you need to make the most of it.

Hotels have come of age in the past two decades. No longer do you have to choose between a huge run-of-the-mill chain hotel and a dodgy guesthouse. Today’s hotels are as varied and interesting as the people staying in them and your room, the bathrooms, the food and the service inside the hotel is as important as what you do outside it.

Every boutique hotel has different ways of distinguishing itself from the competition. Whether it’s a sumptuous breakfast in the morning, or complementary spa treatments, there’s something for you to relish at every one.

Relax

If you’re arriving at your hotel after a long flight, a stressful business meeting or with tired children in tow, then now’s the time to relax. Let the staff tell you all about the hotel and the facilities available to you, so that you can make full use of them during your stay. Accept the offers of drinks or dinner in your room to allow you to relax in private, or ask for a babysitter service or last minute tickets to a show to take your mind off things. There’s no rush to get breakfast the next day, so wrap yourself in the quality linen and cotton bedding and order some fresh coffee and a paper for the morning. Boutique hotels exist to make your stay a memorable one, so take full advantage of what’s on offer.

Ask

Whilst many boutiques excel when it comes to anticipating what a guest needs, there may be some things you need to ask for. Whatever it is, the staff will do their best to help – car hire; restaurant bookings, theatre tickets, sight-seeing tours or just some scrambled eggs late at night. Boutique hotels aren’t the sort of place where you need to worry about asking for something; once you get used to it, you’ll never go back to a chain hotel again.

Use

Make use of the facilities. If your hotel is particularly small, then you’ll only be sharing the facilities with a handful of people, if at all. Massages, facials and other spa treatments often come as part of the package and it’s a waste not to use them. The same goes for food – if the hotel says you can eat on your balcony or on the beach, give it a try. All of the services and facilities have been designed to make guests feel at home whilst indulging in some very non-homely treats, so don’t ignore what’s available.

Kamis, 09 September 2010

Fractional Ownership

What is fractional Cottage Ownership? You hear the term all the time, yet what does it mean? Is it a Timeshare? Do you own real property? Fractional cottage ownership has become quite popular in the last few years. There are companies that specialize in finding properties that are suitable for fractional ownership. These same companies then buy the properties and repackage them for sale in the fractional ownership market. Often these companies will also manage the properties and assist the groups of owners in renting the property. Obviously for this service there is a charge, but many fractional cottage owners feel it is well worth the cost.

So what is fractional ownership? Essentially, a small group of people or families decide to split the cost of purchase and maintenance of a vacation property and share its use. The one point that needs to be emphasized with fractional ownership is that the group of people that own the cottage actually are on title to the land, and the building. Like any other property the value of this land and building will go up and down as the real estate market does. Most fractional cottages are usually larger units owned by fewer people and most usually do not lose their value over time. In fact most appreciate in value just like they would if they where owned individually.

Sometime in the early 1990’s, fractional ownership started to become very popular. Agencies would offer fractional ownership programs that would usually involve buying a percentage ownership of a vacation property with a partnership agreement in place that would stipulate how many weeks each partner could have for their own personal use as well as a schedule of when those weeks could be used.

There are some distinct advantages of participating in a fractional ownership program. The owners can stay for fairly extended periods of time, such as, 4-6 weeks, as opposed to other options where the duration of the stay may be set to a rather short period of time. A huge advantage is that they are usually easier to finance through lenders because the risk is spread among several owners.

Another advantage of fractional ownership is that maintenance is usually provided year round and the costs for this upkeep are divided amongst all the owners. It costs less to keep the place and the property is available all year round and may often be used out of season. Probably one of the best advantages of fractional ownership is that the properties themselves are usually much easier to sell. When it is time to get out, it is easy to do so.

Naturally these advantages can tend to drive up the prices of fractional ownership as opposed to other less expensive alternatives. Luxury fractional ownership can sometimes cost as much as $200,000 per share and does not including maintenance and operating costs, however, there are more affordable fractional properties that can be found in the $29,000 range with as low as a 30% down payment and around a $140 monthly maintenance fee.

Rabu, 08 September 2010

Giving Can Overcome Language Differences

I recently had to take a trip to Germany. It has been more than ten years since making my last international trip. I now have a renewed sympathy for non-English speaking visitors and residents in the United States.

I didn't have it as bad as it could have been. Many of the businesses that I visited spoke English as a second language. What amazed me was how patient and helpful those that couldn't speak English were to me. I was able to go where I wanted and get what I needed with relative ease. It didn't matter if we spoke different languages because we worked out other ways to communicate. Contrast that to some experiences I have witnessed in the United States. I have watched non-English speaking people intentionally ignored or dealt with without any patience. I have also heard people say they shouldn't be in the United States if they can't speak English.

Do you want to make the world a better place by doing even little things? My recent trip to Germany was proof that you don't have to speak the same language to help others. The next time you see someone that may be visiting from another country, go out of your way to smile and greet him or her. Spend time finding a way to help them if they appear to need something. I am confident you will make their day better and yours as well.

Selasa, 07 September 2010

How to Have a Great Time without Losing Your Money

Gambling in a casino or online casino is supposed to be for fun, but for many people the casino is the place where some machine eats all their money, and they are broke after the first hour and have to go to the ATM to get more money.

If you are not an experienced gambler it may be best to stick to the slot machines, but the fact is that the casinos make most of their money from those one armed bandits.

The easiest game in the casino is Roulette. The object of roulette is to guess what number the little ball will land on, which is not easy but there are other bets to make. In roulette you can bet on the color of the number the ball will land on, and since there are only 2 colors on the board it is a much safer bet. You can also bet on whether the ball will land on an even or odd number.

If you are not an expert gambler and just want to have a good time you can also play keno. Keno is much like the lottery. You have a card marked with numbers 1 to 100, and depending on the amount you want to spend and the game you play determines on how many of the number you get to pick. A computer picks the numbers and if you have at least 5 correct numbers you will win some of your money back.

I would recommend staying away from the poker rooms, but there is one poker game that is mostly newbie friendly, Red Dog Poker. The game is very simple to play. the dealer gives out 2 cards, and the player has to bet if the next card will fall in between the first 2, an example of this is you are dealt a 5 and a queen, so you have to bet on if the next card will be a 6 to a jack, the smaller the distance between the cards the more money you will win if you are right. If your cards are a 5 and a 9 and you win you will win less then if your cards were a 5 and a 7 and the next card is a 6. You may never become a millionaire from playing Red Dog Poker, but it is lots of fun and you can sit at the table for hours without spending much money, and it can be lots of fun.

One of my favorite things to do in the casinos or online sportsbooks is to play the horses. You do not need to be a genius or have been going to the track for years to pick a winner, all the information on the horse and jockey is displayed in an easy to understand way so you can have all the information you need to pick a winner, and for a few 2 dollar bets you can spend an entire evening in a casino or sportsbook for less then 50 dollars.

Senin, 06 September 2010

Invest In Timeshares

Taking regular vacations is something that everyone would love but few people actually do. There are many reasons for this I guess, not the least of which is having enough money to get away each year and just relax. For me, one of the biggest reasons that vacations never materialized for my family was because of the stress that it took to plan a great family vacation. Each year we talked about planning a great trip, but when it came to actually planning the trip our efforts were haulted. That all changed, however, when we discovered the wonderful world of timeshares. I knew that timeshares existed long before I purchased some of my own, but I thought that they were only for people with excess money that never had to struggle to pay the bills. When I stumbled upon the idea of owning timeshares for myself many of my preconceptions were changed.

Basically, the idea of timeshares is that many people purchase a share of time to own a particular condo or vacation home. For example, purchasing timeshares of a condo for the month of January means that you own that condo for that share of time. The idea of timeshares is great for many reasons.

For me, timeshares lessened the stress of planning family vacations each year. With timeshares I knew in advance where we would vacation, where we would stay, and how much it would cost us. The only details to consider were transporation to and from our home to the location of our timeshares and the food we ate while we were away. Timeshares took a lot of the research and hassle out of planning. Another reason I have come to love timeshares is because they are located in a variety of places. Whether you want to vacation in Florida, Colorado, or just outside of Paris each year, I almost guarentee that there are timeshares to be purchased in the area of your choice. There is no limit to the kinds of vacations your family can enjoy with timeshares.

I love the predictability of owning timeshares. There is no guessing when it comes to vacation each year. My family and I can enjoy returning to the same vacation spot year after year because we own timeshares. However, another great benefit of owning timeshares is that often you can trade timeshare locations with other owners. When you get tired of visiting the condo that you have purchased in Florida you can trade with an owner for a timeshare in Washington or North Carolina instead.

If you are looking for a great way to enjoy years of great vacations, consider if timeshares might be right for you.

Minggu, 05 September 2010

Jets Buzz Malta

With visitor numbers static in recent years and facing new competiton from former Eastern Bloc countries offering cheap holidays, the recent announcement by the Maltese government that negotiations were at an advanced stage with two low cost airlines has sparked hopes that the island will see a rise in visitor numbers, much to the relief of some in the tourist industry worried about the future of Malta as a holiday destination.

Even before the new carriers to the island land the existing airlines have been offering return flights at prices seemingly much lower than in the past to try and hold on to their share of the market.

According to on-line travel guide YourMalta.com the airline negotiations have been tempered with the need for the island’s government to see that the national carrier, Air Malta, isn’t damaged as it is one of Malta’s major employers.

Traditionally the UK has been Malta’s biggest market for incoming tourists, often making up over half of the island’s visitors in any given year, but some on the island see even this market as under threat. And property buyers from the UK have accounted for seventy per cent of Malta property sales to overseas buyers in recent years, settling in Valletta, Sliema, St Paul’s, Mellieha, St Julian’s and Qawra.

A good portion of UK visitors and property buyers for Malta in recent years have been ex-forces who served for the British during WW2 when Malta held out against Hitler’s Luftwaffe, and then in peacetime through to 1964 when Malta became independent, who returned for holidays.

But with the inevitability of this market declining a new breed of Malta’s holiday and hotel entrepreneurs see Malta’s future as less dependent on the UK tourist, and being more cosmopolitan in her outlook.

Declining Market and New Opportunities

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in Malta properties, say they have noticed more buyers making enquiries from other countries over the last year. In particular they say they have been receiving enquiries from France, Italy and Germany.

‘The UK remains the foundation for overseas property buyers considering buying property in Malta, but the overall percentage is reducing as more and more people in mainland Europe have visited Malta, and liked it so much they want to either move to the island full time or buy a holiday home.

The arrival of low cost flights to Malta though could reignite British interest as three and four day breaks a few times a year becomes financially viable. If the airlines fly to destinations in Europe too the number of buyers for Malta property could rise in the immediate and medium term’ explains Tribune’s Managing Director, Roger Munns.

For Malta’s tourist industry three and four day visitors in increased numbers will be a welcome boost. There is discussion on the island about extending club’s opening hours beyond the current 4am.

Clubbers in the UK are used to 6am closing, and might be deterred from making a weekend trip with a three hour flight only to find shorter hours available for partying.

‘There are new opportunities for Malta, and it’s for the island to decide whether to embrace them and gain a new generation of visitors – or ignore them and lose an asset for the economy’ agree YourMalta.com

‘Malta has a lot to offer the visitor apart from being a Mediterranean holiday island. Malta has a rich culture and history, and can easily appeal to all generations from toddlers to pensioners. More Italians and other nationalities are discovering Malta as a destination. Malta will become more cosmopolitan. And while some of the older more conservative residents are likely to be against a younger and more diverse mix of visitors from what they have been used to and see change as something to be afraid of, we believe the island will embrace the more cosmopolitan feel, while retaining the features that make Malta a unique visit among her Mediterranean island competitors.’

Sabtu, 04 September 2010

Preparing Luggage for Your Trip

Luggage is a vital part of any trip, everything you need will be inside. Check your luggage prior to your trip and make sure all parts are in order and it has no rips or tears. The last thing you need is a zipper that comes apart at the airport while the handlers are moving your luggage.

When buying luggage choose quality bags that are built well and will last. But avoid the fancy luggage as this can be a target for thiefs. Fancy gold latches, big brand names and classy leather finishes can all be triggers for a thief. Stick with the classic look over the showy styles that will attract a thief.

Tagging your suitcase with a bright and distinctive marker will make the bag easier to spot on the carousel and prevents another traveler from mistakenly taking your bag. This will also make it easier for baggage handlers to find you bag should it become lost or needs to be removed from the plane. Thieves are also less likely to take a bag as they can be spotted much easier.

When packing your suitcase make sure you know the weight allowances allowed by the airline and weigh your bags before leaving. If your bag is overweight consider using two smaller bags, this is more of a hassle, but will save you on surcharges for the overweight bag. Check with your airline to determine the weight allowances that apply to you. You also have the option of using services that will pick up and deliver your baggage to your destination.

Keep proper identification in your luggage in case they become lost, this way you can be found. Placing a copy of your itinerary in each piece of luggage will assist the airline in finding you if your luggage is in fact lost. Use caution on how much personal information is left in the bags, to much information exposes you to identity theft.

Being prepared for security will make your screening process with the TSA much more pleasant. Check the TSA website for banned and limited items such as liquids and gels. They also have rules in place on how such items should be packed. Always use clear plastic bags inside your luggage as the screener can easily see inside. Locking your bags is also highly recommended and you should consider TSA approved locks. If your checked baggage is picked for screening the TSA will cut your lock unless you are using an approved lock, in which case they have a special tool to unlock it and re-lock it when finished.

Take a carry on with any essentials you will need in case your main luggage is lost or delayed. This is especially important if you will be travelling with children. Again check with the TSA website for carry on bags. The rules are a little different, some things are allowed to be checked but are not allowed in your carry on baggage.

Planning ahead will make your travel experience much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Jumat, 03 September 2010

The history of Argos

Argos is an ancient Greek city which is part of the prefecture of Argolis, in the region of the Peloponnese. It has four main subdivisions: Kokla, Larissa, Akova, and Timenio. This city has gone through several interesting historical events, and its past is among the main factors which attract tourists to its lands.

During the Mycenaean times, the city of Argos was an important stronghold, and was seen by the rest of the region as a strategic spot. This area was one of the first spots in the region in being inhabited and to become a town, only equaled by the acropolis of Tiryns and Mycenae.

In the Homeric times, the city of Argos was ruled by a follower of Agamemnon, and the name of the district in which this city is located, Argolis, was originated from such époque. Later, during the Romans, the region would be known as Argeia since that was the name given by these inhabitants.

During the Persian War, Argos was asked to fight and refused to do so, which caused it to be somehow despised by many of the neighboring cities for certain period of time. This was one of the most critical and difficult moments in the history of Argos, although it was soon overcome and become part of the past.

At beginnings of the 12th century, one of the most interesting constructions of Argos was built, the Castle of Larissa. Besides this construction, this city and its surroundings have received several amazing buildings and constructions as time passed by, some of them can be still seen.

Nowadays, the city of Argos is the largest city in the prefecture of Argolis, and one of the most visited by tourists as well. Argolis' economy is mainly based on agriculture, and oranges as well as other critics are among the main resources of the city. There are many interesting spots visitors can meet while they are in Argos, such as the Archeological Museum or many antique constructions, they should ask for information on the town's main attractions in order to make sure of meeting not missing any of them.

Kamis, 02 September 2010

Tips To Finding Cheap Airfare

For anybody who enjoys the advantages of being capable to fly,

then finding a cheaper airfare ticket is actually amazing

feeling isn't it. And so a lot of folks hold up their upcoming

air travel plans because they might not have the acquirable

finances for their pricey airfare, but if you do the right

research and search around you possibly be able to afford the

airfare costs because there is a possibility you could obtain

it at a much cheaper price.

The internet has several different choices available for you

when you are researching for cheaper airfare, you simply have

to recognise where to find it. Perhaps somebody you know has

obtained cheaper airfare on the internet and they could pass on

the information that you require to assist you in your hunt for

much better airfare prices. Still, they don't make it easy to

find, if that were the case then no one would be paying these

overpriced prices for their airfare tickets, they would all be

enjoying the ability of flying at a cheaper price and enjoying

every minute of it.

Remember that planning for your trip and not being overly picky

are the two most significant matters to keep in mind while

deciding on purchasing your airfare tickets. Also a lot of

folks are more concerned about departure times, returning

dates, available seating, and no stopovers, I suppose that

these folks must enjoy paying exceptionally higher prices when

performing their traveling. Flying more cheaply doesn't imply

that you'll not still have numerous other opportunities of

enjoying certain luxuries, you'll merely have to take the time

out to search in the proper places for these kinds of major

discounts that are available, either on the internet or by

asking a family member or a friend that has experienced with

air traveling.

Whenever you are arranging your planning and you encounter an

airline that is not typically talked about or not familiar,

then your chances of being able to select that flight are

actually high and the price difference will be tremendous, when

comparing it to a few of the upper airlines that are as well

available. Like I said before, if you want a cheaper flight

some of the times being picky can keep you from taking the trip

that you had hoped for. Keep in mind that being flexible when

picking out which airline you can take and at what kind of

schedule you would prefer, can truly help your opportunities in

finding a cheaper airfare for your planned vacation.

There are several rewards of finding airfare at a cheaper

price. First off, you will have additional money to spend on

your fantastic holiday. As well, having the confidence that the

flight is really going to be able to take place, because of not

having to worry about the funds not being available for the

trip that you were anticipating. It's simply an overall much

more satisfying feeling in knowing that you were able to fly to

your destination, and at a very reasonable price.

Rabu, 01 September 2010

Volunteering Abroad

Volunteering Abroad

Volunteer Abroad: Are you looking for an occupation where not only do you get to explore many cultures and learn new things, but also glove trot? Have you explored the option of volunteering abroad yet? Volunteering abroad is rapidly becoming a career option for many youngsters across the globe. Volunteering has always been associated with social causes like rescue work during earthquakes, Tsunami, war, saving the planet, creating eco habitats, educating slum children etc. What a volunteer can really derive out of an overseas work is experience, understanding the different communities and geographical or demographical requirements. A sense of pride, inspiration and this kind of work is good for character building.

Type of volunteerism: As a volunteer, you can teach English to monks in monasteries in Nepal, care for rare species of birds and other wild life in a nature reserve in Costa Rica or in Kenya. You can do a lot of good through volunteering abroad and reap the benefits too. You can add this experience in your resume and also get the opportunity to do serious traveling and even pursue an educational career. Most people choose overseas volunteer work because they get to travel to some of the most exotic places as well as off the beaten track destinations.

Whether you are interested in teaching English overseas or want to travel to various destinations across the world, you can find volunteering placements, which will satisfy your requirement. Here are three tips that will help you to find opportunities of volunteering abroad:

Volunteering Abroad with the right agency: Most of the volunteer jobs abroad are overseen and handled by different agencies. There are many online agencies who will proclaim to find you an overseas volunteering work but you need to know that not all of them are authentic. So you need to be extremely cautious while choosing the placement agency. Always try to get references and conduct a little background check just to be sure. An authentic agency has the capability of finding a placement for you based on your requirement and preferences. Some agencies also provide extensive training where required and overseas assistance. The agencies will charge you for the placement and don’t be surprised because this payment will ensure that you get all the support required overseas.

Volunteer Abroad organizations: Most of the organizations who assist with volunteering abroad have their own website. You may visit any such website and find their requirements, any specialization areas, and the destinations where they need volunteers. You can directly contact them and find out the details. Some social organizations will pay you a small amount for your work while most of them might not be able to pay you anything at all. Every organization associated with volunteer work will take care of your accommodation, local travel and basic necessities. You will have the advantage of choosing where you want to work and for how long. One of the famous organizations is the Peace Corps, and they always have a requirement for worldwide volunteers. You need to apply at least nine months in advance but most of the time government agencies lack flexibility. Another good organization is the International Student Travel Volunteers, Inc. The organization focuses mainly on creating volunteer work opportunities that involves education and conservation. They also provide financial assistance to volunteers and give them an opportunity to create an enriching experience through overseas cultural and educational programs.

Choosing your Volunteering Destination: Some people are a little nervous about traveling too far off to regions in distant corners of the world. This doesn’t mean that you will never get to do volunteer work. You can always find out a voluntary organization that can place you in nearby countries like Costa Rica or Peru. In these Latin American countries you will still be somewhat geographically close and near big cities with access to the amenities and comfort you would other wise have at home. you will be well versed with the immediate environment you are working in and at the same time get the necessary exposure and a rewarding experience.