Searching for adventure on grand cayman s sister islands

Most visitors to the Cayman Islands spend the majority of their time on Grand Cayman and make daytrips to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Though the smaller Caymans lack most of the conveniences and the luxurious surroundings of Grand Cayman, there is plenty to explore. If you are a scuba diver or outdoor enthusiast, you won’t be disappointed in what you find on the smaller islands. Tourists looking for relaxation will be greeted by peaceful beaches and incredible scenery. When you visit Grand Cayman, make sure you pay a visit to the rest of the family.

Deriving its name from the crocodile-like caymans Christopher Columbus thought he found upon his visit in 1503 (they were, in fact, iguanas) and the “brac” (Gaelic for “bluff”) that traverses the island’s center, Cayman Brac is the favorite day trip for visitors staying on Grand Cayman. Accommodations are hard to come by on this small island of 1,600 residents, but fun is never in short supply. Courtesy of the pristine natural beauty and some truly unique geography, Cayman Brac has come to be known as one of the world’s most distinctive scuba diving and rock climbing destinations.

Though Cayman Brac is just over 14 square miles, the waters surrounding the island are overflowing with excellent scuba and snorkel sites. Just a short boat ride from shore you will find Greenhouse Reef and Radar Reef, two sites with varying depths that can be enjoyed by divers of all skill levels. As depths at most of the coral reefs surrounding Cayman Brac are between 20 and 60 feet, snorkelers will also have no trouble seeing the sites in the crystal clear water. Though the reefs are certainly spectacular, adventurous divers from across the world come to Cayman Brac to experience the wall dives. Ranging in depth from 70 to 100 feet – with some walls extending much deeper – these sites offer an underwater experience unlike any other. Cayman Brac also boasts one of the most entertaining wreck dives in the Caribbean, the 330-foot Captain Keith Tibbetts that was intentionally sunk in 1996. In all, there are more than 70 distinct dive sites surrounding Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

In recent years, rock climbing has begun competing with diving for the interest of Cayman Brac’s visitors. Starting at the western shore, the bluff that gave Cayman Brac its name rises gradually from sea level to an imposing 140-foot rock wall at the eastern shore. To date, seven major sections of the bluff’s eastern end have been bolted for climbers. In many cases, these climbs must be reached by traversing picturesque trails with excellent views of the Caribbean or by repelling down the bluff to sea level. Climbers should try to visit the Wave Wall – a climb that begins amongst crashing waves and ascends the overhanging bluff – and Dixon’s Wall – a site that is reached by cutting through the backyard of one of Cayman Brac’s most interesting and knowledge inhabitants.

If climbing and diving don’t strike your fancy, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy Cayman Brac’s unspoiled environment. Hiking trails wind throughout the island – especially along the central bluff – and most can be traversed by inexperienced hikers. Along the way, you can observe an incredible diversity of plant and animal life and explore some of the caves that many believe were used by pirates as hideouts and safe keeping for stolen treasure. To complete your visit to Cayman Brac, take a ride to “the end of the road” and admire the dramatic rock walls and pounding surf at the island’s southeastern point.

Five miles to the west of Cayman Brac, a mere 100 inhabitants quietly reside on one of the most peaceful islands in the Caribbean. What Little Cayman lacks in activities, it more than makes up for in pristine, white sand. As a result, the most popular site on Little Cayman is Point ‘o Sand Beach – an expansive stretch of sand known as one of the best beaches in the Cayman Islands. One of the most popular methods of reaching Little Cayman is by charter boat from Cayman Brac. Landing right at Point o’ Sand, these boat trips typically provide lunch and snorkeling equipment. Scuba enthusiasts should definitely visit Little Cayman’s famous Bloody Bay Wall, a shallow reef that drops off sharply into colorful world of sponges, sea anemones, turtles and tropical fish.

While Little Cayman is best visited by boat, Cayman Brac must first be reached by air as the smaller Caymans are located approximately 90 miles east of Grand Cayman. However, these short and affordable flights – typically only 15-45 minutes depending on the type of aircraft – depart four times a day from Grand Cayman. In the evening, it is just as simple to catch a return flight back to your resort on Grand Cayman.

Safe hiking at outdoor travel destination

Hiking can be a great outdoor vacation or adventure, and usually it is not dangerous. But, you are outside and often find yourself far from civilization, and you could get injured or even worse. With that in mind, it is very beneficial to heed some basic safety tips to keep your hiking adventure a pleasant experience.

First, do not travel alone. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. If you are strolling along a well-traveled area, you are probably safe. But, hiking through a thick forested area with canyons and winding trails is a different story. You could easily get lost.

Traveling with someone can help in many ways, especially if your partner has some experience with hiking. You can help each other up steep grades or apply first-aid if needed, though hopefully not. Also, if one hiker is injured, the other can travel back to the trail head to seek help.

Secondly, it is important to know where you are going. You may want to give someone your tentative course before you leave in the event you do get lost. Stay on well-traveled or clearly marked trails, that is unless you are experienced enough to go off the main trails.

No, the marked trails may not be as interesting but getting lost is even less fun. A map, GPS or compass is a necessity for any serious hiking trip. Since not all GPS units function in all areas, get details on your travel destination and determine if your GPS unit will help you in that location.

Third, do not go overboard on the gear you bring but be sure to take some basic gear. Bring either matches or a lighter, but keep in mind that lighters can run out of fuel and matches can get wet. Take your pick! A knife can also be a lifesaver, in the literal sense, especially those with useful gadgets.

A simple first aid kit can also be a lifesaver. Include bandages and gauze, anti-bacterial cream and other standard items. Sunburn and anti-itch reliever and aspirin may also prove to be appreciated items during the hike.

It is, of course, important to have some knowledge of first-aid also. For example, aspirin can at times be harmful. Or, if you do not know the difference between arterial and venous bleeding, bandages and gauze will do you no good.

A flashlight is a necessity, and toilet paper is just a good idea!

Fourth, take some basic provisions to keep you hydrated and your energy level high. Fluids, both water and sport drinks, are obviously essential. A heat stroke can kill someone, but it is preventable. Water weighs about eight pounds per gallon so take what you need, but not less.

Be sure to bring enough food for the entire hike. Depending on what you ring, about one pound daily is average for a male of medium build.

Finally, use common sense. Enjoy your hiking holiday and the beautiful surroundings. But, do not get carried away and tempt Mother Nature!

Spring break 2008 destinations. cruises or flight packages where are college spring break students going these days

Spring Break 2008 will most likely continue the trend we have seen over the past two years, a move to a more affordable spring break vacation. No longer does Cancun monopolize the spring break market. College spring break students have grown tired of the overpriced packages to Cancun. For years, travel agencies have inflated their Cancun packages because they knew the average college student would be willing to pay top dollar for a spring break trip to Cancun. Those days are over. The past two years have seen shift to other spring break destinations. The Bahamas have become extremely popular. The April 2006 issue of Travel Magazine showed that Bahamas spring break packages were now just as popular as Cancun spring break packages. Studies show college spring break students want a cheap spring break package. A Bahamas package can often be half the price of a Cancun package. Spring break cruises to the Bahamas are typically the cheapest route to take. Eliminating the flight portion of any spring break vacation will usually cut the price in half. Choosing spring break cruises instead of a flight package is often the best way to do this. If you live in the U. S. and want to travel to Cancun, a flight package is really your only option unless you drive. It is possible to fly or cruise to the Bahamas. Grand Bahamas (Freeport and Port Lucaya) is less than 35 miles from Florida. Cruises are very inexpensive from there, and they depart from several different ports on the coast.

It is important to note that Bahamas spring break package prices will most likely see an increase within the next few years due to demand. College spring break students are booking earlier every year so they can get a room at the more popular hotels. Most agencies are sold out at all hotels by December 1st each year. Bookings for spring break trips typically start around the second week of September each year.

Discover your dream disneyland vacation come to life - a complete review

Though we were not big travelers, and though I couldn’t fathom the heat in southern California at that time of year, when my fiancй asked me where we should go on a short, affordable wedding, I suggested a Disneyland vacation. So what that we were grown adults. So what that neither of us cared for intense rides that make you throw up or standing in lines that seemed to threaten hours of misery. We made plans for our Disneyland vacation, foregoing the Disneyland hotel (in favor of cheaper digs, as we would only be in the room to shower and sleep), and deciding to drive (as we were only a few hundred miles away).

I love amusement park environments: I love the people, who have let their hair down and let go of formalities, temporarily I love the scenes to observe and enjoy; and I love the country fair snacks that one typically indulges in only once or twice a year—the fib, the hot fib sundaes in giant waffle cones, the cotton candy…. When I got to the gates, to begin my two-day Disneyland vacation, however, I thought I might change my mind. There were hundreds of people, not so much crowded and ready to burst through the entrance in excited, frantic television commercial joy, but still, in great suffocating numbers. But, my apprehension was assuaged when the gates did open and the people disbursed, walking with plenty of space between us into the park, immediately going into the closest food or rest stop building or walking into the building where Abe Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address. (If you have made a long drive right before beginning your Disneyland vacation and are parched tired, and of course gullible, the wax figures become so alive for you it is startling…. A great way to start your Disneyland vacation experience, which is surreal at most times, anyway)

My new husband loved Michael Jackson at that time. He imitated Michael, performed singing and dancing to his albums, and was extremely excited to see the new3-D movie with Michael and his troupe performing Thriller I dreaded the lines, but was soon surprised and corrected: not only was the wait tolerable, but the entry after the wait was manageable: those staffed at Disneyland’s theatre instructed (and, where necessary insisted) each person entering move all the way to the far side of the theatre, sitting in the next available seat, orderly and successively…not just running to any old seat, changing your mind, switching, stumbling, bumping, and holding up the procedure. It was an organizational experience I have referred to for many years after. The Disneyland vacation, besides including all of the foodsat the park I craved, had, in those early eighties, tolerablethrill-seeker rides, beautifully inventive rides, and nostalgiashops (for people like me, who had watched Annette andthe other musketeers, had faithfully watched The WonderfulWorld of Disney every weekend, but had never had anyMickey Mouse ears or had never laid eyes on the real castleor other characters). And most impressive of all, besides theorganization, were the spaciousness and the cleanliness of the park. What an utterly superb Disneyland vacation. I am now forty-something, but I want to go back

Asheville north carolina bed and breakfast - a personal review

Where do you getaway to? Are you forever in search of that perfect spot that's simply away from it all, but still equipped with the necessities? What I mean by necessities is a stunning view, fine dining, as well as a comfortable place to sleep. Now if this sounds like your perfect getaway, then you might want to think about an Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast. The mountainous region has everything that any outdoor lover could ask for. The scenery is impeccable, the dining superb, and the atmosphere peaceful. So what are you waiting for? That choice getaway to an Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast is at your very fingertips. Hop online and check it out.

North Carolina is my home. This is the place I grew up in, completed my high school in, and later started my family in. Now you can say it holds a special place in my heart. I've been through it time and time again. And when I say through it, I actually mean throughout it. Of which I spent fifteen years in Chapel Hill, three years in Cary, and many weekends in Greensboro, Wilmington, Asheville, and Charlotte. Yes sure, I know North Carolina. This is not to be confused with South Carolina. I often hear individuals do this and it irks me like no other. These states are very diverse and should be checked up and referred to individually. Would you refer to New York City and Miami like they were the same? It's doubtful. Nevertheless, one of the finer places to escape from it all and take in a breath of fresh mountain air is Asheville, North Carolina. I recall the first time I stayed up there. A fine Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast. I especially remember the service and hospitality was all that you'd expect in the south. Not to mention the view was unsurpassed. If you're into the outdoors, this is certainly a retreat for you.

Are you planning an Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast weekend? Perhaps this is your surprise plan for your lovely lady, in this case it's time to consider your options. The Internet is loaded with deals and packages regarding any great getaway. You can discover specials on Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast retreats. It's all on the World-Wide-Web if you take the time to look. For sure, you want your Asheville North Carolina bed and breakfast to be just right, but you don't want to get shafted. Get online now and see what offers are best.

10 reasons why your family should go on a disney cruise

1. You have children age 12 and under

Every child should experience the magic of Disney at some point during their childhood. It is a special trip they will never forget and will cherish forever. The only way they’ll ever experience Castaway Cay is aboard a Disney vessel. A Disney cruise is an excellent way to experience everything Disney has to offer.

2. You have teenagers

Disney cruises realized long ago that small children grow older and developed programs for teenagers also. If you go on a cruise without your teens, you’ll worry about what they’re doing while you are away. So bring them along on a Disney cruise – they’ll love it.

3. You are planning a cruise without your children

Why leave the kids with grandma when you can take the kids along on a Disney cruise? Disney cruises plan itineraries for your children (all the way to midnight) no matter the age group. So, each of you can enjoy yourselves separately, and come together for meals, ports-of-call, etc. When the children are with you, all the worrying about their well-being is eliminated.

4. Away time for the parents

With the kids safely onboard and their fun-filled itineraries planned, Mom and Dad can enjoy some time on their own with the peace-of-mind that their children are safe. Should the need arise; an onboard paging system can make contact with parents at any time. Whether you want to go to an onboard coffee shop, health spa, or a nightclub – Disney cruises understands and can accommodate you.

5. Excellent dining

Opulent dining choices are always at or near the top of all cruisers’ lists of what they want in a cruise. Disney understands this and offers excellent cuisine for all. There is even an adults-only formal restaurant, the Palo, which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. The kids will like Animator’s Palate where Disney scenes decorate the walls and change from black-and-white to vivid color before dinner is done.

6. Onboard entertainment

Disney boats feature original productions at the Walt Disney Theatre. These area all live, Broadway-style productions with a cast of Disney characters the whole family is sure to recognize. Also, movies are featured in two locations onboard – at the state of the art Buena Vista Theatre, and under the night sky near the Goofy Pool on a jumbo LED screen. Plus, there’s more to the onboard entertainment than plays and movies – activities have been custom-tailored for all types of passengers. The Oceaneer Club is designed for the youngest sailors, ages 3-7 complete with a trained staff to help them enjoy the fun. For kids a little older, ages 8-12, there is the Oceaneer Lab with interactive games on a giant video wall. Also, kids can enjoy playing ship captain at Ocean Quest. Finally, for teens there are teen-only clubs designed to look like an apartment or dorm room where the tough-to-please can socialize with their age group. There are also activities designed for the whole family to enjoy together like the Studio Sea where Mom, Dad and the kids can participate in a live game show and sing karaoke together.

7. Locations visited by Disney Cruises

Disney Cruises feature a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Other stops featured on the Caribbean cruises include Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Mexican Riviera cruise features a trip from Port Canaveral through the Panama Canal with stops at Castaway Cay, Aruba, Cartagena, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Capo San Lucas.

8. You want to do something different for Spring Break

It may be a little-known fact that Disney Cruises are a very popular choice for the college-age crowd during Spring Break, and it’s easy to understand why. A Disney cruise provides an alternative for those young adults not wishing to participate in the regular rites of debauchery in which so many other young adults partake.

9. You’ve never been to Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and it has features perfect for the whole family. Kids and teens can venture to Never Land and adults can go to Shangri-La. Of course, the whole family can relax together on the beach and take in some sun.

10. You’ve never been on a cruise

Disney Cruises is a great choice for those travelers who have never been on a cruise. Even if traveling without children the excursion will be a trip you will treasure forever. Disney cruises has many ship excursions planned no matter the season and there will surely be a trip that fits into your busy schedule.

Camping cook ware comes with choices

To prepare campsite meals and feed yourself or family during your camping trip, at least some camping cook ware will be needed. Camping cook ware that is small in size and portable will make your camp cooking and packing for your trip less complicated. Backpackers who are camping will especially appreciate compact, portable camping cook ware. Camping cook ware can range from a simple single pot to a number of skillets and pots in different sizes that nest into each other for easy storage and transportation.

A main choice you will have when shopping for camping cook ware is the type of cook ware material. Aluminum, cast iron, titanium, and stainless steel are all available and each has their own merits. Aluminum, titanium and stainless steel cook ware sets will be lighter and easier to tote around. Aluminum camping cook ware sets may come in non-stick varieties, which will be slightly more expensive. Metal cook ware sets will all be prone to rusting, so be careful that your cooking pans are dry before you store them. Cast iron cook ware sets are especially durable, and can last you a lifetime with proper care. Because they are so sturdy, cast iron cook ware sets will be much heavier and harder to transport than cook ware sets made out of other materials.

Besides pots and pans, utensils and cutlery are other essential pieces of camping cook ware. Depending on what type of campfire foods you want to prepare, you may be able to get away with just a simple knife and spoon, or you may need a more elaborate utensil set including a spatula, measuring cups, tongs and forks. Folding utensil sets are available that allow for easy storage. If you are worried about storage space, a simple and cost effective solution is to purchase an all-purpose wooden spoon and saw off most of its handle, being careful of splinters from the sawed off end. Also, look for plastic cutlery sets including forks, spoons, and knives, for another cost saving way to find camping cook ware.

To minimize the need for lots of camping cook ware, there are a few camp cooking strategies you can follow. For example, much cooking preparation can be done ahead of time in your own kitchen. Vegetables can be chopped up and sauces can be prepared and stored in small containers or plastic bags. This allows you to leave behind the knives, cutting boards, stirring spoons, and other equipment that will take up room and need to be cleaned. Also, sticking to simple camp cooking recipes will allow you to reduce the number of camping cook ware pieces needed for your meal preparation. Aluminum foil cooking is a simple and easy method that creates hot, delicious dishes and the only cook ware needed is a roll of foil.

Hello from sicily exploring stromboli

Due to bad weather yesterday we spent the entire day docked at Santa Marina di Salina but we had nevertheless a great experience during our driving tour of the island, with expert guidance provided by two locals. Our first Italian lesson had also progressed smoothly and a quiet dinner capped off an occasionally drizzly and grey day.

Well, today was another day, and when I peeked out of the sailboat bright and early I saw right away that we had clear skies today. This meant that we would be leaving Salina and sailing on to the next island in our linguistic sailing trip experience: Stromboli!

When I saw Franco, one of our Italian language teachers from Laboratorio Linguistico, come out of the on-board shower room wrapped in a towel, it crossed my mind that an Italian language learning trip aboard a sailboat is definitely a very unique experience. As a matter of fact, boat life really brings you close together, and notions of personal space and barriers of shyness seem to be decreasing the more time you spend on board with your shipmates.

It’s just that kind of environment, and it’s actually very refreshing to move outside one’s comfort zone and allow oneself to experience something completely different. This has been one of the beauties of this unique trip all along - the unique tight environment on the sailboat, six great ship mates (thank God!), and the beautiful experience of gliding through the Mediterranean waters from one beautiful island to another.

Our departure was planned for 10 am, so I took a quick walk through Santa Marina, indeed a very picturesque little place, particularly when lit up by the morning sun. I had a quick on-board breakfast before Herbert, one of my shipmates, departed. He had been feeling a bit sick for a while and was going to take one of the fast ferry boats, one of the “aliscafi” or hydrofoils to one of the other islands to visit a doctor and get some medication for his flu-like symptoms.

So the remaining six of us got ready to sail and we were out on the open waters by 11 am. Leaving Salina behind, we sailed past the island of Panarea which features a gently sloping mountain on the eastern side and a steep precipitous cliff on the western side. The weather could not have been any better. The sun was so bright I closed my eyes and started to fall asleep. All of a sudden this intense feeling of tiredness overcame me, it was as if all the accumulated stress from my life in Toronto was trying to unravel itself, so I retreated and lay down in my cabin.

When I woke up again we had actually reached our destination: Stromboli, another Eolian island, this one distinguished by an active volcano. We anchored our sailboat off shore since the island has no harbour, and Francesco, our skipper, got a little dingy ready that would carry us from the sailboat on shore. The dingy was barely big enough to hold three, definitely no more than four people, so in the first trip Francesco scooped up Claudia, Lorenzo and me while he steered the vessel.

I was of course planning to do lots of photography on the island, and I thought I just hope to God that we won’t tip over in this tiny inflatable vessel, since my camera and my memory cards would certainly be gone. But I should not have mistrusted the expertise and prudence of our captain: Francesco transported all six passengers safely to land without incident.

In my quest for photos I embarked on a solo discovery of Stromboli on foot, while Claudia and Lorenzo headed off into town as well. I walked by the waterfront, past a variety of shrubs, some industrial buildings and the lone electricity generating plant on the island to a promontory that looks out on a rock just off the coastline: Stromboliccio (little “Stromboli”), of course also of volcanic origin, is uninhabited but features a lighthouse.

From here I turned left and made my ascent into the town of Stromboli which stretches up along the foothills of the volcano. The roads are incredibly narrow, a regular car would definitely not fit on the roads, so all the vehicles are either motor scooters, tiny three-wheeled mini transport trucks with a cargo platform, or even golf carts. I snapped a few pictures of the various vehicles, and was rather amused when I saw the two local policemen – carabinieri - ride through town on a golf cart.

The village of Stromboli is located on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the main square features a viewing platform that provides a beautiful look over the sea. The Church of San Vincenzo overlooks the square, and on the left hand side is a restaurant with a large terrace offering a great view. A local politician was starting to make announcements for the upcoming mayoral elections and at 6 pm one of the main candidates would be making an appearance. Not many people listened to his speech since most of the people on the square were actually foreign tourists that had come off the ferries to stay for just a few hours. But he steadfastly continued on with his political message…

I stopped into a local outfitters shop that provided shoes and clothing for hikers, equipment appropriate for hiking up to the top of this active volcano. Various local operators provide guided hiking tours to visit the top of Stromboli which is in continuous eruption. This retail store also had Internet access, offering one rather antiquated machine tucked into the corner, but the owner explained that unfortunately the Internet had been down all day, so I was out of luck. I continued my explorations of the town instead which offered numerous restaurants and various retail and artists shops, all closed of course, due to the siesta.

So I bought myself an ice cream and relaxed for a bit on a bench by the waterfront. He added that the medical treatment had actually been free of charge. Rested again I hiked back up into the village and turned left at the big church and headed up past the village on the narrow road that provides the ascent to the volcano. By this time, about 6 pm, the sun had already disappeared behind the volcano, and it was getting pretty cool so I decided to come back into the village. There I bumped into Herbert who had arrived on the island in mid-afternoon after accidentally taking a wrong ferry to the island of Panarea to visit a doctor about his flu-like symptoms.

Fortunately he had found a medical specialist and got a prescription for his flu. The medical treatment had actually been free of charge. We sat and chatted for a bit until it was time to get back on the beach where our skipper would pick us up with the dingy. By 7:30 pm all of us were on the boat and we were ready to start our night time navigation to Panarea, our next destination.

A big cruise ship was approaching from the south, and the setting sun bathed it in its golden glow. We were just turning the corner near Strombolicchio when we saw a gorgeous beautiful pink and purple-coloured sunset. I thanked our skipper Francesco for timing our departure so perfectly. We rounded the island of Stromboli and also got to see the lava fields on the western side of the island.

The sea was rough today and we were now sailing in complete darkness. A cool wind was blowing and after sitting at the back of the boat for about an hour I got chilled to the bone. I decided to lie down in the cabin and covered myself with two blankets to try to get warm. In addition, the choppy waters had made me feel a bit queasy and I felt better lying down.

Around 10:30 finally we had reached Panarea, not that we could see it because it was totally dark, but our captain had dropped anchor and we were going to sleep offshore for the night. A nice on-board dinner of gnocchi and salad capped off an eventful day and I was already wondering what this new island of Panarea would look like tomorrow morning.

Travel like a hollywood a-lister with luggage to suit every journey

When you go away on a business trip, or take a vacation, do you find yourself digging out the same badly battered, worn suitcases and bags that you have been using for the last decade? Worse still, are you still using the now threadbare backpack that accompanied you faithfully throughout all of Europe, and a good part of Asia, when you went backpacking for a year in your early twenties?

Whatever your situation or needs, travel luggage needs to change as you change. If you have a family, you need to have a range of suitcases, bags and backpacks to cater for each family member. Or, what if you are now a high flying executive? That dusty suitcase you were dragging behind you five years ago when you were starting out in business, simply won’t do now.

Luggage is an important expression of your personal style and taste. Indeed the most fashionable travelers simply regard their luggage as an extension of their wardrobe - additional accessories to co-ordinate with their overall “look”. And while not everyone can afford a cupboard full of Louis Vuitton, there are plenty of classy and highly practical brands that speak of quality, elegance and panache.

When choosing new luggage it is important to think through the likely uses of the bags or suitcases you are buying. For instance, if you are planning to do regular short business trips, you will naturally opt for smaller, compact cases that will be easy to carry or drag behind you. Indeed many seasoned business travelers choose bags that are small enough to take onto planes as carry-on luggage, thereby saving themselves the delay of waiting for their luggage to be unloaded when they are arrive at their destination.

Ideally, you will buy a selection of larger suitcases for those longer trips away, as well as a variety of smaller bags. It is always advisable to add a soft bag to your collection since soft bags come in handy when packing the car boot for long car trips. If you expect to be packing sports items, there are plenty of very good, jumbo sized carriers that take all manner of sporting goods, from baseball bats through to hockey sets.

Shopping for luggage is easy when you know what your needs are. Just be to think down the track though, because good quality luggage should last for years. If you expect that your needs will change, be sure to choose luggage that is multi-purpose and flexible.

Drop everything to read about this amazing private island in the bahamas

Imagine a Private Luxury Island with 23 friends in the Bahamas. It’s called Musha Cay and many of the few who’ve been lucky enough to stay there claim it to be the best tropical island not just in the Bahamas, but anywhere.

You and I may never get the chance to fulfill our dreams of a private island honeymoon on a place like this, for two very good reasons. The first is that we could never afford it, and the second is that Musha Cay is rented out as an island for fifty weeks of the year. It is only during a two week period that this most luxurious of luxury private islands can be rented on an individual house basis.

However we can all dream, and we should all dream of what a private island getaway like Musha Cay would be like.

Imagine renting an entire 150 acre island just off Great Exhuma in the Bahamas, with a staff of 37 who live there and will pander to your every whim. Make a mental list now of which of your friends you would like to invite to what will be your own luxury island for as long as you can afford it!!

Your friends can choose one of five very private beautifully furnished accommodation units. First at the top of the hill is High Point which you’d probably want for yourself. It is a 10,000 square-foot manor house with a quite amazing living and dining room.

There are two huge bedrooms with a deck all the way round, a sauna, hot tub and beautiful gardens.

A couple seeking to be alone could take the one bedroomed thatched Beach House hidden away on a secluded beach with an open air bathroom and shower.

Everyone else will either be in one of the pair of two bedroomed houses on their own private beach or be in the Palm Terrace a five bedroomed house also on its own private stretch of beach.

Here at Musha Cay you can literally eat, drink, and be merry twenty four hours a day.

You can eat and drink virtually what you want, and where you want to.

Take a picnic anywhere from the beautiful white sand strip and eat lobster and drink champagne. Whatever food you want, even caviar, can be flown in and prepared in any way that you want. The chef will cook want you want and serve it where you want from canapйs to cake on the beach on a boat at midnight at anytime.

Evening meals consist of many courses prepared by a top class chef and served in the waterfront dining room, but if you wanted it could be at the beach bar or even in your villa.

Having seen the eat and drink options what about the be merry on Musha Cay?

Well you could start by exploring this 150 acre island that is Musha Cay, and then there is tennis, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing for blue marlin, and then take your pick from a fleet of speedboats to go waterskiing, or take a windsurfer or a sailboat.. Add to this waverunners and runabout skiffs and you have some idea of the facilities on a top luxury private island where dreams come true.

There is a beachside fitness center, and indoor and outdoor massage rooms to add to all this.

You could always use the island’s own aircraft and fly to Nassau for the day from Musha Cay’s own airstrip. By the way there is also a helipad.

Or you can play billiards in your own billiard room, watch satellite TV, or even if you wanted to connect to the internet from the business office!!

You will soon lose all track of time om Musha Cay. The 30+ servants, all hand picked are there to ensure your stay is totally memorable, as if they all worked just for you and it was your own private luxury island retreat. You will find them utterly unobtrusive and totally discreet and trustworthy, leaving you without a care in the world.

Luxury: Musha Cay takes you back to a time long gone, when the wealthy lived like Kings and Queens, waited on hand and foot. The romance and elegance of these times gone by is encapsulated in your stay on this most private of private luxury islands.

PS The mundane subject of money!!

You can rent Musha Cay by the day or weekly, the daily rate being $43150 for up to 24 people, and that includes everything bar fireworks massage, and scuba diving.

For more information about hidden Hotels in The Caribbean go to worldwidevacationspots. com/categories/Caribbean-Hotel-Hideaways/

London s west end musicals

London’s theatre scene is glitzy, glamorous and fun, and there are always hundreds of performances going on at once. Some of the most popular shows are the big West End musicals, many of which have been running for years and still sell out weeks in advance. Here’s a brief guide to some of the all-time favourites.

Blood Brothers

Theatre: Phoenix, Charing Cross Road

Current Run Since: November 1991

Overview: Written in 1981, the original run of the musical starring Barbara Dickson had limited success. However, the remake 10 years later has proven very popular and has now become a cult classic. It’s a captivating prince-and-pauper tale of twin boys from a poor Liverpool family who are separated at birth because their mother can’t afford to keep them both. One is brought up by the mother’s rich employer so both lead very different lives, only to meet again in adulthood with mixed consequences.

Chicago

Theatre: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street

Current Run Since: April 2006

Overview: This sordid tale of murder, greed and corruption focuses on main character Roxy Hart, who is accused of killing her husband and hires a sleazy lawyer to get her acquitted, only to set up a dance act with partner-in-crime Velma. With catchy tunes such as All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle, it’s been a hit since its first run, which began in 1979.

Les Misйrables

Theatre: Queen’s, Shaftesbury Avenue

Current Run Since: October 1985

Overview: In 2006, Les Misйrables became the longest running musical in the world. For 21 years it has been keeping audiences captivated with its dramatic and emotional tale of social, political and romantic turmoil in 19th century Paris, adapted from the classic Victor Hugo novel. The musical score is excellent, moving seamlesly from rousing marches to moving ballads.

Lion King

Theatre: Lyceum, Wellington Street

Current Run Since: October 1999

Overview: Written by Tim Rice and Elton John, this excellent adaptation of the popular Disney animation has won six Tony Awards and is a real stage spectacular, with a dazzling set and fantastic animal costumes. It’s the story of a lion cub, heir to his father’s jungle throne, whose evil uncle plots to take over.

Mamma Mia

Theatre: Prince of Wales, Coventry Street

Current Run Since: June 2004

Overview: 1970s Swedish pop sensation Abba’s best hits are brought together in this great musical medley, arranged around the story of a girl on the eve of her wedding day. Tuneful melodies such as Money Money Money, Dancing Queen and of course Mamma Mia are guaranteed to have audiences tapping their toes throughout.

Phantom of the Opera

Theatre: Her Majesty’s, Haymarket

Current Run Since: October 1986

Overview: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most well known musical is a love story based on Gaston Leroux’s 19th century romantic novel about the goings-on behind the scenes in a Paris Opera House, where a mystery man in a mask falls in love with one of the opera singers. It has won several awards, including seven Tonys and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and is immensely popular – so much so that the theatre has never had an unsold seat in 20 years of daily performances. Key themes from the musical are The Music of the Night and the title piece Phantom of the Opera.

Hello from toronto a bike ride through the don valley past the distillery district to the toronto islands

Sometimes you get hooked on an activity, and exploring Toronto by bike has become one of these pastimes for me. Not only is it great exercise, but it’s also an awesome way to explore the nooks and crannies of any destination. To share my enthusiasm I conscripted my friend Mario on a Thursday evening after work and persuaded him to come on a cycling trip with me.

So we met up in the Taylor Creek Park system, away from Toronto’s busy streets and started our ride, heading westwards towards the Don Valley. We turned southwards and got on the main north-south bicycle trail that is wedged between the Don Valley Parkway and the slowly flowing Don River, one of two main rivers in Toronto.

In my opinion, Toronto is an amazingly cycleable city, it has about 40 km of bicycle lanes on city streets and about 125 km of paved bicycle paths. What makes Toronto really unique is a network of ravines that cross the city from north to south, most of which feature bicycle trails. We cycled underneath the Leaside Bridge, crossed Pottery Road and stopped briefly underneath the Bloor Viaduct, originally named the Prince Edward Viaduct System which connects Bloor Street on the west with Danforth Avenue across the valley of the Don River.

The Bloor Viaduct is 494 metres long and stands as high as 40 metres above the Don Valley. The top level of the bridge features six lanes of traffic, and the second deck holds tracks for Toronto’s subway system. In recent years the Bloor Viaduct has been equipped with an expensive suicide barrier to prevent people from jumping off the bridge. The Bloor Street Viaduct ranked as the second most fatal free standing structure in the world, after San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Since the completion of the C$ 5.5 million suicide barrier in 2003, also referred to as the ‘Luminuous Veil, there have not been any suicides at all, and the distinction of Canada’s leading suicide site has moved to the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal.

A few hundred metres further south along the trail we stopped on a narrow bridge and admired the northward and southward view of the Don River. It sometimes amazes me that there is so much nature right in the middle of a big metropolis such as Toronto. Three Canada geese were sitting right next to the pathway and were being fed by passersby, an example of nature right smack dab in the middle of a city.

Since the bicycle path is blocked off south of Queen Street for renovations, we had to carry our bikes a few flights of stairs up to the deck of the Queen Street Bridge from where we continued riding into the downtown east side of Toronto. We turned south on Cherry Street and stopped to admire one of the local landmarks: the Canary Restaurant, located in an unrenovated Victorian brick building at the intersection of Front and Cherry Streets. The signed said “closed”, but I wasn’t sure whether this venerable institution was closed down permanently or just shut for the day.

Our next destination was the Distillery District on Mill Street, a complex of 44 restored Victorian-era industrial heritage buildings that has been turned into one of Toronto’s most popular entertainment districts. This area was originally the Gooderham and Worts distillery, founded in 1832, which became the largest distillery in the world by the 1860s. Industrial activity declined in the area in the 20th century and by the early 1990s it was run down and derelict.

A group of real estate developers purchased the site in 1990 and successfully transformed it into the best-preserved collection of Victorian-era industrial buildings in North America. Today the Distillery District holds a wide assortment of restaurants, cafes, galleries, unique retail stores and even a theatre. It has been used as a location for more than 800 film and television productions including Chicago, Cinderella Man, Tommy Boy, the Fixer and X Men.

After heading south on Parliament Street we connected onto the bicycle lanes on Queens Quay to our next destination: the Toronto Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands situated off downtown and they provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. At a price of C$6 per roundtrip ticket, a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands provides an affordable getaway into a much more peaceful and quiet environment.

Interestingly, the Toronto islands were originally a narrow peninsula composed of sand that had drifted down from the Scarborough Bluffs. In 1858 however, water broke through in a violent storm and started the formation of the “Eastern Gap””, today the entrance into Toronto’s harbour. Hurricane Hazel also affected the topographical appearance of the islands and created several smaller islands. The creation of the Leslie Street spit with fill from the excavation work for the Toronto subway system stopped the deposition of additional sediment; however, concrete-reinforced shorelines limit natural erosion.

After about a 30 minute wait we hopped onto a small ferry boat called the Ongiara, a car ferry originally built in 1963. This small ferry can house a few vehicles and is mostly frequented by bicyclists who want to explore the island. The view from the rear of the ferry boat as it recedes from the terminal is simply phenomenal. Toronto’s impressive skyline featuring the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre and dozens of commercial and residential high-rise buildings came into view. Even though I have been living in this city for a long time, a ride on the ferry and the look back at Toronto’s skyline are always a special experience.

My friend and I got off the boat at Wards Island, actually an extension of Centre Island. This area features a cluster of houses and small cottages that have several hundred permanent residents throughout the year. The land is owned by the city while the houses are covered by 99-year leases with the City of Toronto. Many of the cottages are very small, and not all of them are well-maintained while others are in great condition and feature impressive gardens.

We cycled to the south side of Ward’s Island which features a wooden boardwalk and a great view of the Leslie Street Spit. From there we turned right and made our way to Alqonquin Island, another island that features a community of houses. Altogether the population of the Toronto Islands comprises about 700 people. We stopped at a bench on the northern shore of Algonquin Island and sat down to enjoy the magnificent view of the downtown Toronto skyline. The bridge over the inner channel provides a perfect view of the tranquil waterway that is enjoyed by paddlers and sailing boat enthusiasts alike.

I wish we could have extended our stay on the Toronto Islands, but dark clouds were looming overhead and it sure looked like we were going to have a serious thunderstorm. We made our way back to the Wards Island ferry dock and caught our trusted ferry, but had to make a detour first to Hanlan’s Point to pick up additional passengers. Altogether our ferry ride stretched to about 50 minutes or so, and by the time we arrived at the Bay Street Ferry Terminal, big raindrops were starting to hit the ground and lightning bolts were flashing in the sky.

It was definitely time to get home and quick. My friend and I started cycling like crazy, but the heavens opened up within a few minutes, and it started pouring fiercely. We were both soaked and I spent about 50 minutes cycling in the heavy rain along the Lakeshore and Beaches bicycle trails to get home.

But despite the rain, there was something pleasant about the experience, the rainwater was fairly warm and all the sounds of the city were nicely muffled by the rain. I was pondering how a long ride in the rain could be so enjoyable. My only worry was not to get hit by lightning and about an hour later I had safely made it home, ready for a hot shower to get all the street grit off my legs.

As the hot water helped me get rid of the city’s grime I thought what a great way to explore the city you live in – a bicycle ride to the Toronto Islands…

The best-kept secret of garmisch germany

Attracting droves of tourists every year, Europe promises the ancient, the diverse, and the completely fascinating. Most travelers scurry past the major sites and cram in as much as possible in order to get through a list of 'must sees.' Unfortunately, much is overlooked due to lack of time and money while the infinite unique treasures sometimes hidden for the resourceful traveler remain undiscovered and unappreciated. Not that visits to the key attractions should be dissuaded!

On the contrary, I'm simply inviting the European travelers to dig a little deeper into their destination country and find the gems that will make them smile as they recall them even decades later. Remember and celebrate the taste of a fresh German pretzel, the sweet smell of the air in a Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft petals in a colorful field of Dutch tulips. Savor an entire spectrum of sensory bliss as you skip from one country to the next, searching for that tiny unique detail that you will fondly relish for the rest of your life.

Garmisch, Germany boasts of many things – the breathtaking Bavarian Alps, perfectly-carved wooden houses with flowerboxes that spill over with color, the delicate edelweiss alpine blossoms, mouth-watering schnitzel, stout German beer, and a myriad of talented local craftsmen. But did you know that at the edge of this quaint, picture-perfect town lies a violent display of Mother Nature? Known in German as the 'Partnachklamm,' it hides behind the old Olympic Stadium and attracts hundreds of hikers each year.

So what exactly is the Partnachklamm? In a nutshell, it's a struggle to the death – a knock-down, drag-out brawl between the Partnach River and a limestone gorge. The river peacefully runs through the trees until it hits the 262-foot tall gorge. From there the river's personality turns to fury as it slams into the rock walls, throwing its temper tantrum for over 2,300 feet before calming down again and continuing to flow through the Bavarian countryside. Visitors follow a carved-out rock path from the entrance to the gorge and up a gradual incline to experience firsthand what nature is capable of. Don't forget your raincoat, though! You may be able to avoid the mist from the tumbling cascades but the spray from the waterfalls above will most definitely christen you!

There are several ways to experience the Partnachklamm, each holding its own delight for the visitor. Late spring through summer will provide a green backdrop on the limestone rocks while the chilly alpine waters almost deafen its company. In colder months, the gorge becomes an enchanting world of icicles and snow. Check first before showing up during the winter, though…too much snow and ice will force the gorge to close for safety reasons. It's also possible to visit during the day or the night – daytime offers better views while the warming sunbeams force their way through the foliage.

After dark, torch-lit tours are offered, giving the gorge a mystical quality. Regardless of season or time of day, once you've made your way through this hidden natural treasure, continue up the mountain for a robust hike and then relax at the Forsthaus Graseck's restaurant. The food is excellent and the views are breathtaking. While indulging in their cuisine, ponder how you'll get back down – take the same path through the gorge or a restful two-minute ride down in the cable car. Either way, a trip to the Partnachklamm is well worth it!

Home away from home benefits of condos over hotels and rv s

Home Away From Home: Benefits of Condos Over Hotels and RV’s

Most parents of school-age children are forced to confine their family vacations to summer months, Christmas holiday and Spring break. Other families can choose to take their vacations at any time that is appropriate to their personal preferences.

When people consider their vacation or weekend getaways, few understand the true range of options they really do have available to them. Many people think their only options for lodging on vacation is limited to: hotels, motels, cabins, RV’s, travel trailers, and tents. But the truth is that there are a few more options that most people never even consider.

Condominiums, also referred to as Condos, are another great lodging option to consider. But, just speaking the word Condo brings to mind for many the concept of Time Share Condos. Of course, that is one option with a Condo, but we are going to look at the other options as well.

Condominium Residency Arrangements

A condominium, very literally, is very similar to an apartment. It is a fully self-contained living arrangement, with a living area, bedrooms, private balconies, and a full kitchen; and most condos contain all of the amenities, including big screen televisions, DVD players, high-speed Internet access, and other creature comforts we generally have in our homes, such as washers and dryers. Many condos also have hot tubs or Jacuzzis in the apartments.

Condos are basically full apartments, located in areas of prime real estate, such as Las Vegas on the Strip, or many other locations around the world on beachfront property. Condos generally provide additional benefits such as swimming pools, weight rooms, restaurants, and other high-value goodies.

We are going to look at four types of Condo purchase arrangements in this section.

1. Condominium Ownership – Condo ownership costs include the purchase price of the apartment and yearly fees to cover maintenance costs.

2. Condominium Timeshares – With a timeshare, the basic concept is that more people can afford them, because the cost of ownership is split among several owners on a per week basis. When someone buys a timeshare, they are buying a 1/52nd ownership of the Condo for a specific, pre-designated calendar week. With a timeshare, one is entitled to take over the property beginning on a specific calendar date, and they must vacate the property at the end of the week.

3. Condominium Rentals – Instead of timesharing a condo, many people opt to rent a condo, which frequently requires a purchase of a specific weekly period, although many condos provide flexibility so that you can decide which week you would like to rent. Some condo owners will allow individuals to rent by the day, but those have a much lower availability, than the condos that rent by the week. More on this later in this article.

4. The Dreaded Seminar Timeshare – Some companies are so desperate to find people to listen to their sales message that they are willing to put prospects up in a timeshare condo for the weekend or week, so long as the person(s) agrees to attend a specific number of sales presentations during their stay.

Benefits of Condos Over Hotels

The greatest benefit of condominiums over hotels is two-fold.

First, condos are fully self-contained, providing kitchens, spacious living and all of the luxuries of home to their guests. Many also provide high-speed Internet and data access to their business-class guests. For many folks, the full kitchen is the greatest advantage of a condo, in that, they will not have to eat nearly every meal in a restaurant, enabling the vacationer to spend his or her money on attractions rather than on restaurant foods.

The second greatest benefit for condominiums is three-fold: location, location, and location. Condos are generally located on some of the best prime real estate properties in the world. For example, City Center in Las Vegas is located on the Strip between the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and the New York, New York Hotel and Casino. Beachfront condos exist in nearly every major beach destination in the world. Condos are available in San Francisco, Chicago, NYC, Atlanta and Miami, just to name a few metropolitan locations. And locations are not restricted to U. S. destinations; in fact, condos are available in nearly every travel destination of the world.

Benefits of Condos Over RV’s and Travel Trailers

RV’s are nice, but considering the cost of fuel these days, they are seldom a great option for most travelers. A friend of mine recently priced a RV for a planned family vacation, and he found the cost for eight days would easily exceed one thousand dollars, plus mileage over 200 miles, plus fuel. At eight miles per gallon, his planned trip of 500 miles one-way would have easily translated into 125 gallons of gasoline and more than $400, just in fuel costs, at current fuel prices.

Sure, the RV is still more spacious than a car during a long road trip, but for the cost, renting a Cadillac for the trip might just make more sense. Given the claustrophobic nature of his wife, he felt that train or airplane might make more sense for his roundtrip transportation needs.

Transportation costs aside, the travel trailer and RV are both generally a bit confining in the space considerations. Certainly, the RV beats the travel trailer hands down in this department, most of the time, but when you consider the stress of stuffing a family of five with three young children into a RV, there is never enough space available for the sanity of the parents.

Benefits Over the Great Outdoors

With smaller travel trailers, travelers are still stuck with cooking outdoors. Sure, the travel trailer might be easier than the tent to set up, but travel trailers usually have small kitchens, if they even have a kitchen at all. Cooking outdoors for a family is more of a challenge than many in today’s world want to consider.

The limited amount of refrigerated storage is another area that is usually greatly strained with the use of the average travel trailer or tent camping experience. Going into the woods with a ice chest is fine for an afternoon trip, but once that trip expands beyond the life of the ice in the chest, then food options drop off considerably. This is the greatest cause of stress for people planning such trips. They always need to manage how they can maximize their food store, within very limited-size refrigerated storage containers.

In today’s modern world, it is frequently impossible to escape the reliance we have come to have for modern technology. This leads to a need for power supplies that can accompany the traveler, to keep them plugged into their gadgets. Tents and small travel trailers do not accommodate this need in many instances.

The Purpose of Vacations Is Rest and Relaxation, Which Is Sometimes Lost

For many of us, the purpose of a vacation is rest and relaxation. But, as we have seen above, the challenges of taking long trips can sometimes produce more stress than relaxation.

Another friend told me that he was very much relieved when his parents decided not to take any more summer vacations “for the family.” He said that by the end of the first day, every member of his family was ready to strangle the other. By the end of day two of their six-day traveling vacations, everyone wanted to go home, but his dad was stubborn to a fault. His family had tried nearly all of the above options: tents, travel trailers, RV’s, hotels and motels.

Even today, twenty years later, he cannot fathom a family vacation like his parents took, without his blood pressure going up. A few years back, he had tried the condominium rental route, and he has never looked back.

He told me that for him and his young family, the only vacation choice they will ever take advantage of is the condo rentals. He said the money he saves by not going to restaurants, generally covers the extra costs of the condominium. He said the enjoyment that he and his family experience, is far greater than what it would be if they forced themselves to live in a hotel room for a week. He said the extra goodies that the condos generally provide help him to give his family a much more rounded and robust experience. He says the added space and convenience of the condo experience permits him and his wife to relax more during their out-of-state vacations.

Making a Great Vacation Even Better

I am in the business of providing wholesale travel packages to the consumer market. I got into this business myself, because I love to travel with my family. Because I am able to save so much money on my own travel, it enables me to take my family on more trips and vacations than I had previously thought I could do.

The one thing I love most about my job is that I can give others the power to do as I do. I set my friend up with a discount condo card package, and now he is able to get his condominium rentals for much less than he was previously able to do. Depending on his trip destinations, he was generally paying $650 to $2500 for one week in his choice destination.

When I was able to hook him up with the discount condo card package, he paid one small upfront fee to my company of $250 for the condo card. On one trip, he stayed in a five-star condo resort and was able to get the condo for a week at just about 25% of what it would have cost him to rent it at retail cost. On another trip, he was able to stay in a beachfront condo for one week, and it only cost him the taxes that were due on the condo for his one-week stay, a whopping $199.

All told, my friend has so far taken two one-week vacations, and between plane tickets and condo costs, he has only spent about half of what he spent on his previous trip, the one he took before I set him up to take advantage of the travel packages I sell.

The Greatest Reward

The greatest reward for me in what I do, is knowing how I am able to help people get more out of life for less money than what they would spend on their own, without my help.

In conclusion, let me ask you two very important questions. First, how much did you spend on your last family vacation or weekend getaway? And secondly, how much are you going to have to spend on your next family vacation or weekend getaway?

Your murcia weather report

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, it is always the perfect season to visit Murcia. The weather in Murcia is like that of other cities along the Costa Blanca. It’s all about location, actually. It is no wonder these cities in this Mediterranean region were so desirable and are still today. It is because the light ocean breezes keep things temperate and it’s as if the mountains to the west offer protection from any type of uninvited weather pattern. The average temperature throughout the year is 18 degrees Celsius (65F).

Winter Wonderland

Winter, generally the months of December and January, is the coolest with temperatures about 10 degrees Celsius (50F). This is a great time to take in outdoor hiking or even golf. You can dress comfortably in light sweaters but be sure to bring at least a light jacket for evenings when the ocean breeze cools things off further.

Spring Fling

Spring warms up a bit and makes for a great beginning to the true tourist season. The weather is warm enough for swimming and all kinds of outdoor dining experiences without being the peak of tour time. Students with Spring fever begin to emerge, but will soon be departing to their summer homes.

Sizzlin’ Summer

With the introduction of more tourists and the exit of full-time students, the city changes as dramatically as the climate. It can really heat up in the summer reaching about 40 degrees Celsius (104F)! The ocean breezes keep the shore pleasant enough, but the inner city, located about 45 km away, doesn’t usually benefit from ocean winds. The buildings and pavement can make it unpleasant for walking, and many older buildings are not equipped with air conditioning. Summer, however, is the perfect time to just relax at the beach. You can plan your activities that require exertion (golf, hiking, sight seeing) for the early morning hours then retreat to the cool ocean waters for the rest of the day. Once the sun sets about 8 p. m. it will once again be a good time to walk the city streets or dine out.

Festive Fall

Fall is when school starts again and the city once again transforms back into a pleasant, mild spot for late season vacationers. Temperatures will return to a pleasing 24 degrees Celsius (75F). Water temperatures remain warm enough to enjoy swimming in the ocean any time of year.

In short, there is not bad time to visit Murcia. The Murcia weather is predictable and consistent. It is safe to say, it is a great day in Murcia, no matter what day you are talking about.

Packing for Anytime of Year

There are some basic staples you will want to put in your suitcase no matter what time of year or what kind of weather you expect in Murcia. Swim gear goes without saying, but you will also want to have a light weight cover up when the summer sun gets too hot for skin to bear.

A lightweight jacket is sufficient for anytime of year, but in the winter months you may want to bring one loose fitting enough to layer your clothing with a light sweater under the jacket.

A wide-brimmed hat will protect your skin from the summer sun and heat as well. Of course, anything you forget can be purchased at any number of shops downtown and at reasonable prices.

For an enjoyable visit during any time of year, you should bring comfortable walking shoes or sandals. The city lends itself to a walking tour and the long beaches cry out for barefoot excursions.

One thing you probably won’t need to pack is an umbrella! The rainfall averages just 3 cm per month, with the heaviest peaks in late fall and early winter where you may get 6 cm per month.

Planning a fun-filled family vacation

When planning a family vacation, there are several steps you should take in order to give your special retreat the best chances of being a memorable and fun experience for everyone involved.

First, be certain to include the entire family in the planning process. This will help get the children more involved and excited about the upcoming adventure while also helping them to feel as if they are important members of the family. In addition, it will make them more vested in the trip. In other words, they will be less likely to complain about the itinerary because they know they had a hand in planning it.

You should also be certain to plan a variety of activities throughout the trip so the children do not become bored with a specific aspect. For example, if your plans involve visiting a few different museums, try to spread them out over a few days rather than hitting them all at once. Visiting many museums on the same day can be very tiring for children.

Similarly, if you are planning several physical activities, spread those out as well. Hiking trails at National Parks is a wonderful experience, but trying to cram them all into one day will lead to cranky children and a bad experience for everyone.

Finally, be certain to plan activities for the children to enjoy while on the road or in the air. Allow them to bring their handheld gaming systems if they are into video games. If you can, purchase a DVD player for the children to watch movies while on the road as well. Even if you are not a big fan of allowing children to watch television, this is one time when the rules should be bent. The same is true for brining food, as children tend to get hungry quickly and you don’t wan to have to pull over every hour for a snack.

Many advantages of using leather luggage

There are plenty of advantage and disadvantage when talk about leather luggage. The disadvantage of using leather luggage that we usually thought of are about its expensive price, compare to luggage that mad from other kind of material. Leather luggage may heavy than other kind of luggage and leather luggage has only limited design available. There is because most of people use leather carry-on type. We rarely see larger travel luggage that made from leather because it could be very expensive and heavy and you may not comfortable when carrying them. The most common type of leather that use for making carry-on luggage are Vacquetta leather and Quinley leather.

Even though we find that there are some disadvantage of using leather luggage, but there are also plenty of benefit too. Most of leather, apart from looking luxurious of the luggage itself, it is al has same functions as other kind of luggage has such as the features like multiple compartments to hold different items in your luggage. You may also find that the handle many leather bags also neatly wrapped as well as many of design has adjustable shoulder straps. Therefore you can make sure that you can find all function and accessories in leather luggage. Today the new innovation has driven new technology to let leather luggage even more developed. Some other functions have been added to leather luggage. The good example is wheeled leather luggage, which already available in general travel luggage, but now we can see leather travel luggage has wheel and enable you to carry it comfortably at the airport. Also, as we all know that leather is the material that very hard and difficult to stitch but now we can see leather luggage has zippered pockets to contain additional gadget or other small item that you wish to carry. Apart from that, leather luggage also has large compartment and more space to contain your stuff, you will never believe that you can use only one large leather luggage to travel for your own for 2-3 days trip.

Now we are going to talk about the kind of luggage that is very popular for people to use leather, we are talking about business briefcase or business case. As today, it can be said that every business people has their own laptop computer and they tend to keep their laptop computer in the business case. Therefore, new deigns and functions to accommodate the demand and they are also available in the market today. As same as travel luggage, leather business briefcase also has shoulder straps and skate wheels to provide comfortable and flexibility.

As you can see from the text described above about kind of leather luggage that available in the market today. However, there is another important factor that could not be ignored. You have to provide proper care if you wish to use leather luggage. This is because leather is the materials that need extra care such as you need to avoid any situation that will generate scratch on your leather luggage as well as avoid from strong sunlight as well as all kind of chemicals agents. Leather need polish from time to time to maintain the quality and flexibility.

Vacationing in spain in a benidorm apartment

There are over 200,000 apartments available in Benidorm, Spain, many of which serve as vacation rentals. Be sure to start your search at least six months in advance if you will be vacationing during the summer months. Benidorm apartments get booked quickly for that popular time of the year. This is a popular hotspot and only a one hour drive from the nearby vacation hotspot of Alicante city. You can search for apartments online and compare prices, location and amenities offered to best meet your family’s vacation needs.

One benefit of renting a vacation apartment is its extra space. An apartment is often a better choice for those traveling with children or a larger group. The small kitchen allows you to prepare and eat some meals in your apartment. For example, you can eat breakfast in the apartment before heading out for the day. This saves money and provides a more relaxed morning..

In addition, staying in an apartment provides more privacy than a hotel and feels more like home. You have your own space to spread out and relax. Surprisingly, you may find that renting an apartment may actually be cheaper than a hotel. This is especially true for those longer stays. An apartment is a better deal when compared to the more luxurious hotels. Be sure to compare prices when researching a place to stay.

One way to find an apartment is to call a travel agent. An agent will have information on apartments available in the area. A real estate agent is another way to find an apartment for your vacation or, if anything they are a good source of information. The internet can also provide a wealth of information to help you find somewhere to stay in Benidorm. Apartments for rent can often be viewed on travel and real estate sites. Keep in mind that some owners rent directly in order to avoid the extra expense of commission, and some of that commission cost is passed on to the renter. Most of these owners advertise on the internet or in travel magazines.

During your search, there are certain things you should consider throughout the decision making process. You should consider the features and amenities you want in an apartment. For instance, some have a community pool which is a great amenity in the summer. The size of the kitchen is another feature to consider. What sizes is best for you depends on whether or not you plan to cook meals or just snacks or small meals. If you are traveling in the summer, you will probably want air conditioning in the apartment.

You should also consider the size of the apartment you need, which depends on the number of travelers. You want to ensure there is enough room for everyone to sleep and be comfortable during the day. Location should also be considered. An apartment near the beach will be best if you plan to spend a lot of time at the beach or enjoy water sports such as boating, fishing or diving.

Considering condo vacation rentals in lake tahoe

Because many people want to live in or near Lake Tahoe, or at least own a piece of property they can call their own in the area, condominium growth has been explosive here over the last ten years. Due to a local government dedicated to preserving the natural pristine surroundings of the environment, a spiraling real estate market and the ever growing popularity of the area, prices for real estate have risen to dizzying heights.

Such demand has resulted in the development of condos in Lake Tahoe like you’ve never seen before. There are themed condos where the buildings, the interiors and the common areas are decorated like jungles. There are condos that resemble resorts more than places where people actually live. There are condos with pools that rival the grandest pools in the desert palaces of Las Vegas and Palm Springs and lakefront condos with recreational facilities for use that rival the commercial establishments around the lake.

By using a realtor or searching websites you can get an idea of some of the things that are available in the area. But the first thing you must do is to actually go to Lake Tahoe and spend some time in the area. You might like the hustle and bustle of the South Shore near the casinos and the shopping malls – or not. You might like the peace and serenity of a woodsy setting perhaps near the ski slopes or across from a gentle mountain stream. Or you might wish to be right on the lake itself, after all that is the main attraction.

A simple one bedroom in a small complex of similar condos could just be right for you and a guest. Or perhaps a 2,000 square foot, four-bedroom, ultra modern unit with underground parking in a complex of over 500 suits you. Maybe you’ve retired and would like to live with other retirees in a complex whose design was intended from the start to accommodate older people. You choose. Whatever you want, however you’d like to live, it can be found somewhere around Lake Tahoe.

Vacations saving money in the smoky mountains

You may discover how easy it can be to save money when you spend time at one popular vacation destination.

Here are eight ways to save in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., gateway to America's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

1. Ride a trolley or walk in town.

Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolleys cost only 50 cents; walking is free. Take the trolley to Dollywood to bypass the theme park's parking fee. The many attractions along the city's main street, the Parkway, make walking fun.

2. Get a Value Card.

Discounts on lodging, entertainment, restaurants, shopping and attractions (even indoor skydiving) are on the Pigeon Forge Value Card (free at the Welcome Center). Shopaholics can get a real buzz by using the Value Card for discounts at Belz Factory Outlet World, one of six malls in town.

3. Find new discounts on the Web.

Check the city's Web site, MyPigeonForge. com, for new discounts and coupons.

4. Get a free day at Dollywood.

Tennessee's most visited attraction has a deal with its "Arrive After 3, Get the Next Day Free" program. For a sense of extra value, visit on Wednesdays and Thursdays, generally the lowest-attendance days.

5. Buy a Dollywood season pass.

If you're returning to Pigeon Forge later in the year, a Dollywood season pass pays for itself on the second visit. Many visitors come in the summer, again in the fall and then at Christmas. If Dollywood is on their agenda, a season pass is a true bargain.

6. Get a theater combo.

Pigeon Forge has more than a dozen musical theaters and more than 20 different shows. Look for discounted combo tickets if you want to see more than one show.

7. Buy a vacation package.

Packages that combine lodging, shows and attractions into one purchase save you money. Numerous packages are on My PigeonForge. com.

8. Enjoy the outdoors.

Pigeon Forge is located at the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its hiking trails, picnic grounds and magnificent scenery. Admission to the park is free.