Holiday in Greece - Rent Private Vacation Rentals at a Bargain Price

If you have an interest in beauty, art, architecture and the classic culture that gave us our civilization, then a visit to Greece is just the ticket. And a vacation rental of a villa, a beach house or another type of private home will give you a chance to experience this wonderful country that is impossible when going from hotel to hotel.

There are so many places in Greece that choosing a location for your vacation rental can be mind boggling. Choices include beach houses, apartments, cabins, condos, and other types of holiday homes. Securing lodging is easy though, when you see what is available. And the locations in Greece are wonderful. Crete, the largest of the Greek islands is beautiful and has many archeological sites to visit, as well as tourist attractions like Knossos and Phaistos. Crete was home to the ancient civilization of the Minoans, from 2600 BC to 1400 BC, and in more recent times gave the world the famous writer, poet and novelist Nikos Kazantakis.

Athens is known as the birthplace of democracy. This ancient city was home to the Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Named after the goddess Athena, Athens is one of the most famous cities in the world, and one of the oldest. As a city state Athens figured prominently in ancient history as well as myths and legends of the ancient world. The Greek capital, now home to three and a half million people, has been called the cradle of civilization due to the many achievements of its culture. Birthplace of the Olympic Games, Athens is home to art and architecture, including the famous Acropolis.

Wine, honey, olive oil, and sheep herding are just a few of the products that can be sampled fresh if our holiday home is in Thassos. This island figures prominently in ancient history and is named after Thasus, son of Phoenix and leader of the Phoenicians who first settled the island and erected a temple to Heracles. Imagine a vacation on Thassos, staying in a private home near a beautiful beach, enjoying sun and sand and dreaming of the long ago days of great civilizations. You will be sure to enjoy the native cooking, picking up a bit of the Greek language, and staying with some of the most hospitable people on earth.

Greece is a country that at one time ruled the known world, through Alexander the Great. And even when military conquest was no longer part of its agenda, many believe that Greek culture conquered Roman culture from within, with the Romans copying Greek art and architecture and even religion. When the Roman Empire split into Eastern and Western halves, it was the Greek half of the empire, the Byzantine Empire of Constantine, which lasted far into the middle ages. Greece is truly a country to enjoy and to learn from, and the most enjoyable way to learn about Greece is through a vacation, with lodging in a private home.

Rent holiday home in Greece and enjoy your stay!

About The Author

Milan Matchev has been in the Real Estate and property management business for 11 years making him an expert in his knowledge of the vacation rentals market.

ArrangeYourVacation - Holiday Homes and Vacation Rentals Worldwide is a leader in luxury vacation rentals worldwide, with an extensive portfolio of luxury villas and homes.

To place a free advertisement for your vacation rentals or holiday homes in Greece - visit http://greece-holiday-home.com

Keeping Feet One Step Ahead

Foot care is essential, even for those vacationers relaxing at beaches and resorts. If taking the occasional walk on the beach or a leisurely swim in the ocean is the extent of your vacation activity, be sure to listen to your feet. Toby Saltzman is a freelance travel writer and editor and publisher of the travel website, www.travelterrific.com. The following footcare tips are Toby Saltzman's "steps" to live by while vacationing in a tropical locale:

Always wear shoes or sandals while walking on sand, in order to prevent foot injuries from hot sand and objects that may be hidden beneath the sand

Be sure to apply sunscreen to feet while basking in the sun; the skin on the feet is very sensitive and needs to be protected against the sun's harmful rays

When purchasing sandals, be sure to buy ones that are comfortable and have plenty of arch support to prevent common foot problems such as tired, achy feet and corns, calluses and blisters. If common foot problems do occur, be sure to relieve discomfort by using over-the-counter products, such as Dr. Scholl's® Cushlin® UltraSlim Blister Treatment, to keep your feet healthy and happy

Be sure to wear protection on your feet. Fungus infections, which are responsible for Athlete's Foot, thrive in warm, moist environments including pool decks. If you already suffer from Athlete's Foot use an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream, such as Dr. Scholl's® Athlete's Foot Cream Once-A-Day Application, to eliminate the infection

For more information on footcare visit www.drscholls.ca.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Borneo - Exotic Island Paradise

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

Mount Kinabalu

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

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

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

Danum Valley Rain Forest

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

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park

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

Golfing Holidays

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

White-Water Rafting

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

Scuba Diving

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

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

Destination Wedding - Maui’s Maluaka Beach Park

A couple seeking a truly magical wedding may opt for a destination wedding on the beautiful Maluaka Beach in Maui. Maluaka Beach is an ideal location for a destination wedding because it offers the picturesque scenery of a typical beach that is also adjacent to a beautifully landscaped park and picnic area that is ideal for the reception of your destination wedding. The landscaped area serves as a wonderful place for the guests to convene and mingle after the wedding.

The couple may wish to incorporate the location of their destination wedding into the jewelry they exchange as they exchange their vows. A destination wedding on a tropical beach is the perfect opportunity to incorporate beach glass jewelry into the theme of the wedding. Beach glass jewelry is created from discarded materials that are pounded and smoothed by the waves and sand until they become smooth and beautiful pieces of glass that can be created into beautiful pieces of jewelry. A destination wedding on a beach is the perfect location to exchange rings made of beach glass jewelry. These rings are not only extremely beautiful but they will also serve as constant reminders to the couple of the location of their destination wedding.

Destination weddings are not only fun but also allow the couple to incorporate aspects of the location into their ceremony and reception. A destination wedding on a beach can not only use beach glass jewelry in the exchange of vows but can also incorporate beach glass jewelry into the decorations as well by using beach glass jewelry in the centerpieces. The location of the destination wedding can also be incorporated into the food choices. For example for a beach destination wedding in Hawaii the couple may choose to have a pig roast in lieu of a traditional sit down dinner in order to invoke the feel of the islands in the meal.

About The Author
Diane Page has the secret of complimenting your beach wedding attire with her custom beach glass jewelry. Visit her site http://www.dianepage.com for tips to make your beach wedding a memorable one.
dianepage@digitalpipelines.com

It Is Smoke Free In This Paradise : Take A Caribbean Cruise With Fellow Non-Smokers

Would a "smoke-free casino" be an oxymoron?

Until recently, I might have bet good money on that, considering it's a pretty rare occasion when one can enjoy a cocktail in a smoke-free bar, nightclub or lounge - let alone in a casino where all around the world gambling and nicotine just naturally go together. But here's the exception:

A policy of "no cigarettes, no cigars, no ashtrays, and no second-hand smoke anywhere" is at the core of the cruise experience aboard the MS Paradise - and it's a policy that is unusual indeed.

The US$300 million Paradise is the only, totally non-smoking cruise ship in the world and upholding the integrity of this claim is a challenge taken very seriously by parent company Carnival Cruise Lines. Not even the construction crews in the shipyards of Helsinki were allowed to smoke when working on the vessel - and now every week, its 2,052 passengers are asked to sign an agreement to abide by the rules, even on the open decks.

Traditionally, cruise ships have not had too much difficulty containing the areas where passengers can smoke. If you choose any of the mainstream American-based cruise lines for example, chances are you will not encounter second-hand smoke until evening in some of the clubs and at some of bars. Restaurants are generally smoke-free and cruise advocates will tell you that the ratio of non-smoking areas has been increasing with every new ship. But for those who would like to go just one step further, it's good to know that out there, cruising the Caribbean every day is a grand, luxury vessel which may be four years old now, but she still looks, feels, and smells, brand new.

This season, passengers have the choice of exploring either the Eastern, or the Western Caribbean on itineraries that include some of the more exotic tropical harbours like Belize and Honduras. And for a glimpse at shipboard tone and style: imagine the atmosphere aboard Paradise to be similar to most Carnival cruises, one of cheerful, attentive service - in a plentiful fantasyland.

The trademark decor of this cruise line is one that creates a larger-than-life playground for adults and children alike. You enter Paradise, for example, through an illuminated, sky-high atrium surrounded by grand columns and Space Age glass-elevator pods, enhanced by classical stone and mahogany fixtures. Interior designer Joe Farcus pinpoints the "grand era of ocean liners" as this vessel's overall fantasy theme, emphasizing the impact of The Queen Mary, The Normandie, and the SS United States on the late 19th century, world of style.

At least 12 decks are configured into the 70,000-gross-ton Paradise with the top deck tiered to attract activities in the sun. Here, the Lido Deck draws everyone sooner or later. It is where you will spread out in a full-length deck chair, swim in the pool, relax in the whirlpool, partake in sports interests, or spend all afternoon on a Carnival specialty: the giant waterslide. The recreation decks on Paradise stretch the entire length of the ship, so you may even find a few private places to call your own.

These upper decks also house the ship's mammoth, 12,000-square-foot exercise club and spa. The "bigger the better" was the consensus of the passengers I spoke to up there, with one saying that when the cruise line devotes this much space and effort to building a fitness facility, "it sends a clear and sincere message that improving one's health and wellness can be a very real part of a cruise experience."

They also pointed out that the more inviting the space to exercise, the more you get to eat - because it's true what they say: on a cruise ship you can literally eat all day. On Paradise the choices are: 24-hour complimentary room service; dining room table service; a pool deck buffet, three times a day; the cake and coffee bar; plus round-the-clock deli sandwiches, a pizzeria, and of course, the midnight buffet.

Then again, for most of us food quantity will not be the main attraction. Rather, it will be the food "experiences" that really count - and that is precisely why Carnival and most of the better cruise lines these days are so preoccupied with adding and subtracting dining options, so they can be sure, for every last passenger, they get it right.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Travel Health Insurance: Reimbursement Depends On Following The Rules

Travelling, whether for business or pleasure, involves risk. A personal emergency may necessitate an early return, or you may need hospital treatment or air evacuation due to a medical problem. Travellers should be aware that the Ontario government health plan (OHIP) is rarely enough when it comes to medical treatment outside the country, so without supplementary insurance during an emergency, you could be exposed to considerable financial obligations.

Travel health insurance policies vary considerably, says the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), an agency of the Ministry of Finance that regulates Ontario's insurance industry. FSCO reminds us to pay special attention to the definitions, pre-existing condition clauses, deductibles, as well as the limitations and exclusions sections of the policies. Ask for clear explanations of each and once you are satisfied, make your insurance purchase. But even then, says FSCO, there is a bit more work for you to do — as follows:

Read the policy: Before leaving on your trip, read and become familiar with your policy and the coverage. It is your responsibility to know what you have purchased.

Take it with you: Include the policy with your travel documents. Keep both the emergency contact phone number available, as well as the number for your insurance company. Compile and include a list of current medications.

Get authorization (if possible): If a medical problem arises, the toll-free phone number provided will connect you to an emergency service centre. Be ready to supply all the facts and information and ask for clarification if you do not fully understand. Service centres manage and monitor your treatment and make the medical referrals. Before you go ahead with treatment however, be sure the service centre has obtained authorization from your home-based insurance company. If not, you may be personally obligated for medical services not approved.

Follow the payment process: Under some policies, you pay the hospital and are reimbursed later by the insurance company. Other policies provide payment directly to the medical facility or practitioner. The policy will tell you which procedure to follow.

More information on travel health insurance is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca. Or, for a copy of their booklet Shopping for Travel Health Insurance phone (416) 590-7298 (Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128).

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

In Search of Hobbits: A Small Adventure

We couldn't very well visit New Zealand without seeing some of the Lord of the Rings locations and our first stop was the small town of Matamata on the North Island, which became famous as Hobbiton was filmed around there.

All either of us knew was that it was filmed somewhere on a sheep farm near there, but that was about it. My husband John was driving and I was navigating with a map we'd just bought a few days before in Auckland. The map had Lord of the Rings locations marked on it, but places still seemed to take a little bit of finding.

"What does the map say?" asked John.

"It just says 'Matamata' for 'Hobbiton'," I replied, which wasn't much help to us as we both knew that the film location was not in the town but somewhere outside of it. We decided to go into Matamata and see if they had a tourist information centre who would know where the location was.

As we drove into town, there was an information centre sign three hundred metres ahead. Three hundred metres ahead of us was a car park and a small building that looked as if it was in the process of being built or being demolished. There was no information sign anywhere and we wondered if we'd taken a wrong turn somewhere.

We parked the car and decided to have a look around the town, which took about ten minutes. Coming back to the car from a slightly different direction, we finally came across the information centre, which was at the other side of the dilapidated building we saw. And in big golden letters plastered across the window was 'Hobbiton Tours'.

At last! You could only go on a guided tour as the land was privately owned, we just made it in time for the second to last tour of the day. There were about 15-20 people in our tour, although the bus could probably seat about forty.

It was about a twenty minute drive outside of Matamata to get to the Alexander sheep farm, where the movie was filmed. Of course, most of it has returned to its natural state of rolling hills and lots of sheep, but there are a few Hobbit holes left, including Bag End, Frodo and Bilbo's house in the Shire.

The day we went, it drizzled constantly, but it didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirit, everyone was smiling and excited that they actually got to see the Shire. John and I decided that yes, we could quite happily live there. There was just something so peaceful about the area, you could see why they decided to film the Shire there.

Our guide Theresa pointed out the various places where some of the structures had been which were no longer there. There weren't meant to be any structures left at all, but before all of them could be taken down, there was a very bad rainstorm and it was deemed to dangerous to remove the rest, so there are about eighteen Hobbit holes left altogether.

You really do feel that you are walking through the village of Hobbiton, not a film set, despite the Hobbit holes just having a wooden facade now, not gardens and brightly painted doors like in the films. It's just the sense of the place. I

Once we arrived at the steps to Bag End the guide mentioned that she had a tour once where a girl kissed the top step because Elijah Wood had once stood on there!

"I wouldn't recommend it," she said. "There've been a lot of sheep walking around here since then!"

Despite her warning, there were a few people who seemed to be considering it!

Of course as you may know, Hobbits are very shy of the Big Folk, so don't expect to see any on your trip, but if you look closely and are very quiet, you might just get lucky.

For more information, you can visit the Hobbiton Tours website: http://www.hobbitontours.com/

About The Author
Annette Gisby is the author of the novels "Drowning Rapunzel" and "Silent Screams" as well as the short story collection "Shadows of the Rose." She enjoys travelling and seeing new places, despite getting travel sick and hopes to visit New Zealand again in the future.
For more information on Annette and her books please visit her website at http://www.annettegisby.n3.net

The Premiere Attraction State in Florida

Sunshine States

Florida is called the " Sunshine State ", situated on a largw peninsula at the southern part of the United States , just only 1,000 miles south of New York City . Florida is a flat sandy land about 100 miles wide by 400 miles with many hundred miles of white sand beaches. Its climate is warm.

Florida is the premiere attraction state with more large parks, entertainment centers, history museums, resorts, sports venues and tourist destinations.

Clearwater Beach , Florida

Sugary Sand Beaches

Leave the mainland and cross the bridge, you'll see the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Beach . Clearwater Beach is situated midway on Florida 's west coast, 30 minutes west of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando . It is an island connected to its downtown by palm-lined Memorial Causeway. Clearwater Beach is known for its sugary sand beaches.

Daytona Beach , Florida

Golfing Daytona

Daytona is known as Florida 's golf capital. Your golf vacation in Daytona Beach is as good for your account as it is for your swing. Despite the vast selection of famous golf courses, the area is not as expensive as you think. In spring , Daytona Beach is full of much more teenagers-college students, rock bands and motorcycle buffs.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Venice of America

Fort Lauderdale is a city in Florida's gold coast. It is 23 miles north of Miami with its more than 300 miles of navigable waterways and innumerable canals. Its landscape is lied with hundreds of parks, golf courses, tennis courts and beaches.

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

The History of Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach shares its heritage with its namesake the city of Fort Myers. This city was once home to the famous Seminole Indian Chief, Bill Bowlegs.

Inverness, Florida

Florida's Nature Coast

Inverness is situated 10 minutes south of the Florida Turnpike's northern gate at Wildwood and five minutes east of 1-75 to State Road 44. Its coast is kept as old Florida charm by preserving and protecting acres of natural scenery.

Jacksonville, Florida

What's in the Northeast Florida

Jacksonville is at the northeastern tip of Florida, south of Georgia border, lies a huge land mass encompassing city and country, swamp and ocean. One of the jacksonville's most popular attractions is the Jacksonville Zoo.

Tampa, Florida

Adventure Island

Tampa is a medium-sized city. It is on Florida's Gulf Coast. Tampa's attractions are museums, large parks like Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo, Florida Aquarium, arts center at the Tampa Bay and leaving of cruise ships from the port of Tampa. You will not be disappeared if you come to Tampa for sunshine and you will be surprised to discover its wonderful food-delicious, diverse and exciting cuisine.

About The Author
Nuttakorn Rattanachaisit is the founder and president of Direct Hotels Discount Network., a company that provides hotel reservations services all over the world. Mr. Nuttakorn non-fiction work is widely read throughout the Travel Industry. You can check it out at his website at: http://www.direct-hotels-discount.com
info@direct-hotels-discount.com

Discover the Llyn Peninsula

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vegas and the Ride of a Lifetime

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ten "Travel" Commandments

I. Thou shalt pack HALF the clothes you want.

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

III. Thou shalt pack an abundance of Patience.

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

V. Your extra large luggage shalt have wheels.

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

VII. Thou shalt pack a little Caution.

VIII. Thou shalt practice using your new camera BEFORE

you depart on your vacation.

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

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

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

Now we can travel like pros ~

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

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About The Author

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

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

Living On A Cruise Ship Is Catching On

Well, living on a Cruise Ship is catching on.

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

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

For 2007, the demand for world cruises for Cunard is so great the company is having two world cruises, including the Queen Mary 2's first voyage around the world, an 80-day journey.

Silversea Cruises, a very, very exclusive Cruise Line has just launched a series of voyages of 34 to 123 days and is having its first around-the-world cruise in 2007.

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

Why is this happening?

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

Now think about cruising.

You've got your house with you, wherever you go, just like a turtle.

You get taken care of, whatever you need. Medical Care is close by, so are 10 bars and 4 restaurants open 24 hours a day in most cases.

You don't have to pack and unpack every day as with regular vacations, you can spend leisurely days playing pingpong and shuffleboard and relaxing with longtime friends.

The key selling theme for these long cruises is COMFORT.

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

After supper there is a free show every night.

Perfect life

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

Cruise lines say another key attraction is that now you can visit plenty of far-flung destinations - such as Hawaii and Tahiti- without dealing with airport security and other hassles.

The funny thing is that these Cruises are no longer exclusively populated by retired Seniors, but are becoming populated by entrepreneurial 40- and 50-people, who can turn the ship into a virtual, floating office.

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

Destinations are also being changed by the Cruise Ship industry

About The Author
Jay Shipper is very interested in Contacts.
Guess who will buy one of the first ones.
J Shipper is interested in living on a Cruise Ship.
http://www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship
http://www.condo-cruise-ship.com
http://www.celebrity-cruise-now.com
lazytrader100@yahoo.com

Them’s The Breaks… Surfing Australia's NSW Central Coast

Surfing on the Central Coast is more a lifestyle than a pastime. And with 31 official beaches, it's no surprise!

Buggeries, Half-tide Rocks, The Box, Catho, Ghosties, Moonie, Frazer, Gravelies, The Haven, Macs, Copa, North Avoca, Sharktower, the Pines, Avoca Point, Bushpig, The Bend, Littles, Pellos, Wambie, Shelly, North Shelly, Shelly Point, Forries, Norah Head, Bateau... the list goes on! And let's not forget the infamous Crackneck... No prizes for guessing the origin of that name!

Central Coast life revolves around its beaches, and it's a sad (if unusual) day that you can't find a wave.

As local champions Shane Powell and Ross Clarke-Jones would doubtless agree, there's nothing quite as exhilarating as the steep drop of a nice clean wave. Giving yourself up to a big wave can be quite a scary commitment, but the pay-off is well worth it. Long board, short board, or body board – when you take the drop, you really know you're living.

To some its a religion, to some, meditation. Some even say it's better than sex! But no matter what they say, they get out there!

Central Coast surfers are dedicated. For those unfortunate enough to have a job, dawn patrol is a daily ritual. And forget about shark feeding times, there's enough light to catch a wave well after sundown! Kids can't get enough. Despite it being an official school sport, kids spend every afternoon, every weekend, and their entire holidays in the surf. Even local business owners work around the tides and the swell. And one thing's for sure – if the surf's up, you wouldn't be the only one chuckin' a sicky! cough...

A quick scan of the local Yellow Pages and you'll discover plenty of local surf schools, surf clubs, boardriding clubs, and surf shops. You might also wanna check out the Surfing Australia website, http://www.surfingaustralia.com.au or the local online surf report, http://www.ecoast.com.au/centralcoastsurfingreports.htm .

About The Author
Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.