A Cruise Vacation That Can Include Airline Reservations

An air-sea cruise is when your cruise vacation has been booked with airline reservations to get you to the ship's port and back home again. The cruise line buys its tickets in bulk from the airlines. They find out where you are coming from for your cruise travel and book you passage from a nearby airport to one close to the cruise ship's home port. Each cruise line has its own policy on how they deal with the sale of airline tickets, so here are some cruise tips in that area.

What is the cost of the tickets if I book them with my cruise?

The amount will be quoted when you book and will be shown on your bill.

If I need to cancel, are the refund policies different for the plane tickets than for the cruise?

No, as long as you cancel before the penalty phase begins.

Is there a service fee charged to have the Cruise Line issue my Airline reservations?

Only if you use their air deviations plan. The fee is around $50.00 each.

Do I have any choice in which Airline is used?

Yes, if you use there air deviation plan.

Can I get credit for my frequent flyer mileage if the cruise lines books my airline reservations?

No. You can use your frequent flyers if you book on your own.

Can I fly nonstop or have any control over the route that is taken, or do I just get what ever they find?

Here again, use the air deviation plan.

How do I get from the Airport to the ship's pier?

If you have booked an air/sea cruise vacation the cruise lines will supply you with a voucher for a shuttle bus. If you booked your own airline reservations it will be up to you to get to the port.

Is there a shuttle service available from the airport where you'll be arriving? Is there a charge for this service or is it included? Is the service included if you don't book your flight through the Cruise Line?

If you book your flights through the cruise lines, there will be a shuttle and you use your transfer.

How and when do I meet up with Cruise Line personnel?

They will be standing in the baggage claim area and will hold a sign with the name of the ship. They will direct you to the shuttle.

How is my luggage handled, do I have to pick it up at the airport or is it automatically sent to the ship?

You will have to pick it up at the airport and then the shuttle will take it to the ship with you.

What accommodations, if any, are made if the Airline they use causes me to miss the ship?

If you have booked with the cruise lines they will accommodate you by getting a hotel room for the night and a flight to the next port.

There are many advantages to booking an air-sea package for your cruise travel. The cruise line takes care of the airline reservation. Since cruise lines buy in bulk and usually provide a discount package rate, the ticket price is generally lower than what can be found in the general market. The transfer of luggage is easier, and a free shuttle will take you from the airport to the docks for your cruise vacation.

The cruise line will have your flight information and will be able to track your flight in case of a delay. Others on the cruise might be on the same flight and they might just hold the ship waiting for you to board. The biggest advantage is that if anything goes wrong to delay you, the cruise line will generally become more involved in getting you to the ship.

There, of course, are disadvantages as well to booking an air-sea package. You might be able to find a better deal on your own, or you may have to fly an airline you don't like. You will not get credit for frequent flyer miles by going through the cruise line, and you might not be able to fly non-stop. Finally, you might end up flying a longer route than you'd pick for yourself.

You could book your own airline tickets, but only do so if you can get a better deal. The strongest consideration should be how confident you are in being able to make it to the ship for your cruise vacation on your own. If you are already flying in a few days early, know you'll be there on time and you can save over the air-sea on plane tickets and shuttle costs, then you might just consider going it alone. But, remember you are going it alone. In many cruise reviews it is recommended that you book your airline reservation with the cruise line.

The cruise lines will be more likely to make accommodations and work with the airline if their booking didn't get you to the ship on time. They will be better able to track your late flight and might even delay the ship if they know you'll only be slightly late. There have been many cruise vacations that have delayed the departure from port especially if there is a large group of cruise travelers on a late plane.

Depending on the circumstances, they might even rebate some of your cruise or give you a discount toward your next cruise vacation with them. However, the airlines are independent contractors. Most cruise conditions of carriage state that since the airlines are independent contractors the cruise line makes no warranty and assumes no responsibility for any failure or delay in their contractor's services. This is another reason to purchase a strong trip insurance package.

When you book your own airline tickets for your cruise vacation, if the route you picked to make it to the ship fails, you are on your own. Don't risk missing your cruise travel over a few frequent flyer miles. No matter how you get to your cruise vacation, try to avoid this situation by booking a flight that leaves you plenty of time to get you to and from the pier to the airport. It is recommended that your go on the internet and read the many cruise reviews on this subject.

Happy Cruising!

About The Author
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

Information on San Francisco Bay Region

Snuggled along San Francisco Bay, the Bay Area boasts of one of the supreme natural harbor in the world, which covers area of around 450 square miles. San Francisco Bay Area gives the only genuine break in the coastal mountains of California making it one of the most idyllic spot for staying within the state. More of all, it is home to almost eight million people. This beautiful place is divided into six sub-regions and is composed of ten counties which are Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma.

North Bay is a sub-region north of the Golden Gate Bridge and it is divided by water from the Bay Area. It has many wealthy societies and is probably the slightest developed among the 6 sub-regions. This Bay has many parks which are under development, beautiful farmlands and plantations. The most popular place in this sub-region is Napa Valley, well known for its world class red wines extracted from the winery.

San Francisco was once the largest city due to the high population percentage in the whole Bay Area. Even though it does not owe the same title now, it still remains the traditional, cultural, financial, and urban center of the area. The most eminent landmark in this area is the Golden Gate Bridge, which distances the Golden Gate Strait, a water passage linking San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The viaduct connects the city/county of San Francisco with Marin County in the North Bay.

The East Bay area is divided into Inner East Bay and the Outer East Bay. Inner East Bay is located along the splendid shoreline and is more urban, densely populated. This area consists of more culturally varied population. The ancient old buildings portrays the ancient times of the city. Outer East Bay covers many inland valleys and is separated from Inner East Bay by means of hills and mountains.

Peninsula or San Francisco Peninsula is a area which lies between East Bay and San Francisco. It upholds many towns, small cities, and suburban societies all along San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

South Bay is the sub-region where one can find the mixture of past, present and the future too. The past is classically distinguished by the city of San Jose, the oldest city in California, while the present and the future could be gleaned from the products churned by Silicon Valley. In 1990, San Jose became the most inhabited city in the area.

Tourism is the leading industry of this ethnic place, it has superb weather condition and the Bay Area is swarming with historic landmarks and tourist destinations. This region is called the richest region in United States. The Bay Area is one of the metropolitan areas nationwide and has the highest household income. Six of the top ten places in California with the maximum per capita income can also be seen in the Bay Area. There are numerous opportunities available for the citizens residing in this beautiful region.

With the tranquil surrounding and mild climate this place can be made the most memorable one! Try out!

About The Author
Amjath is a great tourist guide of San Francisco and is also a good copywriter who has worked for many sites describing many hotspots of San Francisco. For more information please visit: http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/ or contact Amjath through mail: sanfranshuttletours@gmail.com

Free Advertising for Vacation Rentals and Holiday Homes

Do you have a vacation rental or holiday home that you want to allow someone else to stay in? If so, then this website, ArrangeYourVacation.com, has a special offer - free advertising of your vacation rental or holiday home. This offer comes with several advantages in order to allow you to advertise your rental and attract the right people to your property.

Placing a free advertisement for vacation rentals or holiday homes will have unlimited opportunities. First, this site is not limited to a particular place in the world. From Canada to China and everything in between, you will be able to specify online the area where your rental is. This will allow the visitors to this site the option of discovering new areas where they think would be best for them to stay.

Another advantage to the advertising that is offered on this site is in relation to the different ways in which you can advertise. Several free services can be used as part of the listing process about your rental. Part of the free advertising includes five pictures that you can put next to your rental or home listing. You will also be offered a page that includes keywords within a customized article. These will be posted in relation to the property that you are advertising, allowing for more traffic flow to come to your particular listing.

When you go to this site to post your listing, you can also list a few other things in order to attract the right person to your vacation rental or holiday home. Pricing details for the area always helps to attract the right person. You can also provide a calendar stating when the property will be available. Arrange Your Vacation also provides a link to your own home page, allowing visitors to see other rentals you have available, as well as allowing them to know more about you as a person.

Arrange Your Vacation has organized and divided the listings of properties in several different ways. By doing this, it allows the customer to find exactly the type of rental for which they are looking. It will also allow you to find the desired type of person for your property. Destination areas, places that have special features, family and pet friendly properties, and new listings are all divided into certain sections. If you have a preference towards who you want to allow in your vacation rental or holiday home, then you can categorize it on this site as well. By placing your ad in a certain category, you will know that you are bringing the preferred renters to your property.

Arrange Your Vacation is only offering free advertising for your vacation rental and holiday homes for a limited time. By advertising here, you will be able to find great renters to stay on your property as well as allow more traffic flow to your personal site in order to see what offerings you have for your different properties. Now is the time to take advantage of the free advertising that this site have available for vacation rentals and holiday homes.

About The Author
This article was written by Milan Matchev with support from the ArrangeYourVacation Team and the Rumi Vekova - Manager of Mexico-Holiday-Homes.com and Greece-Holiday-Homes.com.
mmatchev@gmail.com

5 Top Things To Do In Ireland

Ireland is a fantastic holiday destination, with incredible changes in landscape in a relatively small area, and trendy cities within driving distance of remote rural communities. Here are five of the best things to do when you visit:

1. Go to Dublin

No visit to Ireland is complete without spending some time in Dublin – even if it's only a day, although you need longer to do it justice. From the beautiful architecture of its university, to the General Post Office, which was the main post of the Irish Volunteers in the 1916 uprising, you can find something in the city to inspire awe. Alternatively, explore its parks, pubs, night life and fine dining to whet your appetite for the rest of this remarkable country.

2. Buy some Waterford Crystal

The crystal produced in Waterford is famous the world over, and visitors shouldn't miss the opportunity to take a look around the factory and buy a souvenir in the gift shop. Walk through the factory, watching the glass being formed and engraved by specialist craftspeople, getting a bird's eye view of the whole process. Find out how the apprentices learn the engraver's craft and indulge yourself in a beautiful piece of crystal – the perfect reminder of your time in Ireland.

3. Play golf

Ireland is a well-known and loved haunt for golfing enthusiasts, with championship links courses and a range of inland courses for all tastes and abilities. Golf is one of the main reasons that many people choose to visit Ireland and a true golf fan should try and sample a couple of the best courses during their stay.

4. Find some ancient history

Ireland has plenty to offer those who are interested in all things historical. Its position as one of the most important Christian countries means that there is a wealth of material for the keen historian, including the unusual round towers that seem to have been a common part of Ireland's monastic buildings between the 9th and 12th centuries. If you're in County Kerry, don't miss the Gallarus Oratory, which dates from as early as the 6th century and is a master class in building with stone.

5. Go to the beach

Ireland is blessed with a variety of beautiful beaches, from wide stretches of sand to tiny hidden bays. Take the kids and some buckets and spades, or a book and a bottle of wine and settle down for a beach day to remember.

About The Author
The Irish Riviera is dedicated to promoting the south coast of Ireland, helping you to find accommodation, travel and things to see and do. Visit our website now by clicking on http://www.theirishriviera.com.

Traveler CheckList

The following is a List that I have gathered through years of experience and research. They don't neccessarily apply to an Outdoor Adventurer. You Pick and choose your priorities according to your destination and the length of your stay. Visit http://www.thecampingguide.com for more information and the necessary gear for your trip.

Gear Essentials

Day Pack (X)
Flashlight (X)
Compact Binoculars (X)
First Aid Kit (X)
Sunglasses
Multi-tool (X)
Watch
Sunscreen (X)
Water bottle (w/ filter (X)
Hat
Whistle
Map or Travel Guide (X)
Compass or GPS receiver (X)

(X) = available at: http://www.thecampingguide.com

Pre-Departure

Passport
Visa if needed
Health Documentation
Transportation Tickets
Frequent Flyer Cards
Emergency Information
Insurance
Hotel Reservations
Traveler's Checks
Currency (both local and American)
Credit Cards
Guide Books and Maps (X)
Trip Cancellation/ Medical

Information

Copies of Passport, ID and Documents
Special Event Reservations

Travel Gear

Main Travel Bag (Duffle/Luggage, etc.)
Packing Accessories (clothes, small stuff and toiletries)
Security (Passport carrier, luggage locks/ tags)
Document Organizer
Everyday Bag

Everyday Basics

Travel Clothing
Raincoat/ Umbrella
Travel Footwear
Visor or Brimmed Hat
Camera, binoculars (scopes) (X)
Radiation Shield for Film
Video Camera, Tapes
CD/ Cassette Player
Electric/ Phone Converters
Travel Alarms
Language Books
Reading Materials
Address Book
Travel Journal
Pen/ Pencil
Scarf/ Bandana
Games/ Playing Cards
Snacks
Hand Sanitizer/ Towlettes
Travel Neck Pillow
Eye Shade/ Ear Plugs
Portable Door Lock
Tissues/ Toilet Paper
Keys

Maintenance Items

Flashlight Batteries/ Bulbs (X)
Matches or Lighter (X)
Extra Batteries
Sewing/ Repair Kit
Duct Tape
Travel Iron or Steamer
Sink Stopper for Hotel Sinks
Zip-Close Plastic Bags

Travel Health

Travel Health Booklet
Pain Reliever/ Aspirin (X)
Cold Medicine (X)
Contact Lens Items
Diarrhea Medicine
Motion Sickness Medicine
Laxative
Insect Protection (X)
Sun Protection (X)
Antibiotic Cream
Malaria Medication
Personal Hygiene Items
Personal Prescriptions

(X) = available at: http://www.thecampingguide.com

Visit http://www.thecampingguide.com for more information and the necessary gear for your trip.

About The Author
Centerprises - are the owners of the http://www.TheCampingGuide.com which offers Camping, Hunting, Outdoor Gear and Information in General about the Great Outdoors.
TheCampingGuide@sbcglobal.net

Healthy and Happy Feet While Travelling - A Travel Expert's Advice

Whether hiking in Canada's Rocky Mountains or admiring art at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, travelling takes its toll on the feet, and sore feet can ruin the pleasure of a vacation.

Toby Saltzman is a freelance travel writer and editor and publisher of the travel website, www.travelterrific.com. Her globe-trotting job takes her to destinations around the world and requires her to spend countless hours on her feet, visiting various tourist and cultural attractions.

After years of experience caring for and treating her feet, Saltzman has some basic tips on how to keep feet healthy and happy, no matter where travellers adventure to this summer.

1. Wear comfortable walking or athletic shoes

It may sound simple, but wearing comfortable shoes is essential when spending hours of vacation time on your feet. Comfortable shoes can help to alleviate the discomfort caused by corns and calluses and help to prevent blisters.

For those travellers with corns and calluses, plan to see your podiatrist before embarking on your trip. You may wish to ease the discomfort by packing over-the-counter cushion treatments to protect feet while on vacation. Blisters are one of the most common travelling foot injuries. Avoid missing out on enjoyable vacation excursions by using over-the-counter treatments such as Dr. Scholl's® Cushlin® UltraSlim Blister Treatment to help heal and prevent blisters.

In addition, comfortable shoes with proper arch support delay the occurrence of tired, achy feet, a common culprit that hampers the enjoyment of much anticipated travel activities, such as hiking. Many over-the-counter insoles and devices can improve the arch support of a shoe, allowing for more "on your feet" time during a vacation.

2. Do not pack shoes that need to be "broken in"

Always avoid shoes that require a break-in period and instead, purchase shoes that feel comfortable right away. This also applies to packing for a vacation. If the shoes hurt your feet at home, they'll hurt them on the road as well. Always be conscious of how vigorous the vacation activity is and how comfortable your shoes are.

3. If shoes do not have sufficient padding or support, improve the performance of your shoes by adding inserts/devices

Quite often the shoes that "best match" a vacation outfit - whether for an afternoon shopping in New York City or an evening of entertainment on a cruise ship - are not beneficial to our foot health. Wear shoes that support feet, allowing for ease of movement wherever your vacation adventure may take you. For additional support, there are a variety of over-the-counter inserts that provide additional cushioning and support, such as Dr. Scholl's® Advantage PowerWalk Insoles.

4. Soak feet nightly

Treating feet each night with a specially designed soak such as Dr. Scholl's® Smooth Touch® Instant Foot Bath will help to ease the discomfort of tired, achy feet. It also moisturizes and softens corns, calluses and rough, hard skin; a luxurious comfort that can be enjoyed in the privacy of a hotel room that will prepare your feet for a comfortable travel adventure the following day.

5. Moisturize and exfoliate feet

Moisturizing and exfoliating feet can help to reduce the build up of dead skin that results in corns and calluses. It is also a nice, relaxing treat at the end of a long day of sight-seeing. Dr. Scholl's® Smooth Touch® Peppermint Foot & Leg Lotion softens skin, as well as provides a soothing peppermint fragrance.

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.

Adventure Tours To The Himalayas

Although only a handful of us aspire to actually climb Mount Everest in our lifetimes (AKA "Nutjobs"), I count myself among those who want to at least see this colossal peak before I die. To me, the Himalayas still represents a far-off adventure few of us actually get to see in person, but many of us have on our lifetime to-do lists.

So imagine how exciting it was for me to run across http://www.mtsobek.com/, a travel company that specializes in putting together small group adventure travel tours to the most awesome mountains in the world. No, we are not actually talking about climbing such mountains as Everest (although Africa's Kilimanjaro is a mountain they conduct hiking tours onto), but mtsobek.com can take you on hikes and treks to see these breathtaking mountain regions.

For example, the Himalayan tour not only takes you to see the highest mountains in the world, but you will also meet the diverse ethnic people of Nepal, Tibet or Bhutan. Mtsoke.com offers nine Himalayas treks, so you can choose the adventure tour package that suits your physical condition, time and aspirations.

Among the many things you can do and see are:

Explore Buddhist monasteries that seem to be from another time;

Visit the Everest base camp and view what is arguably the most breathtaking sight on this planet;

The remote Gokyo Valley, with its beautiful turquoise lakes and moonscape-like glaciers;

Follow an ancient caravan track to the spectacular Namtso Lake, which sits on the Tibetan Plateau and appears to all the world like a great sea made of sapphire;

Meet traditional Himalayan highlanders: farmers, yak herders, and monks

So, you can bet a Himalayan tour is on my list of things to do. If you are new to adventure travel, you may also want to check out Andy McDowell's article, Adventure Travel – An Exciting Thrill (here is the link: http://guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com/2006/01/adventure-travel-exciting-thrill.html ), which I have reprinted on my website, www.guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com.

About The Author
Charles Brown is a former attorney who now spends his time indulging his passion for travel and shares the unique travel destinations and adventure travel bargains he uncovers on his blog, Guerrilla Traveler - Adventure on a Budget, www.guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com.
Think budget travel equals boring travel? Think again! Learn the Guerrilla Traveler's insider secrets to budget adventure travel to the world's most exciting places and experience the coolest travel adventures without spending a bundle.

Travel Health Insurance: Know Your Coverage Before An Emergency Occurs

Buying travel health insurance is an important step for sufficient medical coverage while outside Canada, but it is only the first step. To make your policy work, say industry regulators, there has to be a co-operative relationship between the policyholder and the company.

Indeed, the range of medical treatment around the world is so broad and varied, home-based insurance companies will provide booklets outlining what they will, and will not cover. Therefore, an equally important step at the time of purchase is for the traveller to become as familiar as possible with the basic guidelines of the policy before an emergency occurs. Decisions on the reimbursement of expenses are not likely to be the first thing on your mind in an urgent situation.

So how do we ensure financial coverage during a medical emergency? Here are a few guidelines offered by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). FSCO is an agency of the Ministry of Finance that regulates Ontario's insurance industry.

Obtain authorization

As soon as possible, says FSCO, call the emergency service centre telephone number provided with your policy. The service centre's role is to manage your medical care and make the claim process fast and efficient. The centre provides claim administrators, on site doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to arrange care and monitor treatment. To ensure coverage, if possible, don't proceed with any medical treatment without full authorization.

You can assist the claims process more efficiently, if you:

• Supply all the facts and information accurately.

• Keep a log of the contacts at both the service centre and your insurance company, including the names of people assisting you, the date of the contact, and what was discussed.

• Keep a detailed record of all medical transactions. Get receipts for the medical care including tests, treatments, and prescriptions. Receipts are a must when making a claim. Also, observe the time limits of your policy.

• Complete the forms supplied and enclose all original bills signed by the attending physician, plus receipts and supporting claim documentation. Be sure to include your policy identification number, health card number and date of birth. Keep copies of all documentation submitted to the company.

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).

- News Canada

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.

Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute

Being a spur of the moment person has its advantages. It means you can "seize the day" and run with it, enjoying an opportunity when it comes your way. So the next time you've lined up your vacation time and decided you're just going to drive to the nearest lake or maybe visit some relatives, keep an open mind and check in on the great online cruise deals that show up as you get closer to your vacation dates.

You may discover that as your vacation rolls around the deals are getting better and better, and you simply can't pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the great offers out there. At first glance you may tell yourself that even with the reduced cost of a cruise you're still paying more to go on a cruise than you are to drive to a popular lake resort of beachfront rental property, but the discounts on last minute cruises are great bargains because they're all inclusive!

All-inclusive Means Savings on Entertainment and Meals

A cruise includes your entire trip, the accommodations, all of your meals (and the meals onboard ship are fantastic!), and all of the ship's entertainment, from dancing to Vegas style shows. Compare that to your vacation and you'll discover that by the time you add up your room, transportation, meals and entertainment expenses, the cruise deals that are available at the last minute just don't compare to your routine vacation plans – the cruises are much better!

Think about the total relaxation factor – no trying to find a good restaurant or wondering if there's anything decent in the way of entertainment. On a cruise vacation, everything's right there, every night. Your vacation is filled with every kind of entertainment, relaxation and fine dining imaginable even before you get to your ports of call!

Some of the amenities found on the typical cruise ship – and available with last-minute cruise deals – include:

Fine & casual dining
24-hour room service
Swimming pool
Fitness centers & spa facilities
Day spa and beauty salon
A variety of lounges and stages with world-class entertainment
Casinos
Duty-free gift shops

Is there a vacation anywhere that provides all of this in one location, all within walking distance, with gorgeous vistas of water and moonlight thrown in?

Finding Sizzling Hot Cruise Deals is Easy

How do you find fantastic cruise deals? The best way is to be flexible – keep in mind that there are several reasons that last minute berths open up on cruise ships. Most commonly, cruise ships simply don't fill every one of their rooms on most cruises, and they understand that it makes more sense to offer these spaces at a discount than it does to leave these rooms empty. The level of service and amenities are exactly the same as that for passengers paying full price!

There are also sometimes last minute cancellations for whatever reason, and the cruise company will try to fill these rooms as well. After all, they had anticipated having these sales and when a cancellation comes through at the last minute, they will want to fill that spot.

Tips for Getting the Best Cruise Deals

You can compound your cruise savings by booking last minute deals during off-season times when the rates are lower to begin with or cruising to destinations that you find intriguing but have unusual departure dates. A few general guidelines for finding great last minute cruise deals are:

Start watching about two months before your vacation, and check back often – special discounts are snapped up quickly.
Be flexible – if you can shift your travel dates by a few days one way or the other you may be able to save even more.
Be adventurous – if you see a fabulous deal on an exotic cruise to someplace you've never thought of but that sounds intriguing – go for it! This is the time to use the savings to invest in broadening your horizons.
Online is the best and quickest way to stay informed – the Internet constantly updates information on cruise deals as cruise lines post available openings.
Know what you're looking for – there are so many kinds of cruises now available with different themes that it can be confusing. If you and your husband are going, don't bother looking at singles cruises – the savings isn't worth being surrounded by singles. But a cruise geared toward honeymooners might put a bit of spark back in your marriage, especially if you're looking for an anniversary getaway!

Theme Cruises are the New Trend in Packaged Cruise Deals

You can find some great savings on theme cruises, a new trend for people with special interests or hobbies. Because these cruises cater to very specific tastes, the price of open spots can drop more quickly when they are discounted because they realize the chances of filling the spots may not be as high as for a general cruise.

So if you're interested in a last minute cruise and also happen to be a food and wine connoisseur, you may be able to find a drastically discounted price on a Wine Tasting or Chef's Taste of Cultures cruise, combining two interests and saving money at the same time.

There are also cruises that correspond with times of the year, such as foliage cruises or whale watching cruises that may offer special savings if they have cancellations since these are only offered during small windows in time. If you happen to hit one of these, you can expect some really amazing discounts on unique, once-in-a-lifetime cruise opportunities.

Trade Up to a Cruise for a Lifetime of Memories

So when that staid vacation is planned and you've already blocked out your vacation days at the office, don't be afraid to periodically check out the last minute cruise deals that can be found at rock bottom prices if you book just a few weeks in advance. Throw caution to the winds and pass on the lakeside fishing trip in favor of an unforgettable cruise to the Bahamas – with last minute bargains and fabulous all-inclusive packages you can turn that ho-hum trip into truly memorable one!

About The Author
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about last minute cruise, cruise discounts, and cruise deals. Lori once led a Conga line to the tune, "Hot, Hot, Hot," throughout an entire cruise ship sailing to Nassau. More Cruise articles at can be found at www.discount-cruise.biz.
alpinesprings@dccnet.com

The Memory Collector

Everyone collects something right? It may be baseball cards, hats, or some other type of sports memorabilia. Even if you don't consider yourself a collector of anything, you may be and don't even know it. How about the collection of tools in the cellar you don't really use, but you have to have them! Even maybe all those movies laying around you no longer watch, sounds like a collection to me.

More common items people typically collect are things like, coins, military items, guns, and sports items. Generally it will be something that once interested a person, had an impact on their lives or they just simply enjoyed. Me, I am a collector of shot glasses. What it was that spawned the interest is beyond me, I think it may have started in college. I now have a collection of over 300 shot glasses, and yes, I have had at least 1 shot of some type of a concoction from each one of them.

Looking at them now, they are reminders of places I have been, and things I have done. Every one of them has a story to be told, the memories flood my mind every time I pick one up. None of my shot glasses really have any monetary value, but I would never part with them, as a collection, they are proof of my existence if kept together.

I have searched the internet to find the reasons why others collect shot glasses. This quote was found on a personal site of an obvious diehard Hard Rock Café shot glass collector; "My goal is to display each of the shot glasses that have been available over the years from The Hard Rock Cafes and The Hard Rock Hotel." Needless to say, the man(or woman) has their work cut out for them to complete that collection.

My next quote comes from another personal web site; "I love my shot glasses! Currently I own almost 400 of the mini drinking vessels. My friends insist that one day we have a party where each glass gets used at least once. I don't have enough floor space for when they pass out! For now, I am content to hanging these puppies on the wall. My other loves are Pink Flamingos and Oreo Cookies, but they haven't overwhelmed an entire room yet. Give me time." This collector just loves collecting them, no rhyme or reason why, she just enjoys the act of doing so.

I am sure it is clear to you by now that the reasons why people collect many times are very different. They range from being a simple hobby, all the way to self preservation. Sometimes people collections end up in museums after they have past on. The Smithsonian Institution is living proof of that. So no matter what it is you collect just remember, next time you go somewhere, bring a memory home with you.

About The Author
David Kunstek writes for Http://www.ShotGlassShelf.com – Display Cases for the Shot Glass Collector, and Http://www.Secret-Deals.com. – Every day discounts on Brand Name Merchandise. Articles can be found on the sites along with a wealth of other information.
Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; webmaster@secret-deals.com.

The Grand Canyon: Life In The Gorge

An eagle swoops overhead, its vast wingspan silhouetted against the morning sun. A trained eye surveys the land below, anticipating any sudden movement.

Deep in the canyon beneath, the Colorado River runs its relentless course through Grand Canyon National Park, carved through the ages by this vein flowing through Arizona. As the sun climbs the morning sky, flooding the valley with light, the ground temperature rises and the creatures of the valley begin their daily quest for survival.

The immense scale of the Grand Canyon is difficult to comprehend. At its peak, the side walls plummet 1500 m (5000 ft) down to the river. At its broadest the canyon extends up to 29 km (18 mi) wide and overall the complex stretches over 446 km (227 mi).

The Grand Canyon is perhaps America's most recognisable landmark. The region is a magnet for tourists, attracting over 5 million visitors each year. Nobody fully appreciates the landscape until they have experienced it for themselves.

From the Colorado River, deep in the canyon floor, layer upon layer of rock becomes noticeable, stacked like pancakes, each one representing millions of years of evolution. Tiers of lime and sandstone stand excavated by the river, wind and sands of time.

Above the canyon, the temperature in the plateau area ranges from one extreme to another. Down on the canyon floor, temperatures can exceed 100°F, though winter frosts are rare.

It's surprising to imagine anything living in this hot and arid land far from the river, but the valleys are bursting with life. Plants and animals cling precariously to the vertical cliff faces, every nook and cranny bustling with activity.

Deep on the valley floor, the creatures scurry around, living their own rat race. The park is home to a wide variety of animals including the unique Grand Canyon "pink" rattlesnake. Ringtails, beavers and chipmunks are all widespread. Hundreds of bird species have made their home in the park, as well as countless insects and arachnids.

The canyon communities have their own pecking orders. Here, in this parched and hostile land, the food chain provides a delicate balance between survival, or finishing as dinner for those in the hierarchy. The environment is uncompromising and evolution has chosen its few.

In the distance, the eagle glides effortlessly over the broad crevasse. A sudden change in direction and the predator is racing to the ground at speed. Moments later, an unfortunate rodent has become breakfast.

About The Author
Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit http://www.sargas.co.uk.

Barcelona, Spain's Rebel City

Barcelona is a town with a history that like a good Catalan red wine is both rich and dark. Its foundations stretch back to at least the 15th century BC, if not earlier. Like so much of ancient Europe the Romans founded the first semblance of the town we know today as Barcelona. In the centuries that followed Barcelona was invaded by many powerful groups of people including the Visigoths, the Moors and the Muslim ruler Al Mansur. Plundered, conquered, nearly destroyed and under siege for much of its life, it comes as no surprise that Barcelona is also a city with a particular penchant for civil rights and freedom. Where the fight for liberty, and some evidence of both local and national political justice and peace, would eventually lead to Barcelona becoming one of Spain's largest strongholds for those who believed in the idea of anarchism.

In the most basic of essences anarchism is a system of political beliefs which dictates that a society (or group of people) will be free from laws, police, governments and other forms of imposing authority. Instead of this type of governed society anarchists feel that a libertarian culture should be founded around mutual cooperation and help amongst the members of the anarchist society.

When and what exactly planted the first seeds of anarchism in the people of Spain and the city of Barcelona is hard to say. Perhaps it was a result of the industrial revolution or a way of revolting against the stark rules and ideologies of Victorian Europe, not to mention the highly uneven distribution of wealth amongst the rich and the poor of Spain at the time. By the middle of the nineteenth century a visible anarchist movement had sprung up in Spain. At the turn of the twentieth century Spain had the largest anarchist community of any European nation, with the biggest following coming from Barcelona's industrial workers, who in 1911 formed an anarcho-syndicalist trade union called the National Confederation of Trabajo, or the "CNT". This union was the only one that was willing to take on members who were not qualified or able to join other unions.

On the whole, the ideals of the CNT focused largely on overthrowing the ruling Capitalists of Spain. Yet almost as soon as it was founded divisions sprung up amongst members of the CNT, some of whom took to radical acts and crimes that today would be classified as acts of terrorism. A large part of what the CNT and Spanish anarchism were about was demonstrating their opposition to the way that Spanish workers – primarily those in the lower classes of society - were being treated. Strikes and demonstrations, meetings and rallies were exceedingly common ways for the anarchists to show their stances and beliefs.

Towards the end of the First World War, and in the years that immediately followed, Barcelona was home to many strikes and protests against the ever-increasing rate of joblessness and the continual slashes in many workers' wages by factory owners. During this time the memory of a tragic uprising in 1909 which saw 6 people killed, 1, 700 charged with crimes and five executed for their alleged involvement with the uprising – including Francisco Ferrer, a well known Spanish free-thinker – was still fresh in the minds of the people of Barcelona as this is where the event had occurred.

In 1934 the CNT had some 1.5 million members and by the time the Spanish revolution began in 1936 this number had grown even larger. While it is nearly impossible to sum up the events of the Spanish Civil War that followed in a few lines, it can be defined as a conflict between the left wing parties of Spain (including anarchists, socialists, communists, and some republicans) and the right wing Nationalist party which was headed by the infamous Francisco Franco. By the end of 1939 Franco was successful in overthrowing the current Spanish Republican government and creating his own dictatorship. Thus the right-wing side had succeeded in winning the three year long civil war.

The Spanish Civil war may have officially ended, but the Second World War was just beggining and Franco's power in Spain was to remain strong for decades to come. The reign of Franco's government would not be shaken until the 1970's, however by this time a great deal of the country's left wing groups and anarchist parties had either been destroyed during the second world war, transformed into other groups or disbanded on the whole.

In the past thirty years Spain has seen continual freedom and rebirth, albeit with some setbacks, which may be a large part of why membership in groups such as the CNT has greatly declined. However, at the same time the CNT continues to exist today, and Barcelona is still considered to be Spain's "anarchist hotspot". While many thing both tragic and positive have come from Spain's long history of fighting, civil unrest and anarchism, one thing is for sure - the beautiful city of Barcelona will forever be a city with an unshakeable will of its own.

About The Author
Matt Goldman is a freelance writer who has been living in Barcelona with his wife and three daughters for the past 8 years. To read more about Barcelona accommodation possibilities, visit http://www.holiday-apartments-barcelona.com to which Matt contributes from time to time.
matt@holiday-apartments-barcelona.com

Summer Traveller Checklist

If you're going to hit the road this summer, it pays to plan ahead. Long trips by car can be exhausting if you don't take precautions. St. John Ambulance, Canada's leader in safety-oriented first aid training and high quality products, offers this Traveller's Checklist to help ensure you get there safely.

Is your vehicle up to the journey?

Check:

Tires and air pressure;
Fluid levels;
Lights and turn signals;
Motor operation, cooling and exhaust systems.

Carry:

Inflated spare tire;
Extra oil, radiator fluid, windshield spray;
Roadside assistance kit (including flares, jack, tire wrench, etc.)
First aid kit

Are you (and your passengers) ready to roll?

Check:

Is there a functioning seatbelt for each passenger to use?
Are small children secured in safety seats?
Are mirrors adjusted for the driver?
Are there obstructions on the dash, deck or windows that could obscure the driver's line of sight?

Carry:

Water or other non-alcoholic liquid refreshment.
Nutritious snacks.
Blankets and pillows (especially for long trips).
Facial tissues or sanitary wipes.
Maps with your route clearly marked (if you plan to travel unknown roads).
Cellular phone or other communication device.
Items to quietly occupy the interest of young passengers while not disturbing the driver's concentration.

For more than 118 years, St. John Ambulance has been helping Canadians prevent injury and reduce suffering through state-of-the-art first aid training and products. By learning what to do in an emergency, you can take to the road with extra confidence. For more information on St. John Ambulance programs and high-quality products, call the branch nearest you or look us up on the Internet at www.sja.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.

Validated Presence for Museums

'Some of the most important people to your future don't understand the value of what you are doing.' --- Richard West, "American's Museums – Building Community"

Your museum needs validated presence with multiple individuals and groups to effectively carry out its mission, build and maintain audience and manage donor development.

* For presence, your museum (or other heritage tourism site) requires branding—a distinct and compelling identity impacting everything from image to programs and services—that allows it to position itself to appeal to prospective visitors and to differentiate itself from other local and regional venues.

* For this presence to be validated, your organization must simultaneously earn and maintain the respect of tourists, tourist/visitor bureaus and associations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, foundations, museums, and historical societies.

You must tell a consistent story through your name, site design, exhibit interpretation style and focus, events and activities, visitor guidebooks and brochures, web site, and advertising and public relations materials. While style and focus will change somewhat to meet the demands of audiences/formats, this consistent story must also be maintained in monographs, white papers, grant applications and other requests, and archival resources.

Your organization's ability to create a validated presence with individual groups and stakeholders impacts its success with other groups and stakeholders. That is, the advertising done to attract tourists and local visitors influences foundation responses to grant requests; web site content focusing on historical information and restoration goals influences the collegial approval of professionals at other museums and museum associations. Everything relating to branding evolves, builds on itself, and has multiple non-linear effects on all stakeholders.

If you have validated presence, everyone who should know who you are does know who you are, and they believe you are presenting a quality museum experience.

About The Author
Malcolm R. Campbell is the author of The Sun Singer, a quest/adventure novel available from major on-line booksellers, fine bookstores and the author's web site at: http://www.campbelleditorial.com/sunsinger.html

Presenting: Ottawa's Byward Market - Special Events, Culture & Art, Boutiques and Culinary Delights in a Historic Setting

Ottawa has a myriad of sights to visit and the ByWard Market is one of the major entertainment areas in Ottawa. It combines a great selection of restaurants and night spots, with funky boutiques and retailers, galleries and artsy places and a busy outdoor market. Throw in a good dose of special events and you've got yourself a happening place!

I myself will be heading off to Ottawa on February 10 to sample Canada's capital, and to check out Winterlude, Ottawa's winter festival, which will be held this year from February 3 to 19, 2006. Winterlude includes skating on the Rideau Canal, the world's largest outdoor skating facility according to its Guiness World Book of Records designation of November 2005.

Let me give you an idea of the enormity of this skating opportunity: the Rideau Canal's surface is the equivalent size of 90 Olympic rinks and stretches for 7.8 km (4.8 miles) through downtown! And it features all kinds of outdoor entertainment as well as the famous Beavertails, Ottawa's signature pastry, so skating on the Canal will be a definite must on this upcoming trip.

So, after a good round of outdoor exercise I will certainly be checking out what the ByWard Market area has to offer and quench my well-deserved hunger with a great meal.

In anticipation of my visit I had a chance to talk to Meg McCallum, from the ByWard Market Business Improvement Association, who was able to give me a great overview of this ecclectic area.

Market hall at the Byward Market

1. Please give us a general overview of the ByWard Market, its location and its history.

Established by Lieutenant Colonel John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George Street and York Street to be extra wide to accommodate the creation of a public market and gathering place. 180 years later, the Market is still going strong!

Within an area roughly four blocks square, you'll find cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs, hair & aesthetics salons and more! Easily accessible on foot, by transit, by bicycle or by car, the ByWard Market offers a unique experience for all.

Whether you're here at dawn to welcome the outdoor vendors with their overflowing stands of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and art & crafts; joining some friends for brunch/ lunch/ dinner or shopping; or staying up till the wee hours at one of our hip nightspots, you'll find the ByWard Market has something for you!

Festivals at all times of the year....

2. The ByWard Market still houses a farmers market today, please give us more information about that.

Outdoor vendors are an integral part of the ByWard Market experience. You'll find ByWard's vendors outside, no matter the weather, 363 days per year (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day)! At the peak of summertime, there may be 175 stands operating, selling fruits & vegetables, bedding & gardening plants & cut flowers, arts & crafts, maple syrup & honey. In the winter months, you're more likely to find Christmas trees, natural wreaths & garlands, firewood, cut flowers, maple syrup & honey, and art & craft.

The farmers market is surrounded by specialty food retail shops - butchers, bakeries, imported items and more. As an example of the variety of goods you'll find, there are over XXX types of cheese to be found!

3. Please tell us about the variety of culinary experiences that are available in the ByWard Market.

With over 80 restaurants, you'll never run out of options for dining. In the summer months, patios are the place to go, both to take advantage of the sun and warm weather and to people watch. In the winter, you'll find a warm welcome in some of the area's most beautiful heritage buildings, such as the Courtyard Restaurant and Mamma Grazzi's Kitchen. The ByWard Market is home to several internationally recognized chefs and sommeliers - try the Social, Luxe, E18hteen and Domus Café. You'll find Canadian cuisine at its finest, along with Thai, Mexican, Indian, Aboriginal, Japanese and more. If you're in a hurry, the ByWard Market building is home to several take-out options, or you can assemble a picnic lunch with breads, meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies from the farmers market. Don't forget dessert - there are several bakeries and gelato shops to choose from, as well as the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sugar Mountain for those with a sweet tooth!

There is always something going on....

4. What type of retail and shopping opportunities can be found in the area?

With most retail shops being locally owned and operated, Market business owners are masters of their crafts. You'll find quality, experience and cutting edge trends in the many fashion, housewares and specialty boutiques. If you're looking for locally designed jewelery and clothing or picks from designers across North America and Europe, the shops on Sussex, Clarence and Dalhousie will wow you! If your interest in cooking has been piqued, try Ma Cuisine, Les Concepts Zone or Domus Housewares for kitchen gadgets galore! From there, of course, you'll start to want to redecorate your whole house... and this is the place to do it. Roche Bobois, Philip Van Leeuwen and many more furniture shops are to be found, along with specialty bath and bedding stores such as Mon Lit and Bed Behaviour. This is only a sampling of the variety of shops - you really have to visit to see for yourself!

5. There are also a number of nightlife opportunities in the ByWard Market. Please tell us about those.

The Market is home to over 20 nightclubs featuring world reknowned dj's and live music; as well as more than 50 restaurants, pubs and lounges that stay open until 2 am. You'll find everything from martinis and single malt scotches to a world wide selection of wines and spirits. Venues run the gamut from intimate to extravagant; for the salt of the earth and the cream of the crop. Some not to be missed experiences include Fat Tuesdays New Orleans Experience (cajun cuisine and a carnival atmosphere), the Rainbow Bistro (live blues music), The Collection/Mercury Lounge/ Bar 56 (3 floors of martinis, dj's, culture and style), and Zaphod Beeblebrox (recently made famous as the filming location for the Rolling Stones latest video).

Pumpkin weigh-off

6. What special events are you planning during the ByWard Market Mardi Gras?

Warm your fingers, toes, and your spirits as you take part in a variety of great activities all week long. From a masquerade ball to live Southern bands, you will find fabulous entertainment options for everyone at ByWard Market Mardi Gras from February 3 - 14th.

Plus, all week long, take advantage of extraordinary discount prices at 20 of the ByWard Market's trendiest boutiques and salons. Over 25 great ByWard Market restaurants and bars will be serving up special Mardi Gras Menus all week; with tasty Southern dishes and beverages such as all-you-can-eat Creole mussels, Mardi Gras martinis, Cajun seafood jambalaya, and much more.

7. You are planning a "Winterlude Stew Cook-Off" for February 3, 2006. Please tell us about this special event.

For only $10 you can sample stew created by over 20 of the Market's finest restaurants, including last year's winner of both Judge's and People's Choice awards, Luxe Bistro. The 15th annual Winterlude Stew Cook-Off takes place at the south end of the ByWard Market Building on Friday, February 3, between 12 and 2 p.m.

Winners are chosen by the public as well as by a panel of celebrity judges including a master chef from Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School. All proceeds from the stew cook-off will be donated to Operation Go Home.

The ByWard Auto Classic

8. You have another special event planned for February 18, 2006: a Snow Volleyball Tournament. Please tell us about that.

Winter doesn't need to be spent inside! The Snow Volleyball Tournament brings out up to 40 teams to compete for bragging rights in friendly competition. The action takes place on Saturday, February 18 at 3:00 pm beside the Whiskey Bar at 112 York Street. Proceeds raised at the event will be donated to Operation Go Home.

9. Please tell us about the galleries and the arts and culture opportunities that are accessible in and around your area.

To start with, the National Gallery of Canada anchors the Market at it's north-west edge. And just across the street is the Notre Dame Basilica - a beautiful cathedral worth a visit to see the marbled painted archways and pillars. Throughout the Market you'll find many small galleries, commercial and publicly owned. The Ottawa School of Art offers short courses, workshops and lectures, and has a shop, a student gallery and a large public gallery. Lafreniere & Pai Gallery is home to works by some of Canada's best glass and ceramic artists, and Gallery of the Kanadas showcases aboriginal and inuit art. Many restaurants host exhibitions, and the Sussex Courtyards are home to several whimsical sculptures.

Bytown Days

10. What are the ByWard Market Ambassadors?

The ByWard Market Ambassador program is operated through a community partnership and includes tourism, safety and information functions. Each summer ByWard Market Ambassadors circulate throughout the Market area contributing to a positive Market experience by...

- Providing tourists & the public with an on-street resource for questions about the Market & the City

- Providing a safety &security function by monitoring the street activity & responding to situations that require intervention

- Providing front-line response & first aid treatment in the case of accident or injury

- Maintaining positive community relations with all Market stakeholders

Look for the bright yellow t-shirts with INFO on the back...

Thank you, Meg, for giving me a good overview of the ByWard Market. I look forward to checking out some of these places in person in a few weeks from now.

About The Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.
Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.
"Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons".
The story with photos is published at Stories and Photos (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/interviews/ottawa_byward_market.htm)

Too Much To Do In London!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

enq@VisitHotels.com
www.VisitHotels.com

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

Visiting The US Capital

Washington, D.C. is one of the most interesting cities one could visit. The capital city of the United States of America was named after George Washington, military leader of the American Revolution and the first US President. District of Columbia, which is the name of the federal district containing Washington, is governed by a single municipal government and for practical purposes it is administrated by a mayor. But although Washington, D.C. does not have a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate, the U.S. Congress maintains the supreme authority.

This small city is considered of extreme importance as all three branches of the U.S. federal government as well as many independent agencies headquarters are located in its area, like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In addition, Washington, D.C. is the place one should visit in order to admire numerous national landmarks, visit museums-most of them have free entrance to the public-and get excited watching famous sports teams. In fact, Washington, D.C. has been a very popular destination among tourists, which is supported by the fact that every year million of visitors decide to tour the sights and sounds of the US capital. Its endless calendar of special events, like the Cherry Blossom celebration or the National Mall festivities, among a variety of free attractions, transform Washington, D.C. to a year-round inspiring experience for all its habitats and foreign visitors.

But beyond the city's well-known sights, Washington, D.C. is actually a lively urban center. Packed bars, cafes, bistros, and beautiful restaurants, offer to the visitor a variety of choices and invite all to spend some time with good company. Since some of the U.S. most prestigious and famous universities are located in the city, its beat is further enhanced by thousands of undergrad and graduate students who pursue the degree of their choice while enjoying the city's possibilities.

If you are wondering whether or not the city is worthwhile I would have to strongly support that it is. Being a "foreigner" who decided to come and has been living in the US capital for the last two years I always invite people to see the city and take advantage at the same time of having their personal free tour guide. Having done exactly that for a number of different friends and local visitors, I am convinced that Washington, D.C. has something new to offer to its visitors whether they are planning to stay just for a few days or for who knows how long.

About The Author
Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://totallytraveling.net/ - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://parorbetter.com/ and http://everythingaboutgames.net/

Ideas For Your Next Cruise

Have you thought about the destination for your next cruise?

Could it be the Caribbean which many cruise ships cruise around. Where will you visit? How about Belize, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grand Antigua, Cayman, South Carolina, Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, the Bahamas or Mexico. These are all destinations from cruises setting out from places such as Fort Lauderdale.

You could try a cruise in the Mediterranean calling at such destinations such as, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal and other Mediterranean countries. When visiting Gibraltar you must check out the "Rock" but look out for the Apes. These are known as the Barbary Apes and they want you to feed them. I have seen people being attacked by the apes in their search for food. It can be very scary if it is you being attacked but very funny if you are watching it. If it happens to you just let go of the food and the Apes will leave you alone. It's the food they are after.

There are other places to cruise in Europe such as Norway, cruising up the coast and fiords visiting isolated communities in the deep-sea valleys on the west coast of Norway. The scenery is dramatic and by cruising above the artic circle you can experience the land of the midnight sun. This sun never sets in summertime but in wintertime it never rises. Because of this you need to make sure you only cruise this area in the summer. Just as much fun as Norway is Alaska where you can get just as dramatic scenery and it is just as much fun.

Some cruise ships in the US spend the winter months cruising the Caribbean and the summer months cruising the West coast of Alaska. These ships need to reposition themselves during the fall and springtime and do this through the Panama Canal. These cruises are highly recommended due to the unique experience of the Panama Canal. The US completed the canal in the early part of the last century although the canal was started by the French. The canal starts at the Gatun locks at the Atlantic side of Panama and travels to the Pacific side which lowers ships over 50 feet in the series of Miraflores Locks. The Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the engineering world.

Cruises do not just take place on the sea though and you could try cruising the rivers of the world. How about the great Mississippi river from New Orleans to Little Rock, St Louis or Pittsburg. Companies also run theme cruises covering themes such as the Civil War, Steamboat racing and special Fall cruises.

You could also try Europe and cruise on the river Rhine, Elbe, Danube, Seine or Rhone rivers to name just a few, or you could try your hand at captaining your own boat on the canal systems in France or the UK. Don't forget further to the east of Europe there are many other countries offering river cruises. There are also rivers such as the Nile and Amazon as well. Whatever you choose to do, just enjoy yourselves.

About The Author
Ric Wiley is an established writer and Internet author. His latest advice site about cruising can be found at http://www.destination-cruise.com.