RecreationJungle

If you’re looking for a vacation getaway in North America with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, a place where you can see unspoiled wilderness and wildlife during the day, hike, bike, or fish, and then be pampered with a massage, facial, or body treatment, and enjoy a “high tea” in the afternoon, then consider traveling to the Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockie Mountains.

A two hour drive from Calgary, situated on the bank of Lake Louise a vacation at the Chateau Lake Louise will have you thinking that you’re actually vacationing in a Swiss Chalet. Personalized service is the key here, any wish will be granted. The Chateau offers a spa and health club, with an indoor pool. There are at least six dining room serving hamburgers to Alberta beef tenderloin with black truffle potato gratin, and everything in between.

Travel here any time of the year. During Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, Lake Louise has something to offer everyone. Canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and horseback riding are just some of the outdoor activities offered in Spring. For winter travel there is downhill skiing, heli skiing and plenty of cross country skiing. Lake Louise is one of Canada’s largest ski areas with a 3,250 ft. vertical drop. A 40 minute ride will have you to the Sunshine Ski Area which boasts the longest ski season in Canada. Shuttles run between the Chateau and the ski area.

If you’re the adventurous type you might want to travel through the Banff National Park area. The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic route that parallels Highway 1 between Banff and Lake Louise. On this lovely and winding drive you could easily see a lot of different wildlife, wolves, elk, mountain goat and moose. Banff is also the home of The Cave and Basin National Historic Site where the first hot springs were discovered. Also not to be missed is the Sulphur Mountain Gondola which will give you an eagle’s eye view of Banff atop of Sulphur Mountain – don’t forget your camera!

Life never sleeps in the capital city of France- Paris. The City of Lovers or the City of Lights, the city of Paris is exceptional for it has not just one but a multitude of attractions that leave each and every visitor bizarre. The aura of the city is such that the visitors are left spell bound. The city is so rich in its exotic and prized possessions that it becomes difficult to explore the entire city within a few days.

The Multiple Assets From art to glamour, from the mystifying Eiffel Tower to the stunning Seine River, the wondrous city of Paris has it all. When we talk about the city’s art and architecture, Paris has some of the coveted monuments in the world. For instance the Napoleon’s eminent ‘Arch of Triumph’ (a piece of architecture that ascends the streets); the Square of Peace (known for its huge statues and fountains) and the wonderful pillar from Egypt called the Obelisk of Luxor. The Eiffel Tower has its own tale. Counted amongst one of the wonders of the world, the tower is 986 feet tall and weighs 700 tons.

The Unity in Diversity Paris is endowed with a plethora of small regions that contribute to the pleasing diversity of this place. To name a few in this regard-

The Le Marais Region in Paris speaks of the rich history and tradition of the city. Marais, the land where the King Henry II took his last breath, is the home for some of the most archaic French buildings. The Musee Carnavalet museum has many archaeological discoveries along with breathtaking historical paintings, sculptures etc. Other eminent museums include-The Musee Cognaq Jay, The Musee de la Serrure Briccard, Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature (famous for stone age weapons) and last but not the least The Musee Picasso that has the worlds largest number of Picasso paintings. The Jewish Quarter that nestled in the Marais region and that familiarizes you with the Jewish customs and traditions has always been an apple of every visitor’s eyes.

The La Quarter region of Paris is a paradigm of unity and diversity. This is because people from all castes and creed inhabit the place. There is round the clock activity with plenty of markets, restaurants, gardens, parlors etc. in this ancient region that has streets of the Roman era.

Not to be overlooked is the popular Montmartre region of Paris. The area is bedecked by the Sacre Coeur Church, that has almost scaled to the height of the Eiffel Tower. The place is also more often visited for it’s being the land of illustrious artists like Zola, Van Gogh, Turgeney and Degas. Apart form this, the Montmarte region has an exclusive cemetery where the great souls of Degas, Stendhal, La Golie etc. lie in peace. There is also the famous The Musee de Montmartre where people like Renior, Dufy and Suzanne Valada had resided.

But this isn’t all. The Notre Dame Cathedral at the Notre Dame region is worth looking. The ancient cathedral that is an epitome of love also has an underground crypt and a small museum for the visitors.

A outstanding and enthralling place nestled in the city of Paris is the Louvre Museum. This museum has some of the world’s most prized sculptures, paintings, utensils and other antiques. If there is the globally treasured Mona Lisa of Leonardo Da Vinci, there are also the two giant winged bulls that long ago used to guard the palace of Sragon II and the Hammurabi Code. Other antiquities from Babylon, Mesopotamia, Sumeria etc. can also be seen. Amongst the several bedazzling galleries like Prints and Drawings Gallery, arts gallery etc. the sculpture gallery is also garlanded by the bewitching Michaelangelo Courtyard. On the whole, the Louvre Museum is a spectacular place to stop at.

The authentic magnum opus of art maestros like Renoir, Sisely, Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas and Pissaro can also be gazed at the Musee d’Orsay museum that also has some exclusive primitive sculptures.

Also to be seen are the delightful gardens in Paris. For instance, The Rond-Point, The Grand Palais, the Petit Palais etc. being some of them.

However, one falls short of words and ink to appraise and express the brilliance and magnificence of the unusual and wonderful city Paris, the charm and charisma of which carries the potential to raise someone from the dead.

Are you aware of the Child Trust Fund and its benefits? a low number of parents seem to realise that all babies receive a free £250 voucher from the State to invest in a Child Trust Fund. The child’s voucher may be invested in any one of three sorts of CTF account, Stakeholder – a shares-based account thatswaps into cash, a savings account or a shares account. It is a superb chance to invest for the future needs of a youngster

Scottish Friendly is an authorised provider of the Child Trust Fund The Government is eager for the public at large to have access to Stakeholder accounts and this is the form of account that we are offering. This means that:

Investments are paid into Scottish Friendly’s Managed Growth Fund, which aims to provide strong growth potential

It invests in part in shares to get the benefit of potentially higher returns over 18 years,compared to a cash deposit account (although the value of shares can
go down as well as increase whereas capital would be protected in a deposit account)

It comes with a low ‘Stakeholder’ funds charge of only 1.5 percent perannum

When reaching 18 the child will get a lump sum, wholly free of Capital Gains and Income Tax under current legislation

It’s affordable – extra payments can be placed in the account from only £10

An attractive feature of the Child Trust Fund is that anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends – if they want can add to the Fund to an uppermost limit of £1,200 per year to help boost the child’s Fund (once added, this money cannot be withdrawn).

All this means our Stakeholder account provides a good balance between potentially high returns and a lower level of risk. There’s also the extra assurance that our account meets with the Government’s stakeholder criteria. Nonetheless this does not mean that returns are guaranteed or that Stakeholder accounts are appropriate for everyone. Bear in mind that the value of shares in the Managed Growth Fund (where your Child Trust Fund money is placed) can fall as well as go up and would not be guaranteed.

Only children born on or after 1st September 2002 are entitled to open a Child Trust Fund. If you have older children born before the 1st of September 2002 who are not qualified you could look at saving for them with a Child Bond – it’s a tax-free savings plan intended for long-term growth.

It is evident that saving for your son is a sound means of preparing for the future.

The Bahamas serve as the perfect relaxation destination. With pristine beaches silent, save for the gently crashing waves of the turquoise water, the perfect island can help even the most stressed person to calm down. Many travelers find it more relaxing to have a place to stay a step away from tourist life on the islands, and private beach houses and condos have become extremely popular. These homes can be rented out to those who desire more privacy and independence than a hotel can offer.

There are many alternatives to hotel-stays on the islands, with varying price ranges. Bahamas vacation rentals can run anywhere from $100 a night to $1,000 a night. Regardless of your budget, a beautiful vacation rental can always be found. If, like most modern-day travelers, you use the Internet to book your stay, you can find detailed descriptions and pictures of whatever home, cottage, or condo catches your eye and matches your price range.

The internet has made it much easier for travelers to make these kinds of reservations because it gives access to all kinds of companies, big and small. Also, the renter has the advantage of looking at pictures and knowing exactly what they will be getting. Many websites offer travelers hundreds of rental properties to choose from. From sunny spots right on the beach to inland homes covered by trees, from tiny cottages to massive mansions, Bahamas vacation rentals offer everyone – with every budget – a beautiful place to call their home away from home.

Xcaret is located roughly 45 minutes south of Cancun, Mexico. The park is advertised as an ecological and archaeological Disneyland. While there is a definite back to nature feel to the place, it is expensive and crowded with more than a slight overtone of commercialism.

Xcaret

Pronounced “esh…car..it”, Xcaret is an extremely popular tourist resort, perhaps the biggest one in Mexico. At first glance, the overall impression is extremely impressive. The park contains beaches, snorkeling areas, hiking areas, horseback riding, botanical gardens, captive dolphins and so on. The park is essentially a jungle and beach play area for adults and kids.

Unlike Disneyland, a must see at Xcaret is the re-enactment of Mayan games. In a game resembling basketball, “Mayan” park staff plays Pok-Ta-Pok for visitors. For some reason, the park staff fails to take the game to its historic conclusion which involved the losers being killed. So much for authenticity!

Commercialism

My biggest gripe with Xcaret is it to similar to Disneyland. First, you can’t walk five feet in Cancun without someone sticking a brochure in your hand. Once you cave in and go to the park, you can expect to pay $40 to get in. After that, the giving just keeps on going. You can expect to pay for practically everything. Want to go snorkeling? You better have your own gear with you or be ready to pay. Need a beach chair? That will cost you. Horseback riding? Well, you get the idea.

Should You Go

Deciding whether to go to Xcaret is a personal decision. If commercialism bothers you, Xcaret may be a place to pass on. One visit was good enough for me. My bank account can’t take another!

Why Use Priceline.com?

An Interview with Don Nadeau

Rick Archer sat down with Don Nadeau, the president of BidonTravel.com, which provides Priceline
bidding advice.

RA: Why would anyone want to use Priceline?

DN: You’ll save a lot of money.

RA: Yes, but who wants to get up in time for a 6:00
a.m. flight? You can’t pick your departure times or airline or
anything like that.

DN: Well, just use Priceline for air tickets when
you’re going to Australia or traveling at the last minute.
You’ll save hundreds of dollars. When you can plan your U.S.
travel well in advance, Priceline may not be your best bet.

But always bid on Priceline hotels. That’s easy and you don’t
have to get up at 4:00 a.m.

RA: Sure, but I don’t want to stay in some crummy
place.

DN: No, no, no. Bid for three or four-star hotels. You
pick the quality.

You’ll end up at a Hyatt, Hilton, Holiday Inn Crown Plaza,
Sheraton, Marriott, or Doubletree-someplace like these.

And, over a few days, you’ll save hundreds of dollars.

In fact, I predict you’ll save on average at least $100 a
night over the prices you get on Expedia, Hotels.com, or similar
discount hotel sites. Priceline hotel savings average some 40
percent over these sites.

RA: What about location?

DN: You pick that, too.

In the Orlando area, you have a choice of 11 neighborhoods,
in or near San Jose, eight.

RA: So you can’t pick a specific hotel, just a general
neighborhood?

DN: That’s right.

That’s why hotels use Priceline to sell excess inventory at
prices they don’t want their regular customers to find out about.

RA: So would it be correct to assume that if there’s a
big event going on in the area and hotels are heavily booked,
rooms won’t be available through Priceline?

DN: Actually not.

Groups can book large blocks of rooms at hotels, then find
out not as many are traveling, and release some rooms back to
hotels. I once got a Priceline discount at the headquarters
hotel of a huge medical convention at the last minute.

Priceline tells you if rooms are available before you bid.

RA: How do I know what to bid?

I have an entire site devoted to that! Go to the Priceline Hotels section of BidOnTravel.com.

RA: Just give me three main tips.

DN: Okay. First, bid on three or four-star hotels.
That’s where the real savings are.

Second, look up the best prices for the star quality and
neighborhood you want on a site like Hotels.com. Knowledge is
power, and that way you won’t overbid.

Third, find out what Hotwire.com charges.

Hotwire is Priceline’s main competitor in the ‘you don’t find
out the name of your hotel until you pay category,’ and it’s
prices are usually a bit higher than Priceline’s.

Therefore, bid 10 – 20 percent below Hotwire’s price.

See BidonTravel.com, though, if you want to
refine this process to maximize your savings.

RA: What if I still overpay?

DN: Priceline has a best price guarantee.

If you book a room on Priceline, and then find a lower price
on another website for the same type of room at the same hotel
or resort on the same dates, Priceline will refund you the
difference. There’s some small print, such as “this rate has to
be available to the general public and you have to make your
claim within 24 hours of booking,” but you really can’t lose.

RA: There must be some drawbacks to using Priceline
for hotels.

DN: There are.

Most importantly, you’ll get no refund if you cancel. You
won’t be able to change dates.

Also, you’ll usually end up with a standard room. At some
hotels, these may not be large enough for more than two people.

RA: What about smoking or nonsmoking?

DN: This is never absolutely guaranteed regardless of
where you book.

When using Priceline or other online sites, I usually call
the hotel directly to make sure it has me on its nonsmoking
list. I also try not to show up too late, when the hotel may
have run out of certain types of rooms.

RA: Thanks. I’ll try bidding next time after reading
the tips on your site.

Tarifa has long been known as a culturally-blended town, through all its incarnations: frontier fortress, fishing village, trendy tourist town. All the peoples who have settled in or near Tarifa have left a mark, from ancient Roman soldiers to Moorish settlers, Jewish merchants and Celto-Iberians. The Moorish style of architecture is the most common here, but everything else blends in with these walls to create a singularly beautiful place to vacation. You’ll find virgin coastline, fine hotels, and tons of water sports to engage your interests.

Sports

Tarifa is a perfect place for surfers and beach lovers, and has perfect windsurfing waters and winds. More sedentary beachgoers can lounge on the warm sands and enjoy a spectacular view of the Rif mountains, visible across the Mediterranean from Africa. Virgin beaches and wild coastline offer room for birdwatchers and hikers, rock-climbing and surfing. Scuba diving and horseback riding are also available for those who are interested, and world-class golf courses abound in the region.

Tarifa’s Living History

Many parts of Tarifa have not changed in hundreds of years. Local fishermenb stil use the Almadraba circling method of fishing, over seven hundred years old, and the narrow alleys paved with cobblestones stretch through walls cascaded over by jasmine. Wrought iron rejas decorate homes lining the street, and the castellated walls of the old city are closely woven with the homes. The eighth-century city gate of Jerez has been restored, and the church of San Mateo and buildings in the Calle de los Azogues date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

You can visit the Arab castle of Guzman the Bueno, built in 960 AD probably on the ruinms of an old Roman fort. Two high towers in the east section once protected the entrance to Tarifa. And on Calle de la Fuente you can find a historic and unique fountain. La Alameda is an Andalucian paved garden decorated with flowers and old villagers filled with stories.

Modern Tarifa

Tapas bars abound, particularly to the east of the Alameda. On Batalla del Salado, north of town, surf shops and trendy clothing stores line the streets. Wind turbines on the hills generate enormous amounts of power, and they’re certainly something to get a picture of.

The most modern parts of Tarifa, though, are the beaches. For families, try the Playa Chica. If you prefer rocky beaches, check out La Caleta, a quiet beach often missed by tourists. The large Playa de los Lances stretches ten kilometers down the coast, and provides perfect surf and wind for kite surfing. Near the Hurricane Hotel you’ll find the Playa de Valdevaqueros.

You can also take the regular daily ferry across to Tangiers; visit the souk for a day, or explore the unique nature of Tangiers.

Nightlife in Tarifa is very entertaining indeed. You’ll find discos throughout the old town and the beach, and La Casa Amarilla features flamenco music. Continental has live music, and there are dozens of other music and other bars.

Where to Stay

You can stay in a number of hotels located in the town or its outskirts, and you also have the option of camping out in several areas along the beach. The Hotel Punta Sur is perfect for families, and very convenient to the beach. The Hurricane hotel has subtropical gardens that open to the beaches of Playa de Valdevaqueros, and excellent views of Morocco. This hotel is friendly, and its restaurant serves simple dishes with the best and freshest ingredients they can find.

For some history, consider the Cortijo La Hoya, over a hundred years old, or Casa Silos, a medieval townhouse within the old town wall.

For honeymooners or those who prefer style and class, the over-14 hotel El Aguilon may be ideal. Its swimming pool, set in an orange grove, is lovely, and the building itself is an old Andalucian Cortijo.

So you’ve always wanted to take a dream cruise vacation. Maybe its one of those things that wound up on the back burner, but you’ve started to believe that you just wont be able to save up the money to take yourself and the spouse, or the whole family, on such a trip. Think again. The cruise industry is growing faster than ever, and with this huge expansion comes more opportunities to save money on special discount cruise deals. With more vacationers taking to the seas, cruise lines are growing larger and can afford to offer special discounts to customers to get more people hooked on this luxury style of vacationing. Those looking for a cruise vacation can make a few smart decisions and save themselves a lot of cash without much sacrifice. The first step is to look into theme packages. Many discount cruises are offered for certain lifestyles or age groups. There may be a family discount, a golden years discount, or a honeymoon discount available. Depending on what type of cruise you want and who’s going with you, this can be a huge money-saver if you’re willing to accept what is offered in the packaged deal. When it comes time to book your cruise, believe it or not, don’t be too hasty.

Many cruise lines receive unexpected cancellations at the last minute, and are eager to fill the empty slots. A would-be vacationer can often get extremely good deals if their schedule allows them to wait until the last minute to book. Call a cruise line days before a ship sets sail, and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear regarding discount rates for last-minute trips. If you find a cruise line that you like, consider booking any future cruise vacations with the same line. Many cruise lines offer discounts to repeat customers and you will probably receive a good percentage off your rate if you book a cruise at the same time each year with the same company. Talk to a travel agent who specializes in cruises. Often these agents can get you deals as well, especially with cruise lines they book often.

By booking through an experienced travel agent you may earn the instant right to be a preferred customer. Finally, do your research! There are many sites online for discount cruise fares, just as there are for airfares and other types of travel.

Some websites specialize in locating cheap cruises for those who wish to vacation on a budget.

Make use of a search engine, and don’t get discouraged your cheap cruise is out there somewhere. The trick is using resources and a little brain work to find it.

Rural tourism has become quite popular on the last years and Mallorca (Majorca) is a good destination for those looking to escape from massified areas and resorts.

There are many rural hotels in Mallorca, some of them offering luxury accommodation with all the facilities for the modern and smart traveller, which is looking for a place to escape and relax, and others are somewhat more agriculture oriented, perfect for those that want to try what living in community is and learn a little more about farms and its kind of life.

In Pollensa places such as the Son Brull Hotel and Spa that mixes both relax and farmhouse-community style. The guest is here given the option to choose which of these fits more its holidays.

Next to the world famous sandy beach of Es Trenc, in the Campos area, a good and cheap (or at least affordable) option for a rural finca is Finca Sa Casanova which offers activities such as trekking, horse riding and mountain bike, among others.

More in Campos: the Finca Es Palmer, which as been awarded by many traveller guides and offers 10 superb rooms, swimming pool and solarium. It is also really near to the beach as well as to the Golf Sa Rapita.

In Fornalutx, a small village with less than 600 inhabitants the Fornalutx Petit Hotel offers interesting rates for accommodation in this small and unspoilt village. Unfortunately this small charming hotel seems to offer only its pool and sauna as pluses. However, be pretty sure that in familiar hotel like this their staff will help you in organizing your activities. At Alaro, the rural hotel S’Olivaret also offers activities such as trekking, hiking, tennis and the like. S’Olivaret perfectly conjugates history and tradition with comfort.

More in the north of the island, in Soller, the Rural Finca Ca’s Sant offers peace, tranquillity and calmness surrounded by more than 30.000 sq. metres of enviable beauty.

And in Llucmajor, the Finca Son Guardiola offers authentic Mallorca accommodation in an old by completely refurbished area with more than 50.000 square metres of its own property.

The finca Sa Torre is situated in Santa Eugenia, next to the Santa Maria villa and could be a good choice if you plan to visit Palma during your holidays, as it is only 15 minutes driving from Palma de Mallorca. This village is still really small and keeps it mallorcan character. Every body still greets you while walking although they do not know you. Also, on Sunday you can visit the Santa Maria market, which in my humble opinion is one of the best to be found around the island. And by the way, is not more than 20 minutes driving from Palma.

Mallorca is not only sun, beaches and sangria, but the smart destination to escape from major cities. And rural tourism the way to find the real Mallorca.

The Fashionistas, John Stagliano’s erotically-charged tale of
fetish and fantasy, was chosen as one of “Las Vegas’ 10 Best
Shows,” by the Las Vegas Review Journal. This marks the first
ever appearance for a show of this kind on The R-J’s 10 Best
List, which beat out such mainstream high-budget productions as
Celine Dion’s “A New Day.” Fashionistas” also was picked by the
staff of the Review Journal as having the Best Choreography of
any Vegas show and received numerous rave reviews from other
respected publications as Las Vegas Weekly, Callback News and
entertainment icon Robin Leach.

The Fashionistas is a gender-blending erotic extravaganza never
before seen on the Las Vegas Strip. With what critics call a
“muscular and aggressive” staging technique, a hard-driving
soundtrack, imaginative and unique costumes, and a humorous and
sly story line, the Fashionistas pushes the envelope of human
form, fashion and spectacle in high style.

Additional Information about this Las Vegas Entertainment is
located at http://www.lvindex.com