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October 2, 2005 22:18 - Why Take a Cruise Vacation?
Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren’t sure if it would be right for you? With all the cruise lines available, all the cruise destinations, the range of prices, there is a cruise for just about everyone. Do you commute to work every day, sitting in traffic for perhaps hours? Think about it, on a cruise you don’t drive anywhere for 7, 10, 14 days or more. Now, even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least pack and unpack it at each stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or suite. You unpack once, feeling at home for the duration of the cruise. The cruise staff will tell you when to place your bags outside your accommodations at the end of the cruise and, just a magically, your luggage will be waiting for you on shore at a designated pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from some of the hassles of traveling.
If you take a driving vacation, there’s always the question of where to stop to eat. All meals are included in the price of your cruise and great food is one of the main attractions of taking a cruise. Most contemporary cruises take into account the modern casual lifestyle and provide a variety of restaurants and snack bars on board. Typically, there is a varied and plentiful breakfast and lunch buffet similar to what you find in Las Vegas. Or you can eat breakfast or lunch in one of the ship’s restaurants, ordering exactly what you want from the ample menu, prepared fresh for you. Restaurants are usually open for meals for extended hours and buffets are generally open all day and into the night. Have you heard of the midnight buffet available on some cruises?
Dinner is an important event on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800’s when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today’s lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who prefer to dine casually, the dinner buffet is available usually until 9 pm. Most cruise ships offer excellent cuisine, especially at dinner, in the main dining room or rooms plus offer meals at upscale specialty restaurants at additional cost. Cruise lines base much of their reputation on their food service, and terms such as “world class cuisine” and “gourmet meals” are combined with “impeccable service” to insure that the onboard dining experience is truly memorable. Many cruises still offer one or more optional formal dinners where ladies where long formal gowns or other evening dresses and gentlemen wear tuxedos or dark suits.
Once onboard your cruise vessel, there are activities 24 hours a day. Modern cruise ships boast state-of-the-art 700 plus seat theatres for quality shows and entertainment, all included in the cruise price. There is unique entertainment in the theatre every evening of the cruise. Most ships also have a number of themed bars, lounges, and discos with live entertainment that are open into the early morning hours. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are seldom included in the cruise price. Most ships also provide a casino that is open while the ship is in international waters.
If night life isn’t your style, you can enjoy the onboard pool, spa, library, fitness center, and other amenities. Many cruises now offer instructional classes on a variety of topics during the day. If you have children on the cruise, there are usually play areas and programs geared to different age groups.
Did we forget about the cruise destination itself? Cruises typically stop at a different port of call each day or every other day, depending upon distances and sailing time between points of interest. You may stay aboard the ship all day or disembark at any stop. You are free to explore each destination on your own as long as you return to the ship by the designated time.
Also cruise lines offer a variety of shore excursions at additional cost. These adventures are geared toward the unique features of the destination. For example, Caribbean cruises offer snorkeling, diving or beach excursions while Alaskan cruises offer helicopter tours or dogsled trips. For the less adventuresome, normally there are bus tours or supervised shopping excursions in the local port. Everything, including meal stops, is prearranged. All you need to do is find the correct line onshore and an experienced guide handles the rest of your tour.
With all these great services available at a reasonable cost, why not take a cruise vacation?
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About the author:
Looking for information about cruises?
Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com
'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Cruises!
Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive
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October 3, 2005 21:16 - Cruise The Nile of Cleopatra
by Colin Hartness - http://www.whatcruises.com For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center of life in Egypt. The ancient Egyptian civilization relied on the flooding of the Nile to create fertile land for farming in an otherwise desert landscape. Excavations along the Nile have unearthed vast quantities of archeological remnants from ancient times and a leisurely cruise along the Nile takes you through this ancient populated area that is so steeped in history. And remember, you are following a royal route; the pharaohs and Queen Cleopatra cruised the Nile!
A cruise along Nile is an excellent way of visiting scattered archeological sights in a country with less than spectacular roads and airline service. In fact, some quality travel agents recommend cruising as the preferred method of transportation in Egypt. The best time of year to enjoy a Nile cruise is winter, from December to February, due to the hot desert climate.
Think of the romance of a leisurely cruise through such an ancient and historic land. The banks of the Nile are lined with ancient monuments and unusual sites, like banana plantations. Excursions to other famous locations, such as the Karnak Temple and the tomb of Nefertiti in the town of Luxor, are available on most cruises. Other towns that can be touring stops are Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu. Knowledgeable local guides are available and are recommended to explain the finer points of each site.
A Nile cruise can be quite economical. For a three-star ship the cost can be as little as $70 per person per night while a deluxe cruise can cost a mere $130 per person per night, double occupancy. The length of the cruise can vary from 3, 4 or 7 nights. Rooms are well-appointed and meals are included. Of course, deluxe and luxury cruise boats also provide a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar and recreation facilities, and gift shops. Air-conditioning is a must for the American tourist who is unaccustomed to the possible one hundred degree heat. And remember, since you are cruising on a river than the ocean, the river cruise ship will be much smaller, with anywhere from 100 to 500 passengers.
Generally, meals on a Nile cruise are served at a specific time, with all passengers being served at a single seating. Expect a full range of cuisine from local to international. Some meals, such as lunch and dinner, may be served buffet style. And, of course, luxury cruise companies employ world-class chefs to pamper the palette.
A cruise is an excellent way for the American tourist to visit a unique and different culture since all services are provided. For example, there is no worry about where and what to eat. Also the cruise company arranges all the tours to the major ancient attractions and provides reputable guides who know Egyptian customs. Thus, you do not need local currency for admissions as these have been paid in advance. By taking a cruise, you are buying a measure of safety in a foreign land, provided that you select a reputable cruise company with a good reputation.
Egypt is an ancient land with fascinating monuments and temples that are adorned with mysterious hieroglyphics. What better way to immerse yourself into this unique culture than to experience it by cruising the Nile like the royal pharaohs.
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About the author:
Looking for information about cruises?
Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com
'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Cruises!
Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive
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October 4, 2005 20:04 - WestAccom.net - Western Australia - Your Holiday Destination For A Pure Australian Experience
Western Australia means adventure, romance, beauty, ruggedness, vastness, remarkable, breathtaking and these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to describing the state of Western Australia. W.A is home to activities such as surfing, swimming, crabbing, dolphin watching, boating, fishing, hiking, abseiling, rock climbing, snorkelling, diving, cruises, charters, world class reefs, whales, natural landmarks, stunning national parks & waterways, world-class golfing, and that's just scratching the surface!
The Western Australian towns of Albany, Bridgetown, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Denmark, Derby, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Mandurah, Margaret River, Pemberton, Perth, Port Headland, Rockingham, Walpole are just a few of the great towns and cities that show off what Western Australia (W.A) has to offer. In our site you will find Western Australia (W.A) accommodations, attractions & restaurant information to help you decide your destinations. From the Kimberley, the most rugged, remote and remarkable region of the north, home of the Bungle Bungle Rages to the Gascoyne region where you can swim with Whale Sharks at the spectacular Ningaloo Reef to the Goldfields region where you can see the Gold history come alive to the vibrant city of Perth with its cosmopolitan appeal to the Central South Region with its gentle, undulating hills which are thickly wooded with gums and a host of other native trees, to the Cape area with its sandy beaches, secluded bays, pounding surf, rocky cliffs sloping fields and vineyards of the world renowned Margaret River region to the Great Southern Region where the ancient Tuart trees of the Valley of the Giants reside, you will
Our accommodation pages will offer the bulk of the information you need to make a decision on accommodation and the accompanying attraction information will show what is offer in and around the area. There is so much to do in and around Western Australia that even the locals don't know what they are missing. At WestAccom.net we intend to make as much information available to visitors and locals alike so that we all get to enjoy the variety of attractions that this beautiful State has to offer.
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About the author:
Steve Wall is the owner several tourism sites for Western Australia. www.westaccom.net&www.mymandurah.com& www.mybunbury.com& www.myalbany.net& www.westaccomnet
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October 9, 2005 13:25 - Castle on the Hill
When you think of castles, such places as Windsor, Sterling, and London come to mind. One might not expect that San Francisco, California should be added to this list. Julius castle on beautiful Telegraph Hill is a little known secret; a treasure hidden away at the end of a secluded San Franciscan lane.
This castle was never used to defend a city. No King or Queen ever ruled from a throne here. However, a feast fit for royalty is prepared every night within this modern fortress. Looking out on the water from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge and beyond, Julius Castle provides one of the most amazing views in the city. If the food were not quite so delicious you could easily find yourself lost in a trance staring out at the rolling hills, slow moving ferries, and untouched islands.
Built to resemble a castle using Redwood trees, and maples from the Pan Pacific Expedition, Julius Castle dates back to the 1920’s. An Italian immigrant Julius Roz envisioned a “castle on the hill”, and his vision became reality when the doors opened in 1922. Patrons of the castle have watched the scenery outside its windows slowly change since then as the Bay Bridge began construction in 1933, and Treasure Island was literally built from the earth at the bottom of the bay for the 1939 World’s Fair.
In 1947 the film “Dark Passage” displayed the castle’s neighborhood for the world to see as Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall sought to help the falsely accused character Vincent Parry evade police, former friends, and small time crooks. The movie’s setting takes place only feet from where the castle stands and to this day a cut-out of Bogart watches diners as they approach the entrance.
If you find that you have enjoyed too much of the fine food and wine within the castle you may seek some after dinner activity by either venturing further up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, or down the hill via the Filbert Stairs. Located at the very peak of the hill Coit Tower overlooks the city both from its base, and even more spectacularly from the tip of its tower, another 63 meters high. The tower, which was built in 1933 with funds donated by Little Hitchcook Coit, offers more than just the scenic views outside. Painted murals adorn the interior of the structure depicting scenes from California during the great depression and other historic periods.
If climbing the hills of San Francisco has quickly lost its charm then traveling in the opposite direction down the Filbert Stairs may be a good choice. These stairs wind down to Sansome Street, right off of the famous Embarcadero through pristinely kept gardens and beautiful homes. As you marvel at the views on your 377 step journey down the hill make sure and appreciate that you are taking the only means of arriving at the 19th century cottages you pass, as there is no road access! Once you reach the bottom you are a short walk to the San Francisco ferry building, or Fisherman’s Wharf.
As you go off to explore these other exciting attractions, try not to forget that you just dined at a world class castle, right in the middle of modern California. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the author:
Nate Soule is a travel enthusiast and helps maintain the travel website AcrossDistance.com (http://www.acrossdistance.com).
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October 23, 2005 16:56 - The Enchanted Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands were named after the giant Galapagos tortoises. The archipelago emerged six million years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This enchanted place on earth is composed of 19 islands and more than 40 islets, with white sand beaches, dark and solid rocks, unique landscapes, deep crystal clear waters, you can enjoy yourself swimming with playful sea lions around you, watching friendly sharks cruise six feet under you. All these wonderful nature makes you feel as if you are part of it all.
It has a world record of especial titles and management categories: the islands are Ecuador's first National Park; UNESCO World natural heritage Site, both the terrestrial Park and the Reserve, (the second largest and possibly the most unique in the world); Biosphere Reserve and a Whale Sanctuary.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LOCATION. This alluring complex ecosystem is located 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, northwest of South America in the Pacific Ocean.
WILDLIFE OBSERVATION.- Some of the most unusual and fascinating species in the world, both terrestrial and marine, are found in the Galapagos islands. Here most of the surface (96%) is a National Park, surrounded by a protected Marine Reserve, both UNESCO World Heritages Sites.
On Santa Cruz island, the Giant tortoises can be seen at the Charles Darwin Research Station (including famous Lonesome George, the only remaining tortoise from "Pinta" island) and also in the wild, in the highlands of this Galapagos island.
There are 15 sub-species of giant tortoises. Some prefer the upland zones of the large islands because of humidity, grassy pastures and small ponds to drink and stagger about. Others prefer islands with low elevations, dry terrain, and with lots of prickly vegetation like cactus. The largest populations are found in Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, and in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Tortoises keep growing for 30 or 40 years to almost 5 feet (1.5 m.) and weigh about 500 pounds (230 kg.). It is worth mentioning that no one knows exactly how long giant tortoises live, but it seems they can easily reach 150 years!
BIRD WATCHING.- A total of 140 species of birds have been registered in Galapagos. About half of the resident birds cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. You can observe shore and lagoon birds such as ducks, stilts, herons, warblers, pelicans and frigates all easily approachable, just like all the Galapagos animals.
Eight species of Darwin's Finches are found on Santa Cruz island; most of which can be observed all around the island. Charles Darwin's concepts were founded by modern evolutionists by studying the different beaks of these finches.
SNORKELING AND DIVING.- The Galapagos islands are considered a world premier destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The protected waters of its Marine Reserve have been well preserved, nearly untouched by external sources. Here the crossroads of marine currents has resulted in a unique marine ecosystem.
GALAPAGOS WEATHER.- Although the islands are tropical, there are two markedly different seasons: the warm, humid and sunny season from December to May and the dry, windy and not-so-sunny season from June to November.
Transitional months are January, April and May. The Warm Season offers hardly any wind (so the sea is usually very calm) and the visibility tends to be better. In the Dry Season there is more wind, sometimes the sea tends to be choppy and the visibility lower.
WATER TEMPERATURE.- Surprisingly, its water temperatures range from 16°C to 27°C degrees Celsius (61°F - 80°F); divers use full wet (6mm) suits all year around and hoods in the cold season. Regardless season, a thermo cline is commonly found below 12-15 meters (37-45 feet)
THE MEANING OF GALAPAGOS.- Amongst the first groups that came to Galapagos, we had many of Spanish origin. In traditional Castilian language, the word Galapago was used to describe the frontal piece of the riding saddle, and upon seeing the many tortoises the islands had in earlier years, but more important, the shape of their carapace (shell), they named this archipelago "Islands of the Galapagos". And this is the official story of the name of these exotic islands.
For more information about Galapagos and Ecuador, please visit my Site:
http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com
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About the author:
My name is Eduardo Landazuri better known as Zuri. I run my own travel business company and I write about the Galapagos Islands, mainly to let people around the world know more about this wonderful set of islands and to welcome all its visitors.
http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com
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October 30, 2005 12:47 - How to save money buying travel online and get the best deal.
Want to save some money when booking your travel online? Here are some tips to help you do just that. You at home have access to thousands of travel deals with the click of a mouse. 1. Sign up for travel e-newsletters
Many airlines, tour operators, online travel agencies and travel sites have newsletters that they will send you via email; these usually include their latest travel deals.
2. Shop around
Check various travel sites and make sure you are comparing apples to apples, know what is included. That great cruise deal may not include airfare to the port! Also check in with a travel agent to compare prices. They may in fact have a better travel deal for you.
3. Consider all possible discounts
Do you have Air Miles or frequent flyer miles you can cash in? AAA/CAA membership or other affiliations? Ask about child or senior discounts. Do they have family rates or group rates? Don't be afraid to ask.
4. Make the travel web sites do the work
Some of them will let you specify the dates of travel and vacation you are looking for and will send you an email when the price reaches your limit.
5. Travel in off-season.
Off-season will vary depending on where you are travelling so do your research and find out when that is. Off-season includes winter for Europe, summer and fall for the Caribbean, and when the kids are in school for theme parks like Disney and so on.
6. Traveling during the week can save you money
Saturday and flights during the week are less crowded and therfore more likely to have last minute discounting. Some companies charge a bit less for vacation package that leave mid-week. Many business hotels may also charge less on weekends.
7. Read your newspaper’s travel section
The Saturday travel sections in most newspapers are still a good source for travel news, tips and last minute travel deals, departing from your city. Read them religiously.
8. Do some negotiating of your own.
Just ask for a deal or a better price! This will usually work if you are dealing with a hotel or car rental company directly. It may also work with some travel agents.
9. Book last minute
When looking for a last minute travel deal, start shopping around about 6 weeks prior to your departure to get a good idea for prices and availability. Narrow down where you want to go and compare some prices. About 3 weeks prior to departure is probably your best time to book. When you notice packages begin to sell out, you want to book before you miss out on that travel deal. The prices only go so low and sometimes sell out before they really drop in price.
10. Book early
Some of the best deals may be had booking early. Most tour operators and cruise companies offer discounts for early booking. If there is a specific date you want to travel and or you have a specific resort or destination in mind, you are better off to book early and secure your vacation than to risk waiting for a last minute travel deal that may or may not happen.
Keep in mind the cheaper is not always better. If you save a few hundred dollars by adding lots of stops to your flight or staying in a hotel you are not happy with, it won't be worth it. Save some money but don't compromise too much with what you really want and need.
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About the author:
Jolana Klobouk is the webmaster of http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com
A parent and former travel agent, she has travelled extensively for work and vacations with her family.
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October 31, 2005 15:55 - What Is an Holistic Retreat? - Guidelines on finding the right one for you
What is an Holistic Retreat? You see the description, Holistic Retreat, more and more these days. You know that the term holistic when applied to complementary therapies means - that the whole person, mind, body and spirit, is targeted. But what exactly does this mean when it is describing a retreat?
As ever, there will be a million right answers to this question - or at least as many right answers as there are holistic retreats available. Because each retreat is going to be slightly different from the others, enhanced by the experience and personalities of the people who run it.
Holistic Retreats, like any other kind of retreat, can be large or small, basic or exclusive, group oriented or targetted at individuals. The size and nature, and the background of any retreat will influence the experience.
What all holistic retreats will have in common is the knowledge that human beings cannot be seen as one dimensional. Any activities that people engage in will, inevitably, impact on them at many levels. This is how we are, and accepting this can help immensely when providing suitable therapies, courses and workshop topics. This approach should also ensure that the environment of the place is one where people are encouraged and inspired to recognise and realise their own potential.
This brings us to the need for holistic retreats. At any such retreat the focus is going to be on helping you to regain a balance between all aspects of yourself.
- To do this you will be offered a selection of exercises and therapies that will help you release tension from your body.
- You will be offered relaxation techniques, and self discovery workshops to help you re-balance the mental and emotional aspects of yourself.
- Of course both these alternatives will work to enable the other - a relaxed body more easily maintains inner balance between logic and heart, and a balanced mental emotional connection helps you release stress and the tension it creates physically. So a single course or topic can be holistic.
This takes us to the spiritual side - and I am not talking about religion! I mean that part of us that we all think of when we think of our potential, our dreams. That self that is influenced by and reflects our body mind and emotions, but is something else, something more. An Holistic Retreat will offer you the opportunity to explore this side of yourself.
- There are many ways to do this. Experiencially through art, writing, meditation, yoga, reiki, and many other techniques of healing, balance or self actualization.
- There are dozens of subjects that help you focus on a particular aspect of your whole self, that will help you develop your recognition of, your interaction with, and the strength of your connection to your spirit or higher self. These will include any creative topics, any subjects that are about self worth, self acceptance, self love or personal growth.
In fact it is quite impossible to separate out what aspects of yourself that workshops, courses, therapies and counselling methods address - and that is the nature of working holistically. Each thing experienced effects us on all levels, and that at some point we come to realise this.
So an Holistic Retreat is simply a place that offers a safe, comfortable and supportive place for you to take special time for reconnecting with yourself.
Finding the perfect retreat for you
The very essence of the holistic retreat, and whether it will work for you at this time, is how the prospect makes you feel.
In our busy lives we so often listen only to our heads, I must do this, I have to hurry so I can attend to that. On a practical level this is important, however if you listen only to your head, then eventually your inner balance will be negatively effected.
So, remember, if you are thinking of going on an holistic retreat yourself, to find a place where you really like the sound of the people, and what they say about themselves. Their personalities and attitudes may deeply effect your experience.
Another important influence on the retreat experience will be the nature of the place itself. Here are a few questions you may find helpful to answer when looking for the perfect retreat:-
Do you long for privacy and anonymity or would you like to have the chance to meet new people who share your interests?
Do you want the opportunity of working calmly at your own pace, or are you stimulated and informed by the challenge and discussion in group development?
If you enjoy being in a group, what is the optimum size for you in terms of comfort?
Would you choose to combine group work and privacy - perhaps study in a group, but have a private room?
How much personal space do you need right now?
Do you want to combine your retreat activities with other holiday pursuits like touring or dining out?
After you have read the web pages or leaflets from a holiday retreat, pause and ask yourself how you feel about the place. Does this retreat answer your needs and desires at this time - only you can decide!
And finanlly, on a personal level, there are as many reasons for going on a retreat as there are people - over 6 billion last I looked. Here are a few that seem to be shared by many of my visitors:-
- Couples may choose a retreat when they are having challenges to their relationship, or just want to celebrate their time together.
- Individuals might want rejuvenation, help in adjusting to major changes in their lives, or a chance for deep reflection.
- Or anyone may simply wish to step out of time for a moment - to allow the world to spin without them for just a little while - to achieve a magical moment of inner stillness, calm and joy.
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About the author:
Derby Stewart-Amsden runs her own business, Ashwhin, where she offers complementary therapies, holistic retreats, training and resources for individuals, groups and for the workplace. http://www.ashwhin.comDerby also works with her partner, Peter Amsden, to bring this holistic and people centred approach into small business support. ASAT Productions - http://www.ASAT.biz
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