Lanzarote holiday villas - how do i choose which one

Lanzarote is the perfect island destination for that holiday in the sun and is ideal for self catering holidays with hundreds of lovely holiday villas to choose from. But how do you choose which one?

Firstly, you need to choose which resort youґd like to stay in. There are 3 main resorts – Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. Each has its own character and attractions. Puerto del Carmen is the largest and busiest resort with 6 kilometres of sandy beaches and a long promenade lined with many shops, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. Costa Teguise is a little smaller and is a family resort with beaches, shopping centres, cafes and restaurants. Playa Blanca is the newest resort and is a little bit more laid back and quieter with seafront cafes and restaurants, upmarket shops and a stunning new marina. In addition there are typical whitewashed Canarian villages inland such as Tias and Nazaret, suitable for those who like a relaxing holiday away from it all.

Having chosen your place to stay, you now have to find a villa. Most villas have private pools, so if you are coming to the island in winter, make sure the pool is heated, preferably electrically, as unheated pools will be rather cold. Your main criteria will be your budget of course. Villas in Puerto del Carmen with private pools tend to be a bit more expensive as most of them are 3 bedroom, behind the main strip and are therefore within walking distance of the beach and amenities. Exclusive areas like Los Mojones can be quite expensive. Costa Teguise has fewer villas and they tend to be a little bit less expensive.

By far the greatest choice of villas is in Playa Blanca where you can rent a 2 bedroom villa without a private pool for about Ј300 a week in the low season and about Ј600 a week in peak season for a villa with a private pool, and a 4 bedroom villa for up to Ј1300 a week in peak season. Playa Blanca is quite a sprawling resort and generally speaking the closer you are to the resort centre and beaches, the higher the price you will pay. With a lot of villas, a hire car will be necessary as a lot of the developments are on the outskirts of the resorts. Prices for villas inland will be a bit cheaper and many offer spectacular views.

Knowing your budget and being clear on your priorities, you can now search for your villa. By far the most popular way is on the internet by putting such phrases as “Villas in Lanzarote” and “Luxury Villas Lanzarote” into search engines. There are also magazines like Private Villas available in most high street newsagents and in supermarkets. You have the choice of buying a package or villa only from a large villa agent or renting direct from the owner through the many private rental websites. Normally prices are cheaper renting a villa from a private owner, and often the standard of accommodation is higher, as the private owner has more incentive to please, wanting you to come back again next year. Once you have maybe picked out a few villas you think may be suitable for you, donґt hesitate to ask questions about the villa and the area before deciding.

Good luck and have a happy holiday in Lanzarote!

Premier and luxurious dubai hotels

Jumeirah owns the Emirates Towers hotel, the Jumeirah Beach hotel, the Madinat group of hotels, which includes Mina A Salam, Al Qasr & the Madinat Souk which houses the largest swimming pool in the Middle East. Jumeirah also owns the amazing desert hotel, Bab Al Shams, located in the desert with sand dunes rolling from its perimeters and making a fantastic landscape for the falcon shows and camel riding they offer.

All Jumeirah hotels have amazing architecture and are worth a visit for this alone. This, together with their famous customer service values, makes them a great choice for visitors to Dubai. For a true taste of Arabia, visit the Madinat Souk, part of the Madinat and Mina A Salam complex located on Jumeirah beach. This resort offers 42 restaurants overlooking the Burj Al Arab and each is situated on the edge of their very own canal. Watch the dhows transport the hotel guests around this vast complex on their waterways and lagoon. It really is a beautiful spot for a sundowner or a meal incorporating food from all over the world.

There are many other famous branded hotels in Dubai, from The One and Only Royal Mirage to Hiltons, Sheratons (both beach and airport locations), the Kempinski Group, Shangri La Group and Crown Plaza among many others. Most hotels are at 5 star standard, however there are some lower cost hotels such as the 4 star Al Manzil hotel, located behind the world’s tallest building the Burj Dubai nestling in its own Arabian style architecture and complementing the huge sky rise buildings surrounding it.

The Grosvenor House hotel located in Dubai Marina is a fantastic venue for staying or visiting their restaurants and bars. Have a drink in Bar 44 located on the 44th floor of the hotel and offering amazing views of the Marina area, and then take the express lift down to the fabulous Buddha Bar for a fusion of Thai and international cuisine.

All 5 star hotels in Dubai have pools, gyms and restaurant facilities with many offering spa areas as well. Of course the crиme de la crиme of spa facilities has to be located within the 7 star hotels of the Burj Al Arab, where reservations are recommended and the environment is so much part of the treatment you will never want to leave!

Many hotels also offer apartment facilities so if you are here longer term and want to experience more of the home comforts, these are a great option.

Other companies capitalizing on the huge tourism market here are with their Versace Palazzo hotel and the Trump Towers hotel (located on the famous Palm Island). Versace should be opening its doors to the international elite during 2008 with the Trump Tower hotel opening scheduled to be around early 2010.

Ranging from amazing desert hotels, luxury beach hotels and fantastic corporate hotels in the city, Dubai offers an eclectic mix to choose from. However, all are within close proximity of all tourist facilities, shopping malls and attractions as well as its fantastic beaches - you can't go far wrong with any location. Most city business hotels located along Sheikh Zayed road also have affiliations with beach hotels and will transport you to the beach during your stay.

What to do and see in murcia spain

Murcia is the beautiful city that is the capital of a region of the same name. Located near Torrevieja on the Segura river in the southeastern section of Spain, it is located near a plain that provides a perfect environment for vegetable growing, so much so that the city is known as the market garden of Murcia.

There is so much to see and do in this city, that we can only touch upon a few here. One of its most famous landmarks is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Cartagena-Murcia. Although most of the construction of this cathedral was done between 1394 and 1465, it was only completed in 1792. The cathedral is an interesting mix of architectural styles: Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque and Rococo.

The Palacia Episcopal, or Bishop's Palace was constructed during the 18th century and is located near the Cathedral and is the home of the bishop of the diocese.

One of the most interesting museums is the the Museum of Science and Water. Here you can watch demonstrations or conduct experiments, all dealing with water. The shows and exhibits change constantly, so there is always something new to see. The kids will enjoy this museum's planetarium.

But despite all of the museums and other attractions of Murcia, the real draw for most people is the sea. Since the city is located on the Costa Blanca, you can be sure of soft white sand beaches and lovely sunny weather to enjoy them in. Besides the Mediterranean, you can enjoy the Mar Menor, a small sea just inland from the Mediterranean.

One of the most popular gathering spots in the city is Glorieta Square. Located in the center of town, alongside the river, it is the location of city hall and a great place to visit. There are many such areas to stroll through and shop in, including market square.

Murcia holds a number of festivals during the year, mostly with religious themes, so they take place on the major religious holidays. Christmas, Easter and Three Kings Day inspire the most elaborate and beautiful ones.

And one of the most popular and dramatic events in the city of Murcia is the Holy Week Processions. Sculptures are actually removed from museums and paraded through town to replicate the walk that Christ took on his way to the Cross. These processions continue night and day, with the night time processions accompanied by candlelight.

Getting to Murcia couldn't be easier, since there is an airport located only 45 kilometers away, offering flights to an from most major cities. As with travel to any destination, you should compare airfares. You are sure to find great bargains on the Internet, but many times discount airlines do not advertise on the Internet, and you will need to contact a travel agent. It's always a good idea to shop both and compare rates.

Things you must know before hiring a limousine online

Hiring a limousine is not as simple as you think and your limousine rental service, might just take you for quite a ride, if your not very careful. Its therefore quite important that you select a good and reliable limousine service and ensure a smooth and safe ride all the way.

Quite often, you can judge how a limousine service treats their customers through a telephone inquiry. If your call is answered promptly and courteously by a company and if they give you all the important and relevant information without hesitating, you can be assured that they are a good bet.

While looking at web sites of limousine operators, its best to check if they have a fixed line number and a physical contact address. A mobile number or just a vague p. o. box number are signs of poor or fly by night operations.

It's also important to see if the web site of the company whose services you're considering hiring, displays images of their own vehicles. Many companies use pictures of brand new limousines but have cars that are battered and beaten. Its best to physically examine the cars.

There are times when you might come across agents who will tell you that they can secure quotations on your behalf. In such cases, the limousine operators pay for each inquiry they receive or a percentage of the hire value. It means that you will pay a higher price than you would otherwise These brokers often make claims that their limousine operators as "accredited" or "approved". It's best to stay away from such types.

Price is an important determining factor. Note that all limousine operators so not charge the same price. A professional limousine operator generally charges $45 an hour for a minimum of 4 hours for a car like a sedan while a stretch limousine may cost $60. A super stretch limousine may cost o a few dollars more. Even if you have to pay a slightly higher price in order to hire a service from a reputed and established limousine operator, it's always worth it.

It's also important to keep in mind the duration that you will need the limousine for. It generally takes about an hour to prepare a limousine for dispatch. Therefore, most operators ask for a minimum charge or a minimum hire duration of 3 hours or so. This is generally higher during peak periods like Christmas, New Year's Eve etc. The minimum hire charge is most likely to be in the region of Ј150.

Another important question is reliability. Stretch limousines are expensive to maintain and repair and poor companies often overlook any maintenance or repairs. Hiring from such companies can be quite disastrous. Your limousine may not show up on time or breakdown mid-way on your journey.

Its also important to know how long has the company whose service you plan to hire been in business. If they are well established, they are obviously more reliable than someone who has just started out a few months ago.

Try and find out how many cars the operator has in its fleet. Just in case the one you have hired breaks down, will they send you another one at once.

Is the operator you're planning on selecting situated close to where you need to be picked up from? That will ensure that they reach you on time.

Its also important to know how old the car you will be driving in is. After all, you don't want to show up in a beaten car at your fancy do. Its also sensible to view the car physically, a few days in advance if possible.

Also check what the rental price includes. Does it include VAT, Drinks, Gratuities etc? Don't ever hesitate to as if your chauffeur is licensed, trained and polite.

Does the company have the appropriate private hire insurance? It's best to view it.

Its also quite sensible if you have written confirmation of the price?

Will you be given a booking confirmation with the itinerary and price included?

What are the payment methods they accept? What is the deposit you have to pay and when is the balance due? It's important to know these in advance to avoid confusion later.

A professional limousine operator will be able to answer all your questions satisfactorily and ensure that you have a smooth and comfortable experience.

Where to find real flamenco in spain

Perhaps no art form is more strongly associated with Spain than flamenco. The powerfully seductive, rhythmic music of the flamenco player, matched by the vigorously impassioned movements of the flamenco dancer, beguiles tourists and native Spaniards alike.

Its origins steeped in mystery, its complexities and subtleties widely misunderstood, flamenco nevertheless continues to gain fans around the world and to be performed in an increasing number of venues outside of its native land.

It is natural that when tourists visit Spain, many of them are keen to take in at least one flamenco show. Therein lies a problem, though. The true aficianado of flamenco will tell you that the art has been degraded to such an extent that most of what is "on show" in Spain--even in flamenco's native Anadalucia--is far from authentic.

Even the distorted, touristy version of flamenco viewed by most tourists can be entertaining. If you have never seen flamenco performed live before, and having fun is more important to you than cultural enlightenment, don't worry about questions of authenticity. Follow your fellow tourists and enjoy yourself.

The primary modern-day setting for flamenco, both the authentic variety and the less so, is the tablao. These are clubs where you can see a show and also have dinner and a drink if you want. Tablaos may be found almost everywhere in Spain, having developed out of the so-called singing cafes popular in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.

Although it's not a guarantee, to find authentic flamenco in Spain you would do well to avoid the places where the other tourists are going. This means you will need to ask locals, such as hotel staff, where you should go to experience the real thing.

The following are recommendations of a few flamenco venues you might want to check out on your visit to Spain. Although they differ greatly from one another in atmosphere, entry cost, and quality of amenities such as food, you can be reasonably sure that any one of these will provide you with an authentic flamenco experience.

Madrid

Cafe de Chinitas, near Plaza Santo Domingo. You can have dinner while you watch the performance or opt for just a drink. Catering to tourists as well as locals, the shows are extravagant but the flamenco is real.

El Corral de La Moreria, in the Las Brisas area. Now more than 50 years old, it has earned a worldwide reputation for showcasing the best flamenco artists in Spain.

Torres Bermeja, in Calle Mesoneros Romanos just off the Gran Via. Often less crowded than the two above, this tablao offers quality flamenco performances in a setting that some may find more relaxing.

Barcelona

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes, in the city center near the southern end of Las Ramblas. This club has been going strong since 1970, garnering international prestige for its flamenco presentations. Performances take place upstairs and dinner is available.

Tarantos, at Plaza Reial 17. One of the oldest tablaos in Barcelona, Tarantos has a reputation for presenting only the best flamenco artists. Be sure to check their schedule before going, though, because they alternate flamenco nights with evenings devoted to jazz or other types of music.

Seville

Casa de la Memoria, Barrio de Santa Cruz area. No food or drink here; instead, this club delivers flamenco in its purest form. The dance setting is a lovely Andalucian style patio in an 18th-century palace. There's an entry fee of about 12 euros, and the the two nighttime performances sell out fast. Therefore you should go to the club during the day to buy your tickets in advance.

La Carboneria, in a narrow back street called Calle Levies, and marked by a red door without signs (you'll definitely need to ask directions). This is a bar-type place offering flamenco shows and no cover charge; food and drink are available at reasonable prices.

Casa Anselma, in the Triana area of Seville. When you come to Casa Anselma, be prepared for flamenco that breaks out spontaneously and is often unrehearsed. But don't worry, this is the good stuff--the owner, Anselma, is a highly acclaimed flamenco performer in her own right. Things really get going around midnight. There's no cover charge; Anselma and the performers make their money from the sale of drinks.

Marbella

Pub Flamenco Albero y Arte, Calle Vicente Ibanez. Although most people think that flamenco means the dance, the name refers properly the musical style. Here's one venue where the focus is on the music; you'll find singing and guitar playing but usually no dancing. It's authentic, though, even if on the odd side--performances take place in a mock bullring.

These recommendations for places where you can enjoy authentic flamenco in Spain are just a smattering of the choice that awaits you. If you find yourself in a city not mentioned above, and want to seek out a satisfying flamenco show, just ask around. The locals will know.

Discover menorca s hidden beaches

Menorca has around 200 kilometres of coastline, much of it made up of beautiful sandy coves enclosed by rocky headlands. The island has more beaches than Majorca and Ibiza put together, so it is deservedly popular with those looking for a beach holiday. Much of the south of the island, as in Son Bou and Cala en Porter, is a holidaymaker's playground, with long stretches of beach that are popular and crowded in the season, but you can head for Menorca’s more out-of-the-way beaches if you’d rather have more privacy.

Even in the south, there are little beaches such as Cala Binibeca, with a small restaurant, and Els Canutells, a small resort close to Cala en Porter. And a 10-minute drive from San Clemente, brings you to Calas Coves where impressive cliffs surround two very small beaches.

When you’ve tired of lazing on the beach, there are many interesting caves to discover. Over 100 Bronze Age caves, complete with paintings and carvings, are cut into the cliff overlooking the sheltered bay. At the eastern end of Son Bou can be found the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Finally, the charming capital Mahon, on the east of the island, has lovely Georgian architecture and second largest natural harbour in the world, second only to Pearl Harbour.

Northwards to escape the crowds

While the north of Menorca has some busy resorts, it also has a good share of the island’s uncrowded little beaches, interesting country walks, and a range of water sports including sailing. At Cala Pregonda, a 15-minute drive from Son Parc and Fornells, then a 20-minute walk from the car park, is a remote sandy beach with crystal blue waters. The rocky outcrops offshore provide good snorkelling. Take a picnic, since there are no facilities. The long sandy beach at Cavalleria is also quite isolated, and, again, come with provisions, since there is nowhere to buy food or drinks.

Not far from the lively family beach of Arenal d'en Castell with its rows of sunbeds, bars, restaurants, and organised water sports is Na Macaret, with its small sandy beach. It’s a local favourite and there are some good restaurants at the water’s edge. Just further to the southeast, near the lighthouse at Cap de Favaritx, is the lovely white-sand beach of Cala Presili. The beach is a 15-minute walk from the car park and there are no facilities, so this beach is certainly one of Menorca’s most secluded. Somewhat more developed, but perfect for small children is Es Grau, with its wide bay, sandy beach and shallow water. If you take a boat trip to the nearby Illa d'en Colom, an island in the Mahуn Bay, you’ll find a string of beautiful isolated beaches.

When you are ready to book villas in Menorca, Solmar Villas offer a range of high-quality villas, all with their own private pools, which sleep from 1 to 12 people. The villas are located in Cala Galdana, Binibeca, Binibeca Nou, Binibeca Vell, Son Bou, Belin, Cala 'n Porter, and Satalya, so once you’ve hired a car, you’ll be well within reach of Menorca’s stunning beaches.

Experience the hospitality of a caribbean villa

You've seen the brochures and the commercials on TV, so you undoubtedly know that the Caribbean islands offer an irresistible variety of beautiful islands, delicious dishes, pulsating musical rhythms and breath-taking views. But that's not all! For the ultimate in accommodations, a Caribbean Villa is the only real choice. Here are some options.

Mountain lovers are in for a treat on the islands of St. Lucia and Dominica. If you enjoy mountainous regions then a villa on the St. Lucia hills or the island of Dominica would be perfect for you. St. Lucia has stunning hillside views by the day, and Dominica's mountain views are enthralling by the night. You may

sacrifice beach facilities in exchange for these great mountain villa's, but they have luxurious pools as substitute.

If you are looking villas that are staffed, then consider Jamaica, Barbados, Anguilla or ST. Thomas. When you plan a trip to the islands of the Barbados, Jamaica or St. Thomas, find out about the villa's with staff. Villa's on these islands usually come fully staffed with a butler, chef, laundress, maid & gardener. The staff is carefully selected and trained to cater to your every demand. Their primary goal is to make sure that you feel at home away from home.

And what about those discerning culinary travelers who are looking to have their taste buds pampered? If you are looking for exclusive world-class cuisines then the Caribbean villas on St Barts, St Martin or Barbados should would be your ideal destinations. The French islands of St Barts & St Martin offer unrivaled French delicacies with over 100 restaurants at your service. Barbados is well-known for dining par excellence. You can expect to be treated to the best selection of diverse menus. And that's not all.

Discerning vacationers in search of a luxury and intimate getaway should head for Virgin Gorda or Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. The villas at Virgin Gorda provide excellent beach access along with memorable boat and diving excursions. You should be convinced by now that spending your vacation in a Caribbean Villa is the way to have an unforgettable Caribbean vacation.

If you are not convinced, then just remember this! Caribbean Villa rentals are no longer an indulgence exclusively reserved for the wealthy. Renting a Caribbean villa is an alternative you should seriously consider. Most villa owners retain premier management companies to market their properties and travel professionals work personally with these management companies to ensure that each detail is taken care of.

Staying in a Caribbean Villa really is the BEST way to enjoy the Caribbean!

Discover cape cod new england

Cape Cod is a narrow peninsula that stretches seventy miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is connected to the mainland by a pair of bridges that span the canals. Cape Cod is approximately one and a half hours drive from Boston. There are many quaint seaside villages and harbours here, fresh water lakes, and miles of beautiful scenic beaches!

The climate of Cape Cod is mild, making it a great holiday destination all year round. Typically, the sea remains warm enough to swim in right up until the middle of autumn. Cape Cod along with the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have miles of beautiful beaches. Most beaches are open to the public, however there are some beaches that require season permits.

The islands of Cape Cod are readily accessible from the peninsula, and are great destinations for day trips. These islands were some of the first colonies formed by the English, and started out as whaling or trading posts. Now these islands are some of the wealthiest regions, with vast estates owned by some of the richest families in the country.

Cape Cod is one of the few places that the North Atlantic Right Whale can still be found, as they are one of the most endangered species on the planet. What better way to see one on your holiday than taking a whale watching cruise!

The Olde Kings Highway has been named one of the most scenic roads in the US. It runs the length of the Cape, and has many great boutiques, antique shops, and craft shops located up and down it.

Cape Cod features some of the best fresh seafood in the whole of New England, from clam chowder to fine fresh lobster, be sure to sample them at one of the many restaurants on the Cape!

All in all Cape Cod makes a great destination for your holiday to New England!

Stag republic demands investigation into illegal budapest stag companies

There are strict controls on tour operators in the UK. Most people assume this applies across the EU but weekenders from Britain should be aware of the risks of booking a weekend in Budapest through a company without a license to operate.

With thousands of young men coming to Eastern Europe on stag weekends to sample the cheap booze and buzzing nightlife of cities like Budapest, Bratislava and Warsaw, organising stag and hen weekends is a lucrative business. The Wall Street Journal estimates the market is worth a Ј60 million a year, so it's no wonder new companies are popping up every day.

Unfortunately, only a handful of those in Budapest are licensed, and some are not even legitimate concerns. So what does this mean for the customer?

Most tour operators in Britain are members of an association like ABTA or ATOL, which means they have to follow a strict code of conduct. These associations also give holidaymakers an option when their trip abroad fails to live up to expectations. For this reason, visitors are strongly advised to book a weekend in Budapest through a locally run company like Stag Republic.

Stag Republic was the first stag weekend organiser in Hungary, so when we set up the company, we wanted to do everything by the book. We filled out all the necessary paperwork and continue to pay an annual membership fee to MUISZ, the Hungarian Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies. Since then, several companies have started up, and not a single one has gone down this route. What this means for weekenders is that if they are taken for a ride or do not receive the expected level of service, they have nowhere to turn. This is a big risk to take when you are leaving a hefty deposit and handing over credit card details or hundreds of pounds in cash.

But not only are many companies not affiliated to MUISZ, some of them are not even operating legally or paying taxes. Many of our competitors are based wherever it suits them at any time. For tax purposes in the UK, they are Hungarian, but at the same time, they do not have a registered company in Hungary. We have done a lot of research into this - they are acting entirely illegally and are accountable to no one, in some cases not even the tax authorities. This puts our business at a huge disadvantage.

Because of the lack of official licensing for our competitors, we took the step of requesting an official enquiry into local organisers and already, the National Association for Consumer Protection has found the following:

• Hungary for Fun is a "local program organiser", which means it does not require a permit to operate. However, the company can only officially offer a maximum of one activity per group. By offering packages on their website, they are breaking the law.

• Budapest Piss-up is registered as an English-language online information portal that does not offer services. One glance at the site reveals this to be untrue.

• Budapest Madness is yet to respond the official inquiry and is currently under investigation.

Where this leaves stag weekenders is not clear. The majority have a great time - it's hard not to in Eastern Europe - but if that hotel booking goes wrong, the airport transfer fails to arrive or the activities aren't up to scratch, there's no one to turn to and the best man gets the blame.

Is that a risk worth taking to save a couple of quid?

Hotels to hope for

When you are looking for a place to stay on your vacation, you know all hotels are not made alike. Some hotels are just a place to rest your head at the end of the day and take a shower in the morning. Others are not just a hotel, but also a complete experience. We are going to look at five such locations.

Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa

This hotel is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As soon as you arrive at the lodge you will feel as you have entered another country or another world. The entire attraction has a rustic lodge theme, and in addition to just a place to lay your head at the end of the day, you can take wildlife safaris. In the spring you’ll see grizzlies and wolves, in the fall in addition to the wolves and grizzlies, you can see elk roaming. Back at the lodge you can take a ride on white water rafts, or take to a trail on horseback. If you want to pamper yourself, select from the offerings at the Body Sage Spa

Blackberry Farm

For relaxing and getting back to nature few hotels can offer the vacation deals that the Blackberry Farm can in the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. This resort is located on 4,200 acres of beautiful property that offers back-to-nature experiences including hiking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, and canoeing. If you are looking for a little romance to go with your exploration, carriage rides are available through the property. There is even a camp program for the kids. While they’re away, you can be treated like royalty in the resort spa.

The Point Resort

This scenic place to stay is located on Saranac Lake, New York. This locale opens up its door to those with all diets of type, featuring a full kitchen that can meet any dietary restrictions. You will be relaxing in one of four separate buildings - Main Lodge, Guest House, Eagle’s Nest, and the Boat House, and can divide your time between on-site activities (hiking, horseback riding, badminton) and off-site activities (visits to the Adirondack Mountains and Whiteface Mountain, ice fishing, and ice skating).

The Peninsula

While in Beverly Hills, why not be treated like your name is on the walk of fame. This California resort offers just that. In the middle of the Beverly Hills Elite Homes, The Peninsula offers full spa treatments as well as top-line restaurants, and an easy drive down to Rodeo Drive or to strut your stuff on the streets of Beverly Hills.

The Post Ranch Inn

This getaway is located in Big Sur, California, far from the big city activities. Instead of looking at bright city lights and cars zooming by, your view here is much more relaxing, looking off the cliffs of the California coastline. You can take a walk and enjoy the breath taking view or relax and watch the day go by. While the atmosphere is very laid back and comfortable, you can still be treated like the stars down on rodeo drive, with one of their many spa treatment offerings.

Learning spanish has never been easier

Mnemonic memory training is a memory system that allows you to store information in and recall it from your long-term memory, and, in the case of learning a new language, your speech center. Mnemonics gives you a way to organize information, store it, and recall it. The better information is organized and stored, the easier you will be able to recall it when it is needed and the longer it will stay in your head. If you do mnemonics correctly, you concentrate and focus on information you want to remember in a way that will almost guarantee you will never forget it.

Some twenty-five years after going through my first mnemonic memory course, I still recall vocabulary words in French and I do not speak French at all. In the course, as an exercise, we learned some French words using the Substitute Word System—a mnemonic device—and I still can remember them. Now that is Memory Training. This is what mnemonics does for you: it creates a way for a simple, effective, and efficient storage and retrieval system. In other words, mnemonics provides you a way to find the information in your head. It is essentially like a search engine on the Internet in your head.

Some offer criticism of mnemonics. They say mnemonic training does not teach you to understand the information you are trying to remember. I find this a nonsense objection. Why would you be trying to remember something you do not understand? The very fact that you want to recall something means, in some way or other, you have a need to recall it and it implies there is at least some understanding of the material you are trying to remember.

Another criticism is mnemonic training is time-consuming. The truth is that it is indeed time consuming—all memory work is. But would you rather engage in something that will guarantee you will be able to remember the information or engage in some rote memory exercise that will almost guarantee you will NOT recall the information? I find I can store more than twenty NEW Spanish vocabulary words per day and ALWAYS remember them. I know some who can do ten times that amount.

Example of How I do it:

1) despejado—clear as in a clear sky

Imagine a clear sky—a totally beautiful day—spades suddenly materialize in the sky and begin falling like deadly arrows. This causes you to have to hide under a huge mound of dough until the danger passes.

2) el dependiente—the clerk

Imagine “L” tells a restaurant check out clerk that he depends on begin able to come in each day for a spot of tea.

3) el paсo—the cloth

Imagine “L” walks up to a giant pan that is playing with a yoyo and tells him that his yoyo looks dirty and offer the pan a cloth to clean it.

4) el carbуn—the coal

Imagine “L” rigs a car bomb. When he sets it off, it explodes a geyser of coal out of the top of the car.

5) el destinatario—the addressee

Imagine “L” is dusting a tire while eating some cheerios when a dress he is wearing falls to his knees

6) dirigirse—to address

Imagine a deer is a sales clerk in a dress shop, and is reading until she hears a customer say, “I want you to add this dress to my bill.

7) intranquilo—worried or anxious

Imagine being stuck in a trunk with a magic quill. You draw an O around the lock with the quill. The O turns into a worm that reads your anxious mind. It crawls into the lock of the trunk and opens the lock releasing you.

8) firme—firm or adamant

Imagine someone asking, “Do you fear me?” To which you reply, “I adamantly do not fear you.”

9) el barbero—the barber

Imagine going to get you hair cut at the barbershop and “L” is the barber.

10) excusarse—to apologize

Imagine that to excuse yourself from the table you have to go around the table and say an apology to everyone at the table.

11) los activos—the assets

Imagine that in Los Angeles that the favorite activity is to kick someone’s ass before taking their assets.

12) la almendra—the almond

Imagine an almond mending a dress.

13) la almeja—the clam

Imagine Al Gore, every month of May, has to hide clams like Easter Eggs. Picture this visualizing a picture of Al Gore, a calendar page of the month of May, pictures of a clams all over the month of May, and then of Al Gore hiding them like Easter Eggs.

14) la ventaja—the advantage

Imagine a vent traveling to Lake Tahoe to paint an ad on the side of a van of the Taj Mahal.

15) la anestesia—the anesthesia

Imagine seeing a nest on a table. You walk over to the nest to see in it. You find an egg that begins to hatch releasing a green anesthesia gas knocking you out.

16) aprobar—to approve

Imagine sending a robotic flying probe in a bar to zap a criminal that have been proven guilty in a court of law.

17) tasar—to asses

Imagine taking a taser and shocking an jackass until he sits.

18) el albaricoque—the apricot

Imagine “L” walks into a bar to see Al Gore sitting at a bar sharing coke and some cake with a giant blonde-woman apricot.

19) la enmienda—the amendment

Imagine finding in a mint a tiny sliver of paper. When you pull it out it pops open and unfurls into the U. S. Constitutional amendments.

20) enmendar—to amend

Imagine in the men’s bathroom, a there is another door in a stall that opens up to reveal a bunch of men trying to mend the cuffs of their trousers and darn their socks.

21) la viruela—the chicken pox

Imagine walking into a bar and seeing a beer swilling whale with a chicken filled box. There are feathers all over the floor and the chickens in the box are clucking loudly.

22) la chequera—the checkbook

Imagine a check reading a book.

23) el garbanzo—the chickpea

Imagine “L” opening a garage door to discover a band sewing costumes with The Chick Pea embroidered on the backs of the costumes.

24) el dominio—the command, the dominion

Imagine “L” walks up to a domino setup and shouts at the first domino, “I have the command over all of you because this is my dominion—now fall!”

Slide in campers your camping experience is incomplete and dull without one

Slide in campers are extremely famous among campers worldwide. These slide-in pop-up campers are durable, light weight, priced reasonably, and meet customer's specific requirements.

Tundra is a leading company that has been endorsing and manufacturing the best of slide in campers. The company is dedicated to provide the best since its establishment in the market forty two years back. These campers promises to fit each lifestyle and this is the reason that people have appreciated and embraced these campers. Here are some of the best features included in slide in campers by Tundra.

a) Tire-turning angle:

These slide-in campers have enhanced tire-turning angle. This helps reducing the turning circle. The rear suspension has shocks mounted outboard of the leaf springs similar to the ford F150. This works towards enhancing the dampening proficiency of the shock.

b) Brakes:

There is a four-wheel disk brake system that utilizes large ventilated rotors front and rear. The front rotors are 13.9 inches in diameter and 1.26 inches in thickness. These also consist of four-piston calipers. The unique Brake-force distribution optimizes brake pressure at each wheel and provides greater control during braking. The amazing brake assist system is engineered in a fashion to analyze whether the driver is attempting emergency braking.

c) Traction control:

These slide-in campers are equipped with Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (ALSD). The unique combination of A-LSD and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is considered as a standard equipment. The VSC system of this slide in pop-up camper integrates traction on all models. This also enhances traction on or off-road via keeping the vehicle going on the direction it intends to.

d) 4x4 compatibility:

The unique combination of A-LSD and VSC provides better traction to the two-wheel drive. The 4x4 configuration provides a part-time, shift-on-the fly four-wheel drive system. The system features a six-pinion planetary reduction gearset in order to provide high and low ranges.

e) Safety:

These slide-in pop-up campers feature the best and widely recognized star safety system. The system includes Brake Assist, Traction Control, ABS, Vehicle Stability Control and Electronic Brake Force distribution.

f) Towing:

This is the major attraction of slide in pop-up campers. The tow package is available on all V8 models and is standard on double cab long-bed models. The package starts with a one-piece hydro-formed towing receiver integrated in to the frame. The structure of towing package attaches to each side of the frame around the rear spring staples frame with twelve bolts.

g) Front office:

The driver in front office of slide in campers is surrounded by a U-shaped command and control. This control center supplies an unobstructed view of the road and also measures it. It keeps all the knobs, buttons and switches close.

h) Electronics:

The regular cab DX model is available with a standard AM/FM/CD stereo. This is equipped with four speakers and an audio input jack. The audio systems can play mp3/WMA formatted CDs.

Slide in campers provide excellent comfort and security to travelers while on a camping adventure. Additionally, these campers are tough enough to withstand harsh weather conditions and adverse road situations. Most people across the globe have recognized the slide in campers as the ultimate choice for camping. One can feel at home in these slide-in campers.

Visiting italy for the purpose of sightseeing

With the population strength of 2.7 million, Rome has mild to rainy climate in winter while in the summer it is hot and dry. To understand the city's artistic richness it would be wise to move on foot since you can play it by ear while you can take quick side trips at the inspiration of the poetic spirit in you. However to move around conveniently you can depend on private guided tours for which you can easily contact your hotel management. Tram-Bus system is another reasonably priced option that will take you around the city and Rome's neighborhoods as well to enjoy a charming tour.

Whatever may be your special preferences as a tourist there are some places you cannot miss when you are visiting Rome with the sole purpose of sightseeing. In the popularity scale possibly the Coliseum would come next to the Vatican to say the least. Moreover it is the most recognizable structure of Rome. Since operating hours vary all along the year it would be advisable that for admission details you call beforehand.

Once you finish the gravity-filled visit of The Coliseum, stroll along the lane to Foro Romano, also known as Roman Forum, which was Ancient Rome's community center. Economic, political and religious activities took place at that very site. In the midst of the ruins a number of its columns still stand high even after 2000 years, vouching for the great qualities of Roman architecture valued even today. From 9 am to an hour before sunset it remains open for visitors while free admission it offers.

The Pantheon stands today without hardly any changes and that makes it difficult to believe that it is 1,800 years old really. Around 125 AD, Emperor Hadrian built The Pantheon or "temple to all gods". The 9-meter opening of its concrete dome is the only source of illumination inside. Here remain buried two kings of Italy and many other prominent individuals of Europe. Every day in week including holidays except Christmas it remains open. No admission fee is charged.

Three hours you can spend easily for visiting The Vatican and the collection there, of paintings, sculptures, books and a number of artifacts that record the Catholic Church's history in chronological order. Also relish in St. Peter's Basilica, the wonder of Michelangelo's Pieta, note its detailed masonry, and the papal catacombs as well. Proceed next to the Vatican Museum that houses some more thrilling antiquities of which no less important are Egyptian mummies dating back to the BC period. In case there is time constraint move to the Sistine Chapel skipping all other attractions. It is stated that when Pope Julius II invited Michelangelo, a rare sculptor basically, to paint the Bible on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he guessed it could be a ploy of his rivals who might have thought that since Michelangelo was not known for his skill as a painter he would create something very ordinary and thus would land in an embarrassing situation. However events did not follow exactly that track as we learn from the history. Truly speaking, the Sistine Chapel is considered perhaps as the Renaissance period's most valued gift.

Since you will get many restaurants and cafes in near vicinity of main tourist attractions and that makes it easy to take care whenever you are hungry. For specials and tourist information the hotel concierge is generally the best source and that is the case here too.

The survivalist s guide to walt disney world

You’ve talked to your travel agent, read the guide books, and now you believe that you are ready to experience a family vacation to Disney World with your family. However, for many tourists, this vacation taken the first, second, and even the third time, can lead to an intense sensory overload, not to mention too many dehydrating days in the sun, leading one to believe that they missed a lot of what this wonderful area had to offer. As a Floridian, whose family has worked at Disney throughout the years, maps of all four of Disney’s theme parks are forever burned into my memory as are some great survival tips that you and your family might be interested in.

First and foremost, decide as a family what is most important for you all to see. This will vary with the age of your children and your different interests. However, when everyone can decide on a plan, it’s time to plot out your day. For example, if a trip to the Magic Kingdom is agreed upon, decide which rides you MUST go on. Hopefully, you have obtained maps of the theme parks from your travel agent, your travel package, etc. so you know which rides are at what park and where they are. If you haven’t already checked it out, go to Disney’s website. It is a very valuable source of information. So, if your family decides that they must go on Space Mountain first, make that the first ride and bypass everything else. There will be time in the day to backtrack. Also, arrive at least half an hour before the park opens. This will give you time to be at the front gates, ready to make a run towards Space Mountain when the park opens. Be aware of what rides have fast pass tickets available. This will also help your planning as well. Since there are so many rides in the Magic Kingdom, you may not get to go on all of them in a day so only go on the rides you and your family have dreamed about and make it a priority to go on only them.

If going on your Disney vacation during the summer, please stay hydrated. During midday, when the sun beats down and reflects on the concrete, it can really feel like an oven. Contrary to popular belief, you can bring your own water bottles and snacks with you into the park. Just bring a tote bag and, though all bags are checked, Disney officials don’t mind if you have a couple of drinks and a pack of granola bars. Just don’t go overboard. Food prices are high at Disney. Water usually costs around 2.00. Also, from 11:30 in the morning until around 4:00, the theme parks are very busy and the day is at its hottest. Don’t overstress yourself during these times. Instead, find some shade and take a break from the day or go on a ride that you hopefully have a fast pass for. Since the lines are also extraordinary long during these times, if you don’t have a fast pass, go on one of the more unpopular rides where the lines are the shortest. In the Magic Kingdom these rides are The Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents. At Epcot, the pavilion at Mexico is the best place to go and the little boat ride there is very enjoyable.

Another point that I have to stress is eating lunch and dinner. Please make reservations for the fancier sit-down restaurants because if you do not make them, you will be disappointed. Also, the theme parks only have so many fast food restaurants and around 11:30, these places are packed! Believe me, it is no fun having to wait in line for thirty minutes only to have the only place to sit and eat be directly in the hot sun. So if you can, try to eat lunch around 11:00 or at about 1:30. This way you can eat in air conditioning and not have to wait so long. The same is said about dinner. Eat around 4:30 or after 7:00 to have a relaxing meal.

Above all, have fun! This is why so many families experience the Disney vacation year after year and now you can do it right and have a memorable, great time!

Finding lodging at lake huron

Lake Huron is one of more popular vacation destinations in the country. Finding lodging, of course, is the trick during busy season.

Finding Lodging at Lake Huron

Lake Huron is the third largest of the United States' five Great Lakes. It is located between Michigan and the province of Ontario in Canada. One section of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, is located entirely within Canada. The lake has over 3000 miles of shoreline, and there are tons of different Lake Huron hotels, motels and bed an breakfast places in which you can stay for your vacation.

You will want to decide upon your Lake Huron lodgings depending on which country you want to vacation in. If you are looking for a Canadian trip, you will want to stay at one of the many places in Huron County, in the western part of Ontario. There are many different types of places for spending the night located here, like the bed and breakfast the Little Inn of Bayfield, which is located in Bayfield, Ontario. This inn has a four diamond (by the Canadian Automobile Association) restaurant, a spa and different packages for their getaways.

Another beautiful Lake Huron hotel located in Ontario is Brentwood on the Beach, located in Zurich, Ontario. This luxury palace is right on the water with a private beachfront as well as other amenities. There are spas, pools, golf and a sumptuous breakfast to complete your stay. You also have your choice of staying in a cottage or a room. Packages and getaway weekends are also available.

Also located in the Canadian portion of Lake Huron is the world's largest lake island, Manitoulin. This island has Canada's last existing Indian reservation, as well as other scenic views and hiking trails. There are quite a few different places on Manitoulin to choose from, and there are both inns and bed and breakfasts.

You can also choose to stay in Michigan, where there are many quaint towns located along the beaches of Lake Huron. Some towns to look at here include Lake Huron, Saginaw and Bay City, Michigan.

Hello from orlando golf in orlando - the links-style international course at championsgate

Several days after attending the Father-Son-Challenge at ChampionsGate we actually got out and played the International Course ourselves. It was an exciting experience to play a championship golf course just shortly after a major tournament, when it was still in tournament condition with just a few extra degrees of difficulty. The open wind-swept design features a multitude of bunkers and a variety of water hazards, and with a difficulty rating of 76.3, one of the highest ratings in the state, we were duly humbled by the challenges that this course threw at us.

ChampionsGate is an impressive facility with 36 holes designed by famous golf legend Greg Norman. What sets ChampionsGate apart is that its International layout and the National course have totally different designs. The hard, fast fairways of the International course are reminiscent of the great old Scottish and Irish links, while the more modern American-style National course winds through citrus groves and stands of pines, emphasizing challenging shot-making choices and a range of memorable par-3s.

Golfers who want to improve their game can do so at the world-famous David Leadbetter Golf Academy which offers two or three-day mini-schools or retreats, private sessions or David's "Beginner to Winner" program. David Leadbetter even offers video lessons via the Internet, providing access to his teaching expertise to golf students all over the world. The Callaway practice facility consists of an expansive practice area, putting green and short game area and is always complimentary with a round of golf.

As you come off exit 58 on the I-4, ChampionsGate greets you right away with imposing gates. The road takes you past the luxurious Omni Orlando Resort and Spa which has been welcoming resort golfers since 2004 in 730 premier rooms, including 25 guest suites. In conjunction with the Omni Resort, ChampionsGate now offers an upscale resort golf experience, complete with a European-style spa, state-of-the-art conference facilities and a 15-acre tropically landscaped recreational area featuring an 850 ft "lazy river". The Champions 9 Golf Experience, the resort's lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course, adds to the recreational opportunities.

The resort will be complemented by a master-planned community including villas and condominiums. The 59-unit phase 1 of the Villas is set to open in the summer of 2006, which will be followed by groundbreaking for the 110 units of Phase 2.

The 30,000 square foot clubhouse at ChampionsGate with its enormous wrap-around veranda features a panoramic view of both golf courses and a unique menu that is split right down the middle, featuring international cuisine on the left, and American fare on the right. ChampionsGate specializes in hospitality and customer service, and last year the club hosted more than 340 business or charity outings. After our challenging round we enjoyed a tasty lunch and were joined by Alan Findley, the General Manager of ChampionsGate, who gave us a better overview of this facility.

Alan is particularly proud of hosting the Father-Son-Challenge, a nationally televised golf event that features many present and past legends of golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Vijay Singh, to mention just a few. The Father-Son-Challenge is a veritable "Walking Hall of Fame". What makes this tournament really special is its relaxed family atmosphere and the opportunity to see different generations of golf icons playing with their sons, daughters and even grandchildren. It's an opportunity to see these famous golf legends from a human side and we indeed enjoyed watching Vijay Singh relax with a cup of coffee on the 18th hole, awaiting the arrival of his son Qass, hoping for a great final score.

In our conversation Alan also indicated that at the David Leadbetter Academy you never know what golf celebrity you are going to run into. Michelle Wie is a famous Leadbetter student, Charles Howell III was practicing while we were there, and Greg Norman helicoptered in for a lesson last week. Alan also pointed out Michelle Wie's favourite spot in the clubhouse: the table right in front of the big screen TV.

Alan also made us aware of the unique wildlife inhabiting this golf course: two American bald eagles have made the course their permanent home, and on any given day you could see whooping cranes, gannets, alligators or armadillos. For a special glimpse of ChampionsGate's atmosphere come here at the end of the day, when you could see bald eagles perched on a tree in the sunset right in front of the clubhouse, while listening to a Scottish bagpiper, a feature Allen himself has introduced to the club.

Driving Directions:

ChampionsGate is located 10 Minutes from Disney World at Exit 58 on Interstate 4, just minutes away from International Drive and area attractions.

Statistics for ChampionsGate International

Par 72 Yards Rating Slope

Black 7363 76.8 143

Blue 6792 74.1 137

White (M) 6239 71.5 132

White (L) 6239 75.7 134

Statistics for ChampionsGate National

Par 72 Yards Rating Slope

Black 7128 75.2 138

Blue 6427 71.9 133

White (M) 5937 69.1 124

White (L) 5937 74.7 125

For more information please visit the ChampionsGate website or call them at (407) 787-GOLF (4653) or toll free at 1-888-558-9301.

This entire article including photos is located at travelandtransitions. com/stories_photos/orlando_champions_gate_golf. htm

Getting from the barcelona airport is easy

‘El Prat,’ Barcelona’s Airport, is one of the best ways to enter the fascinating Iberian Peninsula. El Prat is just 15 kilometers outside the city center on the C-246 freeway heading towards the beach town of Castadefells. Nowadays, Barcelona is not just a summer holiday destination. You can find all your travel needs taken care of with great package deals almost all year round. More and more flights can be found giving you the best deals in and out of Spain. You can travel by rental car, taxi, train, bus, or with a driver to get to and from the airport. Here’s a closer look at how to get back and forth from Barca to El Prat.

- Car Rental

If you are going to be in Barcelona for a long or short trip, a rental car could be the way to go. If you are just hear for a short trip, mostly likely for business reasons, then a car hire would be a great way to get to town fast and get around quickly. You can take advantage of your short stay by your quick transport. You can also travel out of town quickly and easily with a car hire at your disposal. If you are in Barcelona for an extended stay with your family or friends, then a rental car is totally worth it.

- Taxi

If you don’t want to rent a car, but need to get from the airport to town fast then a taxi is a good option. You can sit back and relax in your 15-minute taxi ride into the city. You can catch a taxi at Terminal A, B, or C. Expect to pay about 16 Euros to get to Plaza Catalunya in the center of the city. If you are heading towards Sagrada Familia expect to pay about 19 Euros. There is an additional charge of .90 for each piece of luggage.

- Train

If you want to test out the train system then look for the signs inside the terminal that point you to the train. You will see signs that show trains going to Mataro Line, Sant station, Plaza Catalunya, and to Arc de Triomf. Trains run from about 6:00 a. m. until about 11 p. m.

- Bus

Another easy option is the airport bus called the, Aerobus, that takes you from terminals A, B, and C all the way to Plaza Catalunya. You can’t miss the big blue buses right outside the terminals. They leave every 8 minutes and it costs 3.75 Euro to board the bus. You don’t need a ticket ahead of time and the driver has plenty of change.

- Private Transfers

These are a great option if you are honeymooning or just like to have total comfort when traveling. There is a minibus service that can carry about 13 people or there is also a Mercedes for up to 3 people. The minimum service is for four hours and you can even hire them to take you around outlying areas with or without an English-speaking guide.