Travel Blog

If you’re a golf enthusiast or even just a weekend warrior then you should consider a golf vacation. It will offer you new scenery and depending on where you go, it can be fun for the entire family. Golf and travel go hand in hand since many golf courses are located in warm weather or touristy areas. Picking a destination really depends on what you’re looking for. Here are some tips to finding the perfect golf outing for you.

Many golfers would like the opportunity to play on courses where the pros have played. For them a true golf vacation would be paying on the same courses Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods have teed off. This is possible though some courses are only open to members so it’s beneficial to know someone who belongs to these prominent clubs.

For other golfers, an ideal golf trip depends more on the weather than the destination. If you live in a cold weather city then maybe a tropical destination such as Florida or Alicantewould be ideal. If something cool and dry is preferred then maybe Las Vegas or Phoenix in the winter time. All of these destinations have award winning golf courses that are sure to fulfill your “need for green”.

Some golfers like to try their hand at golf courses with a new challenge. That can be golfing in the snow or at night. There are certain golf courses that cater specifically to these kinds of challenging games. There are glow in the dark balls for night golf and florescent balls for snow golf so they are easier to find (but still more difficult). There may be a course near you that offers these types of golfing but you can also combine it and make a vacation out of it. Lake Tahoe in California and Aspen in Colorado are perfect vacation spots for the snow golf enthusiast. Make sure you bring a thermos of coffee and warm clothes as its not the same as playing golf in Alicante.

For most golfers they are just satisfied to play at a new course with other golf friends. They play for fun and compliment or razz each other depending in the shot. Many times they play pairs and socialize between holes. This can be a cross country flight to a tropical destination or just a road trip with an overnight stay at a resort.

There are a few golfers who prefer to hit the green by themselves and find the opportunity to improve their game an ideal vacation. They will take the time to walk the course and challenge themselves. Sometimes they will purposely find non-ideal weather so they can practice their skills.

In any case, a golf vacation (or even just an outing) can be the break you need to enjoy gold and get away from the stress of everyday life.

In the past, Costa Rica was a hidden jewel. Today, it’s no longer a secret and thousands of travelers a year flock to this luscious paradise to escape the day-to-day worries of their chaotic worlds. Below are the top 7 important reasons to travel to Costa Rica:

1. Beaches

Over 50 white and black sand beaches. Visitors can bask in the sun or seek refuge under the shade of beach almond trees. The waters are warm year-round, perfect for swimmers and surfers. Cozy restaurants and bars are nearby so travelers can enjoy a fresh beverage or meal any time.

2. Parks/Reserves

Costa Rica is home to 26 national parks which safely harbor over 75% of the country’s flora and fauna. Some of the most visited national parks are Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano and Braulio Carrillo. Their natural beauty will tempt any nature lover to travel to Costa Rica.

3. Museums

Gold Museum is home to the most valuable collection of pre-Columbian gold in the world; exhibits include 2,600 gold artifacts, plus a collection of rare coins and bills. The Entomological Museum of University of Costa Rica, where visitors can examine more than a million specimens of butterflies and other insects.

4. Gardens

Most notable are The Butterfly Farm in La Guacima de Alajuela, the Monteverde Butterfly Garden and La Paz Butterfly Observatory. The latter is the country’s largest butterfly garden with over twenty species of butterflies soaring freely in a natural habitat the size of an American football field.

5. Volcanoes

Only five out of more than 200 volcanic formations are considered active: Arenal, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, Irazu, and Turrialba. There are many hiking tours offered for the adventurer interested in travel to Costa Rica.

6. Wildlife Refuges

There are over 55 in Costa Rica and travelers are treated to sights such as Olive Ridley sea turtles, two and three-toed sloths, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, wild pigs, ospreys, herons, and kingfishers.

7. Cultural Attractions

One of the most popular is the National Theater which was modeled after the art deco style of Paris’ Opera House. It’s decorated with Belgian ironwork, Baroque and Italian renaissance flourishes and 22.5 karat gold leaf.

An Egypt holiday is one of the most memorable and rewarding holidays that you can possibly take due to the wide range of activities, historic value, sites, and travel options available.

When most people think of Egypt, they envision the desert, monuments, and pyramids. But there’s so much more to Egypt than that, and each destination in Egypt has its own offering from the others. For example, Alexandria and Luxor are known for their historic value, Sharm and Hurghada are known for their beaches, resorts, and watersports, Cairo is known as Egypt’s cultural center, and so on.

You will also find that travel within Egypt is moderately, with accommodations, airfare, and entertainment being quite reasonable considering its popularity. A local exception is beer, wine, and spirits, however, which will cost you anywhere from US$8 to $12 for each drink.

Unfortunately, due to the large number of varied activities, if you want to participate in a variety, e.g. exploring the beaches of Sharm Egypt, then on to Luxor or a Nile River cruise with a horseback ride or safari along the way, your travel plans become much more complicated. Luckily there are a good number of qualified travel guides who can assist you with numerous plans, from group tours to fully escorted Egypt packages.

For do-it-yourselfers like me, there are some excellent travel guides that will give you the inside scoop on destinations, customs, and prices, which will all be immensely helpful in planning your trip. But this is not a valid approach for everyone, because we all have different tolerance levels for chaos!

One of the aspects of Egypt that struck me even more than the surroundings was the people, who are largely helpful, friendly, and hospitable. Ask a local a question, and you’re likely to draw a crowd of people with suggestions on the best answer!

A popular fear when traveling to Africa or the Middle East is one of safety, but Egypt is one of the safer destinations you can visit. Egypt is largely free from violent crime, though bombings perpetrated by local radicals have occurred. Pick pocketing is not uncommon, but security is placed in most public places to discourage this from happening.

Also be sure to bring back some souvenirs for your friends and family. Some items native to the region that are available for reasonable purchase include Egypt’s well-known dates, spices, crafts, pottery, and colorful fabrics.

Egypt packages are a great approach to what will be one of the most memorable holidays during your lifetime, almost assuredly. Prepare fully, plan in advance, and enjoy one of the most beautiful regions in the world, along with one of the original seven wonders.

The decision to get a backpacking trip overseas is a big one, and you are in for an amazing adventure. Backpacking in Europe or other external lands, with their ancient pasts, often brings surprises and breathtaking experiences. If you are fairly new to traveling overseas then there are some things you should be alert of so you can have a complete trip. The following list outlines some of the best advice for traveling abroad.

Experience applicable local and national laws. Make sure you understand the local laws and customs. This is important because the last thing you want is problem. There are places you can and cannot go. If there is any question, check with local bureaus. Many area require a license.

Have your papers in order. Make sure you have everything you need to travel overseas and get into the destination country. You should check with both countries to find out all of your paperwork is in order. Note that Americans require passports for Canada and Mexico visits now.

Make sure your map is up to date. You should check to make sure the map you are taking is up-to-date. You do not want to plan a backpacking trip in an area that has lately been converted from wild to a shopping at center.

Keep your family in the loop. Just as you would when backpacking at home, you need to fill in your family on all your plans. This is even more important when traveling. You never know what can happen and nobody there is going to realize you may be in trouble.

Get medical info with you. If you have any allergies or unique disciplines or needs, make sure they are documented and carry them where they can be learned, like in a wallet or on a bracelet.

Have a back up project. You can not constantly go back home easily if your plans are detoured by weather or some other unexpected event. Be sure you have an alternative plan in place so your trip is not destroyed. Watch the seasons, and plan for a season that has a better chance of having decent weather. Overseas backpacking in a hurricane would be no fun!

Even though you are going on a backpacking trip you still need to understand the basics behind safe travel abroad. You should try to leave valuables at home. You should hire a local tour guide and always travel in a group or with at least one other person. It is also important that you stick to public areas. Do not try to venture to unknown areas. You never know what types of problems you could run into. Travel intelligent and your trip will most likely be one of the most grand experiences you will ever have.

Taking a few cares can ensure that your overseas backpacking trip will be one of the most fun and charging experiences you ever have!

Once a sleepy little Italian hilltop town, Cortona is enjoying a rebirth as a tourist mecca. The book “Under the Tuscan Sun” and its sequels, along with the hit film based on this book, people have discovered Tuscany’s Cortona is a delight.

Conveniently located between Rome and Florence, this town of 30,000 people is located on a lovely hill in Tuscany. You can find whatever you want to do here, from museums to biking to restaurants.

Cortona has a long and interesting history, longer than many people realize: The Etruscans built the city’s walls 2,600 years ago. You can still see Etruscan stone work at Porta Guelfa and at Porta Montanina. If the Etruscans fascinate you, you can see more at the Museo dell’Academia Etrusca, which has artifacts from the Etruscans and the Egyptians as well as many historic artworks, books and other items.

Don’t just look at the city walls, interesting as they are. Go inside to the Piazza Garibaldi. From there you can see beautiful Lake Trasimeno. There is also a beautiful church and a park, at the center of which is a fountain decorated with two playful dolphins of bronze. Take a break, sit down and enjoy the view.

Once you’ve rested to Piazza Grande, with its 6th century town hall. On the first Saturday of each month, there is a market where you can find gifts, food and other wares to buy for yourself and others. If shopping is your thing, come to Cortona, Tuscany at the end of August for the National Market of Ancient Furniture at Cortona’s Casali Palace.

Stuck for the time? Look for the Torre del Pulcinella, the town clock that uses cymbals rather than bells to announce the time.

Cortona is full of history, obviously. Nowhere is this more evident than at Cetona Belvedere. This ancient cemetery has caverns, grottoes and other ancient sites.

If exploring is your thing, go to Montepulciano on one of the largest mountain peaks in the area.

If you’re fond of religious history, go to the Great Cloister of the Monastero di Monte Oliveta Maggiore (monastery of the Mount of Olives) to see the frescoes of St. Benedict. Signorelli painted these in the 15th century. Also be sure to see the church of Santa Maria Del Calcinaio, a unique octagonal church. Other religious treasures can be seen at the Museo Diocesano. It houses the Cortona Altarpiece with its six beautiful small paintings that frame the piece.

When visiting Cortona, rest assured that all the usual tourist amenities are available to make your trip easy.

Cortona is deservedly coming into its own. If you get a chance go and see it for yourself. It is a trip you will long remember for its beauty, its heritage and its people. Travelers booking a trip should call their travel agents for more information.

So, you’re finally going on a long vacation! There are some things you should do before you go; planning ahead will ensure a safe and memorable trip. Some questions you should ask yourself are: how far are you going to drive every night, how are you going to keep the kids occupied, does your destination hotel accept pets, is the car ready, etc. Now that you’re thinking ahead, here are five important tips for a long vacation.

First, have your vehicle checked. Ask your mechanic for an oil change, tire rotate & balance and a mechanical inspection. The mechanic should check: oil & filter, transmission fluid, antifreeze, CV joints (on 4×4’s), spare tire, wrench and jack. Check your owner’s manual for any information you may need as to tire pressure, how to change a headlight etc.

Second tip, do you have an emergency kit? Some things that should be in it are: jumper cables, a can of tire inflator, flashlight (with good working batteries of course!), gloves, a simple tool kit with screwdrivers, pliers, sockets & driver, spare headlight, fuses & windshield wipers, can of motor oil and some extra antifreeze. If you will be traveling in the winter you should also have a large empty metal coffee can with a candle, chocolate or power bar, tea or coffee bags, and matches (in a zip-lock baggie) in it and a space-age blanket, wool socks and non-clumping kitty litter for traction.

Third tip is to pack appropriately for the weather; is it hotter or colder where you are going on your long vacation? If it’s hotter, add to your suit case: sunscreen, lotion, sandals, bathing suit, kids’ floaters, and beach towels. If it’s colder, add boots & boot socks, mittens & gloves, and hats & scarves.

Fourth tip is a first aid kit. You can buy traveler or vehicle first aid kits. The difference is mostly in their size and container. Traveler kits weigh less, have fewer supplies and are in a compact pouch and vehicle kits weigh more, have a few more supplies and the pouch folds up to fit in the glove compartment or under the seat.

The fifth tip is for if you’re travelling with children on a long vacation don’t forget to pack some of their favorite things; pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, quiet toys, crayons, coloring books, and pajamas. You’ll need some car-friendly snacks; trail mix, honey nut cheerios, raisins, banana chips, pretzels, granola bars etc.

Sharm el Skeikh, or just Sharm, is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Arab world, and for good reason. It’s quickly being recognized as one of the finest diving spots in the world, and the variety of activities available to the visitor is mind boggling.

Forty years ago, Sharm Egypt was little more than a tiny fishing village. But during Israel’s occupation, the land near Sharm’s center began to be developed and it gradually transformed into a tourist destination. It now contains most of the amenities that you would expect in a travel destination, except that it’s been able to maintain its historic roots.

Sharm and nearby Hurghada are located on the Red Sea coast, and just offshore there is a wide variety of beautiful coral and aquatic life, including sharks and dolphins, if that’s your cup of tea! Sharm caters to scuba divers of all levels, so even if you’re new to the activity, you’ll find a reputable dive operator who can accommodate you.

If scuba diving is not for you, there are plenty of other beach activities that you can take part in. Sharm and Hurghada beaches have gorgeous white sand and the water is crystal clear. Bad pictures are almost impossible to take here!

While some areas in Egypt are known more for their historic value, Sharm has a reputation as more of a beach or resort destination. Here you’ll find hotels in all price ranges, including some world-class properties, and you’ll also find an active nightlife, which is not particularly common in Egypt. But do expect to pay a hefty price for beer, wine, and spirits, even in this more liberal area.

Egypt entertains over 5 million travelers per year, and in recent years, over one quarter of them have visited Sharm. The locals are very friendly and accommodating with travelers, but there are still some taboo customs that you should be aware of if you’re planning a holiday. To get the most out of your vacation, look into Egypt packages, which will help you plan your travel.

For the most part, most of Egypt is generally safe. There is very little violent crime, and the most likely crime that you could be exposed to would be pick pocketing, but security is stationed in most public areas to protect the tourists’ interests.

Sharm is a beautiful city in an amazingly historical city. If you plan a holiday to Sharm, whether on its on or as part of one of the available Egypt packages, you will not be disappointed, and you will leave with some fantastic memories (and hopefully photographs) that will last a lifetime.

Corralejo in Fuerteventura

Corralejo can be found on the northern coast of Fuerteventura. Corralejo is the biggest resort on Fuerteventura and has some of the best beaches around! On a side note, Fuerteventura beaches are popular with nudists although they tend to stay away from the bigger beaches - there’s nothing like that all over tan!

Beaches in Corralejo

The beaches of Corralejo are an assortment of sand dunes and golden swathes of silky sand. The sea is something else all together - changing from emerald to aqua to sapphire, it begs to be paddled in! Corralejo is well-known in Fuerteventura for its gigantic sand dunes which are part of a protected reserve, the Corralejo National Park. The Playa Grande beach is worth a few days of your time to fully appreciate the endless sands and the foamy sea. Windsurfers love Corralejo for the winds that allow them to speed over the waves so if you feel brave, there’s no place better to try it!

Corralejo Hotels

For hotels, the Los Alisios Playa Apartments are perfect. Comprised of apartments, Los Alisios is set in lush gardens and has many facilities to keep you occupied - pools, shops, bars! Los Alisios Apartments are also only a short walk from the beach which definitely comes in handy! Hotels in general in Corralejo are of top quality and most hotels are 3star plus. The hotels have good facilities for the most part with something to appeal to everyone - and the hotels have some wonderful entertainment programmes so you’ll never be bored at night whether its quiz night or party time!

Things to Do in Corralejo

Corralejo is a very relaxed place to say that it is Fuerteventura’s biggest resort. For things to do, you have the old fishing port to visit with its many arts and crafts shops, the marina where you can catch a boat to the nearby volcanic island of Lobos and the Atlantico Shopping Centre for if you fancy a bit of a splurge! If you want a day away from the beach, then Corralejo has a nearby water park where you can slide to your hearts content! At night, there are some lovely restaurants that will tantalise your taste buds and bars and discos that provide a laid-back good time!

Costa Caleta in Fuerteventura

On the East coast of Fuerteventura is Costa Caleta. Formerly known as Caleta De Fuste, Costa Caleta is a laid-back resort perfect for a relaxing beach holiday!

Costa Caleta Beach

A long palm-lined promenade runs through Costa Caleta and overlooks the spectacular beach. The beach is all fine golden sand perfect for sandcastles and blue waves that gently rock your lilo! Submarine trips from the marina are an experience not to be missed and water sports are also available and are perfect for cooling off!

Things to Do in Costa Caleta

Costa Caleta is the place to go in Fuerteventura if you want ultimate relaxation from a holiday and lazy days where all you do is lie on the beach turning golden brown and listening to the sounds of the sea. If that all gets too much, then wander around the shops or take a trip into the popular Corralejo where you can catch a boat to the volcanic Isla De Lobos and see the volcanic landscape!

Hotels of Costa Caleta

Costa Caleta has some very scenic hotels with most of them being low-rise and in-keeping with the picturesque surroundings. Costa Caleta hotels generally have favourable reviews so they’ve obviously got great service and facilities! The Hotel Costa Caleta is a good one to look out for with a good location and excellent facilities. Like the rest of Fuerteventura’s resorts, Costa Caleta hotels offer a wide range of night entertainment although the resorts bars also offer a lively night - no matter where you go, you’ll enjoy Costa Caleta!

Want to learn the game of golf? How about a 272 Page Golfing Guide for Beginner Golfers. Get started with Golf the Right Way. Golf Beginners Guide

Several qualified golf teaching professionals have put together the most comprehensive Golfing Guide available today for Beginner Golfers. This learning guide will help Beginner Golfers play their best Golf - with no fluff or hype but all the needed facts and knowledge - for less than a lesson from a reputable golf teacher.

This publication walks you through everything you ever need to know about Golf, from the total basics to the advanced tips and techniques that will give you the confidence to play Golf as it should be played.

It doesn’t matter if you are a senior golfer playing more now that you have retired or a brand new enthusiast looking to establish a strong golf foundation. The ‘Golf Beginner Guide’ will help you improve. There are no tricks, fluff or gimmicks, only solid information that will improve your physical and mental golfing skills as well as your general knowledge about golf.

You’ve probably seen this, there are a million products out there promising to make you a better golfer. Reality is, you can buy all the special clubs and fancy balls you can afford (or even ones that you can’t) and still never improve as a golfer. The focus of the ‘Golf Beginner Guide’ is making you a better golfer by teaching you about all aspects of the game.

In fact, almost every Beginner Golfer I meet tells me that they yearn for a golfing resource that covers all aspects of golf, not just specialized areas such as the golf swing - so here it is! Golf Beginners Guide

There is solid information here to take you to the next level whether you are a senior golfer or brand new to the game.

Kulula Air, the recently re-branded kulula.com, is a highly popular low-fare domestic air travel provider in South Africa thanks, in part, to its edgy and humorous marketing message.

In business since 2001, Kulula is owned by Conair Limited. It was named the best domestic airline by the Airport Company of South Africa in 2003 and operates a fleet of Boeing 737s with the following routes: Johannesburg to:

Cape Town Durbs George PE Lusaka Harare Windhoek Ndola Cape Town to: Johannesburg Durbs PE Lanseria Durbs to: Johannesburg Cape Town PE George to Johannesburg PE to: Johannesburg Cape Town Durbs Lusaka to Johannesburg Harare to Johannesburg Windhoek to Johannesburg Lanseria to Cape Town Ndola to Johannesburg.

Travelers receive seat assignments at check-in.

Kulula began by offering flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Over the next few years, its route map incorporated destinations in Durban and Port Elizabeth while its number of flights in operation increased. International destinations now include, Blomfontein, Windhoek, Harare, Ndlola, Lusaka and Mauritius.

Recently, South African online shoppers bought some 55,000 airline tickets for R27 million as part of Kulula’s ‘garage sale.” Kulula’s mega-website (kulula.com is the country’s largest online retailer, handling more than R1.6 billion annually) processed up to 150 flight quotes per second during the shopping frenzy’s peak hours. Nearly 145,000 visitors viewed more than one million web pages, shopping for travel specials from October 2008 through January 2009.

Even though Kulula takes a laid back approach, the company has a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. It has imposed a 90% on-time take-off rate goal. According to the company’s own records, it has not reached that 90% goal, but is making every effort to eliminate “avoidable delays,” those which the company has control over. They do often manage an on-time take-off rate in the high 80s.

With an eye toward simplification and living up to its name (Kulula comes from the Zulu word for “easy”), Kulula Air also offers services to hire a car, book a room or cab easily and affordably. The Kulula website offers even more options, as the brand has branched out into other lines such as cell phones and internet access.

In an effort to provide a full travel experience, Kulula offers easy self-booking on its website. Purchases on a Kulula credit card earns “Kulula Moola” which can be redeemed to purchase flights, and Kulula also offers a Jetsetter rewards program for frequent flyers.

Kulula strives to set itself apart from other airlines. It’s unlikely you will forget the Kulula flight during which you heard the flight attendant say, “There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways off this airplane.” Or, how about your captain saying “Whoa, boy!” as the plane comes in for a landing? Kulula’s planes also sport unique paint schemes such as “cow” and “camo.” This airline also promotes environmental issues. One reason it changed its fleet to Boeing 737s is that they consume less fuel than their original fleet of MD82s.