Travel Blog

Last month my husband and I were trying to figure out where to go on our 5 year wedding anniversary coming up this August. We didn’t have much of a honeymoon so we thought wouldn’t it be great if we could do something really fun since we are ready to start a family and may not get a chance to do any real traveling for awhile.

However, when we started looking into destinations, vacation packages, and the like, we got hit with sticker shock, as prices have dramatically increased form what they were just a year ago when we were casually browsing the web looking into possible travel plans.

Despite our findings however, we were determined to go on vacation, but were obviously going to have to scale back our plans.

Well, fortunately I’m a real bulldog when it comes to researching and was lucky enough to come across a site that shows travelers how to save money on airfares, hotels, dining, cruises, and more. This information went far beyond the usual tips like flying on holidays, dealing directly with airline websites, and negotiating group discounts, and tells you how the travel industry actually works, and exposes the secrets travel experts and industry insiders use on a daily basis to save themselves tremendous amounts of money.

Anyway, to make a long story short, using just a few of the strategies outlined by the author, we are not only able to take the trip of our dreams (French Riviera) but will save over $750 in the process. We are truly amazed at the difference it made knowing these insider secrets of the travel industry.

I am so Excited! See you when we get back!!

Each year, the Humpback Whales migrate around 4,000 miles, from summer feeding grounds in Alaska, to mate in Hawaii’s warm waters.

During mating season, Humpback Whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity which makes Hawaii a popular destination for whale watching. This exciting surface behavior, such as breaching and tail slaps, make for exciting whale watching in Hawaii.

As a Hawaii local and avid waterman, I have 5 simple tips that will help you get the most out of your Hawaii whale watching adventure. So before planning your next Hawaii vacation, follow these tips and you might just have an unforgettable whale encounter!

1. Plan Your Trip During Peak Months

Humpback Whales begin arriving in Hawaii in November and head back to Alaska in late May. If you have planned a Hawaii vacation during this time, you should have no problem spotting whales. However, peak Hawaii whale watching season occurs during February and March. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months.

2. Visit Islands Known For Whale Watching

Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are the most popular islands for Hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. If you are visiting Oahu, you can see whales there too, they just won’t be as abundant.

3. Plan A Boat Tour

Hawaii whale watching tours are ideal for seeing these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. Not only will you be in the whale’s environment, but because humpback whales are curious about their surrounding, they will sometimes approach your boat. Plan a Hawaii boat tour to truly get the most out of your whale watching adventure.

Boat tours are available departing from Lahaina Harbor many times throughout the day during whale season. On the Big Island and the island of Kauai, whale-watching opportunities abound with a full schedule of tours provided by seasoned, knowledgeable guides.

Humpback whales may also be observed from land if you prefer solid ground to the deck of a boat. On Kauai the Kilauea Lighthouse, Kealia Lookout and various high-points of land in coastal areas are good places to start. Once you’re in the right place, spotting the whales is easy: just look for the majestic plumes of water (”blows”) rising in the air and the playful splashes made by these gigantic creatures.

4. Respect their space

In Hawaii, whale watching is an avid activity, and like with most outdoors activities, there are rules. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale (known as the 100-yard minimum rule). However, there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. Experienced leaders of Hawaii whale watching tours know how to gently approach these animals and encourage them to come closer.

5. Preserve the Humpback Whale

The humpback whale almost came to extinction in 1966 after mass commercial whaling during the early 20th century. Today there are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 humpbacks worldwide. Federal laws protect them, but there are things we can all do to help preserve this amazing animal for future whale watching generation.

* Keep beaches and waters clean and debris-free * Participate only in responsible whale watching activities * Support efforts to stop illegal whaling * Support legislation, research and preservation programs * Patronize eco-friendly companies and organizations

You can read books about whales, but with so many opportunities to see them up-close and personal, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start thinking now about your next Hawaii whale watching tour. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s a great experience for the whole family.

Travelling around South of America means exploring the rich culture, fascinating fusion of Spanish and Portuguese languages, and congenial values of Latin America. South America Air Travel delivers limitless choices, versatility and friendliness in your jet-setting journey-whether for business or pleasure.

South America Air Travel fares may be a little higher but with the friendly competition that’s tagging along with tourism boost, travel agents and airlines are offering better prices to tourists from all over the world. In South America, you have the chance to know how passionate people from Southern American cities are. Your options are Asuncion in Paraguay, Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena in Columbia, Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Argentina, Caracas in Venezuela, Iquitos, Cusco and Lima in Peru, La Paz and Santa Cruz in Bolivia, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador in Brazil, Quito in Ecuador, and Santiago in Chile. These tourist destinations provide the same aura of hospitality and sophistication influenced largely by Spain and Portugal.

Your access to 34 cities found in 10 countries of the Latin blooded South America are made possible by South America Air Travel airlines like Royal Jordanian Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finn Air, West Caribbean Airlines, Santa Barbara Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. All of them are committed to provide smooth sky rides while maintain a consistently rewarding trip to every tourist. It is in South America where the most number of value air passes are afforded to avid travelers. To find the latest offers and discounter airfare rates, you might have to consult some travel agencies online.

South America Air Travel offers travel air passes like the Mercosur Air Pass, One World South America, Star Alliance South America, Star Alliance Brazil, TAM Air Pass, South America Pass, Bolivia Air Pass, Discover Columbia and Argentina Air Pass. These passes offer extensive travel privileges to different tourist spots around the country. Respective inclusions are defined in each of the passes in reference to every tourist’s preferred travel itinerary.

There are discount airlines that are available for tourists. Airline rates vary from time to time. Taking the South America Air Travel, you will be warmly met by friendly staff as you land on Southern American airports in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Panama. Premium air travel services are also offered by South American airlines both in domestic and international voyages, to include cargo flights. Some private aircrafts also operate to cater to the higher end market, officials and big businessmen.

South America Air Travel is a spectacular itinerary to get hold of. Getting a window seat at the airline will give you that breathtaking bird’s eye view of how vast natural resources in South America are. Travelling weekdays is suggested so that you could avail of lower airfare rates.

When buying a pair of shoes, we often had to choose between design and functionality. Shoe makers today succeeded joining these two qualities in one package, letting us have one a fabulous-looking pair of footwear with maximum comfort. Looking for the hottest pair at the moment? Take a look at these classic brands!

Josef Seibel. Josef Seibel is one of Europe’s oldest established shoe manufacturers. Using high-quality leathers, Seibel shoes are traditionally handcrafted. Josef Seibel is known for their wide range of stylish, sporty sandals, clogs and boots for men and women. The pioneering foot massage system consisting of a moss-rubber insole with nubs massages the foot and helps increase blood circulation. Seibel shoes offer not only top notch comfort but also wide, stylish range of designs.

Caprice. High heels are wonderful but painful to wear for long periods of time. With Caprice’s newly-developed Anti Shock heel technology, walking on high heels had never been this comfortable. With pneumatic chambers and central stabilizers within the heel, Caprice assures long term relief for joints and the whole region of the back. Additionally, the Walking on Air system developed by Caprice eliminates the effects of perspiration in summers and warms the feet during winter. Caprice has developed Super Flexible as well, a system that makes shoes fit perfectly to the feet structure for unparalleled flexibility and convenience.

Pikolinos. PIKOLINOS is a family business, opened in 1984 by Juan Pern. Pikolinos remains faithful to the Spanish shoe-making tradition practiced by local leather craftsmen. This tradition, combined with modern production processes, makes Pikolinos renowned as a contemporary and innovative company in the footwear and accessory industry. Pikolinos adapts fashion to its view of what is meant by making personal and quality footwear: with careful hand-made details and finishes. Flexible soles, latex foot supports, anatomic insoles and padding result in unique foot adaptability qualities.

ECCO. There is one philosophy in shoe-making that ECCO abides to: shoes must follow the foot. Whether you’re climbing stairs, walking long distances, or trekking rough slopes, ECCO guarantees superior fit, durability and flexibility. European style of design assures high performance and style, while being practical for everyday use. Many ECCO shoes feature Gore-Tex, a waterproof, breathable membrane that wicks moisture away and prevents it from coming in the first place. Combined with ECCO’s Direct Inject technology, these shoes are the most waterproof footwear available.

Naot. Founded in 1942, Naot started out as a small shoe factory specializing in simple but durable work shoes and sandals. Today, this internationally-renowned business is Israel’s leading manufacturer and exporter of shoes. Naot’s unique features include removal foot bed, light weight, and high degree of flexibility giving anatomical match with the foot structure. The removal foot bed allows ventilation and easier cleaning, and once worn, can be replaced with orthopedic customized insole purchased from Naot sops. Naot’s unique technology building a foot bed which involves combining latex and light flakes of corks is designed to absorb shock and remove moisture.

Moscow is considered one of the greatest cities of Russia. It has always been the center of all historical events. Moscow is the capital of Russian Federation. Moscow has an old history which is full of events that changed the life of the whole country.

Moscow is a city which is always visited by many tourists that want to see its famous Kremlin, the Red Square and many other popular sights.

Most of the international flights land at Sheremetyevo International airport, which is called Sheremetyevo II, as there is one more Sheremetyevo airport. This one is commonly called Sheremetyevo I and handles only domestic flights and flights to Belarus. But Sheremetyevo II is now under construction, which will be finally ready in 2009.

Sheremetyevo II is one of the busiest airports in the whole country. Most international flights depart from there. There are Duty-free shops, cafes, bars and also a medical office with pharmacy in the airport. Duty- free shops offer the most popular souvenirs There is also an ATM service where you withdraw the money you need, as well as banking service and bureaux de change.

There are three more airports in Moscow- Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Bykovo. Bykovo is the smallest among them and serves only domestic flights.

You can get to either of these airports by car or by an express train.

Entertainment in Moscow

Being the capital of Russia Moscow attracts many tourists. Moscow is the economical cultural and political center of the country. It has many historical monuments which attract not only tourists but also the moscovites.

If you are planning to visit Moscow with your family, then it could be interesting for the kids to be present at the performance in the Niculins circus and Obraztsov puppet theatre.

The performances at the Obraztsov theatre are in Russian, but they are very simple and can be understood. The theatre is situated at the northern part of the Garden Ring. It is one of the most popular children theatres in Moscow.

Nikulins circus has always been one of the best ones. Not only small children, but grown ups are fond of visiting it. The performances are very good.

Those tourists who are fond of night clubs can find numerous such places in Moscow. Young generation of Moscow like to spend their time in Night clubs, enjoining the company of their friends.

If you are fond of shopping, then you can visit numerous shops which offer different kinds of goods. GUM is one of the best places to do shopping or just having a walk and admiring its architecture.

Norway is a place of often sublime beauty. As in the days of the Vikings, many people’s lives are dominated by the sea, both for work and play. The smaller cities are gems just waiting to be discovered.

Here are Ten reasons to visit, to help start your holiday planning and further research

Cruising

The best way of experiencing the coast and fjords is on a cruise ship. Hurtigruten (Norwegian Coastal Voyage) operates departures up and down the coast on every day of the year, with cruise ship standards.

Fjords

Deep inlets from the sea give the coast its character. You will enjoy outdoor leisure activities, such as walking, cycling and scenic tours if you base yourself at Hardangerfjord or Geirangerfjord.

Arctic Adventure

The north of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle, experiencing the midnight sun in June/July and weeks of almost constant darkness in December/January. Go whale watching in summer or snowmobiling in winter.

The Northern Lights

This meteorological phenomenon occurs in winter when the night sky is lit up in a dazzling display. Your best chance of observing them is on a cruise ship or far from civilisation.

Winter sports: The most popular ski resorts of Hemsedal, Lillehammer, Geilo and Voss have a snow record you can depend on, as well as fine facilities for beginners. March and April are the ideal months.

Glacial attractions

Even in summer, you can experience the majesty of ice. Jostedalsbreen glacier is easily reached from the fjord country north of Bergen.

Food and drink

Prices might be high but you’ll dine well on breakfast and dinner buffets where fish, seafood and maybe reindeer take pride of place. It’s best to take your own drinks however!

Vibrant cities

Oslo has all you might expect from a capital city, but Bergen has the advantage of a real maritime feel and fascinating medieval history.

Island life: A trip to the remote Lofoten Islands is unforgettable. Fishing remains the country’s main industry and they are served by Hurtigruten coastal ships.

Furthest north

The visitor centre at the North Cape tells you this is the furthest point north on the European mainland, but another promontory nearby claims the same distinction.

Norway has got to be one of the most scenic countries in the world, and one that is increasingly easy to reach as more air links open up - now is most certainly the time to think about a holiday in Norway - it is simple to organise an independent trip, or of course you will find many specialist tour operators who feature city breaks, cruises and special interest holiday packages.

There is nothing more relaxing than having a week or two to spend at the beach. Vacation homes are a wonderful change from staying at a large or impersonal motel or hotel, plus they have the added convenience of being close to or even right on the water, having all the amenities of a house, as well as being much larger than a hotel room or even a suite would be.

Many of the beach vacation homes available offer all the features of a hotel vacation. If you are considering a rental and are going through an agency or property management company, it is usually possible to have a rental car provided for you upon arrival. In addition, many companies and agencies can also offer bonded and professional cleaning staff, chefs and even tour guides that will personalize your beach vacation and really make it a holiday for everyone in the family.

If you would prefer to just be able to relax and enjoy the warm weather, beach vacation homes can offer a quiet, stress-free holiday environment. To ensure that you get the best possible rental property, be sure to check the following:

* Ensure that you know the full amount of the rental and any additional expenses that may be included. Most beach vacation homes, especially those that are right on the beach or at the water will book up at least one season in advance. Holiday times such as summer vacation, spring break and even Christmas holidays may be booked several seasons in advance.

* Before sending a deposit or providing a credit card number for a deposit or reservation, fully understand the cancellation policy or any insurance that you may need to have on the property.

* Whether you are renting beach vacation homes from an individual or a company, be sure to get everything in writing before supplying a deposit or credit card information, especially if you have not rented through the company or from the individual before. A verbal agreement is not binding or legally valid in a court but a written, signed contract is a legal document.

* Finally, check the area in which the beach vacation home is located. While property right on the beach is great in quiet or secluded places, on busy beaches it can be a bit more stressful and noisy, especially if you are wanting a quiet vacation spot.

Doing some advanced research on beach vacation homes is simple through the internet or making a few phone calls. Planning your vacation is half the fun and knowing what you want and finding just the right beach vacation homes makes the holiday perfect for the whole family.

Finding long distance movers does not have to be a daunting task. However, it is important you don’t want to pick just anyone. This is because you dont want to risk your possessions becoming damaged. If your possessions do become damaged, you want to know that you’re dealing with a long distance mover that will take care of things for you. You shouldn’t be left in the dark with a job that is not done well and belongings that are damaged.

Finding the best mover

There are some initial steps that you must take to find the perfect international moving services company. Those steps include:

- Look around in your local area or look on the Internet to see what long distance movers service your area.

- Once you find the full-service long distance movers that service your area, it is time to look on the Internet for reviews on the services that they provide. Reviews are fantastic at helping people make informed decisions regarding the services that they need.

- Once you narrow it down based on Internet reviews, it is time to make the phone call. This means that you’re going to ask them questions such as what sort of insurance they have. You need to know what it is they cover and what they don’t cover so that you know you’re protected.

- Make sure you take a look at the state you are moving to, if it is a different state. The laws differ from state-to-state, which means things could change during the move. The mover should go over this with you when you are telling them where it is you are moving to.

- Get a written estimate for services from the moving company. Don’t trust a verbal estimate. You need to have on paper what your moving service includes and what it doesn’t include. From there you can compare with other companies you have received written estimates from.

- Don’t forget to compare costs. The idea is to find an affordable full-service long distance moving service. You don’t want a service that is going to charge you an arm and a leg for something that someone cheaper can do just as well.

Doing this takes a lot of the stress out of moving. You shouldn’t have to bite your nails down to the quick out of nervousness because you’re afraid valuables are going to get damaged. You should be able to have confidence in your full service long distance movers. You should be able to acquire a track record from them that shows they are very good at what they do.

Other things to consider

When choosing your full-service long distance movers, make sure you get a list of what they do and do not move. This can vary from company to company because of the trucks that they have. This could be something that determines who you choose to be your mover. Remember that your possessions are traveling a long way, so you have to ensure that everything is in good hands.

If you’re ever in doubt about any details of your contract, the ideal full-service long distance moving companies should have their contract details on their website. This is so you can refer back if you need to. Never let yourself be in doubt over anything. All doubt does is cause you to worry. These tips are in place to try to remove some of that worry. You have enough on your mind when it comes to moving to a new home, so you don’t need more than what you can handle.

The beautiful mountainous islands, scattered throughout the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian Seas, offer a unique perspective of Greece. Each of the islands, of which there are more than 150, is unique. The beautiful islands open a door to a different way of life that lets visitors get away from it all and escape from the real world into somewhere they’ve always wanted to be. Though life on many the islands mimics everyday life in the rest of the world, with a similar atmosphere, the internet and cars, each island is different and offers a piece of history and relaxation that can be found nowhere else on earth.

Archaeology

The various islands have numerous places where one can explore archaeological sites. Crete, the largest of the islands, has these sites, interspersed with ancient cities, all across the island. Other islands, like Aigina, have similar ruins. Aigina has dozens of ruins and temples, including the Temple of Aphaia. Rhodes offers one of the best medieval cities in the world.

Life Without Cars

Though many of the islands have the same transportation as we do everywhere else, some Islands, like Ydra, Poros, Hydra and Spetses don’t have them at all. You can explore these islands by bike, ferry, horse-powered vehicles or on your own two feet. They’re small, so cars are unnecessary and it’s possible to see everything just on a walk. Other islands that don’t offer rental cars provide buses and mopeds for transportation, so you don’t need to drag your things to the hotel.

Beautiful Beaches and Watersports

Some say the island, Spetses, has the most beautiful beaches in the world. Some are sandy, some are pebbly, but they’re all beautiful. Others say the beautiful sandy beaches of Ios are best, and others say the sandy beaches of Milos, with rocky structures to explore and white-washed buildings nearby are best. Skopelos has beautiful, semi-private beaches that are only accessible by boat or small foot-trails. And still others say that Naxos has the best of the beaches, with beautiful golden sands. All the islands, though, offer beautiful beaches that are ideal for enjoying the sun, tanning and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Each island has boating, sailing, fishing, windsurfing, parasailing, snorkeling and other watersports that visitors can enjoy.

Shopping

What’s a vacation but a chance to shop? Crete, in addition to its other assets, has dozens of villages and stores for shoppers. Santorini, known as the top destination for honeymooners, is something of a shopping paradise. Naxos and Paros have smaller shops and stores.

Parties

On the island of Mykonos, when the sound goes down, the people go out and it’s time to party. Hydra has an exciting night-life and lots of bars, restaurants and people ready to party. Likewise, Aigina also has a vibrant night life. Don’t be worried about being stared at, if you’re there to party, you’ll be welcome.

Food

It’s expensive, but it’s abundant. Each of the islands offers traditional Greek food, as well as International choices that can suit anyone’s palate. Try something new, but don’t eat anything you’re uncomfortable with.

Next time you’re considering going on a vacation, don’t discount the Greek Islands. Imagine seeing the white-washed buildings surrounded by oceans of deep blue water, the calm and serenity of a different life, and a chance to party. You’ll never regret the decision.

Now if you are interested in seeing history over 1000 years then go to Leeds Castle. It has 500 acres of woodland and parks where you can have a walk, watch falconry displays, see the birds in their aviary, enjoy the maze and underground grotto or you can relax and have a picnic in the vast gardens. Open all the year around except some special occasions from 10am and please check the local timings before you come.

The classic open-air museum, Museum of Kent Life - Cobtree, won the 2004 Classic Award because of its historical buildings that depict the changes in life in Kent in the 19th and 20th centuries. It includes the farm house, granary, oast house, hopper’s hut, barn, village hall cottages and a chapel, hop, herb and kitchen gardens, children’s playground, Farm animals, river boat services with licensed tea room & shop. It’s open from 10am to 5pm daily from February to early November and is on the M20 at Junction 6, follow the signs for Aylesford.

If you want to see organic farming medieval style to the present day then come to Garden Organic Yalding, which is 6 miles from south west of Maidstone on the B2162. It has a stunning view tracing the history of gardening in 5 acres. Their speciality is home cooked food and their own organic plants, tours and events. Check the local timings before hand and also try visiting the Downderry Nursery if you need to see beauty at your feet in a peaceful walled garden. It is the home of the country’s most comprehensive National Plant Collections of lavender and rosemary. Relax in the shade and smell the fragrance, a sweet sensual experience.

For an award winning attraction and event location, for horses come to The Hop Farm Country Park and it will be a great day for the whole of your family because its attractions include museums and exhibitions, shire horses and an animal farm, indoor and outdoor play areas with special events like Garden shows, Motoring Pageant, KM War and Peace Show, sporting events and themed holiday weeks. It’s located on the A228 at Paddock Wood, Junction 2-4 m20 or J5 M25 onto the A21 South.

If all you want to know about is music and British historical keyboard instruments then come to Finchcocks - Living Museum of Music that’s set in a beautiful garden surrounded by glorious Kentish countryside and musical tours entertaining you whenever you find it open. As usual check the details before arriving to avoid disappointment.

To go for physical & healthy exercise then try Bedgebury - National Pinetum & Forest and its something that’s open all days and it offers great walks among the conifers. Some of the other features it offers are miles of family cycling, mountain biking, riding, walking and adventure play for all ages and abilities. It has a new Visitor Centre from where you can hire a cycle & you can have refreshments and showers, tea rooms, hire a cycle franchise and picnic areas. It is located at 10 miles south of Tunbridge and is signposted from the A21.