Friday, December 14, 2012

How To Save Time While Traveling On Business

By Cindy Carey


If you ask business travelers what stress them on their travels big time, then most of them will probably respond it is lost time. When you are working on a strict timetable, it only makes sense, because a single delay could bring about a domino effect on itinerary that you never dreamed of. However, if you wish to make sure that you won't encounter lost time on your trips, you can rely on business travel services to do the job for you.

Based on the survey, there are also other factors that affect the layer of hassle encountered by the traveler. For example, those who live alone tend to report less pressure than those who have a companion or are raising a family. Women also report higher pressure levels than men, and also those who are older and travel more. The tourist stress levels are measure based on aspects relating to the tourist and the number of sojourns they take per year.

Working with a corporate travel agency to plan your trips can help you regain control over your travel time and plans, as well as allow you to make most of your schedule. Corporate travel agencies can also provide you with a business travel management program that you can incorporate for the long-term. It would all depend on you if you'd want to hire the corporate travel agency for a one-time deal or for consecutive months

With the help of the agency, everything in your travel would be streamlined, from the time you get to the airport, to the time you arrive at your hotel room. Travel agencies understand that time is of the essence for their corporate clients, and all of them would wish to get their money's worth.

Aside from making every minute of travel count for their clients, travel agencies also make it a point to offer affordable transaction for their clients. While it might be hard to believe that corporate travel agencies only work for the revenue, they also strive for offering their clients the most economical rates that fit their budget without compromising quality.




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Fantastic Museums in Bruges For Every Taste

By Steve Alexander


Bruges is a fantastic destination for a city break. With charming canals and amazing architecture you really can't go wrong here, but there are also plenty of weird and wonderful museums to discover.

Lace has been made in Europe since Roman times, but the craft took off in Belgium in the 16th century. Bruges' Lace Center Museum or Kantcentrum preserves and promotes the traditional art of lace making and traces its development in the city, with a permanent exhibition displaying a variety of lace and explaining the process by which it's created. There's also a workshop where you can learn lace making for yourself.

Taking you on a fascinating tour through the history, processes and personalities behind everyone's favourite treat, the Choco-Story is a museum in Bruges dedicated to all things chocolate. You'll discover how cocoa beans are grown, harvested, and then transformed into delicious, creamy chocolate.

Learn about the nutritional benefits of chocolate (well, we want to believe this!) and see the tempering process taking place at the hands of an expert chocolatier. Discover how chocolate has gone from being a stimulating drink enjoyed by the Aztecs to the ubiquitous snack it is today. If you're visiting Bruges, you really can't escape the delight of chocolate.

It's time we all stopped being kept in the dark about the development of domestic lighting, so plan a trip to the Lumina Domestica museum. It's the largest museum dedicated to interior lighting in the world, with more than 6,500 lamps on show, and takes you back 400,000 years to early man's first use of fire to cook food and illuminate his surroundings at night. You'll be welcomed to the museum by the spirit of Aladdin's lamp - perhaps the most famous item of domestic lighting equipment in fiction - and discover the idiosyncrasies of lighting design around the world and through the ages.




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3 Waterfalls You Must See

By Jonny Blair


I've visited over 50 waterfalls now and I must say you don't often get a crap one (except for a few years ago on the Great Ocean Road in Australia when a waterfall advertised was literally just a drip! I've narrowed this list down to a top three as these three are head, shoulders and currents above the rest. I'm basing it only one waterfalls I've been to by the way (yet to do Angel Falls in Venezuela or Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe).



1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:

Oh to the undeniable magic of Gullfoss. This incredible and often unknown waterfall is in Iceland. So as well as strong gushing water you get the bonus of strong winds, rain,snow and cold conditions just to add to the awesome experience of it all. Gullfoss crops up out of nowhere - suddenly you're up next to it in disbelief at how fast and endless the water flow is. You can get to Gullfoss by getting on one of many Golden Circle tours, or hire a car if you want. Wear warm clothes and take plenty of photos! You'll love it. You can also buy food, drink and souvenirs nearby.



2. Niagara Falls/Horsehoe Falls - CANADA and USA border:

It was over 10 years ago since I was at the Niagara Falls. I did the Maid of the Mist tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. An amazing spray from these falls and the border town of Niagara is in an awesome location overlooking the spectacular waterfalls. It's FREE to gaze down onto the waterfall itself, but to do the Maid of the Mist Tour is still under $20 Canadian Dollars and even cheaper if you're a child, a student or a pensioner. I'd recommend it - you get up close to the falls and you get wet.



3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA border):

SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:

Iguazu Falls, Argentina:



Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.

Viewed from Brazil:



The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall. Iguazu is just incredible!

It's important to note that is both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy as these are just brilliant falls of water.

So there you have it - a brief account of my top three. Happy travelling to waterfalls!




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Florida Villas: An Ideal Place To Vacate

By Carol Baker


Take a moment and think Florida villas. What comes to mind must be the best vacation you'll ever have. Do you wish to watch out over the sea while you take in breakfast? What about a round of golf afterward? Perhaps a trip to a nearby art gallery or an outdoor concert in the park. You'll require a calming day before you decide to take the children to Disney world tomorrow. Yes, you can do all that from hotels, so why is a Florida villa the destination for you? Glad you asked.

Villas were originally the country homes for Italian nobility and the wealthy. Now, celebrities like George Clooney have one and never seem to want to leave. After two days in Florida villas, you'll never want to leave either. As either a part of a larger resort, or isolated from the usual tourist hotels and areas, a Florida villa holiday is something out of the ordinary you will never forget.

To find one, you need to start looking Florida vacation websites by the city you intend to stay near and filter the results by 'villa'. When you're there, you can sort by the lease you want to pay, the number of bedrooms, private swimming pool, or even if you want the kitchen stocked and prepared for you on arrival.

Irrespective of where you're going, it's never an extensive drive to some baseball game, golf course, a stock car race or horse track. There's also that small football team known as the Dolphins waiting for you. If you'd like anything a bit more filling than an arena hot dog, then you'll uncover more outstanding restaurants than you'll have enough time to eat at, even if you reside all winter.

With regards to tourist attractions, there's more to Florida than just the House of Mouse. There are more than a dozen major aquariums, not to include Sea World. Busch Gardens is another outstanding place for your family. You wish to take a day for golf? There are more than 165 courses for to choose from.

If you prefer the indoor life, there is still a villa for you. Many Florida villas are located within minutes of the museums, libraries, historical sites and shopping centers. At night, you'll find yourself just as close to some of the most amazing nightclubs and concert venues you'll ever see.

When choosing a vacation home, here are a few things to remember why you want to choose from Florida villas:

1) Villas offer more room compared to a roomy hotel room at a lower price. Rental fees are for the house and never per person. Far more deluxe at a lower price.

2) Since they are houses, Florida villas offer more personal benefits for your convenience such as full kitchen facilities, exclusive pools and full size, personal bedrooms.

3) Most of the villas are privately, locally owned, so they are maintained at a higher standard than hotel rooms. Also, local owners know the best places to go and where you can get the best shopping bargains.




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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Maui Destination Wedding - Planning Your Maui Wedding

By Stefanie Riedel


Planning a Maui destination wedding from a distance can seem like a huge challenge, especially if you've never even been there to visit, and have no knowledge of the island. There are many options on Maui for both ceremonies and receptions, but how does one begin planning the wedding of their dream from the mainland or home country? This article will help to guide you on how to plan your dream destination wedding on Maui.

Before you can even begin planning your wedding you have to be realistic about your budget. Knowing your budget is a crucial starting point in planning your wedding and will determine what type of wedding you can actually afford. Once you've figured out your budget you can then move on to actually planning your wedding.

There are a large selection of venues to choose from on the island of Maui. Whether you are looking for a large resort wedding, or a smaller more intimate private estate wedding, there are many locals to choose from, some of which range from less than $1000 to packages that are upwards of $40,000. Many couples turn to the resorts as a first option when planning their wedding as the resorts can provide everything you need all in one location. Most resorts also offer an in-house wedding coordinator that can help you to arrange every last detail of your wedding. Some of the most popular resorts on Maui include:

1) Four Seasons Resort at Maui Wailea

2) Westin Maui Resort & Spa

3) Honua Kai Resort & Spa

4) The Grand Wailea

5) The Grand Wailea

The above listed resorts are definitely some of the more expensive resorts on Maui, however Maui is also known for being a resort destination, so you may have already expected to have some pricier options.

The Four Seasons Resort At Maui Wailea, is located in Wailea on the south east side of Maui. Wailea is known for its resorts and the Four Seasons is rated the number one resort in Maui according to Trip Advisor. There are three wedding packages offered by the resort, each of which a minimum of three night stay is required. Their most simple package, the Plumeria package provides the basics of any wedding, including taking care of your marriage license, a non-denominational officiant, bouquet for the bride, seating for guests, a musician along with a photographer who will provide you with limited photos. The Four Seasons has a team of in-house wedding specialists who are able to assist you in planning every last detail of your wedding.

If you are looking for inexpensive options, Maui has several options including other resorts as well as private estates that can accommodate both the ceremony and reception. One private estate is the Sugarman Estate which is located near the Wailea area on the shores of the Ahihi reserve. The Sugarman Estate is located on the beach, and the property boasts a beautiful ocean backdrop. The property also features a lush garden area that can be used for the reception portion of the wedding. The estate can accommodate up to 150 guests, which should be plenty enough for a destination wedding. There are pricing options for weddings with less than 75 guests as well as weddings with 76 - 150 guests. The venue can be rented for under $4000 total. If you plan on having your wedding at a private estate like the Sugarman Estate, you will have to employ the services of some vendors in order to make your wedding complete.

If you decide to have your wedding outside of a resort, you will want to consider hiring some vendors in order to make your wedding complete. The most important vendor is likely a photographer, or videographer. Since your wedding day is probably going to be one of the most memorable days in your life you will most likely want to preserve those memories through either photos or videos. Once the wedding is over, there's not much else to remind you of your special day other than the photographs you had taken. Maui is home to many professional photographers, many of whose work has been featured in national, even international publications.

If you do decide to have your wedding on Maui at a private estate rather than a resort, here's a short list of vendors that you may want to consider for your dream wedding:

1) Catering - Aloha Events Catering

2) Catering - Aloha Events Catering

3) Bakery - Maui Wedding Cakes

4) Bakery - Maui Wedding Cakes

5) Videographer - Aloha Videography

A Maui destination wedding can be planned from a distance. Once you've figured out your budget, you can begin to make a few simple phone calls that will get the wedding planning process in motion. Whether you plan a resort wedding, private estate wedding or other type of wedding, Maui has an abundant source of resources, venues and vendors to choose from that will help you design your dream wedding.




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Making Your Reservations At Long Beach MS Hotels

By Celia Hall


Every year, visitors enjoy the warm, friendly and efficient service they receive at one of Long Beach MS hotels. The challenge for hotel management is to ensure that all their guests enjoy their stay and leave with a positive impression about the facilities, the service and the staff. The reputation and continuing success of a business within the hospitality industry relies to a great extent on customer satisfaction and recommendations.

Following a stay, guests can go to the website and leave comments, and rate the hotel facilities and services. The guest reviews can be seen by other potential hotel users and may determine whether they use the hotel. On a travel website individuals can narrow down their hotel search to all those within a geographical location. A link to an individual hotel website allows access to information on the facilities and services available. Many also provide useful information on road, rail, airports nearby and popular tourist attractions.

Visitors to a travel website can browse through the individual hotel websites in the Long Beach area. However, it will take time, as there are a few. To save time, the hotel search results can be narrowed down. Entering a maximum and minimum budget, hotel rating, or entering a particular location decreases the number of results.

Hotel websites generally link to a map which highlights the hotel location. Many of the websites provide photographs of the hotel and the facilities, while some provide a digital tour of their hotel. Visitors can also access information on the services and facilities available for guests.

Information on check-in and check-out times is usually found on the hotel information link. Along with details of leisure facilities, business services, dining options and in-house entertainment for guests. The room facilities generally include, free toiletry items, tea and coffee making facilities, 24 hour room services and many more extras.

Other facilities and services offered by the majority of modern establishments includes airport shuttle service, disabled access in all their public areas and rooms. The majority of establishments will have a number of rooms designed to accommodate disabled guests, but visitors should say they require disabled access when booking. The hotel will confirm immediately the type and size of accommodation available for the dates required. A booking can be processed quickly and efficiently on-line.

It is advisable to read through all the small print on the website, and click on the link to the terms and condition of service. This section will include the details of a hotel cancellation policy, which you need to know, in case you do need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. Whether you receive a refund usually depends on how much notice you give of the cancellation.

When debit or credit card details are submitted some establishments will take a deposit to secure the booking. Others may not take a deposit and will only charge the card when the guests books out or cancels the booking. Every hotel has their own payment policy which you should read before confirming a booking at Long Beach MS hotels.




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Factors To Consider When Constructing The Best Detroit Homes For Sale

By Richie Cosmos


Constructing homes for sale has currently become a common activity among many investors. An investor should therefore pay attention to some critical issues involved, such as the design of a house when constructing good Detroit homes for sale. The investor should not be discouraged by the amount of time taken in planning because it assures quality results when the project ends.

The home plan should go hand in hand with the site that has been selected by an investor. The accessibility to the social amenities is a critical factor that is normally checked by the interested buyers. The type of soil should be assessed by engaging the services of a qualified civil engineer. One should always find out if the property is in the rightful names by conducting a thorough search before buying.

Selecting a contractor can be quite involving for an individual. He or she should hire a contractor to manage the construction project. An online search can be done before settling on a contractor that is licensed and reputable. A good contractor will disclose important issues of the process such as; time taken for the project and the total budget.

The total cost of the project is an important factor to consider. The costs can be categorized into land, foundation, material cost, general fee of the contractor and site improvement. One should settle for a design that is affordable to avoid financial strains. The lending institutions should be approached if one plans to apply for mortgage financing.

The home plan sets of blueprints should be ordered because they will be needed by the various players. The lending institution needs a set in order to process the mortgage. The contractor also needs a set so that he or she is conversant with what is required of him or her by the owner. It is important to have a copy for an investor too.

The list of the materials is an essential component in the construction project. It is always provided along with the house plan. The materials should bear their prices to assist the lender to process the financing facility. Having the list of materials also saves time for the contractor because he will not be required to come up with one.

The investor should order the materials from the suppliers. Committing oneself to choose the materials that will be used for the homes for sale is vital. The investor is lucky to have several home construction stores offering a ray of products. Heed to these factors and you will have an easy time constructing good Detroit homes for sale.




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The Perfect Spot to Go Briding in Belize

By Linda Patterson


The tiny Central American nation known as Belize sits between Mexico and Guatemala covering the north and southern frontiers respectively and well known as a paradise for tourists. This country shares numerous common points in terms of history and geography with its neighboring countries and being a part of the Mesoamerican, the previous being an ancestral heritage of the Maya and the second having beautiful beaches and verdant flora and fauna. So, for a traveler who wishes to experience a little more than the vibrant Belize City and a range of interesting aquatic activities, you can find a different way to experience again the Mayan era and it is through bird watching.

The Maya held winged creatures in high regard; this is one fact is apparent even to casual observers ever since the commencement of the study of the ancient Mayan civilization. Central America has become a haven of exotic species of birds ever since time immemorial and pelicans, owls, eagles, vultures, quetzals and macaws to mention a few are some of the few varieties which are present today. With the hieroglyphic script which the Mayans had developed, each one of these birds was represented by a glyph and had a higher status with the tribe leaders.

During the peak of the Mayan civilization, the Maya have made liberal use of glyphs to depict birds by transcribing them on ceramics, vases, and murals and on walls of caves and temples. Leaders of the tribe used to sport superbly multi-colored and intricate head-dresses made out of feathers of these winged creatures although bird-like designs on clothing depicted the wearer's unquestionable power or influence. Although Belize was amongst the settlements of the Maya, it's simply a matter of visiting the excavation and ceremonial sites to know the significance of the birds to the Mayans.

As expected, a required part of the travel kit while traveling to Belize would be a strong mosquito repellent and its use is not only confined to bird watching trips but also to areas that are swampy and wooded. Boots, binoculars and a guide pertaining to birds are other recommendations from experienced ornithologists. It is recommended that much portion of the skin must be covered and opting for long or full sleeved shirt and lightweight trousers is is of great importance. Though optional, the use of scarf to cover the lower portion of your neck and face leaving just your eyes visible might also turn out to become protective.

Dating back since the time of the Mayans, Macaw already existed and such bird is best seen in south Belize in a quaint Maya village named Red Bank. To find these bright scarlet birds in action, such as eating on the fruits of the native annatto tree, a visit must be planned within the months of January and March. In addition trekking through the rainforest covering the Maya Mountains could prove to be a fulfilling bird watching experience simply because these are home to owls, swallows, kites and also the colorful painted bunting.

Motmot of 'toh' as the Mayans call it is a multicolored bird having prominent black circumferences surrounding the eyes and wearing a turquoise crown and brown feathers. They might have co-existed with the Mayans given their deep attachment to caves and having been known as cave dwelling species. Lamanai is the area in Belize where these birds can be spotted amidst the Mayan ruins. When in the area, you may also look out for particular Central American variations of woodpeckers, kingfishers and jacanas. Since Belize has mini habitats and microclimates, it's a haven to particular extraordinary species as well like cotinga and ocellated turkey which is recognized by the Mayans as 'kutz'. Such bird species reside on treetops and can be spotted during bird watching only after careful scrutiny and are vibrantly colored having violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow and white plumage.




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Staying At The Hotels Near Disneyland

By Hugh Dagenais


Taking the children on a travel to Disneyland Hotel in California is exciting, however can easily likewise be costly. Depending on your budget plan you will need to locate suitable holiday accommodation. There are a variety of cost effective holiday accommodation options to be found with Anaheim hotels. The majority of hotels near Disneyland purpose to provide clients with solution and an unforgettable experience of their travel.

The wintertime or wet season normally starts around November and may last till April. The very first 2 months of each year are when the weather may be incredibly unsettled with some hurricanes and rainfall. The remainder of each year, the moderate temperature can be as compared to some Mediterranean areas. The hot and dry several months usually be from July to September.

There is no lack of bistros and restaurants giving intercontinental meals. Site visitors could be directed by the knowledge of the personnel about the most effective places to consume outside the resort. Numerous of the 2 superstar or fundamental properties, do not have an on-site eating establishment for guests. Nevertheless many of those on vacation just desire the nitty-gritties, so they have someplace to rest. All they wish is a clean and comfy bed.

Some even more up-market 3 star premises provide dining choices for visitors. As the bistros are commonly open to the public, it may be recommended that visitors make a reservation for a table. Attendees may anticipate to have automatic accessibility to some solutions and facilities, however they are usually considered to be optional additions and will definitely cost more.

Deluxe hotels are typically four or five celebrity and will be a lot more expensive. Attendees enjoy more luxurious surroundings and their spaces will definitely include all the little additions, such as toiletries and 24-hour area solution. There is a deluxe resort located within the hotel with wonderful perspectives of many destinations. Others are in close distance to the hotel.

There is something to meet everyone, whether its purchasing, sight-seeing or spending a day alongside the pool. You may see one of the biggest aquariums worldwide, which has around a 1000 varieties to view. Or you may explore Anaheim and the bordering region with its lots of destinations.

People transport alternatives are available if you favor to go discovering and browse through lots of local attractions. You will locate that each hotel offers a shuttle bus between their properties and the hotel. The shuttles operate, regardless of the fact that the majority of Anaheim hotels are within effortless walking distance of hotels.




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Some Of The Best Beaches In The Sunshine State Of Florida

By Maxwell Hynes


Here are a few of the very best beaches in Florida.

Fort De Soto Beach is a historical fort constructed during the Spanish-American War located on Mullet Key. This 900 - acre park has 7 miles of beaches, 2 fishing boat docks, picnic and camping areas, a small history gallery and a 2,000-ft. nature trail.

Florida's Gulf Coastline, Caladesi is one of the few remaining big undeveloped barrier islands in Florida, and is only available by boat. It is a best locations for swimming, fishing, picnics, diving, hiking and nature study.

Key Biscayne's beaches in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park's visitors could stroll by the Atlantic, charter a deep-sea fishing boat, ride a jet ski, or simply relax. It's one of the very best locations in Greater Miami for golf, sunbathing & water sports

Perdido Key is a natural haven is residence to abundant native wildlife. The clear green waters and miles of soft white sand are perfect for sunbathing or water sports and it's thought about one of the America's best swimming beaches.

South Beach is a happening hot-spot with a stylish evening life. The "American Riviera" is fantastic for couples on spring break (that could afford it anyhow) because rowdy crowds of teenagers are hardly ever seen on its high end sands.

Greater Fort Lauderdale has 23 miles of sun-drenched beaches and is perfect for people watching or shopping and dining at any number of excellent beach shops and bistros that line the clean and eco-friendly beaches.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park's miles of white sand beaches and striking dune accumulations define this Florida Panhandle area. Boating, saltwater fishing, camping, canoeing and hiking are all prominent St. Joseph Peninsula tasks.

Clearwater Beach supplies nearly every water and beach task conceivable, and neighboring Pier 60 Park has a family members recreation complex with playing fields, fishing and concession stands.

Anastasia State Park is residence to a number of rare, threatened and threatened species. Found on Anastasia Island, near St. Augustine, this beach provides possibilities for Camping out, fishing, picnicking, climbing, beach volleyball, boating and more.St. George Island State Park sits on 9 miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes. It is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, and is a best setting for a quiet Florida trip.

Daytona Beach is called the "Globe's The majority of Famous Beach". Visitors can drive vehicles on the sand by day and walk the boardwalk by night, stopping sometimes to take pleasure in the arcades. Daytona Beach is additionally a major surfing hotspot.

Siesta Key is among the most preferred the beaches on the southwest coastline of Florida and is popular for its soft white sand. Facilities consist of lifeguards, concessions, picnic tables, grills, & beach ball & tennis courts.




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