November 30th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Lake Garda holidays are becoming a popular choice for families who are looking for a break in pleasant, natural surroundings with excellent and varied facilities. The Lago de Garda, as it is called in Italian, is located in Northern Italy, between Venice and Milan. It is the largest lake in Italy and amongst other things is famed for its quality fishing.
With more than thirty fish species found in Lake Garda, Lake Garda holidays seem to be an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys trying their hand at getting the catch of the day. We have just returned from our first Lake Garda holidays and found that our family fishing trips were one of the highlights of our vacation.
My husband and eldest son have both been keen fishermen for years, and were very excited before we set off on our Lake Garda holidays, purchasing new reels, researching the best baits to use and re-packing their kit boxes. I think my younger son and I were probably somewhat less enthusiastic about the fishing opportunities, instead looking forward to swimming and doing some mountain biking around the lake. However, when we arrived in Lake Garda, we decided that instead of all “doing our own thing”, we’d all try each other’s preferred activities.
After settling down in our accommodation for a couple of days, we went on what would turn out to be the first of many family fishing trips during our Lake Garda holidays. Along with packing a picnic and the digital camera, I also slipped a good book into my bag – after all fishing is boring…isn’t it?
After getting the fishing rods set up and baited, my hubby encouraged me to try casting the first line out – which was trickier than it looks and definitely a skill which requires practice. We all had a go at casting, with my eldest son very much enjoying being able to teach his mum how to do something! Then, we sat down and waited for our fish to start jumping onto our hooks.
It’s true that fishing is an act of skill and luck, but more than anything, a fisherman (or woman) needs to be patient – or so my husband says. We sat and watched our floats bobbing on the surface of the water, and a tranquil, almost meditative silence, descended upon us. Then…without warning, one of the floats began to jiggle around…was it a fish? Yes! The float jerked under water, and my son grabbed the fishing rod to reel it in. Our fish catch during our Lake Garda holidays was a large Perch, easily identifiable with its red fin and tail markings. At around two kilos, the fish was big enough to keep and cook for our dinner later that evening.
After this first catch, we all got a little bit addicted to the peaceful, yet exciting hobby of fishing. Although many of the fish which we caught during our Lake Garda holidays were small, participating in the activity as a family enriched our vacation significantly. And in the end, I never did get round to reading my book!
October 11th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
There is a debate ongoing with regards to search engine consultants and whether they truly help. The debate has two sides. You have those who believe it is essential to use search engine consulting and those that believe you do not need it. Those who feel you do not need it harp on the benefits of free search engine optimisation techniques and products that are meant to save you money. Those who believe in search engine consultants will debate on the money savings you actually find with consultants.
Let’s take a look at what we mean by money savings. An individual who lacks knowledge for marketing and SEO techniques can spend hours trying to create a site that will pick up clients. After hours, even months of working on the site they still see little results in terms of revenue. Finally giving up, they seek out a search engine professional. This professional charges money to fix the mistakes, which takes more time than creating a site from scratch. While this is just a scenario it happens all too often.
It is true that there are a lot of “professional consultants” that turn out to be nothing more than a person trying to work from home and selling what little talent they have. These individuals have provided a bad name for search engine consultants who have worked years in marketing and internet positions to become experts in consulting for small to corporate businesses. Rather than allowing yourself to earn fewer results and therefore fewer clients you should consider what consultants can provide you. Go reading
October 7th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
It’s your last chance to catch the bone shaking Dinosaurs at Large exhibition at Chester Zoo and you can join us from anywhere in the UK thanks to top notch local accommodation like the fantastic Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, one of the best hotels in the North West.
The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, privately owned Chester hotels, perfect for some quality R&R after fun days out exploring all that Chester, Cheshire and North Wales has to offer. The 4 star hotel is set in its own beautiful grounds and is just five minutes from Chester City Centre. It is the perfect home base, for coming face to face with the prehistoric giants on the loose at Chester Zoo.
Chester is one if the North West’s most popular visitor attractions and one of the biggest and best zoos in the UK; now, it is also home to thirteen life size, life like animatronic dinosaurs. The Dinosaurs at Large exhibition at Chester Zoo offers a unique glimpse of these incredible creatures, in a way that you might never have thought possible.
But visitors only have until 8 October 2011 to encounter these extraordinary beasts, before they’re gone forever. Don’t delay, come along and meet the Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Baryonyx, Dilophosaurus and the awe-inspiring Tyrannosaurus Rex. They will move, they will roar, some might even spit water. Experience the thrill as these giants from another age, burst to life for a very limited time.
And when your prehistoric adventure is over, retreat to the peace, quiet and luxurious comfort of the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa; our 73 rooms include standard, executive, deluxe, and features rooms, all of which come with en-suite facilities, direct dial telephone, flat screen digital television with 87 channels and radio, free wireless internet access, modem point, trouser press, hairdryer, hospitality tray, night porter service and 24 hour room service.
September 27th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
It’s National Cruise Week and the world’s top cruise holiday providers are out in force to highlight the variety of exceptional cruise holiday packages available at incredibly affordable prices. To commemorate the fact, we’ve put together a handy list of reasons you might choose to cruise on your next holiday break.
- Visit several places without re-packing and unpacking – Cruises are diverse, with a holiday to suit every taste, anywhere in the world and they allow you to take in a variety of sights and destinations whilst unpacking for just one journey.
- Being stuck on the water is better than in the air – With a cruise, the journey is part of the holiday, and there is so much to see and do, whether taking in the sights, soaking up the sun or getting involved in a variety of activities.
- Meet like-minded travellers from all over the world – Cruises attract people with similar interests from every corner of the globe, and the cruise itself can involve a variety of activities and cultural diversions. Each new destination can open your eyes to new cultures and several can be discovered in one trip.
- Customer get an all-in, value for money experience – Cruise holidays represent great value for money as everything from food, accommodation, travel to various destinations, activities and entertainments are included. National cruise week is also the perfect time to book your cruise with the unbeatable offers available for a limited time only.
- You don’t have to worry about visas – Whilst on a cruise you are often covered by the ship’s visa, cutting a host of red tape when visiting destinations such as St Petersburg in Russia. A ship’s visa saves money and hassle, by removing the need to arrange a variety of different paperwork to travel.
July 6th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Now that summer is here and the weather is great your dream France vacation can finally become a reality. You can enjoy your France vacation by touring the most beautiful cities and by enjoying some of the best food, culture and of coarse the nightlife.
For many a France vacation seems like a distant possibility. Though you may dream of enjoying Paris, the most romantic city in the world with your significant other and touring the French countryside, a France vacation is not out of the question. With a little bit of research you and your lover can be tasting the delicious French foods and wines, France has to offer.
France Cuisine and Wineries
With many of the top chefs in the world working at the many different restaurants and cafes in Paris and all of France, French food is some of the most famous anywhere. While visiting the variety of wineries in France it can be educational as well, you can learn quite a few things about the production of all your favorite wines.
Shopping in France
If you enjoy shopping a France vacation is second to none with some of the most exquisite shopping in Europe. For someone who loves to shop, a walk down the most popular boulevard in the world, the Champs d’Elysee can be a dream come true. An entire day still might be enough to visit all the shops on this famous boulevard. You can shop for jewelry, perfume, watches, leather, flowers, cars and all the apparel you can dream of.
Nightlife in France
Your France vacation may include some incredible nightlife if you enjoy going out and experiencing what France has to offer after hours. There are many terrific theaters, live entertainment, and nightclubs throughout Paris and France. See the world famous can-can, swanky nightclubs, cafes and theaters that have made Paris unforgettable for many years.
This was a guest post by ChicagoMortgageRates.com. Find the best Chicago mortgage rates at ChicagoBankingRates.com.
April 22nd 2011 · Read More · No Comments
The English Channel has been crossed more than 1100 times until now. About 900 crossings have been made from England to France and around 250 crossings from France to England. Most of the swimmers that completed the crossing are man but women have made it too.
The record of the Channel crossings is held by Alison Streeter, who managed to make 43 successful swims across the channel.
British star David Walliams, well known actor and writer had the initiative of crossing the English Channel for charity. The purpose of this attempt is to raise money for Sport Relief. The comedian is aware of the difficulty of his attempt and that is why he trained himself for almost 12 months with former Olympic pentathlete Greg Whyte.
Walliams is saying that he will “just be in a pair of Speedos and goggles – it’s what the public wants,” but he took his training very seriously. The crossing of the Channel is known as “the Everest of open-water swimming” and only a few of the ones that try it succeed.
But jokes aside, what the 34-year-old comedian is attempting is quite a feat. Few people succeed – just 10% according to some figures – and the swim is known Walliams, who is raising money for Sport Relief, has spent the last 11 months training and Alison Streeter,the record holder for the Channel crossings explains what are the most difficult things is this attempt:
“It’s not about the distance, lots of people can swim the equivalent in a pool,” she says. “It comes down to the cold. Fit swimmers are often all muscle and don’t have much fat on them, this means they get cold quicker and once the cold gets into your muscles it is very hard to continue.”
Considering that Walliams plans to make his attempt some time between 28 June and 15 July which is early in the season, it means that the cold will be an even greater issue.
Other important factors that make the attempt difficult are the tides, the wind and the weather. The tides are hard to predict as they are strong and change direction approximately every six hours and they change in height and flow speed every day.
The local weather conditions can change very quickly and sometimes do not match the forecasts.
A problem not to be ignored is the large number of ships using these waters, as to go from England to France you have to swim across the shipping lanes. There are more than 600 commercial ship movements and almost 100 ferry crossings between Dover and Calais every day. The difficult job of keeping the swimmer out of the path of these vessels, its the job of the accompanying pilot boat.
Ms Streeter says that she has done 43 swims – seven in one year once – and every one of them has been different” but she believes that “David Walliams seems to be preparing in the right way, so he will have a fair chance.”
On 4th July 2006, David Walliams started from a beach near Dover and successfully swam the 21 miles across the English Channel in 10 hours 30 minutes. Before the swim he said he hopes to complete the 21-mile charity swim in less than 16 hours and declared: “I reckon I have a 50/50 chance of getting across. I hope people see it as a symbolic thing.
April 15th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
For a holiday you will always treasure, be sure to visit France. With so much to offer within one country, France hosts the most tourists than any other country in the world. From romantic, cultural Paris to the heights of the snowcapped French Alps to the southern sizzling beaches. France hotels can add to the splendor of your trip with an amazing selection that can be found with ease on the internet.
Paris: fashion capital of Europe
Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street cafs and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.
Transport: how to get there and around:
The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.
Getting around Paris is best on foot, its a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.
Weather
Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.
Attractions & Events
Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.
* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.
*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.
*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.
Nice: treasure of the Cte dAzur
Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.
The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.
Transport: how to get there and around:
Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 kms from town. Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.
Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels
Weather
Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.
Attractions & Events
*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.
*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.
*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.
April 8th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
No country embodies the grandeur of European travel quite like France. From the international artistic reputation of Cannes to the luxurious leisure of the Riviera, France has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to overcome a tumultuous history by enriching the quality of life with those experiences. The diversity of the country will leave you stimulated, satiated and asking for more when you finally treat yourself and travel to France!
Throughout European history, France has been the undisputed pioneer of social revolution and cultural renaissance. An enlightened society with classic charm, France will guide your journey seamlessly through centuries of power and progress, defeats and suffering, all of which possess an essence of timelessness. Travel France in July and witness Bastille Day, a commemoration of the destruction of the prison that King Louis XVI and his predecessors used to quiet social disruption and censor or torture public irritants. The day is symbolic of the value of social freedoms and democratic governance to the French people. The main celebration takes place in Paris at the former site of the Bastille.
Go further back in time and explore the French countryside, which is rich with Roman Ruins dating up until the 5th Century. Groux-les-Bains, in the south of France, is known not only for its hot springs but also for the ruins of Roman bath tubs and swimming pools that depended on these springs as a source for hot water. Aix-en-Provence is a well known town central to France’s wine and art culture, but also shares a Roman past as an ancient city with two aqueducts demonstrating the technological prowess of the Roman people.
For a more unique experience, travel to the Loire Valley, a bastion of medieval castles, and have yourself a true Chteaux experience. Many of the ancient and classical castles have rooms available for rent, mainly during the summer season. There is no better way to be immersed in French history; plus, the castles often offer the best of the surrounding wine region.
French Travel: More Than a History Lesson
Not only is France a gateway into Europe’s enchanting history, the country that is world renowned for its irresistible food, fabulous wines and sophisticated lifestyle does live up to its reputation. Visit Nice to enjoy the coveted Riviera way of life while avoiding the throngs of tourists that swarm to St. Tropez just up the coast. While in Paris, make sure to enjoy a quiche lorraine in a local caf somewhere on the outskirts of town in addition to scaling the Eiffel Tower or getting lost in the Louvre. However you choose to travel, there is no way to miss the robust culture and resilient history of France.
For more information on travel to France and other regions in Europe, and discount airfare to France, visit www.cfares.com.
March 29th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Nice is in the south of France. The Queen of the French Riviera, which the French call ” la Cote d’Azur” (AzureCoast or Blue Coast). It is a wonderful city with lots of charm and character; a mixture of French and Italian cultures where the people are easy-going and friendly even if you don’t speak French.
Although you might think it is a summer resort, you can visit Nice at any time of the year and still have a good time. If you happen to go in the winter, you will be surprised to see flowers in their numerous parks and gardens. Nice has a Mediterranean winter, so the temperature stays around 40 to 50 degrees during the coldest months but if you like skiing, ski resorts such as Valberg and Isola 2000 can be reached by car in one or two hours. If you go in the summer, get ready to share the city with lots of tourists. The popular streets where most restaurants and cafes are, can get crowded, but they can be a lot of fun if you enjoy people watching; and since most of the streets are closed to traffic, it is not hard to just walk around and enjoy the upbeat atmosphere.
Nice has a major airport and its close location to the city makes getting there a cinch.
Finding a hotel should be easy, since there are plenty of accommodations for all kinds of budgets. The author is a frequent guest of the Meridien Hotel, a 4 star hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais, facing the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges).
-Things to see in Nice:
-Promenade des Anglais. The Victorian English residents of the 1800’s provided the funds to build the beautiful boulevard, hence its name. It is a wide avenue that follows the bay’s coast line and it’s lined with beautiful palm trees and flowers.
-Hotel Negresco. Beautiful and glamorous, it is located at 37 Promenade des Anglais and if you are not rich enough to stay there, you must go and see it.
-Old Nice. Winding narrow streets with Italianate buildings painted in earthly colors, describes this old part of the city. You will enjoy strolling. people watching and quaint little shops full of charming provencal crafts.
-Marche aux Fleurs. Located on the Cours Saleya, the flower market is Open Tuesday through Sunday, 7am-5pm, but if you decide to go, check with your hotel for the hours of operation. You can also have lunch or dinner there, where a large variety of restaurants set up tables and chairs outside where you can dine in a pleasant and fun atmosphere.
-Marc Chagall Museum. If you like modern art, you can catch a glimpse of the painter’s most important collection. The hours of operation vary depending on the season so check with your hotel clerk before you go.
Nice is so well located that you can take half-day and full-day trips either by car or by public transportation.
Easily reached towns by car or public transportation are: Monaco, Eze, Grasse, St Paul de Vence, Cannes and St Tropez.
-Monaco- A symbol of glamour and elegance, Monaco sits on a beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean coast. Its most famous town Monte Carlo, has much to offer with its casinos, boutiques and exotic gardens. Don’t forget to visit the village of Monaco, located high on “the rock” as it is affectionally called by the locals. It is a charming town with shops and cafes and a wonderful view of the sea.
-Eze- This small medieval village perched on a hill is a must see. Both tourists and artists flock to Eze during the summer months because of its picturesque setting and magnificent vues. If you are staying in Nice, you can make it a half-day trip or just stop there for lunch and continue to Monaco for a full-day trip. If you are feeling rich, have lunch at the Chevre d’Or. The restaurant offers fine cuisine and breathtaking panoramas. The restaurant is only open for lunch.
-Grasse- Considered the perfume capital of France Grasse is a small hilly town with beautiful parks and panoramic views. I you go to Grasse, you must visit the perfume factories. The biggest is Parfumerie Fragonard. An English speaking guide will show you the process of extracting the perfume from hundreds of pounds of flower petals.
-St Paul de Vence- A picture perfect medieval town, sitting on top of a hill, St Paul de Vence has been painted by many artists and photographed by thousands of tourists. It is located 19 miles from Nice. Enjoy a meal at the famous Colombe d’Or Restaurant or sip a beer at an outdoor cafe while watching a local game of petanque.
-Cannes- Cannes sits on the shores of La Napoule bay, sorrounded by a backdrop of Mediterranean hills. While Nice has the Promenade des Anglais, Cannes has la Croisette Boulevard, an elegant promenade, lined with palm trees and and gardens. Cannes hosts the famous Cannes Film Festival every year and it is most favored by celebrities. So if you go, make sure to do a lot of people watching, because you never know…
-St Tropez- Once a small fishing village, St Tropez is now a summer place for the jet set. Its setting on the southern shore of France, made it attractive to turn-of-the-century artists who were then followed by writers, poets and eventually movie stars and their fans. It is now internationally famous.
So get your tickets, book your hotel and go to the south of France. I promise you will have an unforgettable experience.
March 23rd 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and has a well-deserved reputation to be a cultural icon of Europe. Getting around in Paris is easy, but driving is not the recommended way to see this beautiful city. For the tourist, walking may be one of the best ways to see the city because youll have the opportunity to really savor the full ambience of Parisian streets, shops, neighborhoods and magnificent historical buildings and museums. Public transportation is readily available. For instance, there is the metro, busses, and commuter trains. There are passes available to make this an affordable and convenient option. Paris also has a fleet of taxis, riverboats, and bicycle and roller blade rentals.
Another thing to keep in mind about Paris, as a tourist, is that Paris is divided into districts called Arrondissement; there are twenty in total. This is significant because directions, guides and general tourist information will use these district identifiers for directions. For instance The Louvre is in the first district closest to the center of the city. Every district has characteristics that are distinct and represent the diversity and variety that this famous city provides. In addition The Seine also serves as a geographical division as well, with everything to the north of the river being The Right bank and the to the south; the Left Bank. The two regions also have distinct flavor and features.
One of the most wonderful aspects of Paris is the cornucopia of museums. For example, the Louvre that was opened in 1793 has over 300,000 exhibits and is located at 99 Rue de Rivolli. Also located on Rue de Rivoli is the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. Another interesting and lovely museum is The Musee Marmottan, which is rarely crowded and features masterful works of art, this gem is located 2 rue Louis Boilly. Paris is also home of some of the most significant historical buildings in the world including Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Sainte-Chapelle. Other great points of interest include the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, and Sacre-Cour, a Parisian Landmark since the 19th century.
Paris is packed with interesting and stimulating places. It has for years been like a magnet to artisans, writers and great thinkers. There are boutiques, bakeries and picturesque cafes; this is the destination of lovers of art and culture. There is something to do every moment of your trip, but be sure to relax and enjoy the ambience of this historical and charming city.