Why cabin vacations are becoming a popular get-a-way

Do you want to take your family on a fun vacation, but are limited by factors such as cost and convenience? The perfect answer may lie in renting a cabin for your family getaway!

Let’s face it, going on vacation with your family is not cheap. If you are planning on staying in hotels, you have to worry about the price of the room, the lack of privacy, and the hassle and additional costs of going out for meals at restaurants, which increases both the cost and stress of your vacation. A family of five might even have to purchase two hotel rooms for one night’s stay.

Camping can also be quite stressful for a family on vacation. Tents and RVs allow for no privacy, and can get really hot in the morning sun. It is no wonder that cabin vacations are becoming the number one choice for families going out on their vacations!

Owners of cabins along lakefronts and ocean sides, and even at ski resorts, have begun to realize that the perfect way to keep their cabins maintained and safe during the frequent times they are not using them is providing them for rental to families who would like to vacation at a certain location but cannot afford the price or inconvenience of a hotel room, and who also find the idea of an outdoor camping experience strenuous.

Families can take a cabin vacation for less than they would spend in hotels, with all the comforts of home that cannot be found in a tent or an RV. Cabins that have been made available for rental usually include multiple bedrooms with soft beds, a full kitchen, plumbing, heating, electricity, and often cable or satellite television. In other words, cabin vacations offer all the comforts of home at your favorite vacation destination, for much cheaper and with less stress than can be offered either by staying in a hotel or by camping.

Meals can be planned and implemented with ease, and if you forgot to pack enough food there is almost always a grocery store within a short distance. Often, there will be stores that specialize in a specific food you might want to eat on your vacation - ocean cabins, for example, are quite often located in close proximity to stores selling fresh seafood. A family who chooses a cabin vacation will save money over a hotel experience not just in rental costs but in the pricy restaurant costs as well!

Cabin vacations are becoming so popular among families that in many resort areas, hotels are becoming obsolete as owners of cabins rent them out to eager vacationers. The cost effective vacation and the insurance that the cabin is occupied provide a mutual benefit to all parties concerned.

Finding low-cost trips to hawaii

Are you interested in taking a Hawaii trip? If so, do you know how much you should have to pay for that trip? Unfortunately, a large number of individuals try and answer that question. Of course, you could probably generate an estimate, but you are advised against doing so, especially if you have yet to start making your Hawaii vacation reservations. If you have yet to make your reservations, you are advised to take everything that you know or may assume about the cost of a Hawaii vacation and throw it right out the window. Instead of searching for what you believe to be a good deal, you are advised to search for the lowest costing deal.

One of the reasons why you are advised to search for low-cost Hawaii trips is because they are out there; they do exist. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who just don’t try hard enough to find them. These individuals are likely the ones who thought that they knew how much a Hawaii trip should cost. Many times, what happens is that vacationers find what they believe to be a good deal and they snatch it up. Of course, there is always a chance that it really was a good deal, but, without looking any further, you never really know. That is why you are advised to get it in your mind that low-cost Hawaii trips do exist and that you can find them.

If you are interested in finding low-cost Hawaii trips, you are advised to use the internet. Although your first impulse may be to use the services of a professional travel agent, you will, almost always, have better luck with the internet. This is because online you can find an unlimited number of online travel websites. These online travel websites specialize in selling vacation reservations and vacation packages to travelers. Since you are interested in planning a Hawaii trip, it is advised that you turn to a Hawaiian travel website. These websites are like all other online travel websites, except for the fact that they have a focus on Hawaii, including all of the popular Hawaiian Islands.

If and when you decide to use a Hawaiian travel website, to find low-cost Hawaii trips, you will need to start searching for what you will need. For instance, if you would like to stay in a vacation home, you will want to tailor your search to vacation homes and so on. What is nice about most Hawaiian travel websites is that many not only allow you to pick which Hawaiian Island you would like to visit, but many also allow you to set a price range for yourself. If you do choose to use the price range feature, you are advised to start as low as you can go. As mentioned above, it is important to seek out the lowest costing Hawaii vacation deals, not necessarily the ones that you think are the good deals. If your low price search does not return any results, you can continue to up your price range until you find something that meets your expectations.

Another mistake that many vacationers make, when booking a trip to Hawaii, is thinking that they need to book all of their reservations separately. While you may be able to find great deals by purchasing your airline tickets, hotel reservations, and car rental separately, you may also be able to find great deals by purchasing them all together. You can do this with a Hawaii vacation package. It, honestly, all depends on what you need while on vacation. Regardless of what you want or need to get out of your vacation, it may be a good idea to just take a few minutes and examine Hawaii vacation packages. Since your goal is to find a low-cost Hawaii trip, you are advised to give it a shot; you really have nothing to lose.

Whether you examine booking all of your Hawaii trip reservations separately or with the purchase of a vacation package, it might be best to record all of your findings. By writing down all of the offers that you are given, you could easily compare those offers and find the lowest costing Hawaii trip around. Taking a few extra minutes to do this may very well save you hundreds of dollars or more.

Hello from ottawa the wakefield mill inn spa

To experience the charms of the quaint village of Wakefield, I combined my unique transportation experience on the Hull-Chelsea Wakefield Steam Train with a lunch experience at the historic Wakefield Mill Inn and Spa. Ali, the Mill’s maitre d’, came to pick up a number of passengers from the steam train, all of whomwere going to spend an entire weekend in this famous country retreat. I on the other hand had barely an hour and a half to acquaint myself with one of the most historically significant places in Wakefield.

The Inn’s origins date back all the way to 1838 when a Scottish immigrant by the name of William Fairbairn decided to construct a stone mill in order to mill local grains for farm families in the Gatineau and LaPкche river valleys. After the sale of the mill to James MacLaren, the mill was expanded to include a saw mill, woolen mill and general store.

The whole complex was ravaged by fire in 1910 and a flour mill was rebuilt, but the woolen mill stopped operating. The flour mill continued until 1939 when larger mechanized flour mills started displacing smaller-scale local mills. It was converted into a grist mill to produce livestock feed for local farmers and operated until 1980 when it was turned into a heritage museum by the Gatineau Historical Society.

In 2000, a local husband and wife team, Robert Milling and Lynn Berthiaume, realized their life-long dream and restored the vacant building and turned it into today’s inn, spa and conference centre. The renovation project was extensive and required the approval of a variety of agencies, including the National Capital Commission which owns the land on which the mill is located.

Several unique features of the original building have been preserved: the heavy wooden beams in the reception area were used to support the grain silos above, and several guest rooms (numbers 205, 206, 306 and 307) are now located in the former grain silos.

The dining room downstairs is the former “engine room” of the mill and underneath it used to be the location of mechanical and electrical turbines propelling the milling process. One turbine room is today’s Spa and the other turbine room now features the inn’s wine cellar. Several old mechanical components are now used as decorative elements in the outside garden surrounding the mill.

The Mill’s restoration has indeed been very successful, and the new addition on the east side of the building integrates seamlessly in the pre-existing historic structure. Ali took me downstairs into the dining room which features stone walls, an open-hearth fireplace, billiard table and bar. A variety of historic pictures adorns the walls and illustrates a cross-section of the personalities behind the mill over the years. To have lunch, I sat down in the 45-seat Solarium that provides the most magnificent view of the MacLaren falls.

I had a delightful Moroccan lentil soup and capped it off with a very savory tomato and eggplant dish that just melted in your mouth. I looked out the big picture windows at the impressive waterfall and even on a grey day like today I was impressed by the scenic beauty of the mill’s location. Since time was very short before I had to get back on the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train, I asked for a quick tour of this establishment and we briefly went outside into the garden that is located between the MacLaren River and the mill. A wooden deck with deck chairs would provide the perfect vista of the falls in better weather.

I had a quick walk through the spa facilities which all contain the latest top-notch equipment, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. The Spa features Swedish, Californian and chair massages that range from 15 to 60 minutes. The Spa’s facial therapies are based on the Reflexothermal Method, a relaxing, de-stressing and healing treatment. Two types of body therapies are offered and as well as different choices of pedicures and manicures. Men receive special attention with specialized facial skin treatments, relaxing body massages and back care treatments.

One of the treatment rooms faces the falls head-on and I could picture myself having a pedicure, sitting back in the state-of-the-art treatment chairs and enjoying the astounding vista. A year-round outdoor hot tub is available on the outside deck for complimentary use for all Spa and Inn guests.

Finally, I had a chance to have a look at a couple of the Inn’s rooms and they are decorated in light wood and tasteful colours, many of them featuring stone walls and some of the buildings original features.

Well, believe me, at this stage I wished I was one of those Steam Train passengers who were going to stay overnight at this beautifully restored inn, but I had to get back on the train to complete my historic train trip. On our way back to the Wakefield train station, Ali quickly took me on a side excursion up a little hill where there is an old cemetery. One of Canada’s most famous prime ministers, Lester B. Pearson, is buried here. Another piece of evidence of the history that surrounds the Wakefield Mill Inn & Spa……

A kenya safari holiday in amboseli national park

Your Kenya Safari Holiday could well start at Amboseli, not only because Amboseli National Park is only an hour by air from Nairobi, but also because the wildlife viewing is top class all the year round, and the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background are truly spectacular.

As a park Amboseli is comparatively small, being less than 400 sq km, but it does boast over 50 of the lrger species of mammal, and over 400 species of birds.

It is also the home of the Maasai people, tall proud and brave, and nomadic, so there is evidence of their abandoned villages because they move wherever, and whenver the cattle grazing is used up. The cattle's damage to the grassland, added to the sheer numbers of animals along with the popularity of Amboseli, the huge number of tourists, their four wheel drive vehicle damage, has meant a restriction in where vehicles can go.

Having said all of that Amboseli is a great place to start your Kenya Safari Holiday because of the numbers of game that you can view, and the sheer beauty of seeing the game on your Kenya Safari Holiday against the backdrop of the snow covered Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The centre area of Amboseli national park is basically a dried up lake, and swamps and springs fed by the melted snow, from underground rivers originating on Kilimanjaro give the animals permanent sources of water even during the periods of drought. The best place to view game on your Kenya safari holiday is around the swamps, and there is a great place to go called Observation Hill.

The big question of course is what game will you see on your Kenya Safari Holiday to Amboseli?

The list will incude baboon, vervetmonkey, lion, cheetah, elephat, zebra, hippo, black rhino, oryx, wildebest, gerenuk, impala, and gazelle.

Amongst the camps you need to check out for your Kenya safari Holiday in Amboseli includes Amboseli Serena Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Tortllis Camp, and just north of Amboseli is Porini Camp.

Cruise ships - then and now

When you think of taking a trip to another country, there is no doubt you immediately consider airline ticket prices. But, that was not always the most popular mode of travel. Before there were 747 jetliners to ferry people across oceans, the way to travel was by cruise ship. But when it came to the masses, they were not necessarily the luxury vessels we are used to seeing today.

Everyone has seen the blockbuster movie, Titanic. It tells a story about a couple that fell in love on the fateful ship before her sinking. While it may just be a story of fiction, it also gave you a little glimpse into what it was really like to be aboard this method of transportation years ago. As you saw in the movie, not everyone was treated equally aboard the cruise ship. There were the very elite customers who were served everything on a silver platter, but on the lower decks were those who were just hoping to get from one place to another and were forced to scrape by in an area where they were packed as tightly as a can of sardines. If you wanted to enjoy your trip, you had to be filthy rich.

Back in those days, there were not quite as many cruise liners as there are today. Those that were in existence were names that everyone knew. Some of the names you may recognize are the Lusitania and the Queen Mary.

For a while, the popularity of luxury cruise travel waned, but it had resurgence in the 1970’s. It was all thanks to a television show, The Love Boat. The staff on the television sitcom showed how great of a time passengers were having. They showed passengers relaxing, playing a number of fun games, meeting new friends over great meals, and getting to see new places. People started booking holiday cruises again hoping to cash in on some of the excitement. And for the most part the cruise lines delivered. They offered people a chance to stand on the deck and watch as they headed to new worlds, unexplored to them. In one trip they would allow those on board to see a lot of places they had never been before, and give them a great setting to talk about it at the end of the day. Some cruises didn’t even have an end destination, they merely were ‘cruises to nowhere’, a chance to experience cruise ship life for a few days. The trend never really died and has been popular ever since.

What is involved in a cruise has changed from the early years. While you can still take a transatlantic cruise, that is not the most popular choice. There are now a number of 3, 4, 7, and 10 days cruises to a variety of destinations. The accommodations are no longer just lush or poor, but instead a number of different cabin choices at a wide array of prices. Because of the variety, anyone today can enjoy a cruise, no matter what his or her budget.

Aspen colorado hotels

Beautiful scenery and a multitude of cultural and outdoor activities draw visitors to Aspen, Colorado. Friendly hospitality and great service keep those visitors coming back again and again.

Not just for skiers anymore, Aspen, Colorado is a favorite destination for tourists who appreciate elegance, unparalleled ambiance and impeccable personal service. Aspen, Colorado hotels combine excellent amenities and facilities with luxurious lodgings to offer the best of all worlds.

Nestled in the downtown core of Aspen, Colorado is the Hotel Jerome. Just steps from world-class boutiques, galleries, restaurants and nightlife, visitors to this Aspen, Colorado hotel can take in a view of the majestic Aspen Mountain.

The Hotel Jerome features 92 spacious guest rooms, plus a number of luxurious suites.

Discriminating travelers appreciate the attention to service customary at The Hotel Jerome. A heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi are just two of many amenities that make this Aspen, Colorado hotel a year-round favorite. Restaurants at the Hotel Jerome, including Jacob's Corner, Garden Terrace and The Century Room, create distinctive American cuisine featuring some of Aspen's most incredible dishes.

Aspen's Sky Hotel is located on East Durant Avenue. This eclectic hotel has been described as the "ultimate intersection of old-world Rocky Mountain charm splashed with new-world fun, function, and style". Visitors to this Aspen, Colorado hotel claim that everything Aspen has to offer can be found at the Sky Hotel. If your perfect Aspen vacation includes skiing, shopping, hiking, fishing, dining or just relaxing, the Sky Hotel is the ideal spot located right in the heart of town.

The Sky Hotel offers 90 comfortable guest rooms, all painted in a cheery sunflower yellow. The rooms feature quilted headboards with lovely curtains to compliment that pine furniture. Each room offers the amenities needed to make a weary travel feel right at home.

Of course there are more Aspen, Colorado hotels available, all providing luxurious comfort and friendly service. The Sky Hotel and Hotel Jerome are two of the most outstanding, going above and beyond for their customers. Enjoy your next vacation at an Aspen, Colorado hotel. It's great to visit one, and even better to come back.

Something old something new the dominican republic - dominican republic travel information

Aside from its Major League Baseball fame, the Dominican Republic is an intriguing retreat of colonial history amid progressive development and tranquil white beaches fringing mountainous wilderness. World renowned resorts dot the Punta Cana coastline of the Dominican Republic while the nation claims the oldest city in the New World, Santo Domingo, along its southern shore. For such a small nation, it is fairly easy to book cheap and convenient airfare to the Dominican Republic through any of the four international airports; however, most travelers will find airfare to the Dominican Republic through the capital of Santo Domingo or the resort region of Punta Cana.

Geographically, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with the independent nation of Haiti. While two very independent nations today, the history of the island is far less clear cut. The first European settlement of the New World was established on Hispaniola after Christopher Columbus landed in today’s Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is the landing site of Columbus as well as the original colonial center ruled by Columbus’ brother Diego. The Museo Alcбzar de Colуn is a fantastically restored museum within Diego’s original home. The French were granted the western third of the island now known as Haiti.

Dominican history dates back earlier than most of the Caribbean islands, possibly to 2600 BCE. Since then several waves of Antillean people have come and gone until the Spanish conquest in 1492. Indigenous culture can still be observed in the very remote central mountain ranges of the island, but the populations are sparse. Santo Domingo and the second largest city of Santiago offer several museums, festivals and art exhibits dedicated to the history of the island as a whole.

From Dancing to Diving in the Dominican Republic

For a less cultural journey to the Caribbean, the ideal destination for most is the eastern coast of Punta Cana and the surrounding turquoise and white island communities. Spend your days lavishly lounging in a resort designed by Oscar de la Renta near Tortuga Bay or take part in some killer windsurfing and kiteboarding on the breezy waters of Cabarete. Family friendly all-inclusive getaways are sprinkled among vacation rentals in the outlying areas for the more independent, outgoing types (or those who prefer a secluded beach experience).

There are also several options for nightlife. Funky bars serve tropical drinks with a twist and decked out discos play an eclectic mix of beats and rhythms. The exotic dance known as Meringue also originated in the Dominican Republic and many hotels and clubs offer on the spot lessons for beginners through advanced.

The Dominican Republic lies just west of Puerto Rico and east of Jamaica. Although the other Caribbean island nations may be more than a boat ride away, they are readily accessible by air. Get to the tropical Caribbean this season.

Cheap holidays to las vegas

Have you ever though about cheap holidays to Las Vegas? You may think Las Vegas is no place to spend a family holiday, but what you might not know is it has many things for families to do and see. There are museums, roller coasters and theme parks as well as the famous laser sky show in the old city of Las Vegas. You will find activities for the kids, free attractions and rides for all ages. The best thing about cheap holidays in Las Vegas is the Las Vegas power pass that allows you access to twenty popular attractions in Vegas that includes a tour of Hoover Dam.

At the Flamingo, you can visit the wildlife habitat. If there are little cubs at the time, you can even have your picture taken with the little ones climbing on you. This is something so exciting for everyone. The Imperial Palace has a huge collection of cars from all years, makes and models. You might also enjoy the motion rides at the Excalibur. These rides are spectacular and you feel like everything is so real. If you think that sound fun, the aquarium and fountain shows at Caesars Palace and Silverton are something for everyone to see.

The conservatory and fountain show at the Bellagio are extraordinary while the Stratosphere has that well-known roller coaster. If you visit the MGM Grand, you will see the lions and their cubs if they are around. These are all on the strip, if you venture off the strip, you can see seven different museums, Botanical Park, ice arena, chocolate factory and the rock-climbing center. You will also want to see the Richard Petty driving experience. That is a thrilling ride. If you need more adventures to keep you busy, venture outside of Las Vegas.

Not only is there Hoover Dam, but you might find yourself headed towards Death valley National Park or Bonnie Springs by Old Nevada. Grapevine Canyon is extraordinary to see by Laughlin and if the time is right, you might take the family to Las Vegas Ski resort for some snowboarding and skiing. On particular place that is a site to see is Lake Mead. Many people forget about all the things outside Las Vegas that are close by. Not all of your cheap holidays have to center around Las Vegas when you know where the other hot spots are located.

One might think that cheap holidays, Las Vegas and family vacations do not come in the same package, but they do. You can find packages that have hotel accommodations, airfare and some passes to the attractions in the area. If you plan your trip accordingly, you might even see some holiday spectaculars. Whether you are on the strip or off the strip, you are going to have fun. Explore a city that has more to offer than just the casinos and gambling. You will have a great time with the family and no one will believe you did not spend the entire time in the casinos, so take plenty of pictures to show what you found in Las Vegas.

Guidelines for hiking vacations and daytrips

An outdoor vacation such as hiking can be a terrific getaway. Vacations like hiking are far different than other vacations which often require you to make travel reservations and find hotel accommodations. However, some hikers like to make a hike part of a larger vacation and rent a house by a lake. This is a great idea. But, hiking does require some extra precaution unlike other popular getaways to the beach or popular tourist attraction.

Getting lost is possibly the most potential problem for those new to hiking. A few steps off the trail can result in a few additional yards in the wrong direction and, eventually, you are far away from your trail and lost. Or, sometimes hikers misread maps and find they are on a different trail than planned. The point is that however it happened, you are lost. Here is some advice to help you avoid getting lost and what you should do if you do get lost, though hopefully you avoid it in the first place.

It is important to heed to some simple guidelines. Always travel with an experienced hiker. Remain on the visible, clearly marked trails. Use a navigational tool, whether a map, compass or GPS device, but keep in mind that GPS devices do not work everywhere.

If you do get lost, remain calm to help you think clearly. Try to re-trace your steps to the last point in which you knew your location. Look for certain landmarks, such as streams, hills or large rock fixtures that you passed. It is important to pay attention to such landmarks as you hike not only because you want to enjoy the scenery and make note of you surroundings, but also because it will be useful if you become lost. Landmarks can act like a mental map and help you re-trace your steps.

Water runs downhill in any sloping area. Trailheads usually do not start at the beginning of a river, but rather where the river bends to find a large, flat open area of ground. Trailheads usually begin at what this could be referred as to “bottom.”

If you are hiking from a high spot, try using the view to look below for campsites or trails. Also, make a note of which way the sun is moving. Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Don’t hesitate to shout out or whistle in an attempt to find a nearby hiker. The last thing you want is to stay overnight without water or food. If the daylight is setting, use your flashlight if you have one to wave it up toward the sky and then in front of you. Learning the Morse code for S. O.S. wouldn’t be a bad idea in the event you do find yourself lost.

Finally, be sure someone at home knows when to expect your return. If you do not return, they will know to contact someone and search-and-rescue can begin searching for you. Don’t worry. Even experienced hikers have become lost.

Seeing torrevieja spain

Nestled in between Cartagena and Alicante is Torrevieja, Spain. With a name meaning ‘old town’ it is in the Alicante Province.

The climate is perfect for traditional travel. In the summer it is hot and sunny, and in the winter, it is mild, barely ever reaching freezing. The most popular travel time of the year is in the summer when the tourists flock to the beaches of Costa Blanca. In the tourist season it becomes a European melting pot with residents of Scandinavian, British, and German descent all heading to this region for their holiday.

Getting to Torrevieja

The trip to Torrevieja will likely begin with a flight into the Alicante airport. There are a number of airlines that service this airport; so getting a flight that suits your needs should not be a problem. When it comes to getting affordable prices, there are some discount airlines that fly into Alicante, and a great price can be had in the off travel seasons.

After you get to the airport there are a few ways to get to Torrevieja. There are busses that run on a frequent schedule to the city and can be a very affordable travel option. You can also take a taxi, or even get a car of your own from a car hire company so you can have complete travel freedom.

What to do in Torrevieja

If you ever wondered where salt comes from, you will find the answer in Torrevieja. There are two massive salt lakes in the area, and this region produces about a half million tons of salt annually. There is even a Museum of Sea and Salt to educate people about the area and salt production. This makes salt the major industry in the area, but other major industries are fishing and, of course, tourism.

The salt is not all carted away; some of it is of benefit to the region in the form of salt baths. These relaxing and healthy baths are available in The Natural Park of the Lagoons of the Mata. Those who are said to benefit from these baths are those who have some types of skin conditions or arthritis.

For those who need a shopping fix, one of the largest open-air markets in all of Spain is located in Torrevieja. It houses a farmers market with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a craft market where you can find an endless variety of offerings from leather goods, to hand made carvings and jewelry.

For those who always want to get 18 holes in on their holidays, there are also many golf courses to choose from in Torrevieja, to please even the most discerning golf enthusiast. At locations such as the Torrevieja Golf Club you can play a round, with fees anywhere from thirty five to eighty Euros. The price is not only dependent on the course you are playing, but also the time of the year and how busy the course is. If you are going during a busy time, you will want to book your tee time far in advance.

Had a holiday nightmare or dream vacation

Does your holiday story just have to be told? Then head over to Travel Cubic Blog to get into the holiday spirit and give yourself the chance to win an impressive prize!

Everyone has a unique and memorable vacation experience. It could be a romantic trip with a loved one, a hilarious encounter with a strange culture, or even a bad experience that can serve as a warning to other travellers. Whatever it is, you can tell the rest of the world about your unique holiday experience and even get a chance of winning a one week vacation to wonderful Isla Margarita by heading over to Travel Cubic. Travel Cubic, a new consumer review website, launched a new competition beginning March 1 where visitors can win just by reviewing their holiday trips.

Participants to the competition must write a holiday review that will be published on Travel Cubic. The writer of each review will be automatically included in the competition where the prize draw is a one week vacation to Isla Margarita in exotic Venezuela. Participants to the competition can write about their holiday trip wherever they may have taken it, be it in a trip to Nepal or a luxurious vacation somewhere in the Bahamas.

Because more and more travellers are opting to organise holidays on their own they would usually travel with little knowledge about the countries – its culture, must-see places, nightspots, etc. the holiday habits of consumers are also evolving, as they try to out new holiday experiences, sun lovers are trying out winter vacations, while thrill seekers consider taking Activity Holidays.

Because of these developments, the Travel Cubic website has decided to compile as much information as possible to help consumers plan their holidays. The information visitors to the website can access include airline information and even reviews of car hire companies.

The main resource of Travel Cubic though are the reviews posted by visitors. What could be better than a first hand account of a visitor’s travel holiday to a particular tourist spot, location, or country. Visitors can give a review of their entire stay, from the hotels they stayed in, restaurants they dined in, the tours they have joined. If you have been on so much as a day out in a theme park, then Travel Cubic wants to hear your thoughts about it. Sending a review will be a big help for other travellers who are looking for first-hand reviews and accounts on countries and other attractions that they would like to visit. And with Travel Cubic’s new contest, your informative review could result in you getting another vacation in Isla Margarita.

Travel Cubic Director, Danny Wirken, encouraged online holidaymakers to get involved as he said, “Millions of travellers will be jetting off to sunnier climates over the next few months and we aim to give Travel Cubic users the chance to share their experiences of travelling abroad in order to provide consumers with as much accurate pre-holiday information as possible. We want consumers to exchange good and honest advice about their holiday experiences, which they may not always get from a travel agent or tour operator. We hope that by offering the prize of a one week vacation in Isla Margarita, it will encourage more users to join the debate and exchange ideas, information and experiences.”

Maldives luxury hotels on the baa atoll

The Baa Atoll is made up of 50 islands and is south of the Raa Atoll, and north of the Male Atoll. It is around 130 Km northwest of the airport, and is home to around 5 resorts, which were uninhabited but have now been converted to quality hotels.

The Baa atoll is normally reached from the airport by seaplanes and speedboats. It’s a long way on a speedboat so a seaplane flight is the recommended way.

The resort islands are still completely unspoiled and here you will find some of the best snorkelling, diving and surfing spots in the Maldives

There is no doubt the principal attractions are the unspoilt natural beauty of the Baa Atoll, the untouched beaches, and the pristine condition reefs.

The hotels which appear below are also a reason for visiting the Baa Atoll.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a 5 star hotel with 99 rooms which is 124 Km from the airport, and will take 30 minutes by sea plane.

Four Seasons Landaa Giravaru is a 5 star deluxe hotel with 102 rooms, and it is 120 Km from the airport, with a 30 minute transfer by sea plane.

Reethi Beach Resort is a 4 star hotel with 100 rooms and it is 104Km from the airport, which will take about 30 minutes by sea plane.

Royal Island Resort and Spa is a 5 star hotel with 150 rooms, and it is 110 Km from the airport, and the transfer by speed boat will take 2 Hours and 40 Minutes, or 35 minutes by sea plane.

Soneva Fushi Resort & Six Senses Spa is a 6 star deluxe hotel with 65 rooms, which is 96 Km from the airport and a 30 minute transfer by sea plane.

There are only 13 inhabited islands from the total of 50 islands.

It was as recently as 1998 that the first tourist resort on Baa Atoll opened, followed by four more Maldives luxury hotels, and these resorts have increased employment on the Baa Atoll. The other islands remain as they were, totally unexploited with white sandy beaches, whose only real visitors are tourists on hotel excursions.

Baa Atoll does have possibly the top Maldives Luxury Hotel in the Soneva Fushi Resort Maldives, but the Four Seasons Resort Maldives, the Coco Palm Maldives, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives, and the Royal Resort Maldives number amongst the resorts that should be on your list.

For more information about the Maldives go to worldwidevacationspots. com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

Hemingways at watamu malindi

Hemingways is a 74 room resort Hotel overlooking the stunning beach of Watamu Marine Park, 20 miles south of Malindi and 60 miles north of Mombasa.

The hotel has a distinctive exclusive, and sophisticated feel about it and is definitely for the more discerning traveller seeking quality, and peace and quiet. You won’t find much entertainment in the evenings apart from live lounge music in the restaurant twice a week and a snake charmer on one occasion in the bar.

This is a privately owned hotel, and given the chance to stay, I would take it with both hands. Privately owned hotels are by and large friendlier, and Hemingways has all the facilities and standards of an international five star resort.

When you add to that absolutely brilliant cuisine, the old fashioned courtesy of the staff, with attentive service, and the backdrop of one of the top ten beaches of the world, you have the right mix for a top vacation.

I think there are just four hotels on as many miles of coast, and all of this is protected and guarded by the finest of tropical barrier reefs.

Hemingways is undoubtedly a delightful five star de luxe hotel, with some very old fashioned unique touches that contain echoes of what this part of the world must have been like before the arrival of the modern package holiday hotel.

Hemingways has character in abundance, and I liked it before I ever got there, when I read about having to buy drinks for the bar if you weren’t dressed properly, and the traditional curry style lunch on a Sunday, all resplendent of Empire, and all that sort of thing!!

We don’t do deep sea fishing, but if you do, then Hemingways will do it better than anywhere else, so I was told by a guest. You can however go dolphin watching, snorkelling, or diving, and a short distance away is a tidal lagoon teeming with bird-life, and the hotel has an Arabic Dhow for sunset cruises at this very interesting spot.

One worthwhile selection is to go on a two day personal safari, with Hemingways own experienced guides, which we chose because we wanted a family ‘taster’ to see if we liked it prior to doing the whole thing next year, and we did!!

Hemingways really is a little bit of paradise in the most beautiful setting imagineable.

There is a range of accommodation, from the cheaper standard rooms which are so close to the sea at high tide, you can almost touch it, and views are out of this world!! They are a little on the small side, and need some modernising, or you can stay in the newly extended rooms over the pool, and they are very spacious and modern. You might just want to push the boat out, and book one of the two bedroom suites, which are of the highest quality.

You cannot fail to be impressed by the service, from well trained, very friendly, and extremely attentive staff. Nothing was too much trouble, they just wanted to please, and the guests in the main responded by saying please and thank you a courtesy not always observed nowadays in hotels!

As much as anything we went for the food, being a very important part of our family vacation. The menus on Hemingways website didn’t lie!! The food was a total highlight, the food being quite delicious, and most importantly varied, when you stay for two weeks.

There were occasional extensive sumptious buffets, but mostly there was a menu and waiter service in the evenings. You could choose from a set menu of five courses, with at least three choices for each course, which enabled our ‘picky’ son to eat without a murmur!! There was an a la carte menu, but the standard of the set menu was so high we only used it once, and it was superb. My wife just loved the afternoon tea which is part of staying at Hemingways, and not an extra, with pancakes made to order as well as delicious sandwiches and cakes.

Getting to Hemingways might be your only problem, if you fly to Mombasa then you will be shaken to bits over the two hours plus it takes to cover sixty odd miles. If you can, then fly to Malindi.

Cancun is back and better than ever

On October 21, 2005, Cancun was struck by Hurricane Wilma, the most intense Atlantic storm on record. However, after little more than a year, Cancun has remerged as an even more enticing destination. With over $1.5 billion committed to the citywide rebuilding effort, resorts have not only repaired their structures, but have improved upon pre-storm conditions. Nearly all of the city’s restaurants and bars have reopened, many with sparkling new additions and renovations. However, Cancun isn’t finished. Many more improvements will be completed early this season, guaranteeing that this could be the best year ever to visit beautiful Cancun.

Perhaps the best upgrades in Cancun were performed on the world-famous beaches. Known for their wide stretches of white powder sand, Cancun’s beaches were reduced to rocks by Wilma’s storm surge. Yet, because of eroding beachfronts throughout the world, the technology of beach reclamation has grown by leaps and bounds. Belgian firm, Jan de Nul, used their latest innovations to extract 96 million cubic feet of pristine sand from the waters off the Mexican coast. After the sand was transported by a pair of vessels back to shore, giant pipes succeeded in reforming up to a half mile of beach per week.

Yet, Cancun didn’t settle for a copy of the old beaches. According to Cancun’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, “The white beaches are what Cancun is all about. So we wanted to make sure we were getting that same silky sand that people love and a lot more of it than before.” In fact, the new beaches of Cancun average 140 feet in width, double the 70 foot width visitors were accustomed to not long ago. This sizable upgrade means not only will the beaches of Cancun look better than ever before, but visitors will have much more room to play or relax in the sun.

Cancun’s finest resorts certainly didn’t spare any expense during the reconstruction either. In addition to necessary repairs and upgrades required as a result of the storm, tourists will also recognize a number of notable improvements at their favorite resorts, from new recreational facilities to larger rooms. The streets of the Hotel Zone have even been lined with 6,000 fully-grown palm trees.

Furthermore, most of the major construction and renovation in the Hotel Zone was completed by the end of 2006, so current visitors won’t be bothered. Though a few resorts will be remodeling through 2007, very few tourists have been distracted. Through August 2006, Cancun had already returned to 79% hotel room capacity, just below annual averages for the summer off-season. In fact, many of these visitors were unaware of the rebuilding that took place as nearly all of the resorts and businesses were open during the 2006 holiday travel season.

The nearby island of Cozumel, a popular cruise ship port, also underwent extensive renovations. One of the island’s primary piers reopened to cruise ships at the end of 2006, while the other will reopen later this year. Inland from Cancun, millions of acres of Mexico’s famous jungles remain undamaged. Most importantly, the historic Mayan ruins near Cancun were unharmed and remain open for tours.

If you still had any doubts regarding the success of Cancun’s recovery, the leading travel publications have already returned the city to its lofty position. Conde Nast Traveler, Travelocity. com, 10best. com and many others have ranked Cancun as both a top beach destination and a leading choice for quick getaways. Furthermore, the American Express Travel Report, one of the most respected studies of upcoming travel trends, has rated Cancun as the fifth-most popular international destination for the coming year.

These accolades and the growing evidence of a successful rebuilding effort points not only to a miraculous resurgence for this luxurious resort city, but also highlights Cancun’s eternal allure.

Finding great ski vacation deals

It is no secret that skiing is one of the world’s most popular winter sports, and it is one of the most expensive as well. However, with some smart planning a ski vacation does not have to break the bank. In fact, there is an abundance of ski vacation deals available if you simply know where to look and follow some simple strategies.

Get a jump on the season and save. Last minute planning makes it difficult to book the most desirable accommodations and venues, and it can make it even more difficult to find the best possible ski vacation deals. Instead of looking for ski vacation deals when the snow has already fallen and the slopes are already crowded, start your search for ski vacation deals in the summer months. It is during the summer months that resorts are most anxious to attract customers for the upcoming season, so it is not uncommon for the best promotions and least expensive ski vacation deals to be available during this time.

The cold shoulder is your friend. Early and late season can offer great opportunities for ski vacation deals. The shoulder seasons--late fall and early spring--are generally warmer and less crowded, so ski resorts and travel agents are most likely to offer their most affordable ski vacation deals during that time. But the shoulder season is not the only time to get great ski vacation deals. Great ski vacation deals are also abundant in January, after the rush of holiday vacationers.

Big names can mean big prices. While the biggest mountains and most popular resorts may provide their share of thrills, the typical skier can get all the thrills they need and great ski vacation deals at some of the smaller, less traveled ski resorts.

The Internet is a great place to start. Ski vacation deals can be found on many websites. Many resorts and travel agents have online resources that will allow you to find ski vacation deals that will fit your tastes, budget, and calendar.

Travel like a star - hot luggage for the world traveler

When you travel the world, you want to do it in style. We all do. You really don't want to throw all of your clothes in a Hefty bag and take off for Milan, now do you? Nor do you want to borrow the luggage that your grandmother got as a wedding gift. You want to travel in style with stylish luggage. You want to have something that will hold your belongings comfortably, yet keep your things as wrinkle-free as possible. With a little research and some bargain hunting, you should be able to find stylish luggage for world travel at an affordable price.

Don't think about the routine rectangle suitcase right now, let's go into other garment bags and accessories that can keep your clothing neat and organized on your jaunt around the world. If you are a frequent traveler for business or pleasure, these items are almost a must in your travel accessory department. Several small folding cubes can fit inside your suitcases and will help to insure that your clothing arrives with as few wrinkles as it was packed with. A suit bag can keep a man's suit or ladies dress from becoming wrinkled by remaining in its hanging state for the duration of the trip. If you will remove the garment from the bag as soon as you arrive at your destination, this will help minimize any small wrinkles that may have gotten into the clothing during your long flight. A tie case, preferably leather, will keep your ties from getting wrinkles down the front of them and keep them organized as well.

Don't forget to pack a compact travel umbrella in your handbag or carry-on luggage. You never know when it may be raining when you land in your destination country. Also, by packing a small travel alarm clock, you will never have to worry about missing that hotel wakeup call again. Also, when traveling to a foreign country, a money belt is a good investment in case of emergencies. By keeping a fair amount of money in your money belt, as well as a spare credit card, you will help insure that if something were to happen to you while in a strange country you can still afford to get back home with no problems. You can now find money belts is a variety of fabrics including nylon, silk and cotton. Any item that you bring that you plan to leave at the hotel should be locked in the hotel safe when not on your person. Any jewelry or any valuables of any kind would be best left locked up so as not to tempt anyone with stealing your priceless valuables.

In order to keep things better organized for yourself, it is best to pack in coordinating or matching luggage. If you have 4 bags and they all look different, it will be harder to remember your luggage and retrieve it quickly in the airports and other terminals. Matching luggage sets can get pricey, but there are quality sets on the market at discount prices. Remember that unfortunately, you will be judged by how you look and what is surrounding you, so when you are standing in the airport in Milan wearing cutoff jeans and flip flops, surrounded by 14 Hefty bags, you will likely not get the same welcome as if you had purchased a nice set of matching luggage and worn nicer clothing.

Post 9/11, airport security has been greatly heightened and there is a good possibility that your suitcase could be searched. If this happens, keep in mind that a well organized suitcase is not only easier to search, but easier to repack by airport security. Things like packing cubes and shaving kits will ease the repacking and also help you tremendously when unpacking and repacking at your destination. Small things like tie cases and laundry bags seem miniscule, but will be of the largest convenience in your world travels.

The best way to have stylish luggage for world travel is to make sure it matches and is organized. Organization is the key to much happiness in the world, and if you can start your vacation organized, then it is sure to remain happy and fun.