Practolo Blog

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Two Innkeepers Give First-hand Accounts of What Visitors Can Expect as the City Gears-up for post-Ka

BnBFinder.com recently spoke with two Bed and Breakfast owners in New Orleans about their experiences and impressions of their city in the aftermath of September’s hurricane disaster. Hopes are high and nearly all city-center businesses are up and running. In fact, all but two of the 15 New Orleans Bed and Breakfast Inns listed on BnBFinder.com are open for business. According to Innkeeper Al Hyman, the city’s bittersweet Jazz Funeral tradition epitomizes local sentiment best of all. * * *

Guy Fournier and his wife Nancy, only recently purchased and took-over operations at the Sully Mansion in the Garden district near to St. Charles Avenue, the French Quarter and Magazine Street. They are long-time New Orleans enthusiasts, deeply involved in the city’s fascinating particularities from Creole food to jazz. They had already been considering buying a Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans as their semi-retirement business for several years when Katrina hit. They had narrowed their search down to three existing licensed Inns and just after the hurricane; their estate agent urged them to consider purchasing Sully Mansion. After many sleepless nights in deliberation, the couple decided to invest in the city they love and become an active part of the reconstruction process. Now, just a month into full operation, they couldn’t be happier with their decision.

Guy immediately dispelled all the concerns about visiting New Orleans. Downtown businesses, restaurants and shops are in full operation. The airport and roads are open. Gas and groceries are plentiful. There is plenty of fresh water, the electricity is on, and there are no foul odors or epidemic illnesses whatsoever. So long as you stay in the oldest, well-known tourist areas of the city, you would not even be aware that a disaster of the magnitude of Katrina struck less than six months ago. Some areas such as boutique-and-gallery-lined Magazine Street are more lively and pristine than ever. The Sully Mansion is already fully booked for Mardi Gras (end of February) and looks forward to receiving first-time visitors and long-time New Orleans lovers for all occasions for years and years to come.

Al Hyman of Hotel St. Pierre in the French Quarter put the present situation in a poignant, historical context. The oldest parts of the city (founded in 1718 by French settlers) were built on the natural levees along the banks of the Mississippi. Because they are elevated the damage was of the 3 or 4 grade hurricane variety, but nothing close to the decimation by the floods in the outlying suburbs. The general look of these renowned neighborhoods is about the same as pre-Katrina except for a few restaurants yet to open, and parts of the streetcar route along St. Charles Avenue still closed for wire and road repairs. At last count there were about 150,000 of the original 500,000 residents back in the crescent shaped downtown, which includes the Central Business District, French Quarter, Uptown and Garden District. Al likened the more intimate feeling to that of the mid 1800’s when the population was about the same as it is today. He added that restaurants, bars and coffee houses are not only open but truly bustling with business. Reservations are required further in advance than before and lines in cafés are longer than ever (but are never too long). The most contagious thing by far is the buzz of optimism in the air.

Al expects Mardi Gras (weekend before through Feb 27) to be scaled down from previous years, but possibly even better for the sense of solidarity and renewal fostered by those who weathered the storm or have recently returned. He in no way diminishes the scope of the horrible tragedy and losses in the lowland wards cutting across all demographic and socio-economic lines, but emphasized how New Orleanians have a long-established tradition of mourning in a celebrative spirit, hence his reference to Jazz Funerals. Sorrow is expressed in beauty, especially beautiful music.

Also, the New Orleans that was rife with crime, poor schools, and a badly neglected infrastructure has a chance to redeem itself and continue in its long history of transforming tragedy into a rich culture of celebration rites created by the city’s unique blend of peoples, flavors and languages, open for all to enjoy.

It’s still easy to find a steaming plate of red beans and rice, genuine southern hospitality and all the comforts and charms offered by the most distinct city in America. Come on down!

New Orleans Bed & Breakfast inns can be found at http://www.bnbfinder.com/Louisiana-Bed-and-Breakfast

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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Monaco Prince Takes Pole Position

More used to Grand Prix cars than dog sleighs, Monaco’s Prince Albert’s forthcoming trek to the North Pole has been greeted with surprise by many.

But the Prince is fairly accustomed to the cold, in contrast to the Mediterranean warmth of Monaco where he became ruler last July following the passing of his father Prince Rainier, who had ruled the tax haven for over 50 years.

Albert represented Monaco at the last five Winter Olympic Games in their Bobsleigh team. And he is going to face some cold and hostile conditions on his seven day trip to bring to the attention of fellow world leaders the environmental damage to the arctic regions that global warming is having.

Speaking at a recent news conference in Monaco, Albert explained his thinking behind the trip to assembled journalists.

‘If in our modest way, by this action we are able to bring environmental problems to the forefront and force some leaders to take stronger actions, this expedition will have achieved its objectives’.

Environmentalists have welcomed Albert’s expedition, and his image in the world’s media is changing from that of a playboy millionaire to a responsible leader.

In 2002 47 year old Prince Albert agreed to a DNA test to show whether he was the father to a boy born to a former air hostess he had had a relationship with, and more recently has been linked by the press with 23 year old South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock.

But one of the first actions he took after succeeding to the throne was to sign the Kyoto Protocol, taking Monaco outside of the small group of countries that had failed to ratify the treaty, designed to reduce the world’s emissions of greenhouses gases.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Prince Albert inherited from his father is now the world’s best known tax haven, and the ultimate European destination for luxury hotels, including the Hotel de Paris, frequently quoted in guides as among the top ten in the world.

Local on-line travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com comment that Prince Albert’s interest in the world’s environment sets a different agenda than that of his father, who transformed the principality in his reign into an economically safe country for the world’s wealthy to live and invest.

Residents of the principality enjoy a zero rated income tax.

As well as being a tax haven, Monaco hosts the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix of the year around the streets of Monte Carlo and Fontveille in May. Over recent years Monaco has also become a destination of choice for the super-rich in September, when it hosts the Monaco Yacht Show.

And while the Grand Prix and Yacht Show fill the hotels in Monte Carlo and Monaco each year, and on an everyday basis every second car seems to be an Aston Martin or Ferrari, locals hope that Prince Albert doesn’t look too close to home when it comes to his concern for the environment. Cancelling the Monaco Grand Prix in 2007 to show his concern for the environment would certainly grab world headlines, but might not be a popular decision among his subjects.

YourMonaco.com feel that there is little danger of this though - Albert is after all the son of Hollywood star Grace Kelly, and future media appearances could just as well be in celebrity magazines as environment campaign ones.

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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Travel Secrets Exposed: Get your Own Travel Agent Card in 15 Minutes. Save up to 70% on Flights & Ho

It’s true. Travel Agents are treated differently than the rest of us. And the reason is simple: The travel industry is a 4 trillion dollar a year business!

With that kind of money being spent on travel, you can just imagine the competition. The travel industry will spend millions on advertising and they’ll do what ever it takes to get them their piece of the pie.

It’s a known fact; the travel industry survives on the business supplied to them by Travel Agents. And because so much of their business relies on Travel Agents, the travel industry treats these Travel Agents like royalty!

In all honesty, if a travel related business or vendor is not known and utilized by the country’s travel agents, their business will suffer tremendously. In other words, travel companies need Travel Agents to survive…their business depends on them!

And most people don’t know that becoming a travel agent is quick and easy if you know the secrets. In fact, with our exclusive insider information contained in the Travel Industry Secrets, you’ll actually become a licensed Travel Agent in about twenty minutes…it’s that quick and it’s that easy!

When you become a Travel Agent, new doors are opened and courtesies are extended to you, that everyday folks aren’t privy to. Like I said, travel companies need travel agents and when you become one of them, you’ll be showered with discounts and gratuities by way of deeply discounted and even free travel benefits.

Just imagine setting sail on a Caribbean cruise this winter while everyone back home is shoveling snow and staying indoors, trying to keep warm. And not only are you enjoying the balmy breezes of the Caribbean, you’re doing so for just $35 a day while the occupants in the cabin next to you are paying upwards of $200 each day for the same cabin, the same food, and the same service.

Or maybe you just want to fly home to visit your relatives. Instead of paying $600 to fly across the country like you did last year, your ticket is discounted to only $285. And just before you board, you hear your name over the airline’s loudspeaker, calling you to the ticket counter. As you approach, you are notified that your discounted coach ticket has just been upgraded to first class. Now, your $285 dollar coach ticket has a value of over $1,500 simply because you are a licensed Travel Agent.

So, you arrive at your destination and make your way to the rental car agency. Before you left, you booked a standard size vehicle for 50% off the published rate. Once at the counter, the rental agent advises you that you are entitled to a free upgrade and they ask if you’re interested….

These are just a few of the courtesies that you’ll find extended to you when traveling as a licensed Travel Agent. But they get even better.

You see, the travel vendors - airlines, hotels, tour operators, car rental agencies, cruise lines, etc. recognize the benefits of having travel agents being familiar with the products they are selling. Its for this very reason that in addition to favorable rates and discounts, these same vendors also offer free familiarization trips to resort destinations, free dinners, free shows, and free cocktail hours to learn about vendor offerings.

Just imagine…a couple weeks after receiving our priceless information, you get an invitation for you and a guest to spend an entire week at an all-inclusive resort, absolutely free. Normally, this experience would run a hefty $3,000 per couple. But this resort wants to pamper you and create an experience of a lifetime for one reason. So you, as a Travel Agent, will refer your “customers” back to them.

Do I Need to Sell Travel to get in on these incredible Discounts?

If you want to earn an extra income selling travel to friends, family members, or even customers, you’ll be licensed to do so.

Besides the extra income, there are a great many other benefits to being “in business” as well. There are also great tax advantages. For example, you can deduct such items as your computer, the space in you home from which you operate your business, your telephone line if you use it for business, and more.

In fact, just working part-time can make you a great second income…but its not required. When you become a licensed Travel Agent, no one knows how much, if any, travel you sell. Selling travel is not required to get in on the benefits.

Go and see the Ultimate Manual while it is legally available! http://travel.selfsecrets.com

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Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Golf in Orlando: Timacuan Golf and Country Club

On our last full day in Florida we had a chance to play another beautiful golf course, this one located about half an hour north of downtown Orlando in the community of Lake Mary. Timacuan Golf and Country Club was built in 1987 and was originally designed by a Ron Garl. In 1996 the course was renovated by architect Bobby Weed and today it is ranked in the top 14 in the state of Florida. Timacuan’s other accolades include having been chosen as one of the most golf-friendly courses for women by Golf for Women Magazine.

Bobby Weed’s redesign encompassed many elements of the course and ensured that all players will have an enjoyable round of golf. Timacuan also features a large driving range and putting green. Par is 71 and the course plays close to 7,000 yards from the back tees. Timacuan’s unique features include a links-style front nine and a Carolina feel complete with gorgeous pines and lakes on the back nine.

Timacuan Golf and Country Club also has a lighted practice facility and is home to the Mike Bender Golf Academy. Mike Bender is a two time North Florida PGA Teacher of the Year, and is ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Instructors and Golf Digest as one of the top 50 Instructors in America. While we were there, a young golf aficionado was receiving a very thorough one-on-one video-taped lesson and we admired her elegant drives into the driving range.

We drove in on a winding road through a residential area and were greeted by Timacuan’s spacious two-story club house. I had a chance to talk with Kim Shield who handles marketing for Timacuan, who explained that the club house features a full service grill room downstairs, and can host up to 250 people in the upstairs dining room which has panorama windows that offer a beautiful view of the golf course, making it a popular destination for corporate and private functions. The club house also hosts a Sunday brunch from 11 am to 2 pm as well as a Wednesday night buffet.

Kim filled me in on some other unique details on this course. Considering its location in Seminole County north of Orlando, it mostly serves local residents. The area around the course offers a lot of things do to, including a variety of waterfront restaurants, the Sanford Zoo, the Sanford Historical Museum, and Colonial Town Park, a local development that features restaurants, theatres, hotels, cinemas, shopping, all in all a nice area to walk around in.

We thoroughly enjoyed our round, despite the grey, drizzly weather as Timacuan features a very scenic layout. The course had a wonderfully friendly feel to it, and we enjoyed our chats with course staff while waiting for our cart and were warmly welcomed by the starter. Upon hearing that we were from Canada, one of the local members generously gave us his chip for practice balls and this friendly ambience got us off to a good start.

Hole number 2 is one of the most difficult holes on the course, and I promptly made two separate ball donations into the pond. The front nine is surrounded by an attractive residential development that never intruded into our golf game and a couple of holes actually feature drive-through bunkers. The Carolina-style back nine had its own set of challenges, particularly since water comes into play on seven holes.

Timacuan’s rates are quite reasonable: for June to October 2005 the rates ranged between $55 and $65, from November 1 to January 11, 2006 the rates vary from $69 to $79, and in high season from January 12 to April 23, 2006 the rates range between $85 and $95.

Driving directions: Lake Mary is located about 10 miles northeast of Orlando and is easily accessible via the interstate system. Off of the I-4 take exit 101a to Rhinehart Rd (go right). First light Timacuan Blvd (go left). Go one mile to the Timacuan entrance on right. Follow Timacuan Blvd to the clubhouse.

Statistics Par 71 Yards Rating Slope Gold 6915 73.7 135 Blue 6403 71.2 128 White 5892 68.6 119 Green 5243 70.0 124

For more information please visit Timacuan Golf and Country Club’s website or call them at (407) 321-0010.

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Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Your Breckenridge Ski Vacation

You’ll be welcome with open arms in Breckenridge, Colorado. Breckenridge ski resort offer the world’s finest powder and terrain anyone can imagine. Half of the slopes at Breckenridge ski and snowboard resort are for beginners, while the other half are for moderate to extreme skiing. Breckenridge is the only ski area to offer this much skiing for all types of ability levels.

The town of Breckenridge is just like you would dream about on the way to your ski vacation. The town has a Main st. with stores, restaurants, and variety. You won’t be disappointed as you stroll down Breckenridge’s Main Street; the main area is about -mile long and makes for a lovely walk during the daytime or nighttime.

As far as resorts go, you can stay in a classy hotel and pay big bucks, or you can stay just outside of town nestled in the Rockies. Many condos are located a few miles down the road on RT. 9 otherwise known as Main Street.

If you decide to book a condo out of town, you’ll get a better sense of what a mountain vacation is all about. On top of this advantage, you can also expect to pay significantly less than if you stay in the busy town of Breckenridge . Be prepared to breathe the fresh Colorado mountain air. It’s truly invigorating!

As the seasons change in Breckenridge, Colorado your outdoor options expand and contract. Once Spring comes, the skiing gets better and the temperature goes up. Yes, it still snows hard in the Spring time. The only difference is the quality of the snow. It tends to be wetter than the winter when it is dry-fluffy snow. Either way, it’s great and you’ll love the Spring time snow as much as the Winter snow. After all, the base of Breckenridge in April is about 60 inches deep.

Summer time in Breckenridge is truly a beautiful time! You can fish the streams for Rocky Mountain trout or you can mountain bike, raft, boat (Lake Dillon) or just relax in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. There will never be a boring day during your Breckenridge ski or summer vacation.

Fly fishing is a very enjoyable sport to engage in during the Summer time. It seems like every stream or lake in the Rockies, houses some of the largest trout in the world. Since fishing season is only 5-months out of the year, the trout seem to jump right on to the hook. Just kidding of course! It’s not that easy to catch Trout, but if you use the right flies, you just might find the statement above to be true.

Mountain bike trails are everywhere, but be careful!! Be sure to have a map and enough food & water in case you get lost. The smartest thing to do is mark your course with sticks in the ground if you have any doubts about not getting back home or to your vehicle.

As long as you are sure of this, you’re going to have a great time. Breckenridge offers mountain bike trails that go to the tops of mountains and down to the valleys. The scenery is breathtaking and without a doubt, you’re going to love mountain biking in Breckenridge, CO.

As far as rafting goes, there are many options within 20-miles of Breckenridge. The water flows highest around mid-July because of all the snow which has melted from the mountains. There are plenty of guided trips who will help you navigate through the rivers.

Once you experience all the Breckeridge has to offer, you’ll surely come back every year to enjoy yourself again and again. Also, did you know the state of Colorado has more blue sky days than any other state in the U.S.? It’s true!

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Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Life is an Adventure, Live It!

Costa Rica is Central America’s jewel. It’s an oasis and an Ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It’s also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, activities and beaches galore with a climate built for laziness.

Deep Sea Fishing

Would you like to hook a sailfish on a fly, catch and release a marlin, fight a giant tuna, reel in dolphin fish, take a swim with a porpoise, and catch a few snappers to take back for your dinner? The North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is a World-Class sport fishing paradise. More than 40 world records have been registered within an 80-mile radius. Sailfish, black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin (sails and marlin are catch and release), yellow fin tuna and Wahoo are found in abundance. Inshore species include large concentrations of roosterfish and snapper. Billfish are the favored target of most visiting anglers. There are many charter boats on the west coast of Costa Rica. They can accommodate an individual, a couple, a family or a group of any size.

Canopy Tours

Swing like a monkey thru the trees on a zip line canopy tour. Guides are professionals in the area of Canopying and most have years of previous experience. The canopy tour offers any adventurous tourist the opportunity to ascend into the forest canopy and see jungle life from a perspective available previously to only a select few researchers and photographers. This is an Adventure for all ages that should not be missed.

Sailing

Experience a day of sailing and exploring the impressive Costa Rican coast. While sailing you could encounter dolphins, whales, turtles, manta rays and bat rays. Anchored in a bay you can snorkel coral and rock formations, swim, or simply enjoy the secluded beaches. The best way of relaxing on your vacation is to enjoy a beautiful Guanacaste Sunset Cruise. Sit-back and watch the colorful sunset, while sipping a cold beer, rum punch or soft drinks and enjoying the light snacks.

Volcano’s, Hot Springs, Mud Baths and Waterfalls

Arenal volcano is well known for its exploding lava shows. Shop at the road side gallery’s and gift shops. Visit the rain forest. Lake Arenal, a beautiful 22-mile long lake is great for freshwater fishing. It’s home to the hard-hitting rainbow bass, or quapote: five to six pounders are common. Take your swimsuits to bathe in the pools of naturally warm thermal waters amid tropical gardens at Arenal Volcano National Park. For the sports enthusiast you can windsurf one of the premier windsurfing destinations in the world. Due to the area’s irregular topography the wind is constant, providing excellent windsurfing conditions, especially in the dry season between December and April.

Buena Vista Hot Springs

Canopy tour, hot springs, horses, water slide, waterfall and mud bath. The thermal waters, steam bath, and natural spa are located at the foot of Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja. At the hot springs, you will relax unconditionally as you enjoy pleasurable and rejuvenating treatments with volcanic mud and warm spring waters. This “spoil me” atmosphere makes it easy to forget the hustle and bustle of modern life. By horseback you can visit three waterfalls. Each one has Natural swimming pools at the bottom of the falls.

Surfing

The Pacific Northwest Guanacaste Coast of Costa Rica has the most consistent swell activity anywhere in Costa Rica. The waves are perfect for beginners and experts alike, with daily offshore winds creating long rides with easy take offs and hollow barrel sections. Playa Tamarindo has a long beach break and welcomes surfers from around the world. Surfing is only a 25-minute boat ride from El Coco to Witches Rock where the experts surf.

Scuba diving and Snorkeling

Costa Rica’s North Pacific waters offer divers varied and plentiful marine life. Schools of small fish (often by the thousands), colorful tropical fish, Jacks, Barracudas, Eels, Eagle Rays, white-tip Reef Sharks, Manta Rays and Bull Sharks are commonly spotted. There is an incredible array of marine life of all varieties and colors awaiting you off of the nearby reefs and islands. For the beginner, check out Playa Hermosa. There you can take classes in the pool, the day before you dive with a certified master diver. Instruction in the pool takes a couple hours and the student will be able to practice all the necessary safety and comfort skills before going out in the ocean for 2 dives. Diving can be great any month of the year. This is primarily due to the abundance of plankton and other marine organisms at the lower end of the food chain that thrive in the warm 75 to 85 degree tropical waters. Average visibility ranges from 30′ to 50′ with possibilities of up to 80′.

Golfing

Imagine a golf vacation at any popular golf destination before the golf traveler discovered them. You will re-discover “no-hassle” tee times and the enjoyment of playing unhurried rounds of golf on courses designed by well known golf architects George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Ted Robinson, Jr., Mike Young and Tracy May. Here you will find all the ingredients for a great golf vacation and the added bonus of experiencing the scenic beauty and natural attractions of Costa Rica.

White Water Rafting

Costa Rica offers some of the world’s finest whitewater rafting and kayaking rivers. These rivers plunge through spectacularly beautiful, largely unexplored tropical wilderness. Whether an expert or beginner, nature lover or thrill seeker, rafting enthusiast or active kayaker, there is an unforgettable experience awaiting you. If you are looking for an action-packed one-day or multi-day trip to complement your vacation, the rivers of this beautiful land are waiting for you. The wild and scenic Costa Rica Rivers offers some of the finest rapids in Latin America. Suitable even for first time rafters, this thrill-ride of churning water and breathtaking scenery will be the highlight of your trip.

We traveled to Costa Rica on vacation in 2001. Fell in love with the people and their country. Purchased property on the last day of our vacation and built a villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and five bedroom villa’s available, all of which are surrounded by Costa Rica’s biodiversity and over looking the Pacific Ocean. Find more useful information about Costa Rica by visiting our web site.

http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
info@costarica-vacation-getaway.com

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Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Learn How To Pick Up The Very Best Mobile Device Offer

The mobile phone market is getting more and more difficult to understand everyday. Brand new providers, mind-blowing mobile special offers, models and service plans have turned cell phone device comparison into an awfully difficult and time consuming activity. From such a scenario, obtaining a new great mobile telephone either requires tons of knowledge about different mobile phone special offers and handsets, or absolute ignorance.

A partially knowledgeable mobile customer in the mobile market is as rare as a three legged giraffe. If you plan to acquire a cellular phone based on a spur of the moment decision, then we can only wish you all the best. Even so, if one is planning to undertake all types of mobile device research activity before you part with the pound, then the marvellous advice given below will probably help you in selecting the best mobile device special deal based on your needs. Get great o2 mobile phone deals from the market leading comparison site MobileShop.

The majority of folk compare mobile telephone deals based on a unilateral perspective. As a result, those individuals who pay attention to cellular phone sets and features such as a camera regularly end up getting plans that are deeply costly along with those who compare cell phone plans diligently generally end up with the wrong mobile.

So that, it is principal that you carry out cell phone device comparisons at both the tariff and the handset model level. The very first thing you need to do is decide upon all the super functions and features such as a camcorder that you would enjoy in your cellular phone. Based on this list of fabulous features such as an internet browser that you want, you might 1st select a good mobile telephone that has everything that you need and falls within your mobile budget. In fact, narrowing down to 2 or four astonishing models might often help you get a better calling plan. Thus, it is principal that you carry out cell phone device research on both the tarriff and the mobile telephone model level. The very 1st thing you need to do is decide upon all the excellent handset functions and features that you would appreciate in your cell phone. Based on this list of brilliant features such as a camcorder that you want, you might select a lovely cellular phone that has everything that you need and falls within your mobile budget.

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Thursday, December 18th, 2008

How To Have A Successful Homemade Christmas

Christmas is nearly upon us and I assume that you have
everything organised and you are relaxing and waiting for
the special day. Yeah right, me too. Food plays a huge part
in the Holiday Seasons activities. The main Christmas Day
meal and desserts are the highlight and you might find
yourself worrying about how you are going to make it
special this time around. The fact is that it can be a very
stressful time, and if you don’t get it organised right you
will not be able to relax and enjoy the day itself.

Now is the time to start planning exactly what you are
going to do. Sit down and make out a list of what
you would like to have for the meal. Just write out the
different types of food items that come to mind. Don’t try
to make your menu exact, include whatever comes to mind
initially. Then over the coming days you will revise and
adjust your list until you have the core idea about what
you want to do. In this way new and different ideas will
spring to mind as you look at your initial list and the
food groups on it, and a basic plan will form in your mind.

Now is also the time to involve other members of the
family. Maybe someone would love to take on the task of
preparing the desserts for you. Everyone loves desserts and
lots of ideas could spring up while looking at the items on
your list. Possibly someone would like the idea of
preparing something really exotic and would relish the
challenge. There are literally hundreds of dessert dishes
from pies to fruit and everything in between. Check out the
Internet for recipes and ideas. The same applies for
starters such as soups or prawn cocktails. Involving other
members of the family at this early stage will get the
ideas rolling, and maybe even result in different dishes
for everyone if they are willing to have a go themselves.

Think about how you will organise your kitchen area also.
See in your mind’s eye where you will prepare your raw
ingredients and what you will use to store them in. Be as
specific as you can when you do this. It can be a great
time saver and take away a lot of stress on the day. You
will not be caught by surprise when you suddenly find you
actually needed another pot for instance or another
roasting dish. Make a list now of all the stuff you could
prepare in advance the previous day. Make sure you will
have enough room to store items in your fridge overnight
by careful planning. Stuffing and dressings can
be prepared in advance too, so do not underestimate the
advantages of writing out your list and then ordering it
logically. Leave it all until the day itself and you will
be inviting a lot to go wrong, and I am sure you can
remember previous holidays all too vividly.

It is also a good idea to plan and write out your seating
arrangements, and where you will store dishes and utensils
as they come back from the table.

If elderly persons are present you may want to sit them
nearer to the kitchen so that you can easily serve them
first. No more trying to negotiate around the kids who are
sitting on the wrong side of the table for instance. All
these little tips add up to taking away a lot of the stress
that can be experienced. The trick is to write everything
down and do not trust to chance. When you know you are
prepared and organised, you will really look forward to the
occasion as will any others who opted to give you a hand
and know exactly what they have to do. Start now and enjoy
the experience.

Take the Stress Out Of Christmas With Your FREE Recipes For Food And Drinks.

FREE Christmas Food And Drink Recipes

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Monday, December 15th, 2008

Magaluf Holidays

Magaluf is one of the best destinations to go to if you are after a good lively time with plenty of fun, drink and good times if you get my drift. Magaluf is famous for it’s nightlife with over 1000 pubs and clubs full of good-looking people looking for a good time. Clubs and bars stay open to the early morning some till around 7:00 am so you can still be up Partying as the sun rises. Daytime activities include watersports such as paracending and ringos. There is of course the lazy sport of sunbathing and Magaluf has a fantastic beach. You can also try visiting the water park which many tour ops provide trips to but beware you will have to be up in the morning which for some is quite a task.

Drinks: There are well over 100 bars in and around Magaluf & Palma Nova. The average bottle beer price is 2 per beer with Cocktails around 4 and sprits somewhere in between. Many bars will have promotions on and PR staff nearby always try and tell you what they are.

Food: There are multiple choices when it comes to food and not just fast food outlets. Food standards in restaurants is normally very good and most offer a wide range of cooking styles from traditional Spanish to traditional English. One thing for sure you won’t go hungry and meals cost on average 12.

Temperatures: Avg temps: MAY 77deg JUNE 84deg JULY 90deg AUG 91deg SEPT 86deg OCT 77deg

To sum it all up: Clubbing, Drinking, Partying, Late Nights, Sun Bathing, More Drink Water sports, Good Food and Good Times. Friendly People and Staff, Excellent Hotels and that’s only to name a few things about Magaluf.

Thanks for reading; we hope you found it useful. If you did please visit http://www.scottishlads.co.uk you’ll find photos from our holiday to Magaluf in 1998 as well as our other holidays and nights out.

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Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Make Your Own “Kid” Car Kit

Below are a list of ideas, and items, you can bring to help ensure your next road trip is a more peaceful, less stressful one. The ideas are listed in no particular order. Just select which ones (or all of them) you think will be helpful in your particular situation.

• Be prepared for the baby. If you’re riding with a baby, make sure you have a change of clothes, plenty of diapers, and plenty of wipes.
• Ensure each child has some new toy or other item to take with them. Surprise them with it once you’re in the car and at the first sign of “trouble”. It can be things such as: new video game for their handheld game; a comic book, or other book.
• Pack some drawing pencils and/or crayons as well as plenty of paper. You may even look into purchasing some small trays the kids can open up across their laps to make drawing easier.
• Snacks. Have plenty of them! Choose those snacks that store well, such as granola bars, cheerios, fruit roll-ups, or nuts. Also, have some boxed juices kept in a travel cooler.
• For those cars equipped with DVD or VCR players, bring their favorite movie. Or, better yet, get a new movie that they haven’t seen yet; that way they’ll be more apt to be in agreement on watching it as opposed to one child not wanting to see it while another child does. It might be best to get the videos from your neighborhood library, that way you’re not stuck with paying for an unpopular choice.

These are just a few ideas that can help in making your trip with the little ones a bit more palatable.

Jeff Boyd is the Owner of http://www.safeautocar.com, a site that
specializes in items and information to help make your driving experience a safe one.

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