Tips & Articles on Traveling, Aviation, Boating and Cruises
TravelInfos
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by TravelInfos
The Austrian Alps – Make Your Vacation Unique
May 16th
The Alps is a majestic and world famous mountain range that is divided into the Western and the Eastern Alps. A breathtaking place to spend a vacation, this mountain range provides stunning views as well as recreational facilities such as winter sports like skiing. The Western Alps, which are the higher of the mountains, are located in European destinations such as Italy, France, and Switzerland. The broader and longer Eastern Alps can also be found in Italy and Switzerland as well as in Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. When you visit the Alps as your holiday destination you will be in for a real treat, as not only will you find yourself in a destination where you can enjoy exhilarating activities ranging from snow sports to climbing and hiking, but also in a place where you can really relax, take in incredible surroundings, and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime in a destination that is likely to stick in your memory for many years to come. Anyone that wants a unique vacation in a European destination will find the Alps area has something really special to offer.
Select from the Alps resort of your choice
Because the Alps mountain range spans a number of fabulous European destinations you can select the Alpine resort that best meets your needs and tastes. Each of these resorts offers character, beauty, culture, history, and recreational opportunities, so you just cant go wrong when you decide to opt for this type of vacation. Even those that do not want to visit for the recreational facilities or the breathtaking views can enjoy a range of amenities and facilities from dining and nightlife to shopping and easy access to nearby towns and cities for further exploration. A truly magical experience, a holiday in an Alpine resort is one that every member of your group or family will be thrilled with. If you decide to enjoy a vacation in this type of resort consider what other areas you would like to visit in order to determine which resort to opt for. For example, perhaps you would enjoy a visit to Munich or Bavaria then a resort in Germany could prove ideal for you, enabling you to combine your resort break with a visit to some great European cities.
Enjoy the culture and excitement of an Alpine resort
When you opt for an Alpine resort for your vacation you will find that there is something for everyone, from the outdoor enthusiast and sightseer to the culture seeker and the fun-lover. You can combine rest and relaxation with adventure, fun, and excitement, and you will enjoy some incredible photo opportunities. An array of eateries in each of the Alpine resorts throughout Europe will enable visitors to enjoy a choice of cuisine to suit all tastes and needs, and you can enjoy a choice of accommodations such as chalets, lodges, apartments, and hotels, which means that you can find lodgings to suit all needs and budgets. An alpine resort is the ideal choice for those that want to enjoy a European vacation with a real difference, enjoying easy access to some fascinating areas as well as being surrounding be incredible scenery.
Clothes Shopping in Spain
May 16th
No need to diet!
As Northern European women we tend to be taller and larger framed than our Latin counterparts. This can sometimes prove to be problematic when clothes shopping in Spain. It can be disheartening to discover that you have gone up a couple of dress sizes since arriving in Spain.
Dont panic, you dont need to resort to low fat, low carb or low calorie just yet. The sizes are definitely smaller and vary greatly. The good news is for tall women, as trouser legs tend to be long as many stores offer a cheap, alteration service, which everyone seems to use.
Personally, in the UK I am a Next 10/12, whereas in Spain a size 42 (14) jeans positively grips my thighs. In fact in the UK I would fall into the slim category but in Spanish fitting rooms I have almost had to be surgically removed from trousers whilst they tell me that they are the biggest size that they do.
Super slim Shop Assistants
Ironically, it goes against our traditional notion of Latin women being, well, shall we say, on the curvaceous side. On the contrary, if you look at the staff employed in womens fashion shops, they are mostly petite and incredibly svelte. If you have a good look around, especially places like Marbella, there seems to be a clear connection between wealth and slimness. It seems that as wealth increases, weight decreases. Therefore, you will find that a lot of the boutiques around Marbella, especially around Puerto Banus, stock very tiny skimpy clothes.
Choice
There isnt the vast selection of high street names that we are used to as people still enjoy shopping in individual shops which stock just a few sizes of each item. As you can imagine, if you shop this way, it can be pretty expensive as such shops do not enjoy the economies of scale that the monopolising groups such as the Arcadia Group do.
Stores such as Zara have been very successful due to the Japanese, automotive methods that they employ. The average turnaround for design through to shop floor is just three weeks. Their ability to keep up with the latest trends and replicate catwalk looks explains their popularity. They are always packed, especially on a Saturday and by the end of the evening the stores look completely ransacked. Their main drawback is that they cater only for the size 8 to 12. I wear a UK size 10 for tops but in Zara I wear an L (large), the only size up being an XL.
Who shops where?
You just need to look at the shop window displays and you instantly know the target age, unlike in the UK, where anyone can find anything appropriate to their age from 14 to 64 in trendy shops such as New Look. So, in that sense, you could say that there is a lot of age segregation.
Shops such as Berska are evidently against anyone over a size 10 and over the age of 25. Zara, on the other hand, attempts to satisfy a wider age range by splitting its stores into three departments. Zara Basic is targeted at the 21 to 35 age group with a good range of basics mixed with the latest trends. The durability of most products is probably one season if washed once per week.
The prices are very reasonable, with a pair of smart/casual trousers costing around 25 euros and cotton tops around 15. Zara woman is targeting an older age group in a higher income bracket. The quality is better and the designs are more sophisticated. For the casual/funky teens and students, theres TRF, which is very young, eclectic, cheap and tiny. Zara also do menswear and childrens wear. They offer an alteration service for their clothes. A basic shortening of trouser leg costs about 4 euros.
Mango is another high fashion chain targeting the 20 to 35 range. The quality is similar to Zara but can be slightly pricier. Again, the sizes are small.
Promod targets a 35 + group. It is on a par with Principles and Wallis. Lots of smart casual clothes and patterned tops. Again, a UK 12 would need a size 42. They also have great, reasonably priced accessories including jewellery, bags, shoes and belts.
Massimo Duttii appeals to smart but casual, classic, preppy, successful thirty somethings. The quality is very good but they dont follow high fashion trends like Zara.
El Corte Ingles is the main department store which stocks designers ranging from Morgan to French Connection for 20s and 30s. There are also Spanish designers and some familiar names from the UK department stores such as Liz Claiborne I always find it a bit disappointing and very expensive.
Bargains
If you plan to check out the high street sales in Spain, you might be disappointed. Big discounts i.e. 50% are scarce, as most stores only offer 20%. There are two sales per year summer and January. One thing is for sure, when shopping in Spain, you dont need to worry that your clothes might be discounted next week as often happens in the UK. Clothes shops just dont do promotional offers as there isnt the same amount of competition on the high street.
Below is a conversion chart to enable you to find your Spanish size when clothes shopping. These sizes are the equivalents but be warned there is a lot of variation and you might need a size bigger!
I would suggest that when trying on clothes take a range of sizes in with you and try not to look at the size label too much as it really doesnt mean much. Concentrate on the fit and remember that many shops have an alteration (arreglos) service if you ask.
See What Is At Costa Blanca Spain
May 16th
When going to spend a holiday someplace you want to know as much as you can about where you are going to get the most out of your trip. Here we will try top tell you where and when to go. What you will be looking for and how to get the most out of it. There are many resources for finding your data about where you are going so you should never settle on one place. Be aware of all of your options when it comes to finding a new place to look and take advantage of it.
If you are planning on going to the Costa Blanca in Spain it is probably based solely on the word of mouth from a friend or from a friend of a friend. Try to see what all there is for you to do though before you just book a flight and a room so you can take advantage of all that there is to offer to a traveler like your self. Try to get a package where you can book everything together. Pull out a map and take a look at the Iberian Peninsula this way you can see where you are going and what it is that you want to do. You can start at the coast to the south and find the villa of Pilar del Honradada, you can then trace your finger up to Torrevieja, going through Alicante city, to Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Moraira and Javea where you will finally end up in Denia.
You can do all of this when you go to the Costa Blanca and explore all that is there on your vacations. Since you now know where you can go. Now you can figure out where you want to go. Summer seems to be the most popular time to travel here, however you will need to plan your trip well in advance. Usually when flying in from somewhere in Europe you will find cheaper flights. Your best option for finding flights in from would be England as they seem to offer many different flights and timetables to choose from at reasonable rates. There are many different options in Alicante and Valencia as far as where to come in at as they both offer many options to Costa Blanca. You may want to also consider a rental car or public transportation for your trip depending on what is allowed with your budget.
The Atomic Testing Museum
May 16th
At 755 East Flamingo Road in Las Vegas resides one of the more unusual museums that visitors to this wild city can view. Considering that we’re talking about Vegas, that’s saying something. In fact, this museum would be considered unusual anywhere. For at that site is housed The Atomic Testing Museum.
Sponsored in large part by the Smithsonian, and run by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, it offers displays and videos documenting the almost 50-year history of nuclear weapons testing in Nevada. Though the major original site for atomic bomb tests during WWII was near Alamogordo, New Mexico, by the time the hydrogen bomb came along testing had shifted to Nevada.
For more than four decades, local residents of Las Vegas and visitors to the casinos could actually feel the earth shake and then see the mushroom clouds centered in the Nevada desert test sites not too many miles away. Gamblers would head under the tables as the chandeliers swayed. Later, testing moved underground where the fallout was contained. But the man-made earthquakes were just as strong, if not more so.
As of 1992, in part due to an agreement among the major powers to end live testing, the smoke cleared and the ground became quiet. But the history of all those tests has been preserved at The Atomic Testing Museum. Visitors can read about the growing power of H-bombs as they progressed from January, 1951 to the final test in September 1992. Along the way, the bombs got smaller and the explosions bigger. There are numerous displays, videos and even a few interactive devices. Guests can actually manipulate the same type of arms that were used to handle radioactive material behind a protective lead-glass cage.
The Ground Zero Theater gives an in-depth presentation of the efforts used to build the U.S. arsenal. In this simulated concrete bunker with red lights and wooden benches with decor to match the real thing you’ll get a glimpse into the world of the bomb makers and their products. Despite their destructive power, most people will be fascinated with the blossoming mushroom clouds produced by the gigantic explosions.
There are dozens of photographs, including one depicting one of the earliest American nuclear tests: the Bikini Atoll, 1954. One second the small island was there, the next it was vaporized. Along with the historical and scientific displays there are collections of related memorabilia of the day, called the ‘Atom Bomb and Pop Culture’. You’ll see cereal boxes offering an Atomic Bomb ring, the once-popular ‘Atomic Cocktail’ and other items from a time when the science behind the bomb was praised not feared.
While you’re there, you can pick up an Albert Einstein T-shirt. Though he didn’t work on the project, nor did research on atomic physics, his letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt helped encourage the U.S. to initiate the research during WWII. Housed inside the Frank H. Rogers Science and Technology Building, the museum was first opened in March 2005. It also employs knowledgeable staff, some of whom actually worked at the test site, who can answer visitors questions. Come get a view from those who witnessed the events first hand.
For cash back deals and free deals visit /browse/all/all/all
Ignite The Night: A Night At The Zero Gravity Circus
May 16th
Ignite The Night: A Night At The Zero Gravity Circus Benefits Street Kids In Peru
“Tonight a dream has come true”, said G.A.P Adventures CEO and founder Bruce Poon Tip. About a year ago he and a few of his team members at the Planeterra Foundation, G.A.Ps non-profit organization, sat together and brainstormed about a big fundraising event until someone said Lets throw a circus.
Well, and a circus they threw last night.. Zero Gravity Circus provided 2.5 hours of jaw-dropping colorful and amazing entertainment, the more-than-capacity crowd at the Hall at Torontos downtown Steamwhistle Brewery was in absolute awe and cheering wildly.
When I got there at 7 pm things were a little more sedate. The stage was still being set up, and the bar area where the silent auction was going to be held had been set up already and a few G.A.P employees were around, finishing last-minute touches. The Silent Auction include a variety of fabulous items:
- G.A.P Adventures trips to Costa Rica & Peru
- A round trip air ticket Toronto to Lisbon with Air Transat
- A Stratford Theatre Get A Way – 2 tickets to the Stratford Theatre & overnight stay at Bentley’s
- Professional Chef services – a gourmet 4 course dinner for 4 in your home by Vanessa Yeung (Bistro at Home)
- A Fuji film digital camera -S3000
- A gift Certificate for a pair of Blunstone boots
- A framed Guatemalan Market Photo – by Paul Teolis
- Diesel Fitness Memberships
- Personal Training by Tranz4m Inc.
- Platinum Seats to an upcoming ACC event
- Hand Crafted Jewellery by Tanya Tkachenko
- Peruvian Woven Table linen made by The women of the Ccaccaccollo Community, weaving book &aArt piece by JJ Nicol
- A manicure & pedicure at the Beauty Exchange
- A Sky Dive from SWOOP – Independant Jump
- Dinner for 6 at the Bright Pearl Restaurant
- Dinner for 2 at Thuet Restaurant
- Dinner at Focaccia Restaurant
From about 8 pm onwards people started rolling in and the steady stream of onlookers didnt stop. A violinist on stilts and two other colourful elevated characters were entertaining the pre-show crowd.
And when the show got going at about 9 pm, every seat in the house was full and people were standing on the sides and in the back of the theatre. In his welcome speech, Bruce even tried to persuade members of his staff to give up their chairs in return for a free beer at the Steamwhistle Brewery, that’ s how full the theatre was.
Bruce is certainly an icon in Toronto. One of Canadas most successful entrepreneurs, he came from humble beginnings as a child of a Chinese-Trinidadian immigrant family who settled in Calgary. Blessed with a keen sense of adventure and entrepreneurial talent he left for the greener pastures of Toronto and in his early twenties he started G.A.P Adventures, now one of the world’s leaders in small group adventure travel and a company dedicated to social causes and environmentally sustainable travel. Bruce has won many prestigious awards for his entrepreneurial achievements and his dedication to social and environmental causes. No doubt he is a charismatic figure and the medias extensive coverage of him attests to Bruce Poon Tips ability to fascinate a crowd.
After Bruces introductory words, we saw a just released film on the big screen about Planeterras initiatives in Cusco. The local director of the drop-in centre in Cusco spoke about the street children and images graphically illustrated the poverty of these children and the fact that this organization makes such a difference in these childrens lives by housing, feeding, educating and providing them with psychological support.
Then the big event was ready to kick off and the MCs, Foo and Feso, two theatrical clowns from Zero Gravity Circus, came out to welcome the crowd. Throughout the entire performance Feso never spoke while Foo talked a mixture of French and extraterrestrial gibberish, with the odd comprehensible English word thrown in to help the crowd get her point. Foo mainly relied on voice inflection, facial expressions, gestures and body language to make herself understood and the two provided a wonderful humoristic duo guiding the audience throughout the show.
At one point Foo called for a volunteer from the audience and a young man with a t-shirt saying Bite Me got up on stage and joined the two MCs for a trick with a spinning plate on a stick. At various times during the show Feso juggled or did fire tricks and at some point he even included a running chain saw in his juggling act.
The first official act in the show was a Hula Hoop Act featuring a beautiful Oriental woman who at some point had in excess of 6 hula hoops twisting around her body at the same time. Her lithe body contorted itself in all sorts of virtually impossible shapes while she kept the hula hoops spinning, always with an angelic smile on her face.
Fire artists were next: 2 young women with lit fire boxes on wires were twirling their illuminated tools according to their choreography and came together in perfect unison. An aerial rope artist came out next and performed unbelieavable stunts, often suspended in the air by only one foot. A duo of plate spinners then had the crowd in awe when at some point they had 6 plates spinning on sticks that were mounted on a table, and 6 additional plates spinning on the tables surface in between. Every few seconds they had to go back and re-spin the plates to make sure they woulnt drop.
A real crowd pleaser was about to come up next: 4 young men, two dressed in red, and two dressed in dark colours came up and the stage was set for a mock gang fight. The crowd was certainly enthused about the macho performance that was about to unfold. Each duo performed floor acrobatics and break dances, summersaulting through the air, breakdancing on their backs or on one arm, and the mock confrontation of two imaginary gangs resulted in the total delight of the audience.
The next performance was called aerial silks and a woman was performing all sorts of aerial stunts on a red sheet of silk that had been lowered from the ceiling. After all this excitement, a brief 15 minute intermission helped to calm the crowd down and as people were filing out from the Hall into the bar area, I was listening to the audiences amazed comments. Everyone enjoyed the show and was in awe at the unique high-quality of the performances.
When the crowd had settled in again after the intermission, Bruce and Elinor Schwob, one of Planeterras fundraisers, did a draw for door prizes. Tilleys Endurables had sponsored a door prize, G.A.P had sponsored a prize pack as well as the top door prize: a trip to the Galapagos Islands which was happily won by a woman from Cambridge, Ontario.
The show continued with a young acrobat that had an audience member toss him a volleyball which he caught and balanced on a stick that he was holding in his mouth. He then asked for another audience volunteer and a young woman reluctantly came up from the crowd, upon which he asked her to lay down. Then he picked up a metal ladder, climbed the ladder and balanced himself perfectely upright using little steps. And with these tiny steps he approached the young lady lying on the floor who was getting more anxious with every second. The acrobat successfully walked over her on the ladder without falling over or stepping on any parts of her body, but the tension and suspense was palpable.
A group of 5 gorgeous women was next, four of them, barefoot and dressed in purple gowns, performed a choreography on the floor while one women, dressed in striking lime green, performed acrobatics hanging from a red hoop. This was a very visually striking act as the group performed with perfect grace and harmony.
A contortion duo with candelabras was next: 2 young exotic women, one had already ratpured the crowd with the hula hoop show earlier, performed floor acrobatics with lit candelabras on their heads, in their feet and in their hands. They twisted themselves into impossible body positions while always maintaining the lit candelabras upright. At certain points they were balancing four lit candelabras each: one in each hand, one with their foot and one in their mouth. It was as if they had bones and joints made of rubber.
The senses were being teased at every turn. Three men dressed in blue silky uniforms performed a variety of stunts and acrobatics, and at one point one of the men was balancing the two others on his shoulders and they completed the stunt with a jump down on the floor and a tumble.
A male and a female performer on a trapeze and in gorgeous skin-tight suits performed a very sensuous trapeze act and melted into a variety of positions suspended in the air, an appropriate end to the official part of the show, when Foo came out and invited all the performers out on stage. The crowd clapped and cheered wildly and every time the performers took a bow the audience spontaneously erupted into another round of enthusiastic applause.
Bruce and Elinor got up one more time to thank the audience and thanked Zero Gravity Circus for donating their performance free of charge to the cause of Cuscos street kids. They also indicated they were going to do a singing duet. Unfortunately, none of the microphones cooperated so they postponed their singing premiere to G.A.Ps fundraising ball at Casa Loma in October. When the microphones finally came back on Bruce joked about having to fire the sound company.
The crowd was invited to stick around for a meet and greet with the performers and it seemed like hundreds of people stayed behind to chat and to take advantage of the fruits and the chocolate fountain. I chatted a bit with Paul Teolis, a photographer who I had recently interviewed who had also donated a beautiful photo of a Guatemalan street market for the Silent Auction.
By this time it must have been 12:30 am, so Paul and I said goodnight and a big thanks for this great event to Bruce who was swarmed by this time by a crowd of appreciative supporters. Paul and I rode the subway back into Torontos east side and we both commented on what a wonderful event it had been.
In total, an amount of over $20,000 was raised for Planeterra’s Cusco initiative from ticket sales, the silent auction and the sale of water bottles, popcorn and jambalaya. Its amazing what can be achieved when a group of people with determination, dedication and good will come together.
