Travel Shack

YOUR 4 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEMS? Tell & Win A Canary Islands Holiday!

2012-01-12T14:29:00.003Z

The new year is finally here and that means a fresh start for everyone and of course arranging for the most looked forward to time of all - a holiday!

Do you Need A Holiday? but cash is looking a little tight at the moment? How does a free 4 day holiday in the Canary Islands for four people sound? ... Yes I thought so!

Sol Hotels that are part of the Melia Hotels chain who already have 50 years experience and 300 hotels in 30 different countries, want to share a bit of their premium quality brand experience with you guys by holding a competition.

To enter all you have to do is become a fan of the Sol Facebook Page, Tell us what 4 items are an absolute must pack essential for your suitcase and get your friends, family and everyone you know basically to vote for your list!

When I say 4 items the judges don't want to see boring ones like toothbrush, shampoo, towel etc ... those are an automatic must for everyone anyway right!?

Maybe you're a little quirky and take something with you usually that may be considered as a bit strange to others? Like a digital photo frame to keep next to you when you're sunbathing on the beach if you're missing your loved ones, a cuddly toy that you have been snuggling up to at night for years! Things like that. But shhhsh! you didn't hear that from me about (without mentioning any actual names) ... my sister!!!

The 50 people with the most votes will be put into a draw and be randomly selected. Think outside the box and make your list stand out. After all this is a competition and you're in it to win it.

Time is ticking along now though and the competition will be ending on 18/01/12, 11:59pm so get your thinking caps on and turn your imagination and creativity switch on too!

Sponsored Post

USEFUL TRIP PREPARATION: My Travel Checklist

2012-01-10T16:00:00.005Z

This post brought to you by My Travel Checklist. All opinions are 100% mine.

We can get that caught up in the excitement of our travel plans we tend to forget important things like getting our foreign currency, making sure our passport is still valid and arranging for someone to take care of the dog etc.

Writing a list is a common and typical way to do things but when you already have everything you need at home in can be a hard task.

That's where the My Travel Checklist becomes an essential tool as it literally does all the thinking and organizing for you. All you have to do is point and click to check the boxes to make your selection.

Everyone is different of course and has different needs and things they need to do before they go away, so the list is tailored for you depending on your gender, the type of holiday you're taking and what the weather will be like.

Once you have done that you can browse through several categories like trip preparation, what to pack in your bags, things you need to do before you leave and check off and even add in your own choices if they are not listed.

When finished you don't need to print to cross your list off either. Again it can all be done online. All you have to do is email it or send to your mobile and as you do each item you can check it off. It really is that easy. Plus its simple to download and free to use.

THE CROFT HOTEL, BRIDGNORTH REVIEW

2011-12-01T11:41:00.014Z

First Impression:

Looked beautiful and in keeping with the rural area.

Selling Points:

5 minutes walking distance to the High Street where the main night time entertainment was i.e pubs, bistro restaurants. Perfect for our girls night out. Check in time is flexible and you are given late keys to access the hotel anytime over your stay.

On Arrival:

Previously on the phone the owner was very helpful and welcoming. When we arrived at the hotel 16.30pm the owner was out and we were greeted by a young receptionist who unfortunately had little idea about parking or the local area. She showed us the breakfast room then we were shown to our bedroom.

Parking:

Was difficult to find. There is 40 minute limit meter parking outside the hotel if you can get it. On the next street there is short stay car park but that was only for a maximum of 4 hours. We found one eventually opposite Sainsbury's that's about a 10 minute walk away from the hotel. We paid £2 for overnight and luckily the next day (Sunday) was free anyway.

The Bedroom: (Room 1)

Nicely presented and clean. The furnishings and decor again was in keeping with the building and we had wooden beams on our ceiling which was a lovely feature.

Our room had a double bed and a single day bed. It was well equipped if not more than expected. Provided was a TV, fan, extra bedding, quilt covers, hair dryer and we even found a sewing kit! The usual kettle and basket of milk, hot drink sachets etc were there.

There was a big cupboard with plenty of hanging space and a dressing table with storage space. A safe was inside the cupboard also although we didn't use ours.

Being picky but it was important! - We only had 2 mugs in our room and there were 3 of us and my friend who had the day bed only had decorative cushions to lie on and no proper pillows. It was 2.30am in the morning before we realised about the pillow and was too late to ask for one, but we were told in the morning one was suppose to be there in the cupboard and got an apology.

En-suite:

Clean. Shower was a bit fiddly to work out how to turn on but we got there in the end and it worked fine. A body wash bottle was fixed in the shower area and small soaps were provided. Toilet cleaner and air freshener was provided also which I thought was a nice and necessary touch.

Welcome Pack:

Little soaps were provided as mentioned above as well as the kettle and the usual basket hot drink refreshments. The actual welcome pack folder was OK. It detailed breakfast times and other basic things. It did suggest there were plenty of leaflets in reception about the area, but it would have been nice to have perhaps have had some recommended restaurants nearby etc and instructions on how to work the shower.

The Staff:

Very friendly. Apart from the inexperienced receptionist I had always been spoken to professionally on the phone and at breakfast time staff were polite and accommodating. We got asked if our stay was OK.

Breakfast Room

Breakfast:

Available from 8-9.30am. A made to order English breakfast was offered or a fish breakfast as a hot alternative. There was a breakfast table with various cereals, fruits, yoghurt's and orange juice. Pots of tea/coffee were brought fresh to your table.

Breakfast didn't take long - about ten minutes or so. It was nicely cooked and tasted good but the bacon was cold.

Advantages:

Walking distance to the main High Street and pubs/restaurants.

Late Keys

Central heating radiator

Disadvantages:

No on site parking. Some noise from people walking around in the other bedrooms could be heard during the night but I suppose that comes with the age and design of the building.

Overall:

You couldn't fault the room. It was a perfect size for 3 people sharing and had everything you needed really. Apart from the minor problems mentioned which can always be improved upon overall I was very pleased with the accommodation and would stay here again.

Rating:

4.5/5

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: Embrace Or Disgrace Them?

2011-11-19T15:02:00.004Z

You are always hearing in the news about border control and illegal immigrants trying to make their way through - Many succeeding. I bet the government wishes there could be some kind of invisible fence to stop people taking advantage.

To be honest I'm kinda in the middle and is not really a political person. From what I've heard I know people come over to try and make a better life for themselves as in their country they don't have one. Others come over to try and make money to send back to their families.

I can see why it angers people though. If we wanted to emigrate to another country it wouldn't be that simple. There would be all kinds of paperwork to fill out and with some countries you have to have to be able to benefit the country somehow i.e work wise such as a being a doctor, architect etc.

In the United Kingdom it has been regularly known of that immigrants have been given homes, jobs over UK residents and even benefit monies that of course are taken from tax payers wage packets. So you can see why this has gotten out of hand.

In several other countries if illegal immigrants entered and got caught they would be jailed for a very long time and some with the extreme of their lives being ended by being shot for trespassing for instance.

I have heard dyer stories of people sneaking into lorries and then being trapped in there for days with hardly any air or being crushed to death by storage containers. Some people have even risked coming in by boat or swimming through the dangerous ocean waters.

But what is the right thing to do here? Simply send them back to where they came from with a punishment for breaking the law or do you think there should be another way?

RYANAIR VOTED WORST AIRLINE

2011-10-28T12:58:00.004+01:00

Online comparison website GoCompare recently surveyed 3,000 adults in the UK with the questions of who are the best and worst airlines?

Ryanair came out on top and not in a good way! 19% of the votes took them to the number one spot for worst airline. Next down the list was EasyJet with 12% of the votes.

Old time favourite British Airways won the Best airline with 19% of people recommending them, and also making the top ten list were Thomas Cook, Thomas Airways and Monarch.

I think this just shows going with the renowned cheaper airlines isn't always the way to go, and sometimes paying that little bit extra is worth it for the overall service, comfort and value for money that all this airlines were surveyed on.

Just out of interest have you ever flown with Ryanair? And what was your experience from it?

STRAIGHT TALKING PLANS FOR CHATTY TRAVELLERS

2011-10-21T18:02:00.005+01:00

This post brought to you by Straight Talk. All opinions are 100% mine.

The getting richer effect has expanded... by LittleBard95

Wouldn't you like to have The power of Android in your hand with all the apps and games you can think of, unlimited talk and texting for just $45 a month? And all this with a no hassle no contract plan?

People are saying you can Feel Richer with Android with a Straight Talk plan and its cut some of their phone bills in half. Why go for a contract when you can get deals like that? I'm already thinking in my head what I can spend the extra cash savings on. I am a woman after all and what we do best is shop and bargain hunt!

The phones on offer are not your cheap unknown makes either. Think Nokia, Samsung. Kyocera, LG and Motorola. On the smart phones you can enjoy voice navigation, a music player, video recording, a camera, bluetooth capabilities and touch screen access.

The International Long Distance plan is ideal for travellers as you get a flexible prepaid calling service that allows you to make calls from your mobile, home or office phone at reduced rates and with great reception and connectivity.

There are other plans to suit people who are missing home and like to stay in touch with their loved ones too like the All You Need Plan giving you 1,000 minutes, texts and 30MB of web data. Or if you know you are going to be chatting more or less every day you can have the $499.00 a year plan that gives you unlimited calls, texts, picture messaging and web - Potentially saving yourself a bucketful of cash!

PLAN YOUR PERFECT DAY: Fiji Wedding

2011-10-19T11:48:00.007+01:00

We all have the idea in our heads of the perfect wedding. Some of us like to go traditional with the full works like the church, horse and cart and the big white dress. Some prefer a quick party wedding Las Vegas style and others like to jet off to an exotic location and enjoy their honeymoon over there too.

You hear a lot about Fiji weddings at Fiji all inclusive resorts which sound great for people who want a no hassle relaxing service and time away. Imagine being set in idyllic surrounds with champagne on arrival, walking down the aile to be greeted by a beautiful floral archway with an acoustic guitar player or choir in the background.

Then afterwards enjoy a special candlelit dinner with your loved one and/or watch some traditional Fiji dancing with friends and family. And of course there is no need to leave your guests early to jet off to your honeymoon location either because you are already there in the luxury surroundings. Plus if you have all inclusive you don't have to have the worry about needing money or how much you are allowed to spend etc.

Namale is Fiji's number 1 resort and Spa and a good place to look at if you want to have your wedding in Fiji.

FLY IN STYLE: Private Jet Charters

2011-10-19T11:12:00.004+01:00

Example of a private jet interior

Have you ever tried to plan a family holiday or business trip abroad, only to have changed your mind last minute because you're put off by the hustle and bustle of the airports?

There is the long checking in process, potential delays, waiting in a queue to board or being sat next to the most irritating person ever on the aeroplane!

Sometimes I feel like going on my own private jet charter instead. And its probably not as expensive as you may think. Plus if you weigh up the options you would be getting compared to public flying you would be getting your own space, choice of air crafts, guaranteed pricing and a service tailored to your needs instead of someone elses.

One private jet charter company in particular that caught my eye is Plane Clear. Whether you're a family looking for some quality time away or a business person looking to fly solo in style or treat their clients the Program Management Membership is a great option. If you already have a similar programme in place Plane Clear's could save you 30% - 50% over your existing one so it's definitely worth looking into.

IDEAL LUXURY ROMANTIC HOLIDAYS

2011-10-17T21:39:00.005+01:00

Are you looking for a romantic holiday for an occasion such as a honeymoon, valentines day or anniversary etc, but want something that little bit more special than just a standard break away?

Online holiday provider www.onlyexclusivetravel.com have a fantastic selection of couples getaways such as Thailand, Maldives, Bali, Vietnam, Barbados and more exotic destinations.

And of course with luxury locations like these you can expect the best accommodation and surrounds. Imagine unspoilt sandy beaches with clear waters, high standard dining experiences, top of the range facilities such as the spa, swimming pool, bars, entertainment. Take this tree pod dining experience pictured above found at the Soneva Kiri by Six Senses in Vietnam. How cool and exciting is that?

WORLDWIDE DECORATIVE SOUVENIER DISH TOWELS

2011-10-14T10:29:00.007+01:00

Have you ever visited somewhere in the world and wished you had bought or kept some sort of memorabilia for that occasion?

There is an online shop called Tiddle E Winks Vintage 5 & Dime who actually sell beautiful 100% cotton hand embroidered Decorative Dish Towels, as well as other nostalgic items.

The tea towels are all themed by different countries, cities and states. You will be able to find anything from Alabama to Yellowstone.

This would make a perfect gift for someone to hang on their wall. Or even just something for yourself to keep and use and enjoy whilst you are doing your cooking anyway. You could have one for each day of the week!

CELEBRITY PUBS IN THE UK

2011-10-13T13:43:00.009+01:00

Chris Evans' Mulberry Inn, Surrey

You always hear about rich celebrities with their holiday homes, yachts and cars, but who would have thought that a setting trend amongst the world of the stars would be owning a pub!?

The celebrities featured here have all bought pubs in the United Kingdom for sentimental reasons. And of course it drums up business with local tourists and ones from afar just by the owners names. Maybe the visitors think it must be the place to be or live with the hope they may bump into their idol perhaps?

Pier's Morgan's Hansom Cab Pub in Kensington, London

Sir Ian McKellen's The Grapes Pub in Limehouse, London

Ant and Dec's The Lodge Pub in Newcastle

Guy Richie's The Punchbowl Pub in Mayfair, London

Sir Michael Parkinson's The Royal Oak Pub in Berkshire

Have you ever been to one of these pubs or do you intend on visiting in the near future?

PET FRIENDLY HOTELS VS PET HOTELS

2011-10-13T12:28:00.006+01:00

This post is a highlight of Dog Fence DIY helping you with your dog containment systems.

We have all heard of pet friendly hotels before, but what if we don't want to take our dog away with us and we haven't got a family member or friend to look after them for that time?

There is always the option of kennels but some people see even the nicest ones as a bit of a prison for their pets. Just stuck in a large kennel for their winding down times with the majority probably having a cage on the front of the enclosures.

But there are some fantastic luxury hotels for pets that have some dog containment systems that would probably be fit enough for people to reside in too.

We're are talking their own private room with an actual bed instead of a typical dog bed, a full grooming service, access to a doggy swimming pool to have fun with the other dogs, a flat screen TV, Outdoor dog gym/play area, high end dog treats, food and for the little dogs with celebrity owners a change of designer dog clothes each day.

The idea of these hotels is the pets are spoilt that much that they won't pine for their owners as they are having so much of a good time. Maybe some at the end of it won't even want to come home who knows!

From what I have saw though with regards to the cost of these places it probably works out the same to take an extra person on holiday with you! But that is the downside to having a pet I suppose. There is always something you need to pay out for them isn't there whether its vets fees, food etc? But for all you dog owners out there would you be without your 'mans best friend' as they say? What ever happened to being a woman's best friend too that's what I want to know?

CONSIDERING TAKING YOUR DOG ON HOLIDAY?

2011-10-11T13:26:00.003+01:00

This post is a highlight of Dog Bark Collar helping bark control made easy wherever you are in the world.

Having a dog myself I often ponder with the idea of taking my boy with me or leaving him at home with family.

But most of the time if I do take him with me the activities I want to do and places I want to visit aren't really suitable for a tourist dog to be passing through! Either that or you get stood outside somewhere because of the dogs not allowed sign.

Then you have hotels. Do they accept pets? And the ones that do are they actually habitable!? I have been in places in the past that have suppose to be especially for pets but are definitely not for human occupation! And I don't even know how they managed to stay open to be honest. You're talking torn bed sheets, ripped wallpaper, stained carpet and a strong animal odour like someone had let their dog live in the room 24/7.

But look out for the ones with actual policies in place. At least then you know they have pride in their establishment if there are some rules to be followed.

These policies can be things like a maximum size or weight, must be fully trained to do their business as you might say in the right place!, not to be left unattended and some might even ask for the pet to have a dog bark collar. After all hotels are there for people to be able to relax pets or not. And constant barking at any time of the day is not good for anyone trying to get some peace and quiet.

The policies can vary with different hotels really but the ones I mentioned above are probably the more typical ones which is fair enough really isn't it? You expect your dog to act that way in your home so why does a hotel have to be any different?

THE BENEFITS OF A TRAVEL JOURNAL

2011-10-11T12:37:00.003+01:00

This post is a highlight of Grammarly the most powerful grammar checker and a great place to learn English grammar rules

Whenever I go away on holiday as well as taking my camera with me I always like to take a journal also and use it a a diary of my daily thoughts and what I've been up to.

But usually I write as I go whilst its fresh in my mind rather than at the end of the day. So you can imagine what kind of scribbles and bad grammar are in there! Its the sort where I am the only one who can read my own writing!

I'll take those scribbles and transfer them into a scrap book along with the pictures I've taken to really bring the memories back to life. As well as the things you actually do on holiday like activities, sightseeing etc I will always take pictures and write about the people I've met and buildings that have caught my eye and stuck in my mind too. That way It's like re-living the scene back through my eyes again.

Doing a scrapbook is so much better than just flicking through photo albums and having to explain each picture to everyone if they ask. If they are interested you can just pass them the book can't you?

Some people actually release journal style books professionally don't they in the sense of 'life story' writing where you can go out and buy them in the shops? If I did that I would definitely have to re-check my grammar or even better use an online grammar checker so it does all the hard work for me.

I plan to travel to plenty more destinations in the next few years so I think I'm going to have to stock up on my scrap books.

How about yourself? Do you tend to make a diary of memorable times? or do you just like to let a picture tell its thousand words?

RELIABLE PRIVATE OWNED MEXICO ACCOMMODATION

2011-10-06T23:50:00.006+01:00

I have been on holidays in the past where the accommodation hasn't quite been up to scratch and its been owned by the resort group. This is no disrespect to all resort groups as some have been to are lovely. I just think when they are privately owned they get more of a personal touch and are a lot cleaner and homely as its that's persons own place isn't it?

I've never been to Mexico and was considering it for my next holiday destination.I came across a website called Sea side reservations that has superb properties in las palmas puerto penasco, San Carlos, Barra de Navidad, Rocky point, Riviera Nayarit and more - all of them privately owned but still with the convenience of a maid service and your own private lounge, kitchen bedroom, as well as access to the facilities within the resort. Plus there are always members of staff on site to assist you, so its not like you've just rented a privately owned place and then are left to just get on with it and find your own way!

On the website you can see where the local events are, the best activities to do and the most practical way to get there i.e walking or using transport.

HAVEN HOLIDAY REVIEW: Hafyn Y Mor, Pwllhei, North Wales

2011-10-04T09:34:00.012+01:00

Accommodation:

We stayed in a 3 bedroom superior caravan. On entry the accommodation was clean, furnishings modern and the beds made up. The disappointments were the mattresses in our caravan could have done with replacing as the springs dug in your back! I've had this problem before with Haven so whether its an ongoing problem with all their caravans? They could do with replacing each year really. Also this may sound petty but we had no ice cube trays in the freezer either. Drinking without ice isn't the same!

Would have been nice to have a welcome pack and instructions as we had no idea how to work the oven on the cooker. It wasn't straight forward. And the heating was on full when we arrived which was a nice gesture but hit you when you walked in and we had to try and figure out how to turn it off!
Information:

As mentioned above it would have been good to have a welcome pack. The only guide we had was a park map and the Haven Holiday brochure. The lack of signage around our accommodation area made it difficult to get to the facilities on the first day. There was no mention of where the main bins were - we had to ask another guest!

The park map was OK but it never mentioned what times facilities were open so you would often get there for example the Fish and Chip shop and find it closed. It would have been useful to include prices of facilities too so you could plan the day a bit better. Also there is no doctors on site. I was told the nearest one was 4 miles away.
Facilities:

I won't go into detail of exactly whats there as you can see it all on the Haven website but the choice of things to do was adequate. I was disappointed to learn the bowling advertised in the brochure was no longer there and the Go Karts only catered for children aged 8 and above. If I had known this I probably would have picked a different park. It was nice to have direct access to the beach and hiring the pedal boats and Kart bikes were fun!

The food outlet choice was good with a dining pub, fish and chip shop, Burger King, Papa Johns Pizza and Starbucks cafe. An average to feed a family of 3 for dinner or tea would range between £9-15 each time so bear that in mind if you plan on eating out a lot. I would have liked to have seen a Chinese/Indian takeaway but that is just me being picky again! If I were to go on a Haven holiday again I would consider the half board option as it's just £12 a day per person for 3 meals.

Night Time Entertainment:

There were 2 show bars open out of the three which I thought was decent for the time of year we went (end September). During our time there there were some kids shows where they did dancing and magic which was great. The talent show was my personal favourite! Its a shame we were out of season as I would have liked to have seen a comedy act, wrestling and the circus. The shows started about 7 ish and continued through the night with adult only shows on at 11pm. But if you're out with the kids they'd probably be asleep by 10pm anyway if not before! Mine were anyway!

Price:

I was lucky enough to get a last minute £99 deal. The price was good value really and much better than the £200 + price we would have had to have paid for 4 nights if booked in advance. From the disappointments I have mentioned here I think I would have been a bit miffed to have paid that much!

Nearby Attractions:

There is only so much you can do on the on site facilities so we ventured out a lot. There are 3 beaches a short drive away from the park. You have got Barmouth Beach, Black Rock Bay near Portmadog and there was another towards Pwllhei. Harlech castle is a good attraction to visit as well although there is admission charges to look around.

There are other attractions that are suggested on the back of the park map. It all depends what you like to do really.

Overall:

It was an enjoyable holiday still with the 'disappointments' aside but not somewhere I would consider returning to again unfortunately.

Rating:

6/10

TIPS ON HOW TO PACK LIGHT

2011-10-04T09:18:00.006+01:00

Five New Takes on Packing Light

The hot travel topic right now is the number one thing that makes travelers upset and angry: luggage fees. Forget about delayed flights, long luggage lines, problems with a prepaid cell phone signals in airports, or outrageous cab fares; it's all about the price you pay to check a bag.

There are probably some travelers out there that would rather pay higher plane tickets than have to worry about unknown fees when they approach the airline agent. It’s one thing if you are prepared to pay a certain amount in baggage fees, but with heavy weight charges and even carry-on charges, travelers feel like giving up.

Although there has been debate, most airlines are not mentioning the possibility of eliminating baggage fees or even reducing them. All they seem to want to convince people to do is either sign up for the airline’s frequent flyer programs or sign up for the airline’s credit card programs. Travelers need to think twice before signing up for any program and try to find alternatives to saving money from ridiculous baggage fees.

Here are the top five spins on common tips for packing lightly:

1. Pack Less

One of the easiest and simplest ways to reduce baggage fees is to pack less. For the most part, if you just pack one carry-on conducive to the correct size, then you have nothing to worry about. That is unless an airline actually charges for the carry-on itself. At least that is the only expense you’ll have. Try packing one color scheme and purchasing other clothing items once you arrive. Before you leave, you can either donate or leave the items in the hotel.

2. Understand all policies before purchasing a plane ticket

It is important to consult both the internet and speak to a live agent about the individual airliner’s policies. Make sure and inquire about the baggage fees and carry-on fees. You need to research how the fees could vary by airliner, destination, date of travel, number of bags, and the weight of the bags. Also, consider that when traveling internationally, requirements will most likely change amidst flight changes.

3. Refrain from joining any programs

Unless you are a business traveler traveling more than two times in a week, contrary to most advisers, reconsider the frequent flyer programs and credit cards. Usually the money saved on baggage fees and airplane flights will not be worth the fees and high interest rates of most programs.

4. Weigh your luggage

By weighing the luggage before entering the airport, you can avoid the stress of having to make adjustments, get rid of clothing or a bag although. Nothing is more daunting than realizing half the stuff you packed cannot go on the plane.

5. Consider purchasing new luggage

Look for luggage that meets the size requirements, but weighs less. Luggage made of ballistic nylon or the equivalent allows the carrier to pack more of items they want. Although this luggage tends to cost substantially more, the lightweight luggage tend to have high durability.

Bottom line though is that whether we pack lightly or not, it would make more sense for the airliners to change their ticket prices accordingly and get rid of those unnerving baggage fees.

Guest post by Wilson Chandler.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF ZACAPA'S PREMIUM DARK RUM

2011-10-03T22:01:00.002+01:00

This post brought to you by Diageo. All opinions are 100% mine.

You always tend have that one (or more!) bottles of best alcohol that you only keep for your special guests don't you? From the places I have been around the world I always like to have a nice alcoholic beverage to bring home for my collection.

I have heard recently about Zacapa premium rum that not only has a distinctive unique taste to it but has a fascinating story around the way it's brewed and aged too.

Take yourself to the town of Zacapa in Eastern Guatemala for moment where 34 years ago the brand was born. The sugar cane is grown in acidic soils from volcanoes that oozes sunlight. What makes this rum a cut above the rest is where other brands use a sugar making by-product called molasses, Zacapa's premium dark rum only uses concentrated first pressed virgin sugar cane honey.

If that wasn't enough to impress you with the time and effort that goes into making this masterpiece the aging process is done 2,300 metres above sea level on the Quetzaltenango highlands, where the airy mountain breeze helps slow down the aging process. And each bottle has a handwoven petate band attached to it that represents the unity of sky and earth time and space.

This premium rum is not something you will find in your local shop or budget supermarket. It even has its own Zacapa Society too that you can join here. All members will get the chance to see exclusive details and the possibility of getting fantastic gifts and prizes. This as well as finding out where to buy the rum near you if you don't fancy a trip to Eastern Guatemala anytime soon!

STRESS FREE AMERICAN BUS TOURS

2011-09-23T21:56:00.005+01:00

If you really want to get a feel for America you're better off putting your tour guide maps away and flagging down expensive taxis for a more relaxed kind of experience.

All Abroad America do some charter phoenix bus tours amongst others that lets you take everything in in luxury coach surroundings without having to worry where you're going or what its going to cost to get there.

With this family owned company and their 75 years of knowledge, top class customer care and well maintained coaches you shouldn't be disappointed.

You may be looking to do the tour with just several friends or maybe a whole company of colleagues. For whatever size all groups can be catered for. All the hard work is done for you. All you have to do is sit back, enjoy and take in the surroundings.

I'd much rather be on a coach with friends and family with someone else taking the reigns of the tour, instead of me trying to find (and look at the same time) for the best places with a map and a places of interest guide on my lap!

To find out more just visit the website direct and get yourself a quotation for whatever your needs are.

LOW COST MOBILE PHONE PLANS FOR TALKATIVE TRAVELLERS

2011-09-11T07:01:00.004+01:00

This post brought to you by Straight Talk. All opinions are 100% mine.

I tend to travel around quite a lot and when I'm in different countries I still like to keep in touch with friends and family. But sometimes this isn't possible as the cost is so expensive for me to call with the contract mobile phone plan I have or I usually run out of minutes!

Luckily my 24 month- yes 24! plan is coming to an end so I've been looking for something where I can have a bit more freedom from binding terms and conditions and hopefully a good value one at a low cost too.

I heard Straight Talk do a Hook, line and sinker International Long Distance Service that's flexible and pre-paid meaning I don't have to sign up to anything! And they offer low rates whether you want to Call a friend or family member from your home, office or mobile. If anyone can save me money as a minimum that sounds good to me! But it does look like Straight Talk have a variety of mobile pone plans that give you pretty much Everything you need.

The All You Need Plan gives you 1,000, 1,000 texts and 30MB of web data for people who love to talk as well as other good value plans with top brand mobile phones to go with them.

TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS OR ALL INCLUSIVE?

2011-09-08T23:07:00.007+01:00

Over the years you've probably been on one if not more bad holidays that weren't to your liking? I know I have. Everybody is different and like different things don't they?

My husband is more of an All Inclusive Holidays person with all the facilities and food included so we don't have to worry about anything or plan ahead. Whereas I am one for a liking to explore the surrounds and find that lost little cafe tucked away in a corner somewhere that only the locals seem to know about, and not know which each day is going to bring.

I think next time we should consider Tailor Made Holidays instead. At least that way we can pick and choose what we both like.

When we hear the word holiday our automatic thought is the sea and sandy beaches. Well near enough every holiday destination if not all of them is going to offer that and not just the Luxury Holidays resorts. I like to pick places that have a bit more action and adventure to them. Although sunning myself with the sea breeze on me is one of my favourite things.

By action I mean activities such as joining in with the city's carnivals and festivals, maybe swimming up close to some sharks, get into the heart of a jungle kingdom. And adventure would be attempting to climb the highest mountain, drift along clear warm waters on hand crafted boats whilst taking in the scenic and cultural views.

Your typical resort is always going to have night time entertainment, spas, gyms etc which I'm not saying isn't a good thing, but the beauty of having a tailor made luxury holiday is it would give you that little bit more you know?

Where would your ideal holiday location be? Or maybe you've been there already and want to return again and again!?

THE MYSTERY OF HAUNTED SAN-ZHI POD VILLAGE

2011-09-07T21:00:00.001+01:00

All may look quite normal looking at the picture of San-Zhi Pod Village above. But work on these unusual buildings were abandoned due to a number of strange events that can only be explained to be haunted by spirits!

In an ideal spot by the sea in Northern Taiwan the original plan was it was going to be a futuristic style water themed resort. But tools were downed leaving even the locals with unanswered questions as to why?

Several suspicious accidents happened on the site which caused the sudden stop in construction. And the build was never started back up again. Now the pods have fell into a poor state with lack or should I say no ongoing repair or restoration. Many have fallen apart and roofs taken off. And with no one no longer monitoring the site a few people took advantage of making their temporary homes there.

In adding to the rumours of the site being haunted the locals say they believe the ghosts of the people who died there at work still roam the land and they won't step foot in there.

The whole thing was seen as a bit of a government cover up really and there is no knowledge of the architects name and apparently there was no more money to put into the project. It all remains a mystery of a potential gold mine left to rot and a fascination for curious tourists.

LONGING FOR A SAN FRANSISCO VACATION

2011-09-05T00:41:00.007+01:00

The USA is a place I hope to visit one day and really explore. Being a lover of arts and culture San Fransisco would be right at the top of my list of states to visit first.

I imagine the furnished vacation rentals san francisco would be surrounded by scenic views or interesting buildings, and would be fantastic for any sort of break or business trip.

FIND CESENATICO ITALY HOTELS EASILY

2011-09-05T00:24:00.004+01:00

If you're looking for accommodation in italy there is a useful Hotel Cesenatico website that can help you find the best ones around.

Each hotel has pictures inside and out, full details including a location map and more.

WORLD'S WEIRDEST DRIVING REGULATIONS

2011-08-20T22:23:00.000+01:00

If you thought the idea of driving on the other side of the road in a different country was scary you might want to consider some of these weird regulations from around the world first before you set off!

- If you have to wear glasses to drive you must carry a spare pair with you (Spain)
- Headlights are to be kept on at all times including the day in built in areas (Italy)
- No drinking inside your car whilst driving (Cyprus)
- Driving a dirty car is against the law (Romania & Russia)
- Before you set off you must check for people under your car! (Denmark)
- Pedestrians have right of way and some will expect you to stop! (Switzerland)
- Women are not to wear dressing gowns when driving (California)
- Cars must be parked on the side of the road where the houses have uneven numbers on uneven days of the month and vice versa (Several cities in Spain)
- No horn honking (Viena)

These are just some of the regulations you need to look out for. Avis have recently published a series of driving guides targeted at the British public holidaying abroad that you can download from their website. So might be worth a look to swot up a bit before you decide on that car hire.

FIND YOUR PERFECT AIRCRAFT, BASE & PRODUCTS

2011-08-20T19:57:00.008+01:00

Aeroplanes are not always used to take you on your holidays and business trips. In fact a lot of people like to fly as a hobby or to run their own businesses.

You always see a lot of classified advertisements for road vehicles in newspapers and websites so it was only right to have a site on aeroplanes and helicopters for sale too.

There is a website (see link above) where you can advertise and search for aircraft, aircraft parts and even residential, commercial vacation homes, bare land and other property types that have been designed especially for air crafts to land and take off.

You can find air crafts for specific purposes such as acrobatic, light sports, agricultural or maybe you are a collector of aeroplanes and helicopters and are looking for an antique or classic vehicle for show?

As well as the listings you can also check out aircraft value trends, calculate the value of your own aircraft, see what the aviation weather is currently like or search for companies who supply air crafts and their parts.

It's a great site for owners new, current and retired to browse through and register with to keep up with the latest news and use the online features like the Performance Database.

BEST KEPT SECRET AWARDS 2011 - Vote For Your Favourite Hotel

2011-08-19T13:06:00.007+01:00

It's nearly time for Laterooms.com The Best Kept Secrets Awards 2011. And with just 2 more days to go before nominations close they still need your help in selecting the best hotels in the Britain for these categories:

- Best breakfast
- Comfiest bed
- Best view
- Best Eco-credentials
- Best gardens
- Best spa
- Best services
- Best for dining
- Best for dining
- Best interiors

Perhaps you know of a little gem yourself that you go to time after time that is not really a well known place to others? Its not all about the 5 star hotels here its about recognising hotels that give that something extra special most of the time unnoticed. So its up to you to put them in the spotlight!
And for your efforts in voting you will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a one night stay for two including breakfast at the luxury Kilham Hall, Driffield (above).

You need to be fast though as the nominations close on 21st August, 2011. The results and prize winners will be announced early September, 2011.

You can cast your vote from here: bestkeptsecretawards.com

HISTORIC POST OFFICE TRANSFORMED INTO A HOME

2011-08-16T21:00:00.000+01:00

Before

This beautiful building known as Fishergate Post Office based in York, United Kingdom was specifically built for the said purpose back in the 1930's. Then about 70 years later sadly it was closed down in 2004. But the owners were not going to let the building stand empty and deteriorate so decided to retire and make it into an actual home they could live in.
This is how everything looked from behind the counter. The ceiling has some original plasterwork on it which you can briefly see here and has been kept intact. A lot of the customers were shocked to find out it had always been a part of the building but of course you never generally look up do you!?

After

Imagine the counter being where the the dining table is situated.

Owners Michael and Susanne Breene.

The original arched windows were also kept in place.

The oak door is the original one that customers used to enter. Before the remodel a wall was just in front of the door and you would have turned left to go into the shop. The hallway here is a recent addition.

This was the corridor that separated the post office from the other rooms in the building. Again the original oak doors have remained. The corridor led to offices including a telegraph room with eight wires coming into the telephone exchange.

Its lovely isn't it how old parts of the building were able to be made of part of the home to keep the memories alive? And it's great it didn't turn into an eyesore and knocked down like many old buildings and landmarks these days.

WHEN SEARCHING FOR YOUR HOME BECAME EASIER

2011-08-16T13:00:00.002+01:00

In the olden days (well my olden days!) if we wanted to buy a home we would have to drive around in the hope that we might see a For Sale board outside the house or flat we wanted. That or phone around numerous real estate agents.

Although some of us still may use that method thank goodness for the invention of the Internet! Many if not all real estate agents will have their own website that we can browse around ourselves and find out who the best ones are. And more importantly search for homes that you're looking for in a particular area with pictures of the rooms and gardens.

So you could be looking for a Broomfield Real Estate agent or Boulder real estate homes say and your search would be far less complicated and hassle free. I remember when I was looking for our house (many many years ago!) and we spotted an ideal home in the perfect location. I was so excited - until we got inside that is. Everything was really old fashioned and falling apart and could have done with a few thousand spending on it refurbishing it. That kinda cash is not something you have really as a first time buyer is it? I wish that I had had the ability to look at inside pictures back then as it wouldn't have got my hopes up and wasted my time!

Its the same with the people who are looking to sell their home. I bet quite a few have had a lot of irrelevant people not looking for their type of home from the lack of information provided.

Do you remember when you first bought your home before the days of the Internet? Or were you one of the lucky ones that had the convenience of being able to browse at your own leisure online?

THE WONDER OF COSTA RICA

2011-08-15T21:54:00.007+01:00

When you think of luxury destinations its usually ones like the Caribbean or the Bahamas that spring to mind. But sometimes even the smallest countries are just as good in what they offer - if not more.

Like Costa Rica in Central America for instance. This is beautiful countryside destination with its stunning surroundings, vast amount of wildlife, an array of flowers and Costa Rica beaches are just a few of the things that will draw you in to say the least.

It's a perfect retreat for couples, families or even singletons looking for a peaceful relaxing retreat. And a fisherman's dream too I might add with Professionally outfitted charter boats ready to tour you across the scenic coastline full of Snapper, Tuna, Marlin, Snook and more.

You can take to time to explore historic caves, see what a volcano looks like, dip in the hot springs and take a stroll in the cloud forests and butterfly gardens. For the more adventurous you can always try out scuba diving in warm waters, river rafting, kayaking or have a go at horseback riding.

Food is a speciality here too with chicken, beef and fish Caribbean and International dishes freshly prepared by local chefs. So already it makes a refreshing change from the usual processed drive by foods you get in a lot of countries.

It all sounds so intriguing doesn't it? I can see myself wondering around here in fascination all day. And those are the best type of breaks.

Specialist travel Provider Costa Rica Sunsets can arrange all this for you at fantastic year round discounted prices.

ARIZONA'S UPCOMING PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT RESORT

2011-08-08T19:51:00.008+01:00

Who needs the Las Vegas strip when you can just go to Arizona Hotels Near Mexico at a Tuscan premier resort and get it all in one location?

A new place based in Arizona will be opening up in the next few months and it's set to attract a vast amount of tourists, holiday makers, honey mooners, business trippers and maybe even a few of the locals too!

The resort offers all the luxuries anyone could ask for and being brand one all the rooms, furnishings and facilities will be at their best.
You can try your luck at the slot machines, table games, bingo and poker then take a refreshing break in one of the several bars and restaurants including a Tequila Factory offering 120 flavours and a fine dining steakhouse.

There is also entertainment rooms with live music and various spa packages to choose from too.

It all sounds great doesn't it? Not somewhere you would ever get bored anyway. But if you do fancy a change of scenery in the surrounding area you can golf at one of the world class courses, get a taste of the past with the wild west at Old Tuscan studios or just take in the sights of the Sonoran Desert on a hiking adventure.

Just can click on the link above to find out more.

THRIVING TOWNS FLOODED TO MAKE WAY FOR RESERVOIR

2011-08-05T19:18:00.016+01:00

The Quabbin reservoir in Massachusetts, USA once housed four towns until they were flooded out to the bottom of the water to make way for this new system.

The plans for this came onto place because in the 1920's residents of Boston didn't have their own water supply for them to be able to grow stock. It was seen that the shape of the valley would make a perfect place to build a reservoir so the towns were bought out and two thousand residents were forced to evacuate after an order was made in 1939 for the flood to take place.

An old road sited at Gate 52 disapears into the water

The towns known as Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, Prescott, and parts of New Salem were torn up, trees pulled down and buildings demolished or relocated with only several disused remains left behind that are there today. Many bodies were dug up from cemeteries too with the exception of some Native Americans and moved to other locations. The rest of the structures were lost underwater when the land was filled in 1946.

A couple of the remains left behind - A chimney breast, cellar hole and cemetery vault

Some of the intriguing remains that were left behind are roads that lead into the water area, cellar holes and other parts of buildings to remind us of the towns that once were. You can still see the peaks of the mountains and hill tops that once stood proudly in the area -now giving us a beautiful interesting view of nature.

A diver explores the underwater remains

FIVE CITIES FOR FOOD LOVERS

2011-08-05T12:58:00.003+01:00

Five Cities for Food Lovers

When people think of great holiday spots and authentic foods, few would automatically think of such cities as Tenerife, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Stockholm or Budapest. Yet each of these notable cities has their own culinary charms to offer adventurous food lovers.

Affordable flights to Tenerife can take travellers to sunny sites where they can sample fresh-caught seafood such as crab, lobster, and octopus, and delectable tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and guava. Why venture half-way around the world to the Caribbean, when flights to Tenerife can offer sunny beaches and authentic island cuisine? It’s the perfect solution for a completely new experience.

Lisbon, in Portugal, is also a fantastic place for seafood and coastal fare. Even sting ray has its special place on the menu. From the traditional cozido (a beef, pork, and sausage stew with vegetables) to its special port wine, the flavours and earthy regionalism of Lisbon’s dishes continue to please. Surprisingly, it’s also where tempura comes from – it was actually brought to Japan by missionaries from Portugal.

Another often overlooked food-happy destination is Amsterdam. Flights to Amsterdam can be had at excellent rates, and the sheer variety of its offerings gratifies gourmands and foodies alike. The variety of its cheeses and delightfully sweet stroopwafels can accompany any typically hearty meal, such as draadjesvlees (slow-braised beef) or rookwurst (smoked sausage). Whether it’s street food or fine dining at an elegant restaurant, Amsterdam has much to commend it.

Stockholm sneaks up behind you with its regional variety. Famous Swedish meatballs share the table alongside gravlax and fishballs, as well as unique game dishes such as stewed reindeer. A wide variety of breads is also a national feature, while fruit soups (which may be served hot or cold) add to the smörgåsbord. The Swedish table is one at which you’re sure to feel right at home.

While not one of the usual suspects, Budapest also has much to offer the intrepid traveller. With seasoning techniques that go back hundreds of years, Hungarians relish strong, rich flavours and delicate desserts. Goulash, as it is typically known, is a far cry from the complex mix of stuffed meats and vegetables that can be found in Budapest. The wide variety of spices they use also adds depth to their dishes.

So the next time you’re planning a holiday with food in mind, consider these five diverse options. Not only will you be able to travel off the culinary beaten path and avoid the popular cuisine-influenced clichés of the majority, but the discoveries you make will enrich both your taste buds and your gourmet credibility.

This is a guest post by Sergio Santos, a travel writer that has reviewed many destinations around the world.

LOST CITY FOUND UNDER WATER: Dwarka, India

2011-07-28T18:32:00.011+01:00

I often wonder how many lost cities there actually are out there and especially ones that have sunken into the sea over time. We sometimes hear of these fascinating cities being uncovered by scientists, divers and even general members of the public.

The remains of a 9,500 year old city in the Bay of Cambay in India has been uncovered 120 feet underwater along with some human parts! The five mile long and two mile wide place known as Dwarka or The Golden City is believed to have been home to Krishna the Hindi god.

It was a just by a stroke of luck this find was discovered as oceanographers were actually conducting a survey of pollution.
This has thrown out all the research done by scientists that had findings from the area from 5,000 years ago. Going back another 4,500 years has forced them to think again about their theories on the history of civilization there.

The debris that was taken from the site were parts of walls, building material, pottery, sculptures, beads and human bones and teeth that exposed the site was 9,500 years old when carbon dated.

It is said the city was sank in the last Ice when the ice caps melted. As devastating as it all sounds doesn't it make you want to go back into time to see how it all happened and what the city was like when it was full of people?

SEARCH FOR CHEAP FLIGHTS, HOTELS & CAR HIRE

2011-07-27T12:13:00.014+01:00

There are a lot of cheap flights providers out there, but do you often find yourself having to search on separate websites to find hotels, car hire and other travel information ?

You don't find many sites that offer an all in one service like this where you can search from one website. That's why I like WhichAirline.com.

From wherever you need to fly out to around the world whether it be USA to India, London to Paris flights or the hundreds of other locations across the globe you will be able to compare prices with all airlines.

That's another thing that draws me to this website is that fact that some of these companies will only give you prices for travel providers who have paid for placement to be included on their site. But WhichAirline.com shows you all of them so you can be confident you will be getting the best possible price.
Doing a search is simple just by selecting your destination and dates of travel. If you know the specific city you're travelling to and from or the actual airport you need it makes it easier for you. However if you don't a handy map will pop up that allows you to select up to 10 locations that you feel would be suitable and you can go on from there.

A summary list of matches will then come up in less than a minute where you will be able to view the times available for inbound/outbound flights, see if it's a direct flight or transfer(s), baggage allowance ,if onboard refreshments are available and more importantly the price which you can compare and filter by the lowest cost, flight duration, departure or return time.

Plus if you can be a bit flexible with your days you can always use the 'adjacent days' option to see if the price changes much. You could find a better deal for the day before or after you never know!

As well as the flight search you can use the useful tools on the website to search airlines if you have a particular one you prefer to travel with, see what hotels are available and check car hire prices.

I quite liked the idea of the airline search as each one you select gives you all the details you need to know about that company such as where they are based, the locations they fly out to and some even have photos of the planes, cabins and inflight refreshments available which I found to be really thoughtful as at least you know what to expect don't you?

Another useful section is the news tab where you can find out tips like how to avoid jet lag, lost luggage and information for people with disabilities amongst others.

Have a look at this cool information packed website to find out more. You can also follow WhichAirline on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to their feed for the latest news and offers.

ABANDONED MEDIEVAL CITY: Mandu, India

2011-07-27T11:30:00.003+01:00

If you're a lover of historical buildings and ruins then Mandu would be the perfect place to look around. Once home to a Royal family it's hard to imagine how anyone could bear to abandon this stunning place.

The ancient capital that's based south of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Indiahas sat empty for about 400 years where royal palaces, mosques ,mausoleums, tombs, pavilions, gateways, lakes and rivers lie. In fact one of the buildings: The Tomb of Hoshang Shah was said to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

The Tomb of Hoshang Shah

Gypsy tribes now camp out and live on the hilltop plateau. And as well as being a popular tourist spot for travellers the The Nil Kanth Palace is a main pilgrimage point for those who worship the Hindu goddess Shiva.
It seems such a shame that the place was abandoned because the capital of Malwa was moved back to Dhar. It looks like it would have been a fantastic place to live in it's prime.

WIN TICKETS TO ROCK FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

2011-07-19T09:58:00.002+01:00

In your best rock voice people ..."We will, we will rock you!" ... And with that I'm calling all the true rockers out there to let you know about the Rock en Seine festival.

This is a 3 day event just 10km outside Paris where you an your mates can camp out, perch yourself at the bar, eat all the snacks you like and of course jump up and down to your favourite act (best not to on a full stomach mind ha ha). Big names like The Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys The Kills, The Wombats, Miles Kane, Deftones amongst others will be entertaining you throughout the day from about 14.30pm till after 23.30pm, so you may want to take a packed lunch or three if you're one of the full-dayer's!
If you're thinking yes yes that's so me - tell me more!, you will be pleased to know French music information provider's Francophonik and sponsors Eurolines are holding a fantastic competition at the moment, where you can get exclusive tickets for free as well as other events. And it's so easy to enter. All you have to do is like the Francophonik Facebook page, go to the competition area and tick the box of the event that you want to enter.

The festival will run from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th August so gives you plenty of time to get your camping gear and spends together. If you're not really feeling the whole camping experience you could always check into one of the nearby hotels. Also you can get one day passes for a less hardcore experience! But I personally think the 3 day passes would make a fun weekend away for any music fan. You may only get the opportunity to do this once before you decide 'I'm too old for all this now' as my mom would say!
The Rock en Seine festival has been going strong since 2003 with last year selling out, so I'd get in there as fast as you can.

iPhone and Android owners can download a Rock en Seine application to get all the information on the festival and download a map of the venue including the different scene stages, toilets, bar and snack areas (essential stuff that!).

From the Facebook fan page you can also see tips, news and offers about whats happening in France and where the best places are to be at music wise like french gigs in the UK and festivals in France as well as any upcoming sports, arts events and more.

Ooh this gives me little tingles thinking about the festival and the competition. I love The Foo Fighters! What if I win? What if you win? Will you go anyway if you don't win? All this excitement is too much. I best start sorting my camping gear out of the loft!

Sponsored Post

SEARCH FOR THE BEST HOTELS IN LONDON

2011-07-11T22:47:00.003+01:00

Some people end up having bad experiences in hotels if they haven't booked it themselves. Going through an agent is great for some but I like to be able to book online to choose my own hotel and not a package deal.

London is a place I enjoy visiting often. But for how popular the city is you can imagine how many hotels there would be. So when I'm looking for the best hotels in london I like to go to online hotel reservation provider Horse21.

From here once you've found the hotel you like you can book it instantly and you will find that the rates are lower than if you were to book at the hotel direct as special rates are given by many hotels to Horse21 customers.

The summary list easily lets you select the hotels that catch your eye as they are listed by a star class rating and price. And once you click into them for more information you will be shown all the hotels facilities, nearby locations of interest such as motorways/landmarks, a map of the area, see starting prices, check the availability and read reviews from previous occupants.

You can even put any special wishes you require for your room in the comments field when booking.

FIVE STAR CANADIAN BC RESORTS

2011-07-09T19:59:00.005+01:00

How does the idea of fishing in world famous salmon-filled waters, getting up close to dolphins, sea lions, bears and riding ocean rapids sound to you ?

This is just a few of the fun adventures BC Resorts can offer you on their luxury Canadian resort. Its that good it was voted in first place for trip Adviser's Travellers' Choice 2011 Awards.

The all inclusive wilderness lodge accommodation and facilities are all five star rated and with its award winning Storey Creek Golf Course and world-class spa services and treatments you can really take the time to relax and indulge yourself here.

LONDON APARTMENT FINDING SPECIALIST

2011-07-06T22:34:00.005+01:00

London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom so there will be plenty of different london apartments and other accommodation to choose from.

If you're planning to stay here for a short break instead of looking around your typical hotel booking sites that list everything (even the worst rated hotels) try the London & Worldwide Apartment Booking Service for a more personal experience.

You can expect to get a free one to one service with special rate offers coming from people who have an extensive knowledge of London and can find you the best centrally located london apartment to suit your needs.

UNUSUAL ASPEN MAGIC MUSHROOM VACATION HOME

2011-07-06T21:43:00.009+01:00

There seems to be many beautiful unusual homes around the world and this Aspen Magic Mushroom home in Colorado can easily be added to the list.
Building started work on the 5 bedroom 12 level home by it's original owner Andre Ulrych in1973 using moss rock, rustic wood and stained glass. The design was inspired by a nautilus shell. There are several stairways and ladders that lead to the different spaces.
To get to the master bedroom you would have to climb through a four an half foot rock wall opening. Then once inside there is a round water bed, soaking tub, a shower that can be seen from the above bedroom balcony and carpet stapled to the ceiling.
The house is now a vacation home for Peter and Patty Findlay. The previous owners were Playboy model Barbi Benton and her husband and it's known for being a bit of a love pad! Looks lovely doesn't it? I wonder if they rent out to the public? - Probably not, would you?

JEEP CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW CAR & CHALLENGE

2011-07-04T20:50:00.003+01:00

Its been an impressive 70 years since car manufacturers JEEP started trading giving us road worthy cars that can handle the hardest on and off tracks. And now they want to show they are better than ever by celebrating their anniversary with a new model: The Jeep ® Wrangler Unlimited Sahara and by sponsoring Alex Bellini's LA - NY Footrace 2011 challenge.

Alex on the 8th stage of his run from Needles to Kingman, Arizona

If you didn't know Alex is an Italian athlete who will be travelling across the USA joined by 20 competitors on a 5,000 km race journey from Los Angeles to New York. The 70 stage race has already began on June 19th and will run through (get it run through!?) to August 27th, 2011. They will be up against the tough Nevada desert heat and freezing New Mexico temperatures. Just in case you didn't know how hard this is each stage is its about 70 km - meaning that's around 120 marathons in just 2 ½ months! Someone is going to need some much needed rest after that! You can find out more and follow the progress of the challenge including pictures and videos (one video featured at bottom of this post) via The newJeep ® Portal website http://www.jeep-people.com. From here you can also find out about Jeep's history and even submit your own challenge idea. Have you got the J Factor you think?

Of course the challenge wouldn't be right without a support team following along in the sponsor's Jeep ® Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. After all the brand and challenge represent each other perfectly by promoting adventure, freedom, authenticity and passion.

The unique 4x4 has an open air design that makes the outdoor experience extra special, a powerful 3.8 V6 petrol engine, automatic temperature controls, a premium sound system and custom tread Rubicon 32-inch BFGoodrich® off-road tires for battling against all weathers and those sharp rocks. Just looking at the pictures here makes me want to get in and drive it already!

To get more updates on the challenge, cars and the latest news you can follow Jeep's Twitter Page and 'like' Jeep on Facebook.

Sponsored Post

STRANGE THINGS FOUND IN HOTEL ROOMS

2011-07-04T19:11:00.011+01:00

Shark in a bath tub

A guest went fishing and caught a shark. Instead of putting it back he kept it and put it in the hotel bath tub without thinking it actually needed sea salt water. The shark became weak and the guest fled. Luckily the shark survived and was put back into the sea.

False Teeth

A UK holiday maker left her false teeth in a Barcelona hotel and asked for them to be sent back recorded delivery.

A book with a secret compartment

A Cyprus hotel found a book with a strange blank cover and an unusual language written inside. There was also a locked box inside which appeared to have no keyhole.

Artificial Legs

A couple of British hotels have found several artificial legs in their rooms over the years.

Corpse

A UK hotel discovered a human body in the hotel room wardrobe leaving the guest that checked out non surprisingly under suspicion!

Dog

The poor thing was left behind at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte near Pisa.

Cockatoo

The cockatoo was left in its cage in a luxury Tenerife hotel. It was later returned to its owners on a private jet paid for by the owners.

20,000 euros

The stash of cash was found in the hotel room drawer. The couple who were about to check into their flight were contacted in time and returned - abandoning their flight and ended up staying an extra night at the hotel.

PHILIPPINE HOTEL & TRAVEL GUIDE

2011-07-03T23:55:00.000+01:00

There are plenty of hotel booking sites and travel guides for different places around the world. But I prefer to look at specific destinations and a website that just features hotels in that particular country.

For instance the Philippine Hotel & Travel Guide that has information on Boracay, Manila, Puerto Galera, Tagaytay hotels and more. From here you can search for hotels to suit your needs and budget and even book online right from the website.

Tagaytay was particularly interesting to me. I had heard a lot about it and wondered what the fascination was. Just looking at the pictures of the hotels and surroundings alone makes it seem so beautiful. I was fascinated to learn there is the Taal Volcano nearby and that the climate is cool enough to enjoy your holiday without feeling too hot - especially in the Summer.

Searching for a suitable hotel is easy just by putting in your dates of arrival and number of people travelling. You are then presented with a list of hotels - each one having various pictures and details on the accommodation, facilities, map of the area, local points of interest and any promotions, deals or events the hotel is having.

The accommodation can be anything from discount to 5 star hotels making it ideal for people on different budgets.

TIGER'S 'KNOW THE NOT KNOWN' UK EVENTS

2011-06-21T23:38:00.002+01:00

Award winning premier larger provider Tiger beer is a world-acclaimed brand drank by millions of people since 1932 and still going strong! Tiger wanted to show they are more than just a beer and like to get involved in different creative promotional events throughout the UK.

With the partnership of Vice and Empire magazine joining forces with Tiger they have managed to put together 3 great Know The Not Known campaigns: Undiscovered Treasures, 8 Not Known Events and The Found Series.

The Not Known Events were launched in October 2010 where Tiger Beer and Vice Magazine set out to find 8 promoters based in London who could be challenged for their Know the Not Known creativity. They were looking for people with talent, those who had the enthusiasm to carry out something exciting and more importantly be creative with their ideas.

The first of the events was a Halloween Horror music and film party special hosted by promoter and owner of The London Fields Ben Rymer and curated by secretsundaze founder Nathan Gregory. The venue was transformed into a haunted house by designers for 300 guests to explore and of course party the night away with a Tiger Beer in hand no doubt!

Other events since then have been Tayo’s 80/90's themed Tracksuit Party and the Off Modern arts and music venue based in an old factory building that had artists such as band Get Me lined up to play at the event. And there are still more to come.

You can find out more about this and the other campaigns at the Tiger Beer UK Facebook page, Tiger Beer's website and see some short film footage on Tiger's You Tube Channel.

Hopefully you may be able to get access to tickets to these cool future events for yourself too.

Sponsored Post

REAL LIFE SIZED DOLLS HOUSE

2011-06-21T21:17:00.007+01:00

Every girl probably had a dolls house when they were younger. Imagine if you had a giant one to play with!
Several years ago artist Heather Benning used an abandoned farmhouse near Sinclair, Manitoba in Canada and made it into a real life dolls house. She removed the rear wall and and protected it with plexi glass. It was left there to stand as an art piece and hopefully still does to this day.

The interior has 1960's inspired wall and furniture. I think all that's missing is the life size Barbie and Ken dolls don't you?
Heather said of her creation;

"I wanted to show the passage of time … I was able to show what it looked like before it was left, but then what it looks like now, you know, 35 years later. I chose to leave the porch on there, which is rotted out, and everything to look quite rustic on the outside."

WHAT'S YOUR HONDA STORY?: Channel 4 Short Film Contest

2011-06-20T14:00:00.002+01:00

The Honda name is so much more than driving your car or motorbike from A to B travelling for work or pleasure. Many people have been taking the use of their Honda brand to another level other than the norm.

And with news of this Honda has created a new campaign where people can share their unusual stories with people all over the UK via their website. Already stories have been coming in like a farmer who uses an All-Terrain Vehicle to help look after her alpaca's, a motorbike escort who assists at British Cyclist Events to keep his team safe and a sheep farmer who uses a Honda generator to scan pregnant sheep.

Nigel the Motorbike Escort

Do you have an amazing story of your own from using a Honda Product? If so Honda would like to hear about it and have created a contest in honor of these special stories. The contest will give you the chance to have your story shown to the country when the winning entry is aired on a Channel 4 mini documentary and seen by all across the country.

You may have saw one of these mini documentaries recently on Channel 4 of the woman with the alpacas I mentioned earlier? These videos are created exclusively by W+K and can give you your five minutes of fame.

To enter the competition go to the Honda website and select 'take part' and fill in your details including a description and any pictures or videos to back up your story.

Philipa the Alpaca Farmer

I must say this has made me look at Honda in a whole new light. Before I just thought yes Honda is just cars and motorbikes but I had no idea that people would use the brand for things other than going to work and general day to day travel. And then I find out they do garden, energy and marine equipment too. Well you learn something new every day don't you!?

And even though I don't own a Honda I will be following Honda On Facebook and visiting the website regularly to see what fascinating stories people have uploaded.

Sponsored Post

LUXURY CAMPING: Safari Tents

2011-06-20T13:22:00.005+01:00

If you love camping but don't have a tent or maybe you do and don't want the hassle of taking it and all the equipment with you? A couple of holiday parks in the UK have amazing luxury Safari Tents!
It's like 5 star camping really! And you don't have to erect your tent or take it down as its already there for you with nothing to worry about.

I love how you have got proper indoor furnishings inside instead of sleeping bags. Its like an indoor outdoor living experience. You have got a private veranda, beds, kitchen appliances, utensils, lighting, table and chairs to suit up to 5 guests.
The only downside is still having to go to the shared shower and toilet blocks but I suppose it wouldn't be a real camping experience having your own would it?

The Safari Tents are available through Haven Holidays at Burnham-On-Sea and Perran Sands, Somerset in the United Kingdom.

ACCOR HOTEL 7 DAY SALE * Hurry Only From 16th-22nd June 2011 *

2011-06-16T22:00:00.001+01:00

This post brought to you by Syndacast. All opinions are 100% mine.

Novotel Sapporo In Japan

If you were in any doubt whether or not to book a holiday this year because of lack of funds then you should definitely take advantage of the Accor Hotel Super Sale.

The European hotel leaders are giving you to chance to snap up accommodation at fantastic prices. And they are so good it only lasts for 7 days.

With Accor's connections to brands such as Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Hotel ibis, all seasons, Mercure, M Gallery, Formule 1, Base, and rooms at a massive 50% off the standard price you can choose from nearly 1,000 popular hotels and resorts from across the world, such as the Novotel Nha Trang hotel in Vietnam, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach hotel in India and The Royal Beach Seminyak, Bali in Indonesia to name but a few.

Mercure Narita Hotel In Thailand

The only catch is you need to have booked your holiday within the 7 day period (16th-22nd June 2011), pre-pay for it online and take your accommodation between 8th July - 4th September 2011. These are pretty good dates to be fair and are still classed as high season. Just think how much it would cost you to book in those periods usually and how much you would be saving.

But remember the sale is for 7 days only and then it will be back to full price again. So don't hang on and try and book on the 8th day or after. If you miss it you miss out!

A SPECIAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE: African Safari Tours

2011-06-07T21:23:00.008+01:00

Are you a lover of wildlife and want a different kind of holiday? One where it can put you right in the centre of all the action?

Imagine being set right in the middle of nature viewing animals in their own environment. Seeing rare mountain gorillas roaming the forest or lions climbing and resting on trees.

You can get this kind of experience going on Safari Holidays. These breaks typically tend to be anything from 7-10 days long and you will be amazed by the things you can do and see.

Online holiday provider The Far Horizons offer all types of different tours including a Gorilla Safari, Bush Tracker tours, Explorer Trails and much more.

You can discover Africa vising different locations each day based in Uganda and Rwanda.
As well as seeking out the wildlife you can immerse yourself in the wonder of Mother Nature and be walking past active volcano's, which seems rather scary but intriguing at the same time.

There is also several choices of accommodation. If you love your home comforts and like to indulge a little the luxury lodges would be great. Or if you want to put yourself in the heart of the forest near to beautiful rivers and see birds pass right before your eyes then the exclusive tented camps would be ideal.

I really like the sound of the night game drives with the chance of seeing leopards or riding on horseback instead for the ultimate experience.

And not forgetting the Western and Oriental cuisine that will be on offer. Its fantastic to try out what the locals are eating and get all cultural. Plus it would make a nice change from the burger and chips we have in most English countries I'm sure!

Have a look at the website to find out more and see what your African adventure would be.

THE REAL FLINTSTONES HOUSE

2011-05-30T18:16:00.010+01:00

I have a fascination with Real Cartoon homes and I've saw a couple of variations of The Real Flintstones house but this one featured here has to be my favourite.

The living areas

But the strange thing is I have no other information on it other than the fact that it was done by a designer. Where is this amazing home and do people actually live in it?

Bedroom and Bathroom area

After researching the Internet for more information I failed miserably so if you know anything yourself please leave a comment and I will add it in the post and give you the recognition for it. Thank you in advance! :-)

Garden

In the meantime I'll leave you with these fascinating pictures. Could you live in this unusual home?

The cartoon version

CHEAP DUBAI & UAE FLIGHTS

2011-05-23T22:08:00.004+01:00

Dubai and the UAE have always been favourable holiday destinations with their white sand beaches, vast amount of shopping malls, entertainment and having one of the world's largest indoor skiing arena's.

The've become so popular you can find plenty of cheap economy dubai flights tickets or 1st class seats if you fancy a bit of luxury.

You can get low cost tickets from website Dubai.com whether you're looking to go on a round trip or a one way flight.

All you have to do is select your departure point, dates of travel and the number of people going and you will be presented with a selection of flight providers that you can compare against each other and save money.

AN UNDERWATER ADVENTURE: Atlantis Hotel, Dubai

2011-05-19T22:37:00.005+01:00

How does the idea of walking through a mysterious world of under water Atlantis ruin chambers, swimming with 65 thousand ocean fish and sliding through clear water slide tunnels right next to the sharks sound?

This is just a few of the many (and I mean many!) things the Atlantis Hotel has to offer. It's definitely unlike any other hotel you have ever seen before and your children and yourself will be fascinated by this aquatic Atlantis Adventure.

The Lost Chambers

The hotel theme celebrates the ocean where you can come up close and even swim amongst the sea creatures themselves.

On the resort itself you will never be stuck for things to do. You can dine in one of several award winning and casual restaurants. You really are spoilt for choice with the food options as well as having your food prepared by world class chefs such as Giorgio Locatelli and Michel Rostang.

Shark Attack Waterpark Slide Ride

Relax on one of the private beaches, take a stroll in the luxury boutique shops, spend hours of fun in the Middle East's largest water amusement park, marine attractions, spa's and entertainment centers. Then by night get your dancing shoes on for the popular Sanctuary nightclub or one of the many other bars.

An underwater dining experience

I must say browsing through the Dubai and Atlantis Bahamas websites I got lost in all the amazing things you can do. It really intrigued me - especially some of the palm and ocean view suites and rooms, that have got a real marine glass wall where you can literally lie down and see the fish swim by from your own bed!

The Leap Of Faith 27.5m Tall Water Slide

Children aged 3-12 years old have special Atlantis Kids activity centres & programmes they can take part in. And teenagers can enjoy parent free time in the Club Rush hang out with their friends, sip non alcoholic drinks in their own exclusive bar, play in the game zone or chill out in the Internet Cafe.

Command Centre For Young Children

The social Spotted In Atlantis interactive video set in the post is good fun! It actually lets you upload a picture yourself or your friends from their Facebook page. Then it's put together to show what an amazing time you could be having.

Quality Stylish Bedrooms

There is so much more I could tell you about this spectacular hotel but I'll let you discover it for yourself by visiting the website and checking out the Atlantis Hotel Blog.

It really would be a holiday of a lifetime ...

Sponsored Post

DRIEST PLACE ON EARTH: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

2011-05-10T12:15:00.000+01:00

Antarctica holds many world records. As well as being the Coldest Place On Earth, The Windiest Place On Earth it is also the Driest. And not a place I think many people would like to reside that's for sure!

The part of Antarctica which is the driest is a place appropriately named The McMurdo Dry Valleys. It has not seen a spot of rain for almost 2 million years!

It is the Kabatic winds from the mountains that become so weighed down with moisture that gravity takes them away from the valleys.

Lake Bonney

With the name Antarctica you automatically think loads of snow don't you? But 4800 square KM of this particular place has hardly any water, ice or snow. And the rest is ice free with the floor being loose gravel.

However there are still plenty of Lakes and Rivers. The most famous ones probably being Lake Bonney and Lake Vida. Lake Bonney has a permanent 5 meter layer of ice and unlucky seals that have dared to attempt or cross those waters have been found mummified nearby by scientists. This as well as unusual living bacterias inside the rocks.

Mummfied Seal

A lot of scientists actually consider The McMurdo Dry Valleys as the closest terrestrial environment that would be the same as the planet Mars, and it is thought it gives us an idea of what extraterrestrial life would be like.

Lake Vida

There is actually another dry placed called Atacama desert in South America which is the driest desert in the world. People often get this confused with the 'Driest Place On Earth'

Antarctica sounds like a really interesting place to visit doesn't it? I would probably have to stock up on some extra warm clothing and water bottles before hand though!

A PEACEFUL LOG CABINS RETREAT: Yoho National Park

2011-05-08T16:56:00.003+01:00

How would you like the idea of being able to just get away from it all and indulge in the peaceful surroundings of the forest and a glacier-fed river, amongst the home comforts of a wood burning stone fireplace, a soaker tub and a private deck?

There are some authentic lodges and log cabins based in Yoho National Park, Canada that are perfect for this kind of break. And if you're a keen adventurer the area allows you to hike, climb, canoe, raft, bike, fish, golf, do horseback riding and much more.

You could even take your pet along to share your mountain view experience.

THE WINDIEST PLACE ON EARTH: Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica

2011-05-05T13:28:00.005+01:00

As well as being The Coldest Place On Earth Antarctica also holds the title for being the windiest. Cold and wind all at once... makes me shiver just writing about this!

The winds here in a place called Commonwealth Bay will reach speeds of around 200 mph consistently.

Antarctica has been seen as the windiest place on earth ever since Australian explorer Douglas Mawson declared it to be so in 1912, when he resided there for two winters.

Its the glaziers that cause what is known as a katabatic wind. This happens when air meets ice and it cools and becomes denser.

Photo of Commonwealth Bay taken in 1912

Once Mount Washington based in New Hampshire, USA had winds that reached 231 miles an hour. Although it didn't last and the place didn't have constant high winds like Antarctica - hence making it the Windiest Place In The World.

Brrrrr! Could you stand the chill of Commonwealth Bay?

FIRST TIME VISITOR GUIDE TO NEW YORK

2011-05-05T12:42:00.005+01:00

First Time Visitor Guide to New York

New York City is one of the most exciting places to visit. As a first time visitor, however, it can be a bit overwhelming. This guide will help you plan your trip, including booking flights, finding a place to stay, and determining which sites are worth visiting.

Flights to NYC

Depending on where you are flying from, it is possible to find flight deals to NYC. Check travel websites such as Expedia, Orbitz or Kayak to compare prices for different airlines. There are often deals on flights to New York from London, or other major cities. Most flights in NYC land at either John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark, which is located in New Jersey. A few flights land at LaGuardia Airport, but it is much smaller than the other two. From the airport, you will need to take a taxi to your hotel.

Where to Stay

Hotels in NYC are notoriously expensive. If you can find a room for less than $200 USD per night, then it is considered a bargain. Hotel rooms in the city are typically seem very small to out-of-towners, because space, of course, comes at a premium. Before selecting a hotel, you should consider what kind of experience you want to have. Do you want to be in the middle of it all and be able to walk to Broadway shows? Then you might consider staying in Times Square, as many tourists choose to do. If you want a more hip downtown experience, stay in a boutique hotel in SoHo or the Lower East Side, There, you'll be able to walk to many cool restaurants and bars and experience what it's like to be a local.

What to Do

For a first time visitor to NYC, there are several must-see attractions. Take a ride up the elevators of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center to experience the full panorama of the skyline. Spend an afternoon walking around the winding paths of Central Park. You should also visit at least one museum, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) or the Metropolitan Museum. If you love to shop, visit the famous Macy's on Herald Square or stroll down Fifth Avenue and gaze into the many designer shops.

Many tourists also enjoy taking a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, which offers impressive city views and photograph opportunities. Another option is to take a boat tour on the Circle Line so you can see Manhattan and the outer boroughs from many angles on the Hudson and East Rivers. Or you can take a trip on the Staten Island Ferry for free. If you must see the Statue of Liberty, take a ferry to visit and climb up, and also stop by Ellis Island and check records for ancestors.

Finally, one of the best parts about visiting NYC is enjoying the many different restaurant options. NYC is famous for its pizza and Italian food, but there are restaurants representing just about every ethnicity. Don't worry, you'll walk more than enough to offset all of the eating!

TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD

2011-04-21T13:20:00.000+01:00

Even looking up at it on the picture makes you feel dizzy doesn't it!? And makes all the other buildings around it seem so tiny.

This building that also features the World's Highest Restaurant stands 2,717 feet tall.

The Burg Khalifa in Dubai was officially named the Tallest Building In The World when it first opened on 4th January, 2010.

It has 57 elevators and 8 escalators. The elevators have a max speed of 40mph can get you to the top in less than two minutes!

FIVE KID-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON

2011-04-14T22:32:00.007+01:00

Five Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Boston
By Travel New England

With so many wonderful things for people of all ages to see and do in Boston, trying to create a list of only five that are just kid-oriented means leaving many great places and attractions out. That said, the suggestions below were selected because they are unique to Boston, have historical significance, or are just plain fun for the entire family. Following are five, fun kid-friendly things to do in the “Hub of the Universe”, Boston, Massachusetts:

1. Walk the Freedom Trail - Boston was the birthplace of the American Revolution. Many of the most significant events leading up to the revolution happened in Boston, including the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Boston Freedom Trail is a 2 ½-mile long walking path by sites of historical significance telling the story of the American Revolution and beyond. While the trail is fun to walk unguided, you may want to take one of the costumed guided tours to help make the trail come alive and to further entertain the kids.
2. Visit Old Ironsides – The USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. The 44-gun frigate was built in Boston and launched on October 21, 1797. She saw combat in the Quasi War with France (1798-1801), the Barbary Wars (1801-1805), and the War of 1812. The Constitution is in the Charlestown Navy Yard and is open for free guided tours year-round. It’s a great way to give kids a little history while seeing a really “cool” ship. The views of Boston Harbor are pretty nice too.
3. Visit the Sports Museum of New England – If you have sports-minded children, the Sports Museum Of New England is the place for you. Located in Boston’s TD Garden, home to the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics, the museum not only pays tribute to New England’s legendary professional sports teams, but also has exhibits detailing other things such as the Boston Marathon, the Evolution of Women's Basketball, and Olympic figure skating silver medalist, Nancy Kerrigan. The museum is a lot of fun for athletes and sports fans both young and old. If you and your family really like sports museums, we would be remiss if we did not mention that the Basketball Hall of Fame is an hour west of Boston in Springfield, MA, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a little more than an hour southwest of Boston in Newport, RI.
4. Tour Fenway Park – Staying with a sports theme, you can tour one of Boston sport’s crown jewels –Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox and the oldest major league ballpark in the United States. When the Red Sox played their first game at Fenway on April 20, 1912, the sinking of the Titanic was still front-page news. And yes, that first game was against the New York Highlanders, now their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees. The Sox won that game 7-6 in 11 innings starting another Boston sports tradition, very long marathon games between the Red Sox and the Yankees. Tours of Fenway Park occur daily year-round.
5. Take a Duck Tour - For a truly unique way to tour Boston, hop on an old World War II era amphibious truck. Boston Duck Tours operate a fleet of refurbished “DUKW” amphibious trucks to provide truly unique tours of Boston. The tours take visitors past over 20 significant sites in Boston and even head into the Charles River for great views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. And yes, some visitors even get to drive when the Ducks are in the water.

These are but a few of the many wonderful things for the young and young at heart in the City of Boston.

About the Author
This article was written exclusively for Travel Shack by the editorial staff of Travel New England, a website about all of the wonderful things to see and do in the six New England states. Check out their site, blog, and photo gallery for more New England Vacation Ideas.

The picture of Fenway Park is from the Wikimedia Commons. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

ATTENTION TWEETERS! - Win A Free Flight For 2 To A Secret City

2011-04-06T18:10:00.001+01:00

Do you ever wish that you could jet off somewhere to a dream location without the hassle and the cost of booking your flight?

Well Tweeters stand by! KLM are currently holding a competition for several lucky winners to receive 2 economy flight tickets to one of their Secret Cities. This location is to be guessed by you.

Never before would a 'Follow' on this social network seem so exciting! So forget your status updates for now and start following KLM on Twitter. Once you do get yourself over there daily at 4pm UK time to see the daily 'hint' tweet and you can start playing the game to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

Although its UK time its not just UK residents that can enter. The contest is open to anyone basically who has a Twitter account and follows the terms and conditions.

The daily tweet will also show you a picture of a city. What you need to do is pinpoint the location on the map using a flag on google maps where you think the place is and submit your entry. You can do a pin point entry once per day from Monday to Friday. 5 different cities will be featured throughout the week and playing each day will increase your chances. The winner is the person with the best score and who has guest the closest.

If for any reason there is more than one person who has selected the same closest location the winner will then be selected by other factors such as the time it took to guess the location, how many times you have entered amongst others.

And if you win you actually get to choose which one of the 5 locations you would like to fly out to. Excellent!

I have already joined and been playing along of course, I've been racking my brain each day .. is it London, Paris, Argentina, somewhere else!?

The contest has already started 8 days ago and will run until the 24th April so I'm giving you a heads up to come along and play with me and the others on twitter

Don't forget to check back at 4pm UK time the next day where the previous city locations will be revealed. How exciting would it be if you got the answer right? Then all you have to do is wait for that direct message to say you were the closest and you could be packing your bags on the same day!

The winners are announced each Monday so there is not that long to find out if it is indeed your lucky day.

I know it may sound silly but if I won I would like to actually go to the building or place in the Twitter picture that won me the contest when I arrived for my trip in the city. This as well as checking out the local bars, restaurants and entertainment along the way.

You can follow KLM on Twitter using this link here and find out more selecting the other links scattered around this post.

Sponsored Post

Partage propulse par ebuzzing

WORLDS SMALLEST POP-UP HOTEL

2011-03-31T11:12:00.008+01:00

There are lots of novelty hotels about and this Airstream static caravan accommodation adds to the list perfectly. In fact it's known as the World's Smallest Pop-Up Hotel.

It was last seen and heard about when it was situated in London, UK last year in honour of British tourism week where a competition allowed several winners to stay there over a period of a week only.
The 29 foot by 7 foot hotel was taken across different landmark locations in London such as The London Eye, London Zoo, Covent Garden amongst others.

It has all the furnishings you would expect in one of London's luxury hotel rooms along with a first class service too such as room service, concierge and a check in desk.
The hotel was always placed close to plenty of attractions, shops and restaurants though in case you wanted to venture out a little and take in what London has to offer.
I think this is a great idea to get tourists into the area. I'm guessing this pop-up hotel has been moved around quite a lot since London. I wonder where it is based now?

KEEP THE WIND OUT: Sunroof Deflectors

2011-03-31T11:00:00.001+01:00

The summer sun can make a really unpleasant experience when you're inside your car as you have got no where to go apart from there in that stuffy atmosphere.

Of course you can open your windows and sunroof but then you end up feeling like your in a wind tunnel not a car. So surely there has to be some sort of compromise here?

I started looking for information and found out that you can actually get a sunroof visor that acts as a wind deflector. It will re-direct the wind elsewhere instead of straight into your car and cut down the loud outside noise you usually get. This in turn will give you that fresh air and cool down you need without the harsh winds affecting your journey in any way.

Plus they will also act as a safety measure too and prevent any stones or debris from coming in your car.

You can get a premium collection of sunroof wind deflectors from online auto accessories provider CARiD that have brand named products such as Weathertech.

There are lots of different styles and colours to choose from - all of high a quality that would suit most if not all types of cars.

7 FOOT HOME: One Of The Smallest In The UK

2011-03-21T15:41:00.012Z

I'm always fascinated to hear about these unusual and novelty homes. This house probably doesn't look that abnormal from the outside and could perhaps be mistaken for the side or an extension of a normal house. But it is actually the whole house!

This 7 foot wide home based in Framlingham, Suffolk, UK was originally part of a steam mill then was converted into a betting shop and then 8 years ago transformed into the home you see today.
The house has now been put on the property market for sale at a whopping £95,000. Its being marketed as one of the smallest houses in the country as well as the last remaining Victorian part of the steam mill. Sadly the rest of the mill was completely redeveloped or demolished to make room for new buildings.
With just 308 square feet inside you can still find a lounge, kitchen, shower room and one bedroom. But bizarrely the living areas are in a kind of upside down design with you having to go up the stairs to get to your lounge and kitchen and on the ground floor is the bedroom and the bathroom.

If you look at the third picture above here it looks like its been photo shopped and someone has erased half the house doesn't it!?

Could you live in a house like this?

LAS VEGAS GUIDE: Plan Your Perfect Trip

2011-03-21T15:00:00.000Z

Las Vegas is a brilliant vibrant place to be that's full of things to do. It's probably most famous for the wedding chapels and party lifestyle but there is so much more to it than that.

In fact for people who like a quieter time there are numerous las vegas golf courses, art galleries, speciality shops, spas and museums.

Then of course on the nighttime the place really comes to life with the many bars, nightclubs, concerts, shows, comedy clubs amongst others.

There is a website called wheretraveller.com that's a perfect las vegas guide for finding out more about las vegas shopping , tours or whatever else you love to do.

The editors can give you expert in depth information and recommendations of the best places to go. One of my favourite things I saw is the vast amount of restaurants to choose from where you can find anything from a burger bar to a swanky seafood restaurant.

And because WhereTraveller have been providing people with magazines, maps and guidebooks for over 75 years for destinations across the world they are seen as a trusted and reliable source.

Have a look around yourself and see if there is anything that catches your eye to tempt you into a Las Vegas break.

THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI DISASTER

2011-03-16T09:00:00.000Z

I was really saddened to hear about the recent earthquake turned into a 500mph tsunami that has devastated Japan. News of this has spread worldwide and shocking and disturbing videos of it happening have been released across the Internet.

This one here I found shows the start. And if you fast forward to 1 minute 22 you can see the hitting point.

Its been seen as Japans most powerful earthquake on record. As you can see in detail in the video the tsunami waves ripped through homes effortlessly and pulled ships and cars under the water.

The tsunami has stole the lives of about 11,000 people so far where people have been listed as dead or missing. 450,000 homeless survivors have been forced to sleep in temporary shelters or camp out on the floor of school gyms.

Rescue teams and military forces have been bought in and from outside the country as well in a bid to get through the rubble and hopefully find trapped people. In more recent news fears of a nuclear power station overheating after cooling systems failed has become a major concern.

My heart really does goes out to all those people affected by this unexpected disaster.

CHOOSING YOUR HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

2011-03-11T10:33:00.004Z

We only tend to go on holiday once a year. I wish I could go a few times but I should be lucky to get the one really as some people don't get to go at all do they?

So when the time comes around I get really excited and start scouring the Internet looking for special deals and places. But when you have been to the same sort of place and stayed in the same type of building for years on end its time to start looking for something a little different. Otherwise your holiday just becomes repetitive and the 'same old same' after a while no matter how hot the sun is burning and how beautiful the waters are!

On my search so far I have came across Bali villas for rent and I must say they look like my kind of accommodation. The villa rental Bali homes seem really luxurious too so I will definitely be looking more into that I think.

There is so much choice these days aren't there? With all these new complexes being built worldwide you really are spoilt for choice.

You have got apartments, hotels, lodges, cottages, cruise ships and of course villas to name but a few. And each one can make a real difference to your holiday depending on what you choice cant it? But I suppose at the end of the day especially with myself it comes down to budget doesn't it and how many people are going that needs to be taken into consideration?

With two kids in tow it's doubtful their weekly pocket money would cover the cost of a meal let alone a villa hire! No I'm not that mean to make my kids pay for their own holiday so you can put that frown down now! Just call me the bank of mom!

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT

2011-03-02T20:17:00.000Z

If you're afraid of heights then maybe dining 442 metres high wont sound that appealing to you. But for those that it does it would make a fantastic experience to be able to eat in the tallest building in the world .
The At.mosphere restaurant is situated on level 122 in the Burj Khalifia building, Dubai which makes also makes it the worlds highest restaurant. It takes a minute to reach the destination from the bottom in a glass elevator.
As you can imagine the views are spectacular overlooking the landscape. And the food and prices are no doubt the same too! In fact there is a £51 minimum spend just for lunch per person with the most expensive evening meal being Maine lobster at £100.
There is the main restaurant, a lounge and a smaller private dining area in the daytime and by night the lounge is turned into a popular bar with music that stays open till the early hours.

Could you see yourself dining here if you had a spare £50 or so going spare!? And thats if you were dine alone yet alone as a couple or a family.

SELF GUIDED & GUIDED EUROPE WALKING HOLIDAYS

2011-03-02T20:00:00.001Z

How does walking across coastal cliffs and mountains with scenic views at every angle and peaceful beaches and clear waters in between sound to you?

That is just one of the experiences you could have when taking Walking Holidays in Europe. These are a different kind of holiday for people who really appreciate natures beauty.

For me its the silence of just you and your companion(s) with maybe the sound of a few birds and the breezy air that makes it so appealing and relaxing. Plus it gives me a chance to make good use of my professional camera - especially for the wonderful historic buildings I would come across along the way.

You can get these holidays from Catalan Adventures who offer several different types of walking breaks. You can have guided tour walks or self guided if you prefer to find your own bearings and adventure.

As well as the walking holidays Catalan Adventures also offer cycling, adventure and a new and interesting break I haven't heard of before which is painting holidays.

Have a look at the site to find out more, see what previous customers have had to say and don't forget to take a look at the special offers section too.

BA's UNIQUE 'FLYING HIGH' COMEDY SHOW FOR CHARITY: And You Could Be There!

2011-02-17T19:59:00.002Z

Long running charity Comic Relief have teamed up with one of the biggest airlines in the world British Airways in the hope to raise some cash, and inject some fun into the cause at the same time.

And for the first time ever a 2 and half hour stand up Comic Relief comedy show will be performed across the UK at 35 000 feet by not one but three established and well liked comedians - Dara O'Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson. This unique kind of show will be also be featured in the Guinness Book Of Records for 'Highest Stand-Up Comedy Gig in the World'.

It's not just for the 'high flyer's' either with plenty of cash to buy this experience! In fact you can get to see the Flying Start show for free on Saturday 12th March, 2011 and enjoy a glass of champagne (or ten!) along with refreshments if your one of the 75 lucky winners.
All you have to do to enter is text 'Fly1' to 70300 or go to the Flying High Facebook Page and enter from there. Please see the full terms and conditions found on the Facebook page for further details as a small mobile phone text charge will apply if you choose to enter via text.

When you enter you get the opportunity to donate £3 or more to the charity or if you prefer you can just enter without making a donation. If you do donate you can do it more than once. The more times you donate the better your chances are at winning one of these 5 star seats.

The Comic Relief Red Nose Day charity has been going for a number of years now and has helped thousands of unfortunate children from around the world. Although you don't have to donate as an entry requirement your £3 or more would be giving a Flying Start to these poor children.

The comedians are already gearing up for their performance and are ready to go. You can see their comments on the video below. All that's needed now is the 75 seats to fill for this opportunity of a lifetime for yourself and the disadvantaged children you will be helping out.

Sponsored Post

GET THAT GORGEOUS DESIGNER BIKINI LOOK

2011-02-13T14:37:00.006Z

When I go on holiday I like to take several bikini's with me and wear them over the week and even mix and match them when I can.

I wanted a couple of new ones for this years break but my usual catalogue shops didn't seem to stock anything that particularly stood out to me. I like to have swimwear that will not only give me a great tan but catch other peoples eyes as well as my own!

Online store Simply Beach has a vast collection of gorgeous bikinis, swimwear, sarongs and other summer clothing.

You will be lost for choice on which bikini to pick for whats on offer. I'm still deciding as I write this!

UNUSUAL TOILETS WITH A VIEW

2011-02-04T19:27:00.009Z

Portable Latrine, Hogaard Island in Antarctica

Some people will travel especially to see that ultimate view but in these places it doesn't stop when you need to do your business either!

Here are some of the best toilets with scenic views from around the world ...

Mountain Chaley Toilet, High Tatra Mountains In Slovakia

Mt Baker, Washington In The USA

Airship Ventures. Picture taken travelling across California

Leh, Ladakh in India

Salt Creek Camp, Tonto trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona in USA

Which one wouldn't you mind sitting on!?

FIND UK FLIGHTS EASY: Departure Point App On The iPhone

2011-02-04T19:00:00.002Z

The Internet is great for looking for flight details but it can be a massive pain trying to find out Who flies where from your departure point.

I found a useful easy to use app for UK departures on the iPhone that allows you to search for exactly where you want to go within minutes.

Its quick to download and best of all it's free! - Fantastic for any regular traveller.

A RUBBISH HOTEL WITH A DIFFERENCE

2011-02-02T10:23:00.006Z

You hear people say that a hotel was 'a load of rubbish' but this temporary hotel in Madrid has in fact been made from rubbish that was found on beaches around Europe.

German artist Ha Schult is the one responsible for the build known as the Corona Beach Garbage hotel for a Save The Beach awareness campaign and to make people think twice before they start littering.
The five bedroom accommodation sponsored by Corona beer was opened up to lucky Facebook winners to stay over for free where they could sleep inside a building made from 12 tonnes of rubbish including tyres, books, musical instruments, wall decor items, old rugs and even striped socks!

The building was only created as a temporary hotel until the end of January 2011 for environmental and hygiene reasons of course.

Ha Schult said;

"I created the Beach Garbage Hotel because the oceans of our planet are the biggest garbage dump."

With a spokesperson for the project further saying;

"We wanted to show what our holidays could become if we don't clean our beaches."

It's a great idea isn't it? I hope it does make people realise and actually wait to put their rubbish in the nearby bin or keep it in their bag or pocket at least.

CHEAPER HOMES IN DALLAS: Pre Foreclosure & Wholesale Property Listings

2011-01-29T13:11:00.006Z

Property Summary List Example

When it comes to holidays some people will buy a place as their second home so they can just visit whenever they want and not have to worry about finding somewhere and paying deposits each time.

Others will buy as a form of investment to either rent out the property or sell it on in time and make a nice profit from it.

There are plenty of Dallas investment property opportunities about but the key is to find the ones that are going to save you the most money and of course make you the most money too.

In general a lot of the usual marketed foreclosure properties that are advertised on the Internet, Realtors windows and newspapers will be cut between 10-15% but with what is known as Wholesale and Pre Foreclosure properties you can get 20-50% off the retail price instead.

There is a site called MyHouseDeals.com that specialises in these type of listings in the Dallas area. Most of the time many of these Dallas investment properties wont be listed anywhere else.

Maybe you have an investment property in Dallas yourself that you're looking to let go of also? This site is ideal as its free to use and provides you with different leads as well as educational articles on real estate investing in general.

1870's CONVERTED NETHERLANDS CHURCH TOWNHOUSE

2011-01-19T20:37:00.010Z

I have always loved old churches and the stained glass windows so I was pleased to see an 1870's one formerly known as Saint Jakobus Church had been brought back to life and transformed into living accommodation.
Now a townhouse The Residential Church XL based in Utrecht in the Netherlands eventually was put up for sale in 2010 and before that was used for small concert space, conference rooms and an antique furniture showroom.
Thought was put into trying to keep as much as the churches features as possible such as the facade and special inserted flooring has been installed to bring out the day light into the area.
When you look at the pictures can you envision yourself living here and where you would put your furniture? It's simply stunning isn't it?

CUT DOWN NOISE & WIND ON YOUR CAR JOURNEY: Sunroof Wind Deflectors

2011-01-19T18:00:00.000Z

I use my car a lot and when its full of passengers it can get quite stuffy in there and not just in the summer time either.

Before I would just open the sun roof but driving down the motorway with the road noise and wind gushing in over my head left a lot to be desired. That was until I read about sunroof wind deflectors.

I must say these are fantastic! The way they work is they help redirect the wind that comes into your car and the outside noise is made less noisy, so I am able to drive down the motorway at ease without having my hair suddenly blow in front of my face!

You can get a good range of styles and brand named makes for cars, trucks or SUV's over at the CarID website. They are custom made especially to fit your vehicle and the ultra-durable tinted acrylic material makes an exact fit and have designs that wont affect the look of your car. In fact it would probably enhance it more than anything.

Even if you travel often or not a deflector is bound to come in use at some point and once you start using it you will wonder how you managed without it before.

WORLDS MOST EXPENSIVE APARTMENT

2011-01-07T16:20:00.001Z

For what doesn't seem so spectacular on the outside this UK two floor penthouse apartment on the Christian and Nick Candy's Knightsbridge Hyde Park development in Central London certainly could give the Worlds Largest House a run for its money with whats on offer.
As well as the apartment itself occupiers have access to 24 hour room service from famous TV chef Heston Blumenthal's restaurant via a special private underground passage, their own panic room, private wine tasting facility and SAS trained body guards.
Other features include floor to ceiling bullet proof windows, eye scanners in private elevators, an air purifier to deter poison gas attacks, geothermal bore hole heating that extracts heat from the earths crust, access to several spas, squash courts, own car park and if that wasn't enough the local corner shops are Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Ooh ... now I see what most of the £140 million price tag is for thus making it the World's Most Expensive Apartment on record.
So when can I move in then!?

RELAXING & INTERTESTING SCENIC RIVER CRUISES

2011-01-05T18:43:00.009Z

When I have gone on holiday in the past I grew tired of the long journeys filled with traffic and delays just to make my way through to my destination. You cant really say that a highway, hundreds of cars and buses makes a pleasant scenic experience at all.

Then I started reading about river cruises. If you're thinking they are just the same as a sea cruise take out the unpredictable crashing waves, motion sickness and 90% sea views only and your left with a really enjoyable interesting experience.

Imagine taking a Rhine River Cruise down the peaceful rivers with pretty buildings, mountains, statues, forests and other fascinating structures in your sights along the banks. And that's before you even get to your destination.
Relax in the comfort of your own suite with an open window or really take in the fresh air from your own balcony or the sun deck. These are just a few things that Viking River Cruises can offer.

You can go on cruises around the world on deluxe vessels that can hold anything from 150 to over 250 people. These destinations include Europe, China, Russia and Egypt.

The cruise is not just the journey you will actually get to stop off at different interest points and have time to look around, seek out the history and culture of the place and dine in the towns restaurants and test out the local foods. You can also have the chance to travel along famous rivers such as The Danube and The Nile.
Of course there will always be a vast number of facilities on board too with typical ones like a bar, gym, massages services, lectures, live entertainment and more.

When you have travelled with Viking once you automatically are a qualified member of the Viking Explorer Society loyalty programme. This means money off discounts and members only cocktail parties amongst other things.

Have a look at Viking's website to find out more and book a different kind of getaway.

THE QUEENSLAND FLOOD DISASTER, AUSTRALIA

2011-01-05T15:34:00.001Z

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes after at least 6 river systems broke their banks leaving Queensland flooded to what is said to be of 'biblical proportions'.

The water has already spread and has affected 20 other towns in some way or another. Either by cutting off their access or by flooded areas. The water has ruined land, homes and businesses and now it is feared that the the water might be infested with snakes and even crocodiles. Sadly ten people have already died in the flood.
Not only does it affect the residents from residing in their homes but at the moment of course tourism has been put on hold and this will also affect the farming and mining communities.
Plus the rebuild cost is going to be huge - probably billions to repair roads, land, structures and buildings.

It will be weeks before residents are allowed to go back to their homes. That's if they are even habitable to reside in. And people who are still residing inside them now still and refusing to move with worry their place will be broken into to could be forced to move very soon.

One of the ruined homes

The towns airport has been shut down to commercial flights at least until the floods reduce. However reports suggests the flood is expected to worsen by mid January.

In regional city Rockhampton 75,000 people are currently stranded with no access to the roads, railway or airport. Military vehicles have been bringing food and medical supplies to their homes.
An evacuation centre has been set up to hold 1,500 but only 80 residents are using it at the moment with the others staying with family and friends.

Will this disaster ever end? It has been said its Australia's wettest Spring ever. I just hope that the water marker (see below) doesn't go past the 1818 pointer ...

The water marker showing the years of previous flood points

WOULD YOU BE STUCK WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE?

2011-01-05T14:00:00.000Z

From the holidays I have taken in the past I never really took out travel or visitor health insurance. I just saw it as an additional cost. At the end of the day I just wanted to enjoy my holiday and not have to pay out for something that I wasn't going to use.

Then I realised well how do I know that I wasn't going to use these types of insurance? Do I know for sure that I wont get into an accident abroad and need money for hospital bills? Or that I might not get sick and need medication in a hurry? Or maybe if I'm in a situation where It would be impossible for me to take my holiday after all? Well of course not.

It is an extra expense but if you actually use it the benefits you receive for the amount you pay on your premium is worth it.

A friend of mine actually got sick with Swine Flu the day before she was due to fly out but the airline wouldn't reimburse her tickets because of the short notice and of course she didn't have any international travel insurance to claim back her lost monies.

Another friend accidentally broke her leg in Spain but she did have visitors health insurance and was able to receive proper treatment in hospital.

You just never know what life is going to throw your way. And yes its probably a pain having to pay out for more things on top of your holiday expenses but my friends experiences has really opened my eyes up to the situation.

And if I don't ever use the plans that's still great because it means I don't have a problem. But at least in the future I can worry less knowing that I do have cover if anything was to happen.

WORLD'S BEST HOLIDAY BUILDING

2011-01-05T13:00:00.001Z

This unusually beautiful building found itself the winner of the World's Best Holiday Building at the WAF (World Architecture Festival) Awards 2010.

It's based on a villa complex called Alia Villas Uluwatu in Bali Indonesia where only local materials were used to form the building including bamboo and coconut.

Can you spot it in the distance?

Other buildings the same scattered within the complex

The idea of the design and space is so people can fully enjoy their surrounds and be right in the middle of nature and the gorgeous tropical views.

It's absolutely stunning isn't it? and a worthy winner. I wouldn't mind going there myself.

CADBURY DO WORKSHOP TOUR & 'WISHES' CHOCOLATE FOR CHARITY

2011-01-03T20:00:00.001Z

This post brought to you by Cadbury Wishes. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cadbury have currently been doing tours across the UK in a bid to get people to come to their Cadbury Wishes workshops.

Cadbury Wishes is a new chocolate treat created in honour of the Make A Wish Charity Foundation. The charity helps children with life threatening illnesses have a last wish and will make it happen for them.

The workshops have been held in locations such as Birmingham, Liverpool, London and more. The idea was get people involved in the cause by trying different chocolate and then you had the chance to create your own chocolate mix. And if Cadbury loved your flavours they will actually create it.

As well as the tour you can support the Make A Wish Foundation simply by buying the tasty chocolate truffle stars. 10% of the profits from that pack will be donated to the charity. You may not think your doing much by just buying a pack of chocolate but imagine how many people are buying those packs - it all adds up in the end.

I think Make A Wish is a fantastic idea and it gives children the chance to meet their heroes, visit a place they have always wanted to go or do an activity they wanted to try.

You can follow Cadbury Wishes on Facebook by 'liking' their page and also Cadbury Wishes on Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news.

THE REAL BARBIE MALIBU DREAM HOUSE

2010-12-21T15:08:00.024Z

Did you ever dream about living in your own cartoon world when you were a little girl? To sit in Barbies house and browse through her famous walk in wardrobe?

For Barbie's 50th anniversary (yes it really has been that long!) a real life 3,5000 square foot Malibu Dream House has been designed by Jonathan Alder in California.

Lounge areas

As you can see everything is very girly as to be expected and there are even little touches that make a huge impact like a Barbie's hair chandelier, barbie doll figure mirror and of course the closest filled with shoes. And lets not forget Barbies convertible on the driveway. A pink Volkswagan Beetle has been kitted out with vanity area in the boot (see below)

Kitchen

It actually one of those homes I could stand to live in unlike some character homes that have a specific colour theme all the way throughout like the Hello Kitty Mansion for instance.

Bedroom & Closet

The dream house is not open for public tours or available to rent as a vacation home, however film crews and photographers are able to hire it out for shoots.

Recreation areas

If your desperate to get a look inside some of the custom designs have been taken from the house and recreated over at a special Barbie suite at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. It's open for public viewing and you can actually rent it out for parties too.

Barbie's car

Part of the Barbie suite at Palms hotel

TEST YOUR TRIVIA SKILLS - WIN BIG TRAVEL PRIZES: Radisson Blu Competition

2010-12-16T17:22:00.003Z

You know I have never been on a romantic weekend away. I guess that happens when you have kids to look after. But seeing as they are growing up now it inspired me to start looking at places for me and my husband.

But where is the best place to go? Radisson Blu are one of my favourite hotel chains and I heard they were running a fantastic competition so I just had to look into it and find out more.

It's an online Radisson Blue Quiz quiz competition and when you play you will be asked three different questions in connection with travel geography and/or the Radisson Blu hotel. The results are given to you in a multiple answer format. You just need to choose the right answer from the three presented to you. And if you don't know the answer for sure just guess and you never know you might get lucky and actually guess right!

If your successful in getting all your answers correct you will get the chance to enter a random weekly draw where you could win a weekend away for two at a Radisson Blu hotels located in cities such as Milan, Berlin, Madrid, Hamburg and Helsinki. Plus you get to spin the trivia wheel and see if your the winner of an instant bonus gift card prize.

If you don't get all your answers correct you won't get to spin the wheel for the bonus prize but you can still get an entry into the weekly draw to win a weekend away, so everyone can still be a winner.

The Madrid break sounds really appealing to me. Sun, Sea, Sand, Shopping and the Football for my husband - We are already there!

You can play the quiz as many times as you like however you will only be able to enter once a week. If you enter more than once only one of your entries will count so take your time with your answering. The contest will close on 3rd January, 2011.

It will be useful to read the terms and conditions also so you fully understand the rules of play. A few of the basics are you need to be at least 18 years old, a European Union or European Economic area citizen and are able to take the prize in your name i.e it can't be passed on to other family members and friends.

I have already played myself and got the answers right. I know I amazed myself really! So fingers crossed ... Have a go yourself and test out your trivia skills. You might just know more than you think.

Sponsored Post

THE REAL HELLO KITTY HOUSE EXPERIENCE

2010-12-10T13:10:00.001Z

When you get a huge following for certain cartoons it's only a matter of time before someone tries to make an actual replica of it like The Real Simpson's House for instance.

This time Hello Kitty has taken the world by storm and a special villa complex has been built in Hsinchu, Taiwan to honour the popular children's character and give fans a chance to stay in a Hello Kitty inspired home.
Pictured here are the two villas on the Unified Resort Complex. One is kitted out in pink and white decorations, furnishings and features. The other is exactly the same but in green and white instead.

I love the theme but image if you got a stain on those light colours!

How about you? Could you see yourself staying here? or would it be a complete nightmare for you if your kids have already been driving you crazy with Hello Kitty Products!?

SCOTTISH HOLIDAY RENTALS

2010-12-10T11:09:00.003Z

When I pick a holiday destination I like to go somewhere that has history, where you only have to look at the traditional buildings to know there is a story behind them.

A friend of mine suggested I should look into rentals in East Neuk , Scotland. Now that is a cultured place. Not just for their famous use of bagpipes and the tale of the Loch Ness monster but for the scenic mountains and hills where you can walk, climb or mountain bike.

Website Holiday-Rentals.co.uk have a great selection of holiday rentals in East Neuk and other destinations also. You can find anything from a studio apartment in the city centre to quaint cottages near the beach and harbour.

You can easily compare your accommodation and each one will give you full details of what you have got in your temporary home and include inside pictures, dates of availability, things to do in the area and the ability to contact the owner if you wanted to rent the place for a break.

If your interested on finding out more about Scotland and what it can offer you could also take a look at the Scotland travel guide over at travel advice and tips site Eyeflare.

ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTED: The Stanley Hotel

2010-11-30T11:58:00.000Z

This stunning hotel is mostly famous for inspiring Stephen King's book The Shining after he stayed in room 217 and the location was also used for the TV movie version.

The Stanley Hotel, Colorado in the USA definitely lines up for being one of the Most Haunted Places In The World.

It was completed by the inventor of the Stanley Steamer in 1909 who was known as Freelan Oscar Stanley. The steamer can still be found in the hotel lobby to this day (see below)

There are many ghost stories that staff and visitors have reported over the years. Here are several of the most spookiest I heard:

* Unseen hands pulling at peoples clothing.
* Hotel guests have had their blankets taken off them in the night and found them neatly folded on the side in the morning.
* Freelan Stanley's wife's is constantly heard piano heard playing by itself from the ballroom.
* A child seen and heard calling out to his nan on the second floor. Stephen King has actually witnessed this himself.

The Piano

And the stories from the from the most haunted rooms are:

Photograph of room 401 & (418 below) when occupied by paranormal investigators

Room 401: The previous owner of the land The Earl of Dunraven roams here. Faces have appeared at the window when guests haven't bee occupying the room and The Earl's distinctive cherry tobacco from his smoke piping can still be smelt.

Room 418

Room 418: Haunted by the ghosts of children who play noisily in the hallways at night and leave body shape impressions on the beds when guests haven't been occupying the room.

Room 217
Room 217 hallway

Room 217: The room where Stephen King stayed. In 1911 the housekeeper was almost killed there by a gas leak explosion. Since she passed in the 1950's doors are consistently opening and closing and the lights turning on and off on their own.

The Stanley Steamer

The hotel currently runs ghost tours where guests are taken around the most haunted rooms and are also guided through a creepy underground tunnel.

ONLINE TRAVEL SAVING DEALS: Coupon Trunk

2010-11-29T23:55:00.002Z

You always hear about people having these last minute holiday deals and Flight promotions for the end of the year. But just because you have got something at a reduced price already it doesn't mean you can't save even more money using online coupon codes.

You can find some great travel deals over at Coupontunk.com for things like hotels, car hire, flights, cruises, luggage and others. Big names are featured on the website such as Beaches Resorts, Lastminute.com, Cheapoair and Expedia Coupon Codes

Using the codes is easy. You simply press the 'click to redeem' button from the deal area which directs you to the company's website. Then at the check out point just enter your special code on your discount will be applied.

Discounts can be for things like so much percent off, hotel days free, free shipping or whatever else the company are willing to promote to tempt you their way.

ABANDONED MINING CITY: Kadykchan, Russia

2010-11-26T15:42:00.006Z

About 14 years ago Kadykchan was a busy mining city that was filled with 12,000 residents. That was until 6 men died in a mine explosion that forced the closure of the mines and residents had to be evacuated from their homes to safer places.
Sadly it was never reopened and now this lonely city sits in silence with the detoriating buildings filled with rotting toys, clothes, books and other belongings that people left behind in the rush. The only people that walk through these days are curious tourists who want to explore the land.
The history of Kadykchan is it was first built by GULAG's prisoners during World War 2 for the intention it could be used by the coal mining workers and their families to reside in. The city struggled towards the end with the mining business when the Soviet Union fell apart and then after the explosion that seemed like the end of the line really.

At least it's still used as an attraction and seen as one of the most beautiful and interesting abandoned places in the world.

PARK INN HOTEL COMPETITION: Win A Gift Card Or An iPad

2010-11-25T14:45:00.006Z

I am always excited to learn about travel competitions especially when the requirements are really simple and I can join in myself!

Hotel Giants Park Inn are holding a competition for UK residents over 18 years of age to win weekly prizes and a grand prize up until the 18th December, 2010. All you have to do is have a go at their free Play 4 Park Inn online game.

The weekly prizes for two winners include an iPad and a gift card for £250 to use at any of the 200 Park Inn hotels in 16 countries. They are also valid for Radisson Blu and Hotel Missoni hotels too for that extra choice.

Everyone that enters the competition is automatically eligible for the main prize of a £300 gift card. This can be used for a one week break at any 3 of the hotels mentioned on the website that are based in Manchester UK, Berlin Germany and Dejerba in Tunisia. The winner for the main prize will be chosen at the end of the competition.

Park Inn Hotel In Germany

So onto the fun part! .... In the style of the classic 4 in a row game you play against the computer hotel manager with your counters being hotel key cards for that novelty feel. The aim of the game is to get 4 counters in a row either horizontally, diagonally or vertically before your competitor does and to block their moves along the way too if you need to.

Then at the end of the game win or lose you can enter the competition by submitting your score, choose your preferred hotel if you win and just put your email address in. That is it!

You can play as many times as you like however you are only allowed to enter 20 scores per week for your submissions to count. As I am writing this I have already played the game and entered 3 times and will be going back for more.

All this talk of holiday prizes has made me think about my ideal holiday location to the Bahamas. Although the nearest I have probably gotten to it is my favourite holiday ever Gran Canaria - What do you mean it's not that near!

But you would be surprised to know I have actually chosen a Manchester hotel for my preferred place out of the 3 hotels because I have always wanted to go there and it would make a perfect girly holiday spot.

If you are a winner of a gift card these are valid for one year and can be used on accommodation, the hotel restaurant or bar. But you would need to use your gift card up by December 2011 or the game really will be over!

Sponsored Post

THE UNUSUAL MAZE HOME of Cordes-Sur-Ciel, France

2010-11-25T14:20:00.007Z

If you think you have been driving around in circles trying to find somewhere in the past, imagine if you had to find your home through a maze!

You would have to have some pretty good memory and walking skills to get to this strange home in Cordes-Sur-Ciel in France.

The maze was designed by Isabelle de Beaufort and Bernard Ramus based on a drawing for a medieval city plan for Toulouse, and the house is to suppose to stand for the lair of the legendary dragon that roams within the streets of Toulouse.

On closer inspection unless my eyes are deceiving me but there is no path leading to the house is there and it's blocked in by a hedge? Bizarre and magically intriguing if I do say so myself!

PERFECT GIFT FOR A TRAVELLER: Photos {to} art prints

2010-11-21T08:52:00.001Z

This post brought to you by Art.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Photographic print style

My brother loves to travel and I was trying to think what type of gift I could get him on special occasions. I wanted something special, but what can you get someone who has travelled the world and probably has already got every souvenior they ever wanted?

Then I saw a fantastic photo printing site called Art.com who have recently launched a new special service called photos {to} art. It hit me that I could use one of the many pictures he has captured over the years and turn it into an actual work of art.

A picture in your home to look at is so much more enjoyable than just looking through a photo album, and because it's an artistic picture you can tell as many or as few people as you like about the story behind it. And if you didn't reveal any details no one would know any different as it could just be kept private unlike a personal photograph on the wall that attracts questions.

What I love about this service is you are the creator. You are the one that uploads and transforms the picture into several artistic styles available and decides on the Breadth of substrates and sizes to customize your own unique work of art.

Abstract art print style

The system is very user friendly and exciting to use. Your image is viewed in a large format on a single screen so it's easier to see, you can compare your digital picture and photos {to} art one next to each other as the design progresses and any changes you make are seen straight away and not at the end.

Then when you have finished your photo will be turned into a high quality picture on the best photographic paper that is guaranteed to last at least 100 years. Acid-free mats are also available that help tone down any discolouration that happens in time.

You may think a service like this could be quite costly, when in fact Art.com's prices are 20-40% less than other companies making their pictures great value. Plus the money you pay is an investment in itself really for memories that are going to last a lifetime.

THE REAL SIMPSON'S HOUSE: 712 Red Bark Lane in Henderson, Nevada

2010-11-12T10:29:00.025Z

Here the real house matches the cartoon house perfectly to every last detail. And even the family car is present.

I'm sure we have all grew up watching episodes of The Simpson's cartoon show at some point since it's launch in 1987.

For years fans always wondered if the Springfield town was actually real. So in 1997 designers at Fox Interactive decided to have an actual Simpson's house built In Henderson, Nevada at the same time they were developing the 3D computer game.

The famous sofa & lounge area

Kitchen (including Maggie's high chair)

The four bedroom house was opened up for public viewing on 1st August, 1997 and was used in a competition hosted by Pepsi Cola for one winner to have as their own home.

As you can see the house has been mimicked in the same way the cartoon house is with it's bright colours and furnishings.

Dining room

Hallway & Stairs

Surprisingly the competition did not run well and the first winner didn't claim their prize and two months later a second winner - a lady in her 60's decided she wanted to opt for the alternative $75,000 cash prize instead.

Homer and Marge's bedroom

Lisa's bedroom with her saxophone on the bed

Bart's bedroom

Sadly since then the house was sold by the builder to some one else and the Simpson's house is no longer. The rules were if anyone actually occupied it as their home they would have to paint the outside to match other houses in the street to stay in line with local homeowner association rules.

Now it's painted it just looks the same as every other house and every detail that made it special has disapeared. The fence, Bart's tree house and other props have all been removed.

The house as it is today

I think it would have been nice if it was kept as a museum for tourists to look round if the winner didn't want it and perhaps charge an admission fee instead of just selling it. Now all that hard work has gone to waste. It's not known if the interior still remains the same, but it looks doubtful.

Travel Shack

YOUR 4 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEMS? Tell & Win A Canary Islands Holiday!

USEFUL TRIP PREPARATION: My Travel Checklist

THE CROFT HOTEL, BRIDGNORTH REVIEW

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: Embrace Or Disgrace Them?

RYANAIR VOTED WORST AIRLINE

STRAIGHT TALKING PLANS FOR CHATTY TRAVELLERS

PLAN YOUR PERFECT DAY: Fiji Wedding

FLY IN STYLE: Private Jet Charters

IDEAL LUXURY ROMANTIC HOLIDAYS

WORLDWIDE DECORATIVE SOUVENIER DISH TOWELS

CELEBRITY PUBS IN THE UK

PET FRIENDLY HOTELS VS PET HOTELS

CONSIDERING TAKING YOUR DOG ON HOLIDAY?

THE BENEFITS OF A TRAVEL JOURNAL

RELIABLE PRIVATE OWNED MEXICO ACCOMMODATION

HAVEN HOLIDAY REVIEW: Hafyn Y Mor, Pwllhei, North Wales

TIPS ON HOW TO PACK LIGHT

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF ZACAPA'S PREMIUM DARK RUM

STRESS FREE AMERICAN BUS TOURS

LOW COST MOBILE PHONE PLANS FOR TALKATIVE TRAVELLERS

TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS OR ALL INCLUSIVE?

THE MYSTERY OF HAUNTED SAN-ZHI POD VILLAGE

LONGING FOR A SAN FRANSISCO VACATION

FIND CESENATICO ITALY HOTELS EASILY

WORLD'S WEIRDEST DRIVING REGULATIONS

FIND YOUR PERFECT AIRCRAFT, BASE & PRODUCTS

BEST KEPT SECRET AWARDS 2011 - Vote For Your Favourite Hotel

HISTORIC POST OFFICE TRANSFORMED INTO A HOME

WHEN SEARCHING FOR YOUR HOME BECAME EASIER

THE WONDER OF COSTA RICA

ARIZONA'S UPCOMING PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT RESORT

THRIVING TOWNS FLOODED TO MAKE WAY FOR RESERVOIR

FIVE CITIES FOR FOOD LOVERS

LOST CITY FOUND UNDER WATER: Dwarka, India

SEARCH FOR CHEAP FLIGHTS, HOTELS & CAR HIRE

ABANDONED MEDIEVAL CITY: Mandu, India

WIN TICKETS TO ROCK FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

SEARCH FOR THE BEST HOTELS IN LONDON

FIVE STAR CANADIAN BC RESORTS

LONDON APARTMENT FINDING SPECIALIST

UNUSUAL ASPEN MAGIC MUSHROOM VACATION HOME

JEEP CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW CAR & CHALLENGE

STRANGE THINGS FOUND IN HOTEL ROOMS

PHILIPPINE HOTEL & TRAVEL GUIDE

TIGER'S 'KNOW THE NOT KNOWN' UK EVENTS

REAL LIFE SIZED DOLLS HOUSE

WHAT'S YOUR HONDA STORY?: Channel 4 Short Film Contest

LUXURY CAMPING: Safari Tents

ACCOR HOTEL 7 DAY SALE *** Hurry Only From 16th-22nd June 2011 ***

A SPECIAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE: African Safari Tours

THE REAL FLINTSTONES HOUSE

CHEAP DUBAI & UAE FLIGHTS

AN UNDERWATER ADVENTURE: Atlantis Hotel, Dubai

DRIEST PLACE ON EARTH: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

A PEACEFUL LOG CABINS RETREAT: Yoho National Park

THE WINDIEST PLACE ON EARTH: Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica

FIRST TIME VISITOR GUIDE TO NEW YORK

TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD

FIVE KID-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON

ATTENTION TWEETERS! - Win A Free Flight For 2 To A Secret City

WORLDS SMALLEST POP-UP HOTEL

KEEP THE WIND OUT: Sunroof Deflectors

7 FOOT HOME: One Of The Smallest In The UK

LAS VEGAS GUIDE: Plan Your Perfect Trip

THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI DISASTER

CHOOSING YOUR HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT

SELF GUIDED & GUIDED EUROPE WALKING HOLIDAYS

BA's UNIQUE 'FLYING HIGH' COMEDY SHOW FOR CHARITY: And You Could Be There!

GET THAT GORGEOUS DESIGNER BIKINI LOOK

UNUSUAL TOILETS WITH A VIEW

FIND UK FLIGHTS EASY: Departure Point App On The iPhone

A RUBBISH HOTEL WITH A DIFFERENCE

CHEAPER HOMES IN DALLAS: Pre Foreclosure & Wholesale Property Listings

1870's CONVERTED NETHERLANDS CHURCH TOWNHOUSE

CUT DOWN NOISE & WIND ON YOUR CAR JOURNEY: Sunroof Wind Deflectors

WORLDS MOST EXPENSIVE APARTMENT

RELAXING & INTERTESTING SCENIC RIVER CRUISES

THE QUEENSLAND FLOOD DISASTER, AUSTRALIA

ACCOR HOTEL 7 DAY SALE * Hurry Only From 16th-22nd June 2011 *