Cavness Vacation Packages

Cabo San Lucas is becoming a sought after vacation destination, and that’s a fact. It’s popularity is steadily increasing. Cabo San Lucas offers something for every vacationer, including: private secluded getaways, beachfront weddings, nightlife and activities. In this article I am going to discuss the top seven things to do in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo. If you are planning a vacation to Cabo, the activities listed below are all a must do!

Diving in Sea of Cortez

Cabo San Lucas is a unique diving destination because the Sea of Cortez is located between temperate waters and tropical waters. The Sea of Cortes is one of the world’s unique ocean environments. It is considered to be the biologically richest body of water on earth, supporting over 800 marine vertebrates species. Diving in Cabo is famous for it’s “sand falls”. The sand falls are actually streams of sand that fall over the underwater canyons. They create sand rivers and this is extremely interesting to see. The nutrient rich waters make for a spectacular population of fish from small inshore fish to large schools of jack, tuna, dolphin, and “sportfish” such as dorado and marlin. There are migratory visits from whales and hammerhead sharks. A fortunate scuba diver may also encounter manta rays, and even whale sharks in the plentiful waters of the Sea of Cortez. It is critical to the success of your dive to plan your dive at the right time. The Sea of Cortez sees good weather conditions June through November. Prior to June, the Sea of Cortez waters temperature is quite cold. If you are not interested in diving you could also snorkel. There are diving and snorkeling tours available. Snorkeling would still allow you to see most of the inshore fish and some of the beautiful coral.

Horseback riding on the beach

Horseback riding for is available for all levels of riders at several stables in the Cabo San Lucas area. There are trail rides in which you are accompanied by a guide. Trail rides can vary from a desert ride, to a beach ride or, in and about beautiful rock formations. Either way it is a great way to see much of Cabo San Lucas’ scenery. Horseback riding is also available for the whole family, with younger children riding with adults. For those of you who are horse lovers you can see pure Andulsian horses at:Cuadra San Francisco Stable.

Whale Watching

Whales pass several hundred meters off of Cabo San Lucas’ shore every year. The best time to see whales are between January and March, when the gray whale migrates. There are several ways to whale watch in Cabo San Lucas. There are boat tours that offer whale watching. Boats of varying size carry the hundreds of whale watchers out to see these marine mammals as they visit our peninsula in their annual migration, every year. It is not uncommon at this time for a curious whale to come close to a boat. Although no trip can guarantee whales, the odds are definitely in your favor. The smaller the boat the better your chances are of getting close.

Have a drink at Cabo San Lucas’ most famous club

The Cabo Wabo cantina is Cabo’s most famous club, owned by Sammy Hagar. If you are in town at the same time as Sammy is, you might even get to watch one of his impromptu performances. If you are not that lucky, you can still enjoy the atmosphere the Cabo Wabo has to offer and live music on most nights. The Cabo Wabo also offers a menu filled with American and Mexican food to feed your hunger.

Hike through the desert

You must be especially careful when hiking in Cabo’s desert lands. You will need twice as much water as you normally would. A trek through the desert is absolutely spectacular. Desert hiking is best in the winter, with the temperature being around 70. It is possible to hike the desert in the summer but, you must go in the early morning. It is dangerous to hike alone, and best to hire an experienced guide from the area, just incase you get lost. The desert offers incredible rock formations, unique vegetation and wildlife native only to this region. Hiking can be for all ages and hiking in Cabo’s desert is something that you will remember. There are also other hiking and natural history tours which include fossil fields, challenging hikes into the Sierra de la Laguna and day trips to old mining ghost towns.

Bird Sanctuary

Close to downtown San Jose Del Cabo is the San Jose Estuary and Bird Sanctuary. In the sanctuary you can find about 200 species of exotic birds which include egrets, herons and brown pelicans. You can rent a kayak to experience this sanctuary. Sunrise and sunset are the most scenic times to visit; however, if you are an avid bird watcher and want to see species and identify them, you may want to visit during daylight hours. There is a also an information center to answer any of your questions. Admission is free at the San Jose Estuary and Bird Sanctuary.

Visit Lover’s beach.

Lover’s Beach ( also known as Playa Del Amor) is another must, but to get to this beach you’ll need some kind of boat or kayak as the beach is not accessible by land. It is possible to hire a water taxi at the marina. Lover’s Beach is surrounded by towering rock formations and is hidden behind Cabo San Lucas’ landmark arch, El Arco at Land’s End. Be careful swimming here, the powerful waves and currents of the Pacific make swimming quite dangerous. You can view where the Pacfic and the Sea of Cortez meet. Lover’s beach offers many spectacular views.

Sun Cabo Vacations is your vacation rental specialist for the Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo Area. They specialize in luxury villas, resorts and condos in the Cabo San Lucas Area. Visit his website for more information on Cabo San Lucas.

[tags]Cabo San Lucas, vacation destination[/tags]

Now here is a subject that is open to lots of controversy. Anyone attempting to put “a stake in the ground” on this subject must be really brave - or incredibly stupid. You may see some bias here - four of the five are in the west, and four of the five run at least partially along water, and two, are Interstate highways - the nemesis of civil travel; so you may already disagree without even looking at the list.

Everyone has their one or two favorite highways, but after traveling over 50,000 miles in the contiguous 48-states, this is our consensus of “the best of the best.” See if you agree.

#5 - Interstate-84, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon (80 miles) It is hard to imagine that an interstate highway runs through this magnificent stretch of scenery that was only recently designated a National Scenic Area. The gorge is the only cut through the Cascade mountains near sea level and the gorge varies in depth up to 4,000 feet. It forms part of the state line between the states of Oregon and Washington and features waterfalls (Multnomah Falls), scenic view points (Crown Point), Cascade Peaks (notably Mt. Hood) and the mighty Columbia River.
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Oregon/columbia/Columbia_River.htm

#4 - Going to the Sun Highway, Glacier Park, Montana (51 miles) There are many engineering marvels throughout the US highways, but none rivals “the Garden Wall” climb from Apgar, MT at Lake McDonald to the Continental Divide at the top of Logan Pass. The highway took eleven years to build and was completed in 1932. In fact, if your vehicle is over 20 feet (including bumpers - they are very exact) or over 8 feet wide (including mirrors), you won’t be driving that portion of the highway. The scenery is unparalleled everywhere you look, and the wildlife is still abundant. http://visitmt.com/tripplanner/wheretogo/glacier.htm

#3 - Interstate 70, Salina to Green River, Utah (100 miles) Now the first thing some of you will say is, “why not keep going?” and yes, the section from Green River through the Glenwood Canyon to Vail - and beyond - is also eye-popping, but you’ve got to stop somewhere on this marvelous highway. The section chosen winds through the red rock country, skimming the edge of several national parks, and provides the highway traveler with turn after turn of vistas that are like watching a movie. http://www.rockymountainroads.com/i-070b_ut.html

#2 - Highway 1, “The Overseas Highway”, “The Keys,”Florida (120 miles) Where life still moves slowly on a two-lane road with 42 bridges and the bluest water in the states, the Florida Keys are the closest thing we have to the Caribbean. The Keys are composed of five areas, each boasting its own unique contribution to the area: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, and finally Key West. Only in Key West do they celebrate sunset every night with a party at the dock, and the sound of steel drums permeates the air. Here, everything having to do with water is available. Whether it is fishing, snorkeling/diving, kayaking, or simply bobbing around in the water, you’ll find what you want.
http://www.fla-keys.com/

#1 - Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway, California (a little over 100 miles) Don’t let the distance deceive you - this is a three hour-plus trip. Unless you have no fear of heights, start in the south and go north - from Morro Bay to Carmel. Stop frequently to gawk. Feel the ocean wind and spray in your face. See the most incredible views this country has to offer. If you get tired of the outdoor beauty, stop at the Hearst Castle and take in the man-made beauty that William Randolph Hearst imported mostly from Europe for his castle by the sea. Gas up and grab some snacks before you leave, both are scarce along the way, but be sure to save room for lunch or dinner once you reach Big Sur or Carmel. Both have excellent choices and incomparable local ambiance.
http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/2301/index.html

So there you have it - the experience of seasoned road warriors. One of the great things about road trips is the opportunity to explore new roads and towns, go places you’ve often been intrigued by in the Sunday paper. Sometime in your life, you have to find time to take a really long road trip. Thousands of miles, months of time; there is nothing like it. Only then will you truly experience being a kid again. We’ll await your list.

Phil and Carol White decided to live their road trip dreams when they retired, while they still had their health, stamina and sense of humor. All along the way people kept saying, “Oh, we’d love to do what you are doing, but what did you do about ” and the list would begin. When we returned home, we did some research and found that they was really no “handbook” to help people plan that dream trip - that long trip in the back of your mind. So we wrote Live Your Road Trip Dream so that you too could live your dreams.

[tags]road trips,RV trips,baby boomer travel,US travel,travel planning,road trip planning,travel budgets,t[/tags]

Coastal North Carolina - Area Information

The North Carolina coast - it’s adventure, romance, history, and a whole lot more! This is the perfect location for retirement or vacationing, and the good news is, properties are ready and waiting right now for the retiree, a second vacation home, or an investment in your future. Come for a few days and you’ll be certain to fall in love with this recreational paradise.

People love to come home to the Carolina Coast because it’s easily accessible from many East Coast locations, there are activities galore, and the area is simply stunning, there’s no other way to describe it. Fishing, boating, golf, beaches, museums, the area is rich in all these things and more. When you discover the Carolina Coast, you discover a wealth of outdoor and indoor delights for the entire family. You’ll also find upscale dining, marinas just waiting for that boat you’ve always wanted, hiking and biking trails, and just about any kind of recreational activity you can think of.

Brunswick County has been rated one of the top 10 beach vacation spots for families. Why? Because there’s something for everyone here! The Intercoastal Waterway abounds in family activities, Holden Beach is a great family beach waiting for discovery, and the area is chock full of parks, museums, shopping, and outdoor activities for every member of the family. Visit just once and you’ll be drawn back again and again. There are still great opportunities to buy vacation property in the area, so the entire family can retreat, regroup, and relax any time you choose.

Nearby Wilmington and the Cape Fear coast offer even more recreational opportunities. Enjoy a round of golf? You’re in luck. With nearly 50 public courses in the area, Wilmington’s courses are rated the eighth best metro golfing area in the nation because these area courses offer value, accessibility, and quality all rolled into one. Even if you’re not a golfer, you’ll find an overabundance of outdoor and indoor activities in the area. Tour historic districts, museums, and a Civil War battlefield if you’re a history buff. Shop ’til you drop at the many stores, boutiques, galleries, and craft shops in the area. Take in a show, cruise the river, rent a kayak, bike, hike, or just kick back and relax. You can do it all on the North Carolina Coast!

Now, picture yourself retiring to this glorious area. The golf, the sun, the beaches, and the cities beckon. You’ll never run out of activities here, and it’s becoming a favorite spot for baby boomers looking for the perfect retirement location. You’ll be close to all the services you desire, but still have room to breathe in the salt air. What could be better? In addition, Brunswick County has the highest price appreciation in the Carolinas, so your investment today will reap even more rewards in the years to come.

Why invest in real estate in this area? First, it’s an investment that will last a lifetime. Whether you choose to retire to the Carolina Coast or use your home as a second vacation destination, your investment will grow with time. Real estate prices have increased all over the country, but they are still reasonable in this area. In addition, the second home marketplace is actually even healthier than the primary home marketplace. People are investing in second homes; it’s as simple as that. In addition, the Carolina Coast is a baby boomers paradise, which is why more people are choosing this area to celebrate their golden years. If you buy now, your second home could turn into your retirement paradise in a few years. Top that off with one of the top five second home markets in the nation and you’ve found the perfect location to enjoy for years to come, and you can be assured your investment will only grow with time.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out the Carolina Coast! You may find your dream vacation home just waiting for you, and you’re certain to enjoy the activities, surroundings, and adventures that await every time you return.

For additional Information:
http://www.buyvacationcondos.com/CoastalCarolinaInfo

Doug Lasley
Real Estate Broker-Associate
http://www.LANDDepo.com
407-876-5771

[tags]North Carolina, Costal Carolina, investment, preconstruction, retirement, vacation, nc, wilmington[/tags]

Fort Macleod is a vibrant community of 3,000, located within easy sight of the Canadian Rockies. This town is a magnet for those who are seeking a relaxed rural life style, proximity to the Rocky Mountains, a strong sense of community, access to high speed internet and a short drive to Western Canada’s corporate capital, Calgary. And of course, it’s only an hour’s drive to the scenic wonders of the Rocky Mountains!

The town boasts the best weather of the Prairie Provinces, including the highest number of sunlight hours in Canada. The Chinook conditions provide mild winters and cooling breezes in the summer.

Few places can transport visitors back in time like Fort Macleod. It’s not difficult to see why while strolling through downtown, with attractions like the Empress, Alberta’s oldest operating theatre and the Fort Museum, a former outpost of the NWMP, forerunners of the modern day Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Fort Macleod provides access to the famous Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Golfers can also play the oldest golf course in Western Canada, situated amidst a landscape of foothills and grasslands.

From a distance, Fort Macleod looks like any other town. It is at a crossroads that once hosted Indian encampments, wagon trails and buffalo grazing grounds, in view of the Porcupine Hills that front the ancient and majestic Rocky Mountains. Its location, 102 miles south of Calgary and 32 miles west of Lethbridge, makes Fort Macleod an easily reached oasis from the urban bustle of the cities.

The last frontier in the west is home to Alberta’s only Provincial Historic Area. As you get closer, there is a definite feeling of being in two very different eras. Here, past and present co-exist. The place, known 150 years ago as Blackfoot Crossing, became a North West Mounted Police barracks and trading post in 1874. The town gradually took shape alongside the Oldman River, named for the “Grandfather” of Blackfoot mythology and within easy view of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Fort Macleod’s historic area draws you into the past to a time when the North West Mounted Police, Blackfoot Indians and pioneer settlers were the only inhabitants. Main Street is dotted with gift shops, antique stores, motels and restaurants. Right in the middle of the Historic Block is the “Jewel of the West”, the Empress theatre, which is the oldest continually-operating theatre in Western Canada.

Continue your downtown stroll over to the Fort Museum of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), a replica of the original fort where historical re-enactments are the order of the day. You’ll also find intriguing exhibits showcasing North West Mounted Police and Blackfoot Indian history. From July 1st to the Labour Day Weekend you can enjoy the Fort’s own NWMP Musical Ride four times daily, 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, weather permitting.

From the Fort, you can wander down to the Oldman River, the river that is always changing. A Wilderness Park on the other side of the bridge is a nature preserve, filled with wildlife and native plants. Or take “A Walking Tour of Fort Macleod” and learn about the early life and history of the town. Tour guides and locals can provide those extra tidbits that add flavour to history. You might ask about the bullet holes in the giant art nouveau mirror over the bar in the Silver Grill or about Eddy, the ghost of the Empress Theatre.

Located 18 km north and west of Fort Macleod, at a place where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the great plains, is one of the world’s oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jump’s known to exist, Head-Smashed-In. The site has been used continuously by aboriginal peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years.

Head-Smashed-In is known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. The Buffalo Jump bears witness to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for over 5,500 years. Thanks to their excellent understanding of topography and of bison behavior, the Blackfoot tribe killed bison by chasing them over a precipice and subsequently carving up the carcasses in the camp below. In 1981, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the jump as a World Heritage Site placing it among other world attractions such as the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge and the Galapagos Islands.

The Blackfoot, fiercely independent and very successful warriors, controlled a vast region stretching from the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta to Yellowstone River of Montana and from the Rocky Mountains to the Cypress Hills on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. It was not until the coming of the North West Mounted Police in 1874, over 130 years ago, that Euro-Canadian settlement in the region began. Indeed, until the near extinction of the buffalo in 1881, the Blackfoot pursued their traditional lifeways. Only with the loss of their food supply were they obliged to adapt to the new era.

A short drive southwest of Fort Macleod is Waterton National Park, with a reputation as one of the most stunningly beautiful parks in North America. On the way is the town of Cardston with its monolithic Mormon Tabernacle, the largest outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. And straight west of Fort Macleod is the highway through the Crowsnest Pass that accesses the Kootenay Region of southeastern British Columbia.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Canada Vacation.

[tags]Canada vacation[/tags]

So now it’s assumed that you’ve paid for the necessary evils of European travel: transport passes, visa fees, travel insurance, gear, accommodations and plane tickets. However, even if you’ve already set aside funds for these, it’s really the little things that you really have to watch out for when you’re out having fun. Small amounts can easily add up and drain a large portion of your daily budget if you’re not careful. Museum passes, a newspaper, a small sketch from a roadside artist, a couple of beers and emergency roll of films, checking your email, doing laundry - these can add some $20 to $50 on top of what you originally set aside for the day! Before you call off that Europe trip however, there’s good news. There are many ways to spend less money in Europe and still get really good deals anyway.

Try to buy food in open air markets and supermarkets rather than in bistros and restaurants. Most hostels and rooms are equipped with cooking appliances, so you can cook your own breakfast or dinner. This works out even cheaper if you’re traveling with a group because expenses can be slashed into 3 or four. If you don’t like to cook, try to eat at the cafeterias and at places where there are a lot of locals. Stay away from tourist-oriented restaurants and caf

Travel preparation is often conducted as a last minute thought by many flying away for their holidays. All too often we hear stories of people who have forgotten to take their passport to the airport and end up missing their flight.

Preparation need not be a tedious task every time you take a holiday, if you come up with a plan that can be followed every time you go on a trip. If you are not careful though, this list can extend half way down your drive. In reality you only need certain essential items to make sure your trip goes ahead and a few precautions while you are away.

Lets look at the essential. Passport, money, flight ticket, accommodation booking reference and any medication you may be taking. Those few items will ensure that you are able to actually go on your trip.

Precautions you may want to consider are related to the “what if” scenarios. Here are a few to consider. Losing your passport, credit cards, money or drivers license can turn the best holiday into a nightmare. Some one off preparations can save you a potential big headache. Make a separate note of your credit cards, 24-hour telephone cancellation number, your passport number, travellers’ cheque numbers and driving license number.

Now give these details to a trusted family member or friend for safe keeping while you are away. It is much easier to get replacements if you actually know your document numbers. Now if your were to experience an unfortunate event while away, all you would need to do is give your relative or friend a call (I am guessing you know their number right) and you have access to all your details. Which would not be the case if you had them stolen from you.

So making sure you have your essentials before leaving for the airport and noting a few numbers down before you go away can take a lot of the “must remember and what if stress” away from you.

Creating a small list covering the points discussed is like having your comfort cushion with you at all times. You will have already prepared for the most common types of problems faced by some travellers.

About The Author.

Stephen Thomas is a website business developer with many years experience of the online travel market. The latest development project was the “Airport Parking Guide” ( http://www.airport-parking-guide.co.uk), where customers can access a resource area that has free travel planning software and airport guides available for download.

[tags]travel preparation, airport parking[/tags]

I once was asked by a tourist here in my adopted central Mexican town, Guanajuato, if it was true the culinary delights here were nothing to write home about. I wanted to slap him silly but resisted the urge. Instead, I regaled him with the many wonderfully prepared regional foods as well as the places where he could get his meals prepared by world-class professional cooks.

And, it is true. We really have some classy cooks in this little mountain town who were trained professionally all over the world.

Sometimes I wonder just what tourists think Mexico and Mexicans are really like. Are Mexicans nothing more than wild men who run around in tall, pointy sombreros with crisscrossed gun belts wrapped around their chests? Do they think the cooks run around back and butcher their chicken or beef orders for La Comida Fresca?

I am continually surprised at what I find as far as eateries go in this little town. Just the other day, we met friends for Sunday lunch. They had ferreted out a relatively new vegetarian restaurant. Now mind you, seating in some of these restaurants can be in the living room of someone’s home, so you shouldn’t always expect top-notch d

Manitoba is in Central Canada, the most eastern of the three prairie provinces. It shares the US border with Minnesota and North Dakota in the south and stretches north to the Port of Churchill on the Hudson Bay and beyond. It has wheat fields, oil and gas wells, commercial fresh water fishing, mining and a forest industry. It also has a lot to offers tourists.

Here are ten suggestions that a visitor might want to consider in Manitoba, some in the colder months and some in the warmer parts of the year.

You might consider making Winnipeg the hub of your stay in Manitoba. The provincial capital, it’s a multicultural city proudly reflected in its festivals and offers art, music and food. Restaurants serve everything from Ukrainian perogies to a blending of regional and Californian cuisine. Performing arts offer an array of productions throughout the year in theatre, music, opera and dance. The Winnipeg Art Gallery has the largest collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. And of course shopping malls, casinos, museums and historic sites beckon. Families will love The Forks, the Children’s Museum, Fort Whyte Centre and the Assiniboine Park Zoo, where wild animals delight the children, along with a statue of a very famous bear named after Winnipeg — Winnie-the-Pooh.

A two-and-a-half hour flight north of Winnipeg, Churchill Manitoba is known around the world as polar bear central. For a safe adventure, head out over the tundra in specially designed vehicles for safely viewing the bears. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts so inclined can even eat, sleep and rise right out on the capes, in the midst of the glorious bears, as hundreds of them roam the coastline every October and November awaiting the freeze of the Hudson Bay.

In summer, polar bear central turns into the beluga belt, as thousands of the 900-pound whales come to feed in the waters near Churchill on the Hudson Bay. You can actually paddle or snorkel among these majestic creatures and watch them watching you! You can also enjoy watching and listening to these highly vocal whales from a 32-passenger boat.

Riding Mountain National Park is edged by a high, rugged escarpment and is an island of wilderness over the agricultural landscape. Wildlife thrives in the vast mix of forests, meadows and broad valleys, crisscrossed with more than 300 kilometres (180 miles) of trails, maintained superbly year-round. This is the time and place to keep a camera ready for sightings of moose, elk, beaver, black bear, fox and if you’re very lucky, lynx or wolf.

Manitoba’s plentiful waters yield more than 10,000 trophy-sized fish very year. The north is peppered with fly-in lodges and many more are road-accessible. Arctic grayling, brook trout, lake trout, northern pike and walleye thrive here. Some of the best giant channel cat fishing in the world can be found in Winnipeg’s Red River. The fly fishing is best in Manitoba’s western reaches and you might need a guide to find the best spots.

Seeing the northern lights in Manitoba has been called one of the top 25 adventures of a lifetime. January to March in Churchill have some of the best shows when nature sends her lasers to make shifting curtains of spectacular northern lights. A facility with see-through domes built into the roof makes light viewing a warm and comfortable experience for visitors unaccustomed to Churchill winters.

Manitoba is diverse, so are the parks. Sand dunes roll at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, ancient granite graces much of the Whiteshell and waterfalls amaze near Paint Lake Provincial Park. Baldy Mountain, Manitoba’s highest point, is at Duck Mountain Provincial Park, where glaciers receded some 10,000 years ago. Hikers and bikers are attracted to the extensive trail networks through the broad valleys and lush Canadian Shield forests. Bike along one of the biggest lakes in the world - Lake Winnipeg - at Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park or paddle for days in Grass River Provincial Park.

If you want to experience total relaxation, consider camping or renting a cottage on some of the biggest and best lakes in the world. Soak up the summer heat on the water’s edge and dive in when you can’t stand it any more. Eat well, then later, float soundlessly in a streak of moonlight and gaze at an endless canopy of stars.

Manitoba attracts two-thirds of Canada’s more than 500 species of birds and is considered a birder’s paradise. In spring, the birds fly north in amazing flocks in the hundreds of thousands over the lakes, marshes and forests. A North American birding hotspot, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, won the coveted 2002 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow award for Best Environmental Experience. Delta Marsh also offers great viewing, as does Riding Mountain National Park, home to more than 260 bird species, including great grey owl and Connecticut warbler. Birders fly to Churchill for stellar sub-arctic birding.

And finally, stay at a bed-and-breakfast or on a country vacation farm during one of the hundreds of small-town fall suppers. This is a great opportunity to meet with the local Manitobans who will be sure to make you welcome.

This has been just a sampling that is representative of what Manitoba has to offer its visitors. Whether in the winter or in the summer, Manitoba will provide you with an unforgettable holiday.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Canada Vacation

[tags]Canada vacation[/tags]

Retirement gifts demonstrate appreciation and respect towards an employee or employer for the years of dedicated hard work they have put in. The nice thing about these days is that a lot of retirement gifts can be purchased online from a wide selection of websites that offer different kinds of items.

When most people brainstorm for a retirement gift idea the first thing that usually comes to mind is a watch. Timepieces are classic retirement gifts that companies give employees as a token of gratitude for the long years of service. This retirement gift somehow conveys the message that retirees have all the time they have to do the things that they have been postponing for so long to focus on work.

Not only affordable but also personalized is another retirement gift ideasignature frames. A retirement gift such as a signature frame is a true keepsake in the sense that it displays a photo of the retiree surrounded by signatures as well as messages from fellow workers and friends from the company. Fixed with an engraved plaque, the signature frame is something a retiree will be proud exhibiting in a room to remind the memories accumulated during the most productive years of his or her life. This retirement gift is highly suitable to give at a retirement party.

Travel voucher is another great retirement gift idea. A relaxing trip for two to places the retiree has been wanting to go, but did not have the chance to, is something he or she will genuinely cherish. A perfect vacation getaway is a fitting culmination activity from the daily routine at the office. Travel vouchers are easy to acquire from your nearest travel agent.

Gourmet basket is another popular retirement gift idea.The most popular item available on the internet is the Luxury Chocolat retirement gift line. These are personalized wooden boxes made of mahogany. The retiree’s name can be engraved on the brass plates that are fitted on the box, and inside the box are handmade French chocolates.

Other personalized retirement gift ideas are mementos carved or embossed with the name of the retiree, which may also include the dates of being hired into the company and of retirement. These personalized souvenirs are reasonably priced and are available to order from many websites that specialize in customized gift items. Apart from these, china gift sets, commemoration mugs, photo albums with handcrafted covers, no matter how simple a though they are can make the retiree feel appreciated as well.

There are many more of ideas to choose from on the Internet. If one really takes time, brilliant retirement gift ideas can emerge from the simplest of objects. Creativity does not only cost less, but also contributes a more personal touch on the gifts that you give to a person who is transitioning a new chapter in his or her liferetirement.

Earl Juanico
http://www.celebrateahero.com/other_gift_idea.html

[tags]retirement ,gift ideas, mementos,Gourmet basket,Travel vouchers,vacation getaway,gift baskets,mugs[/tags]

To travel from Arusha to Dar es Salaam is easiest by air, however, this will cost about US$200 per person. The cheapest alternative is to travel by bus, which is never advised by tour operators. However, it need not be a nightmare as there are some good companies operating in Tanzania.

The most well known bus company must be the Scandinavia Express. They operate probably the best, safest and most comfortable transport between the two cities; it is, of course, the most expensive private bus option - at US$25 per person - and to book in advance is essential. In Arusha the offices for Scandinavia have moved to Kilembero Market - which is close to the Shoprite supermarket. Scandinavia have recently been in huge debt and have had some of their buses seized by the police; this has made the headlines in the East African news papers. It has also made booking in Advance more essential as the fleet is depleted.

The ‘Dar Express’ bus service comes a close second to Scandinavia or maybe an equal first place. They have different classes of busses and when at the booking Office - which is situated close to the Kimahama Bookshop [about 500m up hill from the Arusha Stadium] - it is essential to say you want the first class bus which should cost about US$18 per person. Dar Express are, without doubt, my favourite company and I would recommend this company above all others. However, some of the coaches do not have a toilet - although this may in fact be a blessing - as you travel in the African heat [and especially if you are sat toward the rear of the bus] a toilet may not seem such a luxury after most of the passengers have taken advantage of the service. The smell can become quite overpowering and the journey is a long one - about ten hours.

If you opt for the cheaper end of the market, most busses leave from the Bus Station close to the ‘Stadium’. Buffalo seem to be a favourite but they travel too fast. Speed is not a good thing as in places the road is single carriageway, it winds and there are hills; slowly slowly is the best way to ensure you get from Arusha to Dar es Salaam alive.

I would recommend either Fresh Coach or Amazon Coach - the ticket price must be negotiated and do not pay more than US$10 per person. The last of each of these coaches leaves Arusha Bus Station at 8 am sharp. Tickets are usually sold by freelance workers and as the commission is good - the more they charge the more pay they take home - competition is fierce. If you are a westerner then you will be targeted and you will be surrounded by enthusiastic ticker touts. This experience is not for the faint hearted. Hang onto your luggage and watch out [as you would as a tourist anywhere in the world] for pickpockets.

Fresh coach and Amazon travel to Dar es Salaam at a more leisurely pace and they are safer than the full steam ahead express buses.

If you want to leave Arusha and travel by bus to make the ferry crossing to Zanzibar in a single day - I would suggest leaving Arusha around 6 am to ensure you are in Dar es Salaam by 2pm. That gives you a good couple of hours to get from the Bus Station into town and to the ferry, buy your ticket.

The site http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk has full details and timetables for Zanzibar Ferries, flights and Buses in Tanzania - and http://www.betheladventure.co.uk has safari information. Use responsible tourism to make a difference to the countries and peoples you visit.

[tags]Tanzania, safari, bus, time table, Scandinavia, express, Arusha, dar es salaam, dar,[/tags]