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Top 10 New Year’s resolution vacations

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:11:16 +0000

Wavering already? Not to worry, online travel adviser Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.com) has come up with a top 10 list of destinations to help keep those New Year’s resolutions on track. Reuters has not endorsed this list:

1. Resolution: Stress less

Destination: St. Lucia, Caribbean

Blissful white sand beaches, lush green palm trees that provide welcome shade, and a seemingly endless sea – the recipe for pure relaxation. Add to that the incredible lightness of being and the warmth of the Caribbean locals and you’re practically in heaven. The Body Holiday LeSport resort on St. Lucia is an ideal destination to offload stress, humming the mantra, “give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” The resort has a wellness center for dealing with all the bells and whistles, lots of activities, culinary ecstasies and – simply nothing that resembles stress.

2. Resolution: Spend more time with family

Destination: Quebec City, Canada

Even on a well-planned family vacation, it’s not often you get to spend much time together. The kids jump around the pool all day while the parents sit on the beach and read. While relaxing for the parents and fun for the kids, it’s not very sociable. For fun the whole family can enjoy, visit Quebec City in the end of January and beginning of February and catch the Quebec Winter Carnival. The biggest winter carnival in the world is like a kid-friendly Mardi Gras, boasting snow sculptures, dog sled rides, ice skating and other outdoor activities worth bundling up for.

3. Resolution: Exercise more

Destination: Dolomites, Italy

Italy is a place normally associated with pizza, pasta, gelato and wine – all fairly unhealthy indulgences. Nevertheless, it is also the perfect destination for fitness, especially when it comes to the country’s majestic Dolomites, mountains in northeastern Italy which offer a picturesque backdrop for every season and a great excuse to get some fresh air. Travel fitness provider Fitscape can help you get fit and stay fit. Try out the popular range of ski courses in the morning, stretching with yoga and fitness classes in the afternoon, and winding down in the sauna and Jacuzzi in the evening.

4. Resolution: Allot more time for yourself

Destination: Maldives

Give in to absolute luxury and have a little time to yourself – and where better to do this than the Maldives? The luxurious One & Only Reethi Rah resort is like a journey for the soul. Individual villas, endless idyllic coves, and white sand and turquoise sea all offer uninterrupted privacy. Should the children not be able to stay with the grandparents, there is a separate area for them at the resort with numerous activities throughout the day, so parents can relax and revel in the luxury of complete seclusion offered by the resort.

5. Resolution: Eat better

Destination: Tokyo, Japan

Fresh, unprocessed foods, optimal servings and enjoyable, sociable eating – this is known as the Japanese Kitchen and belongs to one of the healthiest culinary nations. A typical diet comprises lots of rice, fish and spices, most of which contain little to no fat and oil in preparation. The diversity of the healthy-yet-delicious food available on a vacation in Japan makes avoiding temptation and cleansing your system relatively easy. Tourism has not yet fully recovered in Japan, so now is the best time to visit the fascinating metropolis of Tokyo and experience its unparalleled pulse without the crowds. Aside from the city’s breathtaking hotels, visitors can also enjoy a trip to a traditional Ryokan (Japanese hotel) connected to an Onsen (hot springs) on the program.

6. Resolution: Lose weight

Destination: Razines, France or Devon, UK

Diets are impossible to endure when all around you are temptations and unhealthy treats. A weight loss retreat is the perfect solution to kick start a healthier lifestyle. Being among like-minded people and getting advice from professional medical staff as well as fitness trainers will help create long-lasting effects and life changing approaches to food and exercise. The Nubeginings retreat has locations in Devon, UK, and Razines, France, and provides the perfect blend of a boot camp and a relaxing spa break. On average, guests who stay are said to lose around 5-8 pounds.

7. Resolution: Save money

Destination: Bucharest, Romania

Budgets have been tight for a while now, but in an increasingly dire economy, next year we really don’t quite know what to expect financially. Those wanting to save on vacations should naturally look for bargain deals and compare the costs of cheaper alternatives to popular tourist hotspots. Romania is one of those well-kept secret destinations that’s still relatively cheap with plenty to do and see. Its capital, Bucharest, offers plenty of decent hotels, which are priced around 40 euros per night. A beer costs about 1 euro and food is cheap – and delicious. On a tour of the various natural phenomena such as the Romanian mud volcanoes, glacial lakes, the Black Sea or the legendary Transylvania, you can discover a pristine part of the planet that is both inexpensive and lovely.

8. Resolution: Watch less TV

Destination: Cape Otway, Australia

On average, people spent almost one-fifth of the past year in front of the TV. This New Year, why not try to spend less time in front of the television and other gadgets such as computers, smartphones and iPads? Anyone wishing to leave the world of electronic gadgetry – that means emails, too – should head for Australia’s Great Ocean Ecolodge. Located in the middle of the huge Cape Otway Conservation Area, it’s surrounded by pure wilderness with company in the form of kangaroos, koalas and the beautiful nature of South Australia, about four hours from Melbourne. During the day people work with the team of researchers affiliated with Cape Otway Center for Conservation Ecology through the forest and help with the various conservation projects. In the evening, there’s an excellent meal served in the company of vacationers from around the world and a good book by the fireplace.

9. Resolution: Live a healthier life

Destination: Samson Mountains, Turkey

Drink less alcohol, eat healthier foods and rid the body of excesses to combat disease. Whether you’d like to maintain a certain level of health or do something about existing problems, the Natur-Med Hot Springs Resort in Turkey has just the ticket. There are anti-aging treatments for chronic diseases, fitness programs, pain treatments and much more. Situated on the Aegean Coast in the Samson Mountains, the resort offers the perfect setting for a thoroughly relaxing vacation and a professional team that will ensure your body is completely renewed and rejuvenated.

10. Resolution: Stop smoking

Destination: Alicante, Spain

This good intention is particularly difficult, especially when the stress of everyday life starts again after January 1, leaving you with a craving for a cigarette. The first few days of “withdrawal” are easier to survive when you’re far away from the usual triggers. Therefore, many resorts now offer special programs for smoking cessation. You can stop smoking at the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain. Here you get to enjoy a super-luxurious wellness program with flotation tanks, massage, fitness classes, acupuncture, therapeutic sessions, nutritionists, psychological counseling and more. With so much attention you should forget the agony of your first few days without smoke and be well equipped to deal with the time ahead.

Staying Close Nature’s Best on Vancouver Island

admin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:56:56 +0000

As one of the best outdoor tofino resorts on Vancouver Island’s western side, the Crystal Cove Beach Resort is beautifully landscaped with attractive grounds for their Log Cabins and RV Park. The property has rainforest trees and a beach on an ocean inlet. The sun rises through the trees and sets over the water. In such a lovely setting people can get back to nature for a while, and they can bring their families including the family dog to join them in some outdoor time together.

Getting People and Dogs Outdoors

Vancouver Island is one of the world’s spectacular spots with views of the North Pacific Ocean, and the scenic inlet where the town of Tofino is located provides the perfect location for Crystal Cove Beach Resort. The outdoors never looked better than with the color of the landscaped gardens, sheltering trees and stretch of beach, giving people the opportunity not just to make day trips into the wilds of Vancouver Island, but to make themselves at home and bring their dogs.

This tofino pet friendly resort is the place for taking runs with family pets on the sands of the beach and the place to which families return after long boat explorations around the coast for whale watching. Amazing sites to behold and then people return for a crackling fire and camp side cooking or cozy intimate dinners cooked in a cabin kitchen.

Nature with Resort Amenities

The friendly staff at the Crystal Cove Beach Resort do all they can to help people feel comfortable during their stay. The grounds make nature inviting and the Log Cabins are definitely charming. Then the RV Park is designed for convenience and each lot is attractively maintained. camping in tofino at Crystal Cove Beach Resort keeps people close to the best Vancouver Island has to offer.

Spring Break Highlights

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:47:38 +0000

Whether you are in school and enjoy a spring break off or not, taking a holiday in March can revitalize a winter weary soul. While spring break is typically considered a high time for travel, the world economic downturn has changed things dramatically. People are not traveling as much and resort prices have dropped significantly over even last year’s rates. Thus, there are many great deals that will let you head south to the sun without breaking the bank.

For parents with younger children on holiday from school, consider a trip to Disney World or Disneyland. Both have great weather and offer special park ticket prices during the spring break periods.

If you want to lay on the beach and have cocktails, the Caribbean is a great destination. Prices there have dropped dramatically in the last year. A 3-star hotel in Barbados is 72% cheaper than they were this time last year. Those same 3-star hotels in Puerto Rico are over 50% less, the Dominican Republic rates have declined almost as much, and St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos hotels are down 34%.

Cruises are another way to get to warm weather with great inclusive packages, and their prices have also gone down significantly. Leaving from Florida, you can find cruises for well under $300 per person, and sometimes less than even half of that. Most of these specials offer rates that are over 70% off brochure prices.

Flights to the southern US are also going cheap. There are deals that will take you to Miami for under $300 round trip. Similarly priced flights are available from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Those rates, with discounts available at resorts and on cruises make for an affordable warm holiday!

Unfortunately, the weather across Canada and in the northern US is temperamental in March, which may lead to canceled flights or delays in your plans. In case your plans fall through, you might want to look for travel insurance Canada to your destination. This assurance voyage will protect you from bad weather, emergencies at home, or other conditions that would make you cancel your trip.

Surviving The Heat On Your Vacation

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:26:35 +0000

If you’re planning to visit Disney World between June and August, I have a secret to tell you:

All of the locals are laughing at you.

Yes, I know, it kind of makes us jerks. But the heat is so bad here during the summer, most of us can’t imagine why in the world anyone would subject themselves to lines and crowds and hot, shadeless pavement if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Of course, the reality is that many people travel to Florida – and other hot places – during the summer because school is out, many industries are between seasonal surges, and summer is the most convenient time for the entire family to hit the road. The good news is, millions of people have ventured into the heat before and lived to tell about it – and had a blast. These tips will improve your odds of being one of them.

How To Beat The Heat On Your Summer Vacation

1. Go early or go late.

When possible, schedule your outdoor activities first thing in the morning or after the sun sets. This might be difficult if you’re planning to spend 12 hours at an amusement park, but consider catching the indoor shows during the hottest hours or finding a shaded area to watch the afternoon parades.

2. Wear hats.

Think of your hat as your own personal mobile shade. Stick one on every child and adult and forget about your hair. (Or top two side braids with a baseball cap for the females – super cute!) You may worry that a hat will make you more hot, but you’d be wrong.

3. Wear sunglasses.

Sunglasses won’t keep you cooler, but it will protect your eyes from harsh UV rays and make the day more enjoyable. Squinting in the bright sun makes you feel more hot after a few hours.

4. Drink plenty of water.

When my family goes to the amusement parks, we each carry our own water bottle and refill them constantly at water fountains throughout the day. Cold water not only helps you avoid dehydration, it actually helps you feel less like you’re about to melt into a puddle of goo. This seems like a no-brainer tip that your grandma nags you about, but it’s one of the most effective and commonly neglected ways of beating the heat. Note I said water, not slushies or frozen coffee drinks.

5. Take shade breaks.

If you do find yourself outdoors when the sun is high in the sky, make a point to stop regularly to give everyone a break in the shade. Enjoy sitting beneath a tree or head inside a gift shop, but get out of the sun for a few minutes to bring your body temperature back into normal range.

6. Get wet.

This is actually a two part tip. The first step is to wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet. Layer a swimsuit under cotton shorts and t-shirt, for example. The next step is to run through a sprinkle, go down that water slide, stand in the rain, or splash around in the “kid zone” that has water shooting out of holes in the ground. If you’re headed to Orlando, an afternoon rain shower is a great way to cool off – as long as you’re not dressed in denim from head to toe! source: uptake.com/blog/