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7 Tips To Enjoy Walt Disney World On A Hot Summer Day

Orlando is a hot part of the earth and come summer the humidity and temperature can reach triple digits. Worse still, weeks of heat occur exactly when school is out and families head to Walt Disney World. No one in her right frame of mind considers heat, humidity and crowd a great combo, but with some planning, your family’s summer vacation to Disney World can still be fun.

Staying at an on-property Disney hotel is a good start. You can commute to the parks in air-conditioned comfort using Disney bus, monorail or water transportation. This is definitely a better choice than driving a car that has been baking in the sun for hours.

Another incentive for staying on a Disney property is that you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour. On designated days, a Walt Disney World theme park will open an hour early for Disney Resort guests only. With that extra hour, you have time to take a break during the afternoon for a swim or a nap. Some resorts even have water activities, such as water skiing and surfing lessons, which are perfect for a hot day.

Pack a few water-mister fans. These little gizmo’s are life-savers. It’s fun to buy the Mickey version in the park, but why pay $15 a pop if you can get them at Wal-Mart for $4.95 each? Kids will be fighting over them, so getting a few of them cheaply and packing additional batteries to go is a smart choice.

If you have a Park-Hopper Pass, cool down by visiting the water parks. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer lots of fun for the whole family in the form of slides or raft rides. The water parks get crowded in a hot day pretty fast, so if you arrive at 11 am or after, expect plenty of queuing in the hot sun.

This is obvious, but crucial to mention nonetheless: dress light and wear sandals. Most theme-park guidebooks advise proper shoes and socks, but with the heat and humidity, wrapping your feet in socks isn’t actually going to help.

Remember to drink plenty of water. If someone in your group does get dehydrated, get to the First Aid Station. Each Disney theme park has one.

This is the best tip, which is why I’m saving it for the last. If you have tots, let them set the pace. Kids get cranky easily in the heat. This is more so considering that while you are looking at castles, they are in a hot stroller with nothing interesting at eye level. So if the kids are tired, head to somewhere with air-conditioning, have a break in a restaurant, or do anything that allows everyone to cool down.

Valerie Tay is the webmaster of www.magical-disney-vacations.com and she rejoices in showing you tips and tricks to make your Disney vacations all the more magical.

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Bali: Beaches, Spas, Nightlife and Shahrukh Khan

For me, arriving at Bali was a travellers’ delight. Nothing could beat travel fatigue better than the friendly, smiling Balinese faces at the Customs and Immigrations at the Denpasar airport and the ‘ Visa on arrival’ stamped on my passport for 10 USD in 15 minutes flat!

I had heard that Bali was an island of temples, dances, and age-old rituals; with over 95 per cent of the 3 million people practice a form of Hinduism. But nothing prepared me for the spot-on recital of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ by my taxi driver, followed by a song from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in the same breath. I was amazed by the Bollywood craze in this Far East city, so much so, that I was instantly labelled ‘from Shah Rukh Khan’s country’ by every taxi driver and local I met!

Arriving at the airport, most tourists head straight for the beach areas of Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran or Nusa Dua, I chose Kuta simply because it is still arguably the centre of night life activities along with an array of shops, boutiques, and galleries- what more could I ask for!

Bali offers a vast section of hotels for all budgets, right from simple and cheap accommodation for backpackers to five star hotels with indulgent spas for those seeking pure luxury. I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, a stone’s throw away from the Kuta beach.

At sunset, the Kuta beach comes alive, with people wanting to enjoy the stunning panorama. Teeming tourist, locals selling the colourful sarongs and batiks and a Balinese dance performance somewhere on endless stretch of the beach…and if you want to dance away into the wee hours of the morning, you wont be disappointed- pubbing is amazing in Kuta, with a wide choice of with pubs and discos that offer a vibrant nightlife.

The best way to enjoy Kuta is by simply asking the locals, who are very friendly an always ready to help you. I was lucky to have a very successful Indian friend in Indonesia- Kishore Pridhnani, who along with his wife Radha took me for a night tour of all the chic places in Kuta. The one that left a lasting impression on my mind was Ku De Ta, a fancy restaurant overlooking the beach. I absolutely loved the ambience in the night and would recommend this restaurant to anyone.

However, if your kind of vacation is to relax and chill out, head to the southern peninsula, with world-class, self-contained luxury hotels set on quiet stretches of beach of Sanur and Nusa Dua, as well as in Jimbaran Bay. (which is also very popular for very reasonable Sea food) These white sand beaches dotted by thousands of mangrove and coconut trees and sheltered by coral reefs, create an ideal haven for honeymooners or those preferring solitude.

To take a break from the hustle and bustle of Kuta, I headed for Ubud, which I must say has retained the feel of a cosy village retreat, despite of the growing tourism industry. Ubud is the arts and crafts capital of Bali, so in addition to streets lined with lined with shops and workshops specialising in traditional crafts, there are a number of different art galleries and museums to visit.

The next I headed for a day-trip cruise from Benoa Harbor that took me to the Lembongan Island, a popular spot for surfers and scuba divers. (at approx. USD 60 onwards for the day-cruise inclusive of lunch, I think it’s a worth a visit). Arriving on the white sandy beaches of Lembongan Bay, you can take the guided snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boat cruise or simply walk amidst the native Balinese villages

If you want to take a break from the beach scenario, I suggest a trip into the cool mountains of Kintamani with its green rice fields, the placid Lake Batur that rests in a huge crater and the impressive Gunung Batur volcano that dominates the landscape. The evenings tend to get cooler, so carry a warm pullover or a shawl and make sure you have camera with you to capture the spectacular view of Mt Batur.

Bali is one of the Spa Capitals of the world where you can indulge yourself in a spa treatment at very reasonable prices. If you want to spoil yourself then you can sample from an elaborate menu of lulur massages, rice-paste exfoliations, flower petal aroma baths and indulgent cream baths. I would suggest you check some of the local spas that work spa therapies into your holiday schedule on a daily basis. And don’t forget the traditional drinks made of herbs and roots- ‘jamu’, a local Balinese remedy for fatigue, headaches, aching bones or chills.

For the adventurous and sporty, Bali offers a host of adrenaline-pumping water-sports, both below and above water. Surfing, scuba diving, banana boats, snorkelling, parasailing, Jet Ski, Bungee Jumping, Bali offers it all.

Do try the river rafting on the Ayung River amidst a wild tropical forest. Ride the fast-flowing Ayung river as it carves its way with numerous hairpin curves and swirling rapids. A full day programme would only cost you about USD 35 onwards and I found the experience thoroughly stimulating.

For those who love underwater world and always wanted to dive, there is spectacular scuba diving and snorkelling off the unspoiled coral reefs around the island, with the most amazing and colourful underwater life. There are even learner’s courses by qualified professional instructors for the amateurs (you can take a day’s course for less than USD 100)

And while you are on the beach enjoying the water sports, do indulge in the locals who cajole you into trying hair braiding, getting tattoo done or even have a relaxing massage.

If you are travelling with your kids, be sure to take them to the Waterboom Park. My kids and I enjoyed a day of waterslides and pools in all sizes with restaurants and snack bars within arms reach…good family fun for kids of all ages!

When you feel like venturing outside for a meal, there are lots of breezy open sided bamboo cafes serving authentic Balinese food as well as an array of sumptuous international cuisine. But for those who miss Indian food, I suggest you try out a delicious meal at the Queen’s Tandoor in Seminyak, where the owners Puneet and Neeta Malhotra go out of the way to pamper you with personal attention.

Another big pastime here is shopping!

For those who do not want to wander too far from the beach, Sanur, Kuta and Ubud have more than enough to appease any shopper, from sarongs and sandals to wooden statues, stone carvings and iron and bronze works. But if you are keen on shopping, you can buy branded stuff from malls like Mahatari or also look for Factory Sales of branded clothes.

You’ll find the ultimate in open-air market browsing in southern Bali, where traditional Asian-style shopping still thrives. Do check out the local painting styles. I suggest, you always go in at less than a third of the price and even walk away, until you get the price you want. .

And before you leave Bali don’t forget to buy their chilly sauce called Sambal (its one of it’s kind and you can even pick it up at the duty free at Bali Airport.)

From the locals raving over Shah Rukh Khan to the colourful Balinese-Hindu culture, this tropical paradise lures Indians, not just by its natural exquisiteness but more importantly by its culture and the warmth of the Balinese people.

With Bali becoming more accessible and affordable, with cheap extension packages from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and great deals from Garuda Indonesia Airlines that have daily flights connecting the Island for as little as USD 160 for a round trip ticket, I would defiantly recommend this island getaway as your next travel itinerary!

Manoj Gursahani is the Chairman of India’s first ecommerce travel portal- TravelMartIndia. Visit the blog for more travel related issues, travel tips and destinations.

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Visiting Cancun on the Cheap

With its whitewashed beaches and azure waters, the Mexican paradise of Cancun balances the peace of the beach with a fun and fabulous nightlife, including clubs such as Coco Bongo and My Place.

When you are not lazing or dancing, you can swim with dolphins, deepsea dive, and snorkel. Or golf, shop, ride horses, and drink in the ancient Mayan archeological sites.

In October of 2006, Hurricane Wilma devastated many areas of the Peninsula. But help has since rolled in from all over the world, and many areas of the city have been rebuilt. In some cases, they have been upgraded to higher quality hotels and wider beaches.

Best Travel Times

The hurricane season begins in September, so opt for cancellation insurance when booking flights during this time.

You might also want to consider planning your vacation during the off peak winter months, because airfares and hotel rates tend to be less inflated. Look for midweek bargains, which are generally most significant from Tuesday through Thursday. You can save a lot by shopping around for travel packages and discount air travel. Make sure you tell your travel agent about your budget and what kinds of attractions and experiences are most important to you. If you do not work with a travel agent, keep your eye on the major online travel sites to snag the best deals. Here is a web page that compiles and posts updated coupon codes from Travelocity, Expedia, Site59.com and CheapCarribean.com:

Keep your eyes and ears open for deals on the following popular hotels, in particular:

Le Blanc Spa & Resort

Royal Sands

JW Marriot Cancun Resort & Spa

Ritz Carlton Cancun

Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort

Marriot CasaMagna Cancun Resort

Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun

Riu Palace Las Americas

Royal Islander

Riu Cancun

Surrounding Attractions

There are so many things to do in the Cancun area, you can afford to be selective. Plan ahead for day trips and go early, before the sun gets too hot and the crowds come out en masse.

Here are some popular attractions in the area you will want to consider:

Chichen Itza: Ancient Mayan archeological structures

MayaVenture: A labyrinth with treasure hunts

Plaza de Toros: A bullring that has bullfights every Wednesday afternoon

Cenotes: Deep, water filled sinkholes in limestone

Isla Mujeres: A small and charming island 8 miles across the baby from Cancun

Playa del Carmen: Small resort town about 40 minutes south of Cancun by car

Xcaret EcoPark and Sian Kaan biosphere along the Riviera Maya

Xel Ha: Archeological site and ecopark, located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Tulum: Best known for its Mayan ruins. Tulum is also the starting place for much ecotourism and adventure travel.

Other Cancun Travel Considerations

If your primary goal is to visit Cancun on the cheap, the best advice is to find accommodations out of the “hotel zone” which is located right in the middle of the city. There are plenty of things to do there and lots of great places to visit but the hotel and restaurant prices can get pretty steep downtown.

Here is a checklist of items you will want to pack for your Cancun vacation:

Clothing: Several pairs of comfortable shorts, tee shirts, dress slacks, a sundress, sweater or light jacket, socks, undergarments, sandals, tennis shoes, plastic bag for dirty clothes

First Aid: Pain relievers, eyedrops, necessary medications and prescriptions, bandaids, neck pillow

Protection: Sunglasses, eyeglasses and/or contact lens, sunvisor or baseball cap, umbrella or rain poncho

Snacks: Peanuts, crackers or potato chips, gum, candy and bottle of water

Equipment: Camera, extra film, batteries, portable compact disc player with headphones, favorite book

Documentation: Valid passport, drivers license and birth certificate, emergency contact information, money and travelers checks, computer printout of airline ticket confirmation. (Make sure to write the name of your destination hotel inside and outside of luggage and be sure to have an adequate lock on each piece of baggage.)

Vacationing in Cancun need not be expensive because it does not cost much at all to lounge on the beach, swim, backpack, picnic, take photos, walk along the beaches and the streets, and to simply sit still and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city and surf.

Jamie Jefferson compiles the latest online Coupon Codes including http://www.momscape.com/discounts/mexico-travel-deals.htm
“> Mexico Travel Deals.

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Top 10 Myths About Kiteboarding

#1 You must be strong

First of all, let me tell you that I am 5’4”, female, I weigh 100 pounds, and I have only been to a gym once in my life. Even though my arm muscle is virtually non-existent, I can still manage to kiteboard hours straight because of the harness worn with kiteboarding.

#2 I’m too fat / too tall / too small / too old / too young

Many kiteboard stores require you to weigh at least 80 pounds in order to take a lesson. I’ve seen just about every size and shape out there kiteboarding even guys in the 300 pound range.

Height doesn’t matter, but if you are a petite rider, consider buying a seat harness rather than a waist harness. This will move the bar closer to your body and put the power/depower strap within better reach.

I’ve seen plenty of guys in their 60s & 70s kiteboarding. If you have back problems, buy a seat harness rather than a waist harness, and buy a kite that has a lot of depower (bow, SLE, or hybrid kite).

#3 Kiteboarding is very dangerous

As long as you take the necessary pre-cautions, kiteboarding is relatively safe. I say relatively, because everything in life has risk, even driving your car to the grocery store. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, things can go bad, very bad. Take a lesson! When in doubt, don’t go out. Never ride by yourself. Don’t kite in storms or other times when the wind isn’t steady and reliable. And again, take a lesson (the more the better)!

#4 I don’t need a lesson

Just because you’re a pro wakeboarder/snowboarder, etc., doesn’t mean you’re a good kiteboarder. You need to learn how to fly the kite as well as learn how to setup the kite, relaunch, perform a self rescue, etc.

This is not wakeboarding, skiing, or surfing. It is more comparable to scuba diving, except if you screw up, not only are you putting yourself at risk, but also everyone on that beach. It is absolutely critical that you know what you are doing. A minimum of at least one lesson is mandatory. No exceptions.

#5 I’ll take a lesson and be riding by the end of the day

Each year the gear is getting better and better. Three years ago, it would take weeks to be able to learn what people now learn in a matter of days. Even so, do not expect to be up and riding the first time (or second time for that matter). It does happen every now and then so to improve your chances spend as much time as you can with a trainer kite and work on your board skills.

#6 Trainer kite? I don’t need a trainer kite!

Buying a trainer kite is one of the smartest moves you can make (along with taking lessons and buying the proper gear). You can learn so much with a trainer kite that by the time you take a lesson, you’ll feel much more comfortable handling the real thing and your lesson will go much smoother. You can learn mandatory kite flying skills the hard way (with a powerful kite), or you can learn it the easy way (with a trainer kite); it’s your choice.

#7 Kiteboarding is expensive

If you go out and buy the complete kiteboard set up (kite, bar & lines, harness, board), you’re looking at around $1,500 – $2,000. Ok, that number may seem big, but let’s think about this. If you want to wakeboard, you need a boat plus plan on spending a good chunk of money on gas each time you go out. In the winter time, you spend money on lift tickets every good powder day. Why not just strap your snowboard/skis on your feet and go snowkiting (use the same kite and harness, just add your skis/board). When you think of it that way, the $1,500 for year-round fun doesn’t look so bad.

#8 Kiteboarding can only be done in the ocean

Wrong. Kiteboarding can be done in any large body of water. Heck, I’ve kiteboarded in a large mud pond that was only about a foot deep (not recommended). A sandy shoreline along with clean, steady wind is ideal. Open areas like the Great Lakes or oceans typically get smoother wind than inland spots like lakes and reservoirs. Kiteboarding can also be done in the winter time (snowkiting) on open fields or frozen lakes with a snowboard or skis. And then there is kite ground boarding (KGB) where you use a landboard with a kite, the possibilities go on and on…

#9 I have a wakeboard, all I need is a kite

The bindings on a wakeboard are boot-like and are hard to get into, compared to the easy-entry, sandal-like binding of a kiteboard. Basically, when you’re in the water with the kite, you’re going to want it as easy as possible to put that board on your feet while you’re flying the kite.

Try to imagine wakeboarding in a choppy ocean, doesn’t sound too good does it? A kiteboard on the other hand, lets you cut right through chop and gives you a nice ride, thus opening up the possibility to ride basically anything.

#10 I found a great deal on a kite off eBay!

Have you ever noticed how every kite listed on there is “great for beginners.” Don’t believe everything you’re told. Just about every eBay kite that I’ve seen people bring to the beach makes me cringe. Many times, the kite is old (old in kiteboarding can mean anything over 2-3 years old) and unsafe. Remember, kiteboarding is still a new sport, and the equipment today is three hundred times better than it was 4 years ago.

Overall, you get what you pay for! Talk to someone at a kiteboard store for what kiteboarding setup would be the best for you and buy it through them. The right gear makes all the difference!

Lisa started kiteboarding in 2005 and spent 6 months working at MACkite, a large kiteboard shop in the Midwest, where she promoted and informed people about kiteboarding.

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Australia Travel Guide by Europelowcost

WHY AUSTRALIA?

- For the wanderful coralline barrier, the biggest in the world and maybe also the most beautiful. A huge sub aquatic world to be entirely discovered.

- For Sydney, a serene and fascinating city. Beautiful scenary of the bay with the amusement of the Opera House, the White Theater symbol of the city.

- For the desert, where suddenly you can see the Hyers Rock, a mysterious natural formation which has always been the sacred mountain of the aborigine.

- For the Tasmania Island, one of the less well-known and more charming angles of the world.

- For the kangaroos, the boomerang, the caiman and the whole adventure that its nature knows how to offer you at a Crocodile Dundee style.

GEOGRAPHY

Australia is the seventh country of the world for its extension with a surface of 7.682.300 Km., however the last one for its population density, with just two inhabitants a Kim. The interior of the country, called outback, is an immense plane desert, on which the wear formation of the Hyers Rock, sacred mountain of the aborigine rises to the surprise.

Time Zone: 8.0 (summer), 9.0 (winter)

Day’s Duration: maximum 14.5 hours (December); minimum 10.0 hours (June)

WHEN TO GO

Better Period: January, February, March

Good period: November, December

Worst Period: June, July, August September

WEATHER

The presence of a tropical and dry weather in to the north, from May to October, it is characterized by very hot days and fresh nights although it is a rainy station. To the occident the weather is also pleasant, with hot days and fresh nights. To the south and mostly to the Tasmania Island, winter is more rigid, with fresh nights, clouded sky and Antarctic winds.

CLOTHING

To the north part and from October to April, in the rest of the country you should take in the suitcase appropriate clothes and shoes, with some hot tee-shirt if your going a little bit more to the south. For the rest of the year, hot clothes and raincoat. To dive in the Corals seas do not forget the equipment for it, as well as plastic sandals to walk carefully and not be hurt.

CULTURE/MUSEUMS

Sydney Aquarius

Address: Pyrmont Bridge, Sydney

Schedule: 9.30-22

entered by payment

A true sea museum, with three big fishbowls dedicated to the oceanic life. In the first one sharks and big fish swim, in the remaining ones-two-seals and the smallest animals can live happily. The experience is absolutely fascinating. You may also walk under a submarine tunnel with windows that allow you to see the show closer.

Powerhouse Museum

Address: 500Harris St., Sydney

Schedule: 10-17

entered by payment, Free admission the first Saturday every month.

A deluxe rag dealer museum. Musical instruments, old trains, satellites pieces, and also paintings and statues, as a whole that can tell us something about our century. The exhibition is well studied and the nostalgic effect, insured.

Art Gallery

Address: MacQuarie St., Melbourne

Schedule: 10-17

entered by payment

Permanent collection of the art of North American, Australian, European and Asian, mainly contemporary. In a separated atmosphere there are also samples of the present time.

Victorian Arts Center

Address: St. Kildee Road, Melbourne

Schedule: Guided visit every other hour

entered by payment

It is a great center where galleries find place, rooms and theaters for different musical or figurative events. In its interior it is also housed the State Theater.

“Polly Woodside” Marine museum

Address: Porto, Melbourne

Schedule: 10-17

entered by payment

Polly Woodside is the name of the glorious sail ship built in 1885 in Ireland that afterwards, once setting in pension, became a museum of the sea. Around it there are other buildings that house part of the collection.

AUSTRALIAN CUISINE

The Australian cuisine is a mixture of different cuisine of the world, as part of the immigrants coupled in Australia. This way the Italian restaurants cohabit with those Chinese, the Hindu come closer to the Irishmen, the Thai are very close to the Lebaneses. The restoration level is high and therefore interesting ethnic-gastronomic experiences can be had. All the products come from the Island and almost anything is cared. which means a guarantee of quality, as the nature has particularly favored the great Australian island. Naturally fish and shellfish are the preferred plates in the coast, rich in each form of life. Don’t forget to taste the marine plates at the Thai restaurants. Fish and shellfish cooked with yellow, green and red curry sauce. And mainly crabs an authentic delight. Or also lobster and crustaceans. The Australian meat is also of high quality-tendered and more pleasant than in Italy- where you may eat big beefsteaks, accompanied by potatoes enriched with butter or creams or sour creams. But it is Meat Pie the true institution of the Australian cuisine. Nothing more than a rich baked meat cake. It is served everywhere in the island. But the best thing would be to eat it at home. Actually the Australian wine should be tasted. Many of them have anything to envy to the European wines as of being cared to the Italian and French restaurants.

SHOPPING

Precious stones, wine, but above all the craft is in the Outback, the immense interior of the country, and the aborigine art, in its strange and mysterious way. In the free business at the airports is enough to show the passport and trip ticket to receive discounts in the prices and local rates.

The main textile for confections in Australia its call Oilskin. It takes this name due to the fantasy of the first colonists that cut the cotton sails and made with them coats waxed with paraffin, already common among the farmers, fishermen, the superintendents and all those who lived in open areas. There are also shirts, pants, and long hats and skirts at Crocodile Dundeei the style. In the town of the sheep the best acquisition cannot be other than naturally a wool T-shirt made with an adornment at thick point and of strong colors. Lovers of the sea will have the nuisance of choosing among surfing suit, T-shirt and pullovers.

Jewelers

Australia is famous for the opal, from which the 95% of the world production is sustained. The most beautiful are those extracted at the black style Lighting Ridge, in the New South Wales. But there are also the sapphire and the diamond. On the other hand the sea offers beautiful pearls cultivated in the water of Broome and the marketed with the South Sea trademark.

Art

In the last years the aborigine art has been imposed before to the attention of collector and passionates. Paintings on the eucalyptus bark, small rituals tables, boomerangs, and worked shells, paintings on linen which truly surprising as for their originality.

Food

The Australian wines have become a fashion, but they have got this position principally due to their quality. To taste them we have: Chardonnay from the Clare Valley, the so call “Tuscan Australian”. But also the red wine Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, the Pinot Nero from the Leewin State and the Muscat from the Rutherglen region. Delicious is also the chocolate produced by the Factory Cadburu, and the smoky fish of Tasmania.

Europelowcost

Cheap Flights, Travel and Accomodations Price Comparison

http://en.europelowcost.com/

Europelowcost

Cheap Flights, Travel and Accomodations Price Comparison
http://en.europelowcost.com/

Tags: Footwear