Why Arnaud from Niger Vacations in Chamonix Haute Savoie France

2 11 2008

Chamonix France is a one of a kind destination with the legendary Monte Bianco and magnificent views all around with imposing seracs and tumbling glaciers. Everyone love to go paragliding or from time to time sightseeing. I sometimes travel from Boscobel and stay at a Chamonix luxury catered chalet during my stay.

I previously stayed in Radisson Resort Gold Coast unfortunately it rarely met the standards of its description: A relaxed natural resort located between the beach and Hinterland in the heart of the gold coast 5 minutes from the casino-shops- restaurants and the nightlife. The resort is surrounded by two of australias reknowned golf courses-palm meadows-home of palm meadow cup and lakelands. The first jack nicklaus signature golf course.

In comparison in Chamonix the self catered chalet is nearly always excellent. Likewise dining out in my favorite restaurant, Beijing Cuisines, enjoying kentucky fried chicken honey bbq wings is a memorable experience. Chamonix Mont Blanc France is a large enough town to insure that there is lots for the non-skier to do. Including a casino and a shopping arcade of designer boutiques, Chamonix provides a choice of climbing, French charm and tourist attractions which barely any French ski resorts can hope to rival.



Il Granaio Dei Casabella in Paestum

31 10 2008

Situated opposite the Aurea Door, one of the four doors of the ancient Paestum, "Il Granaio dei Casabella" was originally an ancient granary that has been transformed in hotel. It preserves its former charm and is immersed in a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxation.

From some of its rooms, furnished with remarkable taste and in different ways, you can enjoy impressive views of the ancient town, whilst from the other rooms you can admire the typical Mediterranean garden with olive trees, fruit-trees, acacia, pines and oleanders.

Breakfast is served on the wide terrace overlooking this green garden surrounding the hotel.

The plain, but refined and warm milieu of the “Sala Camino” and of the lounge invites you to enjoy reading of a book, conversation with other guests and music.

The rooms: The hotel offers 14 wide and comfortable rooms, all furnished with the old family furniture, with view on the garden, on the temples or on the court-yard. All rooms have TV, telephone, bath with shower, hair-dryer, heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.

Planning a trip to Italy? The top 3 destinations in Italy are Rome, Venice and Florence; for example, in order to make it easy to find an hotel in Rome, you can have a look at our advanced search. Simple as 1-2-3, the same method can be applied to find guided tours in Naples, or to compare price for different hotels in Palermo, from bed and breakfast to Hotels.



See Hippos on a Winter Safari

22 09 2008

For those men that have never experienced a safari in Africa might often find it hard to imagine the tremendous wildlife you will probably see. The people who come to a walking safari are regular holiday makers like you and me, some are into photography, some are into African animals but all of them are interested in a new phenomenal experience. Fast and reliable information on holidays such as Safari Holidays.

The marvellous thing about a safari is the fact it is so different from a normal holiday to France, there are very little families. Each walking safari company will provide an English speaking tourist guide to take you through the tremendous areas of Africa. The most popular wildlife you can often see are wolves. These magnificent animals are not tame and of course don?t feed them. If you are interested in taking photos of the wolves you should make sure you turn off the flash as you do not want to scare the animals. The astonishing animals in Southern Africa might put a smile on your face.

If you would love to ascertain more about astonishing safaris in Africa you might well use the search engine like Google to behold a company that offers safari holidays from the UK, the costs could range from 300 pounds to six hundred pounds.



Villa Myriam in Rome

18 09 2008

Giancarlo & Myriam are happy to introduce you their enchating villa located in Rome, near St.Peter’s (2 miles-direct bus) and Vatican Museums.
Villa Myriam is the First B&B in Rome located in Via dei Gonzaga, 159
We have accomodations finely furnished, gardens and sun terrace all around and a park (1500 sqm) for your enjoyment, in a very quiet and green place, well connected to the center.

Double Room with ensuite bathroom: double bedroom with queensize bed, bathroom, TV, A/C

Free parking inside, very good for children and families.
In fact our villa is like a little Rome hotel, there is no curfew and you have your own keys to go directly to the guests’ floor; daily cleaning, Air Conditioning.

Our Guest from Canada said:
very nice home and rooms, very friendly hosts, huge, clean bathroom fridge availabe outside the room use of gorgeous patios around house

The reservation can be made from Reserver.it: in order to secure your reservation in Rome, you’ll be asked to pay in advance only for the first night through Paypal.com in order to ensure privacy and security: in fact we neither collect or have access to your credit card data and your personal information will stay strictly confidential



Cypriot Delights

29 08 2008

Cyprus is an island with strong greek traditions, but to most of us simply know it as a great hotspot, which has made it a very popular destination for Europeans, with over 2.4 million visiting the island each year. Cyprus basks is more than 330 clorious days of sun each year, which has given it the name The Island of the Sun. There is no shortage of travel companies able to arrange Cyprus holidays and budget airlines such as Easyjet offering routes to Paphos and Larnaca, it has never been easier to get there.

While attracting visitors from around the world, most of them tend to be Europeans. In recent years Russians and Poles have become poolside regulars alongside the French, Germans and, of course, us Brits.. The British Armed Forces have long has a presence in Cyprus. The UK retains a military base in order to have a gateway for forces to the Middle East. As such the Brits are now almost as local and the locals, and this has in turned resulted in areas that are less traditional and more contemporary in culture. English is widely spoke and understood among nearly all age groups to driving on the left side of the road. A major attraction for many Brit tourists is that the island offers all of the comforts and familiarities of home, but we also get to bask in the sun.

Much of olden Cyprus is giving away to culture that is more eclectic and less traditional. However, this side of Cyprus, that continues to attract millions of tourists year after year, is only one aspect of the island and is concentrated around the tourist hotspots of Paphos, Larnaca and Ayia Napa. Fortunately as you venture off the beaten track, your are soon reminded of the character that has made this island a popular destination for millennia.

A trip well worth taking is into Cyprus largest mountain range, the Troodos Mountains. In the heart of the mountains you will find the Kykkos monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1998. Housing art and exhibits on ancient Greece, the monastery has the twin function of being a museum for visitors and a practising monastery lived in by worshiping monks. If you are a wine lover, there are treats in store for you. A daytrip to the Troodos Mountains can be a welcome change from the beach and with overnight accommodation available in many of the authentic villages dotted about; you might want to spend a few days here sampling another side of Cyprus.



Are There Any Cheap Hotels in New York?

10 08 2008

I grew up in New York and then I moved away. Now when I go back to visit I am always on the look out for cheap hotels in New York. I like to bring my daughters there to show them where Mommy and Daddy grew up. It is fun to take them to see Broadway shows and experience the city. That in itself is incredibly expensive. The best hotel deals can only be found with careful research and planning. In cases like this a travel agent can sometimes be a big help. Calling hotels directly is also a good idea.

When you are planning that big trip to New York and you need to find cheap hotels in New York it is important to have as much advanced notice as possible. Hotels like having rooms booked months in advance and they will usually offer better rates to those who plan ahead. For most people this trip is not an everyday trip and they will be able to book early. If you have waited until the last minute then calling around to different hotels may get you a last minute booking rate. Look at the internet for help with rates as well.



Information about the Splendid British Royal Family

22 07 2008

Public Assignment and Image

Members of the Royal Family share thousands of official royal duties month on month, right away through England as officially recorded in the Court Circular, to credit, encourage & discover the achievements or events of individuals, institutions & enterprises in a variety of sections of life. As representatives of the sovereign, they recurrently connect with the British Nation in remembering recorded times, festivals, celebratory and catastrophic incidences & often she also funds or takes part in many charitable, intellectual & public activities. Whilst on holiday in England why not find out about the Royal Family England.

Their travels overseas on behalf of the U.K. (also referred to as State Visits when the sovereign legitimately visits other government officials) brings public attention to good contacts within & between the Commonwealth and other nations, to British supplies & trade, & to Britain as a historical, vacation, and sightseer location. Their existing functions & time-honoured jobs forms the apex of a contemporary “royal court,” and give a uniquely British & historical display to services (e.g. Trooping the Colour) and outlook to public occasions (E.g. Garden Parties, Ascot).

Right the way through their lives they receive a huge amount of journalist attention in the form of photographic, online and televised commentary concerning their lives, family relationships, means of passage, characters, garments, actions, and public responsibilities

Royal Funds

Cash that aid the British Queen in the operation of her position as the leader of state of the United Kingdom comes from the Civil List. This is a return of a tiny part of the takings from the Crown Lands that are provided by the sovereign to parliament at the induction of every reign; all Crown Land being supervised by The Crown Estates, an organisation that is completely answerable to parliament. In the two thousand and three-four financial year, the total endowed was one hundred and seventy six million pounds, where the Head of State’s spending was only thirty-six million pounds. The Queen’s costs does not encompass the charge of safety.



Celebrate at the Beach – Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Poin

25 05 2008

Celebrate at the Beach – Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point

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Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, in Dana Point, California, is a place to celebrate life! I know because I took my daughter there on her annual birthday outing. We spent three glorious days and nights at the most picturesque spot on the Southern California coastline.

The resort’s red-roofed, Victorian-style architecture overlooks the cliffs above the bay. With captivating views of the Pacific Ocean and sprawling Gatsby-esque lawns, I felt like we were in the movie “Somewhere in Time.” Even the winding driveway up to the resort was romantically lit with street lanterns. The shiny wooden lacquered decor was inviting and enchanting with all the elegance and ambiance of a coastal beach house. A large roaring fire greeted us in the lobby. Laughter ignited the lounge as the guests shared cocktails and their day’s activities. Their sounds were relaxed and inviting. I smiled knowingly at my daughter. This was going to be a memorable birthday!

As I read the list of activities to my daughter it was no wonder everyone in the lounge looked so happy and content. There was tennis, croquet, kite flying, whale watching, tide pool exploration, waterskiing, sailing, shopping, hot tubs, swimming, picnicking, golf, and most importantly, a SPA!

When the bellman opened the door to our room, we both felt we had arrived at our own private beach bungalow. The walls were a sunny yellow. Our beds were accented with turquoise and royal blue striped fluffy duvet covers with a hint of small gold stripes that reminded us of bright beach towels inspired by the blue of the Pacific Ocean.
The beds felt as comforting as the rays from the warm California sun shining on the sandy beach. The crisp white accent of the wooden head board gave the room a whimsical seaside cottage feeling. We immediately spotted their Bernard waffle-weaved robes and changed into them. We kicked off our shoes and relaxed and enjoyed the scent of their lavender sachets. I told my daughter that lavender is the aromatherapy that calms and soothes your senses so you can sleep better. She’s a manager for the Abercrombie Kids Store in San Diego. With her hectic schedule and long retail hours, she needed this time and place to unwind and mellow out. It was her first birthday treat of the trip.

Even though the room was cozy and pleasurable, my daughter’s eye for the corporate traveler immediately noticed the high speed internet access. She was relieved that she would be able to efficiently send and receive e-mails and use the internet. She was also delighted with the two phone lines. She hates waiting for anything and with this amenity she felt immediately at home. Mom wasn’t going to disrupt her immediate need to use the phone. I laughed as she gave a sigh of relief. Being the mom, I proudly assured her that I wouldn’t take her anywhere that wasn’t technologically advanced. I told her when I booked our room that they informed me that this property caters to even the most sophisticated of the wired generation traveling today. I looked at her laptop, iPod, wireless Bluetooth, and digital camera, and knew that if she needed to access the state-of-the-art multimedia system that linked the 55,000 square feet of conference space she was in good hands. This was a birthday retreat, but if she ever needed to come back for a training session I wanted her to know that this place had touch screens, control hidden microphones projectors, and phone and video conferencing for any business need she might have. Moms will always be moms, as I found myself lecturing her on the resort’s many business qualities. She politely listened to me, but what really caught her attention was the pamphlet on the SPA. After all, this was her birthday weekend and being renewed, revitalized, and refreshed were three of her many birthday wishes.

As I turned out the lights and snuggled under the cozy duvet comforter, I whispered a quiet thank you for the beauty of this lovely California resort, my precious daughter, and most of all . . . the time to enjoy. I drifted off to sleep embraced by the cool sea breezes and the hopeful expectation of the good times to come.

Daylight peeked through our patio windows and it was time for the birthday celebration to begin with fresh brewed gourmet coffee prepared in our room. We sipped our java from clear crystal mugs as I perused the USA Today with a cursory nonchalance about how the rest of the world was spending their day. My daughter Kyra, was diligently studying the Spa pamphlet. Would it be a Pure Fiji Coconut Body Polish, a Green Tea and Aloe Vera Wrap, their signature massage called the Peaceful Warrior, or the Ultimate Radiance Facial? There was no question in her mind.

We decided to stop burning daylight and begin the birthday bash at the SPA! When we entered the Spa, we were warmly greeted by the Spa Director, Maureen Vipperman, a beautiful and vivacious woman. She invited us to take a seat in front of the cozy fireplace, as we listened to the sounds of the soothing waterfall. Her passion and knowledge for the Spa’s unique relaxation and healing services was captivating. She told us that even though the Spa was less than a year old it had already garnered a reputation for being a place for wellness and healing. She told us that the spa used a variety of treatments that emphasized therapeutic health and international healing techniques and products. She didn’t forget a single detail with her caring curiosity. We savored every second of her articulate attention to our personal needs to create our perfect Spa experience.

Before deciding on our first treatment, Maureen took us on a guided tour of the newly renovated facility. She was quite proud of their state-of-the-art fitness center that was fully equipped with the latest in Star Trac cardio equipment and Life Fitness strength equipment, complete with headphones and personal televisions for each running and bicycle machine. This impressive facility rivaled centers twice its size. Maureen smiled spiritedly when she informed us that the fitness center was open 24 hours a day. My daughter and I exchanged a guilty glance. There would be no excuse about not having the time to workout on this retreat.

We made a mental note that we would work out tomorrow for sure. Right now, our minds, bodies, and souls were looking forward to relieving the stress and exhaustion from our workaholic lives. Maureen recommended the couples massage for our first treatment. She thought it would be a great way to start the birthday party. We noticed that one of the nicest things about the Spa, besides Maureen, the décor, and the treatments, was a comfortable ease and beauty about the facility. The layout of the spa was intimate, yet the treatment rooms were spaciously light, roomy, and elegant. The room for our couples massage was breathtaking. It was large and airy and decorated in gold sandy beach tones. There were two massage tables facing each other, beautiful white marble floors, and two large Swiss showers with 12 rotating showerheads. There was a private outdoor patio with a whirlpool tub, and outdoor furniture. Our therapists recommended ordering lunch after our treatment so we could enjoy the sunshine and fresh ocean breezes in our private garden.

As we prepared ourselves for the massages, I realized this was the perfect way to spend time with my daughter. It seemed like only yesterday that I looked down into her newly born eyes and dreamed about all the wonderful adventures we would have. The thrill of sharing this experience of renewing our spirits with this unique massage was beyond my expectations. In the silence and serenity of releasing the stress from our bodies a strong bond of appreciation created a lasting memory. After the massage we both took showers and luxuriated in the refreshing feeling of pulsating shower heads cleansing every pore of our bodies. We slipped on robes that were deliciously toasty from the in-room robe warmer and walked outside to the patio where our lunch awaited us. All we could do was smile at each other from the inside out. Our skin glowed as our bodies basked in loving appreciation for the special care. We savored our delicious lunches, not wanting this day to end.

After lunch, I scheduled the Ultimate Radiance Facial for myself and Kyra’s next gift to unwrapthe signature treatment, The Peaceful Warrior. Our bodies floated on air, as we were led to our separate rooms. As wonderful as it was to share the massage experience, trading stories on our individual services was even more exciting.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/calif/danapoint/lagunacliffs.html

Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

About the Author

Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com



Home in Stephenville, Texas: The Story of Vanderbilt Place

24 05 2008

A beautiful, 2-story, 3800 square foot home was built on the site of what was previously the McIlvaney Academy which was claimed by fire in 1919. We call this home “Vanderbilt Place.” With its hardwood floors, French doors, claw foot tubs, five fireplaces and high ceilings, one would be hard pressed to find a finer place to rent either for a night or for a year.

In 1920, the home which is presently located on the site was built. In a recent article which the local newspaper was kind enough to run, I asked if anyone knew anything at all of the home’s history if they would please call me. One elderly gentleman said the house was owned by a family with the last name of Henry and that the house was always “crawling with children.”

Another woman I met said she boarded there while in college.

I heard from another man who said his mother ran the house as a boarding home for college boys back in the 1940’s and 50’s. He said, in those days, there was another structure on the property – a garage apartment – which he and his brothers slept in. I was told by the previous owner’s son that there was indeed a garage apartment on the property. He said, though his father tore that structure down around 1999 or 2000, it was not beyond repair.

One humorous call came from a man who said the entrance to the kitchen used to be all glass but, when he was a kid, he was throwing a ball indoors and broke the glass, “a day,” he added, chuckling, “that will live in infamy.” That fellow added that his dad had installed some sort of a spring-loaded contraption designed to raise and lower garbage cans as “dogs, cats and varmints were everywhere in those days.” He said that there was no reason to ever remove the device and that, chances are, it’s still buried there till this day.

A few weeks ago, two white-haired ladies dropped by the house. They said they were from Granbury and were part of the Henry family that once lived there. In fact, when the house was “crawling with children,” they were part of that group. The ladies were very kind and had many nice things to say about how we were decorating the house. One lady was even moved to tears. They explained how the house was always a rooming house of one kind or another, and showed us how the room that we now know as the kitchen used to be a small apartment. The master bathroom is now blocking what was once the back door, a straight shot from the front door. The French doors we see at the end of the downstairs foyer weren’t always there as those same doors once divided the living room from the master bedroom.

One night, as I was affixing numbers over the upstairs bedrooms, I could not help but notice that there were already nail holes there from previous room numbers. Though we’re certain the house has undergone a number of renovations in its 85-year history, we are quite proud of the fact that we are remaining true to the original uses and purpose of the building, i.e., providing a comfortable, sweet-spirited place where people can lay their head at the end of the day.

Michael Tummillo - EzineArticles Expert Author

Anthony Tummillo is the owner of Vanderbilt Place in Stephenville, Texas and he and his wife, Maggie, cordially welcome you to stay at their lovely home.

My wife, Barbara, and I bought the house in August 2005 and my parents, Maggie and Tony Tummillo, moved to Stephenville from Las Cruces, New Mexico and are now the proprietors of Vanderbilt Place. Rooms run $290 per month with a $150 security deposit. Cable TV is FREE and the utilities are paid. For those who sign a 6 month lease or greater, their first month will be free, too. Photos of the rooms and property can be viewed at http://www.vprooms4rent.com and we can be contacted at 254.965.6328 or eMailed at reservations@vprooms4rent.com



Vacation Scams – How to Spot Them

20 05 2008

Again, your mother was right. Actually, she was right twice. One, nothing in life is free and two, if sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

One of the biggest and longest running scams to date is the Vacation Fraud, where you or a loved one is told that they have won a free vacation package or a glamorous cruise getaway. If not totally “free”, these “agents” say that they can get you that dream tour for a rock-bottom price. At this point, you, like many other law-abiding citizens start thinking “what could possibly go wrong?” A lot, apparently.

Let’s just start with the obvious: you will not get a free vacation. Granted, there are rare packages out there from reputable travel agencies that may be free, but err on the side of caution. The most common travel and vacation scams include the following:

The Dubious Travel Agency Scam – You are called and told you are getting a free vacation package but you must pay “fees” to reserve this opportunity. Then after you pay these fees, the “travel agency” can no longer be found. Their phone line has been disconnected and there is no way you can get your money back. Another variation of this scam is telling you that you’ve been booked on a luxurious vacation trip verycheaply, but this is only for a “limited time”. You are then asked to pay a “reservation fee” immediately (and this is usually a big amount) to assure your slot. It’s only after payment that the “travel agent” tells you that your vacation dates are not available or, after some time, will tell you that the offer has already “expired”. Then the “Agent” also disappears, along with your money.

Plane Tickets for Free- Here, they call you and say you have won two plane tickets to great spots like the Bahamas. What they’re not saying is that you must book your hotel and buy your meals from the company that’s giving away the tickets. If you stop and do the math before you accept this “free ticket” offer, you can easily calculate that the amount for food and accommodation easily covers the cost of a plane fare because prices have been so inflated.

The “Free Vacation” – You fly all the way to Hawaii or Mexico, ready to start your vacation, but you find out that you are booked in a small and dirty hostel with bad food. If you check out, they tell you that you void your return ticket. So, you can either stay in your bad hotel or pay a horribly inflated fee to get out of it so you can sleep in a decent hotel.

The Time Share Scam – You are given a free vacation, but before you enjoy it, you have to sit through a presentation from a timeshare salesman. Sometimes, you’re not even told about the obligatory timeshare lecture before you reach your destination. Oftentimes, to get food tickets and accommodation, people have been forced to sit in through long lectures and end up being forced to sign contracts that are also fraudulent. In some cases, when the vacationers try to get away, they have been subjected to bullying and other unscrupulous tactics from these sales agents.

“Become a Travel Agent” Scam – Someone tells you that you’re better off to be a travel agent because it saves you a lot of money in the long run. As a travel agent, they say, you get a lot of discounts and freebies while you’re on holiday. The catch is, you have to pay them a “fee” to become an instant travel agent and when you become one, you realize you can’t avail yourself of the discounts because your credentials are not recognized by any travel authority.

Fraudulent Vacation Discount Cards – You pay for a vacation card thinking it will make your vacation a little cheaper, but then you realize that the card has so many restrictions that you can’t get the discounts you’re entitled to. OR if you do get a discount, it’s just taken off a “special price” and still comes down to the same price as everyone else is paying.

Protect yourself from these travel scams by following your gut instinct and being sceptical. Don’t be afraid to say no and assert yourself when these “agents” become pushy. Never give your credit card number over the phone in the name of “reserving” your slot. If they give you a time limit, say you need to think about it; being hurried is usually a sign of a scam. Before accepting the package, go the distance – check the hotel, the airline, etc. – and make sure they are working with this promotion at the prices the agent says they are. Buy tickets and packages only from genuine agencies and in person, if possible and remember, offers from phone calls or spam email are more likely to be scams.

Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Fraud