Something About Traveling and Granada That You Will Surely Like

When we are watching television, we often see some TV shows about traveling to some awesome countries where we can see the host having some sightseeing activities, trying a brand new cuisine experience, and even watching the local celebration in the related country. Some of you would feel very attractive of this, and perhaps it is also you who really interest in these traveling stuffs to spend some leisure times.

The traveling itself has so many places to be visited, in both western and eastern area. Between these two choices, which one do you prefer the most? Let's take western as your number choice. Here in the western, there is a plenty of available options, one of them is one and only well-known Granada. It is a city located at the foot of Sierra Nevada Mount location. Besides being near the Sierra Nevada, Granada is also passed by three rivers at once, the Beiro, Genil, and Darro.

Here if you wish to visit Granada, you will be charmed by a hundred of traditional heritage, such as ancient history as well as years of legacy as you can see right within its museum and also the sites. As for the history, Granada a long, long time ago was the place of Ibero-Celtic settlement when the story itself began at the 5th BCE. It was the Greek who started the very first colony called Elibyrge and these days if you travel along the city, you can see all the heritages that have been reconstructed in so many ways, heritage such as monument. And besides this historical story, Granada also has sites like the over 500 years old Cathedral of Granada, the Royal Chapel, Albayzin, and many more; each with its hundreds years old age.

All about Granada has not mentioned above, the rest of the treasure needs to be discovered by you. And therefore, if you wish to follow the path of the host of the TV show, you can start it from this city of Spain. You can make your list about what you are about to do when you have arrived. Put the accommodation in the number one list and as for the next you can simply put tour list, itineraries, some local Spanish vocabularies, and even the additional car hire service. Car hire Granada airport is one suits your travel for this additional travel item, because by the time you get there, you surely need some transportation to explore the city. Your own car hire will do well, especially when you don't really understand the local transportation direction.

Travel and Leisure Hotel - Is it So Expensive to Afford Time in One?

A travel and leisure hotel is definitely and undisputedly the place to be during your vacation. This is the only place that you are assured of great comfort and having everything right at your service. However, these services that are offered come with a price to pay. This is the main issue that has seen most people find it really hard to spend their holidays and vacations in any travel and leisure hotel. When you are planning on where to go for your holidays, there are very many issues that you should consider. All your plans should be subject to the amount of money you have set aside for your vacation. Secondly, the plans should also be based on the time that you have for the vacation before you resume to your day to day work.

If you decide to go to a travel and leisure hotel, firstly determine all the charges and fees. These could be on bed and breakfast, timeshares, hostels and vacation rentals. You will be surprised to find that the most expensive thing in a travel and leisure hotel is bed and breakfast, also known as "B & B's". This is something that is only common to most American hotels. When you go to Europe, it is actually the contrary. However, do not only look at the price alone. You should investigate and know what services are being offered and the level of their quality. Check to confirm what is included from the price and what is not included. For example, what is the check-in and check-out time, are you provided with linens, and is breakfast offered, or have you been given a private bathroom.

At the end of your total investigation, you must ensure that you get value for your money by securing the best deal. Any traveler who only wants somewhere to sleep should arrange with the management of the travel and leisure hotel to pay for vacation rentals only. Despite the travel and leisure hotel being one of the most expensive options on lodging, the services offered here are good and the place is generally safe. If you are on holiday or travelling for just a week or month, then there is nothing wrong with choosing a travel and leisure hotel as the best place to stay.

Most vacation rentals contain multiple rooms which are ideal for many people and they are also offered at great rates. Therefore, if you decide to go out with the whole family, friends or working colleagues, then you do not have to worry about anything. In fact, it will turn out to be much cheaper when you share the cost. It is the responsibility of any travel and leisure hotel to provide security all the time.

Similarly, if you happen to have a timeshare, you can decide to swap it for another one which is in a different place as well as a different time. I have not heard of a single travel and leisure hotel that rejects them.

Wine Travel - America's First Wine Country

America's rich tradition of wine making began in earnest in the 1800's, when European immigrants brought their skills to various unsettled areas of the country. A few decades before California and other west coast wine producing states were settled, many eastern and midwestern states had thriving wine industries. In the 1830's, a group of German immigrants made their way to the Missouri river valley, west of St. Louis near the present town of Hermann, Missouri.

These early settlers noted how the topography and climate of the river valley resembled their European home areas of Germany and Switzerland. In particular, various grape varieties were growing wild on hillsides surrounding Hermann, prompting founding fathers and town leaders to encourage further cultivation and ultimately, wine making. After a few short years, the prolific grape crop merged with the settler's wine making skills, and America's first wine district was born.

After Prohibition, wine making became viable again, and since the 1960's over 75 wineries have opened in Missouri. Situated on a 20 mile stretch, this wine district just over an hour from St. Louis boasts historic villages and seven wineries. Those who enjoy wine trails and wine travel are drawn here for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are award winning wines and spectacular scenery.

Missouri has long been known for deep, rich red wines typically produced from traditional grape varieties such as Norton and Chambourcin. Wineries in this area use these native grapes to develop award winning varieties of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Burgundy styles. But these wineries aren't all about reds, as winemakers on this wine trail also produce clean and delightfully crisp styles like rieslings and chardonels.

A visit to the central Missouri wine trail usually begins with a visit to St. Louis. From St. Louis, travel west on Interstate 44 to Missouri Highway 100, continuing on Highway 100 twenty miles to the town of New Haven. This charming village is the eastern edge of the wine trail and is home to historic Robller Vineyard and Winery, which offers a spectacular view of the Missouri river valley.

Just west of New Haven and on your way toward Hermann is the Bommarito Almond Tree Winery, a family owned estate winery producing a savory award winning port, among other offerings. A few miles west is Bias Vineyards and Winery, situated on a 64 acre farm and featuring a microbrewery and winery, only the 2nd such operation in the United States. Be sure to try Bias' River Blush Rouge, an easy drinking friendly blush.

As you reach the Hermann area, you'll discover four thriving wineries offering the chance to try Missouri wine. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries all offer wine tasting, winery tours, and scenic views. Take time to savor the offerings at each. Among those we particularly enjoyed were Oakglenn's spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill's Vidal Blanc. Stone Hill and Hermannhof are other must stops, not only for their fine wines but also for their historic settings.

The western end of the wine trail is punctuated by the picturesque town of Hermann, MO. This is a town you'll really enjoy - historic architecture, local restaurants, and specialty shops galore. It's a perfect place to spend the night and participate in one of their many local events, several devoted to enjoyment of wine. Also, for the fitness buff within you, Hermann is also known for its easy access to the Katy Bike Trail which winds through the Missouri river valley.

Cruises and Cruise Lines - Important Questions and Answers

At first glance, it would seem that someone planning a cruise vacation could simply make a phone call and book a cruise line package. However, after a few minutes, one will come to realize that there are numerous cruise lines, destinations, and packages.

Important questions that need to be answered about cruises and cruise lines include -

1) Destination - Do you want to go to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Caribbean, South Pacific, South America, Europe, and Mediterranean? Basically, if a cruise line can reach a destination via water, then there is probably a cruise package to fit.

2) Food quality and dining experience. Cruise travelers have cited this factor as one of the primary factors in deciding on a cruise.

3) Do you have special interests? If you are a bargain shopper, you might want to consider a cruise that travels to destinations with bargain shopping. If you like the sun, you might want to consider cruises going to Hawaii or Mexico. Do you like history? Perhaps the Greece and old world destinations will interest you.

4) Would you like to visit many ports or are you interested more in shipboard activities?

5) How much can you afford to pay? Different cruise lines offer many different packages and pricing.

6) How long can you travel? Cruise lines offer packages that start at weekend excursions all the way to months or more.

7) Do you prefer ocean cruises or river cruises? Does the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi, or Danube peak your interest?

8) When do you want to go? Depending on the destination, the time of year does matter. Remember that some parts of the world get very hot or very cold certain times of the year.

9) What sort of people are you comfortable with? More and more cruise lines are catering to demographics. Some packages offer activities and destinations that may interest the retired tourist. Other cruise lines may cater to the young partying crowd. And yet, other cruise lines wish to attract and entertain the family vacationers.

One of the more important choices is the type of cruise lines. Ships vary in style and amenities and can be compared to the range and class of hotels. For example, hotels are commonly rated as a "one star" (typically a basic budget) all the way to "five star" (luxury high class and expensive)

Size of Cruise Lines

Yes, size does matter. Small ships are able to travel to destinations that the big ships cannot. Small ships can be more intimate with small crowds, lines, and activity. However, the big ships are floating resorts. One can find activities and services to pamper and luxuriate without leaving the ship.

Below are some of the common terms that describe the various sizes of ships.

Megaliner - more than 2,000 passengers

Superliner - between 1,000 to 2,000

Midsize - passenger capacity of 400 to 1,000

Small Ship - passenger capacity under 400

Boutique Ship - passenger capacity under 300 and popular for luxury cruise

A good place to start when investigating the choices among the cruise lines is to request a brochure from each cruise line. It may not be very detailed. However, the brochure will inform the cruise traveler the important facts and information needed to choose a cruise line.

I realize that this information on cruises and cruise line is very brief. However, I have tried to present the important questions the beginner and even the advanced cruise traveler should answer if they want to experience a hassle-free and memorable cruise.

Enjoy Las Vegas on Next to Nothing - Have Fun For Less, And Discount Shows

How long has it been since you've really had a blast? Is Las Vegas on your list of fun places to go? Think of all the places on your Bucket List. Will the high cost of living prevent you from ever going to most of those places? Learn what the locals know about having a good time on a budget. Their Staycation just may be your dream!

Why not do something different! More and more Americans are gambling less and playing more while in Las Vegas. In response, Las Vegas casinos are giving away less and charging more for food and attractions than in the past in an effort to survive the current economic times. Here are a few ways to tip the balance in your favor!

Since my notes on 'very affordable' Las Vegas are 98 pages long, we will focus on 'free' and 'dirt cheap' instead. There is a way to have a blast for next to nothing if you plan a little in advance. And you can still find free stuff if you know where to look.

Have Fun For Less:

There are many ways to have fun in Las Vegas, so we'll start with a little clarification. In this article we'll be looking at free lounge acts, low cost shows, reduced price headliner shows, and a little on gambling more with less money at risk. If that sounds like fun to you, let's go for it.

Free Lounge Acts
Free lounge acts can be found in most every major casino on the gaming floor. Most of these will be music rather than comedy or magic. Some are as intimate as a nearby piano bar, while others are stage bands giving a free concert. The concept behind all of them is to keep you at the gaming tables, having fun, and spending way more than you realize in the process... courtesy of the complimentary beverages.

Throughout the year there are special events with free concerts downtown and at some of the shopping malls. By checking one of the local weekly publications when you get into town, you can usually find a schedule.

For a free lounge show (minus the gambling and free alcohol) head over to Harrah's on The Strip near Flamingo Road. By the south entrance you can find Carnaval Court which is something like a street fair. In addition to kiosks with souvenirs and food stands, there is a large stage (with enough space for 375 guests) featuring free music all day long, every day of the week. Different bands play in the afternoon than in the evening, and a DJ spins out the tunes after midnight.

There is a full bar in the venue. The bartenders here usually put a little flair in their style by flipping bottles as they pour. And if you have to drive, Harrah's has free parking in their garage which can be accessed from Koval Lane behind the casino (allowing you to avoid the insane traffic on The Strip.)

Not to miss out on an opportunity, Harrah's does bring a few Blackjack tables outside when the weather is good enough. But you can ignore them and still have a good time here.

Gambling

If gambling is your idea of having fun, then here are a few pointers to help you out. Of course there is no guaranteed way to win, (making your gambling free,) that's part of the thrill; but there are ways to spend less while you're at it. First of all, forget about the coupon books if you are not already very disciplined; they are designed to encourage spending beyond what you were planning. Not fun.

If the Slots are your favorite, then you might want to stick with the quarter machines - $20 can go a long ways with quarters. It usually takes three to five coins to play all the lines, so you'll likely be risking $1.25 with every pull. (If you were to do that with dollars, you'd use $5 every time and go through your money four times faster. And pennies take 60 cents to a $1.20 per play - with smaller payouts. Megabucks and nickel slots have the worst payout of any slots.) The objective is to have fun longer, and still have a shot at the jackpot!

If the tables appeal to you more, look for the lowest minimum tables and don't worry about showing off how much you can lose. Just play the minimum every time, and if you win about half the time, you will likely break even or lose slowly. Remember the objective is to play longer, and to walk away if you ever get ahead on these even money games.

The least expensive way to play is to bet on sports. A $2 bet on a ballgame, a race, or any other event will get you about three hours of free drinks. And a long shot at the races can pay for the day. What could be better?

If you limit yourself to what you would have spent on entertainment anyway, you will never get yourself behind the eight ball. Most gamers lose more than they win, but the thrill of winning occasionally makes it all worth while!

Low Cost Las Vegas Stage Shows
Every top show had to start somewhere, and Las Vegas discovers many of them. If you'd like to see a great show, but don't want to spend too much in the process, there are quite a few not as well known acts to see. Base price on these tickets usually runs between $29 and $49 per seat; and for some of these shows that standard price is a real bargain, while for others even that seem like too much. If you're looking for some good entertainment, and don't care if the show has won any awards, this may be the perfect type of Las Vegas show for you.

There are two ways to get a discount on these shows in Las Vegas. The first is to go online at least a month before your trip (up to 60 days in advance) to pick up advance sale tickets. There are at least 3 or 4 websites that offer 40% to 50% discount on these lesser known shows when purchased in advance. Your tickets will be mailed to you, or you will be given a confirmation code online to use at the box office, (real tickets with tax included and not coupons nor discount vouchers) so your vacation can be planned and go smoothly without any last minute questions. (To find these sites just search for "Discount Las Vegas Show Tickets" - There is usually a small fee of around $3 for the service.)

Insider Tip: Check the websites FAQ to be sure their terms fit your need!
The other option is to wait until the last minute. By that I mean before noon on the day of the performance. Any show that hasn't been sold out has a panic sale at 50% off> by this time. To find these tickets you have to go to one of their booths, first come first served. Tix4Tonight booths are located at the Showcase Mall (by the MGM Grand,) the Hawaiian Marketplace (across from CityCenter,) the Fashion Show Mall (across from the Wynn,) and downtown at the Four Queens (in the Freemont Experience.) They also offer a $2 coupon online (Tix4Tonight.com), and in the weekly publications available all around town, to reduce their small service fee.

These options can give you the opportunity to buy two show tickets for a tribute show like American Superstars for about $30 instead of paying the usual $30 each.

Discount Headliner Shows
There's no doubt that Headliner shows are fantastic, the box office proves it. It's a pity that once an entertainer gets famous, the ticket price becomes astronomical. Base price on these tickets usually runs between $59 and $169 per seat, and the VIP tickets are outrageous. Here's my way of seeing the best, while spending the least.

Again there are the two options, but the deals aren't as sweet as on the less popular shows. The first is to go online to any of the 3 or 4 major websites up to 60 days in advance to purchase reduced price tickets at a 25% to 40% discount. The Cirque du Soleil shows very seldom offer more than a 25% discount, but long running shows like Blue Man Group can offer up to 40% discount - so shop around a little since each discounter may have a different allotment of tickets. (These discounts are sometimes extended when sales are light.)

Inside Tip: Most of the Las Vegas shows no longer sell tickets by the seat. They prefer to sell by the section so that people come early rather than show up at the last minute, all at once. Some of the smaller theaters may only have one section. So my recommendation is to show up 45 to 60 minutes early to get a better seat in the front of your section.

Last minute options are first come first served on the morning of the show, so there are no guarantees of getting the tickets you want. But if the showing wasn't sold out, you can still get a bargain at the Tix4Tonight booths around town. (See above for locations.) They won't give you half off on these tickets, but they will offer %20 to 40% off on them. There will even be a few VIP and Dinner tickets available. The lines tend to be long, so plan to stand around a while, and aim at just a bit before 11 a.m. (which is when the booths open for the day.) From 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. there will be a monitor displaying all of the shows that still have seats available. And for the few theaters that still assign seats, you may not find two seats together. So this is your opportunity to consider your backup plan - What other shows would I like to see if I can't get my first choice?

Gay Travel and Learn

Gay travels have abounded the leisure world. With an economy struggling to overcome an array of distress, you can never be fully fit to dominate life's problems without reviving your hearts and spirits. You can choose to engage in many kinds of gay vacations that take you to wonderful places and let you discover great treasures of culture and norms.

Ordinary gay vacations offer you fun and classic enjoyment. That is, you get to know something new and be able to appreciate a variety of traditions. What happens is that you arrive, and settle for some couple of days and even weeks. You think that this will get you away from stressful things that keep haunting your tired spirits. Then as you go on with your planned vacation, you keep on worrying about the works and problems you left at home. You pretend for quite sometime that you are truly having fun but deep inside you there are a handful of tasks you are bothered about.

Gay travels are far different from other activities you use to divert your attention to. Too short a time, these activities like the common bar hopping, shopping, or watching television at home do not really make a significant change in your lives. They just get you out of the problem for a moment but bring you back to it with the same state of mind and disposition.

For everything it is worth, have a vacation that is reviving and educational. Excellent gay vacations are those that act as a learning experience. With every journey, you get a chance to talk to different folks of varied personal interests and individuality. As you immerse yourself in their cultural environment, you learn to understand life more. You get to appreciate what you have been blessed with which you have been neglecting for sometime now. Connect with people and the link you have created with them will be foundations of learning for you. Rest assured, after this meaningful travel, you go back home as a better person ready to handle the problems you left and more prepared to face more complicated tasks ahead. Your friends and family will readily notice a wonderful change in you as you project with ease a revived person after each gay vacation.

The new things and the new ideas you have learned and acquired from the people you interacted with during your gay travels will help you manage your life with optimism and pride.  Let every gay vacation a learning experience for you. And as you go back home, be an agent of change for those who are waiting for you. Be that candle which ignites a positive outlook in life and make each home and old environment revived.

Work for a wonderful gay vacation and be friends with the rest of the world by creating links you have etched in your hearts to last a lifetime. The memories will be treasured as you keep what you have learned and use this wisdom to change not only you but those who are around you as well.

How Travel Has Changed Down the Ages

Not very long ago travelling about 20 miles from where you lived was considered to be an amazing feat. Even if you could manage to find your way safely there and back and you could walk at about 3 miles per hour, it would obviously take you at least 7 hours non-stop each way. That is if there was a good track for you to follow.

Travelling across country would have been a much more difficult prospect. So a more realistic travelling speed might have been half of that. In which case, a journey of 20 miles could have been split into a 2 day journey of approximately 7 hours each day. Still a very exhausting journey for most people. More likely, the journey would have taken about 4 days, allowing for rest periods and stopping for refreshments and sleeping. A round trip of 8 days, just for travelling to a village 20 miles away and back.

You would have to have a very important reason to expend that much time and energy. And considering the Roman Armies of the past would march at roughly 3 miles per hour and they had good roads to travel on, this estimate for ordinary citizens, no matter how fit, is still probably too optimistic.

So it's not surprising, therefore, that most people did not venture very far from where they lived. It's not very likely that they considered journeys like this as 'Travel and Leisure'!

What a contrast to today's average traveller! Ten times the 20 miles mentioned above, i.e. 200 miles, can be achieved in around 3 hours by car and even less by train or plane! With far less energy expended by the traveller. Although, when watching people who have been sitting in a plane or train for hours getting off at the airport or station, you might be forgiven for thinking that they had been working really hard for the whole journey!

Today, travel is often for leisure, pure and simple. As we set off on holidays to parts of the world that didn't even exist as far as our neighbours of the past were concerned, we are beset now by afflictions such as 'jet lag', which have taken over from the purely physical aspects of travelling. Having to spend perhaps 24 hours on a plane, drinking, eating, reading, talking or sleeping seems to be far more exhausting for today's traveller than the 'obviously' far easier task of walking for 4 days through often unwelcoming terrain endured by our ancestors!

But now we can sit back in our own armchairs, in front of our own fire places, eating our very own toast and jam while we sip our cup of piping hot tea and take a virtual journey to many countries of the world. The wonders of science and in particular, photography, have made our journey to many parts of the world as easy as clicking a button to control our computer. While our great-grandparents could only dream of distant lands, we can stay in our own homes and visit those lands. When you think about what the eye sees and what it transmits to the brain, it's only our other senses that tell us that we have not really been to the places we see in films, etc. But the images we see can stay with us as if we had actually been there.