Bed and Breakfast Info

Have you ever tried to book travel at the last minute? With last minute travel, or reisen, you’ll find that prices tend to be much higher for cruises, flights, hotels, and car rentals. Fruehbucher (or the early booker) always gets the best deals, right? In many cases, yes! But now, there are some helpful online resources such as last minute or reisen sites that make it easier than ever for you to secure your travel arrangements at great prices, even at the last minute! Here are some tips for using these types of sites to save time and money.

Choose a Dependable Travel Booking Website

Look for a last minute or reisen website that offers “all-in-one” packages to the places you love to visit. A professional travel site should not only offer the best in deals, but also the best in quality. Be sure the hotels, flights (flugs), cruises (Kreuzfahrt), car rentals, and other services are not low-class services with poor quality and customer service. If possible, talk with other travelers who have used their services to find out their experience.

Features Every Last Minute or Reisen Website Should Have

The travel site should offer extensive searches and options to find the destination, pricing, and schedule you need. Some will offer last minute or reisen deals in packages that will save you money on all your major travel expenses. The site should have a charter flight section where you can choose the destination for your flight (flug), how many passengers, your departure and arrival dates, and where you can compare pricing all in one place. Many airlines have realized the benefits of offering last minute airfare deals on the Internet. Last minute or reisen sites can locate these flights for you so you won’t have to spend hours on research.

Some sites will even allow you to secure a car rental for when you arrive at your destination. This is very helpful if traveling to a foreign land where you will not know how to get around. Some car rental services will bring the car to you at the airport when you arrive.

Tip: Be sure to study the country’s “rules of the road” before driving your rental car if traveling to a foreign country.

Another great feature to look for on a last minute or reisen website is hotel booking. Securing your hotel in advance can also save time and money if you use the right travel services. Some even have a hotel voucher system for even more savings. You can choose your destination and type of hotel to compare prices and quality of service. You can also find a hotel that is located in the area you wish to visit for attractions or locate a secluded luxury resort if you want a romantic getaway.

Booking Kreuzfahrt (or Cruises) Online

Whether you want to spend your entire vacation on a cruise (Kreuzfahrt) or take shorter cruise during your vacation, you can also easily book these online at a last minute or reisen website. Whether it’s a cruise in the Caribbean or some other destination, ordering Kreuzfahrt packages in advance online can relieve many stresses. You’ll be able to research the different types of cruises, their schedules, destinations and stops along the way, and compare service and prices - all from your own living room!

Experience New Travel Destinations

A great benefit of making your travel plans online is that travel sites usually offer packages to places around the world. You can experience new destinations you never dreamed of such as Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Egypt, India, and many other places. Find remote luxury resorts for your honeymoon that feature nature at its best. Or, tour historic places if you’re a history buff. Hike the Swiss Alps or swim along the gorgeous beaches of Greece! The possibilities are unlimited when you use online resources to book your travel needs.

Whether seeking last minute or reisen deals or making your travel flight, or flug, plans far in advance, you can now secure all your travel plans without ever leaving your home!



Traveling can be fun and exciting if you are heading to a favorite destination. There are also many people who have to travel for business. Whatever your reason for traveling, there are a few things that you should be mindful of in order to keep you safe while away from home.

Transportation If you are flying, make sure you keep all of your personal items with you at all times. Make sure your luggage is clearly marked and try to collect your luggage as soon as it enters the carousel so that someone else does not take it. You should also try to use quality pieces, such as Samsonite luggage, so you do not have to worry about your bags breaking. Find out which taxis are safe to travel in by checking with the information desk at the airport or with a police officer. Do not share taxis with people you do not know. Try to avoid public transportation late at night if you are unsure where you are going. Do not hitch hike.

Hotels You will want to ensure that your hotel is in a good area. When you check in, take note of where the emergency exits are. Don’t open your door to a stranger and do not invite strangers to your hotel room. Make sure you lock your door and use the chain at night.

Clothing You should try to dress so it does not appear that you are a tourist. Don’t wear expensive accessories. Keep your money in a case that is worn near your body. Do not put anything you can’t afford to lose in your pocket or purse.

Looking like a Tourist While it is often fine to be a tourist, in some areas it is best not to stand out. If you need to look at a map, step inside of a store or restaurant. Try to avoid being out late at night or in areas that are not well populated.

General Safety If you are traveling overseas, make sure you know the number to the embassy. Use the ATM during the day and try to avoid using cash whenever possible. Stay hydrated and make sure you have any essential medications with you at all times. Even if you are traveling alone, someone should be aware of your travel plans and be able to reach you.

Traveling does not have to be a risky proposition. These are just some things to think of while you are out and about. If you keep them in the back of your mind and use common sense, you should be able to enjoy your trip without any incidents.

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let’s examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company’s address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of ’staged’ car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child’s name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend’s or relative’s contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.



When you travel to Argentina, you will most likely arrive in Buenos Aires, which is a stunner of a huge metropolitan city. Buenos Aires is the number 1 Argentina Attraction, and where the adventure begins.

This is a list of the top 10 things to do when you Travel to Argentina.

1. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city filled with nooks and crannies to satisfy the pallet of the most experienced world traveler. The city is gigantic and each neighborhood offers rewards in architecture, cultural treasures and urban life. Tango was born in the neighborhood of San Telmo and La Boca. The government is located in the Buenos Aires City Center. Shopping is extremely unique and the nightlife is vibrant. Everyone is good looking, even the dogs. Transportation is abundant but it’s wise to bring a pair of comfortable shoes and take a walking tour of the city.

2. Iguazu Falls is one of the unclaimed natural wonders of the world. The entire journey there, and the semitropical jungle itself, is an adventure you will never forget. Not to mention the endless waterfalls that border with Brazil in this Northern Argentina attraction. Make sure you take the boat ride underneath the falls and use plastic bags to keep your things from getting wet.

3. Buenos Aires Tango is the most unique cultural contribution Argentina has made to the world in the last 100 years. It is currently enjoying a comeback and the options for viewing it are staggering. To make the most of a day in Buenos Aires, the Buenos Aires tango tours are the ticket. You will get a tour of the different areas of where Tango began and why. You get a Tango lesson, tango shopping, a tango restaurant and one of the best Tango shows available. And if this still does not satisfy, you can go to a Tango milonga for late night entertainment romp.

4. The Recoleta Cemetery is located in the elite neighborhood of Recoleta. This cemetery brings to life the history of its country like no cemetery in the world. All the legends of Argentina are laid to rest here including past dictators, scoundrels, heroes, and the most famous woman of South America, Eva Peron. (Evita) The Recoleta Cemetery is a 13-acre labyrinth of concrete, sculptures and architectural masterpieces so it is a good idea to have a knowledgeable English speaking tour guide.

5. Bariloche Argentina is a progressive Southern Argentina city and growing swiftly due to its healthy environment. It is located on a picturesque lake and in the Andes mountains range. Bariloche is also the jumping off point for out door adventures in the Patagonia region. But this quaint mountain town is most famous for superb world class skiing.

6. Salta Argentina is an exotic city steeped in history and located in an arid region in Northern Argentina. This area was once part of the Inca Empire and the Inca ruins are worth exploring. The famous train here is called The Train In The Clouds. Although this train offers panoramic mountainous views of the area, it sometimes gets stuck in the clouds and may not be running. Still, Salta is beautiful with rolling hills, historic sights, excellent fishing and a relaxed atmosphere.

7. Argentina beef has become world famous because the cows graze on nutrient rich river basin soil from the Rio De Plate. In addition, the climate of the Pampas region is mild and moist all year round making the beef tasty and succulent. The cow itself led the country to an economic boom in the early 1900’s that allowed for great infrastructure and decadent architecture that remains intact today.

8. Buenos Aires restaurants are where you can find the beef. You pay for what you get in Buenos Aires. Most restaurants have the same Italian menu and are very conservative. However even in those, you will find great parillas, good beef and chorizo. But if you cough up a little extra devauled currency, and go slightly upscale, you will find just about every kind of dining experience available to man at these excellent Buenos Aires restaurants.

9. The Colon Theater in Buenos Aires has hosted some of the most famous performances of each decade over the last century. It is still one of the top opera houses in the world and worth a look. Today it houses one of the most extensive costume collections on the planet.

10. Argentina products and shopping - Due to the devaluation of the peso in 2001, Argentina tries to rely heavily on it’s own industry and production. Therefore, in the shops scattered all over Argentina, you will find unique goods only found in Argentina and at fantastic prices. This includes rare stones, leather goods, and clothes and shoes. And don’t forget about Argentina wine. The Melbec is the best but since it’s hard to pack, we recommended that you finish the bottle before you leave the country.

When vacation time rolls around, some people choose to stay home, putter around the house, and get caught up on repairs or cleaning. While this might be a cheap option, it is not the most ideal.

Psychologists and thinkers like twentieth century Russian literary critic Victor Schlovsky emphasize the importance of what they call defamiliarization. This means that to make you better appreciate life and your surroundings, you need to step back and look at it from a different perspective. You must defamiliarize yourself from you present situation.

One of the best ways to do this is a vacation to a far away and exotic place. Take yourself out of your everyday surroundings. While many of us want to do this, cost is often a deciding factor. It is important, however, not to let cost dictate your vacation plans. There are ways to reduce the costs of travel so that you can experience the tremendous benefits of defamiliarization.

Start by visiting one of the high quality discount travel websites on the Internet. These sites can help find discounts on condos, hotels, and plane tickets. Next to airline fees, the cost of a condo on the beach or a nice hotel room is the biggest expense of a vacation. Finding a condo at a discounted rate will go a long way to enabling you to realize your vacation dreams. When you stay in a condo, you can relax in a home-like environment. You can often prepare your own meals and have room to spread out and really relax.

Coastal Vacations Club offers it members use of many different condo rental options that cost on average, about $200-$300 per week for 1 or 2 bedroom condos.

There are no timeshare presentations, no timeshare tours or any secret sales gimmicks here with Coastal, just use the condo, like you are an owner, and one never has to pay those high yearly maintenence fees that come with timeshare and vacation ownership.



Acapulco Mexico is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. It is located in the state of Guerrero on Mexico’s western coast that borders the Pacific Ocean. This lively city brags of its many luxurious hotels with the most magnificent views of Acapulco Bay. Acapulco Mexico has an international airport that draws visitors mainly from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia; however you’ll also meet people from all over the globe enticed by this amazing city.

This beautiful city has earned a lot of titles such as ‘the city that never sleeps’ because of its unending activities from playing on the beach all day, to partying in clubs all night till sunrise. Acapulco Mexico has also been tagged as ‘the queen of Mexican beach resorts’ that are very popular year-round for both foreign and domestic guests. Acapulco Mexico is all world-famous for several firsts such as the ‘birthplace’ of Mexican tourist industry.

Acapulco Mexico’s introduction of international vacation institutions such as parasailing, the swim-pool bar, disco, rooms with private swimming pools, hotels shaped like pyramids, cliff diving, and tequila “poppers” has been utterly shown appreciation. It also displays the cheery, carnival ambiance for which Mexico is famous for.

Resort activities in Acapulco Mexico centers around three areas. Starting from the south of Acapulco Bay near the airport is the Playa Revolcadero or Diamante area. This area used to be privately dominated by two resorts, the Acapulco Princess and Pierre Marques resort. Now, this long stretch of open ocean beach backed by huge tropical lagoon is now the abode of the Mayan Palace, the Tres Vidas Golf Course, and a number of high-rise condos and apartments.

To the north between the airport and Acapulco Bay is the Puerto marques area which is a peaceful bay. It was of no interest to developers for years but is now the site of the gigantic Acapulco Diamante resort and residential development. And last but not the least, is the spectacular Acapulco Bay with mountain-framed natural harbor that competes with Hong Kong and the Rio de Janeiro for natural exquisiteness. A main road descends from the steep cliffs of the bay’s southern end that becomes the coastal Avenida Miguel Alemán or known as the Costera. This area is the center of Acapulco’s resort strip and dwelling to almost all of Acapulco’s high-rise hotels, dining, shopping, and non-stop nightlife. The Costera goes on further to the north along the bay toward Old Acapulco and the antique but partially renovated downtown area.

Acapulco Mexico is the loudest, largest and most lively city in Mexico, thanks to its dazzling bars, discos, clubs, and “Las Vegas-Mexican Style” atmosphere, minus the gambling. This stunning city will undoubtedly fit all types of guests, from honeymooners, to families, to the adventurous, and to the party seekers.



On a crisp winter day, our coldest day so far, with a brilliant blue sky, I got going early at about 7:15 am and drove about 20 minutes from Banff to the tourist town of Canmore. This mountain town is located about an hour from Calgary, just 5 minutes outside the gates to the Banff National Park and is part of Kananaskis County , one of the main recreational areas just outside of Calgary. The Nakiska Ski area is not far from Canmore and it played host to the alpine events during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Canmore is nestled deep inside the Bow Valley beneath the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Due to the beauty of the surrounding wilderness areas, several Hollywood movies have been filmed here, including movies such as Legends of the Fall and Dances with Wolves. The development of this area really took off when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) constructed its railway line through the mountains in 1888, providing convenient access to mining companies looking to tap into the area’s rich coal deposits. Canmore was founded shortly after and attracted prospectors which were soon followed by hotels, restaurants and shops. The North West Mounted Police had an outpost here with a “two man and two horse barrack” and at some point Canmore even had an opera house.

Mining came to an end in 1979, but today Canmore has developed into a major recreational centre that attracts athletes, artists, nature lovers and adventure seekers. That was the category that I fell into today, as I was seeking out a truly unusual adventure: Dog sledding!

Punctually at 8:15 am I arrived at the retail outlet of Snowy Owl Adventures to be included in their 2-hour “Power Hound Express” tour that was to start at 9 am. The retail outlet itself features a variety of clothing, souvenirs, pictures and books with a dog sledding theme. I also rented big insulated boots to make sure my feet wouldn’t get cold on this very brisk winter day.

A group of about 9 or 10 people were ready to get out on the trails, to be pulled by a group of enthusiastic canine athletes. Our group had travelers from various parts of Canada, Texas, England and Holland and everybody was excited to get out there. Chris, our driver, packed us into a van and up we went into the mountains. We drove by several extremely scenic drinking water reservoirs and about 20 minutes later we arrived in the Spray Lakes area of Kananaskis County, very close to the Three Sisters Hydroelectric Generating Station. The first thing we saw was the trailer with the transport kennels for the sled dogs and five teams of enthusiastic canines were already waiting for us. Jereme, one of our dog sledding guides, gave us a half hour safety presentation and instructions on how to ride the sled. That’s where my first big surprise came in: I didn’t realize that we ourselves would get a chance to drive the sled, I had assumed that we’d simply be packed into the sled and the guides would be driving us.

But no, there are actually 3 options for dogsledding adventurers: you can sit comfortably inside the sled and be driven by a guide; you can drive the dog team one-on-one together with one of the instructors; or you can actually drive the sled dog team yourself with the company of family and friends, following one of the instructors. So for all the real adventurers out there: this is an opportunity to get behind the sled and drive the dog sled team yourself!

To get started I actually decided to play it safe and elected to sit down and let my instructor Natalie handle the driving. Since I was here to document this experience that would allow me to actually take photos and video clips of this unique experience. Three of the dog sled teams this morning had signed up for the 2-hour program and 2 of those sleds were going to be driven by the participants themselves rather than the instructors. Two other teams were scheduled for the 4-hour “Sunfeather Winterlude” program, this half-day excursion is Snowy Owl’s most popular ride. The safety instruction introduced us to the essential commands to get the dogs going (“Hike!”, or as Natalie would say “Hike up, puppies!”) and to get them to stop (“Whoa” – in a deep voice) while stepping on the sled’s brake. In between it’s a great idea to cheer on the dogs with enthusiastic comments. Jereme also explained that the dogs are Alaskan Huskies, and most of them are a mixture of huskies or malamutes with other breeds like border collies which makes for a very enthusiastic, cooperative and smart breed of dog.

Jereme mentioned that it’s very important to step on the brake while riding downhill to slow the sled down, and to lean right when heading into a right-hand turn, and to lean to the left when heading into a left-hand turn. The key thing is never to let go of the sled or step off the brake when standing since the dogs can be a bit mischievous and may take off on you. On uphill runs it is recommended that the sled driver get off and run beside the sled so the dogs have to pull less weight.

Well, now that our briefing was coming to an end, the excitement was building, both among the human passengers/drivers as well as among the dogs. 5 teams of Alaskan huskies were raring to go and towards the end of the safety presentation there was lots of barking, yelping, howling and commotion, indicating that the dogs were indeed ready to take us out on our big adventure. So I sat down inside the comfortably cushioned sled and Natalie zipped me into a sleeping bag to keep me warm. All the teams were now ready to go and Natalie issued the key command “Hike up, puppies!” and off we went through a beautiful narrow forest trail that opened up into a clearing from where you had a gorgeous view of the imposing mountain range behind. Then we went down a series of hills and I got bounced a bit in the sled, fortunately the sled’s and my own built-in cushioning protected my rear end from most of the impact. There were a few spills in the amateur-driven sleds behind us, I guess first-time dog-sledding is similar to any adventure sport in that it takes a bit of time to get the hang of it. But none of the spills were serious and once the initial challenges were overcome it was a smooth ride for everyone and we continued our beautiful journey through the forests above Canmore. After about half an hour our three teams on the 2-hour program had reached the turnaround point and we arrived at a picturesque mountain lake called Goat Pond that was completely surrounded by mountains. Now it was picture time and Natalie kindly offered to take photos of all the sled teams.

After a brief rest we were ready to continue on and Natalie asked me if I actually wanted to drive the sled myself. By this time I was thoroughly comfortable with the experience, so of course I jumped at the idea. One of the passengers from another sled took my cozy spot inside the sleeping bag, and Natalie and I each balanced ourselves on one of the rails of the sled, while our eager sled dogs were pulling us onto the home stretch. Natalie told me a little about herself, that she is a dog sledding instructor in the winter and a construction worker in her brother’s company in Northern Alberta in the summer. She seems like a thoroughly outdoorsy and adventurous woman who really enjoys what she is doing. Our ride continued on beside a river until we reached the Three Sisters Hydroelectric Power Station and finally returned to our starting point. Then it was time to pet the dogs and take pictures of our eager transportation providers. The dogs are amazingly friendly and from what I could tell, they enjoyed the experience as much as we humans did.

Our exciting outing concluded with refreshments, hot apple cider and “mystery cookies” beside a fire at West Side Camp where all the adventurers and our instructor had a chance to socialize and talk about our experience. A photographer had also taken pictures of each dog sled team and this was an opportunity to buy some photos.

In addition to the 2 hour and half-day dog sled tours, Snowy Owl Aventures offers a variety of other unique adventures: Snowy Owl also offers an 8 hour full-day program that includes instructions on how to track indigenous animals like wolves, cougars and rabbits. Their 4-hour “Snowy Mountain Experience” takes you back in time to a winter festival in local Inuit and First Nations communities. Their 4.5 hour “Bow Trail BBQ” combines a 2-hour dog sled outing with a Western Style Ride provided by horses, capped off by a blazing bonfire in their “Donut Tent” for storytelling. Their “Ghosts of Fortune Mountain “program extends over 2 days and 1 night and includes touring, kennel visits and hearty meals. The nights are spent in a genuine, heated Sioux Indian Tipi. Last but not least, the “Flight of the Great Snowy Owl” lasts 4.5 hours and takes you by helicopter into the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies before spending a half-day touring by dog team.

Just shortly after 11 am our van driver Chris arrived again with another batch of adventurers from the village and it was time for us to wave a final goodbye to our canine friends and enjoy the scenic ride back into Canmore. Once back at the retail outlet I returned my boots and hopped back in the car to drive back to Banff to pick up my husband so we could go on our final half-day of skiing at Lake Louise.

My two-hour Dog sledding adventure in the morning was the perfect start to an exciting winter day and it’s certainly been one of the most unique and special adventures I have ever had a chance to experience……

Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida is 49 square miles. The size of a whole city and inside the World, as it is known, there are unlimited ways to entertain yourself. I have listed the ten most enjoyable attractions at Disney World appropriate for all ages.

1. From EPCOT the winner is Honey I shrunk the Audience. The audience in this attraction appears to have been shrunk down to the size of ants as a giant film shows on the screen. As rodents run past in the movie your chair shakes appropriately. When someone on screen sneezes you will get a light mist in your face. This one has everyone squealing with delight. This is an attraction for all ages.

2. From The Magic Kingdom comes the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin. You are enlisted to help Buzz save the Universe.. The way you achieve this is by way of laser cannons that are set in front of you in a futuristic car hurling through space. Your car will spin while you try to hit targets out in the Universe. The effects are achieve with black light and glow in the dark surfaces. Kids get great joy out of making their parents dizzy on this one. Do not miss this one.

3. Disney-MGM Studious Back lot Tour at Disney-MGM is an informative excursion. Guests get to tour through movie sets on a tram. It is fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes to create special effects and different scenes. At the end you are taken through floods and explosions before being shown how it is done.

4. Disneyquest at Downtown Disney is an often overlooked indoor theme park. This larger than life arcade provides a welcome respite from the broiling Florida sun. It is five stories high of interactive entertainment. On the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction inside Disneyquest you an up to three others are manning a schooner fighting against pirates and sea monsters. One plays the roll of captain steering the vessel while the others are busy launching cannons at the bad guys. Just when you think it is over a giant sea creature tries to board your ship and you must defend once again. This attraction will take your mind off of anything else as you will be preoccupied with your own survival. Fun is the operative word here, for all ages.

5. Also from Disneyquest is the Extraterrestrial Alien Encounter where you can blast and be blasted inside of small spaceship that you fly. Actually you drive it around a floor painted like the milky way. One person steers while the other shoots large rubber cannons from the ship. If you hit an opponent at just the place it will send their ship into a tailspin. All the more fun is if someone else hits your ship’s target spot.

6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom provides a bit of nostalgia for parents and a sense of wonder in the little ones . Seeing Pooh and friends come alive in the Hundred Acre Wood will warm your heart. This one gets busy though so you may want to use a fast pass if the park is packed.

7. The fireworks show is best viewed from Magic Kingdom. Depending on the time of year there are different themes to this one but one thing remains constant Disney doesn’t do anything halfway and this is no exception. One year I saw the Fourth of July fireworks and the explosions were in the shape of stars. The show was visible all the way from the Disney Pop Century hotel which is not right next door. All ages will ooh and gasp over the show.

8. Mickey’s PhilharMagic show is a 3D short movie shown on the largest seamless screen ever built. As per all things Disney it is not just a film. This attraction has the audience watching a scene from Fantasia where Donald Duck puts on Mickey’s magical hat and is catapulted into the audience. You will smell the scents and feel water and a surprising but not painful sting as well have a visual experience like no other. This may be the most entertaining twelve minutes you ever spend in a movie theater. Bring the kiddies but don’t sit back fully in your chair if you want to avoid the sting.

9. At EPCOT the are many national pavilions. The best of all is the Mexico Pavilion. Inside there is a slow boat ride around the Rio el Tiempo Volcano. This is a gentle and peaceful ride that serves to calm overstimulated children and quell the fire of aching feet in adults.

10. Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not an Aladar ride as I was led to believe. There is a life size Aladar from the kids movie called Dinosaur standing right outside but don’t let that fool you. You and your fellow victims are strapped into large metal jeep like vehicles and taken on a trip back in time to when the great beasts roamed the earth. At the end you find out you have mistakenly transported a dinosaur forward to modern times. It is more transfixing that frightening unless like myself you are worried you may fall out of the car and be electrocuted on the track. My fellow pint sized riders had a rollicking good time while I rode in terror. Take your chances. There is a height restriction on this one of 40 inches.



More and more expatriates are attracted to Bulgaria each year.

These expatriates are drawn by the climate, the safe sandy beaches, the incredibly low cost of living and low prices generally, the historical heritage that Bulgaria offers and the welcome they get from the friendly Bulgarians.

While Bulgaria does not yet have the same destination appeal of Spain or Portugal say, all that is about to change as Bulgaria gets closer to entry into the EU in 2007.

Those choosing a new life in Bulgaria now are getting in ahead of the pack as this country is about to become very fashionable.

If you are thinking that Bulgaria might be the place for you what can you expect from life in Bulgaria? And which areas are attracting the main influx of expatriates?

The biggest growth rates in terms of expat population increase are expected in the more desirable areas in and around the major resort centres of Varna and Burgas. With further population development expected in other selected ‘premium quality’ locations on the Black Sea coast.

British expats already living in Bulgaria are attracted to the fact that you are far less likely to become a victim of crime in Bulgaria than on any UK street nowadays. Street crime in Bulgaria is rare, and general crimes against ‘the person’ are statistically lower compared to western European countries.

On the whole Bulgaria is a peaceful, law abiding and trouble free country and Bulgarians are friendly, warm and welcoming people.

Expatriates attracted to Bulgaria are rewarded with great beaches a sunny climate and attractions as diverse as wine tasting, aqua parks, ancient monuments, nature parks, music and flower festivals.

And the cost of living is incredibly low.

The economic forecast for Bulgaria.

Since 1989 Bulgaria has been going through a successful transformation from a state controlled economy to an open market economy - so successful has the transformation proved to be that Bulgaria has been invited to join the European Union with membership time-tabled for 2007.

In general financial analysts agree that Bulgaria is currently undervalued, and therefore base costs are lower than the market realisation set against forecasts of growth and increased investment flows.

In terms of what this means to those living in Bulgaria - the costs of living are exceptional low. But this is not going to last forever.

Bulgaria is currently benefiting from the European Union’s heavy investment into the country. Millions of Euro dollars being spent on upgrading the country’s roads and airports and schemes such as the “Beautiful Bulgaria Project” are being set up to refurbish the historical and architectural gems of Bulgaria.

All this work is meant to encourage new private investment to help bring Bulgaria more in line with its European neighbours in time for the 2007 EU entry.

This means that Bulgaria is increasing as a tourist and expat destination of choice year on year and those living in Bulgaria will only benefit as the country moves strongly towards EU entry.



Port St. Lucie - The smell of fresh cut grass, the crack of the bat and the fans driving in from all over, means one thing to the Treasure Coast, its baseball time. Spring Training officially kicks off on Feb. 16 when pitchers and catchers report to their respective spring facilities. Baseball in our area has been around since the mid 40’s, residents have built a following to the local teams that call our home their spring home.

Spring Training is always a special time of the year for Treasure Coast residents. For many it’s a chance to talk baseball with coaches and players, for others it will be their only chance to see a Major League baseball game. Whatever the reason, baseball is a fun and exciting time for our area. Spring Training games start at the end of February and the short season runs until the teams break camp during the first days in April. If you like to watch baseball after the teams leave our area, the closest major league park is Dolphin Stadium in Miami, home of the Florida Marlins. But for many, the drive and expense of driving to Miami is not something they are willing to do. Because of this, teams in our area draw many fans and most games during Spring Training are sold out.

During the first few weeks of Spring Training, players and coaches are preparing and conditioning themselves for the long, grueling season. It’s a chance for many fans to meet and greet their favorite players and maybe even get an autograph. For those who collect and deal in autograph memorabilia, this requires a lot of patience and persistence due to the player’s time and availability. For many it means making multiple trips to the training sites, hanging around parking lots or simply going home empty handed. Many players and their families enjoy their off time by visiting many of the fun and interesting places on the treasure coast, including our beaches and golfing clubs. But making time for fans during spring training is something many players enjoy.

There are two teams that call the Treasure Coast their spring home, one is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been in Vero Beach for the past 60 years, and have played at Holman Stadium for 55 years, this year could be the final year locals will get to see the Dodgers for Spring Training because the team is negotiating a move to Glendale, Ariz. The move may come as early as 2008, but realistically they plan to move in 2009. The team has already moved their single-A team, the Vero Beach Dodgers to California. This minor league vacancy was recently filled by a Single-A team from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Dodgertown, a former Naval air base, became home to the Dodgers in 1948. With such a long history in Vero Beach, there are many references to the Dodgers, there is even an elementary school named Dodgertown Elementary. What will become of Dodgertown when the team leaves will be an interesting story, many hate to see the team leave because it has became synonymous with Vero Beach, the city also counts on the tourism dollars that are generated during Spring Training, long term effects of such a move wont be known for years to come.

The other team training in our area is the New York Mets. Tradition Field has been home to the Mets since they moved here in 1986, the stadium build by the county was originally named Thomas White Stadium. After spending nearly 10 million dollars in stadium renovations in 2004, the Mets signed a long term agreement with the county that will keep the team in Port St. Lucie until 2018. That’s plenty of time to enjoy Mets baseball before the team considers leaving our area. The Mets have proven to be a big boost to the local economy and many restaurants and a movie theater have build locations near the stadium.

The Treasure Coast is home to many former New York residents. Although many follow the Yankees, the Mets have a very strong local following, and the team receives a tremendous turnout every time they take the field. For many it’s a time to catch up with old friends, have a hot dog and just talk baseball.

There is a rich history of superstar players and coaches who have played in St. Lucie over the years including Willie Randolf, Daryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Dwight Gooden and of course Hall-of-Famer and West Palm Beach resident Gary Carter. Many players have made the Treasure Coast their permanent homes. With such a history of baseball and the local fan support, the Mets have benefited from there spring home in Port St. Lucie. The team also maintains a Single-A team, the St. Lucie Mets, who last year, won the Florida State League title.

So give me some peanuts and cracker jacks. It’s time for baseball on the Treasure Coast.