Author: Jean Andrews
Source: ezinearticles.com

We all like to believe we can totally relax on holiday. However, it is wise to keep your wits about you when travelling abroad. Without becoming completely cynical about strangers — after all there are good and bad people everywhere — pack some common sense and educate yourself to avoid becoming a victim.

When the locals are over-friendly or eager to help it is not always with an ulterior motive, but that is very often the case. It does not make them criminals, and the motive may be as simple as steering you towards a family business hoping you will part with some cash. Who can blame them for trying. Taxi drivers may offer to take you to a business where you will get a good deal — but usually only because they are paid a commission.

ATM Machines Just as you should at home, watch for suspicious activity around ATM machines. Shield your hand when punching in your account details and password. Criminals may install a fake front or tiny camera on the machine to steal your details.
Credit/Debit Cards Keep an eye on your card when making purchases to ensure it is not swiped a second time or taken off to a back room where a copy is made.
Driving Abroad Thieves might flag you down or pretend to be police officers. Ask for identification if you are suspicious. Legitimate police will never ask for your wallet, purse or bag. Rental cars, cars with foreign plates or towing caravans are prime targets. Thieves may stop you and request assistance, or claim that you have a flat tyre. It may be a ploy to steal your vehicle or rob you.
Passports/Wallets/Documents Every year thousands of travelers are parted from their passports, wallets, and important documents by pickpockets and thieves. Identity theft is a huge and growing problem. Make copies of the information page of your passport and documents and keep them in a separate place.
Pay Phones Be vigilant and cover your hand when entering personal information. Watch for anyone who may be listening. If a suspicious person appears to be using the phone next to you, even with their back turned toward you, walk away. Criminals have clever ways of recording sounds and information.
Scratchcards/Holiday Clubs/Timeshare Scams No prizes for guessing that all scratchcards are winners! Usually a free holiday or prize has to be claimed by attending a ‘presentation’. These can be unbearably lengthy and in desperation to escape the unwary are often conned by high-pressure salespeople into signing contracts they don’t understand. Spain is a hot spot for scratchcard scams. Older travelers are often the target of this type of con. Remember the saying: ‘There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch’. If it appears too good to be true then it probably is.
Spiked Drinks/Food Be wary when offered free food or drinks by strangers. Avoid leaving food or drinks unattended, especially when traveling alone. Drugging has become prevalent in many parts of the world as a way to rob you, assault you, or worse.
Street Crime/Pickpockets A distraction or commotion may be used to rob you. They may spill something on you or bump into you. Women carrying babies or young children are often used as a distraction. Avoid appearing affluent and leave your expensive jewelery at home!
Suitcases/Bags Bags are popular targets, especially at airports, railways stations, car rental offices, and on public transport. If a bag isn’t stolen outright, it might be slashed and the contents removed when you are not looking.
Taxis Book with a reputable company or through your hotel when possible. If the driver claims the meter is not working agree a price upfront or find another. Have some idea of the length of the journey and approximate fare. Ask at your hotel, look up the information on the internet, or use a map or guide book. If the driver gets the impression you know your away around it may be less tempting for them to take you on the scenic route.

Before traveling to any foreign country do some research regarding any particular scams currently being used there. Visit the website of the British Foreign Office and their Country Advice pages — or your country’s corresponding government agency. Visit http://www.ScamBusters.org and travel review websites where you may pick up useful tips from other travelers. Make a note of police and emergency numbers as well as contact information for the consulate or embassy in your destination country

With so much information available online and through guide books there is no excuse for being gullible or a helpless victim. Educate yourself and you may just stay one step ahead of the con-artists!

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd who offer great deals on UK Travel Insurance and Travel Insurance for residents of Eire.

Author: Allan Michael Taylor
Source: articlerich.com

This year plan an extravagant and cherished holiday with your friends or family. Have a restful and serene family or romantic time. Enjoy the verdant tropical exquisiteness and magnificent landscape; it is a highly advised for romantic hide-out. It is definitely one of the most striking islands in South Africa. The island has a sub-tropical temperature and has beautiful sunny days. This is the most eye-catching place for the nature friendly people.

The place is adventurous and calming too. For those interested in adventure there are a great number of outdoor activities, for those who simply want to lay down and get some tan there are beautiful beaches and for those who want cosy intimate time special resorts are available.

Particularly for the eco-friendly tourists the St. Lucia Wetland Park is the most mesmerising destination. It has is a contender for World Heritage Site Status. Its famous and prominent ecosystems and biodiversity has no need to be described in words: it is only a site to view.

The other incredible locations which area must visit in St.Lucia include Pigeon Island, The Pitons, Marigot Bay and Sulphur Springs.

Pigeon Island is an exotic and inexplicable attraction of St.Lucia. It has wonderfully relaxing beaches which are serene and quiet and provide a relaxing effect to you. This isolated island is the perfect place for some privacy and personal luxury. It also has historical value and has old forts and camps.

The Pitons or sometimes known as ‘The Peaks’, have the UNESCO’s world heritage sites that are Gros Piton and Petit Piton. These two clone sites are an additional breathtaking exursionist appeal and are worth a visit. For the people with an adventurous streak these peaks are a treat. A climb up these stunning peaks can be most revitalising. The view on the top is breathtaking.

Marigot Bay is considered to be the heaven on Earth, especially by the sea loving tourists who love to cruise. This cove also is appealing those who have a love for food and sun. Exotic and tall coconut trees, amazing sandy beaches and the best quality of foreign food are offered. When you are looking for some quality time with your family it is the perfect spot for picnic. Yachats are on hand for having a fun in the sea.

Sulphur Springs is a beautiful and captivating site; its beauty is one that is treasured and memorable for a life time. Its humid yet pleasing springs catch the attention of the tourists interested in extraordinary magnificence. Diamond botanical gardens and Toraille waterfalls are also nearby and are a view to remember. For those dispassionate in just hot sunny days spent sun bathing, jungle biking is offered at Anse Chastanet. It is a whole new experience when you race through splendid orchids and French colonial ruins.

Hence this summer instead of wasting your money else where at some crowded and packed out island spend it on lavish and exotic as well as incredibly beautiful and versatile St.Lucia island.

For holidays to Antigua and other Caribbean holidays visit CaribbeanConnection.com

Author: Mary Braun
Source: articlemarketer.com

Many times boyfriends are difficult to figure out what they want for their Christmas gift. Some boyfriends do not have any hobbies so you cannot just go out and buy something they like to do. Some boyfriends like to save money so if you buy something frugal they will be upset and wished that you had saved your money for the both of your futures together. Other boyfriends simply seem to have everything they want and need so it leaves you with a blank feeling on what to give him.

You probably want to give your boyfriend Christmas holiday gifts that mean something special to him as it is from you. You can find many awesome gifts that are personalized to choose from. One of the amazing gifts you can give him is a personalized art print. When you choose something that states his personality he knows you were really thinking of him and what he would like to receive.

For the boyfriend that likes to have a beer every now and again, then beer coasters can help protect the wood furniture at his place. Many times men do not think about the consequences of putting glasses down on their wood tables and before you know it condensation has left their nasty little mark. You can get your boyfriend a personalized beer glass or beer mug to go with the beer coasters.

When your boyfriend wants to keep his beer extra cold, he can put the beer inside of the beer koozie that you gave him. You can choose a beer koozie that has his favorite NFL team on or a personalized beer koozie with his name on. The koozie will keep his beer ice cold while he watches the big football game on television.

A personalized shot glass with a bottle of your boyfriends favorite liquor is one of the great boyfriend Christmas holiday gifts you can surprise him with. He will treasure the shot glass that you gave him and think of you every time he uses it.

You can keep your man looking sharp by giving him a travel manicure and grooming kit. This is a great gift to give any man that travels as it is easy to carry when staying at a hotel. This gift is also perfect for the boyfriend that does not travel. He can stay looking well manicured for you.

If your man smokes, another one of the boyfriend Christmas holiday gifts that is perfect is a personalized lighter. You do not see too many of these around anymore. He will no longer lose his lighter with his engraved initials on it. When leaving one of his buddies homes or a party, he is sure to get his lighter back as everyone will know it was his.

We help shoppers find gifts and explain how to benefit from personalized gifts. Sponsored by Wealthwood Boyfriend Christmas Holiday Gifts at http://www.wealthwood.com/gifts/christmas-holiday-gifts.htm and Blog Wealthwood Christmas Holiday Gift Ideas at http://blogwealthwood.com/articles/

Author: Theodore Cartman
Source: articlerich.com

Holiday travel is still at an all time high despite the tough economic times. This is because there are still great places to see and people are still getting married meaning they still have to go on a honeymoon.

Holidays actually ease the stress of modern living where work and family can wear one down at times even to physical ailment. So once in a while one needs to step back and get that much-needed vacation.

In these economic times, people are cash-strapped meaning they will be looking for the best bargains. In the past, before one would embark on a holiday they had to plan. That meant checking to see which airlines were the best and the cheapest. Then the next step would be to look for where to stay.

For most, they did not have any family or friends in the city where they were going to be staying. That meant getting a reasonably-priced hotel. Once there the holidaying individual, family or couple had to worry about transportation which meant car rental.

And what can we say about entertainment? Who does not want to be entertained when they get to their holiday destination and entertainment can be in the form of a tour or a safari, or even a hiking expedition not to mention other forms of leisure such as a night at the opera or the movies. All these cost money separately and can even add up to almost $10,000!

All-inclusive holidays are advantageous to the traveller because first of all they save time. There is no need to contact the airline looking for the right price, then contact the hotel and then look for the ideal car rental.

All you have to do is contact the trip organizer or the tour agency and they set you up with an all-inclusive holiday package. Websites such as Travelocity and Expedia are reputed to offer some of the best all-inclusive holiday packages ever.

Another advantage of all-inclusive holidays is that they are convenient. One website can have you browsing all the exotic holiday destinations in no time. Expedia for example, has a section where you can browse through hundreds of airlines and holiday destinations.

The good part is that t he prices highlighted there are the only price you need to pay. The price includes the airline ticket, the hotel and other holiday additions. That is what makes all-inclusive holidays so convenient.

In the event of a dispute, it is easy to obtain a resolution because you are not dealing specifically with five or ten entities but with one agency which has the customer service to handle all disputes. This is another advantage of using an all-inclusive holiday rather than a convectional holiday.

Looking for Cheap All Inclusive Holidays? Check out complete guide to All Inclusive Holidays and All Inclusive Vacation: Hawaii, Mexico, honeymoon and with family.

Author: Sean Carter
Source: download

Fun, frolic and excitement reaches its crescendo during the auspicious occasion of Thanksgiving. Traveling, party, feasting all increase manifold during this time with family, friends and relatives sharing the spirit of togetherness. It is one of the busiest time of the year after Christmas and New Year with sky ways jammed, roads snarled with traffic and trains filled to capacity. It’s the time to pack one’s bag and set out for a relaxed vacation to the most sought after, coveted travel destinations or simply unwind at some far off desolate place. Some adventurous spirits are even eager to experiment and venture out into some unconventional holiday destinations. As people tend to be busy during the rest of the year, this is the time when they often make plans to visit their native places to meet their loved ones or leave for new holiday destinations with their families.
With traveling scenario being quite conducive traveling no more poses to be a big issue. Airlines offer attractive discounts for those booking way in advance, hotels too offer rooms at affordable rates to court the public in this festive season. Many hotels are smart enough to cash in on this festival by including special programs catering to the varied interest of people belonging to different age groups, the idea behind it being appealing to the mass and not just one section of the population. In order to lure tourists, activities such as rock climbing, bowling, golf, and tours of nearby historic places of interest as well as lavish feasts comes complimentary with one’s hotel bookings. Various tours and travel agencies have special travel packages encouraging more and more people to travel round the globe. For adults these vacations poses to be an escape from their daily drudgery, while for the children it is a short break to enjoy their holiday away from their usual routine study. Trekking seems to be a good idea for those adventurous souls who may be ready with their adventure gear and all set to hit the rocky mountains. One can also opt for a country getaway or a historic place may be not to brush up one’s history lessons but to get a feel of the place as it was many years back. There are also many cruises lined up offering heavy discounts to attract people who may have their heart fixed on the sea.
Let us sort out a list of places that one could perhaps make a tour of during this Thanksgiving, packed with fun and entertainment aplenty. For instance, the National Historic Landmark property, a famous resort at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire, has a harvest feast plus festive weekend with family turkey-trot, flag football, kids camp, along with a story-telling session with Santa, especially for the kids. You can also opt for the beautiful island resort in northeast Florida which has historic town and fort, nature tours and beautiful resorts that celebrate Thanksgiving in large scale. In fact another bewitching place, which is in fact a 1350 acres of land complete with beach, marshlands makes a perfect getaway during Thanksgiving. For instance, on Thanksgiving weekend, there is a Grand Buffet, Pumpkin Pie Eating contest, Just For Kids dinner party and much more exciting activities lined up. Again another splendid resort in Florida, located just two hours southwest of Orlando, organizes special programs for the occasion like the comedy shows under circus tents, Grand Buffet and a special show. The idea of booking a room at one of the most renowned hotel in West Virginia is also quite thrilling, as the hotel prides itself of having an absolutely traditional Thanksgiving feast like turkey and venison roast are served by the innkeepers in 18th century clothing.
If, for long your kids’ requests have gone unheeded, then Thanksgiving is the best time to ensure that the fond wishes of these delicate souls are taken care of by planning a surprise trip to the fun-filled Disneyland and Walt Disney World. You can be assured of seeing a broad smile flash across their face, as they shake hands with their favorite cartoon characters. The beautiful decorations, special shows and parades performed in these Disney theme parks are surely going to leave children and adults in a state of wonderment. It’s time you can pose to be different by opting out of the world famous Thanksgiving Day Parade, held in New York City and instead watch the “Orlando Christmas Parade” to be held in the town of Orlando on November 25th, 2006, which has off late become the largest nationally televised parade in the south-east.
This year you can fulfill you dream of paying a visit to New England, traditionally claimed as the land of the Pilgrims. This historic place has a host of interesting places to make a tour of. There is the Plymouth Rock commemorating the landing of Pilgrims, Pilgrim Monument, America’s tallest granite structure, located in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. You can also visit the history museum called Plymouth Plantation which remains open from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. You can also take a tour of the architectural structure May Flower II, which seems to be a mirror image of Pilgrim’s original ship, now docked near Plymouth Rock. An archaic colonial inn, a 300 year old sea captain’s mansion in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod offers a four-night Thanksgiving weekend package that is inclusive of an old-fashioned turkey dinner. Lincoln Park, a gaming operation in Lincoln, Rhode Island, hosts its annual Thanksgiving Breakfast Buffet on Thanksgiving Day with turkey served for breakfast.
To ensure that you have a hassle-free vacation, there are certain strategies you can follow which will help you to keep costs low as well as avoid all difficulty in finding the best travel deal. You can fly on off-peak days, meaning you can depart before or after peak dates or even on the holiday itself. Booking rooms in off-peak destinations can save you thousands as well as ensure a room at an upscale hotel without having to worry about accommodation. As a consequence, seaside resorts are a good place to look for great deals. This year you can plan a trip to the Caribbean, for winter is not the peak business time of the year there. If you for long had a secret wish of paying a visit to Europe, then this is the golden time to do so as November is the beginning of low season in much of Europe for Europeans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, thereby one can avail of best bargain with discounted airfares at your display. Places such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona or Prague can be visited by having to purse out less money for the same trip which may cost you a fortune at the time of spring or summer.
Traveling and fun are synonymous to each other, so it’s wise to fix a budget, plan your trip accordingly and make bookings way in advance to avoid all hassle of last minute arrangements. Booking is only a click away with Internet sites offering you a host of destinations and hotels to choose from. In short, Thanksgiving is the time to express gratitude for having time to spend quality time in the company of your dear ones and spread the feeling of warmth and cheer all around.
Sean Carter writes on holidays,
Thanksgiving Day
and world events. He also writes on family, relationships, Christmas, religion, love and friendship. He is a writer with special
interest in ecard industry and writes for 123greetings.com.
He is an active blogger at Thanksgiving Blog

Author: Gerald Njuguna
Source: articleage.com

The holiday season has arrived. It is time to celebrate, make
merry, and have fun. Travel plans have been made, lists of gifts
for family and friends have been drawn up, and arrangements for
parties are in full gear. It is indeed the season to be jolly,
but also the season when spending runs wild.
Business people usually cash in on the holiday seasons to
maximize their sales and profits. It will be high season for
them. They will stock up, price up and smile all the way to the
bank. They know that people will be less restrained in their
suspending than at any other time. It possible that you may be
among the many who have suffered post-holiday season financial
stress, and want to make sure it does not happen again. Your
success in this will be determined by how well you control three
critical factors: your increased rate of spending, the manner in
which you finance that spending, and the heavy financial demands
that follow in the subsequent month.
Financing Using Plastic
With holidays like Christmas or the New Year seeming to come
round too quickly, people often find they have not saved up
enough for their celebrations. Moreover, budgeting is an alien
concept during this and spending can spiral out of control. To
cover the inevitable shortfall in resources, the credit card is
an obvious attraction. There are advantages to using the card to
finance your expenditure:
i) It gives you free access to about a month’s credit.
ii) It gives you the temporary ability to spend beyond your
current means.
iii) It allows you to track your expenditure.
iv) You do not have to carry lots of cash around with you.
Use of credit card, how ever, does carry with it significant
dangers if it is not carefully controlled. Research indicates
that spending could increase by up to 35% when using a credit
card compared with using cash. Here are some key principles to
help you guard against running into credit card debt trouble.
1. Spending Plan
If your spending is going to exceed your income for the festive
month, consider cutting intended festive expenses, or other
expenses, to stay within your income. I am assuming you have
drawn up your spending plan for that period. That’s where a
credit card comes to the rescue. Though not readily apparent,
the use of your credit card can create distortions in the
management of your finances. Unless you are monitoring your
spending in both cash and credit, there is a danger that you
will be uncertain whether or not you are living within your
means. It would therefore be unwise to begin using a credit card
if you are not in control of your finances, that means using a
spending plan.
2. Debt to Income Ratio
Do not forget that use of your credit card adds to your
indebtness. In managing your financial affairs, one of the key
indicators to watch is your debt-income ratio. This is monthly
debt repayment as a percentage of your monthly after-tax income,
and raises a red flag when you tinker with too much debt. A
ratio of over 20% is becoming unhealthy. If you already have
credit card debt that is overdue, do not add to it.
3. Bridging Finance
Use of a credit card is ideally a means of short- term financing
of your operations. That means settling any debt incurred using
your card within days. Paying the minimum balance will not do.
If you are not confident that you can pay it off in full, you
wound do yourself a huge favor by not using a credit card.
Should you decide to go ahead and use a card, you need to be
prepared for extra costs in interest and penalties associated
with extended credit. This adds to your expenses, and you need
to be ready to be ready to reduce other regular expense to
accommodate this, otherwise you run the risk of creating ongoing
hard-core debt
4. Net Worth
Credit card debt incurred during the festive season is usually
for consumer spending- paying for your holiday, buying gifts,
entertainment, traveling expenses, etc and creates what is known
as consumer debt. This kind of debt adds to your liabilities,
but contributes nothing to your assets. Your net worth is
reduced to the extent of consumer debt incurred. Shrinking net
worth is not good for your financial health. So do have yourself
a happy holiday. But as you go about it, finance it in a way
that gives you the comfort that you won’t be debt-laden the
following month.
Gerald Njuguna is the owner of http://www.CreditCardPerfection.com, a site which teaches people on how to apply for a credit card. Visit the site, view more information on credit cards and apply online.

Author: Marti Mayne
Source: download

No matter what the season, packages make a statement even before they’re opened. Whether it’s a hostess gift for that perfect holiday party, the perfect something for your loved one, or Secret Santa at the office, you want your packages to reflect the thought put into the purchase. Visit Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine’s Holiday House Tour held each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, where among other ideas, you’ll learn first hand from Package Creator Extraordinaire and Captain Lindsey House owner, Ken Barnes how to create gifts that are bound to impress everyone from the boss to your loved ones. The Holiday House Tour is part of Rockland, Maine’s Festival of Lights, and Historic Inns of Rockland will feature workshops including Gingerbread House Making, Victorian Customs for Christmas, and Packages that POP, along with tours of lovely historic inns during this event, held from noon to 4pm on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Tickets and information are available at www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.
Captain Lindsey House Innkeeper, Ken Barnes spends the year foraging for the perfect additions for his gifts. Recipients-in-the-know look forward to Captain Barnes’ gifts, not so much to see what’s on the inside, but to learn what kind of statement he makes with the package’s wrapping. Captain Barnes’ “wrapping closet” is a sight to behold, revealing spools of ribbon, wrappings of all colors and textures, along with trinkets for just about any theme.
Ken Barnes’ Six Secrets for Successful Packages:
? Start on Christmas Day collecting left over ribbon and package accessories, and then continue to save potential package accoutrements throughout the year.
? Designate a special box or closet for package wrapping materials, organizing by paper, trimmings and accessories.
? Think out of the box – literally – wrap gifts in the gift itself including jewelry in jewelry boxes or toys in a fun toy box. If space allows, save every box that comes in the mail for wrapping in the future.
? On your travels, stop by ribbon factories or craft shops. Buy odd lots or ribbon ends cheaply to save for a later occasion.
? Visit church rummage sales or flea markets to pick up small pieces of jewelry, small toys or collectors items that fit your loved ones personalities. Save those to tie onto packages later.
? Save wallpaper ends, contact paper, cellophane, even scrap paper for wrapping gifts later. Newspaper articles or photos depicting those to whom you plan to give gifts are great additions too.
When asked for some creative ideas for gift-wrapping this holiday season, Ken Barnes offered these ideas where the wrapping doubles as the gift.
? Tie heirloom jewelry found on your trips to antique stores or church fairs then wrap with Victorian-style wallpaper left over from store-remnants. Wrap a deep colored velvet bow or tassles around the gift for a rich look. Better yet, create your own jewelry, hair barettes, or bookmarks out of beads or beaded ribbon collected throughout the year.
? Wrap cookbooks or kitchen items in pages from old cookbooks or the newspaper food section.
Add a small set of measuring cups or spoons tied on with kitchen string for your favorite cook.
For the hiker in the family, tie on a small compass or water bottle.
? Save newspaper articles announcing those recently married and wrap their holiday gift in the wedding announcement. Tie on small framed photos taken at the wedding.
? Visit the local craft or floral shop and pick up bunches of dried or silk flowers, then fill a terra-cotta pot with packages of seeds, potting soil and wrap with ribbon, attaching dried or silk flowers. Tie on flower ornaments as an accessory.
? Dress up wine bottles in doll clothes, creating a personality for that bottle of wine you bring to the holiday party.
? For the nature-lovers, wrap your present in florist’s paper, then tie on pine cones and berries found in local fields, or create a small decorated natural grapevine wreath.
Come see Captain Barnes at work during the Holiday House Tour presented by Historic Inns of Rockland, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Demonstrations including Packages that Pop at Captain Lindsey House, Gingerbread Houses & More at LimeRock Inn and Victorian Customs for the Holidays at Berry Manor Inn will take place throughout the day. Tours of the inns, decked in all their holiday finery will be ongoing from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. See www.historicinnsofrockland.com for information about the Festival of Lights package offered
by Historic Inns of Rockland, and for more information on the member inns. For more information,
call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).
BEAUTIFULLY PROFESSIONALLY SHOT PHOTOS AVAILABLE.
The Captain Lindsey House is a premier inn on Maine’s Midcoast. Filled with beautiful works of art and artifacts from travels throughout the world, the inn reflects the nautical nature of its owners, both accomplished sea capatains and windjammer owners. Visit http://www.lindseyhouse.com for more information

Author: Marti Mayne
Source: articleage.com

No matter what the season, packages make a statement even before they’re opened. Whether it’s a hostess gift for that perfect holiday party, the perfect something for your loved one, or Secret Santa at the office, you want your packages to reflect the thought put into the purchase. Visit Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine’s Holiday House Tour held each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, where among other ideas, you’ll learn first hand from Package Creator Extraordinaire and Captain Lindsey House owner, Ken Barnes how to create gifts that are bound to impress everyone from the boss to your loved ones. The Holiday House Tour is part of Rockland, Maine’s Festival of Lights, and Historic Inns of Rockland will feature workshops including Gingerbread House Making, Victorian Customs for Christmas, and Packages that POP, along with tours of lovely historic inns during this event, held from noon to 4pm on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Tickets and information are available at www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.
Captain Lindsey House Innkeeper, Ken Barnes spends the year foraging for the perfect additions for his gifts. Recipients-in-the-know look forward to Captain Barnes’ gifts, not so much to see what’s on the inside, but to learn what kind of statement he makes with the package’s wrapping. Captain Barnes’ “wrapping closet” is a sight to behold, revealing spools of ribbon, wrappings of all colors and textures, along with trinkets for just about any theme.
Ken Barnes’ Six Secrets for Successful Packages:
? Start on Christmas Day collecting left over ribbon and package accessories, and then continue to save potential package accoutrements throughout the year.
? Designate a special box or closet for package wrapping materials, organizing by paper, trimmings and accessories.
? Think out of the box – literally – wrap gifts in the gift itself including jewelry in jewelry boxes or toys in a fun toy box. If space allows, save every box that comes in the mail for wrapping in the future.
? On your travels, stop by ribbon factories or craft shops. Buy odd lots or ribbon ends cheaply to save for a later occasion.
? Visit church rummage sales or flea markets to pick up small pieces of jewelry, small toys or collectors items that fit your loved ones personalities. Save those to tie onto packages later.
? Save wallpaper ends, contact paper, cellophane, even scrap paper for wrapping gifts later. Newspaper articles or photos depicting those to whom you plan to give gifts are great additions too.
When asked for some creative ideas for gift-wrapping this holiday season, Ken Barnes offered these ideas where the wrapping doubles as the gift.
? Tie heirloom jewelry found on your trips to antique stores or church fairs then wrap with Victorian-style wallpaper left over from store-remnants. Wrap a deep colored velvet bow or tassles around the gift for a rich look. Better yet, create your own jewelry, hair barettes, or bookmarks out of beads or beaded ribbon collected throughout the year.
? Wrap cookbooks or kitchen items in pages from old cookbooks or the newspaper food section.
Add a small set of measuring cups or spoons tied on with kitchen string for your favorite cook.
For the hiker in the family, tie on a small compass or water bottle.
? Save newspaper articles announcing those recently married and wrap their holiday gift in the wedding announcement. Tie on small framed photos taken at the wedding.
? Visit the local craft or floral shop and pick up bunches of dried or silk flowers, then fill a terra-cotta pot with packages of seeds, potting soil and wrap with ribbon, attaching dried or silk flowers. Tie on flower ornaments as an accessory.
? Dress up wine bottles in doll clothes, creating a personality for that bottle of wine you bring to the holiday party.
? For the nature-lovers, wrap your present in florist’s paper, then tie on pine cones and berries found in local fields, or create a small decorated natural grapevine wreath.
Come see Captain Barnes at work during the Holiday House Tour presented by Historic Inns of Rockland, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Demonstrations including Packages that Pop at Captain Lindsey House, Gingerbread Houses & More at LimeRock Inn and Victorian Customs for the Holidays at Berry Manor Inn will take place throughout the day. Tours of the inns, decked in all their holiday finery will be ongoing from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. See www.historicinnsofrockland.com for information about the Festival of Lights package offered
by Historic Inns of Rockland, and for more information on the member inns. For more information,
call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).
BEAUTIFULLY PROFESSIONALLY SHOT PHOTOS AVAILABLE.
The Captain Lindsey House is a premier inn on Maine’s Midcoast. Filled with beautiful works of art and artifacts from travels throughout the world, the inn reflects the nautical nature of its owners, both accomplished sea capatains and windjammer owners. Visit http://www.lindseyhouse.com for more information

Author: Peter Wilson -
Source: articledashboard.com

Americans were asked recently to give their choice as to whether they would prefer travelling with their pets. More then 70% of them said ” Yes.”

This survey was conducted by the nations leading pet care manufacturer. This is the reason that more and more parks, hotels, and distant travel destinations are offering holidays with pets. There is one thing though that you must make sure of. Your pet must be willing to travel and is not forced to.

Cats, for instance, do not enjoy car rides while most dogs do. Dogs could also be taken when you are camping out but you are likely to leave your cat behind. Ofcourse, exception exists. The fact is that no matter what, your pet would prefer to stay around you rather then in a far away kennel kept some place else.

Please consider these travel tips for a safe and an enjoyable pet vacation:

1. You must carry a health certificate that is duly certified by your veterinarian after checking up your pet. Also, include proof of recent vaccinations for distemper, bordetella and rabies.

2. You would not like your pet to get lost especially if you are travelling out of state. Hence, it is always a sensible idea to get your pet micro chipped so that it can be traced quickly.

3. Carry extra sets of medicines for your pet, if it is undergoing any medication. It is a good idea to keep the contact numbers of your veterinarian should you loose the medication. In that case you could call in for a prescription.

4. It is crucial that your pet behaves well on the trip. Though there are quite a few places that invite pets but nobody would tolerate the nuisance of your dog that is barking during the day or all night.

5. You must keep your pet occupied so that it does not chew on any hotel furniture. You must also potty train your pet so that it does not spoil the carpet in your hotel room and turn it into a kennel. The obnoxious smell will also put off the hotel staff and other guests staying near your room.

6. You must not presume that your reserved hotel allows pet. So, please check and confirm on the availability of such hotels to avoid the rush and being left out with your pet.

7. Carrying your pet’s favorite food and toys, a pillow or bed could also be considered. Familiar things on the vacation will ease your pet while travelling and will keep both you and your pet pleasant on the trip.

Author: Lesley Komlos
Source: articledashboard.com

Summertime can be the ideal season to take your dog to the beach to enjoy the summer sunshine. This can be a great holiday time, as long you take the necessary precautions to ensure your dog is safe and comfortable on the beach and in the sun.

The most frequently asked questions about having holiday fun in the sun or at the beach with your dog are:
Will my dog be able to swim?
Not necessarily. Contrary to popular belief, there are certain types of dogs who will find it difficult, if not impossible to swim. There are some breeds with a combination of large weighty body’s and little legs that find it very difficult. Also, some dogs seem to have developed a fear of water that may preclude them from enjoying a holiday swim at the beach. Remember that even dogs that are good beach swimmers, do get worn-out and need to rest periodically. If taking a puppy to the beach, make sure that you introduce him to the water slowly and carefully so that you can teach your dog to enjoy your holidays at the beach.

Is the Water OK for my dog to drink?
At ocean beaches, it is not good for your dog to drink the water. Illness would result from your dog drinking the salty sea water. It is important to bring provisions of fresh water for both you and your dog to drink. Rinsing your dog with fresh water after swimming and playing in the sand is a good idea too, it can avoid skin complaints and harm to your dog’s coat.

Can my dog get sun burnt?
It is possible for dogs to get sun burnt. Dogs with short or white fur and also those with pink looking skin are the most likely to suffer from sun burn. To ensure a pain free holiday for both you and your dog, it is a good idea to take similar precautions with your dog as you would with your own skin. Applying sunblock to areas with little or no hair such as their ears is a good idea. Limiting exposure to the sun is also a good preventive measure.

Is it OK to let my dog off his leash and roam freely on the Beach?
There certainly are specific “dog beaches”, where it is perfectly ok to let your dogs run free on the beach. However most beaches require that you keep your dogs on their leads at all times. This is common sense really; it makes for a safer environment for both the people and the dogs holidaying on the beach.

Strategies for making sure that both you and your dog enjoy your summer beach holiday in comfort and safety include:

*Watch out for heat stroke symptoms in your dog, such as fast panting, drooling and unsteadiness on their feet.

*Be aware of the heat of the sand, hot sand could be quite painful for your dog’s feet too!

*Always supervise your dog while on the beach.

*Be aware of your surroundings, particularly with regards to things lying around on the beach such as fish hooks or dead fish or sea life which could be toxic to your pet.