When engaging in any underwater activity, such as scuba diving or snorkeling, having the proper types of lighting is crucial. This sport and hobby needs the correct type of light that offers the adequate lighting for exploring the underwater surroundings. Searching around corners, under ledgers, and in even spaces that are hard to reach like deep caves, can be easy with a wide angle dive torch. When photography and video is uses, it is able to reproduce the natural color to the nearby underwater with better photography.

The light that’s produced from the wide angle from the torch will make it possible to search under ledges, around corners, as well as in deep caves where light is not abundant. It has the capabilities in restoring the natural color of the underwater surroundings to get a better quality of video or photography.

Because the LED wide angle dive torch is made with a material of anodized aluminum, it makes this device very durable and strong and possesses the capabilities for lasting for a great deal of time. There is no need to purchase an additional light for awhile due to its strong structure, it will last the diver longer.

The white beam that’s illuminated for the LED wide angle torch light is particularly strong and bright. Shooting video or taking photographs is very simple and has great capability for excellent quality. When taking photographs and shooting video, this torch light is a must as a consequence of the quality it provides.

When underwater photography is taken by the diver, the light from the wide angle is ideal for situations that need a narrow beam or maybe a deeper focus of light on a certain underwater surroundings. If the situation needs a wider beam of light to focus in on the subject better, it could actually do just that and with amazing clarity as well.

It could produce a wide beam for illuminating a more substantial area and it also has the capability to produce a narrow beam of light so it can focus on a smaller area. It is able to target the exact area that you require with better quality of light. It could actually add more joy to any underwater adventure or activity due to the better quality of light.

For the folks who enjoy underwater activities during the night time, this diving torch is extremely good for illuminating adequate light for searching the underwater surroundings with a better quality of light. This tool is an essential device that any scuba diver will need. It will provide just the correct kind of lighting for the more experienced diver or for a beginner.

Related Blogs

• Pirates on Ledges
• Change the look of your bathroom lighting | ytlsf blog
• Richard Smith Demonstrating Pygmy Seahorse Mating Dance | Tony …
• How to Photograph Close-Ups in Nature | Favbit | Photography Tips …
• Vivitar Series 1 High Definition Wide Angle Fisheye 0.21x Lens + …

Around the Rogue Valley and Josephine County are many great things to experience for vacationers of all ages.  It’s a peaceful and relaxing retirement region which additionally offers the wild and scenic Rogue River.  By staying at one of the numerous suitably situated Grants Pass hotels nearly anything worth visiting will be no more than an hour’s drive away. Many Grants Pass hotels might even provide shuttle services to nearby points of interest.

The Rogue as well as Applegate river happen to be acknowledged for wild salmon, bass and trout angling.  Ashland, which is just a 45 minute commute from Grants Pass, hosts the yearly Shakespeare Festival.  Some hotels provide all inclusive packages that include tickets to see a few of these plays.  The Rogue and Applegate Valleys now have many family held wineries that provide award winning wines.

You will find hiking paths galore around the Grants Pass area.  For the serious hikers there are hiking trails at Crater Lake, Mount Ashland as well as Mount McLoughlin.  A hike up lower Table Rock is some thing everyone might achieve together. Once on top of the plateau, hikers will be gratified with a panoramic view around the Rogue Valley, the winding Rogue River, and also seasonal wildflowers and wildlife.  Each of these areas contain hiking trails that are nicely maintained and fairly simple to follow.

Head just a couple miles north of Grants Pass from the I-5 and enjoy a beautiful drive down the Merlin/Galice Road along which you will find beautifully engineered bridges offering incredible sites along the Rogue River and Hellgate Canyon.  Near the end of this road you can take a 3 mile walk to Rainey Falls. It is usually advisable to inform someone where you are going before starting out.  The above suggested nature hikes are less hazardous in the spring, summer and early fall.

Considered the most exceptionally positioned Grants Pass hotel definitely is the Riverside Inn and Resort.  Each and every room faces the Rogue River.  This is the spot where the well-known Hellgate Jet Boat Cruises departs.  A few of their room packages may consist of tickets on one of these enjoyable river cruises that can also consist of a brunch, lunch or dinner at the OK Coral restaurant.  The jet tour boat of the Rogue River will be something every visitor ought to do.  It offers valuable historical information about the river, the wildlife and also the Rogue Valley native Americans and founding fathers.

Grants Pass has a beautifully unique and historical shopping location with several excellent dining spots which provide breakfast, lunch and dinner.  You can find shops with numerous collectibles that could possibly have been discovered in the Rogue Valley.  Several stores also carry many nearby wines. You will find that each store is distinctive and interesting with welcoming merchants.

The local wine industry has rapidly built a reputation for itself.  The majority of the nearby wineries are family owned.  You could easily take a day and tour the Rogue and Applegate Valley vineyards where you’ll connect with the owners and try out their award winning wines.

Within an easy stroll of some of the Grants Pass hotels you will discover restaurants which include fresh Alaskan or native salmon or trout and also locally grown fruits and vegetables.  From March thru November local farmers, ranchers and artisans are obtainable at the Growers Marketplace on Saturdays until 1pm.  Here you will find great souvenirs to take home or perhaps eat some of the delicious baked or home grown items at that moment. Grants Pass has certainly got lots to see and do, in fact, so much you may need to extend your stay for over a week.

Related Blogs

• Mutant Salmon Coming to a Kitchen Table Near You « Truth USA
• Samsung Wave – How To Capture, Take Panoramic View Photos
• Dunhill Spring/Summer 2011 Presentation | Selectism.com
• High Country Wildflowers in Yosemite « In the Moment: Michael …
• Cleveland Shakespeare Festival | CoolCleveland Blog

You can take a one hour guided ski tour with volunteer rangers who will show the resources of the National Forest. Skiing is a obvious in Breckenridge, but for those of you who don’t want to put on the ski boots, there are other fun events . You should go on historical tours and museum visits . Spend time in the Barney Ford museum and other heritage buildings . You could also go an hot air balloon ride and discover the splendor of the mountains from a panoramic point of view. Climbing to the summit of Quandry Peak or go fly fishing. Yes fishing in winter just provides more excitement to the vacation. Go ice skating on Maggie pond or in one of the town’s many ice rinks. Sled down the mound in Carter Park.

Take a guided tour on a snowmobile to excavation sites and ghost towns. Cozy sled rides are very common here where you will ride into the pine forests and entertained by talented musicians along with dinner.

There are a assortment of Spa services in Breckenridge to refurbish and rejuvenate your senses and vigour. A memorable live entertainment evening can be had at the Backstage theatre presented in a warm atmosphere. If you happen to be in Breckenridge during January, you can take part in the week long Ullympics event that pays reverence to the mythic God of winter. You can also take part in snow sculpture contests in January. For those of you who just want to unwind and go shopping , you could stroll along historical Main Street in Breckenridge with over two-hundred galleries, boutiques and gear stores.  

Breckenridge is loaded with dining establishments ranging from the high end to moderately priced ones. Many award winning restaurants cater everything from Seafood to Italian to Mexican. You can even enjoy sushi or just popular old American Cuisine. Breckenridge is also home to over thirty pubs and bars. Breckenridge Brewery, Blue River Bistro and Cecilia’s are some of the more visited pubs that offer live music and good beer.     

There is no dearth to the quantity of excitement you can have at Breckenridge. It is the perfect location to either unwind and relax or have an action packed and excitement filled winter vacation.

Get More information about Breckenridge Vacations Rentals , Breckenridge Vacation Rentals

Related Blogs

• Cheile Bicazului: the panoramic point from Suhardul Mic Peak
• Breckenridge Colorado: A great year round vacation destination
• Discount Lift Tickets – Learn how Colorado ski resorts do not want …
• Siberian Husky Dog Breed History, Health Issues, Grooming …
• Adjustable Ski | Ski & Snowboarding

The Ohio countryside is a mixture of bountiful farmland and flourishing deciduous forest. One of the most picturesque places is the Hocking Hills region, a part of the Allegheny Plateau featuring spectacular gorges, waterfalls and an abundance of caves. Ohio also has its share of fascinating archeology; a pre-Columbian society existed in the area over 2,000 years ago, leaving burial mounds and other earthwork structures behind that you can explore today.

There are a number of Ohio bed and breakfast houses in the Hocking Hills area, several of which are 100-160 years old. Many are open year round and a number are open only at certain times of the year. You’ll want to do some research on this prior to arranging your vacation.  The fall colors in the Hocking Hills region are as spectacular as those in New England so plan in advance. Those who are in the market for more economical lodgings closer to urban centers will find a wide scope of facilities from which to choose.

While in southern  Ohio, several points worth traveling to include the Wake Nation Water Park which provides thrills that you will not find at an ordinary water park.  A different attraction is The Wilds, a unique animal destination where the animals roam uninhibited and people stay in their automobiles.  History buffs will not want to pass up a trip to Amish Country, where the Amish have stood true to their traditions for almost two centuries.  Further north, by Lake Erie, you can encounter living history for yourself, riding a mule drawn canal boat and experience life in the 1850s personally at The Canal Experience.  Amish country has abundant Ohio vacation rentals to select from, based on your budget and preference.

A good time to go to Ohio is in the spring and fall.  The climate is temperate, the humidity is low, and the colors in each season are stunning.  Amish country is genuinely a treat for scrumptious home made meals, hand carved wood workings, quality hand sewn quilts for sale, and an instruction concerning a simpler way of life.  Come to Ohio for outdoor activities and take pleasure in their abundant quaint bed and breakfast inns.

Related Blogs

• Argentina Travel Guide Free Travel Buenos Aires Flashbooking Cheap …
• Namibia – a bumper harvest awaits the adventurous traveler …
• Anglo Saxon Burial Mounds | The Greenwich Phantom
• Culture Shock: From Miami to Amish country « <dialogue by Linhart PR
• Six Abandoned Mansions and Forgotten Properties « Expert Equity …

Situated at the mouth of the Firth of Clyde Arran (Isle of) is commonly called “Scotland in miniature”.  Similar to Scotland the island of Arran has a very diverse flora, fauna and varied scenery, the island features lochs, moors, glens, sandy beaches, rocky coves and even features a lowlands and highlands region. To complete the likeness the island of Arran also has standing stone circles, a brewery, a distillery, castles, museums and high-quality local crafts and produce. The Isle of Arran is an exceptional destination for a vacation, especially for tourist who enjoy rambling and the likes. In the article below I describe Isle of Arran tourist attractions and a brief look at Isle of Arran hotel accommodation.

Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle is an impressive red sandstone structure which in the past was the property of the dukes of Hamilton. Located a distance from Brodick, enclosed by extremely pleasing gardens and parks Brodick Castle was constructed upon the site of an ancient Viking fortress. Visiting Brodick Castle is a great family day out children will enjoy the adventure playground while older family members will be pleased by the castle’s fascinating collection of silver, fine art and porcelain. You should allow about two hours to explore the castle.

Arran Heritage Museum

Arran Heritage Museum is found, on the site of a small school, in Rosaburn, Brodick and opens from April to October from half past ten in the morning to half past four in the afternoon. Consisting of various buildings; a cottage, smiddy (blacksmith), croft (small farmstead) and farmhouse plus stable, milk house, laundry, coach house and harness room and more. Exhibits reflect the social history, geology and archaeology of the Isle of Arran.

Isle of Arran Distillery

Wherever you visit  in Scotland it appears as though are never any great distance from something to do with the whisky industry such as a whisky distillery. The Isle of Arran Distillery employs traditional methods in the newest distillery in the country. The distillery is open to tourists from April-October and it features a visitor centre and restaurant.

Isle of Arran Brewery

The Isle of Arran Brewery is found next to entrance to Brodick Country Park.  Tourists can watch the process of brewing via viewing gallery and observation windows as well as being able to taste the end product. The brewery uses modern high-tech equipment to brew an ale using traditional ingredients without adding artificial additives.

Lochranza Castle

The last Arran tourist attraction I wish to talk about is Lochranza Castle located on the North coast. On first looks it appears as ruins sixteenth century tower-house but you can get to the interior using keys from the Post Office/local shop. Once inside the L-plan tower you start to see hints of a grand structure.

Arran Accommodation

Finding the most suitable Isle of Arran accommodation shouldn’t be incredibly difficult as hotel accommodation on Arran are found in most of the main towns/villages (Blackwaterfoot, Lamlash and Brodick all feature at least one hotel as well as guesthouse accommodation). Places to look out for include the Glenisle Hotel and the Lamlash Bay Hotel (in Lamlash), the Auchrannie Spa Resort (in Brodrick,) and the Best Western Kinloch Hotel (in Blackwaterfoot) which all have a reputation of excellence.

Related Blogs

• Tullibardine Whisky – Distillery Visit | Whisky Boys
• Offshore Black Sea – a New World Class Frontier Just Opened for …
• The things in your vacation in Iceland Cocos Lake | Travel and Tourism
• Places To Visit On The Isle Of Arran
• Cycle Round Arran (Part 1) « the ubiquitous blog

Taking a break from your everyday activities is important for your wellbeing and maintaining that worklife balance. Take a little time to plan your vacations right and you you will be much happier and healthier.

Whether your idea of the perfect vacation is lazing in a hammock with a good book, relaxing on a white sand beach, trekking in the great outdoors, or just spending more time with your family and friends, it does you good to have a break.

Working long hours, rushing around, having to rise at the same time every day and continually stressing about work really does deplete your energy and your immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness. When you take a vacation you are energised, more motivated about work and life and generally feel refreshed.

Planning for a break well in advance can alleviate some of the concerns or guilt about taking time off from work. Have a really good think about where you want to go and what sort of activities you want to do once you get there.

If you plan on trekking, or going white water rafting or any other physically demanding activity then be sure to research what sort of fitness level you require. Also make sure that you pack appropriate clothing for the activity, destination and climate.

What you eat on your vacation is also very important. Even if you are going to a cold climate make sure you still drink lots of water so that you stay hydrated and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables so that constipation does not become a problem. Try not to indulge in rich, heavy foods just because you are on vacation or you could find yourself spending more time in the bathroom rather than exploring.

Ultimately vacation planning is about deciding on how much you do or don’t do. Choose a break that allows you to do something you enjoy. Follow the link if you would like help to maintain your worklife balance  and to make some great savings  and get a low cost airfare getting to your vacation destination.

Related Blogs

• Travel Channel – time to travel » Blog Archive » Planning Ahead …
• 74-Year-Old Man Trekking Across America With Solar-Powered …
• 10 Best Beach Vacation Destinations
• Work-Life Balance: More Than a Philosophy « AAUW Dialog
• Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Expeditions are Amazing …

We are so lucky in this day and age because we can just jump in a car, on a bus, on a train on a ship or in a plane and in a short time be in another town, city or country. Long gone are the days when it took
weeks and months to move about the world or from one side of a country to the other. Travel opens up the world, we can become modern day adventurers and explorers and take back to our friends and family pictures of places that may have only been ‘visited’ before, in books or at the movies.

Robert Louis Stevenson summed travel up perfectly. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

What an affair it will be when you do decide to move. It will definitely become an affair of the heart as years later when you see a picture in a book or see an ad on television and the emotions kick in, you are immediately taken back to that place you had once visited. This happened to me recently when I was watching television and an advertisement came on promoting some product and it took you to eight different cities around the world – I had been to every one and as I saw each name the wonderful memories of these places came flooding back.

One big tip if you are traveling overseas and want to save some
money, go in the ‘off season’. Airfares, accommodation, tours etc are
much cheaper and the very best thing is there is hardly anyone else
around, no crowds, no queues so you can take the time to explore all
you want. So, don’t wait for the ‘right time’, it’s here now. Throw
open your front door, choose your mode of transport and just go and have some tours of the heart!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines,
sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

February 15, 2010
- Tongariro national park is an amazing place, just like being in a moonscape

February 15, 2010
- Certainly a great new gadget for travelers and if you would like to get one visit Get the Apple(R) iPad(TM)

February 15, 2010
- The fascinating Table Mountain in Capetown is always an amazing destination.

February 15, 2010
- Going a bit further afield from Vancouver, covering the rest of Canada

February 15, 2010
- Time appropriate pics of the wonderful city of Vancouver

December 21, 2009
- Absolutely a must do when visiting London, you can actually stand on the meridian and ‘straddle time’

December 21, 2009
- A little bit of trivia for the holiday season

December 21, 2009
- Amazing photo of a Snow Monkey – looks like he is enjoying the ‘spa’

December 14, 2009
- There is much to see and do in New Zealand but don’t overlook what can be found in the major cities like Auckland.

December 14, 2009
- You can never get enough of this spectacular place.

December 14, 2009
- Apart from the global climate change summit Copenhagen is a wonderful city to visit

December 14, 2009
- Some interesting insights into the world of travel

October 25, 2009
- Some thoughts about travel and climate change

October 25, 2009
- This is a must see when in London. A great ferry ride up the Thames and then you can actually stand on the Greenwich meridian with a foot “either side of time”

October 25, 2009
- Definitely agree, Venice does not smell and it really is a must see.

October 11, 2009
- There is something about setting your own rules for where and when you want to go.

October 11, 2009
- The great people you can meet when you but step out your front door.

October 11, 2009
- They really do make some great cheeses.

October 11, 2009
- Absolutely amazing photo – and you thought getting to work was difficult!

September 27, 2009
- I think just about every person could come up with their own 50 best.Subscribe to our RSS or an email and I will update you whenever we put a new a new dish in our World Recipe section.

September 27, 2009
- These are the most wonderful books and especially so if you are an armchair traveler.

September 27, 2009
- For more insights into Yellowstone visit http://ourgenerationtravel.com/north-american-countries

September 27, 2009
- Thank goodness it doesn’t occur very often but it certainly puts a different perspective on things.

September 27, 2009
- Beer is of course the main thing on the menu at Oktoberfest but there are also some other wonderful things to experience there.

What’s here for you?

• discover new travel experiences
• share your travel experiences
• meet likeminded travelers
• get access to great products that will enhance your traveling experiences

Here I hope you will find travel experiences that will become part of your life journey – remarkable, inspiring and culturally enriching.

If you would like to contact me directly with any ideas or thoughts just email me at  anne@ourgenerationtravel.com

September 7, 2009
- A must see on any visit to Rome are the Vatican Museums, amazing paintings and tapestries and of course the Sistine Chapel

September 7, 2009
- A collection of wonderful travel experiences – great for those armchair travellers.

September 7, 2009
- This festival comes with a warning “wear swimwear or clothes that you don’t want to keep”

September 7, 2009
- If you haven’t been to New Orleans then pack your bags as it is a wonderful city with lots of history.

September 7, 2009
- This is an amazing place with entire villages living on the lake – including schools and your original 2 storey floating basketball court

August 24, 2009
- A great way to see the world is by traveling to movie locations

Over the next 10 weeks I want to give you an insight into my favourite top 10 travel experiences in no particular order (so far). I would love to hear from you about your favourite destination/s so please feel free to leave your comments below.

#1 The Colosseum in Rome

Steeped in history, the Colosseum

I am an avid history buff and from reading in a text book about the Roman empire, the emperors,the Christian slaves, the gladiators and chariot races to actually standing in and on that history is just amazing.

To step on the same steps that those citizens of Rome did way back in 82 AD was just spine tingling. The photo above shows the partly recreated floor of the Colosseum and underneath you can see the narrow alleyways and rooms where the lions and tigers, Christians and Gladiators were housed.

One of the other things I try to do when traveling is to do so in ‘off peak’ times. This saves you money but more importantly there are less people around and if you go when the gates first open, then you are more than likely like I was, to be the only person there.

Then you can just close your eyes and imagine the scene – the sound of thousands of people yelling, the emperor and his entourage sitting pompously in prime position overlooking the gladiators doing battle with each other or perhaps against wild animals, swords clashing and screams of terror and pain amongst yells of ‘live’ or ‘die’.

There are also wonderful exhibits to see within the walls of the Colosseum and many nooks and crannies to explore and of course many photo opportunities(including locals dressed in costume trying to make a few extra euros).

Well that is #1 – the Colosseum. Maybe you have been too and have a different story to tell so please leave your comments below.

August 24, 2009
- Wonderful country and locals and certainly welcome the experience seeker.

August 24, 2009
- Beautiful all year round Hawaii has much to offer both the seasoned and first time traveler.

August 24, 2009
- Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand and there are still many ancient treasures on display

August 24, 2009
- Italy has to be one of the places to have on your bucket list and Rome just drips history

August 13, 2009
- Just west of Sydney and a beautiful part of the world with all forms of accommodation

August 13, 2009
- Even Dubai is susceptible to the economic downturn. The pace at which buildings were going up had to start slowing eventually.

August 9, 2009
- Is the road trip making a comeback?

August 9, 2009
- Wilderness at its best in wonderful Tasmania, Australia

August 9, 2009
- Great information for technology on the move

August 9, 2009
- One of the beautiful cities of the world and a great access to many other areas of Italy

July 27, 2009
- A UNESCO world heritage area Halong Bay is peaceful and relaxing you can experience more of Halong Bay at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slV2MGkU0qI

July 27, 2009
- Apart from the beautiful sunsets of Hawaii there are some really interesting non touristy places to experience.

July 27, 2009
- Definitely some interesting insights for when you want to explore a city.

July 27, 2009
- These are some of the great experiences that you can have when you delve into the unheralded parts of a town or city.

July 27, 2009
- These are cities definitely worth the experience – for some it maybe go as soon as you can.

I hope you enjoy this article from www.ourexplorer.com who can set you up with local guides in many travel destinations.

A jovial group of 15 British weekenders meander through the narrow streets of Temple Bar in Dublin seeking out the next “traditional” Irish bar. In Bangkok, it’s an elbow-jabbing scrum around the Emerald Buddha at the National Palace as tourists from dozens of nations jostle for the perfect photo opportunity. In Cancun, Mexico, thousands of students on Spring Break swarm in and out of beachside pubs and hotels in a collective mass.

Where can you enjoy an alternative travel experience which does not require you to share it with busloads of other tourists? The answer: through the local wisdom of your very own private tour guide.

A tour guide enables you to experience their destination in a unique way, through the eyes of a local professional. Below, some of OurExplorer’s clients illustrate the value a professional tour guide can provide any independent traveler.

Firstly the proactive Stuttgart tour guide – Torsten Pasler – who brought Janet Stefko through an emotional journey as she traveled transatlantic to trace her European family heritage – “Torsten went over and above, BY FAR, in any expectation we had for the day. Torsten took the time to do some “homework” in locating people & places without any request of mine. He made this day a day full of memories that have touched deeply the hearts of my family and I.”

New Zealand based travel writer Yvonne van Dongen decided on a recent return visit to Buenos Aires – Argentina – that she would experience the city in a more personalized way: ” I spent an entire day with this engaging tour guide and for the first time in Buenos Aires I stopped looking at my feet (avoiding the broken pavements and dog droppings) and started looking up at the detail in the buildings exterior and inside on the ceilings.”

Suyi Lam of Singapore, seeking a rural adventure, traveled to Sabha in Malaysia with 2 other friends. Their main interests were island hoping across the crystal clear water, exploring the sandy beaches and hopefully to conquer Mount Kinabalu. http://www.ourexplorer.com/tour-guide-grace-leong-1665.aspx [Sabha tour guide - Grace Leong - did not disappoint making the trip a huge success - "I would have given a 10 star if I could! We totally enjoyed our trip so much! Extremely informative and resourceful!"

Gerald and Pat Cook from Atlanta in the USA arrived in Egypt by cruise liner on their first and probably last Mediterranean trip. Keen to break away from the large group tours to ensure they crammed the most in, they hired the services of Luxor tour guide Mohamed and were "able to see about five or six additional sites that the group didn't see….."

From discovering family roots to finding that gem off the beaten track experience, private tour guides facilitate you to see your overseas destination through the eyes of a local. So before you jet off on your next holiday check out in advance some tour guide resources e.g. OurExplorer.com and see how you can be a local in a foreign land.

July 19, 2009
- There are certainly some wonderful places to visit that are off the beaten track and pedal power is a great way to see them.

July 19, 2009
- Tonle Sap is an enormous lake about an hours drive from Phnom Penh. There are a number of floating communities on the lake and river. This is well worth a visit. Check out this other post on Cambodia. http://www.ourgenerationtravel.com/31/angkor-wat-tour-combodia/

July 19, 2009
- New Zealand is a spectacular place to visit, especially the South Island. A must see is Milford Sound by boat – amazing scenery and lots of wildlife.Visit this post http://www.ourgenerationtravel.com/34/aircruise/

Virgin Atlantic is working with UK footwear and accessories company Worn Again on an innovative new project – which will see the airline recycling aircraft seat covers to create desirable new fashion accessories and
environment friendly products. The collaboration has contributed to Worn Again developing a range of unique bags by recycling disused materials such as car seat belts, bicycle tyres and aircraft seat covers.

The Worn Again Virgin range, which includes the ‘Ollie’ wash bag, the ‘Sherman’ male messenger bag, ‘Lydia’ and ‘Romero’ ladies handbags are available now. The bags include an ‘Ingredients’ label which lists the all the materials that make up the bags – such as Virgin Atlantic seat covers, car safety belts, Glastonbury tents and bicycle tyres.

Lysette Gauna, Creative Director for Virgin Atlantic, commented:
“Virgin Atlantic is committed to taking practical steps to make its business as sustainable as possible. From investing in new technologies, to lobbying the aircraft manufacturers, through to championing new ideas – we believe that actions speak louder than words. This is a fun and creative way to recycle our waste and we are sure these fabulous limited edition bags will be very popular as well as giving people the chance to own a little piece of Virgin Atlantic history.”

Cyndi Rhoades, Director, Worn Again, commented:
“We’re pleased to be partnering with such a pioneering global brand as Virgin Atlantic at a time when environmental issues are at the top of corporate agendas. For us, it is a great opportunity to offer a design-led and innovative solution to waste, with the end product being the ultimate ‘eco it bag’.”

Waste reduction is a big focus for Virgin Atlantic. The airline has successfully reduced the waste it produces in its offices and ground operations significantly and continues to work hard to reduce the waste its produces in the air. The airline has set itself a very ambitious target to reduce the waste it sends to landfill from its aircraft by 50% by 2012.

A total of 2000 limited edition bags has been produced with materials from approximately 1000 seats. The materials were donated by Virgin Atlantic to Worn Again following the refit of its economy cabin.

Sustainability, being eco friendly, being a tru green needs to become our way of life.

July 19, 2009
- Vanuatu is a great getaway! This photo of the sailboat has Iririki Island in the background, a lovely 3.5* resort on it’s own island. There are many other choices of accommodation,  and great snorkeling and diving opportunities abound.

Throwing some more your way, some of the greatest travel qoutes of all time.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi
“When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” – D. H. Lawrence
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

If you are of the baby boomers generation or just love history this is one of those experiences that has to go on the bucket list. There are so many wonderful ‘moments’ along the way and you certainly get to see a diverse cross section of American culture. From ‘standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona’ to the Arch in St Louis and meeting wonderful characters like Eddie Edwards who opened the “Pig Hip” restaurant at Broadwell, Illinois in 1937 and who remembers well the numbers of people who traversed Rote 66, you will find many fabulous experiences.

Have you travelled Route 66 the mother road?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Cruisin’ Route 66 from Okla. to N.M. (abcnews.go.com)
• The Passing of Icons (boomercafe.com)
• Don’t Forget Winona…Kingman….Barstow… (thenewnixon.org)

1. “Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” – Aldous Huxley

2. “All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

3. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

4.“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

5. “Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

June 30, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau is definitely one person who experiences travel.Tag along as he sets off on this year’s big journey. Chris has written a great book about getting the very best out of any travel experience Click here to view more details

June 23, 2009
- Gary Arndt is another experience seeker travelling the world. Here we catch up with Gary in Luxembourg.

June 23, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau makes a last minute trip to the Cook Islands. Read on to see if this is where your next travel experience will be. Want to catch up on some great reading? Click here to view more details

June 23, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau is a young man with phenomenal insight and you will learn a lot from his travel experiences and views on the world. Chris has some wonderful books to share! Click here to view more details

Just waiting to be found!

I’m taking a break this week from showing you one of our Favorite Places so I can share with you one of the resources we use to get to those places.
This book is for the traveler who likes to see interesting and under-visited places around the U.S. There are over 1,000 destinations spread from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska to Florida.

This handy guide is organized by state. Within each state you will find an updated map, a list of the unique sites and lots of colorful pictures. Plus, there is a good description of each place with all the necessary information. We are preparing to hit the road this week, heading east from California. I’ve looked through each of the states we plan to visit and I’ve scouted out some great places along the way.

To give you an idea of how unique this book is, I picked a state right in the middle: Missouri. There are 24 Off the Beaten Path places in the state. Here’s a sample:

* Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge – a bird lover’s paradise (warblers, avocets, snow geese, bald eagles)

* The YouZeum – interactive exhibits about your body and health

* Jefferson Farm and Gardens – showplace on the importance of farming and horticulture inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello (67 acres)

* City Museum in St. Louis – This museum is devoted to the eccentric and surreal with exhibits both inside and outside.

I hope you get the idea with just a few examples. I didn’t even mention the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum or Mark Twain’s Historic site or the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library. Every state has its own unique set of places to visit. These are good vacation destinations or day trips if you live nearby.

We have used this guide for years but now they have a new, up-dated Third Edition. Keeping this guide up-to-date is one of the things I like about it. Be prepared, it is a big book, over an inch thick, and heavy. We are selective on what comes along with us as we travel. This one makes the cut. On the Contents page is a quote of Mark Twain’s that I find so appropriate for Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. . . Explore. Dream. Discover.”

What are your Favorite Places that are Off the Beaten Path? Find Margot at http://joyfullyretired.com

1. “Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

2. “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb

3. “People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

4. “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck

5. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

This is a great article written by Jennifer Jefferies an international speaker on work life balance, who is also a dedicated practitioner of aromatherapy. Jennifer describes how to use aromatherapy to prevent Jetlag.

In Asia people visit health practitioners to stay well. They don’t wait to get ill like we do here in the western world. They live from a place of prevention. I work as a professional speaker which calls for me to travel approx three weeks of every month ten months of the year and I am on an airplane pretty much most of those days.

I travel extensively nationally and internationally and when I fly I know how to look after myself to prevent jetlag. I cross time zones constantly and I am generally booked to speak at a conference the morning after I arrive so there is no time for jetlag. So how do I do it?

I live my life from a place of prevention. I simply don’t wait to go off balance. The trick that I have found when flying long or short haul is to take a couple of simple things with me on the trip. Firstly I need to let you know that I am a naturopath and an aromatherapist and I specialised my training in the emotional aspects of illness behind the physical.

Just like any illness jetlag has an emotional component as well as the physical. The number one strategyI employ to prevent jetlag is to travel with some essential oil. Now aromatherapy essential oils are just like old time pharmacy and they work on a physical and emotional level. They are not new or clever you are just going back to using the basics which are closer to nature. The oil blend I fly with is a blend called Sanity Saver which contains oils such as Vetiver, Australian Sandalwood, Geranium, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang. This earthy blend is designed to keep you grounded and help you think of one thing at once and in the case of a long haul flight that is sleep.

Remember it is not the quantity of hours that you sleep but the quality of the sleep that can make the difference in preventing jetlag. So I know you are thinking great, that’s another little bottle of liquid I need to put in my clear plastic bag to get through security. But no you don’t. What I use is an Aromatherapy Necklace or bracelet or even the personal inhaler. You add one drop of your favourite essential oil like the Sanity Saver blend to the jade bead and wear that. Or with the personal inhaler you add three or four drops of your favourite essential oil into the holes at the top of the bottle, using the specially designed pipette, easily scents the bottle. The scent will remain strong for up to two months depending on the note of the essential oil used.

Heavier smelling oils linger longer and the Sanity Saver is a deep earthy aroma that lingers well. Inside the Personal Aromatherapy Inhaler container is a glass bottle with cotton inside that holds the essential oil. Your little bottle of oil goes in your packed luggage to top it up for the way home or through the rest of your travels. It’s so easy. Of course all of the usual information about limiting alcohol consumption and upping your water intake are still relevant.

Adding some aromatherapy to your travel plans can make the world of difference.

1. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
2. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
3. “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
4. “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
5. “All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” – Paul Fussell