Archive for: ‘December 2009’

Ski Vacations – Which Ones Are The Best?

December 28, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

If you are a skier or would like to be a skier you know the enjoyment of getting away from the everyday routine to go on a ski vacation. Your ski vacation should be special and memorable. Thankfully, there are numerous fantastic ski vacations to pick from when planning your next trip.

Here are just a popular ski vacations waiting for you:

Vail, Colorado, United States

Vail ski vacation – Vail is a completely self-contained ski vacation area, complete with fine dining, day spa’s and all outdoor activities you would associate with winter sports. The mountain boasts a ski and snowboard school as well as runs that range from beginner level on up to highly experienced.

Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver ski vacation – This is just a short drive from Vancouver, British Columbia. It has been voted the “Best North America Ski Resort” by ski magazines and the “Favourite International Destination” by the Japanese. This scenic village in the mountains offers restaurants, nightspots, shops and all winter sports including skiing and snowboarding for all levels.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

The ski village of Kitzbuhel is over seven hundred years old. The traditional walled town still exists and houses exclusive art boutiques, shops, hotels and five star restaurants. With over fifty lifts this ski vacation destination meets the needs of any level of skier or outdoor enthusiast.

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

Another beautiful and breathtaking ski vacation area; Mont-Blanc is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. Boasting the highest peak in the Alps and the second highest peak in Europe Chamonix provides a challenge for even the most experienced skier, as well as slopes for the beginner. It has one of the longest ski runs in the world, approximately 13.7 miles long.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina was developed as one of the first ski vacation spots in the world. The centre of Cortina is for pedestrian traffic only; vehicles are not permitted. The stunning rock formations provide the skier and snowboarder with terrain that cannot be seen on any other ski vacation in the world.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Most famous for the breathtaking Matterhorn mountain, this ski vacation resort is truly unique. The village itself is welcoming to all vacationers and still contains many of the original chalets and winding alleys Switzerland is famous for. For a international day of skiing one can ski down the back side of the Matterhorn for lunch in the Italian village of Cervinia.

Mike Singh
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ski-vacations-which-ones-are-the-best-11098.html

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Categories: Whistler Blackcomb

Glasgow Accommodation and General Information

December 28, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and the third largest in the UK, it is also the top shopping destination outside of London.  The city is known to be Scotland’s best place for live music and it is home to the national side and the two biggest football clubs in Scotland.

Transport

There is no shortage of transport options available in Glasgow with Scotland’s only subway system in operation in the city centre.  The international airport is the largest in Scotland and operates direct services to many destinations such as Dubai, New York and Vancouver.  There is another airport close by at Prestwick which operates many low cost flight to multiple European destinations via Ryanair.

There are two railway stations which are only a few hundred meters away from each other in the city centre.  There are direct services to other Scottish cities such as Inverness and Edinburgh and also to various locations in England.  You can but tickets at the station or book them in advance on Scotrail’s website.

Buchanan Bus Station is the main bus depot in Glasgow and the busiest in Scotland, you can get direct services to all of the other cities in Scotland from here.  There is an efficient bus service that runs throughout the city centre and it offers a cheap and effective way to get around the city centre, with buses running every few minutes.

Shopping

There is a mixture of indoor shopping malls, outdoor markets and high street stores to choose from in Glasgow.  Everything from bargain stores to designer clothes can be bought here.  A couple of the main indoor shopping centres are the St Enoch Centre and Buchanan Galleries offer hundred of stores.

The main outdoor shopping areas are Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street which are all pedestrianised and run parallel to each other in the city centre. The most popular market is the Barras Market which operates at the weekend and offers a unique shopping experience.

Attractions

A football match is a must if you are in Glasgow, this is the city where the first ever official international football match was held in 1872 between Scotland and England.  Hampden Park has is where Queens Park and the national team play, but you can also watch either Celtic or Rangers at Celtic Park or Ibrox.

If you are looking for live music then the S.E.C.C hosts many of the latest music acts with tickets available from their website.  There are other smaller music venues throughout Glasgow and Hampden park hosts larger music acts such as Oasis and U2 when they perform in Glasgow.

If you are looking for a cultural experience then the Gallery of Modern Art houses a temporary exhibitions and workshops and it is the most visited art gallery in Scotland.  There is also Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which recently underwent a £28 Million pound refurbishment program.  There are many exhibitions on display changing on a monthly basis, check their website for the latest additions.

Accommodation

There is no shortage of luxury accommodation in Glasgow, two of the top hotels are the Hilton and Radisson hotels both of which are in the city centre of Glasgow.  The price for a room at either hotel starts from around £100 per night.

There are mid range hotels which offer good value accommodation at a more moderate price with the Jury Inn and Thistle Glasgow Hotel.  Both have rooms for under £65 per night and have excellent city centre locations.

The lowest cost accommodation is a hostel and there are dozens around the city centre of Glasgow.  This is the most basic accommodation but ideal for those on a tight budget just looking for a bed for the night.  The cost per night starts from as low as £12 and you usually have access to self catering facilities, internet and washing machines.

Niall Buchanan
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/glasgow-accommodation-and-general-information-712270.html

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Categories: Vancouver Airport

Affordable Student Health Insurance – How To Get Student Health Insurance Cheap

December 28, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

Are you one of the many college or university students who plan to travel and study abroad during an upcoming semester? If so, you need to consider purchasing overseas student health insurance. Overseas student health insurance can be affordable and cheap, especially when compared to medical costs you would have to pay out of your own pocket if you were to get sick or injured while studying in another country.

Students who plan to study abroad can usually purchase travel insurance from an insurance company that specializes in travel insurance. Overseas student health insurance can be purchased to last anywhere from one week to one year, depending on the insurance company from which it is purchased. You can also purchase long-term overseas student health insurance if you plan to study in another country for more than one year.

When you are looking for affordable overseas student health insurance, be prepared to provide specific information about the trip, yourself, and anyone else to be insured. Questions will vary among the different insurance companies, but all of the insurance companies will way to know:

• The country, or countries, in which you plan to study.

• The date you plan to depart and the date you plan to return.

• Your age, and the age of any other family member to be covered, such as the age of your spouse and the age(s) of your child(ren).

Just as when you purchase any other insurance policy, you need to take certain steps when shopping for an overseas student health insurance policy. Always check the ratings of the insurance companies you are considering. Try to get ratings for both the financial security of the insurance company, as well as the operating stability. You can find this information from your state’s department of insurance, or from independent research companies. Ask your state’s department of insurance about any other information they can provide about the company.

Elizabeth Newberry
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/affordable-student-health-insurance-how-to-get-student-health-insurance-cheap-120558.html

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Some Interesting Things to do in Bermuda

December 28, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

Every year, thousands of British tourists flock to Bermuda to enjoy the sun, sea and sands but there’s actually a lot more to the place than just this. Here are a few things that tourists can enjoy on a luxury Bermuda holiday…

Beyond the Beaches…

Let’s get the beaches out of the way because, although there’s plenty more to see, there’s no denying that they’re absolutely stunning! Some of them offer great conditions for water sports, including windsurfing and kayaking, while others are notable for their unusual pink sand! The quality of the beaches is beyond question, and visitors will be hard pushed to pick a favourite. That said the best advice is probably to investigate Elbow Beach, Astwood Cove and Horseshoe Bay.

A Whole World Beneath the Waves

But those who choose to concentrate on the sands and nearby shallow waters are missing out on a whole world just below the surface. Bermuda offers outstanding scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities – amongst the best in the world. Once qualified, divers can explore a whole world of colourful coral reefs and submerged shipwrecks in no time at all. Great for newly qualified divers or veterans, scuba diving is taken very seriously here, and it would be a crying shame to miss out during your luxury Bermuda holiday.

Golf in the Sunshine

It may sound like hell for some Bermuda holiday makers, but for some reason many want to switch the beaches for the bunkers! If a day on the fairways sounds like paradise, then Bermuda is really well served – there are seven 18 hole and one 9 hole golf course. For a real treat, The Port Royal Golf Course is well worth a look, and is regarded by some as amongst the best in the world. Even if you’re struggling to hit par, the views of the ocean are the perfect anaesthetic to a rough game.

Enjoy High Tea

As Britain’s oldest colony, the Union Jack has flown above Bermuda for more than 300 years. If you’re prone to missing Blighty on your travels, the island should be a rare treat – there are echoes of Britain throughout Bermuda, from the duty free versions of London department stores to the tidy British cottages. Perhaps the most pleasing echo of England though is high tea served in the island’s guesthouses – it’s definitely worth leaving the beach for.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea

If you’re fond of fishing, then Bermuda is the holiday destination for you. Not only does the incredible climate make passing time in the boat relaxing beyond belief, but there’s no need for a fishing permit over there, meaning you can enjoy it as you please. Once you’ve hired a fishing boat, you can begin to hunt barracuda, bonefish and blue marlin at will. Why relax on the beach, when you can enjoy some prime fishing time?

Pamper Yourself in the Spas

All this relaxation can really take it out of you, so why not allow yourself to be pampered for a little while? Bermuda has a selection of excellent spas to choose from, and visitors can choose from a wide range of heavenly treatments from facials to massages. Two of the best spas are at the Fairmont Southampton and Cambridge Beaches, and whether you’re heading for a romantic couples massage, or just a quick treatment for one, there’s no doubt you’ll come out feeling completely refreshed… and ready for some more relaxation!

Take in the Sights

There’s actually quite a lot to see on a Bermuda holiday. From the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo (BAMZ) to the crystalline tidal pools of the Crystal Caves, Bermuda is not short of a few things to see. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the Royal Naval Dockyard though. Used throughout the 1800s to World War II and beyond, it’s now one of Bermuda’s top attractions, and contains a museum, snorkel park and plenty of interesting shops with local pottery and glass artists.

Prove Your Tennis Mettle

There’s plenty of room for brushing up on your tennis form with nearly 100 courts across the island. If you’re staying in one of the larger hotels, you’ll likely have one on your doorstep! Once you’ve reached a serviceable standard, watch out for tournaments which are held throughout the island – many of these are open to visitors, so you can do your best to prove that it’s not just Henman and Murray who can fly the flag for Britain!

Hopefully this list will have shown you some of the lesser known aspects of a luxury Bermuda holiday. Of course, you can spend the duration of your trip on the beach and you’ll have an excellent time, but you’ll be missing out on some of the most relaxing activities this wonderful area has to offer.

Kieron Sellens
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/some-interesting-things-to-do-in-bermuda-672570.html

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Categories: Fairmont Hotels

What stores can I buy Vancouver 2010 olympics clothing?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

I know you can order it online, but do you guys know what stores you can buy the winter clothing in person?

easy go online. Seriously you can get way better deals and much more variety

http://www.nike2nike.com/Brand-Clothing-c-1590.html

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Will there be a good amount of snow in Whistler-Blackcomb on the week of december 13,2008?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

Going there to ski for that week and would really appreciate if anyone up there can tell me how it is around those dates.

I doubt that there will be snow in the village by then, but should be skiable to mid station. The first storms started in day before yesterday and there is snow on the lower areas like 1000 M and there are more storms coming in. Better skiing a couple of days later.

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are there any direct flights from Vancouver to Orlando?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

At the moment, I can only find flights that have 1 or more stops which isn’t ideal for us. :)

I’m afraid there are no direct flights.
The majority of them are via either Denver or Chicago…

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How can I get from Vancouver Airport to the Oakland Airport?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

I would like to know how to get to the oakland airport from vancouver airport but I don’t know how to look up airlines.

The first answer is correct. Alaska Airlines.

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World travel insurance for Canadians without provincial health insurance?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

World travel insurance for Canadians without provincial health insurance

I am looking for an international backpacker medical travel insurance provider that doesn’t let the fact that my MSP (or similar provincial health insurance) is no longer valid. I have been out of Canada for 3 years and certain insurance providers require a provincial plan from the home country of the traveler to be in effect before providing insurance. I need to find a reasonably priced alternative catering to backpack travel (without the requirment of needing to return home withing a period of time). My MSP is no longer valid. Thx.

With all the delays of travel, more of the burden of these extra expenses is being passed on to us by the airline carriers. You may not need alot of coverage, but it is not a bad idea to consider some protection. The more vauable and important your trip, the more you should consider covering it with travel insurance.

I’ve been travelling for many years and I use travelex.

http://www.travelex-insurance.com/index.asp?location=07-0018

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How many stars does the fairmont hotel in Boston have?

December 19, 2009 Posted by Larry Welks

i need help.

4 stars!!!
HAVE FUN!!!!

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Categories: Fairmont Hotels
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