All About Munich and Its Hotels Wednesday, September 29, 2010

If you are planning a visit to Munich then you will undoubtedly want to book your hotel reservation in an area that allows you easy and convenient access to the many sights and activities. Many Munich hotels are located in Upper Bavaria, approximately 50 km north of the Bavarian Alps. There are also several hotels located near the Nymphenburg Palace and Park as well as the Schleissheim Palace and Park, the English Gardens and the Olympic Park.

Virtually all hotels found in Munich offer wonderful accommodations and a multitude of amenities that will make your stay one to remember fondly. From four star hotels to quaint and traditional Bed and Breakfasts, and even those more suited to the budget-minded, you can find a wonderful hotel that will make your visit to Munich a dream come true.

Luxury hotels offer extra amenities such as spas that will aid in your relaxation while visiting. Many are located ideally close to such sights as the Marienplatz, which is a wonderful area in which to enjoy shopping, local cuisine and other attractions. Underground transportation, bus and tram stations make it very easy to tour the city and see everything that beautiful Munich has to offer. With friendly locals, excellent service and a wide variety of choices in hotels, you are sure to find one that will meet every need.

You will be able to find many three star hotels that offer traditional Bavarian style just minutes from the heart of the city. Depending on what you plan to do while in Munich, you will be able to stay just minutes from the major activities such as the Botanical Gardens, the business district and many museums that are popularly visited each year.

If you are planning to attend the Munich Beer Festival, which is held during the end of September through the first of October each year in the center of Munich, then virtually any Munich hotel will put you very close to this celebration. You can find many hotels literally within walking distance of the festival, and given the wonderful climate during this time of year, walking is the perfect way to attend activities and give yourself a tour of Munich.

If you are traveling with family you may want to ensure that your hotel is located near family-oriented activities and includes a swimming pool. This is particularly important if you are traveling with children, although you may actually not make time for the pool when you realize all the wonderful and traditional activities that are located nearby. Even children will be captivated by the Palaces and Gardens, many of which offer boat rentals, surfing pools and bicycle paths for your enjoyment.

Near the airport you will also find many luxury hotels located in a beautiful backsplash of tress and greenery and very near the trade fair grounds. Hotels offer amenities such as diving centers, steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, fitness centers, hair salons and multiple choices for onsite shopping. These hotels are also conveniently located near the many churches that offer a glimpse into centuries past and have wonderful architectural aspects that are awe-inspiring to say the least.

Whether you are searching for true luxury accommodations, budget-friendly stays or quaint and traditional Inns that give you a real look into traditional Germany, you can find the perfect Munich hotel to make your visit ideal. Rates will of course vary by establishment, as well as the time of year that you visit. If you are planning a trip to Munich then the first thing to do is to book your hotel reservation. Once you have determined what you want to do while visiting, you can choose a hotel that is perfectly located near all your planned activities.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
stuttering
xsite pro

Shipping Personal Effects the Easy Way Wednesday, September 22, 2010

If you move abroad or in the UK or you change job or go to University then shipping your personal effects is a headache about to happen. Constant stories of things getting lost, things getting broken and generally the stress involved often make things a lot harder than they need to be.

However, there are things you can do if shipping personal effects is something you need to resolve and if you want to help yourself there are a number of things you can do to make it easy.

Making sure you pack your belongings in advance and label all of the boxes - if you do this in stages the packing process will be so much easier and shipping personal effects will not be a rush.

Make sure when shipping personal effects that you use good quality boxes, bubble wrap to avoid damage to items and of course some good quality tape. If you pad them in the boxes and take care to pack them in a way that keeps the contacts from moving, you'll be able to get them moved and delivered in one piece.

When shipping personal effects, always make sure that you label the boxes as clearly as possible indicating where necessary whether the contents are fragile or if the box they are in needs to be kept upright for instance.

Also, don't assume that you shouldn't clearly label them all. This is also useful the other end when you are unpacking as you will have a much better idea of what contents are in what boxes and of course for the removal service, which room they should be put in.

Find a removal company that knows their trade and check that they do specialise in shipping personal effects worldwide if necessary. You want professionals to move your things that have full insurance and the experience to look after them.

In each box, it is a good idea to also include an itemised packing list and for total peace of mind, it's worth knowing how many boxes in your shipping, so that when your personal effects get to their destination that you will know fairly quickly if anything is missing.

Following these tips will ensure shipping personal effects anywhere in the UK or the world in any type of vehicle will be a stress free exercise and that you won't be panicking too much.

Finally, talk to your courier to let them know what's best for you. A good shipping service will be happy to discuss the removal with you and answer any questions you have.

http://www.masterslogistics.co.uk

Master Logistics is a worldwide logistics provider that offers import and export services, courier delivery in the UK and around the world, as well as business logistic solutions.

Owning a German Car is Like a Dream Come True! Monday, September 20, 2010

Owning a German car, especially BMW is like a dream come true for anyone. These automobiles are the ultimate fast speed, comfortable and luxurious cars and bikes on the road. The Bavarian Motor Works or the BMW was established in the year 1916 and it a German automobile company. The headquarters of the company is in Munich, Germany.

The three pillars of the company are quality, innovation and efficiency. The engineers here begin working on the service features of the car before the production of the car begins. BMW service is one feature which is given a lot of emphasis by the company so that the customers are always satisfied with the wonderful car.

The various models of the BMW are differentiated on the basis of sports cars, formula cars, convertibles, coupe, touring cars, 3-door, 5-door cars and so on. The variety is exotic and it is difficult that an individual doe not get a model according to his taste. After so much also, if you do not find the car that is just right for you, BMW has an option where you can design your own and get it customized for yourself. This can be done by going through their brochure and choosing the various features that you would like to have in your car and then order that accordingly. Some of the good BMW auto shops are:

1. The Berkeley Motor Works - It was earlier situated in Richmond and then moved to Albany. All the customers who visit this shop are very much satisfied with the maintenance and the repairs done in their BMW or even in their Mercedes.

2. BMW, San Francisco- This is the biggest dealer of BMW in the entire Bay area and they deal in new as well as pre-owned cars. As a customer you have an option to buy, lease or finance your car here.

BMW's showroom in San Francisco has a wide range of models and they come without any maintenance fee, fuel efficient engines, and great performance and there are exclusive financing and lease options for the customers who purchase their car from there.

One such auto dealership which deals in BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen, Mini and Audi is the Berkeley Motor Works. The repairs that are undertaken here include the regular maintenance of the car, the tires, the brakes, air conditioner, vehicle detailing, and alignments and so on. It has the factory testers for all the cars that are owned by German companies. A lot of services are offered to the customers here like the increased service hours where you can drop your car or pick it up anytime between 7:30 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening, a waiting room where the customers can wait, a shuttle service or a rental car is provided from the company for the people whose car is being serviced there and so on.

East or west, German cars are the best!

Mike Schwarzbart is author of this article on Auto Repair Shop.

Find more information about BMW Auto Repair [http://berkeleymotor.com/services.html] here.

Repo Companies Are Raising Prices - Wonder Why?

Ever wonder what the best type of business to run in a recession is? Some people say it is the repo business, where you go out and repossess people's cars, equipment, aircraft, boats, and business items which they had purchased, but reneged on their payment obligations. Interestingly enough, there is a lot of business to be had during recessionary times, and there are never enough to repo companies to go get all the stuff back from deadbeats which have not paid.

Due to the supply and demand issue many repossession companies are now raising their prices. There are also new rules to protect consumers from companies and banks that lend to consumers, making it more difficult to repossess things, and more notification that is necessary. That also means more paperwork. That paperwork also translates to more regulations and paperwork for the repo companies, who must pass on the extra time spent to fill out a bunch of forms on to the banks that hire them.

There are also more claims to insurance companies when repo companies make mistakes, therefore, insurance companies are charging higher premiums, and the repo companies have to carry those costs onto their clients; the banks that hire them. Finally, repo companies are raising their prices because consumers that have not paid are getting better at hiding stuff.

All the low hanging fruit has already been repossessed, and now they have to go after deadbeats who are very good at hiding the things that they are unwilling to pay for, or can no longer afford to do so. This means repossession companies have to work twice as hard to track down the individuals, and risk a little more when they finally do catch the folks and try to take back whatever it is they didn't pay for. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes that if your car gets repo'ed you need to call your bank using your cell phone; T-Mobile Wireless

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

Great Places to See in Munich Thursday, September 16, 2010

Besides the obvious Munich Beer Festival or Oktoberfest, which is held during the end of September and beginning of October each year, Munich, Germany also has many other amazing sights and activities that you can enjoy. Munich is an excellent place to visit if you are seeking fascinating architecture.

From museums and galleries to beautiful gardens and the Bavarian Alps, there are many things that you are sure to enjoy while visiting Munich.

Of course the first thing that you will need to decide is where you will be staying during your visit. There are many hotels in Munich that are located perfectly close to several fascinating areas. If you prefer a more laid-back and relaxing atmosphere, Munich also offer several quaint Bed and Breakfast Inns that you will enjoy. Getting around Munich is absolutely a dream. Whether you are planning to walk to the many sights, ride bicycles or take the public transportation, you will find that it is very easy to get to all the sights that you want to take in.

From culture and architecture to pubs, restaurants and beautiful gardens you will find many events and festivities to partake of. Besides the Beer Festival you can also enjoy the Opera Festival, Ballet Week and the Fasching, as well as several other events which are scattered throughout the year.

The Olympia Park complex, Allianz Football Stadium and Alte Pinakothek are also worth taking time for. The Munich English Gardens are definitely something that you will want to make time for. The Isar River runs directly through these lovely gardens and the natural wave pool is perfect for surfing. You can rent a boat and explore the lake, take a break at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden or visit the Japanese Tea House. You can stroll up to the Monopterus Pavilion and gain a phenomenal view of Munich while atop this amazing point.

The Marienplatz is located ideally in the heart of the city and offers many sights that hold historical significance. Here you can visit the Neues Rathaus and the Alter Rathausturm. You can also view the largest cuckoo clock in the world, the Glockenspiel in the town plaza. The clock sounds at 11am, 12pm and 5pm. Around this area you will also find ideal shopping as well as the Viktualienmarkt nearby which offers approximately 22,000 square meters of shopping. German and international foods are found in this extraordinary outdoor market.

You can purchase freshly baked bread, a wonderful variety of local cheeses and sausages and even a delicious Black Forest Torte. A popular pastime is to purchase these wonderful foods and take an all-day excursion to the English Gardens for a picnic and a day filled with relaxation and beauty.

The Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens offer a wonderful glimpse into the past. The Palace was the summer residence of Bavarian Royalty beginning in 1660 and is one of the most beautifully maintained and one of the largest remaining Baroque Palaces in all of Europe. The gardens and lake offer pavilions, botanical gardens and a multitude of sculptures. You can purchase handcrafted porcelain at the Manufactory and visit the Marstall Museum for a very impressive collection of royal coaches and sleighs.

No matter what sights you plan to see, whether you want to explore the many museums that offer art pieces dating back several centuries, the gardens that offer a beautiful and natural look into the surrounding landscape, or you want a more active approach to your visit, Munich offers something that everyone will enjoy with hotels and inns that are ideally located near each and every attraction in the city.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
stuttering
xsite pro

Goal Setting Success - Three Good Questions Monday, September 13, 2010

First good question: What will you do to survive?

I'm talking about elemental, gut-level survival. I'm talking about my wife, Aldona, six years old in a refugee camp in Munich Germany. At night her parents send her out under the barbed wire with a bucket to the adjoining farm to steal milk from the cows so that they can survive. I'm NOT talking about whether you can pay the mortgage and the credit card bills this month. I am talking about you starving, your kids starving and you have no food, no friends, no money and no credit. Your neighbor has bread, but won't give you any. What will you do? Remember your kids are starving. What will you do? You know stealing is wrong, but what will you do? Stealing violates your ethical standards. But your kids are starving, what will you do? Will you let your kids starve? My guess is, you will do WHATEVER IT TAKES. And isn't that the essence of how we're wired: We will do whatever it takes to survive!

Second good question:

What will you do to succeed? Most people would immediately say: "WHATEVER IT TAKES!" But, wouldn't you agree that if that were true, we'd all be further along in our lives right now? I'm not talking about violating your ethical standards. Within the confines of what is right, ethical and legal have you done whatever it takes to succeed? Have you done everything you know you could do? Probably not.

That leads us to the third good question: "Why haven't you done everything you could do to succeed?" Let me give you a hint.

For those of you that are gardeners, I would like you to think about what would happen if you were to plant your garden in the spring and then not check in until fall. Obviously, you would have a plot of weeds and you would never reap the harvest. You could pretend that the weeds aren't there; you could do lots of positive affirmations about how bountiful your garden is; you could visualize lots of wonderful produce or you could even go out and curse the weeds. But you would still have only weeds. I have a news flash for you - we all have some weeds in our garden. Unless we are willing to acknowledge the weeds and do something about them, we will never see the bounty of what we would like to plant in our lives. The first key is to recognize the weeds in your garden. The second key is to get rid of them.

As you read anything on personal growth and development (including this article), please stay on 'Channel 1'. Stay focused on you. I'm sure there will be many times that you will be thinking to yourself, "Boy I wish so-and-so would read this." Well, they're not reading it (yet). If you spend all your time fussing over who else should be getting this stuff, you will miss some important lessons for yourself. When you have finished reading, you can go and invest what you have learned in someone else's life. But until then, stay on 'Channel 1'!

There are some simple and effective ways that can help you identify and eliminate the "weeds in your garden of life."

For a FREE subscription to Rick Seymour's newsletter, "Goal Getters" (Tips, tricks and insights to achieve your goals), go to: http://www.godinyourgoals.com Mathematician, Aerospace Engineer, Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Management Consultant, Author, Professional Speaker and creator of multiple training curriculum. Rick Seymour understands and relates to a wide variety of both private and public organizations and the people that make them up. He has consulted most of the Fortune 100 companies. Rick is called the "velvet hammer". He teaches powerful ideas and concepts in a way that people readily accept their need to change and grow. Rick believes that "If behavior doesn't change - it isn't training!” Rick’s Training Expertise: Self-Motivation and Goal Setting Wellness and Sports Nutrition High-Integrity Sales / Permission Marketing Communication & People Skills for ‘Techies’ Effective Team Building / How To Lead A Team Succeeding As A First-Time Manager Professional Supervisory Skills For additional resources go to: http://www.godinyourgoals.com

Cat Litter - How to Find the Best Offer and Pay Less For Your Cat Litter Saturday, September 11, 2010

Cat litter, just like your cat food is a necessity and you simply can't stop buying them. However, you need not used up the bulk of your pay just to take care of your cat's elimination needs. One way to spend within your budget on your kitties' litter is to hunt for the best price available.

How to? I heard you asking.

Well here are some tips that you can follow so that you can start paying less for your next bag of cat litter.

Step 1:

First of all, decide on the type of litter that you would like to buy after doing your research. For example, do you intend to use the clay type of litter, clumping, un-clumping, natural, scoopable etc. Then make a list of the various brands that are of the type of litter that you wanted. It's good to include a few under each type so that you have more options in your search

Step 2:

Next, you would need to do some price comparison in your local stores. You can either go down to the stores personally to do the checking if you have the time or simply call them up to ask for the price. Be aware that there may be various pack sizes available and also take note of any promotional offers, sales or membership discount.

Step 3:

Online stores will be your next targets. You can simply do a search under the type of cat litter that you wish to purchase and there will be numerous sites that do price comparison for different types and brands of kitty litters.

Step 4:

If you are considering buying through online stores, remember to factor in the shipping cost as well. Keep a lookout for sites that offer discounted or free shipping. You may also like to consider buying in bulk from these online stores as they usually offer a better price and free shipping if you buy more.

Step 5:

After compiling the list and cost of the cat litter, you can then compare and select the best deal. It's best that you go through the same process several times a year as prices may change. This way, you can be sure that you get the best deal at all times.

Here's to help you get started by checking out on the popular types of cat litters available and read about some great feedbacks and reviews by genuine cat owners in Best Cat Litter

http://www.bestcatlitterreviews.com/Crystal-Cat-Litter.html

Health Insurance - Are You Missing the Fine Print? Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Most of us must be having a life insurance plan but not all of us go in for a health plan popularly known as a Mediclaim policy. However, those who have ever been hospitalized and have had to settle a huge medical bill from their own pocket, at any point in their lives, would understand the need of a health plan. With the new-age, cutting-edge medical science, there is a cure for most diseases. Only hindrance being the cost of treatment! The average life expectancy has increased and along with that the cost of medical treatment and facilities have also become pretty steep. So, although most of us would undermine the importance of a health plan and find it an utter waste, let me inform you it's just as important as your life insurance plan.

Understanding the types of Policies

Basically, there are two types of policies that are available in the market
1. Individual plans
2. Floater plans

Individual plans can cover the individual's medical expenses for up to 10 lakhs but if you have a family to take care of then its makes more sense to take up a floater plan where the Mediclaim is extended to the whole family. So, now you can insure your baby who is barely a couple of months old to your parents who maybe touching 70 years. These days there are plans that are market linked. These invest in the market as well as cover you against the medical contingencies. Another kind of Health Insurance would be the Group Health Insurance or Corporate Health Insurance that is engaged by companies for its employees.

Before taking up any plan, go through the plan carefully. It is important to know what all diseases or illnesses the plan would cover. Find out if pre-existing illnesses and maternity expenses would be covered under a certain plan! You can also add on riders to a basic health plan to avail additional benefits at a minimal cost.

Understanding the Flip Side

The picture is far from perfect as most companies do not cover chronic illnesses like arthritis or long term illnesses like TB. Also, routine medical care and medicine costs or even fee for an OPD consultation, are not met with in some plans. Most companies only settle the claim if the person has been hospitalized for at least one day. Pregnancy and its related ailments and few of the illnesses are also excluded in most policies. Age limitations (usually 65 years for elderly) can pose as an obstacle while procuring a health plan. Despite its limited scope, a good Mediclaim policy will be of substantial help in any which way.

Understanding Claim Settlement

In India, companies usually settle the claim in two ways.

1. By cashless hospitalization in hospitals associated with the insurance provider through a TPA (Third Party Administrator) that's engaged by the insurance company. The TPA essentially protects the insured person's interest. It helps to find out how extensive the TPA network of a company is before taking up a policy.

2. By reimbursement where the insured pays upfront to the hospital on admission and the company reimburses it on bill submission, within a fortnight.

It is important to define your requirement as there are different types of health plans available in the market to suit your budget and needs. New India Assurance, Oriental, Star Health, ICICI Lombard, HDFC Insurance, Apollo Munich, Cholamandalam and Royal Sundaram amongst others are a few respectable names in the medi-claim world! Health hazards are just round the corner so be prudent and act now!

Buying a good health insurance can be quite a daunting task if you do not know what to look for. Policyreview.in can help you find the perfect Mediclaim policy for you and your family

Europe Mountain Bike Tours Are a Lifetime Experience Saturday, September 4, 2010

It is easy to get the globe in from the seat of a bike. You see such more from a bicycle than you make through the window of an auto. Taking a bike circuit through European Union is as easy as deciding which country you would like to start from.

Germany

A diversity of bike circuits through European Union begin in Germany.

The Lake Constance auto-guided circuit through Bavaria begins in the town of Lindau, which claims itself "the happy end of Germany." This ride isn't advisable for novices, as the altitude through the Allgaeu Mountains of Bavaria and the uplands of the Allgaeu claim for heavy mounting legs. The scene is good deserving the attempt, with views of the outstanding alps, highland lakes, and woods. This is a auto-guided,7 night circuit.

An often better alternative for starting bicyclers is the bike route that goes around Lake Constance. This route is the commonest bike riding path altogether of European Union. Trip through the Gothic villages of Meersburg, Lindau, Stain, and Konstanz. This is a auto-guided, 7 night circuit.

The Innsbruck to Munich bike circuit through European Union is additional disputing bit of roadway, with high-level mounts and deep canyons allowing disputes and thrills. You will be surprised by the beauty of the Ziller Vale, with its bucolic guest houses and aqua blue water. This is a auto-guided, 6 night tour.

The 4 nations, 3 Lakes tour brings bicyclers through Austria, Suisse, Germany and Liechtenstein and along 3 colorful lakes. This 7 nighttime circuit is as well auto-guided.

The Berlin to Copenhagen circuit allows 400 miles of beautiful bicycling on some of the best conserved bicycle routes in European Union. You will find bucolic sportfishing villages and majestic castles while you travel calm nation routes.

Netherlands

It is been told that The Netherlands is much a low nation, one may see the sensible horizon from under the venter of a moo-cow. You'll be able to try out this for yourself while you get the Dutch Lowlands bike circuit through European Union. Ride you wheel by the flushes, bridges, and extra waterworks Kingdom of The Netherlands above water, whenever not above sea level

For families with kids aged between seven and eleven, the bicycle and sail vacation takes you on a guided tour of 7 nights' length. Activities of concern to kids are enclosed in this circuit. Navigate over Ijssel Lake to the port city of Hoorn, and so bicycle to an outdoors museum and extra sightseeing goals.

Alison Addy enjoys writing for many websites. More articles on etape du tour de france and cycling at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/DVD_Etape_Du_Tour.html.

Things to Do in New Zealand - South Island

New Zealand's South Island is the larger of the two main islands, but is only home to about 25 percent of the population. It is best known for its magnificent glacier-carved mountains, its fjords, the Milford Sound, Mount Cook, gorgeous beaches, unique flora and fauna, whale-watching and adventure tourism.

Christchurch, the largest city on the island, also known as The Garden City, is located on the east coast of the South Island. The city is lush with trees and parks throughout and the River Avon runs right through the middle of it. Christchurch is an excellent destination for travelers seeking adventure sports.

Some of Christchurch's must-sees include:

• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve provides visitors with the opportunity to watch, touch and even feed some of the country's native wildlife, including kiwi birds, wallabies, keas, lemurs and fresh water eels. The reserve also features nightly Maori Cultural Performances and an onsite restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner. The Reserve is open from 10am - 10pm year-round, with day and evening tours operating daily.


• Christchurch Botanic Gardens are located in Hagley Park, with the Avon River flowing right through it. The Gardens are abundant with flora and fauna native to New Zealand, as well as plants from around the world. Open 365 days per year; free admission.


• Orana Wildlife Park is the largest wildlife reserve in New Zealand. Set on 80 hectares of park-like grounds, animals are housed in their natural habitats with few barriers or fences, allowing visitors to see them up close and even feed some of the gentler species. Open 10am - 5pm daily; closed Christmas day.


• Arts Centre Weekend Market is a world-class market located in the historic Arts Centre, featuring almost 100 vendors selling hand-crafted local art, jewelry, clothing and fresh produce. The Market also features an international food fair and live music. Open every Saturday and Sunday, year-round.


• Take the Christchurch Gondola 1500 feet up to the gondola station for unbeatable 360-degree views of Christchurch, Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbor. At the top, visitors can peruse the small gift shop, explore the history center, or relax at the restaurant and cafe.

Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island, and also New Zealand's oldest city. This coastal town is perhaps best known for being one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere, as well as for its amazing wildlife. Dunedin is home to the Northern Royal Albatross, Yellow-eyed Penguins, and several species of seals and sea lions.

Some of the most popular attractions in Dunedin include:

• Penguin Place, home of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve, is located about 30 minutes from Dunedin's city center. Small group tours, which run throughout the day, take visitors through the colony for a close-up viewing of the birds. Reservations are required.


• Elm Wildlife Tours offers visitors the opportunity to see Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Yellow-Eyed Penguins and Albatross in their natural environments, including Elm's own restricted wildlife conservation sanctuary. Private and small-group tours are offered year-round. A good fitness level is required for tours.


• Dunedin Public Art Gallery is one of New Zealand's finest art galleries, which holds the main public art collection of the city. The gallery showcases a large collection of native New Zealand art as well as rotating exhibits from around the world. Open year-round, except for major holidays.


• Larnach Castle, the lone castle of New Zealand, was built in 1871 by William Larnach for his wife, Eliza, and took 15 years to complete. The castle is open for tours, lodging and dining every day, except Christmas day.

Located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Southern Alps, Queenstown is an excellent adventure destination any time of year. Besides skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, jet boating, rafting, kayaking and water skiing, some of the other popular activities in Queenstown include horseback riding, golfing, mountain biking, hang gliding, sky diving and touring the local wineries.

Milford Sound is a very famous fjord located in glacier-carved Fjorland National Park; it is the most popular tourist destination in New Zealand. Milford Sound is a spectacular sight on sunny day, or in the rain, when the waterfalls are in their full glory. Dolphins, seals and penguins can also be frequently seen in the sound. Tours are available by day cruises, kayak, plane or helicopter.

Another popular way to see the Milford Sound is the Milford Track, which is the most famous tramping route in New Zealand, and one of the most famous walks in the world. Along this 32-mile trek that goes from the head of Lake Te Anau, through the rain forest and Fjordland National Forest, to the Milford Sound, visitors can take in the beautiful valleys carved from glaciers. The trail is busiest from October through April.

Stewart Island is located off the southern coast of the South Island. This rugged island is 40 miles long, about 24 miles wide, and does not even have roads. As the bird capitol of New Zealand, Stewart Island is an excellent bird-watching destination. Boat cruises, fishing, kayaking and hiking are also popular activities.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers cut through glacial valleys flowing into the temperate rainforest. Each of these dramatic glaciers is about 7 miles long. Located in a relatively mild climate, no other glaciers in the world are as easily accessible as Fox and Franz Josef. One can see these glaciers via walking tours, kayak tours, helicopter tours and even skydiving!

At over 12,000 feet high, Mount Cook (Aoraki) is the tallest mountain in New Zealand, and is located in the Southern Alps, which span the entire length of the South Island. This tourist destination is an obvious favorite among mountain climbers. The mountain can be enjoyed by one of the many hiking trails, by 4WD safaris, horseback riding, scenic flights and even boating on the glacier lakes.

Trisha has been working with the Travel Team for over 10 years. She has traveled extensively across the world and has been booking travel to Australia for 8 years.
Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your dream vacation to New Zealand! Call us at 1-800-788-0829 or visit http://www.travelteam.com.

The Travel Team
2 Nickerson Street Suite 102
Seattle WA 98109
206-301-0443
http://www.travelteam.com/

Take in a Ballet Performance While You Are Visiting Orlando Friday, September 3, 2010

There is a lot more to Orlando than Disney and Universal Studios. I am not knocking these two famous theme parks, but you can also enjoy other attractions when you visit Orlando. The Orlando Ballet is one such attraction that should not be missed.

This company started from humble beginnings in 1974 as the Performing Arts Company of Florida. It was started with twelve young, non-paid dancers and with an investment of a mere $4000.

Since then the Ballet has become central Florida's only fully residential professional ballet company and performs its annual season at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. The Company includes not only dancers for the United States, but also Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Romania and the Ukraine.

If you are thinking that ballet is a bit too much for your youngsters, then think again. The Orlando Ballet company has a special family series with abbreviated ballets that are perfect for family audiences.

In this series of family ballets they perform works such as Cinderella with choreography by Peter Stark and the music of Sergei Prokofiev. The story of Cinderella is humorous, romantic and inspiring. And the ballet version takes the imagery and fun of Disney World, one step further.

Other performances in the family series include a condensed version of The Nutcracker featuring all the highlights, complete with stunning sets and costumes, special effects, beautiful music and exquisite dancing, and The Persian Princess.

In addition to providing a yearly series of performances, Orlando Ballet also runs a Ballet School which is home to over 1,250 students in four locations. It has trained some of the brightest young talent in the world of dance today. Graduates have gone on to dance professionally with Orlando Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet and the Hamburg Ballet as well other companies in major US cities.

The school began as an outgrowth of the company and was officially established in Orlando in 1982. Headed by former New York City Ballet dancer Peter Stark, the school offers American training incorporating precise footwork, classical port de bras and preparation for today's classical ballet companies. Orlando Ballet School is trying to become one of the best classical dance academies in America. Students are trained by a highly qualified staff and the performances are aimed at educating and uplifting both the dancers and the audiences.

The Orlando Ballet Company is located at Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center - 1111 North Orange Avenue, (formerly Southern Ballet Theatre), Orlando, FL 32804

Contact them for details about their performance schedule. Tickets to the Orlando Ballet can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. Just search for Orlando Ballet and you will find the performances and get the seats of your choice.

Expand your horizons when you make your next Orlando vacation by getting into the cultural riches of the region in general and the Orlando Ballet in particular. You and your family will definitely be in for a great treat

Mark and Susan Whichard write frequently on Orlando tourism. He and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Orlando's Finest Vacation Homes. When your travels take you to Orlando visit his website for more information on renting an Orlando Vacation Home at http://www.orlandosfinest.com.

5 US Roller Coasters That Will Make You Wet Your Pants Wednesday, September 1, 2010

1. Superman Krypton. Six Flags Fiesta Texas: San Antonio, Texas

One of the original floorless roller coasters, Superman is pure kryptonite for your bladder. Whipping around its towering 146 foot vertical loop, you'll reach speeds of up to 70 mph while screaming like Lois Lane all the way home. Now go find a phone booth Mr Kent, you need a change.

Wet Your Pants Rating: 3.5/5

2. Apollo Coaster. Busch Gardens: Williamsburg, VA

Named 5 the best steal coaster by Golden Ticket in 2009, Apollo takes you on a wet your pants worthy voyage to the sun and back in just over two minutes. It's 210 foot, 65 degree drop, accelerates you to a god like 73 mph, pulling an impressive 4.1 Gs along the way. Dare we say, hold on tight?

Wet Your Pants Rating 4/5:

3. El Toro. Sixflags Great Adventure: Jackson, N.J

Arriba! Arriba! Sixflag's "El Toro" is one bull, even the most courageous matadors fear. If it's rip you from your seat negative G's don't do the trick, you can bet its heart pounding 76 degree drop will send you running home to mama, before you can say "diaper".

Wet Your Pants Rating: 4.5/5

4. Kingda Ka. Six Flags Great Adventure: Jackson, N.J

Kingda Ka is about one thing and one thing only, absolute mind bending speed. Hold on for dear life as its hydraulic launch system, catapults you to a pant wetting 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Blasting down the track, you'll climb to a record setting coaster height of 418 feet, before returning back home, just 28 seconds after you left. Next stop, the dry-cleaners.

Wet Your Pants Rating: 5/5

5. Griffon. Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Williamsburg, VA

Simply put, Griffin is a roller coaster experience like no other. Not only will you buckle up in the only 10 seat wide car in the world, you'll experience a bladder busting 90 degree drop from 205 feet. That's the highest pure vertical drop in the world. We only hope you brought along a fresh set of clothes.

Wet Your Pants Rating: 5/5

Sam Zivot is a blogger and Marketing Manager for Jurnii Car Rentals, America's new travel focused online rental car company. He writes frequently for the Jurnii USA Car Rentals, Blog and enjoys travel both in the U.S and abroad.