See also:
Sharper Image Signature Titanium Ballistic Nylon 26" Rolling Carrier with 3-Inch Expansion Compartment
Sharper Image Signature Titanium Ballistic Nylon Rolling Computer Case with Removable Computer Portfolio

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is situated in the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

As you travel to Barcelona, it is interesting to note that the city has its roots in a Roman colony founded way back in the 2nd century B.C.

You will be struck by the architecture of the city on your voyage to Barcelona. It is the seat of Modernist Architecture and the city skyline sports a dynamic and dramatic look courtesy the concrete creations of Master Antoní Gaudí and his contemporaries.

Such curious mixes of the old and the new make a travel to Barcelona in Spain a truly enriching and enchanting experience.

In Barcelona, take a tour to La Rambla. This busy boulevard houses a bird market, a grand 19th century opera house, a marine museum stocking an extensive collection of navy items including 16th century galleys and a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.

The history buffs tour of Barcelona will remain incomplete without a voyage to Barri Gotic, which is an area of medieval Gothic structures including the Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in Spain and the numerous museums dotting the city.

Fundació Miró is a veritable treasure-trove of contemporary art, while the Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is the only European museum dedicated to artworks from this era. For the art aficionados, a voyage to the Picasso Museum housing his early works and the residence-turned museum of Gaudi with its marvelous pink-hued Alice-in-Wonderland structure, is a must when on a tour to Barcelona.

If you are a music maniac, Music Palace definitely awaits your voyage. An elegant colorful structure, this Music Palace is one of the worlds most extraordinary music halls and an epitome of Modernistic Architecture.

When you travel to Barcelona in Spain, let music be your Muse. The SONAR and the Primavera music festivals are treats for the ears.

Read the full article Travel to Barcelona ( Spain ) a Gloriously Traditional city to discover more about Barcelona. Discove Barcelona Inside Out! The Blog about Barcelona vacations and more.

Once you arrive in Germany, if you are American, you will notice that the German public transportation system is much more efficient and cost effective than that of America. There are many more options and for the most part, you can get anywhere any time. Keep in mind that you can purchase a train ticket from your current location to your destination and this ticket is valid for the train, bus and street car. ie. Take a train from Darmstadt to Hanau then use the same ticket for a bus from Hanau to Frankfurt.

Street Cars (Trolley): Street cars were the first mode of public transportation in Germany. Street cars make frequent stops and have a map layout of each stop. Check the route and be sure the stop you want is close enough to your destination, if not you may want to take the U/S Bahn, a bus or a taxi. Street cars are relatively fast, about the same speed as a normal car in the city.

Train: The European rail system is set up to be a very cost effective and efficient means for international European travel. With a vast number of inner-city trains running constantly during the day, the German train system is just as effective. When entering a train station (Bahnhof) you will need to purchase a ticket from the machine. You can only buy a train ticket with EUR but you can use any denomination below 20 including coins or bills. Simply select your destination from the list shown, enter the destination number and push the ‘Einzelfahrt’ button. Your change will fall along with your ticket to the tray. If you are planning to travel by train from Frankfurt to Paris, for example, you may choose to use the ICE train. This train is designed to get you from point A to point B much faster than a normal train. ICE trains are a little more expensive but may be the smart way to travel if you are planning inter-country travel in Europe.

U/S-Bahn: The U or S Bahn would be the equivalent to the subway in the States. The U-Bahn covers city areas where as the S-Bahn covers city areas and up to 60 kilometers outside the city. Normally you will only find U/S Bahns in bigger cities. The U/S Bahn normally makes more stops than trolleys making them the smarter choice for inner city travel.

You can also purchase an all day ticket which is good for trolleys, buses and the U/S-Bahn by pressing the Tageskarte button instead of the Einzelfahrt button. It is possible to board the train or trolley without purchasing a ticket but you will be fined 60 EUR minimum and these checks do occur regularly. You can purchase train tickets online from the official homepage of Deutsche Bahn at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Joshua Spaulding is an author providing a unique point of view as an American Soldier stationed in Germany. Joshua constantly provides outstanding Information on Germany and Germany Tourism.

Smack bang in the middle of the city you’ll find the Royal Palace. For those not used to kind of freedom enjoyed by the Norwegian royals, the palace can be quite a surprise. There are no fences surrounding it and the gardens are open to the public at all times. You’ll find families picnicking there, people walking their dogs, but unfortunately, you’ll also find that it attracts hard drug users. Luckily, they tend to keep themselves to themselves and there’s rarely any trouble from them. Used needles don't appear to be too much of a problem either, maybe because the park's regularly maintained. There are guards but they generally leave you alone. As the late King Olav once said, who needs bodyguards when you have the entire population of your country protecting you?

Example prices:

½ Litre of lager: kr 45 (about £3.80)
Loaf of bread: kr 16 (about £1.30)
20 cigarettes: kr 70 (about £6.00)
3-course meal in a good restaurant: kr 700 (about £60)
Lunch in a nice café: kr 150 (about £12.70)

Norwegian enjoy a high standard of living even if they too complain about the prices. Lager and cigarette prices are what peeve them most.

Most people associate Norway with snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures, tending to forget that they also enjoy warm, humid summers. Although Oslo is alive and kicking all year round, it’s during summer that the average tourist who isn’t particularly interested in winter sports, can enjoy the maximum benefits of a visit to the city. In fact, the variation in temperature and the magnificence of the surrounding countryside offer Oslo the benefit of a plethora of outdoor activities that cannot be competed with by any other capital city.

Oslo is situated at the tip of the Oslo Fjord, with its harbour being one of its main features. From here, you can take numerous boat trips out to the surrounding islands, including Bygdoy with its abundance of museums. Along Aker Brygge (Aker Pier) you’ll find street musicians and other pavement performers doing their thing while visitors and the people of Oslo enjoy fresh prawns and a half litre of lager which, incidentally, is always served ice cold. In fact, being able to down that first outdoor “summer pils” is part of Norwegian culture; a symbol of spring and yet another long, cold winter behind them. A varied assortment of restaurants, trendy cafes and bars can be found along the pier, offering something for most tastes and budgets. Remember to leave a tip in cafes and restaurants. 5-10% is the norm.
The people of Oslo are generally friendly and most speak very good English.

Bygdoy is one of the more affluent areas and, as mentioned earlier, is the place to go for museums. Whether you want one that depicts rural life in Norway, Viking ships, or Kon-Tiki, the raft which Thor Heyerdahl built to sail from America to Polynesia in, you'll find it here. Elsewhere in Oslo you'll find, amongst others, The Henie Onstad centre, The Munch Museum and The Museum of Technology, the latter of which I can highly recommend.
It's also worth knowing that Bygdoy also has Oslo’s only naturist beach and that topless sunbathing is allowed, and widely practised, on all beaches in Norway.

If you like to enjoy an abundance of nightlife during your visits abroad, Oslo probably isn’t the best place to head for. Having said that, I have to add that Oslo’s nightlife has picked up remarkably over the past 10 years or so, and if clubbing’s what you want, you will find places to go. Bare in mind that it won’t be cheap. There are plenty of bars about, catering for most tastes.

Other places to visit include Frogner Park with its 212 superb sculptures and undoubtedly one of Oslo's finest pearls and Holmenkollen Ski Jump for its magnificent view across Oslo and the fjord. Raadhusplassen (the area around the Town Hall) and the area surrounding Akers Festning are the red light districts and probably best avoided at night.
To see Oslo at its very best, I’d recommend visiting during May/June. There’s a special atmosphere in the city during those late spring months that can’t be experienced at any other time. Call it the X-factor.

If you’re thinking of visiting during winter, just let me warn you that the city centre isn’t a particularly pretty sight. Don’t expect white, snow covered streets because what you’ll get is filthy exhaust polluted slush. The surrounding countryside will be prettier.

Oslo’s a busy city, and driving is a nightmare. If you should be foolish enough to rent a car, remember that any vehicle approaching from the right has right of way and they make sure they get it too. On main roads this can be pretty scary! If I had a pound for every near miss I’ve had in Oslo, I’d be a rich woman now. Then there are trams to deal with; they stop for nobody!

If you do decide to visit, take an hour out of your schedule to just sit down by the quay enjoying the sun, a cold lager and a bag of fresh prawns. That's what Oslo's all about.

Sharon grew up in East London but moved to Norway at the age of 19, returning to England in 1998. She now lives in Cheshire with her partner and two of her three children. Besides writing, she is currently studying Social Science with The Open University, runs a web site where women in the UK can meet other women for platonic friendship (www.friendsyourway.co.uk), potters in her garden, knits and reads everything she comes over.

Flying is the most obvious way to travel to the UK. Fares can vary dramatically so the best advice is to shop around and be flexible about dates and airlines. In particular students, young travellers and seniors should be able to get special deals and discounts.

Prices are generally a bit lower if you travel during the week. Peak season is from about May to October and this is when fares will be most pricey with the most expensive months from June to September. Fares will probably also be very high (and flights booked out in advance) over Christmas and New Year.

Another way to get to the UK by water is to travel by ferry. Crossings are very extensive and are a great way to travel to the UK if you wish to bring your own car. Prices vary enormously as ferry fares can change according to time of year, time of day you want to travel and even the size of your car - so you will need to so some careful research to find a good price. And remember that during peak season you will need to book a place for your car in advance.

If you are not travelling from too far away, you might want to consider other options.

For example you can travel to the UK by bus from many European cities, which is a great low cost option if you won't be travelling too far. However, flights are now priced so competitively that if your journey is a long one by coach, you will probably want to choose the comfort and speed of flying.

If you wish to travel by car, your biggest problem will be crossing the English Channel. There are a variety of ways to do this, for example ferry and now the Channel Tunnel. All have regular services, normally with several crossings each day, so shop around and choose the one that suits you best...

There are also some SeaCat services that cross the Channel between Dover and Calais. These are very quick and can do the journey in less than an hour, cutting your travelling time considerably. They are also very competitively priced.

And of course, the Channel Tunnel now gives you even more options. Drivers can take Le Shuttle which is another very speedy way to cross the English Channel. It is also quite competitively priced, being comparable to ferry fares, and there are often discounts and special offers available.

Meanwhile, foot passengers can take Eurostar trains from Paris, Brussels or Lille to London. Again, prices can be very competitive with regular discounts and promotions.

Please note: If you are travelling by train, the rail system in the UK is quite independent from the rest of Europe and so some continental rail passes, for example Eurail, are not valid in Britain.

Smooth Hound's Hotel Directory lists thousands of hotels across the world. Whether you are travelling for business or please, check out Smooth Hound's hotel listings.

Paua is the most colourful shell in the world, other abalone have some colour, but not the brilliance of Paua.

Paua - Haliotis Iris
The largest, commonest and best known of our species. The shellfish is black and the interior of the shell has cloudy waves of rainbow colours with blues and green being dominant. The shells were used by the Maori to add a gleam of life to the eyes in their carved figures. Today we process them into attractive jewellery and gifts.

Silver Paua - Haliotis Australis
A smaller species readily distinguished by the silvery lustre of the inside, the cross ridging of the outside and by the yellowish colour of the animal when found alive. It lives in the same localities as the large paua but is not so common.

Virgin Paua - Haliotis virginea
A much smaller and rarer shell, this paua occurs as two subspecies, one from the southern areas and one from the north. Both are most attractive and strongly coloured shells. The shellfish is a dirty whitish colour and is not often seen alive.

Paua are marine monovalve molluscs that eat seaweed and live clinging to rocks at depths of 1 - 10 metres. They can be found around most of the NZ rocky shoreline. However, the larger and finer specimens, are found in the cold waters around Stewart Island and Southland. This is where we get the shells used in the making of our jewellery as their colour is more vibrant.

The holes in the shell are for breathing and reproduction. Starfish are the Paua's most formidable predator as they have learnt to suffocate the Paua by putting their tentacles over the breathing holes thus forcing the paua to let go of the rock.

Environmentally sound and sustainable management practices of the paua fisheries are in place in New Zealand. There is a quota system, which is strictly enforced for the gathering of paua by both commercial and individual fishermen. No compressed air diving is allowed in the filling of these quotas. All paua gathered must be at least 125mm (5 inches) in size. There are stiff penalties for those caught removing undersize shells.

Cleaning Paua Shells
Only some paua shells can have the lime taken off without damaging the shell. Some will be too thin and brittle and will crack once cleaning starts.

We have been asked on numerous occasions about cleaning shell using acid. Please note that we do not and will not ever use acid to clean our shells. We advise that you do not try this method.

In our factory we use diamond wheels to grind the lime off. If you do not have access to a diamond wheel grinder then we advise a coarse grade of sand paper around 150 grit through to fine sandpaper of about 600 grit. Use a wet and dry paper with plenty of water this will help avoid any dust. This will leave a semi gloss finish. If a high gloss is preferred we recommend the use of a buffing wheel with some form of rouge, this can be bought from a hardware store.

This whole process may take an hour or two for each shell and it will require plenty of elbow grease.

David Finlay is the co-founder of www.silverfernz.com an online shopping site delivering the best crafts and gifts from New Zealand.

This disappointing but common experience springs from the confusion people often have in choosing among a plethora of luxury tours, each of which claims to offer much the same product. This brief article describes 5 critical factors to help travelers read between the lines of glossy brochures and help them better assess the relative merits of rival tour operators.

On a secondary level, especially in an industry as susceptible to risk as the travel industry, you want to be sure that even if the operator goes bankrupt (the fate of many after September 11, 2001) your funds will nonetheless be returned to you. For this reason, look for companies which are adequately bonded or - for greater security - for companies running industry-approved trust account systems, where your funds are independently held, usually by a major bank, until after the end of your tour.

Conclusion: For your own peace of mind, it is advisable to only deal directly with tour operators from countries with reliable legal systems, and then only with those tour operators which advertise surety bonds or industry-approved trust account systems.

2) "Boutique" tour operator" versus "The Jack Of All Trades" tour operator
The tour industry divides into innumerable countries and activities. Whereas one tour company might specialize in one niche area, such as walking tours in the Loire valley ("Boutique" tour operator), another might offer every sort of luxury vacation in every country ("Jack Of All Trades" operator), including several walking tours in France. In this scenario, it is unlikely that the generalist tour operator can deliver a better like-for-like product than the specialist. Certainly, the generalist should offer a lower price since they are a high volume player. In terms of quality and service however, the specialist will always have the upper hand.

Conclusion: Ask your friends and travel agent, research the internet - if service and quality is what you value, find a boutique tour operator focussing on your specific region or activity.

3) Expert Status - the tour operator must be an expert on the destination
How well a tour operator knows their destination or activity will feed directly into your enjoyment of their product. If the operator simply sub-contracts all aspects of their tours to a local groundhandler, then you should expect abysmal service since the local groundhandler has a free hand to minimize costs at your expense. If the tour operator is simply decorating a local groundhandler's product with sophisticated features, the tour will share much in common with a tourist class tour apart from price. Instead, you should seek a tour operator, who is so familiar with the destination that they have a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and special events exclusive to that operator. You should aim to find the tour operator that specializes in your particular interest.

Conclusion: Test your tour operator with difficult questions. Find out if they really know their stuff.

4) References - the best judge of a tour company is a past customer
Good PR is available to any company at a price. Advertising in its various forms is not necessarily indicative of the quality of a company's tours. The best source of such information is past customers. When interviewing such a referee, you need to bear two things in mind. Since no company is going to forward a dissatisfied customer as a reference, what you need to look for is a customer who reports services over and above their initial expectations. Secondly you should value a referee's response in relation to their background. The response of an experienced luxury traveler should be given greater weight.

Conclusion: Request references, interview them thoroughly and weigh their responses accordingly.

5) Watch out for exclusions, particularly in tours to "difficult" countries
First, make sure you understand what is not included in your tour price. If the itinerary appears vague, contact the operator to find out exactly what the situation is. Areas where tour operators often scrimp are:

Accompanying Tour Director - will they send your group with a tour director. If so, is the tour director local or Western? How much training have they received?
Meals - count how many are included and find out what their quality is.
Domestic Airfare - often this is presented as an add-on.
Tips to guides and drivers - if excluded, find out how much you are expected to pay per person per day.
Optional Add-ons - find out the per person price of each optional add-on you are interested in.

When you understand your tour's exclusions, think about the distinction between visiting "easy" and "difficult" countries. Even without language skills, the savvy tourist can handle himself effectively in Europe or North America. The same person will most probably be at sea in such countries as Russia or China. It is in these countries that exclusions for meals, accompanying tour directors or else "optional" add-on tours can become sources of displeasure.

For example, in "difficult" countries not having an accompanying tour director creates two problems. The first is logistical. Typically, the travelers will fly from airport to airport meeting local guides at each one. Should something go wrong during the airport transit, for example a cancelled flight, the customers will be stranded with no one to turn to for help. Anyone who has passed through a Russian airport knows how how unsavoury this can be. The second problem is that in these cirumstances, the tour operator is trusting the local guide not to take advantage of their customers. They are hoping that the guides, usually supplied by the local groundhandler, will not abuse the customers time and enjoyment by taking them to commission-paying restaurants and souvenir shops . This is a common problem with even the most respected luxury tour operators. Therefore, those traveling to "difficult" countries should note whether or not they are going to be accompanied on the tour. A well-trained, accompanying tour director adds to the price of the tour, but so does wasting your money and time on a disappointing tour.

Conclusion - Avoid tours to "difficult" countries that exclude meals and an accompanying tour director.

Guy Rubin is a founding partner of Imperial Tours (http://www.imperialtours.net), a boutique tour operator offering luxury tours of China.

2. Pack small items and plastic Baggies on top of clothes so they can be seen and evaluated quickly.

3. Avoid packing radios, compact disc players, pagers, or laptop computers, especially in carry-on luggage. These often set off screening machines and may cause a hand search of luggage. If you bring electronics with you, keep them separate from your luggage until you pass through security, and be prepared to demonstrate that they work.

4. Pack all medications in their original bottles with prescription labels to help avoid security questions. You should have a letter from your doctor for any large amounts of medications that may raise suspicions.

5. Liquids should be packed in their original bottles (preferably Plastic.) Security may not allow certain liquids aboard if they deem them suspicious.

6. Don't pack sharp objects, such as scissors, knives, and nail files. Airline personnel will confiscate these.

If you are subjected to a hand search of your baggage, don’t panic. Experienced security personnel know what they are looking for and usually make quick work of searches. Don't expect them to carefully repack everything, however. If you have packed correctly and avoided over packing items, a hand search shouldn't disrupt things too much. And don't worry; you won't be the last passenger to have your personal items aired in public.

Laura Quarantiello is the author of "Air-Ways: The Insider's Guide to Air Travel" - your ticket to cheaper, smoother, fewer hassle flights. For more info please visit: http://www.tiare.com/airways.htm

1. What does the price of the ticket include?
This depends on the package you purchase. In general, the base cost includes your accommodations, entertainment, activities, meals, and use of facilities on board the ship. If you choose to do so, you can add on airfare to your package, which covers the cost of air travel to and from the embarkation point and often also includes baggage handling and transportation between the airport and the ship.

Most cruise packages do not include the cost of soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, guided shore excursions, or optional shipboard services like a massage, spa treatment, photographs, access to the internet, etc. Many cruise lines also add an automatic 15% gratuity to the cost of drinks, and you will also need to tip your steward and waiter at the end of the cruise. Check with your cruise line in advance for a complete list of what is included in your ticket price and what will cost extra.

3. What do I need to bring with me?
The items you need to bring with you will vary somewhat depending on the cruise line, the ports you will visit, and your own personal preferences. In general, you should plan to bring along the following:

Documentation – Tickets, identification and proof of citizenship.

Clothing – Bring clothing appropriate for weather conditions at your destinations, as well as shipboard clothing for relaxation and evening meals.

Other items – Check with your cruise line for a complete checklist of suggested items to bring, and do some research on the internet as well.

4. What happens when I arrive at the ship?
In general, when you arrive to board the ship you will go through a check in process that proceeds something like this:

Luggage given to porters for delivery to your cabin
Documents checked and verified
Shipboard ID cards and cabin keys received
Security screening
Once on board the ship you will either be given a map with directions to your cabin, or on some ships, there will be a steward or other attendant who will take you directly to the cabin.

5. How do I find out about ship activities and shore excursions?
Most cruise lines will give you an introductory newsletter when you board the ship, which typically includes a complete list of scheduled activities and available shore excursions. Additionally, you will probably receive some a daily update sheet with reminders and scheduling information.

Some ships offer an orientation meeting, usually about 30 to 45 minutes in length, where the cruise director or designated crewmembers will provide information and tips about how to make the most of your time on the ship. If such an orientation is available, it is a good idea to attend as a way to learn about all of the options at your fingertips and decide what activities to choose that will enhance your luxury cruise experience.

Bruce Pickett ACC is an award winning travel & cruise consultant, self taught, experienced, & motivated to help people find cruising value. He has authored articles on cruising to make it easy for people to create cruise holidays, quickly & without stress. Learn 5 essential facts to cruise value and get free weekly tips & be included in a free draw by visiting Five Star Cruising.

The island of Amorgos counts with a very rich and interesting past, and therefore all those who enjoy historic spots would be able to have a great time while visiting it. Many centuries ago, Amorgos was used by the Ionians in order to go from their islands to mainland Greece. Many constructions and elements from such époque can be still observed nowadays since was important in shaping the island's culture and traditions.

The city of Arkesini, one of the main spots in Amorgos, contains several appealing and unique characteristics. One of these interesting characteristics tourists could find in Arkesini is the antique walls that surround it and which were part of many important historical events.

It is also interesting to know that the island of Amorgos has received many different names throughout its history, and still, nowadays, it receives a variety of denominations. Among the names tourists could find Amorgos is called nowadays, there is the name of Pagali, Psichia, Patagy, Yperia, and Karkisia. This way, tourists should not be surprised or confused when they hear, read or see any of those names in reference to the town of Amorgos.

Jakob Jelling is the founder of Eurotomic.com. Please visit http://www.eurotomic.com/greece.php if you're planning a trip to Greece.

Grand Floridian Spa
Walt Disney World's top spa, the Grand Floridian Spa, is located in the Magic Kingdom. Guests at the Grand Floridian resort have direct access to the spa. If you're not staying at the Grand Floridian you can get there by monorail, boat and bus. The great thing about the spa is that it encourages parents and children to relax together, side by side. They even have a special program for the children that features a class on skin care and good health and also a mini facial, pedicure and manicure.

If you came to spend your honeymoon at the Walt Disney World, you can't miss the special program for couples at the Grand Floridian Spa - a couples massage in a romantic environment with scented candles and everything. Couples can take home a part of the magic by attending a massage class where they can learn more about different massage techniques they can use after leaving Disney World. The Grand Floridian Spa has a boutique that allows you to purchase many of the treatments used in the spa to be used at home. They have their own line of bath and body care products that are sold exclusively at the boutique.

Saratoga Springs Spa
The Saratoga Springs Spa is located in the downtown Disney area. It recreates the relaxing atmosphere of the healing spas of Saratoga Springs, New York. Its signature program is the Adirondack Stone therapy that uses heated stones to relax tense muscles and soothe nerves. As you would expect from Saratoga springs, the spa is famous for its hydro massage therapy. You can also get swedish, aromatherapy, motherhood, reflexology and shiatsu massages as at the Grand Foridian Spa but you will certainly be interested in the forest inspired massage that combines reflexology and Swedish massage. Skin care treatments include facials for ladies, men and also teenagers, body wraps and masks. If you want to feel special you can choose the maple sugar treatment or the seaweed wrap that will certainly give you a glowing look.

Mandara Spa
The Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin brings a more exotic touch as it is modeled after a Balinese style retreat and features the relaxing customs and rituals of the East. The spa focuses on both physical and mental feeling of wellbeing. It features two asian interior gardens that set the mood the moment you enter the spa. You're welcomed to visit the tea garden, a replica of a traditional Balinese pavilion used for relaxation, and meditate in the Meru temple before you enjoy the treatments that the spa has to offer.

As expected, all the treatments are inspired by Asian traditions. The signature programs include Bali inspired rituals like the traditional cleansing ceremony practiced in the palaces of Java since the 17th century or a Balinese massage, a combination of stretching, elements of shiatsu, accupressure and Swedish massage. Lime and ginger treatments, coconut rubs, milk ritual wraps or seaweed wraps complete the ultimate sensory experience. Other specials include tooth whitening, hair and nail treatments and a makeup and styling session for the brides who plan to hold their wedding at the Walt Disney World. You can also find the Zahanati Spa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the BoardWalk Inn, the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge and the Yacht Club also offer spa services. Regardless of which spa you decide upon you will leave the Walt Disney World feeling relaxed and refreshed.

For more information on Disney hotels and parks visit http://www.Disney-Hotels.org - a complete guide to accomodations, dining, recreation and much more at Disney World and Disneyland.

1. Cruising is a good value
Some people never consider taking a cruise because they think it is too expensive, but this is simply not the case. When you compare the cost of a cruise with the cost of comparable travel, accommodations, food and activities, you will quickly see that cruising offers great value for your vacation dollar.

When it comes to nightlife, a cruise ship offers many options. Common choices include Broadway-style entertainment, dance bars, quiet piano lounges, casinos, movie theaters and arcade game rooms. There truly is something on board to suit every entertainment taste.

3. A cruise ship is not divided into different classes of service
Long gone are the days of first, second and third class passengers, or the wealthy receiving better treatment than others on a cruise. While there are differences in the sizes and locations of staterooms, this is no different from a hotel that offers different types of rooms at different price levels.

Regardless of the size or cost of your stateroom, you have full access to the ship’s facilities and amenities, and the ship’s crew will do everything in their power to make your experience exceptional. In return, it is accepted practice to tip those people, such as stewards and waiters, who have served you personally throughout the cruise. Check with the cruise line for information about suggested tip amounts.

4. Most cruise passengers do not get seasick
The motion of a cruise ship at sea is generally mild, so most people do not experience seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness on other forms of transportation (cars, trains, airplanes, etc.), though, take the same precautions on a cruise as you do for other types of travel. There are several over the counter motion sickness medications, or your doctor may prescribe something stronger if needed. And if you do get onboard and find yourself feel nauseous, don’t worry – the ship’s medical staff will happily provide you with medication to help.

5. A cruise ship is a great family environment
Nearly every cruise line offers special programs and accommodations to families, and some even specialize in entire cruises designed completely around the needs and wants of a family. On these family-focused cruise lines, you will find special supervised areas of the ship where your children can go to do age-appropriate activities while you enjoy adult time.

6. Each port is a new adventure
Every port you visit is different, and each one will have excursions, activities and places to discover. Just as on board the ship, you will not be able to do everything there is to do at each port. You can choose a paid tour excursion or you can explore on your own. Many cruise lines have cooperative arrangements with hotels and resorts in the ports they visit so that cruise passengers can use hotel facilities like swimming pools, fitness rooms, spas and other amenities.

7. You don’t have to buy a special wardrobe
There is no need to buy fancy clothing or a tuxedo to go on a cruise, although some cruises do require formal dress in specific on board restaurants. Your general packing list does not need to be much different from any other vacation; simply include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and expected weather conditions. And don’t worry about items like hair dryers, shavers, and other personal appliances – they all work just fine on board a luxury cruise ship!

Bruce Pickett ACC is an award winning travel & cruise consultant, self taught, experienced, & motivated to help people find cruising value. He has authored articles on cruising to make it easy for people to create cruise holidays, quickly & without stress. Learn 5 essential facts to cruise value and get free weekly tips & be included in a free draw by visiting Five Star Cruising.

This year I wanted to do something uniquely different, an evening we could share with our son.

My prayers and wishes were answered a week before our anniversary in the form of an advertising brochure in a magazine. I checked out the website, the food and location and excitedly made the booking.

The restaurant we were dining at is called Tukka, an Australian colloquial word meaning ‘tucker’ or food. Tukka is an award winning restaurant of contemporary native Australian fare, situated in the cool suburb of West End, 5 minutes from downtown Brisbane.

My husband ordered a beautiful red merlot, and as I’m not a wine connoisseur can only describe the taste of this wine as smooth as silk, with the warmth of cognac and absolutely no bitter after taste. That won me over straight away. It was easy to now slip further into relaxation and immerse myself fully in the ambience of the evening.

Having our menus explained to us we chose for starters a native platter for two as well as a crocodile entrée which we shared.

The huge native platter consisted of game meats such as possum chipolatas, wallaby proscuitto, and emu pastrami. There was warm home-made lemon myrtle damper, refreshing on the palate, native nuts, rainforest fruits, dips, Tasmanian pepperberry and the strong spice of desert tomatoes to try. The crocodile meat was sliced paper thin and delicious.

Eating slowly and remarking on the uniqueness of every morsel of food the three of us were totally absorbed and engaged in this delicious meal and truly connected as a family.

Next came the mains, I had emu fillet with macadamia nuts and braised beetroots – absolutely heavenly and not gamey at all. My son had tuna steak with asparagus, bush potatoes and a pink berry sauce which he totally enjoyed, and my husband ordered the kangaroo steak served with broccoli, asparagus, bush potatoes and gravy.

For dessert there was coffee, a delicious home-made lemon meringue and chocolate assiette, consisting of chocolate mousse, chocolate tart and lavender sorbet (with real lavender – yum!) which was absolutely delectable, I knew it would be a winner.

Tukka is sophisticated dining at its best, the menu not in the cheap range; however the chef certainly knows how to produce exceptional meals. Each meal that arrived was creatively displayed although initially appeared as if there wouldn’t be enough. In fact, we were too full by the end of the evening!

For us, it was worth every cent because it was truly a unique Australian, cultural experience (and delicious) enjoyed immensely by me and my family.

If you ever come to visit Brisbane Australia, treat yourself to some great native Australian food at Tukka just as we did.

Michaela Scherr is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives. Michaela is the author of several e-books and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk, and Inspirational Musings, short fortnightly emails to inspire and give food for thought.

But you can check out other similar or related products:
Ultimate Ballistic 3,150-Denier Nylon + KEVLAR Ultimate Ballistic 20-Inch Tote
Ultimate Ballistic 3,150-Denier Nylon + KEVLAR 22-Inch Duffel
Sharper Image Signature Titanium Ballistic Nylon Rolling Carry On with Built In Computer Sleeve

Ultimate Ballistic™ 3,150-denier nylon rolling luggage — KEVLAR® reinforced and now 40% stronger and six percent lighter!

There have been impressive advances in luggage materials and design in the past couple of years, mainly in response to the arduous demands of the rugged new world of travel.

Our exclusive new Ultimate Ballistic™ soft-sided rolling carriers feature the newest, toughest, lightest materials to help you have the best travel experience: 3,150-Denier Ballistic Nylon: The toughest exterior fabric is 40% stronger and six percent lighter than the 2,520-denier prior generation. Teflon coated, too.

KEVLAR® Reinforced: Dupont's bullet-stopping fiber is ultra-lightweight yet five times stronger than steel. KEVLAR is woven into the ballistic nylon at key stress points.

Other upgrades include a sleek, high-tech, retractable Single-Tube Pull Handle; ultra-durable YKK "racquet coil" RC zippers; and large-capacity expandable compartments. Color is a distinctive dark gray titanium.

This carry-on piece is 22" x 7 3/4" x 14" but features a huge 5-inch expandable zippered compartment that nearly doubles its capacity, to 1,365 cubic inches! Weighs only 12 lbs. 90-day warranty.