traveling articles

This week in Florida,12th -18 April, the annual Sun n Fun event takes place in Lakeland.

Hundreds of private pilots and anybody with an interest in aviation generally will be attending the event at Linder Regional airport at junction 22 of the I4.

Many will not even attempt to visit the major theme parks of Disney and Universal, instead driven by the vapour and heady smells emitted from the mighty engines and sleek lines of these aircraft will spend days visiting the event, so much on offer and every aspect of aviation and avionics will be covered.

The Sun ‘n Fun fly-in, has been promoting aviation safety through education for more than 29 years. As they prepare to celebrate their 30th anniversary, you are invited to join them and experience their annual convention held each April. Our event has grown to become the second largest aviation convention of its kind.

There is something here for everyone. Its an opportunity for the kids to get out of the pool at their Florida villa rental and get close up to these “birds” a day out from the theme parks.

More than 450 workshops and forums are available to our guests. They are informative, educational and, quite often, entertaining. Many offer the novice an opportunity for hands-on experience and the expert an outstanding refresher course. Each day has a full schedule of events.

A daily air show is scheduled to keep those who enjoy airplane noise thoroughly entertained. If you are more for a quieter entertainment, be sure to stop by the Florida Air Museum at Sun ‘n Fun. Our museum is open all year long.

As we begin to focus more on our year-round programs, we hope to have many opportunities for future volunteers. There are many volunteer programs that meet different schedules and commitments. You can volunteer for a day, week, month or all year.

If you share the love of aviation, come, join the fun, volunteer and become part of the family. We are sure you will find it a very rewarding experience.

Events are planned around the festival including a trip to the orange groves and a visit to the factories to see how one of Florida’s assets, the orange, is turned into the juices enjoyed by millions throughout the world.

So if you are in town and at a loose end at your vacation rental villa hop in the car and head for Sun ‘n Fun less than an hour from Mickey and Minnie at Disney.]]>

Safety tips for a Beach Vacation.

If you don’t know how to stay safe on a beach, it can be very dangerous. Here are some tips on how to stay safe on a beach vacation: Know the tides. Incoming tides separate rocks from headlands and the shore. Avoid the temptation of strolling out to an interesting rock without knowing when the tide rolls back in. Free tide tables are readily available at state park offices, information centers and many shops and motels. Another safety tip is to be careful around high steep cliffs. Many beaches have natural forming cliffs. Why these do make fine lookout points, be aware that the cliff edge may be unstable.]]>

article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre*e
of charge, as long as you include my full signature file
for ezines, and my Web site address(http://www.schrift.com)
in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link
or email where you publish to sandra@schrift.com Thank you.
___________________________________________________________

TITLE: Four Different Ways People Process Your Information
AUTHOR: Sandra Schrift
CONTACT: sandra@schrift.com
Format: 60 Characters per line
Article Autoresponder: article-034@schrift.com
___________________________________________________________

Four Different Ways People Process Your Information

There are four different ways that audience members
assimilate information. They are: visual, auditory,
auditory digital, and kinesthetic. While all members of
the audience will process information utilizing all four of
these approaches at different times, each audience member
will individually will individually tend to rely on one of
these approaches more than the other three.

Visual: These people memorize and learn by seeing pictures
and are less distracted by noise than others. They often
have difficulty remembering and are bored by long, verbal
presentations because their minds will wander. They are
interested in how your presentation looks. They like it
when you use words like “see, look, envision, imagine, and
picture” in your presentation as these words encourage them
to make pictures in their minds.

Auditory: These people are easily distracted by any noises
occurring during your presentation. Typically these
audience members learn by listening, Your vocal tone and
vocal quality will be very important with these people.
Words that work well with people in this category include
“hear, listen, sound, resonate, and harmonize.”

Auditory Digital: These audience members spend a fair
amount of time in their heads talking to themselves. They
memorize and learn by steps, procedures, and sequences.
They want to know that your presentation makes sense. Words
that are effective with these people include “sense,
experience, understand, think, motivate, and decide.”

Kinesthetic: These audience embers often speak very slowly.
They are much more oriented towards their feelings than
people in the other three categories. They learn by
actively doing something and getting the actual feeling of
it. They are interested in a presentation that “feels
right” or gives them a “gut feeling.” Words that are
effective with these audience members include “feel, touch,
grasp, concrete, get hold of, and solid.”

Approximately 40% of the population are primarily visual,
approximately 40% are primarily kinesthetic, and the
remaining 20% are primarily auditory and auditory digital
in how they process information.

Learn more about these topics by subscribing to “Monday
Morning Mindfulness” at http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm

Sandra’s ezine ‘Monday Morning Mindfulness’
Sandra Schrift will help you grow and enlighten your soul
with her bi-weekly ezine ‘Monday Morning Mindfulness.
Request a free subscription at www.schrift.com and start
improving your speaking success!

COPYRIGHT: ©2005 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved]]>

One night stands aren’t as in as they used to be. Now lovers are coupling up for more long term sex. It’s called “Friends with Benefits”. They get all the benefits of a relationship without the commitment. They start out as friends. They enjoy each other’s company and then one night start sleeping together.

They don’t date. It’s not a traditional “significant other” type relationship. In many cases, the other friends don’t even know about their sex on the side. It’s set up as a mutual gratification, friends helping friends arrangement.

What most Friends with Benefits fail to do is set up the rules. It generally starts out as either happenstance or perhaps a small dialog exchange, “I don’t have anyone, you don’t either, so let’s do it, no strings attached. What do you think?” It all sounds well in good; at least initially when both are hornier than a unicorn. But can friends who sleep together remain friends once it ends? Or is the start of mutual sex the start of the end of their friendship?

Sex creates a bond, no matter how discussed up front it is. Someone always gets hurt in the end of a no strings attached, Friends with Benefits arrangement. Booty Calls always start out with mutual orgasms as the sole purpose. Yet when two people share that kind of closeness, and if it’s a recurring buddy booty call, then they spend time together. Someone is doing something very intimate with and to the other. Who isn’t always appreciative of a good orgasm?

One or both may know that they don’t want a commitment and that’s why the No Strings Attached agreement was conceived. But when the “ooh baby, ya that feels so good, I love what you do to me” occurs regularly, how can they NOT start to feel something for the other? One person will inevitably feel a stronger emotional bond than the other; it’s not male/female bias. One will still only love the physical benefits and the other will enjoy the great sex so much that they get attached, even though they weren’t looking for any relationship.

Or perhaps one person may have always been secretly attracted to the friend and knew the other didn’t want a relationship, yet figured a Friends with Benefits arrangement was better than nothing. Hence they verbally agreed to the arrangement but emotionally they were already hooked.

Develop some rules before entering into any such arrangement. Consider these suggestions: No going out with each other unless it’s in a group situation or you know the night will end in sex, therefore the outing is part of foreplay, no public affection, no gifts and any other boundaries you want to instill. Before it starts, decide how it will end. If starting out as friends, the goal is to end as friends. If new love interests were previously discussed among friends, shouldn’t those types of conversations still be allowed?

Use your head to consider wisely what may be lost if you enter into a Friends with Benefits arrangement]]>

One former car renter told a story about renting from a well known car rental company in Italy. After renting a car, all the lights indicated a full tank, but after only twenty kilometers, one of the fuel lights went out. Based on how quickly the lights disappeared, it looked like the car was going to get less than twenty miles a gallon. After the first fill up, the car tended to get nearly forty miles per gallon. This may not happen frequently, but it occurs often enough that the stories have become common place.

In this particular situation, the renter was willing to just let the problem of the tank not being full from the airport pass by, but another problem reared its ugly head. He returned the car very early in the a.m. after filling it, which meant it was a “key drop.” Even though the car was full, no one was there to verify. As anyone who has been hit with a “fill-up fee” knows, the fees rental places charge for filling up the gas tank are the worst. A few weeks later an $81 charge for re-fueling showed up on the credit card.

In this situation the individual did eventually get his money back, but only after a lengthy annoying process. This story brings up an important point: many of the car rental places do have a refund policy if they mis-charge you for a fill-up, but you need to have the receipt from that day or the night before to prove it was topped off before you dropped it off at the rental center. Hopefully this will not be a problem that comes back to haunt you, but having the receipt (and if they ask for it, make sure to have a photocopy) will help make your case, and help insure the return of your money. Always top off the car before returning it, even if it is only a few dollars. The fill-up fee is definitely not one to mess with..]]>

Original wine tours content from www.wine-cellar-racks.com

Whether you are planning on enjoying the sights, smells, tastes, and experience that Napa valley wine tours have to offer, you should consider arranging your travel with a professional operator.  Many local companies specialize in planning every aspect of your trip, whether you want to simply see as many vineyards as possible, or would like to take to the sky in a hot air balloon, golf, or shop for antiques.  Napa Valley wine tours are great vacation ideas for individuals, couples, or large groups such as corporate outings or weddings.  Explore the countryside, meet new friends, and discover your next favorite vintage!

Take advantage of special arrangements between tour operators and local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.  You will save time searching for accommodation before or during your trip, and can get great deals on other popular activities.
 
One common theme among the testimonials of people thrilled about their experience on Napa wine tours is the fact that the professionals have thought of almost everything, and their familiarity and skill maximizes the group’s enjoyment.  As there are operators that cater to budgets of all sizes, take the risk out of your next trip and book your next one-of-a-kind getaway today!
]]>

When staying in a cabin in Gatlinburg, you are still close to shopping and theaters and can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, or skiing. Here are ten essential things you can do while staying in the Gatlinburg cabin or chalet:

1. Take a country car trip. You can take a scenic route and visit the historic sites of Gatlinburg by car. The Newfound Gap Road runs across the Smoky Mountains and links you to park roads and footpaths that will take you to other places of interest in Gatlinburg.

2. Walking. Nothing beats the pleasure of sightseeing from a smooth well-groomed path across a spectacular forest with breathtaking mountain views. Fitness and stress relief of walking can never be underestimated. All the walking trails are carefully mapped and accessible from all main roads. Any Gatlinburg hotel will provide you with a guide that helps you find a trail that fits your walking speed and general fitness.

3. Bike in the mountains. If you decide to take a biking trip, alone or with your family, you can choose from a number of different trails. Biking trails in Gatlinburg range from an easy family-friendly gravel path, to the challenging mountain bike trails that require special equipment and can be quite enduring. You can rent a bicycle or bring one with you if you travel by car.

4. Horse Riding. If horseback riding suits your sense of adventure, you will find this family attraction to be quite popular in Gatlinburg. Hundreds of horses are located in stables across Gatlinburg. It is a great place to learn horseback riding, and no matter your riding skills, you will have a fun of your life. Gatlinburg cowboys even perform weddings in the western style!

5. Hiking. You need to obtain a permit for hiking overnight in the back-country. Make sure you come prepared with the right equipment and it’s worth noting that in some areas reservations are required to hike the Smoky Mountains trails.

6. Golf. The Gatlinburg Golf Course is close to all Gatlinburg cabins and Gatlinburg chalets. It is a fabulous year-round modern facility with challenging layouts and emerald fairways, beautifully wooded landscapes and well-manicured greens. A full service pro shop and food services area also work year-round.

7. Visit the wild life. Many people come to Gatlinburg to see black bears. They even choose to stay in Gatlinburg cabins that are close to bears – in the past few years, one hotel even offered a “bear suite” that overlooked a dumpster which bears visited often. Use common sense – these creatures can be quite dangerous.

8. Enjoy the traditional American food. If you want to try real American cuisine, Gatlinburg is the right place to start. From authentic regional treats in rustic settings to kid-friendly theme restaurants, over 100 restaurants work year-round.

9. Shop till you drop. Gatlinburg has more than 400 shops and five malls with handmade arts and crafts, unique traditional apparel and souvenirs. While loading up on souvenirs for everyone back home, you’re sure to find a little something for yourself.

10. And 100s of other things – including Gatlinburg Sky Lift that rides in the center of the town for a spectacular view of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains, Mysterious Mansion, Gatlinburg’s largest scary house, rafting in the whitewater rapids, and visiting Star Cars Museum with it’s world’s best star car collection.]]>

I will explain you 4 of my favourites and a little bit of their history. If you plan to travel to Germany, you might like to know them and to feel its charisma too. These 4 castles are located in South Germany, so you do not have to travel hundreds of kilometres/miles to see each of them. By the way, most of our German castles are located in South Germany.

1. Heidelberg

The first one I describe to you is the Heidelberg castle. It is really big and has a secret stairway to walk up to it. Very few people know that way, most of the people go up by the “hill train”. I mean, you can do that too, but imagine how incredible it is, when you walk up the more than 300 stairs (each stair has its number on it!) and see all the old houses around you, WOW!

Heidelberg itself has a strong history too and you see that on all the houses and the extremely expensive residential areas. Very famous people live in Heidelberg, such as Steffi Graf and famous Scientists. You should also walk through the, and now I’ll give you a insider secret, “Philosophenweg” (Way of Philosophs). You may ask the people out there where exactly this way is, but however when you walk up that way, you have an really awesome, and I mean really awesome view to the Heidelberg castle and Heidelberg itself and its river (Neckar).

2. Schwetzingen

Not far away from Heidelberg (approx. 10km) is a small town called Schwetzingen (yes, I live in this town and I love it!). The special thing here is, that this town has just 22,500 residents, but also a huge castle! When you visit German castles you will realize, that some of them not so big, but beautiful too. The castle of Schwetzingen is not just beautiful, it’s awesome and huge! The city itself spends all of the entrance fees (only 2,50 EUR per day) into this incredible castle, and you see that at each corner stone, plant and bloom.

The Schwetzingen castle is almost as big as the city itself!

Its history goes back to Baroque, Rococo and Classicism. It’s still apparent today that the irregular complex of the Schwetzingen castle in essence dates back to a medieval castle altered in the Renaissance period.

At the end of your castle visit you absolutely must go to one of the irresistible cafיs and restaurants in front of the castle - at the “Schlossplatz” (castle place). There are seven (and much deeper in and around the city) of them and you will find people of all ages there, and you easily come in contact with them. They are really communicative. Most of the young people are able to speak English. More about this amazing town you’ll find on my site: http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/schwetzingen.html .
My site isn’t perfect yet, but it grows day after day and I work really hard on it to give you the highest valuable free insider tips for your travel to Germany.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of my special report of 2 awesome German castles. Watch out for the second part with the other 2. I will post it shortly.

Enjoy your day!

Marcus Hochstadt

© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ , All Rights Reserved
You may use this article in its entirety with the Author Bio and links.]]>

The most given German gifts are flowers for women an a bottle of wine for men. But you could do better.

A bottle of wine, unless it is 50 years old, will be drunk at one of the next evenings. And the flowers a woman gets are withered in a couple of days.

Here is what I would do instead. And that will fascinate both, women and men.

==> Bring something with you that is from your country or represents the culture of your home in particular.

Now back to the flowers and the wine bottle.

If these flowers are so unique and last for a long time, means that it is a plant, than it is a good German gift. And if the wine is a few decades old so that your recipient won’t empty that bottle unless you come back and you both celebrate a big deal (or something else extraordinary), that bottle will get the best place in his house, and he will show every guest this German gift he got from his friend. He even will remember the day and the reason he got it for.

And this is my point here. Your friend, whom you give that gift, has to feel special that it brings tears in her/his eyes. Your gift has to be so unique that your friend makes everything possible to get a special place in her/his house for that German gift.

A friend of mine from South-Africa, when she visited me the other day, she brought a brown South-African tribal mask, which looks pretty scaring and amusing at the same time.

She brought it for my mom, and it has still its unique place in her home. Everybody who hasn’t seen it before ask her what it is and from whom she got such a unique, historical and picturesque gift. Some even asked if she bought it on an auction (no, not ebay, a place such as “Christies”) and how much my mother paid for it.

The point is not how much it costs. The South-African mask does not cost very much, even for them. The point is the feelings you will tap by giving this.

So now I have a short checklist for you to focus on.

Unique and Extraordinary – If you get this gift at each and every corner, better forget it.

Cultural – your gift has to represent your culture and its history

You see, what you can cause with a gift that is probably normal for you and your culture, but very special for us here in Germany.

All the best.

Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved]]>

I knew somethimg was up, and instinctively reached into my pockets to check on my money. We had just visited the ATM that morning, and the $170 cash in my pocket was the most we had carried in one place during the entire trip. It was still there. The old guy pushed against me like he was trying to find a place to stand comfortably. I checked my pocket again.

A few minutes later some space opened up near Ana, and I went over to her seat. I reached in my pocket again, and it was empty. The other pocket was empty too. I hadn’t felt a thing. The old drunk was still on the bus. I looked over at him.

“We’ve been robbed,” I told Ana. “All of it.” I grabbed the drunk, who was no longer acting drunk at all.

At the next stop we got off, dragging the thief with us. A police officer appeared, and a crowd formed. The man was very sober now, pulling out his pockets and insisting again and again that he was inocent. He said we could search him if we wanted. I searched him, but understood now that his associate was long gone with the money, probably off the bus at a previous stop.

Despite his begging, and the impossibility of getting the money back, we had the officer take him to the police station on his motorcycle while we followed in a taxi (Paying with a twenty from under the sole of my shoe). We filed a complaint, and he would spend the night in jail, then be released for a lack of evidence in the morning. At least his finger prints were on file now.

Travel Security Lessons

A money belt probably would have prevented the robbery. Pockets that close help too, although I had a wallet stolen from a zipered pocket once, and I didn’t notice until forty minutes later. At least it was a decoy-wallet, put there for just such an occasion. My real wallet was safely hidden elsewhere (another little travel security trick).

Carry your money in at least three different places. These can include; under the sole of your shoe, in a pocket that you pin inside your clothes, in your shaving kit. Also carry two credit or debit cards in two separate and secure places. Have the “lost or stolen” phone numbers in another place.

Dress properly. If the area you’re visiting has much crime, leave expensive watches and jewelry behind.

There are many things you can do to travel more safely. Of course, the biggest lesson of our experience was obvious. You have to learn to trust your intuition.]]>