Sunday, March 4
Tips for Safe Travel With Your Pet
(NewsUSA) - Planning a road trip with Rover? Even the most
enthusiastic traveler can become agitated and anxious on a very long ride. Here are some
suggestions for making car travel safe and pleasant for you and your dog:
* Watch the
temperature. Even with the air conditioning on, a dog riding in the back of a van can become
overheated from direct sunlight shining into the vehicle. Sun shades will reflect heat and keep
your traveling companion cool. And small battery-operated fans attached to the dog's crate will
keep the air moving.
* Remember to never leave your dog in a closed car. It can take just
minutes for the temperature to rise enough to kill an animal.
* Help your dog relax. If
your dog becomes anxious, a calming product, like Pluto Pet's Pet Calming Spray, may help relieve
his fear, nervousness and aggression. Made from natural ingredients, the spray acts quickly, causes
no side effects and meets all Food and Drug Administration guidelines for good manufacturing
practices. For more information, visit www.plutopet.com.
Avoid tranquilizers, which can lower the animal's blood pressure and make the dog more
prone to heat-related medical emergencies.
* Keep the dog contained. Your travel companion
should either be in a crate or restrained by a seatbelt made especially for animals. Dogs riding
unrestrained in a car can be dangerous to themselves, the humans riding with them and other
motorists.
* Make two tags: one with your home address and another with the destination
address in case the dog gets lost while on the road. You should also have your dog's rabies tag and
certificate and medical records.
* Pack a doggie bag. Your dog will appreciate some
familiar things from home - a favorite blanket, for instance, and some toys. Bringing drinking
water and food from home will help avoid stomach upset. And don't forget the cleanup supplies,
because accidents happen.
* If your dog is territorial and you spend a night in a motel,
keep the curtains drawn so the dog won't feel the need to protect his new turf from everyone who
walks by your windows.
* Have fun! A trip together can be a wonderful bonding experience
for you and your dog.
TravelWorld
Keep Your Feet Healthy While on Vacation
(NewsUSA) - One perk of a beach-bound vacation is knowing
that you can lounge happily, shoe-free with the sand beneath your soles. However, being barefoot on
the beach comes with its own set of troubles.
"Even if you are just lying still on your
back soaking up the rays, your feet are still vulnerable," says American Podiatric Medical
Association member Dr. Jane Andersen. "You can seriously sunburn your feet, and no matter how
upscale your hotel, athlete's foot can lurk in all public pool areas."
Here are some tips
to protect your feet on your next vacation:
* Pack a foot-care kit containing flip-flops,
antibiotic cream, sterile bandages, blister pads, toenail clippers, emery board, pumice stone,
sunscreen and aloe vera.
* Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, the beach, the locker
room, even in your hotel room. This will limit walking barefoot to minimize the chances of
athlete's foot, ringworm and other infections or injuries.
* If you injure your foot or
ankle while on vacation, seek medical attention from a podiatric physician. To find one in your
travel area, visit www.apma.org.
* Apply
sunscreen all over your feet, including the tops and fronts of ankles, and don't forget to reapply
after you've been in the water.
* Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the
day. This will help to minimize any foot-swelling caused by the heat.
* Keep the blood
flowing with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles and calf stretches.
* Wear shoes that are
suitable to the activities you are doing. If your shoes get wet, make sure they dry out completely
before wearing them again to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus.
Wednesday, December 6
(NewsUSA) - Deborah Crane hopes there's a bit of Santa in
everyone. Her dream is for every U.S. soldier to receive a gift from home this holiday season.
"The holidays make it even harder for soldiers to be away from friends and family," says
Crane, president of the online business Treats for Troops. "There's nothing like a festive holiday
care package to make a homesick soldier smile."
Among the gifts from Treats for Troops'
holiday workshop are holiday turkey feasts, festive cookies and candies, bright red stockings
filled with goodies, and special gifts for him or her.
If you don't know anyone in the
military, the company's Foster-A-Soldier program lets you choose a soldier based on branch of
service, home state, gender or area of deployment. Tens of thousands of soldiers are registered
with the program.
Gifts can be sent to individuals or entire units. Treats for Troops'
Group Gift Department is especially helpful for groups that want to make supporting the troops a
holiday project. You provide the budget, and the Group Gift Department can take care of everything
else, including suggesting gifts, helping to create a personal or company message, and making sure
you get the thank-you notes sent by the soldiers who received your packages.
"It was a
great experience," says Philip Montes, who coordinated a team effort for the employees of Saxon
Capital in Fort Worth, Texas. "The Group Gift Department helped us select 25 soldiers to sponsor.
We posted their profiles in the lunchroom, along with recommended packages. We were able to send
all 25 of them gifts we thought they'd really enjoy, and because [Saxon Capital] matched the funds,
we were also able to send packages to 25 other soldiers who hadn't yet received one. Everyone
really loved doing it. It was a very personal way to help."
In addition to themed packages,
Treats for Troops' online store offers the basic necessities that people serving overseas
appreciate. There are phone cards, comfortable socks, zip-lock bags and toiletries. Of course, the
store also offers every soldier's favorite: freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
For
information on how to send a holiday care package to the troops, log on to www.treatsfortroops.com.
Usa hotels
(NewsUSA) - Soft candle glow, crackling fire logs and
garlands of twinkling lights brighten homes during the holidays. While enjoying the distinct scenes
and flavors of this time of year, give some thought to keeping your holiday home safe and healthy
for your family, pets and guests.
* Watch flammable objects. Fragrant aromas from scented
candles, room sprays and potpourri enrich living spaces. But flammable items, including pressurized
aerosol products, should never be used or stored around open flames, such as lit candles and
fireplaces.
Aerosols should not be exposed to temperatures higher than 120 degrees
Fahrenheit. Don't leave aerosols on or near hot surfaces; the furnace, stove, radiator and space
heaters are areas to watch. As a further precaution, do not keep aerosols in cabinets that are
adjacent to appliances that get very hot, such as an oven or water heater.
* Always read
the product label. Follow the directions for safe and proper use of the product. Use the product
only for the purpose intended by the manufacturer.
* Store safely. When using and storing
common household items, be mindful of the safety of children and pets. Lock medicines and place
household products out of children's reach, and check for child-resistant latches on cabinets.
Because chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and many human medicines are poisonous to dogs and cats, be
sure that these items are stored out of reach of animals.
* Prevent food poisoning. Wash
hands before food preparation and after handling raw meat. Separate cooked and raw meats, and keep
raw meats away from other raw foods. Utensils that are used to prepare raw meats should be washed
and cleaned thoroughly before using them to prepare fresh foods. Use a thermometer to be sure that
meat is cooked to a safe temperature. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and promptly
refrigerate leftovers.
* Be a safe party host. Appoint one person to monitor each child at
the party. Provide visitors with a high, locked place for medicines and suitcases and purses
containing medicines. Also, be sure to empty glasses, cans, bottles, ashtrays and plates of
leftover food and drinks immediately after the party so children won't get to them.
Post
the poison center phone number on or near every phone. If a possible poisoning occurs, immediately
call 800-222-1222. An expert at your local poison center will quickly determine if any treatment is
needed and will tell you what to do.
For further information, visit www.cspa.org.
HOTELS IN USA
(NewsUSA) - From sophisticated holiday soirees to casual
gatherings, legendary nights require the right mix of fun, friends and spirits.
The pros
at Southern Comfort and Finlandia Vodka offer some time-tested tips that will help ensure that your
holiday get-together is the talk among your friends:
* Offer five to six appetizers per
person if other food is available; seven to eight if it's not.
* Have 2 to 3 pounds of ice
on hand for every 10 people; double this amount if serving frozen drinks.
* Chill glasses
by filling them with ice and water before making and serving drinks.
* Pour drinks
immediately after blending to keep them from getting watery.
* Measure everything. Your
drinks will taste better. One bottle of Southern Comfort or Finlandia Vodka provides, roughly, 10
1- to 1 1/2-ounce pours.
* Utilize fresh fruits and spices of the season for the perfect
cocktail, from a caipiroska to a mojito to a martini.
* Keep up on the latest cocktail
trends, but serve a few signature cocktails as well. Or, put a twist on classic drinks, such as
these recipes for a Finlandia Cranberry Smash and a SoCo Eggnog Martini.
FINLANDIA CRANBERRY SMASH
1 1/2 ounces Finlandia
Cranberry Vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
8 to
10 fresh cranberries
12 spearmint leaves
Muddle mint, cranberries and
simple syrup; add lemon juice, vodka and ice. Stir. Garnish with a sprig of
mint.
SOUTHERN EGGNOG MARTINI
1 ounce Southern Comfort
3
ounces eggnog
Ground nutmeg
Combine chilled ingredients in a shaker (no
ice). Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with nutmeg.
New York hotels
(NewsUSA) - 'Tis the season to go shopping - which means
that the "most wonderful time of the year" is likely to bring some additional stress to your
already busy life.
To limit your stress and maximize holiday bliss, here are some smart
and savvy shopping tips.
* Make your list and check it twice. Decide who you will be
buying for and how much you are willing to spend before jumping online. Finding the gifts you want
to give without maxing out your credit cards is tough if you aren't organized. Look for an online
retailer that offers a gift planner that can help you create a budget and stick to
it.
* Get personal and shop smarter. Give something they are sure to love according to
their own interests, passions and personal style. Take advantage of PersonalShopper.com, a free
online service that allows you to enter the age, gender, unique personality and style preferences
of everyone on your list, then works to save you time and money by sifting through millions of
products. The site then recommends inspired gift ideas customized for each recipient to fit your
gift budget.
* Enjoy some holiday solitude. Turn on your holiday music and spend the day
relaxing while you do your online shopping in the comfort of your home. You'll be amazed at how
great you'll feel and how much you can accomplish by designating a few hours of "alone time."
* Don't procrastinate. Last year, more than 39 percent of consumers surveyed by NPD Group
said they will wait until the last minute to complete their holiday shopping. Don't put that extra
pressure on yourself and set aside at least 30 minutes each week to shop online for a few gifts. If
you still end up in a time crunch, avoid the crowds by taking advantage of express delivery
services available online.
Hotels in New York
Tuesday, December 5
(NewsUSA) - In American advertising, there are only a
handful of commercials, let alone animals, that consumers can recall. There's Morris the cat, Spuds
McKenzie and a few others, but one that has recently joined the ranks of the memorable is the Aflac
duck.
Ever since he waddled onto television screens in late 1999 quacking the word
"Aflac!" the duck and the Georgia-based insurance giant have become household names.
Two
years after its debut, the duck was seen not only peddling insurance, but also flying off
department store shelves during the holidays. Since 2001, Aflac and Macy's have partnered to sell
collectible versions of the popular duck, with all proceeds donated to children's hospitals
throughout the country. To date, more than $1.2 million has been raised.
"Our customers and
employees love the duck," said Ellen Fruchtman, Macy's divisional vice president of public
relations in Atlanta. "We're pleased that the sale of these ducks is helping the hospitals to
provide much needed life-saving services to children living with cancer."
The
limited-edition talking ducks are on sale starting Nov. 6. This year, they will be available in 140
Macy's locations nationwide. Along with the in-store purchasing option, the philanthropic mascot
can be purchased online at AflacHolidayDuck.com, macys.com or by calling
800-MACYS-4-U.
"Through this partnership, the Aflac Duck has become a philanthropic
symbol," said Al Johnson, Aflac's second vice president of Advertising and Branding. "We love it;
the children love it, and consumers love to support the cause in such a simple way."
This
year, customers can also purchase Aflac Holiday Duck gift cards at participating Macy's stores. The
gift cards are specially designed replicas of the famous Aflac Duck that can be used toward any
purchase in Macy's stores nationwide. A portion of the proceeds benefit participating children's
hospitals.
Thirty-two hospitals, including the Aflac Cancer Center at the Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., benefit from
the duck sales.
The ducks are a plush, miniature version of what little ones envision
Santa to be, complete with a beard, rosy red cheeks and a bag full of holiday gifts. They say
"Aflac, Aflac, Aflac!" when squeezed. The cost of the 2006 Holiday Duck is $10 for the 6-inch
version and $15 for the 10-inch size. For more information, visit www.aflac.com.
Usa hotels
(NewsUSA) - Holiday shopping is not easy on the feet. Not
only are you trekking from store to store, but if you have a long list of presents to buy, that
hour-long errand you intended easily turns into an all-day affair. At the end of the day, you bring
home a few unwanted gifts of your own: foot pain and blisters.
The American Podiatric
Medical Association estimates that the average person takes about 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day,
especially when on the hunt for that perfect gift. To help shoppers get back on their feet, the
APMA offers five holiday foot fixes:
1. Massage your feet. This will help release tension,
increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin.
2. Soothe your soles. Soak your feet for at
least five minutes in a container filled with warm water. Pat dry and apply lotion to hydrate your
feet.
3. Elevate legs. Lift your legs above your heart while lying down to help reduce
swelling.
4. Rotate ankles. Cup the foot under the back portion of the heel to brace the
foot and leg; turn slowly at the ankle five times. This loosens the ankle joint and relaxes your
feet.
5. Point your toes. While standing, do toe raises, toe points and toe curls for five
seconds; repeat 10 times. This alleviates toe cramps and strengthens calf muscles.
Check
out APMA's Web site, www.apma.org,
for a list of approved products including foot creams, scrubs and powders that are beneficial to
maintaining good foot health.
Hotels in Usa
(NewsUSA) - According to the AARP, grandparents spend $30
billion annually on their grandchildren.
As children receive monetary gifts in lieu of
toys, clothes and other items, the holiday season is an opportune time for parents to teach their
kids about personal finance basics and the responsibilities associated with managing their own
money.
"By using a bit of creativity, it's easy to teach children important monetary
habits that will last a lifetime," said Mark Resnick, director of sales for NetBank, the country's
oldest active Internet bank.
NetBank offers the following ideas designed to provide
children with rewarding ways to use their holiday gift money:
* Place holiday gift money
into a money market account, CD or other savings vehicle. By doing so, your children will be able
to see their money grow along with them. As part of the initial investment, have them write down
their short- and long-term savings goals. Review these goals periodically and show children how
quickly they can be reached by not spending all of their money right away. Encourage them to begin
saving for college with part of their allowance, or wages, each month for their
education.
* Teach children about the gift of sharing. The holiday season is the perfect
time to think of others. Help your children find a local charity to donate their money to, or go
shopping together for a new toy or clothes for another child in need.
* Show your children
the ABCs of banking. By opening a bank account in your child's name, you can teach the
responsibilities associated with money management.
A fun and easy way to manage money
together is through an online banking account. According to a recent study from the Pew Internet
and American Life Project, 87 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 use the
Internet.
"A monetary gift is one a child will never outgrow. It gives them the opportunity
to make to make responsible and independent decisions," Resnick says.
For more information
on banking online, visit www.netbank.com.
Hotels in Usa
(NewsUSA) - There's nothing like a credit card bill the
size of Santa's sleigh to replace warm memories of the holiday season with a cold chill.
But if you plan ahead and shop smart, you can reap the rewards of credit card and retailer
programs that will put some cash back in your pocket.
For example, many credit cards offer
rewards programs through which shoppers can earn airline miles or cash-back bonuses. Check your
cardholder agreements and use the card that offers the best perks for your largest
purchases.
Also, take advantage of retailers' rewards cards. For instance, CVS/pharmacy has
an Extra Bucks program for customers who use its stores' ExtraCare cards. You can apply for a card
at any CVS store or online at www.cvs.com.
The
program essentially pays you back - giving you CVS money for every dollar spent in the store.
ExtraCare members earn 2 percent back with every in-store or cvs.com purchase and one Extra Buck
for every two prescriptions purchased in a CVS store or online.
Shoppers can stock up on
holiday necessities - such as gift wrap, gift tags, tape, stocking stuffers, candy and photo
processing - and receive their Extra Bucks rewards in January, when even headache medicine will
seem like a large expense.
Here are some additional smart-shopping suggestions:
*
When shopping online, use comparison Web sites to find the best prices. But be sure to pay
attention to shipping charges, which could turn your bargain into an extravagance.
* Look
at all the online auction sites. Like eBay, most offer new items, post feedback about sellers and
have buyer protection policies.
* Shop alone. A companion could just encourage you to buy
more.
* Check the prices of everything in the category you're shopping. Advertised items
aren't necessarily the least expensive.
* Make separate shopping and buying trips. Visit
the stores once to compare value and prices. Go back with your credit card or checkbook when you're
ready to buy.
USA HOTELS
Thursday, November 23
(NewsUSA) - Electric cars have huge potential to change the
auto industry, particularly with rising gas prices, but a new design out of California targets the
niche of busy urban drivers.
The new Zap Xebra all-electric car is a 40-mph, three-wheeled
automobile that was designed for people who do a lot of in-town driving. Unlike hybrids, the Zap
car needs no gas at all - just plug into any conventional outlet.
Publicly owned Zap (stock
symbol: ZP) sees a market with multi-car families that are looking for the fuel-savings benefits
electrics can offer for commuting, errands or government and corporate fleet use.
"Many
people buy electric cars because they want to use them when they don't need their gas cars," said
Alex Campbell, spokesman for Zap. "What they quickly realize is that most of their daily trips are
perfect for electric cars, and realistically it becomes the first car."
According to Zap,
studies show most driving trips are within 20 miles of home, distances well within the city limit
for the Xebra, which can travel up to 40 miles per charge.
According to a study by the
Green Car Institute, 15 percent of all cars sold could be electric today. When consumers have a
choice between driving an electric car and a gas car, they choose the electric car 90 percent of
the time.
Zap says its Xebra project is the offspring of more than three decades of thought
and evolution in electric transportation. This car was created from the ground up because the use
and purpose of electric vehicles is different than gas cars.
At about 4 cents per mile
compared to 15 cents or more for gas, there is no comparison for cost-conscious consumers. With
rising gas prices, people might be much more open to this unique new cost-effective
design.
For more information on the Zap Xebra, visit www.zapworld.com
or call (800)
251-4555.
hotels in Usa
(NewsUSA) - Each year, approximately 5,000 pedestrians and
bicyclists are killed along U.S. roads - 2,300 of them occurring at night - and another 70,000
pedestrians are injured in traffic crashes, according to a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration report.
New automotive lighting technologies, including Xenon and Adaptive
Front Lighting Systems, can help improve nighttime pedestrian safety, according to the Motor
Vehicle Lighting Council.
According to researcher Michael Flannagan of the University of
Michigan Transportation Research Institute, drivers "overdrive" the headlights on many of today's
vehicles, meaning they are going too fast to stop safely within the distance made visible by the
headlights.
"The critical safety need in low-beam lighting is seeing distance," Flannagan
said. "The maximum safe speed with today's average low beams is only about 45 mph. Our studies
indicate there is a major safety problem that headlights could address."
One possible
solution is Xenon headlights, also known as High Intensity Discharge or HID. Based on a gas
discharge process, Xenon uses an arc instead of a filament as a light source. The result is
enhanced roadway vision by increasing the light output to the sides of the road.
A 2004
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute test revealed that Xenon headlamps
provided twice as much light for seeing critical objects on the road while producing 25 percent
less glare. The wider beam coverage also provides better lighting on road shoulders, where
pedestrians and bicyclists are commonly found.
Nearly 120 vehicle models equipped with
Xenon headlights were sold in North America in the 2005 model year -; up 21 percent from
2004.
Another emerging headlight technology is AFS or Adaptive Front Lighting System. It
provides optimal illumination in various driving conditions by automatically modifying the beam
pattern of the headlights in response to various speed, weather conditions and road situations. The
headlamps automatically move as the steering wheel is turned. This helps illuminate the road at an
earlier stage, allowing the driver more time to adjust and steer or brake as needed.
For
more information on new lighting technologies or the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council, visit www.mvlc.info.
Usa hotels
(NewsUSA) - Looking to take your children on a vacation
they will remember for years? A new book provides 500 suggestions, taking readers across the globe
to some of the most exciting and memorable kid-friendly destinations on Earth.
Frommer's
500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up (Wiley; $19.99) by Holly Hughes reveals how
traveling with children can be as exciting as scaling Mount Kilimanjaro. In fact, exploring
"Africa's Great White Mountain" is one trip this book shows you how to do with your kids in tow.
The other 499 vacation ideas include journeys to equally exotic destinations, some that
are as American as apple pie (think Wrigley Field) and some that are as adventuresome as visiting
French volcanoes or Canada's Columbia Icefields.
Listings are accompanied by
family-friendly lodging recommendations, contact information and other suggestions to guard you
from travel weariness. A podcast featuring the author is available for download on www.frommers.com/podcast
or on iTunes.com.
Spain hotels
Sunday, November 19
Arrondissements
01. Louvre - Châtelet
02. Louvre - Bourse
03. Temple - République
04. Centre Pompidou
05. Panthéon- Notre Dame
06. Saint Germain - Luxembourg
07. Tour Eiffel - Invalides
08. Champs Elysées
09. Opéra
10. Gare du Nord
11. Bastille - République
12. Bercy - Gare de Lyon
13. Place d'Italie
14. Tour Montparnasse
15. Porte de Versailles
16. Trocadéro
17. Palais des Congrès
18. Sacré Coeur- Montmartre
19. Buttes-Chaumont
20. Ménilmontant
Top destinations
Espace Richelieu
Carroussel du Louvre
Les Salons Hoche
Palais des Congrès de Paris
Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles
Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie de la Villette
Espace Charenton
Parc Floral de Paris
Sacré Coeur
Eiffel Tower
Sacré-Coeur
Arc de Triomphe
Notre Dame
Louvre Museum
Centre Pompidou
Montmartre museum
Stade de France
Opéra Bastille
Opera Garnier
Gare St Lazare
Gare du Nord
Gare de l'Est
Gare Montparnasse
Gare de Lyon
Gare d'Austerlitz
Airports nearby
Orly (ORY) 15.9 km
Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 22.7 km
Beauvais Tille (BVA) 67.4 km
Paris hotels
Saturday, November 18
(NewsUSA) - Colorado dude ranches are experiencing an
increased demand for "togethering," a term first coined by the travel marketing firm Yesawich,
Pepperdine, Brown & Russell. The term describes a rapidly growing type of leisure travel that
encompasses groups of people who vacation together.
A Colorado dude ranch is one of the few
vacation venues where grandparents, parents, grandkids, neighborhood groups or close friends can
all gather for a vacation experience with activities that each generation can
enjoy.
"Colorado dude ranches are ideal for such small group vacations," said Christine
Prince, president of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association and owner of one of the
association's 32 member ranches.
"We are authentic western ranches, not large resorts or
tight-quartered ships. Our guests enjoy thousands of acres of wide-open spaces, which means
everyone has enough room to play and relax."
Colorado dude ranches specialize in offering
something for every age or ability. So everyone in a group or family gets the vacation they desire
and plenty of individual pampering. Dude ranching is centered on horseback riding in spectacular
mountain scenery for riders of all abilities. However, ranches also offer rafting, hiking, fishing,
nature walks, biking and other fun activities for everyone from grandparents to the youngest
children.
"The off-the-beaten path locations of our ranches create an almost exclusive
environment where everyone soon knows each other. And yet each person has plenty of space and
individual activities from which to choose," Prince said.
Guests also may simply choose to
curl up on the front porch with a good book or have a quiet conversation, knowing that the kids and
other group members are having their own fun.
For more information about Colorado ranch
vacations, visit www.duderanching.net.
USA HOTELS
(NewsUSA) - If winter is the cruelest of seasons, why then
do so many people take to the roads and open air?
For some, it's the best time to visit
friends and family because of the built-in time off. For others, it's a reason to dust off the ski
equipment.
Whatever your reasons for traveling this winter season, it can also be a great
time to explore the city you're in and capture beautiful winter scenery through the camera's
eye.
To this end, CruiseCam International Inc., a company that started out designing video
imaging apparatuses for law enforcement personnel and race car drivers, has now expanded its
product line and is making it easy for consumers to take professional-looking video this
winter.
"Winter driving can be a real experience ... from beautiful scenery to treacherous
road conditions. Our car camera mount now gives drivers the opportunity to capture all of that
safely with their own camcorder," said Scott Watkins, chief executive officer of CruiseCam
International.
Its newest product, now available to the mass market, is a lightweight seat
headrest camera mount - weighing just 1.5 pounds - that can be installed in minutes, doesn't
require the use of tools and can be used with any camcorder. What this means for would-be winter
travelers and road warriors is that the device is portable and can be used in any car.
In
town for the holidays? Why not take a drive and film some of the lights around the neighborhood? Or
if you're heading to the slopes for Christmas, why not take your camera to capture some of the
majestic mountains?
It also can be a great gift idea for parents and grandparents who
travel throughout the year, allowing them to take footage while never having to leave the
car.
The InCar CruiseCam camera mount is available in Ritz Camera, Costco and Pep Boys
stores.
For more information, visit www.cruisecam.com.
CruiseCam International is a publicly traded company under symbol CCMJ on the Pink Sheets.
Hotels in Usa - Usa hotels
(NewsUSA) - Based on the commonly held belief that people
in their early 20s are more prone to risky behavior while driving, many car rental companies have
restricted renting cars to people under the age of 25 for years.
But with increased
competition in the car rental market forcing companies to re-evaluate many long-held assumptions,
some car rental companies are relaxing their rules to allow drivers under 25 years old to rent
vehicles.
Unfortunately, to many young renters, this comes at a cost.
During a
four-day vacation with three friends to Miami, Eugene Minkin, 23, rented a vehicle from Alamo Rent
A Car. Minkin was informed of a $30-per-person, per-day fee that he had to pay due to the fact that
he and his passengers were all under 25. In addition, he had to purchase insurance and pay the
usual four-day rental rate. The total for the rental came to over $650.
Despite the high
cost, Minkin felt fortunate to be able to rent a car, where in recent years such transactions would
not have been possible.
However, for some companies, renting vehicles to drivers under 25
is not a new development. For instance, at most of its rental branches, Rent-A-Wreck has welcomed
young drivers for years.
"By the early '90s most of our locations were renting to drivers
under 25 years of age," said Jason Manelli, director of public relations for Rent-A-Wreck. "We now
consider ourselves to be the experts on rentals to younger drivers, with many of our locations even
renting to drivers 18 to 21 years old."
Typically, drivers under the age of 25 who are
renting a vehicle from Rent-A-Wreck must have automotive insurance coverage, a credit card in their
name and must make arrangements to rent a vehicle several days in advance so references and
insurance coverage can be verified.
Some Rent-A-Wreck locations even run credit reports on
young drivers and look at their driving records. These extra considerations help to weed out the
drivers who have earned their 20- to 24-year-old counterparts a bad reputation in the rental car
industry, allowing responsible young drivers to get behind the wheel of a rental car.
To learn more about Rent-A-Wreck, visit www.rentawreck.com.
Usa hotels
(NewsUSA) - Traveling this winter? By planning ahead - and
remembering to pack a few essentials - you can stay snug and warm in the harshest weather
conditions.
* Skin: Always have lip balm and a heavy-duty hand cream with you in purse or
pocket. Cold weather chaps skin as well as lips.
* Body: Layering is key to keeping warm,
so pack accordingly. Start with a long-sleeved silk undershirt next to your skin. Over that, wear a
cotton knit top, maybe a turtleneck. A wool sweater goes over the two underlayers. Now, you are set
for traveling from the raw outdoors to the roasting indoors.
* Teeth: We tend to neglect
oral care when we travel. Stick with your brushing routine by packing a high-quality toothbrush -
as opposed to a tiny travel-size one. Try the HydraBrush Express, an electric toothbrush created by
Oralbotic Research Inc., which comes in a sturdy traveling case. The brush cleans all surfaces of
the teeth in 40 seconds. For more information,visit www.hydrabrush
.com or call (800) 813-6631.
* Head: Did you know that we lose 40 percent of our body heat
out of the tops of our heads? Be sure to have a cap, a hat or a wool scarf handy. A looser fit is
better because you want to buffer your scalp from the cold with a layer of warm air trapped between
your head and the fabric.
* Feet: Choose a wool blend sock for maximum warmth and moisture
absorption. Cramped feet get cold because the blood is not circulating properly. Even with heavy
socks on, be sure there's a thumb's width of clearance between the top of your big toe and the shoe
or boot itself.
* Hands: Sightseeing won't be enjoyable without mittens or gloves to keep
the hands warm. Remember to pack a pair - or two if you're prone to losing them.
Hotels in Usa
(NewsUSA) - If you enjoy your independence when you travel
or just want to try something different on your next vacation, consider a motorcycle
tour.
EagleRider, a leading motorcycle rental company, is now paving the way for a
revolution in the way enthusiasts travel. EagleRider's self-drive tours are beginning to generate a
buzz within the industry as result of their dramatic growth since conception.
EagleRider
does all the planning and provides all the gear, leaving travelers the freedom to marvel at the
scenery and experience the trill of adventure on the road alone or with the company of their own
friends and family. More than 100 self-drive tours are available out of every EagleRider
location.
Companies like EagleRider are springing up everywhere and are more than just
motorcycle rental or tour organizations. They are complete travel and concierge service companies
tailored for the motorcycle market. EagleRider offers the personal service of an in-house trip
planner, with customized itineraries focusing on the most majestic motorcycle touring routes.
EagleRider's self-drive tour customers rent a late-model motorcycle, stay at first-rate
accommodations and receive a personalized road book designed with everything a rider would need,
including mapped routing, restaurant suggestions and interesting stops along the
way.
Round-the-clock roadside assistance and motorcycle concierge services come standard
with an EagleRider rental, and customers can choose to have a GPS navigation system installed with
their personal trip routing for ease of travel.
"Being able to leave a blustery winter in
Omaha, go to Southern California and rent a motorcycle for a ride to Cabo is absolutely wonderful,"
said Joe Ricketts, chairman and founder of Ameritrade. "EagleRider provides truly great
service."
Motorcycle travel will never be the same again thanks to companies like
EagleRider, who make amazing, hassle-free vacations their priority.
For more information on
EagleRider and motorcycle touring, visit www.eaglerider.com.
Hotels in Usa
Districts
Chiswick
City of London
Clapham
Clerkenwell
Covent Garden
Docklands
Ealing
Earls Court
East End
Fitzrovia
Fulham
Golders Green
Greenwich
Hackney
Hammersmith
Hampstead
Holborn
Hyde Park
Islington
Kennington
Kensington
Kilburn
Kings Cross
Knightsbridge
Lambeth
Maida Vale
Marylebone
Mayfair
Notting Hill
Paddington
Piccadilly
Pimlico
Putney
Regent's Park
Shepherds Bush
South Kensington
Southwark
St Johns Wood
Stoke Newington
Streatham
Thamesmead
The Strand
Tower Bridge
Victoria
Walworth
Wandsworth
Waterloo
Wembley
West End
Top destinations
Cavendish Conference Centre
Business Design Centre
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Olympia Exhibition Centre
ExCel Exhibition Centre
Alexandra Palace
Wembley Arena / Conference Centre
Addington Court Golf Club
Buckingham Palace
Houses of Parliament
10 Downing Street
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
Millennium Dome
Big Ben
Westminster Abbey
Tower of London
Hyde Park
Regent's Park
Nunhead Cemetery
Hampstead Heath
Camden Market
The Model Shop
Covent Garden
Royal Albert Hall
Airports nearby
City (LCY) 11.8 km
Heathrow (LHR) 24.0 km
Gatwick (LGW) 39.5 km
Luton (LTN) 45.2 km
Stansted (STN) 49.3 km
Southend (SEN) 56.7 km
Hotels in London
Districts
Amsterdam Oud Zuid
Amsterdam Zuidoost
Amsterdam-Centrum
Amsterdam-Noord
De Baarsjes
De Pijp
Geuzenveld-Slotermeer
Jordaan
Oost-Watergraafsmeer
Osdorp
Oud-West
Red Light District
Slotervaart
Westerpark
Zeeburg
Top destinations
Rai Amsterdam Congrescenter
World Trade Center Amsterdam
Meeting Plaza Amsterdam
Westerkerk
New church
Old church
Royal Palace
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Anne Frank House
Historical Museum Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum
Cobra Museum
De Zaanse Schans
Muiderslot
Amsterdam Arena
Heineken Music Hall
Theater Carré
Het Concertgebouw
Nieuwe de la Mar Theater
Station Amsterdam Centraal
Station Amsterdam Sloterdijk
Station Duivendrecht
Station Schiphol
Metro Reigersbos
Metro Station Gein
Airports nearby
Schiphol (AMS) 11.3 km
Rotterdam (RTM) 55.5 km
Hotels in Amsterdam
Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia...
Districts
Ciutat Vella
Eixample
Gracia
Hota-Guinardo
Les Corts
Sant Marti
Sants-Montjuic
Sarria - St Gervasi
Top destinations
Feria de Barcelona
Ramblas
Plaza Catalunya
Plaza Real
Catedral Barcelona
Casa Batllo
Templo de la Sagrada Familia
La Pedrera Casa Mila
The Palau Güell
Finca Güell
The Crypt of the C hurch of Colònia Güell
Museo Picasso
MACBA
Parque Guell
Montjuic
La Ciudadela
Nou Camp
Palau Sant Jordi
Palau de la Musica
Teatro Liceu
Barcelona-Sants Train Station
Estacion de Francia
Barceloneta
Jaume I
Liceu
Airports nearby
Barcelona (BCN) 13.0 km
Girona (GRO) 75.1 km
Reus (REU) 88.7 km
Hotels in Barcelona
Madrid is the capital of Spain and the third most populous city in the European Union. Madrid is also the largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. It is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country, between the autonomous communities of Castilla-León and Castilla-La Mancha.
Top Destinations
Recinto Ferial Casa de Campo, Puerta de Alcalá, Fuente de la Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas, Catedral de la Almudena, Torrespaña, Plaza Mayor , Puente de Segovia, Palacio Real, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, Museo Nac. Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo del Prado, Myseo Thyssen - Bomemisza, Jardin Botanico, Museo Postal y Telegráfico, National Arqueological Museum, Real Academia de las Artes de San Fernando, Parque de El Buen Retiro, Teatro Monumental, Teatro de la Zarzuela, Teatro Español, Atocha´s Train Station, Estacion de Chamartin and Estacion del Recoletos.
Districts
01.Centro
02.Arganzuela
03.Retiro
04.Salamanca
05.Chamartin
06.Tetuan
07.Chamberi
08.Fuencarral-El Pardo
15.Ciudad Lineal
Airports nearby
Barajas (MAD) 13.1 km
Hotels in Madrid
(NewsUSA) - Are you bored with the humdrum? Rusty with
routine? What you need is an adventure.
If you've been dreaming of a getaway or want to
join the other 98 million adults in the U.S. who have taken adventure vacations in the last five
years, it
doesn't have to cost you the price of a motorcycle.
Now you can rent a
Harley-Davidson motorcycle alone or as part of a custom adventure vacation package. EagleRider, for
example, has helped more than 120,000 adventure-seekers enjoy their dream vacations.
The
company offers rentals, self-drive Hotel and Harley Tours, and professionally guided tours through
the U.S., Mexico, Spain and France.
Founded in 1992, EagleRider is a leader in the field
with franchises worldwide, including rental offices and as part of in-store dealerships. In fact,
EagleRider expects to expand with 100 more rental and tour outlets within the next three years in
major cities and at tourist sites such as national parks and historic trails.
The company
recently opened a 22,000-square-foot facility in Denver, where motorcyclists can get help with
hotel accommodations, complimentary airport limo service, tickets to sporting events and area
attractions, maps, itinerary planning and more.
Historically, Harley-Davidson and other
motorcycle manufacturers have focused exclusively on sales, but these firms are expanding their
thinking to embrace motorcycle rentals as well.
Not only do the rentals themselves
increase revenues, but, according to Harley-Davidson, 32 percent of the company's motorcycle
rentals have led to sales or orders within one year. These rentals, coupled with travel services,
can benefit both rental facilities and their clients and are the fastest-growing segment of the
travel industry.
For more information, visit www.eaglerider.com
or call (888) 960-1500.
(NewsUSA) - Whether hiking the Rocky Mountains or
roller-coaster hopping at Walt Disney World, traveling can take its toll on your feet. Painful feet
can ruin the pleasures of a great vacation.
For an all-around footloose vacation, being
prepared is key. Kick up your feet in comfort this vacation season with a bit of preventive advice
and a few packing tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
* Ban bare
feet. Pack your flip-flops for the pool, spa, hotel room and even airport security checkpoints.
Walking barefoot exposes feet to sunburn, warts, athlete's foot and other uncomfortable infections.
* Stay sterile. Remember to pack the items you'll need in case of injury: a box of sterile
bandages for covering minor cuts and scrapes; antibiotic cream to treat skin injuries; and blister
pads. Bring along some Motrin or Advil, both with anti-inflammatory agents, to ease tired, swollen
feet.
* Don't forget sun protection. Protect your feet against the scorching rays with
sunscreen, especially the ankles. Just in case, bring along aloe vera or Silvadene cream to relieve
sunburns.
* Primp and pamper. After a long day at the beach or touring the sites, your feet
need a little vacation, too. Pack an emery board to smooth rough edges or broken nails and a pumice
stone to soften callused skin. If you're planning a long vacation, remember the nail clippers. Each
night before you turn in, take a little time to lather and hydrate your feet with an
emollient-enriched cream.
* Stretch and flex. A long flight can take a toll on your feet.
It's important to keep blood flowing with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles and calf stretches.
Also, drinking lots of water and avoiding excessive salt in foods will help ease foot swelling
caused by heat.
* Seek foot care. If you injure your foot or ankle while on vacation, seek
medical attention from a podiatric physician. You can find a podiatrist in your travel area by
logging on to www.apma.org.
(NewsUSA) - In the movie "City Slickers," a group of
vacationers has a series of adventures while working hard as ranch hands. But those who have been
to a real Colorado dude ranch know it's actually a relaxing way to spend a vacation.
Here
are five reasons why a dude ranch is better than "City Slickers":
1. All the activities
without all the planning: At a dude ranch, you just wake up and go. Most of the activities are
offered right at the ranch, so everyone can go their own direction without extensive planning or
constantly pulling out their wallets.
2. "Away from it all": Although some guests are
nervous at first to find that their cell phones don't work in the beautiful Colorado mountains,
they are soon relieved. Guests can still check in at home from the ranch office.
3. True
relaxation: Guests can truly relax from the first day, as they take that initial horseback ride and
discover breathtaking scenery. They soon reconnect to each other as they converse over leisurely
meals. And they discover the natural world around them again.
"Finding the rhythm of the
ranch is what I call it," says Charles Henry with the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch
Association.
4. Ownership: About the middle of a dude ranch week, guests begin to act like
they own the place, which is just fine with ranch owners. They specialize in creating an atmosphere
in which the ranch becomes a guest's second home.
5. The staff: Most vacation spots don't
offer the opportunity to get to know the staff like a dude ranch. The people working at dude
ranches eat meals with the guests, sit around the campfire together, and are not considered "the
help." A common comment written in dude ranch guest books is: "The staff was amazing!" Staff
members often keep in touch with guests for years to come.
For more information about
Colorado dude ranch vacations, visit www.duderanching.net.
Friday, November 17
(NewsUSA) - As winter draws to an end and the days begin to
lengthen, thoughts turn to the open road, fresh air and sunshine. If you're planning a trip this
spring, the last thing you want to worry about is your car rental.
Rent-A-Wreck has some
car rental tips to help get the right car and best value for those long weekends and
getaways.
1. Research car rental companies before your trip. Call ahead or use the Internet
to find out which companies are in the area and their rates and policies. Check online for
discounts and last-minute rates.
Reserve your car ahead of time and call the renting
location at least a week in advance to confirm the reservation. Always ask for hours of operation
and return policies. Many locations offer a key drop or off-hour returns, but don't assume that all
do.
2. Consider "neighborhood" (non-airport) car rental companies. These locations usually
offer more reasonable rates and will often come to the airport to pick you up. Off-site rental
locations have grown in popularity with budget-conscious travelers who take advantage of lower
rates resulting from the absence of airport fees that are passed on to the customer.
3.
Choose the right mileage plan, and pay attention to fuel efficiency. With gas prices on the upswing
again, consider fuel efficiency when making your selection. Many rental agencies train their agents
to "sell up" to a larger-sized vehicle, often for $5 to $10 more per day. Also, many infrequent
renters will unnecessarily request unlimited mileage, paying the premium rate.
4. Rent a
car on weekends and holidays - it's cheaper. With 70 percent of the car rental business geared
toward business travelers, the best rates for vacationers are during non-work times.
5.
Find a rental company that is knowledgeable about the area. Neighborhood car rental operators can
be an excellent source for "inside" information on local dining and attractions or simply good
directions.
6. Check out the savings between new and used car rentals. In almost every
case, you'll find that a used car rental company, such as Rent-A-Wreck, provides clean, late-model
quality used cars often for half the cost of renting a new car.
For listings of
Rent-A-Wreck locations nationwide, visit www.rentawreck.com
or call (800) 535-1391.
(NewsUSA) - Lost luggage. Airport delays. Cramped quarters.
Is this any way to start a vacation?
Today, weary travelers are realizing that getting
there is as important as being there. And, according to a recent Forbes magazine cover story, a
growing number of them are choosing to travel by train, trading tiny airplane windows in favor of
spacious seating areas with scenic views.
One company that is seeing a growth in the trend
of luxury rail tours is Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. Specializing in vacation packages throughout
Canada, the company also operates the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer train that travels between
the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Canadian Rockies.
In fact,
the Rocky Mountaineer recently received a prestigious World Travel Award as "World's Leading Travel
Experience by Train."
Last year, the company hosted a record number of guests on the train:
86,000, up 12 percent over the previous year.
To meet the growing demand, the
Vancouver-based organization introduced two new train routes in May 2006: the Whistler Mountaineer
and the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route.
The Whistler Mountaineer trip follows the
famous Sea to Sky corridor as the train travels 73 miles from North Vancouver to Whistler, British
Columbia. On-board attendants add colorful commentary about the region.
Passengers in the
Glacier Dome, single-level glass dome coaches, have a front-row seat to an endless array of
spectacular views, while those aboard "Coast Classic," a traditional 1950s remodeled rail coach
environment, enjoy large picture windows and extended leg room.
Vacationers with more time
can experience the Fraser Discovery Route, which travels over 600 miles from Whistler to Jasper,
Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies. As the train weaves through towering canyons and lush ranchlands,
stories told of Canada's "Old West" - complete with its own Gold Rush -add to the excitement of the
journey.
Guests seated in the GoldLeaf service enjoy comfort and personal service in the
two-story glass dome coaches featuring panoramic views on the upper level and an elegant dining
room on the main level, where a la carte meals are served. RedLeaf service provides spacious
reclining seats, large picture windows and at-your-seat meal service.
Whether vacationers
seek comfort, style or just a new way to travel, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offers more than 70
vacation packages and four scenic train routes to choose from.
For more information, visit
www.rockymountaineer.com.
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