Friday, May 25, 2012

Locating Fitness Centers When Traveling

While many large hotels have a fitness center for use by their guests, not every traveler likes to stay in a large hotel. So what do you do when traveling and want to maintain your fitness routine? You check out the website Tour de Fit.

The sit helps travelers find gyms, wellness centers and spas worldwide. Additionally, it provides information on other fitness activities such as pilates, rock climbing and bikram yoga.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Travel by Sea to West Africa's Underexplored Coast

The concept of West Africa cruising is very new to the word of travel. These cruises will enable you to discover this under-explored area of the continent with ease, while uncovering West Africa's unique and varied historical, cultural and natural landscapes in comfort and in style.

There are three itineraries available in April 2013 that will allow you to visit 10 African nations.


Itineraries combine activity and leisure including, bird watching with naturalists, local market visits, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and visiting the birthplace of voodoo.

You can learn from the M/S Expedition's experienced staff, including historians, anthropologists and ornithologists

You will also have the opportunity to explore unreachable coastlines and traditional villages via a fleet of Zodiacs including the Bijagos Archipelago off the coast of Guinea-Bissau

And you can benefit from an early booking bonus of up to 25% off if you book before June 30th 2012


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Overcrowded Cruise Ports

If you are doing a land tour and will be visiting a popular cruise stop, you may adjust your itinerary so that you are not visiting that city/town when there are several cruise ships in port.

The site Cruise TT can provide some information. Scroll down to the country, click on the city, and then click on the month and year to find out what ships are scheduled to dock.

Dubrovnik's Port Authority now lists the schedule on its web site. The link is here. Next choose the month (1 through 12) and then click on "Prikaz Izvjesca." Because of its small size and stone walls, Dubrovnik can easily be overwhelmed when several ships are in port.

Several other ports that are easily overwhelmed by cruise passengers are Venice, Italy, Rhodes, Greece and Barcelona, Spain.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Japan Power Shortages

Due to the shutdown of its nuclear reactors, which provided nearly 30% of the nation's power, Japan will be experiencing power shortages again during the summer months. It is possible conservation methods will be put in place and there may be rolling blackouts in times of peak summer demand such as evenings in Tokyo. If you'll be traveling to Japan, prepare yourself for the possibilities of subway delays, reduced lighting and reduced air-conditioning.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Cruise Line Day Tour at Puerto Vallarta Cancelled

Carnival Cruise Lines suspended a popular guided hiking excursion to the jungle near El Nogalito Mexico after 22 guests on a bus were robbed, on February 23, while returning to the ship. Fortunately no one was injured when hooded gunmen boarded the bus around 5 p.m. and took watches, money, cameras, etc. The tour operator was criticized by local authorities for failing to follow security procedures and for running the tour late in the day instead of in the morning.

While Carnival has cancelled this tour, it is unknown at this time if other lines have cancelled similar tours. Also, it is certainly possible for cruise passengers, without realizing the problem, to plan on booking private tours to the area.

It appears to be a good idea to avoid this area, whether booking with a cruise line or privately.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Bored at listening to the preflight cabin safety instructions? Me too.

So major kudos for Thomson airways coming up with this unique approach.

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/forums/thomson-airways-safety-video-superb-27746.aspx#33820

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Visit Papillote Tropical Gardens on Dominica


If you'll be visiting the island of Dominica, be sure to add Papillote Tropical Gardens to your to-do list. It is located on the southwestern side of Dominica, about 40 miles inland from the capital.

Papillote is a true tropical garden, with a trail system, two waterfalls, hot springs and bathing pool. You can do a day visit, using a tour company such as Nature Isle Explorers, or stay right next to the gardens at Papillote Wilderness Retreat where you'll find comfortable rooms, simply furnished and built in the West Indian style with tile floors and wood-shuttered windows.