My Travel Tales

Our Pauper loves to save money using an airfare consolidator. These consolidators contract with airlines to get tickets at cheaper rates than the general public. Because they buy large blocks of tickets the airlines love them.

Though you can get really good deals by knowing how to use consolidators, remember they are not structured for great service. They're playing the quantity game not the hold-your-hand game. If you need personal attention use your travel agent instead.

The best time to use consolidators is during high travel times of the year. Other than these peak travel times consolidators don't really offer much better rates than those offered in the lowest advertised fares. Yet, you can enjoy 20-30% off when you decide to travel during Christmas, for instance.

The other good time to turn to consolidators is if you are traveling on short notice. Unlike the airlines, they don't penalize you for traveling on the spur of the moment.

Always use a credit card with consolidators. Some consolidators can charge high fees if you change your plans and/or cancel your flight. So make sure you understand what the policy on cancellations and refunds is.

In this article I'll give you a list of consolidators that are available to you directly or through your travel agent.

In addition I'd recommend you purchase a copy of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, which is available at most libraries or you can subscribe for $39. Write to: Consumer Reports Travel Letter, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703-1057.

Let's get started:

Cheap Tickets sells more than 500,000 tickets a year for domestic and international flights. Now they even help you with hotels and cruises. Call 800-AIR-PLUS (800-247-7587) and visit http://www.cheaptickets.com

Council Travel Service offers super fares in the USA and mostly all of Europe for cheapskates like you and me. They also package individual travel packages for vacations, car rentals, rail passes, paid internships, and work programs. 800-226-8634 And visit:

http://www.counciltravel.com

Far Eastern Travel if your plans include a visit to China. 800-275-3384

Fly Cheap has my favorite name among the known consolidators. They do a good job on all kinds of flights to all manner of destinations. 800-359-2432 and visit:

http://www.flycheap.com

Las Vegas has always been known as one of the best vacation spots in the country. Apart from the exciting gambling experience that the city offers, there are also a lot of entertainment facilities. Las Vegas has the necessary infrastructure to support its vibrant tourism industry. It has a wide selection of accommodations for visitors during their stay. Apart from hotel rooms, visitors to Las Vegas are also offered a wide variety of options, which include vacation rentals.

Vacation rentals in Las Vegas

Renting a vacation home in Las Vegas can allow you to enjoy the amenities of a luxury hotel while enjoying complete privacy. This is because vacation homes are equipped with some of the best modern conveniences, which include high speed Internet connections, cable TVs, DVD players, state of the art sound systems, modern kitchen appliances, and well-stocked pantries and refrigerators, which you can use anytime.

Moreover, some vacation homes also have spas, Jacuzzis, swimming pools, and fitness centers. What makes it even better is that you do not have to share it all with anyone else. In addition to the privacy, vacation rentals also provide the ideal setting for company outings or business trips, as vacation homes provide a good place to conduct business without too many distractions.

Price

All these conveniences do come at a price, as some of the more luxurious villas can be rented for about $350 to $450 a night, but for some vacation homes, the price of the rent significantly decreases with a longer rental contract. Vacation homes may come at a steep price but with a little ingenuity, it becomes a practical option.

Beaches are the trademark by excellence for Spain and the Spanish beaches are many tourists only reason to visit Spain.

Who can blame them? The Spanish beaches are amongst the most wonderful in the entire world and Spain has an enormous coastline, more than 3900 km long.

It would take us to far to give a description of all the beaches along this vast coastline so we will just talk about three of the well known coasts: the Costa Brava, the Costa Blanca and the Costa De Sol.

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<li> Costa Brava, between the Mediterranenan and the Pyrenees, is the popularly accepted name of the littoral of the province of Girona.

Its nature, climate and history create a setting of odd, haunting beauty that is hard to grasp, but that never fails to seduce, with its lush vegetation propped against the blue and green immensity of the sea.

Right up to the edge of the sea, hanging on occasions over abrupt cliffs, on others in the actual proximity of the beaches , the vegetation paints the fine golden sand green, blending with the ochre of the earth, inland, and together with the dominant landscape.

The 16ºC of average annual temperature, with moderate rainfall, and the 2,500 hours of sunshine that illuminate the historic-artistic vestiges, recalling the existence of a notable past, are only the visible aspects of a reality that has a hidden pulse waiting to be discovered.

Its 214 kilometres of coastline stretch between the beaches of Blanes in the south, surrounded by El Maresme and El Montseny, and Portbou in the north, on the French border.

Beaches, coves, cliffs and woods sit among renowned places like S'Agar?ossa de Mar, Begur, Cadaques and Portlligat. The modern tourist infrastructure of the area has turned Costa Brava into one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations.

<li> Costa Blanca takes up the stretch of Mediterranean beach that corresponds to the province of Alicante, a great example of what is known as Mediterranean landscape.

The traveller can choose any part of this beach line, from the liveliest, most cosmopolitan stretch to areas that still maintain a rural feel. Wherever you decide to go, try to visit the neighbouring regions where you can discover the beautiful Mediterranean landscape.

The horizons of the Costa Blanca beach feature many different types of attractions ranging from the valleys, where the memory of its Moorish past is kept alive in its terraced vegetable gardens, to the palm trees.

The climate is also variable. The temperature is generally mild

Nevada is a state that sees great climatic diversity in its various regions. The state has lowland deserts in the south and cool mountain forests in the north. The principal climatic features are bright sunshine, small annual precipitation and heavy snowfall in the higher mountainous regions.

Wide variations of temperature and rainfall are common here. Nevada's climate is sunny and very dry. The lowest temperatures, in January, are usually around 32 degrees. The maximum temperature ranges from 57' to 72' in the month of June.

There is strong surface heating during the day and night time cooling because of prevailing dry air. Nevada becomes extremely hot during summer and cool during winter. Springs and falls are considered the best seasons in Nevada.

Nevada comprises of a large number of small cities. The most important places are Elko, Ely, Isafa, Las Vegas, Reno, Lovelock and the like. The temperature is usually maximum at Isafa and minimum at Elko.

Nevada is the driest state in US. The annual precipitation is around 19cm. Snowfall is abundant in the mountainous regions. Humidity is somewhat low across the state. The average humidity varies from 15% to 65%. The prevailing winds are from the west and hence air cools, condensation takes place and the moisture drops down, resulting in precipitation. The variations in precipitation are mainly due to differences in elevation.

Snowfall is usually high in the mountainous regions, particularly in the north. This mountain snowfall is the major source of water for streams. Flooding is quite rare in this region. Local streams get flooded occasionally due to heavy summer thunderstorms.

Sometimes strong wind gusts and lightning with thunderstorms pose a great danger to fishermen and boaters.

Nevada's climate is described as being semiarid. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, backpacking, fishing and hiking are very popular in Nevada as the weather conditions are suitable for such activities.

Are you religious? Whether you are or not there are places on the Peninsula Iberica that are of a profound historic importance, places that are recognized as sacred by millions of people, regardless of their creed, Europeans and from elsewhere. Places like Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest corner of Spain and Fatima in Portugal

For many mortgage professionals, frequent travel is a way of life. A big concern of frequent travelers is how to remain productive without access to the normal resources. Sometimes, that first trip leaves you feeling like a fish out of water. Especially if you didn't anticipate your customer's needs. But with each new journey, you will learn more ways to function efficiently. With a little planning, you can make your time away transparent to those you communicate with daily. Here are a few tips to make it happen:

1. Make a list of the things that need to be accomplished before your departure. Rate locks, file submissions, or any other critical appointments should be handled before you leave.

2. Contact processors, loan officers, underwriters, and other individuals to let them know you'll have limited availability from _____ to _______.

3. Sign-up for an e-fax or other electronic fax service that will allow you to view, send, and receive faxes over the Internet. This will allow you to function just as if you were in the office. 4. Make a resource list for the things you will need to do while away. Include phone and fax numbers, website addresses, access codes, and passwords. Store this data on your pc, phone, or both.

5. Make a copy or scan an image of documents you may wish to reference while away. This will allow you to stay on top of the most important issues.

6. Save important letters, forms, and files to a jump drive, a CD, or e-mail them to yourself so that you can access them as needed. Convert documents that you would normally fax to a PDF format so they can be e-mailed but not altered.

7. Check the quality of your cell and laptop batteries. Get new ones if you will be without access to electricity to recharge for long periods of time. Be sure to pack your chargers as well.

8. Add a wireless card to your laptop if it does not have one already. Although your hotel may have their own Internet caf?these rooms are sometimes crowded or have limited hours of availability. If the hotel charges for linking to their wireless network, if may be cheaper to purchase a wireless connection card through your cellular service provider.

9. Pack an Ethernet cord and a phone cord. This will allow you to get online no matter what type of connectivity your hotel has. You can log on to AOL or some other network.

10. Take a phone card as a backup. It may come in handy in areas where your cell phone signal drops. Used in conjunction with a cell phone, you can eliminate hotel phone charges altogether.

11. Pack pain reliever, antacid, and cold medicine just in case. If you have to buy these things on the road, they'll cost double what they normally do.

12. Download audio files to an Ipod, mp3, or CD. Music or motivational audios may be just what you need to balance your day. You can also listen to a replay of a training session.

13. During your trip, incorporate as many of your normal activities as possible. Continue to exercise. Drink plenty of water and eat right. Take your vitamins. Keep in contact with family and friends. Let them know what time to call you.

14. Plan your day before going to your daily meeting, training, or appointment. This will allow you to make the most of breaks, lunches, or other dead time.

15. Make use of the special features on your phone. Text messaging and Internet access can be a lifesaver when you're on the road.

16. Get the scoop on your hotel's amenities in advance. The last thing you want is to have trouble connecting with your customers and your team because of limited resources. Go online to the hotel's corporate website for a virtual tour. You might also check out ratings and feedback on Hotels.com. Ask lots of questions.

17. Take along a healthy snack and a bottle of water or two. If you experience a flight delay or get stuck in rush hour traffic, you won't be bothered by hunger or thirst.

18. Pack as light as possible. Pulling heavy luggage plus a laptop through the airport is no joke. Choose a jacket that will get you through the week. Bring a pair of dress shoes that go with everything and a pair of sneakers or sandals for down time. Your feet will thank you. Switch up your shirt/blouse with a basic pair of pants/skirt. Take travel size toiletries instead of full size ones to make more room in you luggage. And for the ladies: leave some of your hair artillery, fragrances, and makeup at home. This stuff alone can take up a full piece of luggage. You'll look just as good with the bare essentials.

19. Initiate contact with your customers and team members early in the day while you're away. This will allow you to deal with challenges or concerns at a time when it is convenient for you. Otherwise, you may find yourself bombarded with phone calls and emergencies that could have been avoided had you made contact earlier.

20. Be realistic. There is no way that everything is going to be perfect when you're away. If it were, then no one would need you in the first place. Take care of the biggest priorities. Give training and guidance before you leave and then delegate as many projects as you can. Make a plan to take care of other things within the first few days of your return.

When you plan your business trip well, you will feel far less pressure and frustration. It allows you to focus on the real purpose of your trip. You might even have the opportunity to get the rest and relaxation you find difficult to squeeze in at home. So, don't fret about your next trip. Think more about how it will enhance your business and rejuvenate your mind and body. Happy traveling!

Copyright 2006 Stephanie Graham

Christmas season is almost here again. It seems like just yesterday when we celebrated the last one, now we can hear the sounds of Christmas songs coming from every corner. Santa's pretty much gathering his reindeer and the elves are at work again. Christmas season calls for decorations, lights, statues and decorations and of course the piece that tops it all up, The Christmas tree. This year I'm done with the hassle of searching for real trees that are the right size. I'm cutting down on the stress and settling in for an artificial Christmas tree.

The whole point of the Christmas tree seems to be lost somewhere in history. Some people even say it was the pagans who came up with the idea. But whatever the origin, every year, people try to outdo each other with the best tree possible. I prefer to avoid the stress this year by getting an artificial Christmas tree; sometimes it's hard to explain why I would choose an artificial Christmas tree over a real one. But I have my reasons. Well my first sets of reasons are simple, call me a shylock but I think real trees are way too expensive. You have them up by the middle of November or so and they're out by December or January depending on how nostalgic you are. An artificial Christmas tree on the other hand comes at a much cheaper cost.

This of course doesn't include the fact that with an artificial Christmas tree you can choose whatever color you like. My second sets of reasons are more practical. When you buy an artificial Christmas tree you don't have to worry about cleaning the mess up when you're done with the holiday because there's simply no mess. An artificial Christmas tree is not a fire hazard. They don't catch fire especially with all the Christmas fires over the house.

My third secret and most selfish reason is you don't have to throw an Artificial Christmas tree away after Christmas. You can reuse your artificial Christmas tree next year if you want to. Call me a miser but I think it's a great way to save in a potentially spendthrift season. You can find a great artificial Christmas tree at your local Wal Mart or Home Depot store. There's a wide choice of Christmas trees available at these stores. Of course if you are as lazy as I am you can buy an artificial Christmas tree off the Internet, perhaps you could even find a used artificial Christmas tree on eBay. Just kidding, but there's a whole lot of online stores each with an Artificial Christmas tree of your choice, just search Google or Yahoo.

The water hits you full-on as you paddle down the river. One bad paddle, and you and your fellow rafters could end up in the drink. The only thought on your mind is avoiding the cold water, and you're doing everything in your power to not let that happen.

You prepare your aim. When you think that every nerve is ready for action, you cry, "Pull!" As the clay pigeon blurs to oblivion, you complete your aim and blast it from the sky, fragments flying everywhere.

The newest trend in vacation planners is to specialize as much as possible. By specializing, they can concentrate on one product, and make that product as cheap and as fun as possible. Eclipse Leisure has created a number of packages around one theme: Fun weekend adventurers.

The best adventures are those in which some sort of fantasy is fulfilled. With that in mind, packages have been created that are fun, thrilling, and take those on it out of their usually comfort zone. By creating an adventure, Eclipse Leisure has re-defined the basic, boring corporate retreat.

Stag weekends do best when those on them feel better about their manhood. Rafting down a river where the challenge has been simplified to wet or dry, and the challenge is one of physical strength and endurance, shooting ranges that show whether or not the person can shoot, and even lap dances that make the blood race, all help a man get in touch with something feral within himself. By getting in touch with that feral self, a man can heal his spirit and become once again whole, and inspired to solve problems, tearing into them like a shark worries meat.

The corporate world has a preference for those without a spine, yet needs those fully intact in order to advance. This paradox is usually resolved in favor of the spineless, causing a continual need for fresh blood. As long as this blood is supplied, the company does well, but once a shipment is no longer supplied, the company falters, and can be taken down by bigger predators, and there are always bigger predators.

However, a stag weekend gets a man back in touch with that part of him that welcomes challenge, and will do what it can to take it down. As a stag weekend also unites a team in a baptism of adrenalin, they attack as a pack animal, each man attacking the problem with his skills, covering those in the pack and taking it down, and fuelled for the next situation to cross its path.

Spineless ones run from such a pack, as it not only feeds on whatever crosses its path, but tracks down prey based on the slightest smell of fear. Just imagine if that force was working for you

Canada's sheer size can be a bit intimidating, but when it's time to plan a vacation travelers would be foolish to shy away from visiting this northern neighbor. Focus on Western Canada for a chance to experience a little bit of everything, letting the scenery and the diversions of this wide-ranging region dazzle and delight you into a state of contentment.

British Columbia is Canada's western province, enjoying a temperate climate and miles of luscious Pacific Coastline. Between the ocean, the mountains and the three bustling cities, the region can boast more variety, beauty and excitement than most other destinations. If you enjoy choices and unusual contrasts, like playing golf and skiing in the same day, then it's definitely in your best interest to give British Columbia a whirl.

To whet your appetite for adventure and wildlife, it's practically a requirement to take advantage of one of British Columbia's nature trails. Canadian forest hikes tend to reveal the kinds of wonders that actually take your breath away; ancient cedar trees, gurgling streams, rarified mountain air, and views of the distant ocean all work together to wake up your senses and ignite your zest for life. Forget about your office and your responsibilities for a while and rediscover the feeling of filling your lungs with fresh air.

In addition to traversing the land by foot, backcountry trails are also great for mountain biking and horseback riding. Various resort areas offer challenging downhill courses for adrenaline junkies, but intermediate and beginning options are also available. From the Kootenay Rockies to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, you'll find sand dunes, volcanic mountains, and thousands of lakes, rivers and streams to explore. Bears, eagles, bighorn sheep and coyotes as well as alpine flowers and towering trees will provide the backdrop as you whiz by in a kayak or climb a snowy peak, reminding you again and again that you're a long way from home.

If you'd like to spend some quality time on the beach, there's no shortage in BC. July and August make the best times for catching the sun's warmest rays and experiencing the finest water, but any time of year is perfect for gazing out across the vast expanse of the Pacific. Also, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are perfect spots for swimming, boating and fishing, as are the many warm-water lakes that dot this province. In other words, don't forget your bathing suit when you head this way.

Rounding out your vacation with a bit of culture won't be too hard. British Columbia's history as a Gold Rush region and its aboriginal influences can be traced by stopping into towns like Barkerville and Nelson. Museums, architecture and several heritage sites will fill you in on all the details. Also, if you have an eye for art, visit one of the fine galleries or artisan communities born thanks to the inspiration of this visually stunning corner of Canada. For the full effect, tour a studio to see artists in action and take home a unique souvenir to remember your trip by.

Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler are the three major cities, and provide opportunities for cosmopolitan escapades without losing sight of the lush landscape. You'll be able to live a life of luxury by attending a spa and dining on top-notch cuisine, but you'll also still have access to walking trails, skiing, beach combing and boating along the shoreline. Vancouver is known for its big-city feel and selections of live shows, art and sporting events, but promises not to overwhelm you. Victoria visitors will be drawn to the world-renowned flower gardens and coastal blessings, and as for Whistler, be prepared to strap on a pair of skis in order to enjoy the award-winning downhill terrain.

If this brief overview has been enough to spark an interest in Western Canada, be advised that the more you learn, the more tempting it will be to pack your bags and call the house sitter. To make things even more palatable, consider the option of renting a vacation property so that your trip will be comfortable as well as amusing. There are loads of mountain lodges, beach front homes, and charming cottages nestled throughout this area, making it a near-certainty that your perusal of the offerings will uncover a place that would perfectly suit your needs. Vacation rentals are known for special amenities and a general atmosphere of tranquility; after all, how often are you able to settle into an alpine retreat or city condo as if it's your very own?

Do yourself a favor and take a look online at all the British Columbia Vacation Rentals and see what you uncover. At the very least, this will help you narrow down the scope of your trip, and it's likely that you'll soon find yourself exploring the bounties of BC with the benefits of an amazing home base to guide you.

The origins of Barreiro are linked to the Monks of the Order of Santiago. From the XVI century, the township was born and Palhais (presently a tiny suburb) was the centre of it.

The geographical position was important and contributed to the growth of the area. Ship-building and biscuit- making for the long sea-journeys were industries directly related to the Portuguese Maritime Expansion adventure.

At the same time the land was fertile, just like in Seixal, which meant that the area around Lavradio witnessed the building of several impressive agricultural farms.

In 1860 when Setubal was elevated to the status of city, the train line linking this town to Lisbon and then later on the south of the country, brought benefits to Barreiro which, in the XX century has become one of the most important Portuguese industrial centres. In the fifteen hundreds it was promoted to town and finally to city in 1984.

Palhais and Barreiro.

Palhais possesses an excellent Manueline church dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Graca which was founded following a tradition set by Paulo da Gama. Some alterations were made inside and there is no distinction between the main altar and the aisle:

Both are housed in a large room with side chapels in the transeptal tradition. The church is Manueline in style but had some Renaissance restoration done on it at the end of the XVI century.

The tiles on the walls are green and white chequered. In the aisle, two lateral chapels are Gothic in style with domes that tell us a lot about the architectural trends.

Even though it has kept its original simple Manueline portal - wooden door surmounted by plant and geometrical motifs, with a coat of arms in the centre - slight changes have been made to the facade but which have not demaged the harmony of the building, the first building seen so far which has not been tampered with in the fury of post-earthquake rebuilding.

Following through to Barreiro, we stop at the Parish Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario. This magnificent monument of large proportions was built towards the end of the XVIII century.

The facade with its two bell towers sports interesting inscriptions about Our Lady under the various windows, framed either ovally or square and alongside the main door.

One of the most interesting engravements is the following, written in ancient Portuguese:

From the city of shelter

To the fortress tower

She rules heaven and earth

She rules all of Nature.

This temple, of huge proportions, was once a very small chapel dedicated to S. Pedro which was destroyed in 1755. Inside there is one very wide aisle, the ceiling above is painted and the lateral walls covered with blue and white tiles from the XVIII century.

The main altar possesses a fine altar piece of golden woodcarving and the walls are covered in tiles depicting the evangelists. The church has not been used as place of worship since 1910 yet paintings may still be found there, one may suppose a tiny part of the original contents.

The churches of Santa Cruz and Misericordia may also be visited, however the various remodelling that has gone on over the centuries has contributed to a decharacterization of the original building.

They are both more valuable seen from outside in the urban surroundings, turning them more picturesque, rather than exploring the inside.