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Last Minute Ski Destinations

Relaxing Resorts - Shelia - March 6, 2015

Riksgransen in SwedenIf you are worried that you might have missed out on the slopes this year, fear not as there are lots of last minute ski destinations that are still available for some late season ski action. But don’t go packing your bags just yet! Here are some top resorts that will help you get the most out of your spring skiing.

Riksgransen in Sweden

Situated 200 kilometres on the border of Norway, Riksgransen is one of the most popular resorts in the arctic. Skiers get the chance to ski in the “Land of the Midnight Sun” where lifts don’t stop running until the end of summer.

Zermatt in Switzerland

This well-known Swiss ski resort has the most amazing lifts that take skiers high up above ground. The resort is open until early May, meaning that it is the perfect ski destination for late comers.

Gassan in Japan

Gassan is located in Honshu where you can see lots of snow (up to 8 metres!) during the winter months. The resort however, doesn’t open until April but the lifts run until late July. Snowboarders can enjoy the vast vertical terrain of almost 1000m.

Les Deux Alpes in France 

This village has slopes that are perfect for summer skiing and snowboarding as it is one of Europe’s top terrain resorts. Les Deux Alpes is perfect for advanced skiers, and within a short walk from the resort of La Grave, there is an excellent off-piste.

As skiing can be a risky pastime, injuries are common no matter how experienced you are in this sport. It is vital to purchase holiday insurance for your last minute winter adventure in case you have an accident on the slope. Remember to check the list of activities that are covered in your policy before you hit the slopes.

Livigno in Italy 

The vast array of slopes in Livigno makes it the perfect resort for beginner skiers. The snow here is powdery due to the high altitude pistes. This means the snow season lasts from November to May and the prices are fairly low compared to other European ski destinations.

Tips for taking late season trips

If you have decided to select a resort at the last minute, it is best to head north as the higher the altitude, the colder the ski area. This means the snow will last longer in 2000m or above resorts. If you can see glaciers, then even better as you will be able to ski all year round on short pistes. North Europe is therefore better to travel to in spring and summer as their snow depths vary considerably when compared with south Europe. In the event that there is poor snowfall, many lifts cease running, but on the flip side, if there is heavy snowfall, the ski season will continue for many weeks. You should keep an eye on your chosen resort before booking your flight. There are many websites that contain useful information for skiers.

Featured Image by Wansfordphoto under cc license

 

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3 Essential Barcelona Travel Tips

Travel Tips - Shelia - November 26, 2014

Barcelona. The word sparks images of breathtaking architecture, white sandy beaches, and delicious local cuisine. Not to mention all of that glorious sunshine! This incredible city has much to offer locals and tourists alike. Perhaps that is why so many men and women make Barcelona their ultimate vacation spot. With over 16 million people flocking to the city each and every year, there is no doubt about it: Barcelona is a must see spot.

Are you planning to take a trip to Barcelona? Then prepare to be amazed. You will be taken back by all of the incredible attractions, sights, and activities the city has to offer. Need a little direction? These essential Barcelona travel tips will help you maximize every single moment.

  • Ditch The Hotel and Rent an Apartment

What is the first thing you do when you plan a trip? Book a hotel. Most of us automatically start searching for a hotel room…. but that may not be your best option. Renting an apartment from ClassBedroom can help you save money on accommodations, give you some much deserved privacy, and allow you to discover one of the most notable part of the city – from the Gothic Quarter to La Barceloneta. Don’t do the same old thing. Experience life the way a Barcelonian would! Staying in an apartment can make your vacation memorable, special, and totally unique. Forget resting your head at yet another forgettable hotel…. make your trip count.

  • Make Sure You Are Actually Flying To Barcelona

Booking airline tickets to another country can be challenging. This is especially true when there are a number of different airports to choose from. Which one will be closest to your desired location? And how much will it cost to get from point A to point B? Something important you should know about Barcelona is there is only one airport: The Barcelona Airport. Despite this, some airlines will refer to the Girona-Costa Brava Airport and the Reus Airport as being part of Barcelona. Not true! They are an hour and a half away from where you want to be. Keep this in mind when booking your plane ticket. It can save you from experiencing a major shock when the plane touches down.

  • Make The Most Of Free Attractions

Vacations can get pretty expensive. An attraction here and souvenir shop there and your entire vacation fund has vanished in an instant. It’s amazing how often it happens! During your trip to Barcelona, focus on creative ways to save, save, save. You can head to historical spots like the La Sagrada Familia or Hospotal de Sant Pau and enjoy the views free of charge. Or you can make the most of free museum times. Certain museums throughout Barcelona have no admission charge on specific days. For instance, The Picasso Museum and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalynya are free on the first Sunday of the month. So, see if there are any free admission days during your trip. It can help you discover more of the city – without breaking the bank.

Is Barcelona on your bucket list? Cross it off by planning an unforgettable getaway. With these essential Barcelona travel tips, your trip will be everything you have been dreaming of…and so much more!

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Best 3 Caravan Camping Sites In UK

Lazy Destinations - Shelia - November 25, 2014

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Caravan camping is probably the best way to discover yourself amidst the serene surroundings of Mother Nature and actually enjoy the bliss staying connected. The rustling sound of the leaves, fresh air, abundance of activities, and yet enjoying all your regular luxuries have become possible with ONLY caravan camping! UK is one of the most happening places for caravan camping and you can get the best reviews and updates of such adventures at Belfast news portals. Here we enlist for you some of the best caravan camping sites in UK that have not only gained immense popularity but also owns a prestigious ranking in the competition of world class camping sites –

  • Drumroamin Farm Camping and Caravan Site – This is a privately owned, friendly and serene camping site that is run by a hospitable family. The field offered for camping is open-levelled and well-drained. The pristine views of Wigtown Bay and the backdrop of overwhelming hills are all what you can see around. The site is considered to be an ideal spot for honeymooner, people who yearn for bird watching and many more outdoor activities. You get state of art facilities in this camping site; the toilet is heated and fitted with all modern equipment. It also has a separate shower room and toilet block. There are two dishwasher machines, dryers and large freezers, where you can keep your ice in an ice crate with your name labelled. The indoor playroom is the sitting area with TV, DVD players and numerous book. If you have hired caravans and boats; you also get a secured lock up area to keep them safely. Mobile phone connectivity is available throughout.
  • Wheal Rodney Holiday Park – If you take your caravan along the green country lane, you would reach the Wheal Rodney Holiday Park, which is a family-run caravan camping park sited at about a mile away from Marazion and St Michael’s Mount. Most of the adventurists lodge here and explore the surrounding attractions of west Cornwall like the Land’s End, the Lizard Peninsula, and Penzance. This caravan site is considered to be the best one for kids of all age as you are very close to Helston and Flambards Theme Park, and Isles of Scilly. This site is mainly a family camping site, pet friendly and affluent with all appliances. Separate shower blocks with hot water flow, swimming pool, phone and gadget charging, launderette etc. The attraction for most is the Fire Engine Inn offering a deliciously tempting and tasty menu. The beer garden is a surprise for you as well!
  • Cottage Farm Touring Park – Enveloped in the Treworgans, this undulating caravan camping site is well protected by fences and hedges around. The countryside views are the best visual treat you get here. The shower blocks has hot water availability, baby changing units, separate zones for washing, and ladies shower points have hair dryers, while the men ones have shaving points. You also have laundry rooms, recycling zones, waste water storage for re-use purpose, and other facilities that assure you a comfortable living. This is a pet friendly sites but you need to keep your pet in control. Families and couples are only allowed here.

Caravan camping is one of the most adventurous ways of enjoying with your family; but keeping safety measures in head is equally essential. When you hire a caravan, make sure you have a thorough knowhow about the vehicle and also how to handle it during emergencies. Caravan Insurance is a must when you are going for camping with a caravan; although touring caravan insurance is not mandatory, but still a insurance will ensure safety in case the caravan is lost, looted or it faces other man made risks. Go ahead and have a tension free caravan touring with your family this weekend.

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Become a Professional Cyclist and Travel the world!

Travel Tips - Shelia - October 3, 2014

Professional cycling requires both skill and endurance to perform well. Though skill is something that can only be learnt on the track, endurance is one factor that you can build no matter where you are. Good endurance strength means you have the edge over other players at critical stages of the circuit such as uphill climbs, and finishing stretches. So how does one go about improving his endurance cycling strength, and which regions to focus on to ensure success? Well, let’s find out.

Dodging fatigue – the indispensible gift for a cyclist

Now the first thing you have to understand about your body is that, no matter how trained you are, fatigue is inevitable. But with proper training, it can nevertheless be postponed. Technically it’s what technicians call the lactate threshold. When you cycle, or perform any other physical activity, your body generates lactic acid which causes soreness of muscles and tiredness. The lactate threshold is the point at which your body generates more lactic acid then it can effectively remove, eventually causing fatigue if you push any further. But by slowly working beyond the lactate threshold every day, the limit can be increased significantly. So focus first on improving your weaknesses. Head out to the hills and try to sprint up as fast as you can and see how well you can keep up your power. Try it over and over till you feel comfortable and move on to an even steeper hill. Also try your luck at the dirt track to improve control and have good weight distribution. A word of caution here; with the gift of endurance endowed on your body, you might want to make your bicycle as sustainable with the right servicing and bicycle insurance!

Hit the right weight to power ratio

One of the key factors to having good cycling endurance strength is weight-to-power ratio. It determines how much power your body can produce for its weight. For instance a lean and fit cyclist may be able to keep up his pace much longer than a well-built person, thanks to the well balanced weight-to-power ratio. So try to balance your weight and focus more on increasing power than mass of your muscles. Weight training can also improve your endurance strength significantly, since stronger muscles result reduced fatigue. So focus on training the muscle groups that contribute most to the cycling effort such as your quadriceps and core. But be sure to only train them during the off season time to avoid injuries and over straining.

Rest, diet, sleep – superb ingredients for the perfect cycling fitness cocktail

Training for endurance is a continuous process and doesn’t really have an end. But that doesn’t mean you can just keep on training without taking adequate rest. Endurance improves only when you rest and nourish yourself, so no matter what your schedule may be, find time to sleep for at least 7 hours. And maintain a balanced diet, focusing equally on obtaining carbs as well as proteins. Though you friends may advise you to stay off the carbohydrates, on heavy workout day lack of essential carbohydrates can cause severe muscle damage. So to summarize, improving endurance strength involves dedicated training, homework, proper nutrition and a long, comfortable rest. So get these things right and you will see your endurance improve in no time.

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Luxury All Inclusive at Samabe Bali Suites & Villas

Relaxing Resorts - Shelia - October 3, 2014

Upon our arrival in Denpasar Airport, we were quickly escorted through customs, avoiding the long queues. The “fast track” is one of the additional great services of being a guest at Samabe Bali Suites and Villas. We were then promptly shown to our limo. A couple of refreshing cold towels on the way to the resort were very welcome after our long flight. In less than half an hour we reached our destination Samabe, the Bali all inclusive retreat in Nusa Dua.

We were shown to our suite and I must say, the view was absolutely breathtaking. Samabe is positioned on top of a cliff and it definitely takes full advantage of its location. The Indian Ocean panorama looked even more amazing than in the pictures on their website. The room was large and comfortable, very well appointed with all the amenities you’d expect in a five Star resort, but what topped things off for us was a telescope in the room. We could do some star gazing at night! And another thing, the outstanding feature in the bathroom was the bath tub overlooking the ocean through a huge glass window. We could enjoy the wonderful view while having a romantic bath. How great is that?!

The resort staff were fantastic, starting with the receptionists and our butler, through to the bar and the restaurant attendants. Lovely people with great smiles, extremely dedicated to customer service and proud of their work, they were determined to make our stay most enjoyable. Our butler was really attentive, he knew our schedule and all our arrangements. He unpacked our bags on arrival and packed them back up on the day of our check out. He even polished my shoes! If you speak to the staff prior to your trip and inform them of your preferences, they will happily cater for all your specific needs, including any dietary requirements.

A great thing about Samabe is that all the non-alcoholic drinks are free, as well as daily fruit platter and your mini bar replenishment. And no matter where you are in the resort, you can order your drinks anytime. I loved having my coconut drink after a swim in Samabe’s magnificent infinity pool, while enjoying the view and free foot massage thanks to the staff from the resort’s Galangal Spa. Water sports equipment hire, like kayaks, snorkeling gear, windsurfing boards and catamarans, is also free, so you can always have some fun on the private beach. But if you just want to relax and have a swim in the ocean, the water is very calm, as the waves break a bit further off shore.

The resort offers a wide variety of activities for you to have fun and experience Balinese culture at the same time. Whether you want to learn some Balinese cooking or dress up in traditional costumes, or maybe try your hand at batik painting, a lot of these activities take place at Samabe. But you may also want to wonder away from the resort and visit all the places you’ve heard about and seen on the postcards. We thoroughly enjoyed Uluwatu Temple and the sunset tour of the famous Tanah Lot. All Samabe Signature Activities are free with the all-inclusive package, so you just need to make a choice what you want to do on any given day.

The all-inclusive “Unlimited Privileges” package gives you so much extra. Apart from the Signature Activities, it also includes all your meals, alcoholic drinks from 5pm till midnight, unlimited laundry service, late checkout (you don’t need to rush in the morning of your departure), and more. It’s very much worth opting for and I do recommend it, especially if you plan a longer vacation. So, next time you want to visit Bali, discover for yourself all that Samabe has to offer.

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