Travel Health Insurance – Essential for Overseas Traveling -hotel

Travel Health Insurance – Essential for Overseas Traveling-hotel
By Sean Domenic

Have you ever thought of health insurance plans while traveling? If not, then understand the necessity of travel health insurance which is extremely essential for any overseas travel plan. You do not realize the need of it until and unless there is an emergency. These insurance plans take good care of your health and baggage during any of the international and domestic travel.

Insurance policies designed for travel plans secure you for the upcoming trip. Accidents are unpredictable and can occur during your travel. Serious cases require immediate medical attention with lot of money involved in it. It is then the travel health insurance comes to picture and takes care of all the expenses.

These insurance policies issue an identification card for the passenger during his travel. It will depend on the plan you choose and the premium amount you pay. The traveler gets all benefit during a medical crisis as per the plan he chooses. The identification card takes off the entire burden from initial hospitalization to all other medical requirements.

The insurance companies make the payment usually by either of the two ways. They may directly deal with the doctor and make the payments. On the contrary they may ask you to make the payments and later claim for reimbursement. Travel health insurance is therefore very important and can save your life in a different country where you are unaware of the system and process.

Internet is now the most reliable source of information about insurance companies as they have their official websites. These websites are equipped with the latest updates and calculators to find out the premium amount as per the plans. Testimonials of the existing members can prove to be beneficial.

Check reputed companies in order to avoid any hassles for paperwork and get better customer service. It is indeed a good idea to check with friends who are frequent travelers. Practically their experience would be the most reliable information you could depend on. Travel health insurance is for your safety and you should never ignore it for any of your travel plans.

Insurance companies give coverage to every age group starting from 1 year to 85 years. Special features of reputed companies include coverage for dental care, medical evacuation, baggage loss and delay, cancellation, interruption of trips etc. These features almost take care of all possible problems which you can expect in your travel. Both health and baggage insurance can be clubbed together to get all the benefits.

Travel health insurance will require having your medical check up done after a certain age group. Most of the companies have fixed the age of 70 for medical check up. Pre-existing health issues are not covered in almost all the policies. However, some reputed companies give coverage in critical situations when it comes to life and death.

It is a really a comfortable feeling when you know that you and your family are protected with health insurance to face any unexpected medical expenses. Encourage yourself and others to buy travel health insurance. It will keep your journey safe and secured.

About the author:
This article is proudly presented by . For all your health insurance quotes visit healthquotessite.

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Come to my Party & Giveaway!

Let's be kids for a day! I usually don't post about my birthdays, but I just had to share the wonderful surprises I received today from my best friend Janet at FrenchBlue. AND, to make this day even more fun, Janet is having a birthday "giveaway" on her new blog, FrenchBlue. Come celebrate, open the presents with me (below), and then mosey over to FrenchBlue to enter the giveaway and you too can receive one of her wonderful gifts...

My husband displayed the presents in a Dorothy Draper chest. Cute, huh?

Janet and I love candy. Here are some delicious treats; watermelon sour balls, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, Laduree candies in a carriage and a glittery faux cupcake!

Vito had to get in on the fun!

I am going crazy over this custom stationary that Janet made for me using images from Paris Hotel Boutique. Love it!

How clever is this? Janet took a box of leopard-printed stationary and added an "I Married Adventure" sticker to make it look like the image of the vintage book that we're all so fond of. She is so creative.

Amazing large, lavender-scented candle in a lavender-colored bisque jar from my favorite, Bergdorf Goodman! (hint, hint...there is one in the giveaway!)

For the sweet lover...Juicy Couture candies in pink plastic cupcake holders. Actually you can use these plastic cupcake holders in the oven.

You can't take the 80's out of me. Love the glitz on this softest cotton shirt with faux jeweled embellishments.

Not one, but two pairs of metallic sandals from Steve Madden. Janet, you're crazy, but I love them!

This unusual silver-coated horn can actually hang on the wall. So unique!

Thanks to all of you for sharing my birthday with me and to you Janet for the most special birthday gifts! You are a treasure!

NOW ALL OF YOU GO OVER TO FRENCHBLUE FOR THE GIVEAWAY, HERE!

Uncovering the Best of the Khao San Road-hotel

Uncovering the Best of the Khao San Road-hotel
by Isla Campell

Although you may have yet to visit Bangkok, the chances are you've heard of the Khao San Road. Famously described by the popular book 'The Beach' as the centre of the backpacking universe, the Khao San Road is one of the most exciting travel destinations on the planet. Whether backpacking or relaxing in a luxury hotel, curiosity always manages to pull travellers into the most famous section of Thailand's largest city. Only a few decades ago, the Khao San Road was a quiet residential neighbourhood in Bangkok. In 1982, as Thailand was growing in popularity as a travel destination, the government launched a festival to celebrate the Buddhist calendar's lucky year of 2525. The promotion was so successful that tourists came from all over the world to partake in the Buddhist celebration. In fact, all of the hotels within the city were overflowing and many visitors were having to be turned away without accommodation. Not wanting to be without accommodation for the night, some tourists went knocking on the doors of locals trying to convince them to rent a room for the night. For the residents, the potential to earn money was too much to refuse and before long a number of guest houses and other accommodation services had been established along the Khao San Road. Today, the Khao San Road is a one kilometre Mecca for travellers. Offering everything a tourist could ever need including accommodation, bars, market stalls and much more beyond, the Khao San Road is one of Bangkok's most popular tourist destinations. Located in the Banglamphu district, roughly a kilometre from the Grand Palace, the neighbourhood's familiarity with western culture has made it popular with travellers looking to explore the rest of the city, and Thailand. Taking advantage of the large number of tourists staying here, it is good to know that finding transportation to nearby attractions is never difficult. Indeed, for those wishing to venture outside of Thailand and into Cambodia or Vietnam, it is relatively easy to organise. After hours, life continues on in this popular Thailand district with many bars and clubs staying open all night - popular with locals and tourists alike, the glowing lights of the neon surroundings attract many people. From quiet bars to crowded clubs, this area has something to offer everyone and no trip to the Khao San Road is complete without uncovering some of its most famous nightlife spots. Spurred on by the growing number of flights to Bangkok, the Khao San Road is quickly becoming one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. From a quiet neighbourhood with a few spare rooms, the area has evolved into one of the most popular travel destinations on the globe.

About the Author
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

The Waldorf Goes "Mod"

There is nothing more fun than thumbing through old magazines. This spread in the November 1970 issue of House Beautiful features a custom-designed celebrity suite at the Waldorf in New York City. Is history repeating itself? Of course it is. Note the candy-colored and mod furnishings that we see so much of now. (Please click on the images for detailed, enlarged views).

(above) "This suite was created for special visitors; entertainers appearing in the hotel's Empire room, State Department guests, U.N. dignitaries. Peggy Lee might relax with old friends, or Diana Ross give an interview from a silk sofa." (18-century furnishings blend with the steel and plastic of the 70's). The background of neutral shell tones is punctuated with sharp, pure color contrasts in the mode of Matisse."

The foyer has a stenciled floor design executed by Cile Lord. To quieten the sound of lively greetings, a Wallscape of Verel modacrylic carpeting-texturing a soft background for the Wendy Vanderbilt painting over the shell-motif table. (Love the chrome benches)

"By day, the dining room is an airy pastoral, mellow, timeless, as if the basketed flowers had grown just beyond the hotel windows. At night, the room becomes a vibrant art-filled cloister behind silk curtains inspired by a Truman Egleston painting. Albrizzi candlesticks and shells from Karl Springer, Ltd." (Interesting...there are the faux bamboo chairs that have made a huge comeback)

"A Flowered Retreat for Private Hours." Bright 1970's florals. Do you remember those? I think I had a set of those exact sheets. Note the zig-zag curtains. Back in style again.

Well, I don't think that celebrity suites look quite like this now, but it's fun to see what was "in vogue" in the 70's.

Photos from House Beautiful, November 1970

Displaying Treasured Calligraphy

In this photo Martha groups 19th century calligraphy in all white frames. Makes a nice display, doesn't it? (Photo from Martha Stewart Living)

I was thumbing through my February issue of Martha Stewart Living and enjoyed her feature on calligraphy and some nice ways to display it. Sad that penmanship is slowly being replaced by the computer, but the good news is that penmanship classes are in demand again. I've posted about calligraphy before, but thought I'd share some photos from "Living," as well as some recent calligraphy acquisitions on my website.

Pages from student's copybooks with images, calligraphic scrolls and ornamental swirls are now appreciated as art. (Photo from Martha Stewart Living)

This 19th century hand calligraphy is from Paris Hotel Boutique. I love the detailed birds.

19th century French calligraphy pens from Paris Hotel Boutique look great on a desk or stack of books

Interesting fonts from this 19th century French calligraphy print from Paris Hotel Boutique

Masterpieces and Doodles --"Penmanship reflects a dynamism and wit far beyond the alphabet. Birds, including eagles, falcons, peacock, and doves, were a favorite subject, as were mythological figures." (from Martha Stewart Living)

Pages from calligraphy manuals and antique copybooks are treasures worthy of framing (from Martha Stewart Living)

A grouping of antique calligraphic sketches can add a charming accent to a room...small works of art. You can find antique calligraphy from $5 for a printed calling card, to thousands of dollars for a detailed mid-19th century animal signed by the penman. Purchase an inexpensive frame, and walla! You have a unique piece of art that is not mass-produced.

Photos from Paris Hotel Boutique & Martha Stewart Living

Just in at Paris Hotel Boutique...

• 19th Century French Calligraphy Prints &
  Pens


• Antique French Mannequins


• Vintage Dog Paintings


• English & American Bus Signs
  


• Vintage Eye Charts


• Dorothy Draper Style Chest


• 1940's Leather Library Chairs and much
  more!

Click here to see our new arrivals!

The Top 10 Hotels in Asia-hotel

The Top 10 Hotels in Asia-hotel
by David Hughes

On your trip to Asia, you get a chance to stay in some of the hotels which are not only the best in the continent but also amongst the best in the world. The St. Regis Hotel in Beijing, China is considered to be the hallmark of luxury in China and is renowned for its exceptional service and unparalleled attention to each and every guest at all times. It was also named among the World's Best hotels.
Another hotel known for its great service and innovative cuisine is The Peninsula in Beijing. The hotel is located in the center of the city and is famous for its restaurants, Jing and the new Huang Ting. Jing is where the modern meets Asian and Huang Ting offers Cantonese cuisine.
The Peninsula in Hong Kong is considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world and is known as "Grande Dame of the Far East". It offers a blend of both the Eastern and the Western and has an elegant atmosphere with a classical grandeur. It also has the most exclusive and elegant restaurants in Hong Kong. Another great hotel in Hong Kong is the Langham Hotel. It has grand rooms which are not only elegant but also luxurious. The rooms are equipped with great technology and the hotel has five award winning restaurants which are The Bostonian Restaurant, Tsar Bar, Palm Court, T'ang Court and Main St. Deli, L'Eclipse.
The Peninsula Bangkok is one of the finest hotels in Thailand and offers a panoramic view of the city. The hotel building itself is stunning and the rooms are very modern with great technological facilities in rooms for controlling the atmosphere. The hotel offers a variety of different cuisines like Cantonese, Thai, Pacific Rim and also an international buffet. Another great hotel in Thailand is the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle which is perched on a ridge and overlooks the hills of Laos and Myanmar. The stunning view provides a glimpse of natural beauty that is unforgettable. It is amidst forests and overlooks the Mekong River.
Thailand has yet another of the great hotels in the form of the Lebua at the State Tower in Bangkok. The hotel has an unmistakable golden dome which is very imposing. The hotel offers a view of the bustling and vibrant city. You can feel the world at your feet while standing on one of the top floor's balconies.
Another of the great hotels is the Peninsula in Tokyo. The hotel has a very prestigious location opposite the Imperial Palace. The hotel offers great views of the city along with extraordinary dining facilities. For the best in both business and luxury, you should go to The Shilla Seoul in Korea which has superb cuisine with personalised services and state of the art facilities. The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore is another hotel which provides great sightseeing options and tourist attractions. The Capella in Singapore is going to be another addition to the best hotels in Asia after opening in 2009. The hotel offers great luxury and entertainment.
For Luxury Holidays in Thailand try the Banyan Tree Phuket Hotel

About the Author
David Hughes

China Vacations: Luxury Travel to Beijing and Beyond-hotel

China Vacations: Luxury Travel to Beijing and Beyond-hotel

by Margaret Winfrey

China vacations involve more than just travel to Beijing - the country has opened up over the past few years, and many of China's secrets are now open to the west, even those on a Chinese vacation.
Vacations to China are becoming increasingly popular and a growing number of travel operators are offering China vacations at cut prices to those wanting to find out the secrets of the Orient that have been hidden from western eyes for so long. However, cheap vacations come at a price, if not in hard cash.
First, it is a long flight to China, and can be very uncomfortable if you are packed into a chartered plane seated to pack as many people in as possible so as to keep the costs low. There is nothing wrong with that if it is what you want, and most people are able to withstand the discomfort of little room to stretch out on a long haul flight. For others, however, it is a problem. Then there is the transport once your vacation has started. If you are sharing your holiday with 49 others, the needs of the average are catered for, and these might not be your needs.
The same is true of hotels that are chosen because they can offer the number of rooms needed to meet the needs of a large party, and the menu for many of the meals will be set to be easily cooked for a large number of people at the lowest possible cost. If these arrangements don't appeal to you, what are your alternatives?
Some people try to arrange and book their own China vacations, but find it too difficult, considering all the arrangements needed, airport taxes, hotel bookings, entrance fees, local travel and so on. The best way by far is to deal with a travel company that can offer you the luxury and personal attention that China vacations need if you are to enjoy your travel to Beijing and everywhere else in China you want to visit.
Your flights should at least be business class to allow you the leg room and cabin staff attentiveness that you need on a longer flight. Travel should be personal, and not as part of a crowd. You and your partner should have a car to yourselves, driven by your own guide, not share a 52 seater bus. Your hotels should be individually booked, and chosen for their excellence, not their cheap price, and you should be able to choose your own menus.
You might think that such travel companies are difficult to find, or if you did find one, your travel would be severely restricted to allow such a high level of personal service. If so, you would be wrong on both counts. However, for now, let's consider what good China vacations should involve, apart from the personal service and luxury travel.
Travel to Beijing is a must, with a visit to the Forbidden City, the ancient seat of the Chinese emperors that sits right in front of the famous (or infamous) Tiananmen Square. Not as part of a large group, but privately, just you and your partner. With 9,999 buildings, it was forbidden for a non-aristocrat or royal to enter it prior to 1911. A visit to the Peking Opera is also a must, as is a delicious meal of Peking duck!
Many Chinese vacations stop at Beijing, or perhaps include a brief visit to the Wall, and if you want more you have to look around and make sure that the vacation you book involves more than just travel to Beijing and the Forbidden City that seems to satisfy many people. You must at least visit the Summer Palace with its marble boat built by the Empress Cixi with funds embezzled from the navy, and the Temple of Heaven, larger than the Forbidden City. You must also visit the Great Wall and enjoy a traditional Chinese banquet of several different course.
Everybody has heard of the terracotta warriors in Xian: thousands of them, life-size with horses and chariots, and you must also pay a visit to Chengdu to see a real live panda. Also, don't forget that China is close to Tibet, and you could pay a visit to Lhasa and see Mount Everest and the palaces of the Dalai Lama. Visitors are allowed to visit the chambers and to look out on Lhasa from the seven storey White Palace. However, back to China.
All China vacations should allow you to spend some time on one o China's many rivers and watch the cormorants that are trained to dive for fish: their necks are slightly constricted to prevent them from swallowing the fish. It might sound cruel, but it seems to do them no harm. A visit to Shanghai should also be included on your itinerary, along with a cruise down the Huangpu River. In fact there are many rivers in this part of China that you should visit by boat, but you have to get all this organized in advance.
The main problem with Chinese vacations is that if you want anything more than just to travel to Beijing, you can't just head off anywhere you want when you feel like it. China is not France or the UK. Tourism is allowed, but only if organized in advance and all permissions are granted. That's why it is so important to seek out the type of Chinese vacation you want prior to setting off. You can't change midway.
Chinese vacations can be magnificent and awe-inspiring, and they can also be pretty boring if you have already visited Beijing. Which you get is your choice, but remember that you are generally stuck with what you book, although there might be some tours you can book when in Beijing. Generally, however, vacations to China are best organized in advance with a good travel company experienced in providing you with luxury travel and comprehensive travel to make sure that you visit as many places as possible in the time available to you.

About the Author
If you are seeking Chinese vacations offering personal service and travel arrangements, then visit Ultitude.com where individual attention is combined with a comprehensive two week first class travel package to offer a Chinese vacation that will knock your socks off. Also be sure to visit Ultitude-Travel.com

How to Find Your Cheap Holidays Online-hotel

How to Find Your Cheap Holidays Online-hotel
by Jessica Nielson
Booking for a cheap holiday has always been an avoided task for most people. With the purpose of finding a cheap holiday, sometimes the whole task is what's keeping us spend more money: looking for cheap holidays in print ads of travel agencies only to find out its already been fully booked; visiting a local travel agent and spend most of our times scanning brochures, checking out advertisements on exotic holiday destinations, and so on. All of these actually takes a lot of valuable time from us and does not even guarantee us the lowest prices.
However, this is not the case nowadays. With more advanced and high technologies coming out, communication has been easier. The internet, being one of the major communication media of today, has been flooded by various online travel agents, tour operators, and the likes. Customising your cheap holidays - one that's perfect for your budget - has been made possible by some online travel agents. Travelers no longer need to visit travel agencies and major airlines for available cheap offers. All they have to do is sit in front of the computer and browse for cheap holiday offers. From cheap flights to hotel accommodation, popular holiday destinations, and even the activities you want to do on your cheap holiday.
With a lot of online travel website available in the internet, you can find various options for your cheap holiday. Surely, there are available ones that will fit your budget. You can find cheaper flights on some major airlines and information on popular international and local holiday destinations with just a click away. You can search for cheap holiday package deals as well that includes great resorts destinations like Thailand, Hawaii, Italy, and many other popular holiday destinations around the world. Also, online travel services have real time booking facilities like accommodation, airport transfer services, car hire, travel insurance, and the likes.
Most professional holiday travel websites have great offers for a cheap holiday anywhere in the world. All you've got to do is to find the one that you think is best for you. Do not miss the fun on holidays by grabbing a cheap holiday package deal from one of these websites or online travel agents. Also, look for cheap holiday tips, advices, and some ways on how to find your cheap holidays. By knowing how to find one, it will be easier for you to make a plan for your cheap holiday. Some things matter here - no matter how small or big. From your budget, to your preferred activities or destinations, to the number of people you are with - they all matter. So its important to have a background information on planning your cheap holiday. Some sites also have reviews on particular place or hotel and you can also read some feedback from other travelers.
With the ease and convenience of finding a cheap holiday package, there's no reason for you to miss the fun on holidays. Almost everything you need to know are all in the internet.

About the Author
At Cheap Holidays 24, we provide excellent tips and guides on how to get cheap packages for your holiday. Visit our website and read our latest article about Cheap Holidays: Your Travel Dates in the holiday guide section.

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China Vacations Travel guide -- Subway parking in Beijing,China-hotel

China Vacations Travel guide -- Subway parking in Beijing,China-hotel
by Shane Lee

As a Beijinger, I wrote this article to introduce the subway parking in Beijing. Hope this can be helpful if you are planning your trip to Beijing.

The subway of Beijing consists of 8 lines. They are: Line 1, Line 2, Line 5, Line 8(Line Olympics), Line 10, Line 13, Line Batong, Airport Express. You can find the English subway map from our website Travel2ChinaInfo dot com. It is easier for you to understand what I am saying in the following paragraphs if you have this map.

Line 10: In the Zhongguancun area, you can park your car in Bagou station. There is a lots of parking lots there and the capacity is about 200. Another good choice is the Zhicunlu station, there is a hotel named Cuigong near this station. The cost is 2 rmb/ hour. In the Guomao area, you can park your car to the office buildings but the fees are high. There is no place for parking near the Huixinxijienankou station.

Line 5: The Tiantongyuan station: There is P+R (The meaning is Parking here and take the Railway, Maybe) parking lots there and the cost is 2 rmb per time. The Lishuiqiao station: There is no big car park there. The Yonghegong station: You can park your car under the Yonghegong bridge.But the parking lots are not very easy to find because there is an "Administration of Exit and Entry of Beijing Public Security Bureau" nearby and it is always crowded there. The Dongdan station: There is no big car park nearby and the only choice is the Dongfangxintiandi. (5 rmb/hour) Chongwenmen: There is no big car park nearby. You can consider the parking lots in Xinshijie.(It is a little bit hard to find a parking lot there) Songjiazhuang: No big car park nearby and you can drive 500 to 1000 meters to a small garage.

Line 8(Line Olympics): Beitucheng station: There is free parking lots there. They are in the Aijiaaotelaisi(North west exit of the subway station).The capacity is 60. No time limit. Olympic Center station: No parking lots. Olympic Park station: If you drive 500 meters to the west, you will find a car park. The capacity is 300 and the cost is 1 rmb/hour. You can get 50% off after 9:00 pm. For the long term parking, it is 150 rmb/ month.

Line 13: Generally, there are parking for the Line 13 stations except the Dongzhimen and Xizhimen stations.

Line Batong: The parking lots of Line Batong are free in the Tongzhou District.

Line 1: Fuxingmen, Jianguomen and Dongdan stations: The only choice is to park your car to the office buildings' parking lots and the cost is 5 rmb/hour. Sihui station: There is free parking lots there and the capacity is about 100. Another choice is the car park under the Jingtongkuaisu Bridge.(2 rmb/hour)

Line 2: The Line 2 stations are in the downtown of Beijing. If you wanna park your car in these stations, the only choice is the office buildings' parking lots and the cost is about 5 rmb/hour.

Airport Express: No good place for car parking nearby this line's stations.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM . You can find more information about lhasa travel, tibet travel, china vacations from our web site. NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article's source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

About the Author

About the author: Shane Lee. Copyright belongs to Lhasa travel, Tibet travel and China vacations info . Source of this article: China vacations info, subway parking . You can also find china vacations attractions (shaolin monks and kung fu) at: China vacations attractions.

Luxury River Cruising in Europe-hotel

Luxury River Cruising in Europe-hotel
by Karen Cooke

Luxury European River cruises combine elegance with visits to the many small towns along the river's edge. This gives travellers the opportunity to experience the country's true culture firsthand.

Amadeus Waterways - Paris to Istanbul

With Amadeus Waterways your European vacation begins in Paris, the City of Lights, where passengers spend several days exploring the city, viewing the landmarks the city is known for. Stroll along Champs Elysées, the boutique-lined boulevards, or visit the Eiffel Tower. Travellers witness history up close as the ship glides along the Rhine and Main River.

Then onward to Nessebar, one of the oldest towns in Europe, before rejoining the cruise in Romania. The cruise ship sails along the Romanian/ Bulgarian border before continuing to Serbia. Towards the end of the journey guests can enjoy a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. The vacation concludes in historic Istanbul.

The trip includes 14 nights of deluxe accommodation in an outside stateroom. Rooms are equipped with Internet, movies and a Music Library.

Viking River cruises - 2009 Treasures of the Rhine

This 15-day voyage visits five countries along the legendary Rhine River. The journey begins in Switzerland's Basle region, and continues through the Black Forest region of Germany and France's Strasbourg.

On the banks of the Rhine the ship stops in the famous wine town of Rudesheim and lovely Cologne. A highlight of the journey is the guided tour of the city of Strasbourg. See the Place d'Austerlitz and European Parliament, and enjoy the city's famed cathedral up close.

On the fifth day guests travel in a motorcoach to Heidelberg. A guided tour includes Heidelberg Castle, a red sandstone ruin overlooking the Neckar River.

Then - onward to the Netherlands to explore Amsterdam's picturesque canals. In Amsterdam travellers are given the opportunity to enjoy a glass-topped canal cruise past merchant houses and the famed Skinny Bridge.

In Belgium travellers can discover the medieval cities of Bruges and Antwerp.

Evergreen tours - Imperial Jewels of Russia

How does an Imperial Jewels of Russia River Cruise sound? Guests enjoy a 12 night cruise onboard the Ms Surkov, the most luxurious river cruise ship in Russia. Explore some of the world's most fascinating yet relatively undiscovered destinations.

Uncover Russian History, the imposing Red Square and the Kremlin and encounter ancient towns along the river Volga.

Commencing in St. Petersburg guests are transferred to their luxury river cruise ship. The trip begins with a tour of this stunning city including the impressive Peter and Paul Fortress. The cathedral within the fortress houses the tombs of the last Romanov family.

The tour continues on to Nevsky Prospect, where guests can view the Cathedral of Kazan, the Winter Palace and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

A highlight of the journey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Kizhi Island. One of the most ancient sites in Russia, the island is an open-air architectural museum housing significant buildings.

Upon docking in Moscow, passengers visit the famed Bolshoi Theatre and Red Square.

Blue Water Holidays - Andalusian Holiday

Blue Water Holidays offers a cruise through the historic Andalusia region of Spain, the home of sherry, flamenco, mountains, and the Costa del Sol. This eight day cruise sails between Seville and Cadiz along the River Guadalquivir and the Spanish coast.

This fabulous journey includes excursions to historic sites and cities. Some optional excursions are also available to towns such as Jerez, home of sherry and the flamenco, the City of Seville and the Rock of Gibraltar.

Passengers are provided with seven nights of cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom, superb dining with all meals included during, unlimited quality red and white wines from Europe's great wine regions with every dinner, a Cocktail Reception and a Captain's Gala Dinner. Luftner Cruises - Music on the Danube

Most of the world's greatest classical music has originated from a small area in central Europe. Why not take a river cruise down the Danube to explore the musical origins of the genre?

With Luftner Cruises travellers can enjoy a music cruise of the Danube River. The cruise is peppered with a variety of musical extravaganzas, from a concert at the Beethoven-house in Bonn to a tour in Strasbourg that includes a concert in the St. Thomas church.

Entertained by the singers of the London Festival Opera, the journey includes two full days in Budapest as well as a visit to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Whilst in the Wachau Valley, Vienna and Budapest the itinerary includes a number of guided excursions.

A river cruise such as this is tantamount to a floating hotel that travels through the very heart of Europe.

About the Author

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au.

Human Recources Management Tips For Hotels

Human Recources Management Tips For Hotels-hotel
by Nick Nikolis
The hotel business is one of the most cut throat and competitive businesses in the world. Usually the human resources manager has his or her hands full all the time because of employee complaints and a very high turnover rate. However, there are a few human resources management tips for hotels that can eliminate some of the problems that plague most hotel human resources managers. Since one of the biggest problems that a human resources manager in the hotel industry faces is the issue of employee retention, many of the tips address that issue.
The first tip revolves around choosing the right person for each job. Choosing the right person for each job can be one of the hardest tasks of the human resources manager. In many cases only people will low skill levels apply to many of the jobs offered in a hotel. It is the job of the human resources manager to make sure that the person chosen for the job will do it correctly and have staying power. This can be done through the interview process. With the right questions each applicant's answers will reflect how they feel about the job.
One of the most important human resources management tips for hotels is to make sure that each employee enjoys working in the hotel and that they have all of the training and supplies that they need to complete their job effectively. One of the biggest complaints among hotel staff members is that they are required to do too many jobs that they do not have the training or tools to do it with. The human resources manager that takes the time and money to train employees and equip them properly will have a much higher retention rate.
Another part to the human resources management tips for hotels is to follow up on the jobs that the employees do. Providing performance reviews and incentive programs will go a long way into making the hotel experience better for both customers and employees. If the employee knows he or she will get a benefit from doing excellent work then they will be more likely to perform at a higher level.
Another great tip for the human resources manager is to have a lot of positive reinforcement. If they employees feel they are in a friendly environment, then they will produce better work. Everyone likes to be noticed when they do a good job so catching employees doing their jobs properly is an important part of being a human resources manager. This is also very important in the hotel business because customers can always tell the tone of the staff. If they see happy staff members the customers will be more likely to return to the hotel.
Another aspect to the human resources management tips for hotels is to implement a clear progression plan that employees can use to advance in rank and salary at the hotel. If employees feel they will be stuck in the same job and pay grade throughout their time at the hotel then they will move on to another hotel or business to increase their salaries and duties. If there is a clear advancement program in place at the hotel that they already work in then they will be more likely to stay at the place they already work.
Perhaps the most important thing for a human resources manager in the hotel business to do is to lead through example. If employees see the human resources department taking short cuts and doing poor work then the rest of the staff will reduce their quality of work as well. However, if they see the human resources department working hard and providing the best quality of service that they can then the employees will improve their work as well.
All of these human resources management tips for hotels will provide a basis to use as a springboard to increase the productivity in your hotel. Follow these tips and you will soon see an increase in the mood and service level of your hotel. The human resources position at any hotel is one of the most important jobs in the hotel, so it is very important that it is run professionally and well.

About the Author
Nick Nikolis is writing about Self help, Business, Hospitality Industry and destinations. Check here Greece hotels and Greece Villas.

Victorian Tokens of Love

Victorians were exceptionally sentimental and romantic, and were fond of showing it in special ways. Items of apparel such as fans, gloves and handkerchiefs were given meaning as were objects given called 'love tokens' which included flowers, painted miniatures and jewelry. The Victorians romanticized love as well as tragedy. They revered courtship and love, despite their strict moral code and rules of etiquette.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, coins were used as love tokens. They were handmade by men to give to their sweethearts, and in some instances, were given by soldiers and sailors before they went abroad in case they were to die.

In Victorian times a variety of love tokens were introduced. One would rub down one side of the coin and engrave the other side. The engravings varied from finely designed examples, down to very crude ones. They included symbols of romance, such as hearts pierced with arrows, Cupid's bow and arrow, flowers, love birds and lovers' knots, with either the initials or name of a loved one.

This necklace shown in the photos is a masterpiece designed by my friend Karen. It consists of 22 solid silver love token coins that Karen collected over a year's time. Some have special meaning to her with names or initials that happen to coincide with a friend or relative, or simply a cute token that says "1st Prize." Karen had her jeweler custom design a chain--each a separate link--and add the coins on. It is really stunning in person!

Love tokens bring us back to a bygone era of symbolic love, demonstrated by the gifting of such small and simple coins, yet, with great meaning. You can read more about Victorian love tokens, customs and etiquette here and here. Happy Valentine's Day!

Cire Trudon

Cire Trudon is the oldest candlemaking company, dating back to 1643. Candlemakers to the kings of France, the Trudon candlemaking process was considered the most exclusive, using solid beeswax.

Trudon has a rich history and is still in existence today. Founded by merchant Claude Trudon, the company has built a solid reputation dating back to the time of Napoleon and throughout the revolution and final hours of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. There are so many delicious fragrances to choose from.

The 'Trianon' candle, which was inspired by Marie Antoinette is described as follows, "The picking of jacinth, roses, white flowers, wild herbs from the meadows and graminaeceous plants, this bunch of flowers reminds us of an ideal nature, that of the Nouvelle Heloise and the country life dreams of Marie Antoinette. Vibrating with the memory of a summer evening and the warm musk scent of torches, this candle is a homage to the Queen of taste who inspired so many candles to Maison de Cire Trudon."

What a beautiful Bergdorf Goodman ad showing the bust and pillar candles, with weathered papers, a top hat and antique candleholders. Such a dramatic look!

I love the "Les Bustes de Cire" molded wax bust candles of those who marked the history of France, such as Napoleon, Marie Antoinette and L'esclave. Expensive? Yes, but beautiful with a rich history.

Visit the Cire Trudon website here. Candles are available in the US, here and here.

Photos courtesy of Cire Trudon

Poodle Party!

Ever since I got my poodle Vito, I always wanted to have a "poodle party." Imagine all of these silly French poodles dancing around (Can-can style)! I was so jealous when I saw the Dauschund meetup group at the park a couple of weeks ago that I had to start a San Francisco Poodle Meetup group.

Maxie, Vito & KoKo meet

Today was our first "meetup." Unfortunately it was cold and rainy, but the doggies endured. Vito met his first two Poodle friends, KoKo the Cockapoo and Maxie, who is a teacup. They had lots of fun at the park. If you live in the Bay Area and have a poodle, please come to one of our meetups. Hopefully we'll have better weather next month. You can join here.

Jeany & Rie holding Maxie

A Favorite: The Perfumed Court

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, a lot of us are thinking of flowers and perfume. I couldn’t think of a better time to blog about my one of my favorite online discoveries, The Perfumed Court. Its proprietresses, Diane, Lisa and Patty, specialize in offering samples and decants of just about every fragrance you could imagine, from vintage and discontinued, to limited editions and classics.

How many times have you purchased a perfume, worn it once or twice to find that you don’t care for it? Well, these gals have made it easy for us to test and try. I recently purchased about 9 different samples and am having fun trying them out!

I had so many questions about the decanting process that I was thrilled when Lisa and Patty let me ask them a barrage of questions. Read on for some fascinating info…

How did you start? (your love of perfume, decanting, eBay, then The Perfumed Court)

Lisa - I’ve always loved fragrance. For as long as I remember I sniffed my mother’s fragrances, which she kept on a tray on her dresser. I purchased my first real fragrance (not counting Love’s Baby Soft Musky Jasmine or Avon’s Sweet Honesty) when I was 19 and it was Molyneux Quartz.

I started decanting while on Make up Alley (I became a member in the beginning of 2003) and could not believe what a wonderful idea it was to be able to try so many fragrances without having to invest in full bottles which were difficult to use up as I never was a “signature scent” kind of person. I then moved onto eBay and did that for a number of years before it was stopped by eBay. The Perfumed Court was Diane’s vision and she asked me to be a part of it and I gladly agreed.

Patty – I’ve always loved fragrance as well. Growing up on a farm, it was part of my life, the rich smells that surrounded me, and smell has always been a powerful pull on my emotion – from the way my daddy’s pillow smelled of him, to hanging out with my friends at the drugstore and trying on all the perfumes. Eventually my perfume habit became very expensive, so I started decanting and selling on eBay until Diane asked me to join her also in a website.

What was your first perfume?

Lisa - Avon Sweet Honesty – it was a Christmas present and I felt very grown up!! Charlie followed soon after along with Jontue, Babe and Jovan Musk. My sister and I shared a room and shared our fragrances too.

Patty – Stephen B was my first. My friend tracked down a bottle of this discontinued fragrance for me a while back, and it takes me right back to being 17 again.

What fragrance did your mother wear?

Lisa - She wore Chantilly, Youth Dew and Chanel No. 5 when I was growing up. As I got older, I remember my father buying her one bottle a year (at Christmastime).

Patty - My mom really didn’t wear perfume, she just always smelled of soap and Jergen’s lotion.

How do you decide what to wear every day?

Lisa - It’s based on my mood and the weather. Sometimes I lie in bed and decide and other times it’s a quick decision out the door. I actually work at a garage (our local government) and I’m the only woman. It’s amazing how many of the guys will comment on what I wear (and I never would have expected that).

Patty – It’s always a mood thing. I just stand in front of the collection and think of what sounds good, and something always occurs to me. If it doesn’t, I wear nothing.

What’s the process for decanting?

Lisa- (for all of us) - I decant from the original bottle either by spraying, pouring or using sterile pipettes into whatever size sample or decant that has been purchased. Pouring and pipettes are the easiest way to decant. Spraying can be quite an exacting science as it can splash back out of the decant bottle and make it difficult to get small items (like the 1ml vials) filled exactly. Then labels are made for each decant.

How do you smell all of the different scents? Coffee in between?

Lisa (for all of us) - I always test on the skin; never on a paper tester. I use coffee in between which works wonderfully for me (and has been scientifically proven). I have also heard that you can also inhale into fabric such as wool but I’ve never tried that.

The Perfumed Court Team: (left to right) Lisa, Patty, Diane and Shirl

How often do you travel and what’s the last trip you took?

Lisa - I usually travel outside the US two to three times a year. I go to Chicago once a year and New York once a year for perfume shopping as well. I just got back from Paris. I traveled with one of my partners and met the other partner and our customer service rep while in Paris.

Patty – I usually travel outside the country 1 or 2 times a year. I try to get to New York once a year, if possible and another place or two, if I can.

If you had to pick the most requested scent or perfume, what would it be?

Lisa (for all of us) - Consistently it is Andy Tauer’s, L’air du Desert Marocain. Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower runs a close second.

How many of your scents are not available in the US?

Lisa - To the best of our knowledge, we carry about 350 fragrances not available in the US.

About how many perfumes does the Perfumed Court carry?

Lisa (for all of us) -I would estimate somewhere around 3,000. We currently have well over 4,000 individual listings but that includes all of our samplers, our decanting supplies and large decant specials on fragrances that are already individually listed.

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Thanks to Lisa and Patty for taking the time to share this great information with us. It's been quite enlightening!

For all of you reading, please visit The Perfumed Court here. You'll have fun perusing through their thousands of fragrances!