Drivers of the classic Black Cab spend most of their daily lives trundling through the streets of London. They are a rare breed and the cars they drive are just as full of character and personality as the cabbies who drive them. Taking the sage advice of a Cabbie is the perfect way to locate any des...

Downtown Orlando offers a welcome reprieve from the purpose-built areas to the south-west of the city that have been created solely to accommodate tourists. In fact, many of the historic downtown neighbourhoods are beautiful, offer a great variety of architecture, and give you a feeling of community...

The usual summertime activities can be enjoyed at many Colorado dude ranches, including swimming, hiking, and fishing. During the winter months, guests may find that sledding, sleigh rides, ice-skating, snowmobiling and cross-county skiing are available. The season shouldn?t be a deterrent in choosi...

Dan, a partner in a computer business and gunsmith, and Cid, a bi-athlete, came to Bohart Ranch near Bozeman to compete in the running and shooting competition and fell in love with the area. The search was on for property in Montana. For Dan, he was returning to his roots. He lived in Malta until h...

Renting a car is a great way to see a new place, but car rental companies are leery of hiring cars to younger people. Many rental firms will simply not provide cars at all for drivers under twenty-five, while the price rates of others are simply prohibitive. Unfortunately, there is sound logic under...

My rather shrill and decidedly temperamental Thai alarm clock surprised me immensely by sounding at 5am. Prior to this morning`s unexpected accuracy my contender for the world`s cheapest and most unreliable alarm clock had both completely failed to activate, and also gone off at 3.45am without my ha...

The Arts Barcelona The Arts Barcelona, or to give it its full name the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona, overlooks the magnificent Port Olimpic and is an incredible sight in itself. With 5 different dining areas ranging from the ?Chic informal? Bites to the ?Jacket and Tie? Enoteca there is somethi...

You can take plenty of photographs on your vacation, even digital video is fairly easy, but those things won?t help you record the little incidents that give meaning to your vacation. That is why keeping a travel journal is so helpful. The journal of your vacation is the place to keep notes ...

If you are planning a vacation trip to Cancun, hop the ferry across the bay to the small finger-shaped Isla Mujeres. The name means ?Island of Women? and there are a number of theories as to how the name came to be but it?s not because of the topless beach. The important thing is that it?s a great p...

For purposes of home exchanges, what is a home? A home can be a single family home; condominium, rental apartment; yacht or sailboat; motor home; or houseboat. How do you exchange homes? Once you find out if you are a good home exchange candidate, you can begin the home exchange process. To do that ...

1. Take along a medical professional If your budget allows for it, and you need another chaperone on the trip, consider asking your school nurse to go along on the trip with you. Other alternatives could be the parent of a student that is a nurse or physician. This person often will get a free or a...

Punta Cana?s airport is not only a welcoming structure to visitors arriving on the island, but also an environmentally-friendly building that gives back to the island?s environment. As the flight reaches the Dominican Republic, one cannot miss the thatched roof and the open air design of the Punta C...

One of the most enjoyed activities by millions of Americans is traveling via recreational vehicles, or RVs. RVs can provide all of the comforts of home as well as the ability to visit thousands of destinations. RVs can range from small, pull-along trailers to mammoth driving trailers. One way to inc...

Shanghai China`s Xiang Yang market is one of the favorite tourist shopping stops in Shanghai. The Xiang Yang market offers both tourists and locals the opportunity to shop for many types of famous brand knock-off products at bargain prices. It helps to understand the customs and practices of shoppin...

Need a gift for the ?foodie? in your life? A food gift basket is the answer for all those friends and relatives who enjoy trying new foods. A food gift basket makes a wonderful gift for the ?gourmet? and is also nice for those friends who do not have a lot of time to cook. If you have friends or f...

A large percentage of our population is approaching retirement age. They are looking for the best possible place to invest their money in property that will be used as their current vacation home now and their permanent residence when they retire. I have seen many trends come and go in real estate....

If you thought Barbados was all about sandy beaches, crystal blue water, and tropical drinks under the sun, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn differently. Barbados is an island of diverse pleasures, including the "sport of queens": horse racing. And every spring, the people of Barbados gathe...

Guam sits like a jewel in the tropical Pacific, a paradise of beauty and contrasts. Roughly shaped like a boot thirty miles long and ten miles wide, the island contains high cliffs, white beaches, and swaying palm trees. Jets spew vapor trails in the bright blue sky as waves topped with white foam b...

In 2004, I completed two Inuit art buying trips to Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay), the capital of Nunavut, Canada`s newest territory. For both trips, I flew out of Ottawa on Canadian North airlines. The other airline that services Nunavut is First Air. Only the last half of the jets was allocat...

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as a guest well- known author and travel writer, Christopher P. Baker. Christopher is an expert on Cuba and Jamaica, as well as other venues in the Caribbean and Latin America. Christopher was named Travel ...

I have always enjoyed long road trips across the country, perhaps because they have all the elements of a Homeric adventure. After completing basic training for the Army, I was ready for assignment to my permanent duty station. I was directed to travel from Norfolk, Virginia to Monterrey, Californ...

For many years, taking a cruise for a family vacation was considered an expensive luxury that few people could afford. Most people hardly ever considered a vacation cruise as an option for themselves. Times have changed, though, as more and more people are discovering that cruising is a great valu...

Car rental agencies, along with many other factors, have played a vital role in increasing the easiness of travelling by providing a service through which travelers can easily rent a car of their choice. One can rent a car of any color, shape and model at reasonable prices from these car rental agen...

Dublin, which is located in Ireland is not only beautiful any time of the year but offers serenity and relaxation. You can visit places such as the former Saint Andrews Church, and Suffolk Street. Visit some of the many museums that Dublin has to offer and discover the story and learn the history o...

I first arrived in Rota, Spain in February 1989. I was a Marine who had been given orders to serve in the Marine Corps Security Forces in Rota, Spain. I was asleep on our overnight flight when we began our descent into Rota. I woke up and looked outside. I was surprised to see that it was mornin...

Does all the sugar in candy corn have you wondering whether or not it is good for your kids? In some ways, it just might be. Candy corn could possibly boost thinking skills and improve grades! After letting them eat their fill, have your kids use the candy corn for some math lessons. On a very bas...

HONG KONG is very much `abroad`. Now that the near continent is easily accessible, countries such as France, Spain, Italy seem to merge styles and culture to become one generic Euro-Country. In contrast Hong Kong feels like a foreign country. It also has reminders of a colonial past, so your trip th...

Halloween is a BOOtefull excuse for throwing a party, and you don?t have to live in Transylvania to pull it off. All you need is some imagination plus a reasonable food and festivities budget. Of course, it goes without saying that a Halloween party is a costume party. Anything less wouldn?t be Hall...

San Francisco, a city in western California is coextensive with San Francisco County. Famous for its beautiful setting, San Francisco is primarily located on the northern tip of a peninsula at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the strait known as G...

Although it`s many years since I left my home in London I still occasionally use The Tube, as the London Underground is affectionately known. Hold on. Affectionately? Does anybody actually hold any affection for the network of tunnels that run beneath the surface of our capital, or the rolling stock...

The Boeing Company has completely blown past projections for aircraft sales this month. Before the Annual Paris Air Show the Boeing Company had already made three deals for commercial aircraft of worth over 5 Billion in sales. First they cleared a deal for new 777 Cargo Aircraft, then another for ne...

The wind comes brushing through the hair, the surfs are up and you are at the verge of the never-ending expense of the pacific. The great American dream is incomplete probably without the great exploits of the sea. The sea never needs the coast guard to be glorified in the USA; it is in fact the int...

Dude ranches, as they are known today, first gained marked popularity in the 1920s, in large part due to the writings of Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt spent some time working as a ranchman, and herding cattle, and he urged Americans to explore for themselves. As more and more tourists started arriving ...

As the snows recede across Eastern Europe and the warmth of the Mediterranean pushes northwards into Hungary, Budapest celebrates in style with its annual Spring Music Festival. Now moving into its twenty-sixth year, the festival is a collage of music, art, dance and opera that captivates audiences ...

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is the most recent Wonder to be built, having been built during the reign of Ptolemy I of Egypt, a commander under Alexander the Great who took over control of Egypt after Alexander`s death. Historical records indicate...

Several months ago, in a related article, I made mention of two start up air carriers for the US market. Since then, both EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways have taken flight and are successfully serving their passengers and making plans for future expansion. Beyond these two carriers, additional carri...

Travelling to South Africa? Well, you?re going to Cape Town, right? And you want to see if you can get the Big 5? Here?s something that?s better than Cape Town. Better than the Big 5. And it?s the Drakensberg Boys? Choir. There aren?t that many things that are unique or world class in South Africa, ...

This amazing drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire has a gorgeous vista at every turn, oodles and oodles of family vacation fun, and a visit to the home of the world wind speed record. Just keep reading to discover a remarkable trip on your White Mountains vacation. The White Mountain...

Why choose a beach vacation in Florida? One good reason is because wherever you go in Florida, you`re never more than 60 miles from the beach! Florida is also easy to get to, the temperature is pleasurable year round, it offers good value for your money and that?s just for starters. So whether you...

The first port for our Royal Caribbean cruise of the western Caribbean was Labadee, Hispaniola which is actually a part of Haiti. This specific port is leased out to Royal Caribbean so only their cruiseships come here. Labadee is actually a peninsula with a few beaches. Getting to land from the c...

Hostels have been around in one form or another for a long time. They are oriented towards young travelers and anyone else seeking cheap accommodations. The United States version was originally more complicated, with guests helping with chores, etc. It is much simpler now: you rent a bed instead of ...

Making vacation plans for Hawaii probably has you searching all your favorite stores for the best tropical inspired clothing of the season, however packing for a Hawaiian vacation requires more than simply picking out tropical themed clothing. In fact, to properly pack for Hawaii you need to conside...

This fall foliage scenic drive in Central Vermont offers some of the best views in the Green Mountain National Forest. This scenic drive is a loop tour of about 150 miles. It follows mostly Route 12 south from Montpelier to Woodstock, before heading north on Route 100 and 100B back to Montpelier....

If you are thinking about taking a vacation but are not quite sure what type holiday you want to take, then seriously consider the ultimate vacation; a cruise! Cruises are one of the best vacations for all sorts of people for a number of reasons. They are cheap, fun, and no, you won`t get bored. Wit...

If you are traveling to Hawaii in January, here are a few annual local events for you to consider adding to your itinerary. The Ka Moloka`i Makahiki (Ancient Hawaiian Games) is celebrated in the Kaunakakai Town Baseball Park & Mitchell Pauole Community Center on the island of Moloka`i. Every year ...

Each year thousands of foreigners buy a bar in Spain, all with varying degrees of success and the whole process can be a nightmare if not done properly. Although sometimes it can work on your own, it is normally a disaster if you buy a bar in Spain without using a qualified agent to help you. You ha...

When you begin planning a vacation, one of the most important steps is to book a hotel room for your stay. After you have made your arrangements to take off work and get to your destination, you will have to figure out an affordable place to stay. There are many ways to approach hotel booking, the m...

There is so much to do at the National Parks found throughout the islands of the Caribbean. Want to spend an afternoon underwater, swimming with the fish? What about a morning watching beautiful tropical birds awaken? Or an evening gazing at the sun setting over mountains? These parks have it all. ...

Finding cheap airfare tickets for your vacation is very important as you plan your next vacation. Imagine saving 25%-35% in airfare expenses as you get ready to travel to an exciting, exotic location. How exciting would that be? Cheap airfare tickets for a vacation can be found if you`re willing to ...

(NC)-Would a "smoke-free casino" be an oxymoron? Until recently, I might have bet good money on that, considering it`s a pretty rare occasion when one can enjoy a cocktail in a smoke-free bar, nightclub or lounge - let alone in a casino where all around the world gambling and nicotine just natural...