FAMILY TRAVEL

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is great personal interests because it will make a more open-minded person when it comes to inter acting with people. It also made it easier to understanding as to why people act the way they do in their own society and in a society as diverse as the U.S. It has long been said that travels “broadens the mind”. Now new evidence proves that jumping on a plane will not only make you smarter, but more open-minded.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me! 

The article below offers a captivating perception on  family vacations.

 

Travel  Safely  With Family

By Robert Tellier

Planning your family holidays is not complete without taking into consideration that you must travel safely at all times. Reviewing a few very important safe holiday steps with your family prior to travel will ensure you have taken the necessary precautions for a wonderful vacation.

Here are 10 very important tips for safe travel for you to review so that you do have a trouble free safe vacation with your family.

1. Be informed of your chosen destination.

2. Are there any travel advisories posted for the country you are traveling to? Is it safe for you and your family to travel to your country of choice at the time you wish to go? Check with your local travel agent or government websites online regarding travel abroad.

3. Travel medical insurance - do not travel without it unless you can afford the thousands of dollars for medical treatment and expenses. This is probably the most important tip I can pass on to you! Why so many people choose to take a chance and not purchase travel medical insurance for the sake of saving a few dollars, puzzles me. If you can afford to travel, you can afford travel medical insurance!

4. Do you require any vaccinations to protect yourself from disease or any other precautions necessary to ensure a safe holiday for you and your family?

5. Make sure all of your travel documents are safe and secure with you at all times while in transit to and from your destination. Do not pack money, wallets, passports and such in your check in luggage! Be sure to make photocopies of your passports and keep separate from originals. It’s much easier to get them replaced if one of your family members does misplace. It’s also wise to scan your documents and keep attachments in your email account where you can access them anytime, anywhere in the world.

6. Be aware of your surroundings! Take a moment and look around, trust your instincts, if you feel unsafe in a particular area, then you probably are! Leave as quickly and safely as you can.

Travel safely and use common sense. Don’t be caught alone in unfamiliar areas where you shouldn’t be, especially at night! If you’re on vacation, this is when you are most vulnerable, as we tend to let loose and let our guard down. We also tend to overindulge in alcoholic beverages while enjoying our vacation, putting us at greater risk. Men should not carry wallets in their back pockets and women should keep purses tight against them, especially in crowds such as busy airports, train stations and so.

7. Another tip for safe travel is to leave that expensive jewelry at home if possible. It draws attention to undesirables and empty out wallets of extra credit cards, identification and other unnecessary items.

8. Watch what you eat and drink to avoid sickness and health, particularly avoid water from the tap and be very careful with side food stands. You certainly don’t want that safe holiday ruined from eating or drinking something you shouldn’t have.

9. For those who wear eyeglasses, always take an extra pair in case your original is lost or broken. To travel safely, you have to be able to see your best!

10. Be polite and courteous at all times with those around you. Most of all have a wonderful safe and memorable vacation with your family! Happy travels!

Robert Tellier - A passion for travel and with over 35 years work experience in the Travel Industry, I now enjoy writing and sharing travel information, tips, destinations and much more, helping to make your family travel stress-free and enjoyable.  For more detailed information on safe travel and much more, be sure to visit: Great Travel Tips

“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.”

– Leigh Hunt.

Enjoy and travel to create great family memories!

 

FAMILY TRAVEL: ARE WE THERE YET?

BY CLAY LARROY

Do you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's going on there.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Are we there yet? 

Are we there yet? That familiar refrain is part of the cultural lexicon of the art and science of traveling with children. Being a good traveler is something best learned early in life, and parents can help ensure that children enjoy their family trips to the utmost with a little planning. Along the way, parents also make their own time spent in the airplane or in the car more enjoyable and less stressful. If you are traveling with young ones, here are a few tips that will make the experience less of a trial and more of a treat.

Choose appropriately. Ask your travel agent for travel plans that are highly recommended for children and families. Not all destinations and themes are age appropriate. But dude ranches, bird watching, hiking and almost any other activity can be enjoyed by children in measured doses and with adequate preparation. Many tour operators specialize in the family element and are better equipped to deal with the attention spans and skill levels of your children. But even family oriented tour operators have age limits, so make sure that your travel agent is informed on the age of your children early in the planning process. Likewise, family travel involves special budgetary considerations that your travel agent will be adept in handling for you. Many airlines and tour operators provide infant discounts that your agent can acquire for you.

Getting there is not really half the fun, particularly if the kids in tow are not happy. Plan ahead by structuring some activities during the travel time. Discuss your trip and planned activities with the kids to give them something to look forward to. Even a brief description of the landscape through which you will be driving or over which you will be flying will be enough to entice many children into making lists of sites, animals or other points of interest. Portable DVD players’ help the time pass, and packing a game bag in advance is always a good idea - include cards, game books, crayons and paper. Airline meals do not always stack up against the food children (or adults) would prefer to eat. Packing light, fun snacks and drinks is a good idea when flying or driving.

Stopping often during the course of the trip is not only a good idea, it is usually a necessity. All night and day marathon driving sessions are hard on small bodies, so breaks are an important health and stress consideration. Plan the drive to encounter interesting way points to keep kids attentive and to break up a tedious drive.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 “We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc

Travel to experience life and create amazing memories!

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

BY Clay Larroy

In the world of traveling, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other resources available. By writing this blog I hope that I am providing valuable information about wonderful vacation destinations. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

City Of Baths – Budapest

By Cindy Lou Dale

Step through a side-door into the flamboyant art-nouveau foyer of the Gellért Spa where stone swans gracefully spread their wings over a mosaic floor; fronds of exotic plants extravagantly tumble over the balustrade of the gallery and at the center atrium, healing waters gush from the mouths of sapphire dragons into a turquoise swimming pool, framed by amber porcelain figurines, above which looms a tall stained glass dome. The elegant medical baths are a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and astound the senses. For around $205 (per night, for a double recently refurbished room, including breakfast), you can enjoy the full Gellért Spa experience. There is a unisex indoor pool with a section reserved for men- and women-only. In these reserved sections, massage services are available - but bear in mind these are bracing, Turkish-style massages.   At the entrance to the baths an attendant in hospital whites’ hands you a canvas towel (and a modesty cover for gentlemen) and points you in the direction of a dressing compartment where you disrobe and secure your valuables.

Inside the opulent spa complex the walls are covered with lustrous azure and emerald tiles gilded with honeysuckle and figurines of cherubs embracing above dolphin water fountains. Lower yourself into one of two semi-circular pools and sink up to your neck with a sigh in simmering 96.8°F water. Other patrons of mixed ages huddle together in small groups of two or three while they unwind. A contemplative hush is the favored way to bathe, although the perpetual stream of water generates enough white noise to cover the occasional comment.

Once pleasantly parboiled, progress to the massage mat where a same-sex masseuses (all of whom have a Sumo wrestler look about them) will give you a no-frills, all-business massage, like you’ve never had before - your body will be vigorously pressed and kneaded with soap lather for what seems like a small eternity, but in reality is only 15-minutes.

If you bruise easily, you may prefer the gentler Thai massage available across the foyer from the spa. This hour-long massage is unique, as the certified masseuses use not only their fingers in manipulating your muscles through a thin massage gown, but their hands, elbows, knees and feet as well.

Now well massaged, head to the outdoor pool area, which surpasses any Vegas hotel, as this pool is cloaked in history - including marble steps, ceramic tile mosaics and a luxurious landscape. During off-peak hours in mid-morning and afternoons, the patrons are mostly pensioners desperately seeking relief from arthritis or rheumatism. However, the baths provide more than physical respite, as the hushed atmosphere and exotic surroundings afford one’s psyche a welcome break from the 21st-century.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

A massage is just like a movie, really relaxing and a total escape, except in a massage you’re the star. And you don’t miss anything by falling asleep! – Elizabeth Jane Howard

Travel  have fun and create wonderful memories for your family!

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

BY Clay Larroy

Across the America many couples are having wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a honeymoon to rest and recuperate.  Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples' vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience. When you wantto plan a vacation contact me!

City Of Baths – Budapest

By Cindy Lou Dale

Standing proudly at the center of Eastern Europe’s cultural rebirth is Budapest, the city that drew back the iron curtain from Hungary in 1989, exposing one of the continent’s hottest travel destinations and one which frequently ranks as the best bargain. Paris has its café-society, the Finns their saunas, and the Hungarians have baths - the one attraction that will surely draw you to Budapest, which is the richest capital in hot water springs in the world. In fact, people have been visiting Budapest to take the waters since Roman times in the second and third centuries. However, the true bathing culture was initiated during the Turkish occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries when it became common treatment for rheumatic diseases.

The springs originate within a geological fault that runs through the River Danube and daily produces tons of warm spring water. Temperatures range between 57.2°F to 219.2°F and the waters contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, fluoride, sodium and numerous other minerals Hungarian doctors resolutely claim hold curative powers for all kinds of muscular ailments.

The palatial Hotel Gellért, located on the banks of the River Danube and at the foot of Gellért Hill, houses the most pristine spa in the city. The Hotel, constructed at the turn of the century for the truly discerning traveler, resembles a classic renaissance building found in Vienna or Paris and doggedly clings to service and customs Emperor Franz Joseph would have expected. The 234 rooms are spacious and tastefully furnished. One almost expects to find Agatha Christie’s Inspector Hercule Poirot twirling his moustache at the writing desk, so within keeping is the décor; and their internationally recognized gourmet dining is a highlight to any food connoisseur.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“Saturday is a day for the spa. RELAX, indulge, enjoy, and love yourself, too.” 
― Ana Monnar

Travel  and create magnificent memories for your family!

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

YOGA RETREATS AND VACATIONS

BY Clay Larroy

Traveling can be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. You need to do all of your research so that you don't forget to pack something important, see what the best methods of transportation are, etc. Avoid crowds and save money by visiting in the off-season. If you want to be able to enjoy your vacation without having to battle a crowd of people everywhere you go, learn when the popular months are for the location and plan your vacation for the less popular time. Be aware, while it can save you money, in some locations you may have to contend with less-than-ideal weather. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

The Experience

Although your experience will vary from country to country and among the various styles of yoga retreats, there are a number of common denominators to most yoga retreat experiences. Expect simple and clean accommodation - nothing cluttered or fancy, and little high tech - think Zen simplicity with no television, radio or intrusive telephone - and no room service. Nevertheless, visiting retreats and ashrams is typically a very comfortable, enriching experience and in retreats in general have attempted in recent years to make themselves much more accessible to travelers.

If attending a more disciplined, intensive retreat, your room is likely to contain a bed, a table, a chair - and perhaps a single picture or vase of flowers and not much more, apart from a fan for summer and a heater and extra blankets for winter. Some rooms might have a kettle and a facility to make tea or coffee.

You are likely to be woken by an early morning gong around sun rise - although whether you get up to participate in early morning mediations or exercises is usually entirely of your own volition. In fact participation in all events is quietly encouraged, but never monitored or enforced - it’s usually voluntary.

Most meditation centers have a period or noble silence (sometimes referred to, tongue in check, as "no bull" silence) generally from the last teaching in the evening to after breakfast the following morning. It is often challenging to maintain but provides a quiet time to observe both yourself and others - and to learn to drop your inhibitions and communicate on a different level. ("Pass the salt, please" takes on a whole new meaning and teaches you to appreciate things you take for granted).

Three full healthy meals are usually provided. They are generally simple vegetarian meals and what one would consider quiet and calming foods, often homegrown and homemade, and the quantities are plentiful.

You are likely to find an area for meditation, benches out in the open to sit in contemplation and one or several pieces of central focus like a stupa, or large statue, as well as zen sand gardens and possibly even a labyrinth around which you can stretch your legs and mind,

Most centers will supply cushions or stools for seated mediation and mats or other necessary items for yoga or the training you have chosen. There is usually a shop selling incense, small statues, cards, CDs, memorabilia and accessories. They often also have a range of natural soaps and oils and cotton clothing and beautiful shawls as well.

If you’ve not done this sort of thing before, do expect to be stretched - if not (ever so gently) in a physical manner with controlled yoga or flowing taiji exercises, then mentally as your perceptions of reality are questioned - often through silence, sometimes through very simple, but revealing exercises.

On one retreat attended by this author, we were told that the instructor was delayed and that we would all be assigned tasks in the garden for a few hours. Although nobody stood up and complained, we all went through an array of emotions that started with outraged indignation, moved to annoyance and had us muttering under our breath amongst ourselves, and finally to acceptance and the realization that working in the garden (being in the now), was enjoyable... and just as we were beginning to enjoy our work we were told to stop and discuss our feelings. A valuable lesson all round.

What to take

Pack suitable clothing for the season within the country you are visiting. For this type of retreat, with a concentration of healthy and natural living, try to choose cotton clothing (it does crease, but It"s not synthetic and it is more comfortable on the skin) that is loose and does not restrict your movements (if doing yoga of taiji) or your circulation (if sitting still, meditating). Bring an extra warm layer, just in case so that you will be at a comfortable temperature during meditation.

Light color clothing is recommended both because it is less attractive insects and because it does not block the flow of energy and is said to make you more open and receptive to new ideas.

Walking shoes are a good idea. There are usually some beautiful walks through the center grounds. Bring a note book to jot down thoughts, ideas and observations and almost as equally indispensable is insect repellent - but try to find a natural product rather than chemical one.

Depending on the retreat center you will probably find a flashlight useful for walking between buildings at night and a small daypack is useful for packing or storing a jacket, bottle of water (and keeping your room keys safe), and will probably save you several unnecessary trips back to your room to collect something.

Most centers have a library with related books that is open to visitors to the center. Try to leave work-related books at home, along with your normal reading material, and open yourself up to a new experience through the available books.

Your introductory materials to the retreat will most likely provide you with a list of recommended clothing and gear. Other than that - all that is needed is a mind open to new experiences.

Final considerations

Budget for making a donation (often called dhana) to the center and/or the teachers. Most centers charge cost related rates and do not focus on profit - as such, donations go a long way to maintaining and improving the center. Likewise many of the teachers visiting teachers teach for the love it, without remuneration, and most of the resident teachers received a small monthly stipend, so again donations to teachers in appreciation of knowledge and understanding shared is always appreciated. Dhana is not expected but affords you the opportunity to return some loving kindness if it feels right to you.

If you are contemplating some serious training - albeit in yoga, taiji or mediation - do some practice to get into shape both mentally and physically. Some basic stretching, conditioning and toning for yoga, leg strength and taiji training for taiji and some sitting practice for meditation.

Now pack your mat and hit the road. Namaste

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Meditation can help us embrace our worries, our fear, our anger; and that is very healing. We let our own natural capacity of healing do the work.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Experience life bytraveling with friends and family!

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

YOGA RETREATS AND VACATIONS

BY Clay Larroy

A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about yoga retreats. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!

Imagine this: you return from your vacation renewed and refreshed, like you really had some time off. At work, you have a stronger sense of purpose, a feeling of authenticity that permeates all of your professional relationships. At home, you are more the person you want to be: strong, energetic and aware. It sounds like you just returned from a retreat at a center specializing in meditation and body soothing yoga. Think clean air, good simple food, no clutter, no telephones... and time to unwind and get reacquainted with yourself and loved ones. Far from being a "new age" junket, yoga retreats are a way to reconnect with the simple process of being. When all goes as planned, you not only return home feeling on top of the world - as though you really have had a holiday -, you will return with knowledge on how to maintain your newly centered feeling when back in the hustle and bustle of your everyday life.

Breathe slowly and deeply and relax into the thought of blissful peace and tranquility. Forget the mass market cruises, the theme parks and the mad rush of too much in too little time. A meditation retreat does not mean that you HAVE to go to India, or sit unmoving in a cold cave at the top of a remote mountain. Meditation, yoga, taiji, and similar mind/body experiences, encompassing anything from spiritual to philosophical, are available in almost every corner of the world from Buddhist retreats in Africa to yoga centers in Taiwan and Zendos in Switzerland. While this article focuses on yoga, many of the same opportunities exist for combining travel and other body/mind disciplines.

With a few structured searches through your favorite yoga magazine and a visit to your travel agent, you will be able to plan your own relaxing trip to the retreat of your choice and combine a wonderful vacation with the study of a relaxing, spiritual discipline - long before your incense stick has burned all the way down.

Choosing a Retreat

There is a mind-boggling array of retreat options from which to choose. As always, the best place to start is a careful consideration of your interests and the destinations that coincide with your interests. If you already have a particular yoga style that you follow or you know of a teacher or instructor with whom you would like to study, you have successfully narrowed your choices! If, however, you are open to a variety of options, there are yoga retreats in hundreds of locations and venues: castles, beaches, ashrams and city parks. You can choose tropical locations in Hawaii, practice yoga in the Alps or salute the sun in a monastery in California. Because yoga is so widely practiced and because every village, hamlet, town and city has a multitude of schools and styles available, it is not an exaggeration to say that anywhere you desire to visit, there you will find an opportunity to practice yoga with an instruction.

The more interesting challenge will be to determine whether you are looking for a resort type of experience or a deeper, more intensive experience. Most resorts provide some opportunity for yoga practice, so with informal classes and other with more formal instruction. The resort experience typically ensures that you will stay limber and toned while enjoying a more traditional vacation experience. Resorts offer flexibility and chance to practice while vacationing with others who may be non-practitioners.

Yoga retreats and ashrams, on the other hand, focus on yoga as the reason for attending. At a yoga retreat, you are immersed in the world of yoga: new positions, philosophies, styles and practices. Those around you are practitioners and your instructors are advance adepts. Your time is structured your meals planned, your activities centered on yoga practice. You experience yoga as part of a community in a sanctuary of like-minded individuals.

When choosing your own yoga vacation experience, find a point on the spectrum of opportunities with which you and any traveling companions will be comfortable. Will everyone in your group be happy with your choice? Do you want to commit to hours of practice each day or would a class in the morning followed by your own choice of activities be more to your liking? Do you want a structured environment? How much of each day is given over to actual practice and how much to other activities? Is the yoga style one with which you are comfortable? Inquire about daily routines. Do participants rise at dawn or are classes available on a regular schedule throughout the day. When are meals? Are there opportunities for non-scheduled activities or is the routine regimented? In general, what are the ambiance and the rhythm of the retreat you have under consideration?

When evaluating a range of possible retreats, consider the demographics of the retreat’s typical client. Does the retreat host a range of yoga practitioner skills, or does it focus on the novice or advanced practitioner? What is the age range and gender of a typical client? Finding yourself out of your skill level or mixed with others with whom you have little in common will likely result in disappointment. Also, inquire about the number of students that will be present during your visit. Too small a group results in little interaction with a variety of people while too many students’ means less interaction with instructors.

Accommodations and facilities vary widely from yoga retreat to retreat. Some have very luxurious and soothing environments while others provide a very Spartan appointment. Many yoga resorts are also spas, providing a host of amenities and services such as exercise rooms, weights, saunas and massage. Others are quiet centers for meditation and reflection. Again, your personal preferences and the goals you have set for yourself will dictate your choice. What is important is to be well informed prior to making your selections and deposits!

Diet and food are often very important aspects of a yoga retreat’s amenities. Again, inquire with regard to the dietary philosophies and food preparations during your planning stages. Most will provide a range of foods and diets, from vegetarian to full cuisine, from raw food diets and all manner of specialty culinary experiences in between. Make sure that your own goals match closely the dietary offerings of the center you will be visiting. Note too that most facilities on the more intensive side of the spectrum do not allow caffeine or alcohol and may restrict other substances as well. A week or more of a highly specialized diet can either be a blessing or a burden, so choose with care.

In providing your travel arrangements, travel agents can access a large array of travel options and discounts not available to the public at large. Travel agents work with tour operators that package air travel, accommodations and land transportations at large discounts from the retail purchase of those same components. Thus, a travel agent is a great place to go with assistance in your travel arrangements regardless of your choice of destination for your yoga retreat. Your travel costs and opportunities, as well as the climate of your preference may have a lot to do with the season during which you choose to visit your yoga center. Ask your travel consultant to price both peak and off-peak travel seasons to provide you with some insight into the range of travel opportunities available to you.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

The first recipe for happiness is: avoid too lengthy meditation on the past.

Andre Maurois

Travel to experience life with those you love!

         

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

SPA VACATIONS

BY CLAY LARROY

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Upon arriving at a typical spa, you’ll be greeted by a staff member who will assign your accommodations and can give you a brief tour, explaining how your time will be structured and how to prepare and dress for any planned activities. For most body services, you will undress completely, but your therapist will allow you to disrobe in private and will keep your body draped in sheets or towels, only exposing areas as needed for the treatment. During wet services such as body scrubs, body wraps and hydrotherapies, you will not be draped, in order to reap maximum benefits - but swimsuits are usually optional. Depending on the character of the spa, many aspects of treatment can be modified to your taste and budget.

Most spas have overarching dietary philosophies, and your diet during your stay will be of particular importance. Some serve alcohol and caffeine but many do not. Again, make sure to match your personal preferences closely to the character of the spa so you’ll have the experience you expect and will get the most from your visit.

Spa Etiquette

Before entering a shared pool, always shower. When enjoying the dry sauna or steam room, sit on your towel and wear the sandals provided by the spa. Customs vary in terms of whether or not to wear a swimsuit in wet facilities. Most people enjoy wet rooms in the nude with a wrapped towel, but if modesty is an issue, wearing a swimsuit is generally acceptable as well, and you can always ask about a specific spa’s policies in advance.

Share public space respectfully with other spa goers. Smoking is prohibited at most spas. Turn off your cell phone when you enter a spa, or better yet, leave it in the room with the rest of your valuables - or at home, so you can truly relax.

Tipping is common practice. Some spas will include tips in their package prices. Ask the spa staff or your tour operator if you’re unsure. The rule of thumb in spas is 10%-15% of the cost of service, or about $10.00 to $15.00 for a one-hour treatment.

Preparations

In general, check the weather before you go so you know what to pack - and pack with your comfort in mind. Depending on your spa’s activities, you may need to bring a swimsuit, workout wear, a jacket, running or walking shoes, hiking boots, and casual shoes. At some spas, clothing and equipment are available for purchase and a robe and sandals are usually provided at no additional charge. You might find that you can pack fewer toiletries, since the dressing rooms of many spas have razors, soap, shampoo, skin lotion and deodorant.

If you’re going on an international trip, a valid passport and sometimes a visa is required - make sure to obtain these items well in advance of your travel dates. To protect against baggage loss, trip cancellation or interruption and unexpected health emergencies, consider purchasing travel insurance. Your travel agent can assist you with these details and any others that will help you relax and prepare for you trip.

One of the most important things you can do before your spa vacation is give yourself a day or two to mentally unwind before leaving. Though this might sound counter-intuitive, since unwinding is often the whole point of a spa vacation, this time will give your mind a chance to become more open and receptive to the experience. It is often difficult to leave work and responsibilities behind, but the sooner you start, the more benefits you’ll receive from your spa vacation.

So go ahead. Pamper yourself. If you don’t do it, who will?

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

This is love: the flowering of love is meditation.

Jiddu Krishnamurti

 Travel  have fun and create wonderful memories for your family!

“VACATIONING WITH BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT”

SPA VACATIONS

BY CLAY LARROY

Do you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's going on there.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

You’re the kind of person who enjoys the senses, who wants to be pampered, or who wants to make a healthy lifestyle a part of your everyday life. You take candle-lit baths (or wish you could), enjoy aromatherapy and appreciate the stress-relieving effects of a good massage. When it comes time to vacation, you’re not just thinking sun and surf but health, diet and a mud bath! You are exactly the kind of person who may want to consider treating yourself to a spa vacation.

The word spa, taken from the name of the famous mineral springs in Spa, Belgium, has become an all-inclusive term for a commercial establishment with facilities for exercising, bathing, and treatment. The range of facilities and services available at spas run the gamut from what you might find at the local YMCA to high-end specialty spas, where your entire body-mind is completely immersed in the experience for hours at a time. The former offers fitness and health assessments, body composition analysis, personal training, physiotherapy, gymnasiums with state-of-the-art equipment, and an outdoor pool for activities like volleyball and aqua aerobics, while the latter offers a full menu of services from massage to body wraps to herbal saunas.

The scent of lavender lingers in the air. The soothing sound of softly flowing water swirls gently into your ears. Warm ginger tea tingles your taste buds. A soft robe rubs gently across your skin. A spa vacation excites the senses, but the benefits don’t stop there. There’s also the luxury of experiencing the long lost art of relaxation and revitalization, with no end to additional health benefits. The toxic environment and diet of the modern world exposes us to pollutants and substances that accumulate in our body tissue and bloodstream. Some spas specialize in treatments that can eliminate toxins through a combination of massage, sauna, oils, mild fasting and colon therapy. Don’t be intimidated though. Nothing is more important on a spa vacation than reminding yourself that the experience is all about you! After all, sometimes simply a good sweat is all you need to feel healthier. You can do as much or as little as you’d like to improve the feeling of your own body, and you can relax knowing you’ll be under the eye of skilled therapists and nutritionists who have your best interests and desires in mind.

Two major decisions in planning a spa vacation are 1) what experiences you want from the visit, and 2) where you want to go. A wide variety of spa options are available; some focus on your diet, others on physical activity, relaxation and pampering, and/or your spiritual health. Some spas are very structured in their approach to treatments, while others allow for individual variation. Those spas focusing on diet and exercise are typically the most structured in their disciplines and scheduling. Your goals for a spa vacation will largely dictate the type of spa you choose and your willingness to forgo flexibility during your stay. Destination? Have you always wanted to visit New York? Miami? Los Angeles? What about someplace more exotic? India? Budapest? Let your imagination roam. Spas are available around the world, allowing you to find a vacation just about anywhere your heart desires. Your travel consultant can provide you with details on dozens of spa vacations and themes and the amenities provided by each. Most spas will offer week-long packages that include meals, activities and accommodations. In some instances, steeply discounted airfares are also included.

If you are on a budget or only have time for a short trip - consider a stay at a hotel famous for its spa treatments, and you can recreate the luxury of a dedicated spa vacation on your own. Your travel agent can recommend hotels with specialized spas in most locations and may even be able to obtain special rates for you. With a spa pass, a few therapy appointments lined up, room service, and several visits to the pool, hot tub and gym, you can enjoy a few days in near heaven on your own schedule.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

The first recipe for happiness is: avoid too lengthy meditation on the past.

Andre Maurois

Live life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!