My Travel Blog

Since the early 20th century, SCUBA diving has gone from an incredibly risky undertaking well out of reach for all but the fabulously wealthy to a relatively safe sport with a rapidly growing participant community.

SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, so named for the tanks and other gear which divers carry on their backs allowing them to breathe underwater. Although this gear termed "life-support equipment" and a commitment of real training is necessary in order to become safe and proficient enough with it to dive even in a small lake or quarry, technological advancements and improvements in science and engineering have enabled longer times underwater, deeper dives, and reduced danger in this exhilarating activity enjoyed by athletes and nature lovers.

Having originally been popularized by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan, who built the Aqualung (a name still used in Britain to describe Scuba equipment today), Scuba is now enjoyed by millions of people worldwide ranging from locations as temperate tropical waters to under-ice sub-arctic diving for scientific purposes or by adventure seekers.

Many people are unaware of the length of time necessary to attain Scuba proficiency and certification - in the United States, the two major certification bodies are National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI). Depending on the course, new divers can get certified in as little as three to four days of actual instruction - since the courses are based on performance standards and not on hours of instruction, this number can be higher or lower. Also, if a diver wishes to do more technical and dangerous dives or to use more advanced equipment, more training would be necessary in order to ensure safety.

Anyone who enjoys vacations to tropical areas or who appreciates nature and enjoys the water can now consider Scuba diving, thanks to the advances mentioned in science and engineering, as well as the establishment of standardized certification and training programs worldwide. If you've never considered it, much more information is available online to help you decide if Scuba makes sense for you.

It's that time of year again; Christmas carols playing in every store, images of Santa everywhere you look, and countless greeting cards in your mailbox. But do you remember what the card from your great aunt Mabel said, or what was on the front of cousin Sally's card? Do you even remember who sent you a card? If you're like most of us you open the envelope, glance at the card, and then it goes wherever all the rest of your Christmas cards go without another thought. It is crazy to spend time and money sending out greeting cards when you know they will be forgotten shortly after being opened. Would it not be great to send your loved ones a Christmas greeting that they would not only remember but one that they would actually enjoy? Well you can do just that with personalized candy bars!

Personalized candy bars are the new must have for weddings, showers, and birth announcements because they are an inexpensive way to give the people you love something they will enjoy and remember for years to come. The versatility of these personalized candy wrappers makes it easy to turn them from a favor into a great Christmas greeting gift. All the things that make personalized wrappers great favors make them great for greetings:

· They are an inexpensive gift ranging from $0.25 for the mini candy wrappers to $5.00 for a fully assembled ½ lb. chocolate bar.

· You can personalize the wrappers with your pictures, logos, and text.

· They are not the same old thing, which makes them memorable.

· They make excellent keepsakes.

· Everybody LOVES chocolate!

· Just about anything from candy bars, to sugar free chocolates, to bubbles, to candle holders, to bottles, and much, much more can be wrapped.

Yet another great thing about custom candy wrappers is they can be mailed just like regular cards. A standard size candy bar can be sent in a standard sized envelope with two $0.39 stamps. You may end up spending a little more per greeting "card" but those you love will really appreciate and enjoy the extra effort you put in to making their Christmas bright!

So make the people on your greeting card list smile, and smile, and smile again by sending them a personalized candy bar. They will smile when they open the envelope and see the unique greeting they received, they will smile when they eat the yummy chocolate, and they will smile every time they look at the wrapper and remember the great gift that YOU sent them!

Credit can often be the first thing we think of at Christmas, whether it's taking out a personal loan, credit card or simply the extension of an overdraft. However, saving money at Christmas isn't just a matter of searching for the best personal finance product. This article gives you a few tips on how to make the most of the internet for your Christmas shopping.

Tip number one: get your credit sorted first

Most of us will borrow money this Christmas

If you take a train north from La Spezia, a city equidistant between Pisa and Genoa, you will pass through an exceptional number of tunnels along the coast line to Rapallo. As you look out the windows between tunnels you will see little villages clinging to the sides of cliffs, like barnacles on an old freighter. This is the area known as the Cinque Terre, the Five Lands.

Each village is basically pretty much like the next, built essentially in a gully above the seashore. The Five Lands are actually five of these villages, built in the Dark Ages to hide out from marauding pirates. The villages have been declared a National Park and to preserve their historic authenticity large hotels, in fact nearly all new buildings of any kind are prohibited. The only access is by the train and the sea. There is a well kept up hiking trail joining the five villages that can best be described as climbing out of a village, then descending into the next village, then climbing out of that village and so on. But the views from the hiking trail are spectacular.

Here the coastline is running east to west and the five villages in that order are: Riomaggiore where the hiking trail starts, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare (Red Mountain by the Sea) where the trail ends for our purposes. Because of the ban on building, there are few hotels, there are B&Bs, pensiones and other small places for the light traveller.

Vernazza has a very old ruined castle overlooking its small natural harbor and it is a great place from which to explore the Cinque Terre. First day, you can catch the early ferry to Riomaggiore and start hiking through the villages back to Vernazza. It's about six to seven hours, allowing time for a wine here, a lunch there, etc., along the way.

The first stretch from Riomaggiore to Manarola is fairly level, the locals call it the Via Dell'Amore and takes about 15-20 minutes. Manarola is a good place to pick up a few things for a picnic before heading on to Corniglia. This village sits above the coastline. You can walk right through the lower part of the town and head out to the next village, if you don't pause for a moment and notice that there is more of the village well above the trail, in fact 370 steps zigzagging up the hillside to the upper level. The climb is worth it though, the fantastic view enhances the wine and the food and there are quite a few private rooms for rent.

The story is that a Roman farmer named the village after his mother, Cornelia. Corniglian was once so famous that urns of it were found in the ruins of Pompeii. Now you can follow the high trail through the vineyards and a few olive groves. Between Corniglia and Vernazza, you'll see a beach called Guvano with (in the summer) nude sunbathers reposing along it. It's the Italian version of counter-culture: pierced nipples (male and female), tattooed punks, hippies in dreadnoughts and plain exhibitionists. Not a family beach!

This part of the trail is the most interesting, with its terraced vineyards clinging to the mountain walls all along, wild flowers, the salt-lace aroma of the sea whenever a breeze blows it up the mountain side. There are a few spots for the daring to do high dives down into the sea and numerous refreshing waterfalls. This is a two hour hike if you don't press it. Eventually it descends into Vernazza.

If you have the time to linger awhile, then plan to stay another night in Vernazza and then you can visit Monterosso tomorrow. Vernazza has pretty much one street that stretches from the harbor up a slight grade to the train station and on into the vineyards beyond. There are a quite a number of fishermen who sail out of this little harbor early in the morning each day, you can count on some very fine fresh seafood in any caf?ere. Evening entertainment for the locals is a few laps between the station and the harbor before retiring. They're in no hurry, just leisurely strolling along, chatting about heaven knows what. There's highway that roughly follows the outline of the coast but at least 5-10 kilometers away from the towns. Some brilliant engineer in Rome decided to help Vernazza join the 20th century by running a branch road over a mountain ridge and down towards the village. Alas, the villagers had other ideas and constructed barriers at the top of the ton and that's where the road still ends. No vehicles in Vernazza, thank you very much!

Next day, hike over to Monterosso. It boasts the only sandy beach in the entire Cinque Terre, the rest are all pebbles, well worn and round pebbles, but still not sand. This is a resort town, with all the cars, hotels, paddleboats and crowds under beach umbrellas that you'll find along any sandy beach from here to the Riviera. When you've had your fill, head back to Vernazza on the train. The trains run through the Cinqua Terre like Italian clockwork almost hourly. There's also a ferry that connects the five villages.

One lasting impression that you may take away with you are the church bells ringing at all hours. In olden times, the bells would call in the fishermen and the vineyard keepers from the mountain sides in the event of an emergency. They are still calling, sometimes in the middle of the night.

Before closing, I must mention the food. Fresh seafood of course, but this is also the home of pesto. Fresh basil from the mountain side gardens, cheese (half parmigiano from the cows and half pecorino from the sheep), garlic, local olive oil and ground pine nuts, poured over a generous plate of pasta. Ambrosia of the Gods!

The Cinqua Terre is a great place to lay back and let the world go by for a few days. The wine is cheap and very good, the food is simple but incomparable, inexpensive accommodation is available if you look around for it. Great scenery and the locals pretty much ignore you. What more could you ask for?

The first tourists who occupied riverside houses as far back as the 1800s experienced this ultimate relaxation. Situated in Pennsylvania, getting there is quite easy since it's accessible from major cities like New York, New Jersey, Boston and Philadelphia.

From hopeless romantics, to retirees, family and friends, those who visit the Poconos will agree that it is habit forming. The woodlands and mountains which frame picturesque lakes, rivers and enticing waterfalls as you drive by, seem to serve as the perfect welcome mat for all the fun which lies ahead.

Lovers of the sea won't get enough of canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, fishing and rafting, Poconos-style. And if you feel at one with nature, you can hike on one of the challenging trails or experience dirt/ mountain biking.

There are over 30 state and national parks to visit and golf can be enjoyed at one of the 60-plus locations. Take a walk down memory lane by visiting historical museums and parks and even preserve a picture of some of the Poconos' historical railroads for posterity. The Poconos are the home of quaint galleries, NASCAR racing, outlet shopping and hitting the slopes for some intense skiing action.

Skiing is no doubt synonymous with the Poconos. In 1946, Big Boulder became the first commercial ski area opened in Pennsylvania. Ten years later, the process of man-made snow was patented, perfected and the Pocono Mountains were introduced as a ski destination in the Big Boulder Ski area. Some of the hot skiing spots during winter include Alpine Mountain, Shawnee, Blue Mountain, Camelback and Jack Frost to name a few, with over 20 trails to choose from.

Wouldn't it be great to have all your holiday shopping completed by the end of Thanksgiving?

Obviously it's too late for that deadline. But if you start today, you can still get done in plenty of time and be on your way to enjoying a stress-free holiday season.

I love giving presents. In fact, I enjoy the whole process from picking a present to packaging and the actual delivery. But not everyone feels the same way. Over the years I have observed different patterns of behaviors among friends and family when it comes to gift giving for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries.

Here are four categories of gift-givers I have noticed:

1. Settlers. This group struggles with the idea of what to get, and usually settles for the first thing they see. Their primary focus is to just to get the "chore" of gift giving out of the way.

2. Exchangers. These people typically spend money on useless things, with the idea that if the receiver does not like the present, he or she will exchange it for something else. Exchangers usually buy their gifts in department stores and include a gift receipt to make it easy to return the item.

3. Don't ask, don't tellers. These people buy presents that are not returnable. Then they package the present so that you would never know where it was purchased and would be too embarrassed to ask. Often, the present either goes to someone else you don't really care about or ends up in your storage (a definite no-no!).

4. Scrooges. Some people get so fed up with the process that they say, "To hell with it!" and stop giving gifts all together.

What do all four groups have in common? They all view gift giving as an unpleasant and distasteful task. However, if you fall into one on these categories, let me assure you that gift giving need not be a difficult process if it's thought out and planned ahead. Get Organized!

* The biggest problem for most gift givers is the dilemma of the unknown — we don't know what to get for our loved ones. The following tips can help you choose the right gift each and every time:

* Pay attention to the details. If you're out shopping with a friend, notice the kinds of things she picks out for herself. This will give you some good ideas on what to get for the next present.

* Make it personal. Most of us are busy and stressed out from our daily activities. A gift certificate to the spa for a massage, pedicure or manicure is an easy and welcome gift.

* Be in tune with what's happening to the people around you. If a friend is going through some hardships and needs a "pick me up," an inspirational CD, DVD or book makes an excellent gift. Or, if someone has an interest in a hobby, craft or artistic endeavor but can't seem to get started, the gift of a private lesson may be just what they need to kick their creativity into gear.

My favorite gift is a gift basket, and I don't mean the kind with lumpy cheese and stale crackers. It's easy to put together a custom-made basket of goodies for your loved ones. All you have to do is buy the items and take them to a specialty store, where they will assemble the basket for you. If you don't have time to shop, you can order a basket by picking and choosing the items you like.

My favorite store is Adels II, in Encino California, where everything in the store is personalized. They have items for every age, price and category, so you can't go wrong. Most of us feel very special when we open a box to find our name or initials engraved on the present.

Another hit item is family photos that are framed or in the form of a calendar. These inexpensive gifts can be done at Kinkos or any other print shop. You can also do them online. To make the gift really memorable, arrange a private sitting with a photographer and have your photograph printed on canvas. It will look like a painted masterpiece and will be cherished for years to come. To get organized and remain focused:

* Make a list of everyone that you would like to give a gift to.

* Set a budget. Whether it costs $5 or $500, each gift has to be just as special (believe me, it can be).

* Set a date by when this gift has to be purchased.

* Visualize how it will be packaged and sent or delivered.

* Place a checkmark by each person's name when their gift has been purchased. Place a second checkmark when the gift has been wrapped.

* Review your list to see whether you have to deliver or send each gift. Not until the gift is sent or delivered can you cross the name off the list.

Finally, think how you would feel about receiving the gift. A beautifully packaged $5 Starbucks gift card with a warm greeting card will be more appreciated than a useless gift that never gets used.

When you put thought, time and love into your gift giving process, the person receiving the gift feels special and appreciated. After all, isn't that why we give gifts in the first place?

Door County, Wisconsin is a popular destination for tens of thousands of travelers every year. Small villages with populations of less than 500 people swell to large crowds during the summer weekends as people head to Door County for some rest, relaxation, time on the water, and good food.

The Inn at Kristofer's, located on Bay Shore Drive in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, is a wonderful place to go for a special meal. My husband and I treated ourselves to dinner there during our latest trip to Door County and we were very glad we did. We had a great meal.

The first thing we noticed after being seated was the beautiful view of the water. The restaurant is directly across the street from the Bay in Sister Bay and large picture windows along the front wall of the restaurant showcase the water view.

Immediately after being seated our water glasses were filled and a wedge of fresh lime was added. We were given menus and fresh, warm, multi-grain rolls. The rolls were served with butter rosettes flavored with fresh basil.

The entr?special that evening was grilled quail which my husband ordered. I had the certified Angus filet mignon, and our oldest son, who had joined us on our vacation, chose the Roast Duck with Orange Grand Marnier sauce.

Because we wanted to save room for dessert we skipped appetizers, soup, and salad although the featured soup for the evening, maple butternut squash bisque topped with pecans, sounded delicious.

All three entrees were excellent. The presentation of the plates was pretty and the food tasted as good as it looked. The Angus filet had a Cabernet sauce that was just the right touch with the beef. Homemade garlic mashed potatoes and a garnish of haystack potatoes rounded out the entr?

The duck was tender, moist, and very flavorful. It was accompanied by fresh steamed vegetables that were cooked just right, and wild rice that contained dried cranberries and nuts.

The grilled quail was, according to my husband, cooked to perfection. He really enjoyed it. It was accompanied by the same wild rice as the duck and a crepe filled with a cranberry sauce, which he thought was delicious as well.

For dessert we split two selections; a pumpkin mousse torte and the cr? brulee. The pumpkin mousse torte had a very light pumpkin flavor and was served with a caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream. The cr? brulee was flamed at the table with Grand Marnier. The combination of creamy vanilla custard, crunchy caramelized topping, and Grand Marnier was delicious.

Although the Inn at Kristofer's is not an inexpensive restaurant, it is a wonderful place to go for a special meal whether it's for someone's birthday, anniversary, or just to treat yourself. I highly recommend trying it. The food is excellent and so is the service. Although we didn't have reservations when we dined there, you may want to call ahead and make reservations, especially if you are heading to Door County during the busy summer months.

Halloween masks have come a long way over the years. What used to be a simple plastic mask with an elastic strap that held it in place has progressed to high-tech latex masks that would be right at home in the latest big-budget Hollywood horror flick.

When you want to really get into character for Halloween, completing your costume with a mask will make it complete. They also give you the confidence to really take on the role of your alter-ego, since nobody needs to know who you really are.

One of the biggest advantages of masks is they take minimal effort and skill to make them work. You might be able to achieve the same result with makeup, but unless you have the skills or know someone who does, it's tough to get the effect just perfect.

Part of the fun of Halloween is getting into character as someone you're not. You're free to "become" almost anyone - even if they're the complete opposite of your true personality.

A mask helps add to that mystique, since you don't even need to admit to who you really are in a lot of cases. If you want to scare the neighborhood kids as they arrive at your front door while trick-or-treating, or become the life of the party at the Halloween bash, you can check your "normal" self at the door and get right into playing the part.

When you dress up in a Halloween costume without a mask, everyone will just see you wearing a costume. With a mask to complete the effect, they'll see who you have "become" instead of who is inside the outfit.

When choosing a mask, make sure you get something that is comfortable to wear. You'll probably have it on for several hours, so if it's uncomfortable when you try it on, it's just going to get a whole lot worse as the night wears on.

With sandy going for as far as the horses can take us and <B>wide fire breaks for exhilarating canters and gallops</B>

Vacation rentals in a place such as Hilton Head Island, South Carolina offer families their own homes away from home. Establishing this way to vacation with your family reduces stress and increases the pleasant memories you'll take home afterward.

Many vacation rentals are actually much less costly than a comparable hotel room or suite. The reason is simple - the overhead for an owner's single-property vacation rental is much lower than the promotion fees built into the rates of a major hotel chain. It follows the Coca-Cola example: the can costs 1.5 cents, the ingredients cost about a nickel, and the advertising and marketing cost 35 cents a can. How would you rather spend your money, on promotion or on product?

Convenience, flexibility, and variety of accommodation (Home - Villa - Condo) are just some of advantages of choosing vacation rental properties. One of the great advantages to vacation rental properties is space, especially in a home or a villa that has multiple bedrooms. Rarely can the average priced hotel room compare to a vacation rental. And that's just the beginning.

It's unlikely that Mom wants to spend much of her vacation in the kitchen, but vacation rentals give you that option. What's even better is that all the necessities are furnished - plates, silverware, pots and pans, coffee maker. A budget-constricted family utilizing a well-equipped kitchen on vacation can reserve some funds for that special event - to see a show, to shop for treasures in specialty outlets, to book a jet ski rental, charter fishing trip, or even a daring afternoon of parachute sailing above the waters of the Calibogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean you always wanted to try!

In Hilton Head Island, there are a few vacation rental companies that offer invaluable advice when you book with them. Dealing with a good one such as Hilton Head Rentals provides you with a Local's perspective about all the interesting things to do, and can help make your vacation even more memorable. Whether it's golf, fishing, tennis or what restaurants to try (or which to stay away from!) we are locally based, not sitting in some "boiler room" based in India or New York and trying to answer questions about Hilton Head.

Vacation rental companies exist to help you get the most value for your hard-earned dollar. Professional reservations staff truly wants to help you get the kind of priceless memories that will last forever. So the next time you're thinking "hotel or a vacation rental property?" consider the above and weigh the advantages.