Archive for December, 2007

Vacation home rental is becoming a trend these days. More and more people prefer to rent a vacation home than stay in a hotel. Vacation home is accessible in most tourist places like California and Florida.

Vacation home is a fully-furnished house or townhouse which is leased to certain individuals who stays for a definite number of days. Vacation homes can either be with swimming pools or jacuzzi. It can also be with special amenities depending on what is agreed upon. There are some vacation homes which allow pets to be brought with the family.

Here are some things that you need to know in looking for a vacation home.

Check on the listings from agents or from the internet. When searching for a vacation home, be as specific as you can be. Use appropriate keywords when typing. If you prefer a 3-bedroom house within Orlando Florida and you would like to bring your pet, then put it in as keywords. Do not limit yourself with the top list.

Look for a house which is near the places that you would want to visit. Limit your travel time from 10 to 15 minutes only. A travel time of more than 30 minutes will consume a lot of your time. Traffic is likely to occur when you travel long. There might be areas where you have not considered having traffic which cause longer time to reach your destinations.

Search for units which offer short time rentals. Inquire for the minimum amount of days for the lease. It is cheaper when you reach the minimum days required. The succeeding days may also charge less compared with the original rate.

Consider the amenities that go with the home. The usual package includes the kitchen utensils like pots and pans with stoves, beds and linens, and towels. Some companies offer a grocery package which you will have to pay additional charge. Some homes offer strollers, cribs and wheelchairs for additional charge also.

Try to find a vacation home with a wide background. More activities can be held when the backyard is bigger.

Lastly, get a vacation home which has no second floor if you have elderly or disabled individuals with you. It can hinder their movements and it might even cause accidents.

Once you are able to come up with a checklist on what specifications you like for your future home, you can now start searching for ‘the house’.

Vacation home are listed in different newspapers and magazines. You can start checking there for possible home. If you can not find anything through this media, you can search through the internet or through agents or brokers. There are some who owns the vacation home and they speak for themselves without any agents.

If you are undecided on whom to go to, you can always rely on friends or relatives who had experiences with vacation homes. You can ask for referrals on which house to choose and who to talk to.

Other sites for listing are through visitors’ bureau websites which can be found in the internet.

When finalizing details, make sure that you have a copy of the agreement. Everything should be noted down and it should always be followed. It is important to note the dates and deadlines for payments as well as the special information regarding the house and its amenities.

Ask as many questions as you can from the agent. It is better to be prepared than know-it-all when in fact you haven’t discussed certain things. If the agent is hesitant to give answers to your questions, be wary. There might be some things which might not turn out well.

Here are some helpful tips that you should bear in mind!

1. Reserve as early as possible. If you have finalized your plans, reserve the vacation homes. During peak seasons, vacation homes are in demand and are easily booked.
2. Retain a personal copy for the agreement. Important data should be recorded.
3. Pay on time. Give special attentions to deadlines of payments, your reservation might be forfeited if you fail to comply.
4. Be aware of the cancellation procedure. Some do not allow cancellations so make sure that you decide well if you would like to avail the home.
5. Note on special instructions should be made. Do not wait for the last minute before moving.

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Orlando is a very popular tourist destination. The Orlando airport is the busiest in Florida. There are ways to find a good deal on flights to Orlando, but you will need to start planning early to find the best rate. Consider the time of year, time of day and day of the week when looking for a good deal. Search the internet to compare prices and find the best deal. Saving on your flight will leave you with more money to enjoy all this city has to offer.

Finding a Good Price for Flights to Orlando

Good rates can sometimes be found with major airlines. Major carriers offer discount airfares and seasonal deals. When they get into ticketing wars, this can be good for you. Only a certain number of seats on each flight are discounted. Once these are sold, the price goes up for the remaining seats on the flight. Book your flight early to get a good price. Sometimes travel is restricted to certain dates or days of the week. Take this into consideration when making your reservation.

Compare prices with different airlines. This information can be found on travel websites. Not all sites offer the same fares for each flight. Check fares with a few different sites to find the best deal. This will take more time, but you will save more money by taking the time to research the best rates with each airline.

Sometimes you can save money with special package deals. If you book your hotel, flight and even your car rental, you can save even more. Travel agents often have information on package vacations to Orlando. Contact your travel agent for information on package deals available at the time of year you plan to fly.

The time of year will affect the price you will pay for your ticket. School holidays, especially around Christmas and Spring Break are very popular travel times. Flights tend to fill up fast. You may pay more for your ticket during these seasons. Deals can often be found after the Christmas holidays, in January and February.

Consider flying during off peak hours to save more money. Flights that depart early in the morning or at night tend to be less expensive than mid day flights. You will have to get up early to catch the flight, but you will save. The day of the week will also affect the fare you pay. Flying mid week is cheaper than flying on a weekend. Consider this when planning your vacation. It can save you quite a bit of money.

Flights to Orlando with Discount Airlines

Several discount airlines are giving the larger carriers a run for their money. These smaller carriers offer cheaper fares to Orlando. You can often find information on the internet for many of these flights. Discount carriers are not always listed on larger travel sites. You may have to contact the airline directly to find a flight from your point of departure to Orlando. This will take more time in researching fares, as you will have to call each airline directly. Again, the time you put into your search will pay off in a cheaper flight.

Discount airlines often offer less in the way of service on the flight. Some offer only snacks and drinks but no food. Others don’t offer any snacks at all and you may have to pay for drinks on the flight. This is a small price to pay for the savings you will get on your ticket. Scaling back on extras allows the airline to offer a better deal on airfares.

Howard Farmer

Florida Articles


Two boys from South Carolina made headlines a few weeks ago. They had spent six days adrift at sea before being rescued … off the coast of North Carolina.

The boys, one fifteen and one sixteen, had set out in a small boat with no paddles, no motor, no sail, no food and no water. The fact that they had survived for six days under these circumstances is almost a miracle.

The first lesson to be learned from their experience goes almost without saying: never, never, never set out to sea without paddles, a motor, or sails. No matter how close you think you will stay to shore, no matter how serene the ocean seems, no matter how calm the weather is, you just can’t trust that conditions will not change.

Beyond the obvious, that you do need paddles or a sail, what else do you need to survive at sea and what you need to do you to maximize your chances of survival?

The US Army Survival Manual has some very good information on the topic of survival at sea. The first thing, in the words of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is “don’t panic.” Check the physical condition of everyone onboard. Give first aid as necessary. Take seasickness pills if available as vomiting from seasickness (or any other cause) increases the danger of dehydration.

Next, make an inventory of all equipment, food, water, thermos jugs, other containers, clothing, seat cushions, life preservers, and anything else that may be of value. If you have an emergency radio, turn it on. Have emergency signaling devices ready for instant use. If you have been forced into a raft, be sure to check for inflation, leaks and possible chafing. Make sure the buoyancy chambers are firm (well rounded but not drum tight). Check inflation regularly. Hot air expands so on hot days, release some air.

Throw out the sea anchor or improvise a sea anchor using a bucket, any other large open-mouthed container or a large roll of clothing. A sea anchor will keep you near the place where your boat became incapacitated or where you were forced into the raft, making it easier for rescuers to find you. The sea anchor will also help keep the boat or raft headed into the wind and waves.

If the weather turns stormy, try to rig a spray and windshield. If you are in a raft, see if there is a canopy. If so, keep it up at all times. Keep the raft as dry as possible and properly balanced. Everyone in the raft should stay seated with the heaviest person in the middle of the raft.

If you are in a cold climate, put on as much extra clothing as possible. Keep the clothes loose and comfortable. If you are in a raft, take care to not snag it with sharp objects. Try to keep the floor of the raft dry. If possible, cover it with canvas or cloth for insulation. Huddle with others to keep warm, moving enough to keep circulation going.

In a warm climate, be sure to rig a sunshade or canopy. Cover your skin as much as possible to protect it from the sun. Use sunscreen if available on all exposed skin. Your eyelids, the back of your ears, and the skin under your chin burn easily so do not forget these areas.

Determine exactly how much food and water you have. Work out a rationing plan to ensure you will have something to eat and water to drink for as many days as possible. Keep a tarpaulin or sail for catching rainwater. If the tarp or sail is encrusted with dried salt, wash it in seawater. There will not be enough salt left to harm you. At night, secure the sail or tarpaulin like a sunshade and turn the edges up to collect dew. When it rains, catch and drink as much water as possible. Do not drink salt water.

If you run out of food, see what you can do to catch fish. Most fish in the open sea are edible. You can make a hook from pins, needles, small nails, or any piece of metal. One way to make a wooden fishhook is to cut a piece of hardwood about two inches long, and one-half inch in diameter to make the shank. Cut a notch near one end of the wood in which to place the point. Place the point (a small nail, pin, piece of bone or similar item) in the notch. Hold the point in the notch and tie securely.

You can use shoelaces, string, thin ropes or thread from your clothes to fashion a line. Small fish will gather under the shadow of your craft. Catch them and use them as bait to catch larger fish. Make a dip net to scoop up crabs, fish and shrimp. At night, shine a flashlight on the water to attract fish.

Most important of all, prepare and take with you a survival kit. At the minimum,
This kit should contain:

· Water or the means to catch and store water.
· Food packets and items such as fishhooks and line that can be used to catch fish
· Wooden matches and waterproof matches
· Pocket knife
· Plastic spoon
· Compass
· Signaling mirror
· First aid kit
· Sun block
· Sun hat
· Poncho
· Sleeping bag
· Tarpaulin

If you have these items, as well as a couple of paddles, your chances of survival at sea are excellent.

Here’s another good tip. If you’re looking for a great place to vacation, choose Denver. Denver is unique in that it offers the best of two worlds — the fun things to do and see that you find only in a big, sophisticated city, plus the breathtaking scenery, unforgettable vistas and amazing wildlife you find in our nearby Rocky Mountains. To learn more about the best Denver vacation, just go to Just go to best-denver-vacation.com best-denver-vacation.com

Douglas Hanna has lived in the Denver area for nearly 35 years and is an expert on both Denver and Colorado. He is also the author of more than 120 articles on Denver and Internet marketing.


Las Vegas is one of the most unforgettable cities in the world. Whether you want to hit the slots our enjoy yourself in this magical city, with so many expenses it doesn’t hurt to save a bit here and there, especially on your hotel room.

There are a variety of great hotels in Las Vegas. You can stay where ever you desire, just remember to plan ahead, that way you can take advantage of great discount packages and you always end up saving money.

Yet remember don’t try to go to cheap. After all this is a vacation, treat yourself to a little luxury, but if you’re not going to spend so much time in the hotel room, then find something affordable and comfortable. If you can, check out the room before staying, and when making reservations for discount hotel room in Las Vegas, make all the question you can so you know what you’re room will be like.

Las Vegas gets many tourists year round; many hotels compete for the lowest prices. Of course there are 5 star hotels that will always have high prices, but even there you can find out about packages and discounts for 4 nights or more. The most expensive hotels are within the Las Vegas City. Look for some hotels on the outskirts, not to faraway.

You can book your discount hotel room in Las Vegas from a variety of places. The best place to find a discount hotel room in Las Vegas is online. That’s right, online. Compared to the classic calling up the hotel and making reservations by phone, finding hotel rooms online will save you a lot more money. Of course you’ll have to do a little research but it’s worth it because you’ll end up saving a great amount of money compared to making last minute reservations or even worse not finding any vacant hotels. With more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from in Las Vegas, there is sure to be a lodging choice that fits your budget.

V. Anicama works as a freelance author of articles.


Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Disney World Resort is truly the happiest celebration on Earth (okay, tied for happiest with Christmas!). Entertainment, fireworks and parades come together in a special celebration of the New Year.

Every year is a different celebration, but seeing how the parks celebrated a Disney World New Year’s Eve less than a year ago, it should be an indicator of just what you have to look forward to during the next one.

Magic Kingdom – To usher in 2006, Disney World staged the SpectroMagic, Wishes, and the Fantasy in the Sky.

SpectroMagic is a double parade that started at 7 and 10 p.m. While Wishes, the spectacular nighttime fireworks, started 8:30 p.m. Fantasy in the Sky, a special fireworks display designed for the momentous occasion, started off just before midnight. DJ’s were posted at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, The Diamond Horseshoe and Ariel’s Grotto.

The parks were open from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m. the next morning. The celebrations start early for a Disney World New Year’s Eve to ensure the children do not miss the shows.

The shows and entertainment are always included with the theme park admission.

Disney MGM Studios – “Lights, Camera, Fireworks”, a new fireworks show, was presented for the Disney World New Year’s Eve, as complimentary horns and hats were given to the guests on Mickey Avenue. They also presented a live performance by Lisa Z and the Funhouse at the Sorcerer’s Hat, while DJ Charles Miles kept the crowd pumped up with music from blockbuster movies in between the sets of Lisa Z.

Epcot – Never one to veer away from its futuristic theme, New Year’s Eve at Epcot came alive with lasers, lights, special pyrotechnics and water fountains at The World Showcase Promenade. DJs were placed at several locations in the promenade, and on the stage of Future World. Illuminations was performed at 7:30 and 11:45 p.m., with a special musical finale that featured the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” to cap the occasion. The whole park was turned into a big party area for the festivities!

Featured entertainment for the Disney World New Year’s Eve party at Epcot:

The Tom Butler Orchestra playing big band and swing music in the Grand Ballroom at the World Showcase
DJ spinning techno-rock music in China
Latin dancing at American Gardens Theatre
Euro music in Italy
VJ featuring rock ‘n roll classics in Japan
DJ Scooter at Future World Fountain Stage
Two special presentations of “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” at World Showcase Lagoon

Disney Cruise Line – The Disney World New Year’s Eve party here celebrated the countdown to 2006 with ship wide activities for both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.

Programs at the Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab were improved and tapered to the occasion for children to celebrate. Disney Magic’s “Aloft” and Disney Wonder’s “Stack”, the cruise ships’ teen areas, became teen-only dance parties, as the adults held their celebration in the adults-only districts.

Pleasure Island – (Downtown Disney) was transformed into a big street party with the music of S O S Band, Smash Mouth, Paul Jackson and many more, with spectacular fireworks at midnight and champagne toasts all around.

The party was open to adults 21 years old and above, and you are required to present a valid ID (although teenagers below 18 could join, provided they had their parent’s permission).

Suzanne Elizabeth is an expert reagrding Disney World as a vacation spot. Having visited numerous times, and studying all aspects, she can answer virtually any question you may have. To learn more about Disney World Vacations, tickets and general information, visit her site about disneynotes.com Disney World.


Visit the Maldives for an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime!

You don’t need a visa to come to the Maldives although a 30 day entry permit will be given to you on arrival, i.e. any designated entry port. You will need a valid travel passport from your country of origin, along with a scheduled return ticket, and any necessary visa for the country you’re leaving to.

There are several dozen cruise boats that sail around the islands as well. There’s a lot to see with 1,200 islands, and certain cruises offer complementary diving expeditions; others are for relaxation – plain and simple. A good cruise will wind its way through the heavily populous atolls and also the virgin, pristine islands. Luxury cruises have modern amenities, and each cruise has its own twist on things.

This is a land of sun and water. A perfect paradise for those that need to unwind and relax. Scuba diving, snorkelling, submarine tours, whale and dolphin tours, and a variety of water sports including wakeboarding, jet skis, parasailing, and water skiing, are also available.

There are at least 17 hotels in the capital of Male, and you’ll need booked reservations upon arrival or else $30/day for every day you’ll be staying there. You have to provide proof of one or the other to officials upon entry. Ask your cruise if they commonly see any of Male’s oceanic spectacles like the Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, Pilot Whale as well as the Spinner, Bottlenose, Risso’s, Spotted, Striped, Fraser’s and Rough-toothed dolphins. There are Maldivian specialities, which are frequently seen here but hardly ever anywhere else. You might even get a chance to see a Dwarf Sperm Whale, Melon-headed Whale or the elusive Tropical Bottlenose Whale. Even Orca killer whales abound.

Night fishing is another popular way to relax for tourists. The boats take off before sunset and settle down in a reef area. Even if the fishing is so-so, it’s still a good chance to relax.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/recreation/travelvacation/ travel and vacations and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.


Best NYC Hotels

By and large, the best NYC hotels are those that come under the ranking or five or seven stars. They are palatial, and the services they offer make the guests feel like kings and queens.

Whether the rooms are meant for single or double occupancy, they are extremely spacious. The ambience is superior to any of the lower-ranking hotels. Yes, it is an exorbitant expenditure considering that one mainly uses the hotel facility to spend the night, as during the day you’ll be sightseeing in New York City.

However, this is not to say that lower-ranking hotels can’t qualify as being among the best. In fact, many of the prestigious chains of hotels also dabble in the lower-ranking hotel business in order to be able to maintain a client base at all levels. While they cater to the executives at the high-ranking hotels, they are keen to cater to the needs of the common person, too.

The best NYC hotels are determined by a set of professionals who conduct yearly checks on all facilities being provided; if they meet up to the expected standards then they are listed in the top recommended list.

To determine which are the best NYC hotels, you should check out sites on the Internet, or go through New York City brochures available at travel agencies. In case you have no prior bookings, then as soon as you arrive at any of the two airports there are counters that help you get a room at one of best hotels.

e-NYCHotels.com NYC Hotels provides detailed information on NYC Hotels, Discount NYC Hotels, Boutique NYC Hotels, Best NYC Hotels and more. NYC Hotels is affiliated with e-NewYorkHotels.com Discount New York Hotel.


Return to Bethany Beach

Blame it on your childhood, or perhaps your everlasting tendency towards nostalgia, but summer just isn’t summer without beaches, boardwalks, and plenty of sun-soaked relaxation. You’ve been longing to kick off your sensible shoes and play some beach volleyball before heading to the nearest ice cream vendor, or perhaps occupy yourself with a couple of arcade games after you’ve dried yourself off from your morning dip in the ocean. It all sounds so comforting, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take a trip that will bring these dreamy longings into the land of reality.

Bethany Beach is just such a place, as perhaps you already know. Located on the “Quiet Coast” of southeast Delaware, you’ll find all the typical seaside diversions in a fun-loving, down-to-earth setting. Whether or not this is the actual site where the fondest memories of your youth were made is irrelevant; by the time you leave it will seem like you’ve always known Bethany Beach existed.

As a child you probably didn’t care too much about your lodging situation when you traveled with your family. Sure, staying in a hotel was a novelty, but you really just looked forward to getting outside to the beach or spending countless hours in the pool. You vaguely remember fighting with your siblings over sleeping arrangements or having to share towels in the tiny bathroom, but all of this has pretty much faded into the background of your mind.

Now that you’re older, the responsibility has fallen on you to make the room reservations, and your priorities, fortunately or unfortunately, have changed a bit. No longer are you oblivious to where you lay your head, what the view looks like from the window, or how loud the neighbors are. You notice these things, and considering that this is your hard-earned vacation, you want everything to be just so.

If this is true, then you might want to consider renting a vacation home for your trip to Bethany Beach. There are dozens to choose from, and it’s likely that a few of those would be not only acceptable to your needs, but exceptional. If this really is your trip down memory lane, then why not make it as magical as possible?

What this really means is that a vacation rental will house you in comfort, keep you close to the activities of the beach and the town, yet will offer you more privacy and room to breathe than your ordinary, everyday lodgings. Pick a villa a few feet from the beach, or go inland a mile or so and find yourself within reach of tennis courts, mini-golf, and numerous other resort-style offerings. It’s up to you what level of seclusion you have, but remember that just breaking away from the cookie cutter hotels will make you feel like you and your companions are in your own little world.

Contemporary or traditional, rustic or luxurious, you’ll find every sort of place you can think of. Bethany Beach, with its festivals, restaurants, shopping options, and plentiful beach temptations, will keep you nice and busy, but nothing will compare to the feeling of returning to your home base without worrying about so many of the usual pitfalls. No squishing into a too-small space, no fighting over the remote control, and no worries of draining your wallet by going out for expensive meals every time someone is hungry.

Your waterfront lodge will have bedrooms for all, enough electronic amenities and games to keep the kids busy all night, and a fully-equipped kitchen that will invite the option to keep snacks at hand or enough basics to prepare a few simple meals. Cocktails on your screened porch will make you feel right at home, and a round of cards like you used to play with your parents will give you one more blast from the past. As you share a few laughs with your own children, you suspect that they’ll remember this occasion for years to come.

A trip to Bethany Beach will do wonders for your spirit and your stress-level. Head to the coast to revisit happy days gone by, and don’t forget to make a few new memories that you’ll recall when you return inland. An important component to all of this is the place you choose to stay, so go online to discover the Bethany Beach Vacation Rental that will put the finishing touches on what is soon to be a sunny series of remembrances.

HomeAway.com HomeAway.com has thousands of vacation rental listings located all over the world, so start here as you make plans for your next trip.


Somehow food tastes much better outdoors. Maybe it’s the crisp and fresh air. Maybe my appetite is bigger. Maybe it’s being able to eat without being interrupted by the phone!

The only drawback to camping cooking is preparing and cleaning up. I don’t like cooking multi-step recipes or scrubbing smoke-stained dishes in less than adequate dishpans after the meal when I can be watching the sunset.

That is why my favorite cooking ‘pot’ is aluminum foil.

Foil cooking allows you to prepare delicous meals in the coals of your campfire and have nothing to wash when dinner is over! Below are 7 of my favorite foil wrap recipes. But first let’s go over the basics of tin foil cooking:

Use heavy-duty foil so you don’t burn the food and so the packet doesn’t tear.Use assembly-line technique, not one foil packet at a time. EPut some butter in the packet so your food won’t stick to the packet.Sprinkle seasonings generously. It makes others think you are a pro at this.Double-seal by folding twice to keep the moisture in. When you fold leave air room for heat circulation inside.Don’t cook foil packets over roaring fire. A small fire or white hot coals is better. Tip: For first night, prepare the foil packets at home. When you get to camp, just toss them on the coals.

Here are 7 foil packet recipes: Note: depending on how hot the coals are, it takes generally 20-30 minutes, less for fish or pre-cooked items. Turn every 5 minutes.

Recipe 1. Ham & Sweet Potato

- 1 slice of pre-cooked ham (this can be fresh or canned)

- 1 serving canned yams (about 3 pieces)

- 1 or 2 canned pineapple rings

- 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

- 1/2 tablespoon butter

Recipe 2. Chicken Potato Packets

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

- 4 medium red potatoes, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

- 2 cups frozen green peas

- 1 jar (12 oz.) chicken gravy

- 1 teaspoon salt

- ½ teaspoon dried thyme

- 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Recipe 3. Baby back pork ribs

- 3 pounds baby back pork ribs

- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

- 1 tablespoon paprika

- 2 teaspoons garlic powder

- 1 ½ teaspoons pepper

- ½ cup water

- 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce

Or just purchase a packet of ready-to-heat Lloyds Barbecue Ribs

Recipe 4. Tuscan Sword Fish

- 1 can (15 oz.) Great Northern or cannellini beans, rinsed, drained

- 1 medium tomato, chopped

- 2 tablespoons prepared pesto, divided

- 2 swordfish steaks (4 to 6 oz. each)

- 2 teaspoons lemon juice

- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper

- 2 lemon slices

Recipe 5. Shrimp Jambalaya Packets

- 1 pound peeled and de-veined medium uncooked shrimp

- 4 cups cooked rice

- ½ pound smoked sausage, sliced

- 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes with garlic and onions

- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

- 3 to 4 teaspoons dried Cajun seasoning

- 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Recipe 6 Mexican Pork Packets

- 4 boneless pork chops, about 1/2-inch thick

- 1 teaspoon chili powder

- 1 cup medium chunky salsa

- 1 can (15 1/4 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained OR 1 package (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn

- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper

Recipe 7 Cranberry Apple Sweet Potatoes

- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

- 2 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, cored, thinly sliced in rings

- ½ cup dried cranberries

- 3 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Have fun foil cooking. Open the foil carefully to avoid a burst of hot steam .

For foil dessert recipes, watch a video of how to assemble campfire banana boat and other joyofcamping.com/camping-tips/campfire-smores-banana-split/” target=”_blank foil-wrapped dessert recipes.

Watch VIDEOS of Camping how-to, tips, recipes, gear reviews at JoyofCamping.TV JoyofCamping.TV or visit
our family blog at JoyofCamping.com JoyofCamping.TV

For a free 28-page Campfire Recipe book, email mailto:camping_recipes@aweber.com camping_recipes@aweber.com


The capital of the Costa Calida is Murcia, Spain. It is here that the old is blended with the contemporary. A typical Spanish city, Murcia has many points of interest for locals and tourists alike. It is a college town with over 30,000 students attending its university at any given time. Thus, Murcia has earned the nickname “University City.”

Among the places to visit in Murcia are museums, cathedrals and churches, and the university itself. Getting there is easy too. Once you arrive there is no shortage of accommodations either, but you will want to plan for university events such as graduations because hotels will book quickly.

Arrival at Murcia — Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Murcia is best serviced by the San Javier airport where major international and European carriers come and go on a regular basis. It experienced a 77 percent increase in traffic between 1996 and 2006 due to a burst in interest in the region among tourists and students. It is located along the northern part of the Mar Menor, which is also a great location for outdoor sports such as swimming, water skiing, sailing, fishing, etc.

Once you arrive, you can hire a car to take you to your hotel or use a taxi or bus, which will also get you to all of the points of interest in and around the city.

In-Town and Nearby Hotels

There are plenty of choices in hotels and around the city centre of Murcia. For example, one modern choice is the Hotel Nelva. It is just 4 km from the downtown area and only cost around $75 US per night.

In the heart of the city is the also modern Catalonia Conde de Floridablanca. It is just steps away from the shops in town and the cities cathedral.

The business and commercial district of Murcia is the location of the Zenit Murcia. It is also close to the cathedral and has 61 air conditioned rooms costing approximately $65 US per night.

If you are looking for a golf resort and retreat, then look no further than the InterContinental Mar Menor Golf Resort & Spa located in Murcia and also in the Canary Islands. Here you can take in 18 holes and the escape to a relaxing retreat where you can enjoy many different spa treatments.

Museums and Other Attractions

Once you have found your home base it is time to explore the many sights offered in and around Murcia. There is something for the art lover, history fanatic or outdoor enthusiast.

One must-see stop on your tour of Murcia is the Cathedral of Murcia. This landmark is known by its tower that can be see from great distances. Outside, there are huge access doors that are uniquely crafted. The main entrance, known as the Puetra del Perdon, the north side door, called the Portada de las Cadenas and the Portada de los Apostoles all give entrance to the chapel. Inside you will find an abundance of gold and other ornate embellishments that show this is a sacred place. Tourists can go to the top of the tower to see spectacular views of the city and beyond.

The museum called the Almudi Art Palace once housed the tithes in the form of corn, collected by the clergy. It is the city archives and centre for art today after being renovated in the mid-1980s.

The history of the entire region can be seen at the city museum called Museo de la Ciudad. Art, industry, and the entire culture can be viewed by its artefacts. This location also boasts an orchard from the Moorish period.

Just for fun, the Gran Casino Murcia lets you spend your Euros in slot machines while enjoying the ornate ballroom. Then you can move on to the Spa La Manga Club for some relaxation. It is located at the Hyatt Las Lomas Village & Spa and offers steam rooms Jacuzzi tubs, manicures, pedicures, therapeutic massage, and even reflexology. A lap pool is located on the premises featuring 6 lanes 25-metres in length. Children are welcome, but have their own swimming pool so the adults are not disturbed.

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