Combovers Things To Do Before You're Bald

14Jun/110

Bringing the Power of the Internet to the Great Outdoors

It seems like we are all addicted to technology these days. Most of us have our smart phones glued to our sides, and rarely go a day without checking our emails or Facebook. However, there are some great ways to integrate the internet and technology with outdoor activities. Here are some great sites that can enhance your enjoyment of the Great Outdoors.

Geocaching.com - A modern take on old fashioned treasure hunting, geocaching is a new trend taking the world by storm, where users hide caches containing log books and a variety of 'swappable' items then publish the GPS co-ordinates and clues online for others to find. It is a great, fun way to explore the outdoors. There are already over 11,500 caches hidden in Britain!

Trailzilla.com – This site lets you find, create and review trails and routes for all kinds of outdoor activities. Read real-world comments about trails, and log your own outdoor adventures to share with friends or the world in general. You can also print out free maps of the area.

Groupon.com – Keep your eyes peeled on this popular shopping site for deals on outdoor holidays, days at Falconry centres and discounts on activities such as white water rafting. These kind of deal sites can offer huge savings on outdoor activities that are normally quite expensive.

Flickr – The internet is all about sharing. The more we share, the more we can discover and learn. Use Flickr to share your own photos from places you have visited, or search for snapshots of new areas that you are considering visiting. Many users include photos of different places within a single trip, for example local scenic views, old buildings, museums and images of various activity locations in the area.

 

Matador Travel – This network of travel related sites is choc full of outdoor goodies, from user blogs to articles about travel at home and far away. They have useful info and reviews to help you make the most of your exploration of the world we live in and gives rich insight into all kinds of outdoor activities from adventure sports to volunteering oversees.

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31May/110

Si, El Presidente! Visit the Spanish Capital!

Cheap Madrid hotels that will save your money

 

Apparently, every year Spain attracts more than 48 million tourists, many of whom choose to explore its capital, Madrid, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. It is called the City of Contrast, as it has combined the Spanish culture from all other cities into 1 melting pot. Madrid is not rich in monuments historical or architectural, but to fill the vacuum it boasts a wide variety of museums, galleries, businesses as well as cultural and entertaining areas. Its major sites of attractions are spread throughout the city, that's why wherever you decide to stay, one of Madrid hotels that you choose will be definitely close to some interesting places. The venues vary much and each one has got its special zest. Even cheap Madrid hotels can surprise you with their convenient location, cozy rooms and high-standard of service and amenities.  Some of them are listed below:

Despite its dull exterior, Anaco is a charming 3-star hotel that is set next to the Gran Via street, the main artery of Madrid leading to all its key sights. A traditional 5-story building boasts 39 attractively designed guest rooms featuring all modern conveniences. The guests can taste a continental breakfast served at the terrace or visit an adjacent restaurant, offering a great breakfast and lunch. The most remarkable feature of the hotel is its typical Madrid tapas bar, appreciated even by local dwellers, making it a great place to take part in Madrid night life without leaving the hotel. Other on-site facilities include meeting rooms accommodating up to 60 people, business facilities, parking and Wi-Fi in the entire building.

The traditional ambiance of Rafael Hoteles Ventas makes its guests feel the unique Spanish flavour. Its decor combines a fantastic collection of art work. The lively tourists' area, in which the hotel is located, offers a wide range of activities for any taste. The Hotel boasts 111 rooms, ready to provide you with a comfortable stay, featuring marble bathrooms, AC, safe-boxes, mini-bars and satellite TVs. The in-house dining options include a restaurant serving Mediterranean and international fare, a lounge and bar. Buffet breakfasts cost just 14.00 Eur. Among the other facilities are 5 Conference rooms, a business center and secure-parking. Reception is open 24-hours, concierge, laundry, creche are all available too.


Tryp Leganes is set in the suburbs of the city, still it's well connected by the Metro. Nearby attractions include Warner Bro.'s Park, Madrid’s Zoo and Aquarium, Royal Palace and Prado Museum. The hotel is furnished and decorated in Vanguard style with muted tones and cherry-wood furniture. Its 127 guest rooms are all AC'ed, en-suite, complementary toiletries, satellite TV, mini-bar and Wi-Fi Internet access. A buffet breakfast here costs just 10.80Eur. The hotel’s facilities include 11 meeting and banquet rooms for up to 600 people, bar, 24-hour reception, room-service, currency exchange, on-site parking and a laundry.

Choosing one of these Madrid hotels means you also choose quality, attentive staff and a nice service accompanied by great location, without overpaying for the big names. So it's up to you to make the right choice where to stay in the capital of Spain.

Other very popular Spanish tourist destinations that offer sun in the fun, beaches, Brits with sunburn and maybe a cheeky, drunken midnight romance include:

Majorca Holidays
Benidorm Holidays

 

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27May/110

Sun, fun, Disneyland and Dexter

Ahhh, Florida, the sunshine state, famous for it's orange juice and Theme Parks. Many a happy holiday was spent here, all the rollercoasters and American excess, cheese on everything! Bliss. My fave park was always Universal Studios but MGM studios and Busch Gardens rock aswell, and then occasionally I had to goto.....Epcot (that place sucks).

I've always wanted to go back but never seemed to have the time nor money, but in just a few years the parks blossomed, Islands of Adventure, Disney Safari Park and even more water parks, Thunder Cove, Blizzard Mountain to name a couple! The place really is a giant adventure playground for adults and children alike, set on a beautiful coastline and some of the best weather Americas has to offer. Crisp white beaches stretch off into the distance and the shady depths of the Everglades beckon to wildlife spotters.

Every day a Carnival atmosphere pervades at the Quay of the Key's, watch the sun go down over the Atlantic at the most easterly point of the U.S.A and enjoy the entertainment offered, watch cats jump through rings of fire (seriously), magic shows and other various busker-esque shows. As befits sucha  heavily touristed region, there's a huge array of accommodation types from Motel, Hotel, Holiday Eeeen to luxury 5* never-have-to-leave the premises as they're so awesome Hotels. Luxury Villa's and rental bungalows in quiet cul-de-sac's are other great options for families.

Hotels in Orlando Choose a place in Orlando, where you would like to stay and you will definitely find accommodation nearby from our great database of hotels for every taste and wallet.

Orlando is serviced by Orlando International Airport and transport from Miama International is also widely-used, these form the backbone of the international infratructure links, with most tourists opting to rent-a-car as most of the attractions lie way outside the urban areas.  Of course, all major carriers fly here and discounts on flights are often available in conjunction with booking a trip to Disneyland or SeaWorld.

Flight to Orlando

 

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12May/110

Alternative Reasons to Travel

What other reasons are out there that get us on that plane, boat or in the car?

Okay, sure people have been travelling for business for millenia, take the Silk Route, or the Spice routes. Business trips used to last months or even years, take His Majesty's Wooden Walls and the slave trading and Gold bullion of the 16th Century when a round trip back to Europe could take a couple of years!

In this day and age, with a myriad of illnesses, complaints and afflictions related to an ageing society, Western medications and Health systems are often expensive. Medication is price-controlled depending on the country and health-practicioners demand a salary equivalent to their role, demand and the worth of their native currency. So the UK and the USA often have very expensive private Healthcare systems and many people simply can't afford even the most routineof operations and treatments.

This has seen the rise of medical tourism, the act of travelling to another country, solely for the reason of receiving medical treatment as it is often cheaper.

Fashion Tourism is also expanding, what was once the preserve of high-flying fashionista's has seen an increase in popularity. Not only is it the rich and famous heading to London, Paris, Rome or New York for the catwalks and shows,  a surge of interest has led tothe expansion of catwalk events and lowering of their exclusivity. Other cash-ins are the ridiculously cheap tailor-made Mens Suits available in the South-East Asian countries and the of-dubious quality Designer Bags and Sunglasses hawked at every street-market. A strange dichotomy pervades here, travellers oft make use of the cheap tailors to grab a few bargains and Mens Business Shirts to take home, but the expert quality and speed in places such as Hue, Vietnam has seen some tourists arriving with buying clothes as the primary reason to travel and a jaunt in Vietnam as an attractive side-note.

 

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9May/110

Stockholm

Pearl of the Baltic Sea

 

Although London is the place to be for royal fans and other tourists at the moment following the royal nuptials, only a year ago all eyes were on Stockholm. In June last year, Sweden´s Crown Princess Victoria married her long-time boyfriend, commoner Daniel Westling with the country´s breathtakingly beautiful capital as the backdrop. Although Victoria may not be the royal 'princess of the moment' anymore, Stockholm is definitely still a summer destination worth a visit.

The best way of arriving into Stockholm is by ferry, as that way you get to enjoy the vast archipelago around the city, breathe in the sea air and wave from the deck to locals enjoying their saunas and warm summer nights at their summer cottages. Of course you can also reach Stockholm by plane or train as well. The international airport of Arlanda is situated 37 km north of the city and the central railwaystation is right in the city center.

Stockholm has something to offer for just about everyone. It is famed for its historical sites such as the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace and the charming old town. Skansen Zoo is a treat for the whole family and a favourite for kids, plus the amusement park of Gröna Lund and the fairy-tale world of Junibacken which is a must for all fans of Astrid Lindgren´s books and characters. Another great tip is visiting the island of Skeppsholmen and the numerous museums that reside on this old military island nowadays, the Museum of Modern Art is definitely worth a visit. Another interesting museum to visit in Stockholm is Fotografiska, a center for contemporary photography which opened in 2010.

If you´re more interested in shopping than sightseeing, there is a lot on offer as well. The area around Drottninggatan and Kungsgatan in the city center has all the big Swedish department stores like Åhléns and NK plus there is a H&M store on just about every street. Whereas Södermalm is the place to be for second-hand buys and vintage finds, head to Hornsgatan where you can find various second-hand stores and design shops.

After a lond day of sightseeing and shopping it´s good to let your hair down and enjoy the Stockholm nightlife. Probably the most famous area when it comes to partying is Stureplan, the home to some of the city´s most well-known and expensive restaurants and bars. Stureplan is where the royal offspring mingle with local celebrities. But if expensive cocktails and bottles of Dom Pérignon isn´t your thing (or out of your budget) you might want to head off to Södermalm. Take the tunnelbana (the Swedish underground) to Medborgarplatsen and find a more relaxed atmosphere and affordable drinks in the bars of Götgatan.

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2May/110

Cyprus: The Trip of a Lifetime!

The following article was written by George Chrisotodoulou from CheapOair (provider of cheap flights). George is a Travel writer who loves to visit many places and learn about different cultures.

Cyprus is a wonderful place with warm weather most of the year and a beach only two hours away no matter where you are. Just like any other country, Cyprus has its own tourist district that mirrors the tourist areas of other countries all over the world. What most people don't know is that Cyprus is still largely made up of small villages, that are disappearing. As children grow and move to the city, the villages are quickly becoming a great place for tourists to truly see the beauty of the country.

The villages are interesting because every one is unique. There is no single village with a section that looks similar to another. For the most part, the homes were built by the Cypriot people fifty or more years ago so each one is built with a different style and build preference. Some houses are hundreds of years old! Beautiful flowers and plants climb most walls with grapes creating canopies for every house. What really offers a twist is that most of the villages were built directly onto the mountain slope rather than flattening the land first. It's great just to walk down the maze of roads and paths leading to the same place.

As well as enjoying the food, make sure you try some of the excellent Cypriot Wines

As a tourist, what you miss out on most, is the local village coffee shop scene. You would think that being surrounded by elderly people drinking coffee and playing backgammon would be boring, but it's not. The people are full of great personality and the games are always lively and entertaining. When the guests leave, a relaxing nap is a welcomed activity.

Fortunately as a tourist, the one thing you can count on is eating local food. Whether you live with a local or rent a hotel room, the restaurants will serve you authentic Greek food. Souvlaki, or barbequed pork on a stick with vegetables drizzled with olive oil and seasonings. This is one of the most delicious meals available. Along with a healthy green Greek salad, you will enjoy a great feast. The salad usually contains feta cheese, olive oil, and vinegar.

If there is one place you want to add to your travel list this year, make it Cyprus. Whether you want to relax, get some exercise, or eat some local Greek food or go to the beach, Cyprus is the perfect vacation!

Greece Holidays

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