May 20th, 2010

Yoga in Italy: Sunflower Retreats Holidays in Lazio

Can you imagine anything more relaxing than yoga…in Italy? Vacation yoga retreats are a going trend in bel paese. And they make perfect sense: an affordable way to get away from it all, and an easy place to go solo. In our April issue, Sharon Sanders introduced us to one such retreat in Puglia. She also profiled a Le Marche yoga escape and this yoga retreat near Rome:

Sunflower Retreats Holidays
Via Tito Tazio, 11
Casperia (39) 3331 893092
www.sunflowerretreats.com

Location: Casperia, situated in the heart of the Sabine Mountains in the region of Lazio, is a car-free hilltop medieval village, with fewer than 350 inhabitants who are largely involved in the running of Sunflower Retreats. The town is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and forest-covered mountains.

Philosophy: “Our yoga retreats and holidays are based around health and relaxation, good food, Italian culture, eco-tourism and nature, and we promote, acknowledge and transmit the intrinsic and endless values of nature to all our clients.”

Retreats: Lucy Bremner and many guest teachers conduct classes in English -open to beginners and more experienced yogis-from March through October. Classes are primarily Hatha yoga with some teachers specializing in Iyengar and Ashtanga. Weather-permitting, classes are conducted on an outdoor platform. Other activities available are massages in a variety of styles, reiki, thermal baths and natural hot sulphur springs.

How to Get There: Casperia is located about 90 minutes from Rome. There is a train from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to Poggio Mirteto Scalo station. The train fare is around 5€ and includes the local bus service from Poggio Mirteto Scalo station to Casperia. Information on a 45€-per-person transfer from Fiumicino directly to Casperia (minimum two people) is on the Web site.

Rates: Basic prices are between 500 and 620€ (based on double occupancy) per person, per week and include accommodation, breakfast, daily 90-minute yoga class, guided mountain walk and all-week use of bicycle. (Single rooms are available for a supplemental fee.)

Dream of Italy® – Italy Travel News Blog

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May 20th, 2010

Steam cases made of silicone: the key for a healthy diet

http://www.lekue.es/productos/foto_270_400.jpg

I discovered the new designs by Lékué -a Spanish company based in the proximity of Barcelona- some time ago and I found them fun and practical. The steam cases are wonderful to cook healthy but tasteful dishes. It is the modern version of the “papillote” cooking technique which consisted of baking food wrapped in aluminium foil or special cooking paper. It is great for fish and vegetables but you can cook anything in small portions. I reproduce the product description of the mini steam case from their website because it is very accurate. The mini is great for singles, or single servings, but there is a larger size.  

“The mini steam case optimizes steam cooking while intensifying flavours and maintaining nutrients. Because the mini steam case is small, various individual dishes can be prepared at the same time for a complete and balanced meal. The lids include compartments so food can be easily seasoned at the table. Up to 2 steam cases fit in the microwave and up to 6 in the oven. Available in 4 colours. You can use each colour for a specific application: white = fish; red = meats; black = vegetables; pink = desserts”.

See how it works at Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGQhMwusK34

More information about the whole range of products and recipes
http://www.lekue.es/index.php

Servicio Estación
C/Aragón 270 – by Passeig de Gràcia
Metro Passeig de Gràcia, Green Line
Find out other points of sale at the website.
VVRATW3T7793

Smart Shopping in Barcelona

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May 20th, 2010

Thailand – no go

Well my trip to Thailand is now off as the foreign office advising against travel to anywhere in the country. It seems the Volcano which was much maligned has actually been a blessing! Luckily we had not re booked the flights for May 16th as intended, but with our flights fully refunded and time booked off work we are now looking to go to on holiday to another destination. We are currently looking into the possibility of going to Turkey, Mumbai (India) and Cuba. Its a race against time and with a limited budget to work with this will have an impact on where we go.

I will keep you posted on further developments.

Edit: All those above are a no go as my passport is due to expire within 190 days! Seems i got lucky with the Volcano as I’d have been turned away at Bangkok airport, what an idiot!

Silly Travel Blogger

I am a travel blogger

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May 20th, 2010

The Truth about Veritas

A new hotel opens in Cambridge, Mass., just in time for Boston’s Gay Pride.
The Out Traveler G.P.S.*

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May 20th, 2010

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

Yesterday, my friends and I joined a tour group going to Quezon in time for the Pahiyas Festival.  We were about 50 in the tour group including a couple of foreigners. 

Travel time to Quezon usually takes 3 hours according to our tour guide but our trip took 6 hours due to heavy traffic in SLEX. Sob… But it was all worth the trip as soon as we set foot in Lucban and saw the colorful houses and chanced upon the Pahiyas Festival Parade.  Check these out…
Pahiyas Decorated House
The decorations were just creative. Who would ever think of adorning windows with stringbeans and tomatoes!? 
IMG_1992
There was also one house who used turnips and chilis! :)  
IMG_2052

But there’s a reason behind using crops and fruits to adorn houses in Lucban.  According to the history of Pahiyas, in the olden days,  fruits and veggies were offered to anitos as a form of thanksgiving for good harvest.  When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines and we were Christianized, the people brought the crops to the church for the priest to bless and also to ask for the intercession of San Isidro for another year of bountiful harvest.   Years passed and the church could no longer accommodate all the crops so it was agreed that the farmers just display the crops outside their houses so the priest can go around to bless them while they parade the statue of San Isidro. This practice evolved to decorating the houses and into the annual procession and became a full-blown festival and a tourist attraction.  Interesting history… :)

Anyway, going back to the Pahiyas Festival Parade, the muses also wore colorful gowns and which were made from indigenous materials.  Check these out…
Filipiniana Gown at Pahiyas Festival 
Filipiniana Gown at the Pahiyas Parade in Lucban Quezon Pahiyas Exquisite Gown
Of course, the trip won’t be complete without visiting the San Isidro Church at the heart of the town (yep, the church where they used to bring the crops to).
IMG_2033
As in typical Filipino fiestas, there are a lot of vendors outside the church.  There were also gimmicks like the traditional “Pabunot” where you pick a tab from a board which gives you a chance to win 20 pesos!
IMG_2041
As for the must-try food, it’s Pansit Habhab.  It’s similar to Pansit Canton except that you pour vinegar over it.   If you haven’t tried it yet, you can order authentic Pancit Lucban from Buddy’s.  They already have branches in Metro Manila. Yummy!:)
Pansit Habhab




Travel and Positive Living

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May 20th, 2010

Bonus letter day

Not sure if this is a Sydney thing but there seems to be a big excitment and festivity around bonus time where I work.  Along with bonus’s come promotions and everyone is congratulating each other. I guess this only happens in large institutions like banks.

I think its called “letter lunch” or “letter dinner” or “letter day”

All of sudden there were lunches, gatherings, drinks, restaurant bookings and so on.

Seems quite nice, I never saw this is the UK or South Africa.

How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney – Scotland island – hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney – first day, How expensive is Sydney




Immigrating to Sydney

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May 20th, 2010

Gay Travel To Amsterdam – The Gay Center Of The European Continent

Bed and brunch is a trendy way to accommodate yourself in gay Amsterdam, you are welcomed into a local's home and immediately you are introduced to all their friends. (…)
Jawa Bali Indonesia Travel and Leisure

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May 20th, 2010

London part 2 …. mini shopping guide

I would like to share two of my favourite shopping areas in London! The Covent Garden and Carnaby Street areas have so much to offer! Some of the biggest High Street brands are represented there, but what makes these areas unique are the little corners where you can buy almost anything – from orcs miniatures and individual horoscopes to rockstar jewellery and luxurious lingerie! If you’re low on
Nomadic Lives

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May 20th, 2010

Costa Rica Vacation Travel Information

Costa Rica Travel Brochure~Costa Rica Vacation Travel Information

When traveling or touring another country, you should get the best out of your time especially if you want to go to Costa Rica. Spend time to get to know more about Costa Rica vacation travel information and other necessary details before booking a flight or a package tour to Costa Rica. This effort will ensure that you trip will be the best vacation possible. Search and Find the best time to go to, the tourist destinations that you have to see, hotel accommodations, local restaurants, culture, and more. Being familiar with all these will not only save you time and money but would make your trip more exciting at the same time.

According to different Costa Rica vacation travel information brochures and websites, the highlight of the paradise of Costa Rica is the republic’s beaches. Most tourists came for the pristine waters that are abundant in Costa Rica along with the white sands where they can sun bathe, surf, swim or fish all day long.

When searching the Costa Rica vacation travel information be sure to check out all the different beaches available. Beaches are known as playa coming from the Spanish language. The most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica include Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Conchal, Playa Grande, Playa Flamingo, Playa Blanca, Playa Zancudo, Playa Ballena, and Montezuma. However, one beach stands out from the rest. It is located along the coast of the southern Caribbean and considered as the best beach in Costa Rica. It is called the Gandaco Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

Gandaco Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge has been the popular choice for most Costa Rica vacation travel information experts. This is known as the one of the most stunning areas of Costa Rica which is situated only a few kilometers away from Panama. Not only is this an excellent beach, it is also a home for different flora and fauna that are unfortunately considered endangered in Costa Rica. This is a tropical rainforest where most mangroves in Costa Rica grow. In here you can find different wildlife species such as pacas, manatees, crocodiles, tarpons, caimans, tapirs, dolphins, leatherback sea turtles, eagles, green sea turtles, parakeets, motmos, pelicans, as well as toucans.

Since there is also a protected coral reef here in Gandaco Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, you may also see several marine species which are vividly colored including angel fish, blue parrot fish, sea urchins, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, Venus sea fans and a lot more. However, it is only advisable to visit this rainforest during the months of March to April and September to October since these are the drier months of Gandaco Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

The opportunities for the saltwater angler are unprecedented in Costa Rica. Where else can you fish from the beaches and hook up with both snook and tarpon in the surf. Of course the offshore fishing opportunities are what draws the most attention by anglers. You can fish the Pacific Ocean for rooster fish and tuna one day and the Caribbean for Marlin and sailfish the next. Finding a charter that will provide all the fishing opportunities is as easy as walking on to the docks of any marina.

Again is very important to take time to research all the Costa Rica vacation travel information so that you can fully enjoy all that the country has to offer the visitor.

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/costa-rica-vacation-travel-information-318783.html

Costa Rica Travel Brochure~Costa Rica Vacation Travel Information

Costa Rica Travel Brochure

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May 20th, 2010

10 Must Read Tips For Traveling With Your DSLR camera

Travel with your DSLR

With an increasing number of people using digital SLR cameras there are more people wondering if they should take theirs traveling.

If you’ve decided to take your digital SLR camera you’ll probably be wondering how to handle it on the road.

Here are our basic safety tips for traveling with your DSLR:

1. Purchase a good camera carrying bag

Buy a good carrying bag for your equipment and make sure you are happy with it before going away. Find a bag that isn’t too “flash” in order not to attract too much attention, avoid big logos and bright colours.  Try www.crumpler.com they have some well designed bags.

2. Use lens filters

If you are planning to travel off the beaten track it’s likely that you’re lens with have to cope with many different elements. Wind, rain, sand, salt water you name it. It’s a good idea to protect your lens with a filter to prevent unnecessary scratches and markings.

3. Consider using the camera lens hood

Some people avoid using them but as well as reducing contrast and creating flare they can be useful for avoiding knocks and bumps to the front of the lens as the hood takes the impact.

4. Be a savvy photographer and not a stupid one

Learn to know when it’s safe to have your dslr camera “on show”. In some places you’ll travel to you’ll be able to sense when a place is not quite safe enough to allow you to have you dslr camera on display for long periods of time. If you have to grab a key shot in this situation, take the shot then put your camera back out of sight again. This will help to avoid any unwanted attention from potential thieves.

5. Know when to take your DSLR camera

Make a decision on when to take your DSLR out with you. If there is bad light or you aren’t going somewhere that you want to take photos then leave it in a secure safe place at your hotel or hostel. Sometimes taking your camera out for the early morning light and the few hours before sunset will produce the better results due to the lighting.

6. Carry your camera and lens when in transit

When you are traveling from place to place you should carry your dslr with you at all times to prevent it from being stolen. Treat this bag the same way as you’d treat your passport and you should have minimal problems.

7. Take a lens cleaning kit

Don’t forget to take a lens cleaning kit with you in order to clean any dust, marks or sand that may have got onto your lens. There’s nothing worse than having a grubby lens without any way to clean it. If you are going away for a lengthy period of time, consider packing a few kits.

8. Use the hotel/hostel safe

If you aren’t using your camera then make use of your rooms safe. If you haven’t got one then most hostels will have a secure place to leave it. As pointed out in tip number 5 – don’t take it with you if you don’t need to.

9. Get camera insurance

It sounds obvious but you should get insurance for your equipment if you are going traveling. This will give you some peace of mind if you photography equipement is damaged or stolen.

10. Use your common sense

Most measures to prevent getting your camera equipment stolen or damaged simply require a little common sense. Think about where you are taking it and what circumstances will be involved.

It can be a little scary taking your expensive dslr camera traveling with you. With some camera insurance and common sense you should be able to relax without worrying about what could potentially happen to your beloved camera on the road.


Travel The World | TravMonkey World Travel

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