Seychelles Islands - how exclusive is the holiday in Seychelles

The young Royals, Will and Kate, or rather Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, returned to honeymoon on these idyllic islands of the Indian Ocean.  

Unspoiled, untouched, and gloriously natural beauty of the sea,  the Seychelles is an exclusive holiday destination. 


Seychelles has two distinct types of topography - the Inner Islands are formed from granite rock with rocky peaks and thick forests offering lovely trekking trails. The main islands are Mahè, Praslin and La Digue which are the hub of both tourist activity and the natives of Seychelles. Most of the hotels Seychelles has are located on these islands. The Outer Islands are the coral islands stretching as far as 1100 km. around Mahè. The Aldabra atoll, declared World Heritage site is the worlds largest raised coral island, home to the worlds biggest number of giant tortoise. The coral reefs are the undisturbed habitat of turtles, sea birds and a vibrant aquatic life. Alphonse and Desroches atolls offer luxurious accommodation and are famous for fly-fishing, deep sea fishing and diving. Some of the privately owned islands like Fregate and Denis have become the favorite getaway destinations of Hollywood celebrities.

Seychelles' pristine beaches with sparkling turquoise water, white sand, naturally picketed with coconut trees and palms make it a must visit destination. Seychelles offers a unique vacation full of relaxation and blissful solitude ideal for honeymooners, where if you wish the only life you will brush shoulders with, are the giant tortoise and turtles! The crystal clear waters of this island paradise are perfect for diving, sailing, canoeing, fishing, snorkeling and viewing the rich biodiversity of sea life. Apart from water sports you can indulge in horse riding, golf or bird watching.

Nearly 50% of land area of Seychelles is protected under natural conservation, offering tourists a chance to see the thriving endemic flora & fauna, enjoying the many national parks, bio-reserves, extensive plantations of coconut trees, cinnamon and vanilla. Tourists can take guided tours or self explore the islands.

Owing to inhabitation by the Arabs, the French, the British and its proximity to Africa, Seychelles is a delightful blend of cultures offering visitors glimpses of all of them in local art, folklore and exotic cuisine. Foodies can choose from international cuisines, local flavors offering the best, especially in sea food.

You can plan your stay in any one of the luxurious hotels Seychelles has to offer, or in a beautiful beach resort Seychelles islands offer. Each lodge or hotel Seychelles has is fully equipped with modern amenities. Some of the tiny islands offer accommodation for a limited number of guests at any given time, truly making you feel like the king or the queen of that island. No matter where you are staying, the alluring beaches will always be at arm's length from all hotels Seychelles has.

  

To plan your holiday and know about hotels Seychelles offers, visit http://www.HotelsSeychelles.sc

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Travel Insurance, Why You Need it!

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When you spend months planning and preparing for your vacation, you develop images in your mind of what will make your trip the perfect trip. You can not imagine that anything could go wrong. But did you know that according to a recent survey commissioned by World Access, a travel-insurance and assistance company, more than 35% of business travelers said they or a colleague have become seriously sick or injured while away from home?

Whether it's your trip, your possessions, your luggage, or your health, travel insurance and most important, the right kind of travel insurance, has become an essential item to pack for smart travelers. And if you don't buy travel insurance — or the right kind — more than your trip could be ruined.

Reasons to buy travel insurance

1. Your flight has been cancelled.

2. Your bags are lost and your medication is in it. You require an emergency prescription filled.

3. Your passport and wallet are stolen, and you need emergency cash and a replacement passport.

4. You're involved in an accident and adequate medical treatment is not available. You need medical evacuation.

5. You need to cancel your trip due to illness.

6. Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes bankrupt. You need your non-refundable expenses covered and to get to your destination.

7. You have a medical emergency in a foreign country.

8. A terrorist incident occurs in the city where you’re planning to visit and you want to cancel your trip.

9. A hurricane forces you to evacuate your resort, hotel or cruise.

Here is a brief run down of the basic types of insurance. Click here for a full guide.

Flight Insurance.
Promises to pay out big bucks in the event that your aircraft should crash. It's expensive, and considering what it pays for, not necessary.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance. If you get sick, or miss your trip, or the travel provider goes out of business, you're not left high and dry. Do NOT buy this insurance from the individual travel provider, meaning don't buy your cruise trip insurance from the cruise ship company. Why? If that company goes out of business, chances are, so does their insurance. in my opinion, its worth the few bucks to cover your trip.

Health insurance.
Most people think they are covered if they already have existing health care insurance. Within the United States, that’s true. Outside the U.S., however, usually not. And in some cases, your insurance won't even cover you if you're traveling on a foreign-flagged vessel. This is a huge red flag, since most cruise ships, even those cruising U.S. waters, are not flagged in the U.S. And in many cases, even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas (a big IF), in almost all cases, your current health insurance does NOT cover you to evacuate you and repatriate you back to the U.S. My suggestion, get the coverage. If you’re in a foreign country, particularly a developing country, many hospitals will admit you without caring about coverage, but they won’t let you leave until you pay.

Baggage insurance.
As of Feb. 28, 2007, U.S. airlines' liability for lost or damaged luggage increased to $3,000 per passenger from the limit of $2,800. There's an entire list of excluded items not covered (jewels, furs, negotiable financial documents, et al), and then there's something called.... depreciation. The airlines may have a $3,000 liability limit, but that limit is not per bag, it's per incident, and it's all based on depreciated value. Hardly anyone in the history of aviation has ever received $3,000. It’s well worth it if the airline does lose your bags, and they sometimes do. Click here to read more about lost baggage.

Non Refundable insurance.
This runs about $13 per $100 of coverage. An expensive premium, but still worth it if you really think you might have to change your trip once you purchase your ticket.

Golf travel insurance.
Travel Guard provides golf equipment loss, golf equipment delay, golf fee refund. In addition, every Golf Travel Insurance Plan customer will also receive AIG Travel Guard's Golf Concierge Services, which includes golf course recommendations and driving directions, tee time reservations, PGA-Professional referral service and much. If you get a hole-in-one, they'll reimburse for the celebratory round of drinks (up to $250) at the clubhouse.

Adventure/Extreme sports travel.
In most cases, there are exclusions on basic travel insurance when it comes to adventure travel. That means specifications on how high is the mountain you’re climbing, and how far are you scuba diving. However, third-party travel insurance can offer additional coverage for adventure and extreme sports—even professional sporting events can be covered, but it will cost you.

Where ever you go, I wish you happy and safe travels.



Insuremytrip.com allows you to compare national plans, based on what they cost, what they cover and payouts.

TripInsuranceStore.com offers comparisons and testimonials from users, and you can also sign up for a plan though the site.

Access America 1-800-729-6021.

Travel Guard International: 1-800-826-4919.

Travelex Insurance Services: 1-800-228-9792.

HTH Worldwide: 1-888-243-2358.

Travel Insured International: 1-800-243-3174.

Global Travel Insurance: 1-800-232-9415.

Travelsafe: 1-888-885-7233.

Medjet Assistance: $250 per year, $350 for families. 7, 14, 21 and 30-day options available as well. 1-800-963-3538.

Air Ambulance Card: $195 per year for individuals and $295 per year for families.


Information correct at time of publication. Check for latest updates.
Article by Jennifer Baeta SF Travel Tips Examiner - March 18, 12:34 http://bit.ly/bdtIXp

33 Things Life's Too Short For

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You know the old “life’s too short” cliché? Well, sometimes clichés turn out to be true. Life is too short. We’ve only got a certain number of years to live and, worst of all, we don’t have any idea how many.

Make sure you’re not falling into any of these life-sucking traps because life’s too short for them.

Life’s too short to:

1. Stay in a job you don’t like.
2. Play it safe.
3. Worry about what other people think.
4. Stay put and not travel.
5. Maintain your prejudices.
6. Be mediocre.
7. Give up on.
8. Not spend it with family and friends you love.
9. Bear a grudge.
10. Be petty.
11. Read about things but never do them.
12. Be mean.
13. Go on fad diets.
14. Be indirect.
15. Wear boring clothes.
16. Eat junk food.
17. Hang on to clutter.
18. Not speak your mind.
19. Follow the herd.
20. Try to impress people.
21. Be grumpy.
22. Be insincere.
23. Take too seriously.
24. Hold on to your fear.
25. Be stuck in the past.
26. Daydream away.
27. Delay doing what’s important to you.
28. Spend in front of the computer or TV.
29. Be miserable.
30. Wish away by living in the future.
31. Hang on to self-destructive behavior.
32. Not ask for help when you need it.
33. Compromise your values.
    

Is life is too short to stuff a mushroom?

Shirley Conran, author of seventies classic, Superwoman, famously said:
‘Life is too short to stuff a mushroom’. Trouble is, life’s not too short for eating stuffed mushrooms is it? I think it’s a case of making sure your priorities are right and being true to yourself. What do you think? Have I missed anything off the list?
I wish us all a long life but even if it doesn’t turn out to be as long as we’d liked, at least we can make sure it’s happy and fulfilling. Now let’s go out and have a fabulous day.

http://www.letsthrive.co.nz/SELF/Self-development/33+Things+Lifes+Too+Short+For.html
© Copyright Annabel Candy. Annabel Candy started Get In the Hot Spot to inspire and inform people on how to live their dream. She was born in England, but recently moved with her husband and 3 kids from New Zealand to Australia via Central America . She loves travel, travel writing and living her dream.

For many, Cruising is the way to see the World

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Perhaps not everybody is cut out to cruise, but a lot of us are. I have a twin brother John, who likes to do stuff like hike through the Himalayas in the snow, and truck through the jungles of Brazil. Well he can have his adventures, but when I am on vacation I like to find a chocolate on my pillow when I hit the sack after a hard night at the casino.

Cruising is not really expensive. For the nightly price of a good hotel room you not only get a place to sleep, but you get 24 hour a day free room service, all kinds of food available all the time, fantastic meals in formal dinning rooms or just hit the buffet. Free shows, free movies, entertainment of all sorts, a casino, swimming pools, hot tubs, putting greens, tennis, ping pong.

All free.

There really is something for everyone. There are contests at the pools, bingo for those so

inclined, art auctions, dancing lessons, and demonstrations of ice carving and even juggling bartenders. Don’t worry about missing those important emails, because all the ships have internet cafes now. The last cruise I was on, I had wireless internet in my room.

For the ladies there is always an elegant spa and all kinds of beauty treatments available. My wife really enjoys getting a foot massage after a long shore excursion…in preparation for the evenings dancing. You can even do your shopping on board, since there are a number of stores on the ship selling everything from clothing to jewelry. And be sure to bring some formal gowns for the formal nights on the ship. Formal nights are your chance to wear all that new jewelry and those new shoes with your new gown.

There are different kinds of cruises and quite a few cruise lines to choose from. Some cruise lines

are known for having superior service, some for lower costs, and some for catering to kids. There are destination cruises where the main thing is seeing the sights at the ports of call. Then there are party cruises that tend to be populated by younger couples and the destinations are less important than the activities and partying. There are also specialty cruises that cater to gay couples and singles etc.

The destinations and shore excursions can be a very important part of the cruise experience. You can find cruises that take you darned near everywhere you could ever want to go. I’ve seen everything from the pyramids of Egypt to the Great Wall of China by going on cruises. And my wife and I have ridden ATV’s through the jungle, swam with dolphins, and went tubing in underground caves…all on just one cruise!

So if you want to visit Harrods department store in London, walk on the Great Wall of China, see the ancient Greek ruins at Ephesus, or visit Red Square in Moscow, and you want to do it in style, choose a cruise. No unpacking and repacking, no strange food unless you really want it, and great service 24 hours a day. It’s about as close to a worry free vacation as you can get.

For those of us who want to be pampered and spoiled and see the world at the same time you just can’t beat a cruise ship vacation.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/for-many-people-cruising-is-the-best-way-to-see-the-world-391733.html

About the Author William Lund is an inventor and webmaster with over a dozen patents and a number of websites. His business website dealing with making money with your website is: Website Marketing and SEO Mr. Lund is an avid cruiser as well and has website devoted to his cruise vacation experiences. Cruises R Fun

Tips for Traveling Abroad

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Traveling overseas can be a fun and exciting experience. However, it can also put you at risk for scams and other attacks. It is important that travelers be aware of their surroundings and that they follow basic guidelines for protecting themselves.

For instance, travelers should never hand their wallet to anyone. In some countries, con men will appear in police uniform and ask for your wallet in order to check for drug money. Travelers should always beware when someone asks for their ID or for cash, even if they appear to have a legitimate badge. It never hurts to double check in order to avoid a scam.

Photographers can also be tricksters in disguise. Many photographers will take pictures of tourists without their request and then ask for money in order to sell you the picture. If the photographer disappears to a nearby studio with your cash, however, there is a good chance that he or she will never come back. Do not fall for this scam.

Pickpockets are also common. Tourists who are visiting crowded areas (especially popular destinations) should be aware of anyone who brushes by them. Many pickpockets work in teams, with one person meant to distract you while the other takes your money. Always be aware of who is around you and of where you have placed your wallet and cash. Women should hold their purses close to their body in order to avoid someone grabbing their bag and running away with it.

Another typical trap for tourists involves cab rides. Many taxi drivers will overcharge unsuspecting travelers. A good way to avoid this trap is by asking about the fare before the journey begins. You should also keep an eye on the meter, and don't be afraid to ask questions about the price.These tips can help you have a safe travel experience. 
 Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Stutzman

New Onboard Cruise Activities

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With ships beefing up their activities and amenities, even veteran cruisers will find new kinds of entertainment. From wine tours to political debates, here’s the lowdown.

Food
Cruises continue to step up their culinary offerings with updated restaurants and food-themed seminars. In May, Food & Wine magazine is pairing with tour operator Food & Wine Trails (800/367-5348; foodandwinetrails.com) for a 14-day Barcelona-to-London voyage on Oceania Cruises’ Regatta. On the menu: exclusive wine tastings and chef-led shore excursions in Spain and France.

Cruise West (888/851-8133; cruisewest.com) is giving its new menus a Pacific Northwest twist, serving up wild salmon with an apple-cider reduction, paired with a Washington State Riesling.

The 8,000-bottle cellars on Azamara Club Cruises’ ships Journey and Quest (877/999-9553; azamaracruises.com) now include vintages from boutique wineries, many not available in the United States.

Adventure
Looking for high-action, low-impact excursions? Gap Adventures (800/708-7761; gapadventures.com) has teamed up with the Discovery Channel for a series of environmental expeditions: the six-day Galápagos cruise deploys Zodiacs and dinghies to explore lava caves and wildlife-filled mangroves.

On an ascent up an active volcano in Santorini, Greece—a new eco-excursion from Costa Cruises (877/882-6782; costacruises.com)—hikers get 360-degree views from the summit’s crater.

Quark Expeditions (866/961-2961; quarkexpeditions.com), meanwhile, has travelers pitching tents in Spitsbergen, Norway, home to 3,000 polar bears, in its Arctic shore option.

Spa
With enhancements industry-wide, spas at sea are making waves. Oceania (800/531-5658; oceaniacruises.com) recently joined forces with the Canyon Ranch Spa Club to offer signature treatments in state-of-the-art facilities that include a Thermal Suite with a steam room and thalassotherapy pool.

The Odyssey and Sojourn ships from Seabourn (800/929-9391; seabourn.com) feature 750-square-foot spa villas with oversize tubs, wraparound terraces, and customized treatments.

Come April, Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf (800/258-7245; windstarcruises.com) will also have a set of spa suites—with organic bath products and bed linens, as well as credits at the ship’s WindSpa.

Multigenerational
With family travel bigger than ever, cruise lines have been developing creative ways to keep everyone happy. Ride a jet boat to Mount McKinley, tour a gold mine, and hike to the historic Savage River Camp on a 12-night Alaska cruise tour from Princess Cruises (800/774-6237; princess.com).

Uniworld (800/733-7820; uniworld.com) has expanded its family programs on the Paris & Normandy and Castles Along the Rhine itineraries, now with more kid-focused options such as hot-air balloon rides over Paris and visits to the Cologne Chocolate Factory.

Disney Cruise Line’s (888/325-2500; disneycruise.disney.go.com) 12-night Baltic itineraries offer exclusive family-friendly port excursions, including a “Royal Ball” in St. Petersburg’s Catherine Palace.

Learning
Seminars and theme cruises are offering innovative forms of onboard enrichment. Science buffs can hop on the Science & Technology cruise from Crystal Cruises (888/722-0021; crystalcruises.com) for lectures on military, space, and medical trends and workshops on the latest personal handheld devices.

Debate U.K.-U.S. politics, history, and culture with academics, politicians, and journalists on transatlantic crossings aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary (800/728-6273; cunard.com).

Navigating The Hotel Star System

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"It's a five-star hotel!" But what exactly does that mean? And is a five-star hotel really worth a hundred dollars more a night than a three-star hotel? It doesn't help that the same hotel may have three different ratings depending on the travel website you visit or the tourist guidebook you read.
If you're blinded by these perplexing little stars, you're not alone. Read on to learn more about the intricate hotel star rating system.

Star Light, Star Bright. Is That Hotel Rating Right?

The star rating system was designed to measure the quality of hotels. While you may assume a one-star rating means a "disgusting hole in the wall where illegal activities take place" and a five-star rating means "Oprah Winfrey stayed here and loved it," that's not always the case.

First of all, Europe and the U.S. use different hotel star rating systems. In Europe, hotels are generally rated on a four-star system, with four stars being the best hotel room money can buy. On the other hand, the U.S. uses a five-star system to rate hotels.

And there's more to these star ratings than meets the eye. A one-star rating doesn't always suggest a bloody shoot-out recently took place in the hotel - it may simply mean that the hotel offers basic rooms and limited amenities. (Find out how to have a fun and budget-friendly summer adventure in 7 Ways To Save On Summer Getaways.)

Reaching for the Stars
So, who determines how many stars each hotel receives? In Europe, local government agencies and independent organizations hand out star ratings to hotels. In the U.S., stars are rewarded by a variety of different groups, from travel guidebooks and national consumer travel associations to travel agencies and websites.

To make things more confusing, each travel website has their own hotel star system. So, the same property may receive three stars on Travelocity, five stars on Orbitz and four stars on Expedia. Luckily, most of these travel websites and associations provide a consumer guide to their personal hotel star rating system.

For the most part, the North American hotel star system breaks down like this:

One-Star Rating: The Bare Necessities
A one-star hotel is simply a place to rest your head for the night. Generally owned by a sole proprietor, these hotels offer modest rooms with nothing more than a bed and bathroom. There are no restaurants on site, but there should be one within walking distance of the hotel.

These hotels don't offer extra amenities or special services. In other words, you're not going to get a nightly turndown service with a Godiva chocolate

on your pillow here. However, you should have access to nearby public transportation and reasonably priced meals and entertainment.

Two-Star Rating: A Few Extras
Although similar to a one-star hotel, a two-star hotel is generally part of a larger chain as opposed to privately owned. (Think Econo Lodge or Days Inn.) The accommodations are similar to a one-star hotel - simple and basic. However, two-star hotel rooms include a television and phone. . (If you're a long-time air traveler, you've probably noticed that flying means pulling out

your wallet a whole lot more often. Find out what's fallen off the list of airline freebies in 7 Air Travel Perks That Used To Be Free.

Plus, these hotels typically offer an on-site restaurant or dining area and a daily housekeeping service. The front desk at a two-star hotel is usually open 24 hours a day

Three-Star Rating: Moving On Up
Three-star hotels are typically part of larger, first-class hotel chains, such as Marriott, Radisson and Double Tree. These hotels are generally more stylish and comfortable than one and two-star hotels, and they offer a wider range of services and amenities, which may include a fitness center, a pool, business services, an on-site restaurant, room service, conference rooms and valet services.

The hotel rooms are larger with higher-quality, contemporary furnishings and often include fancy extras like flat-screen TVs with extended cable. Three-star hotels are located near a major expressway and local attractions, and they are often geared toward business travelers.

Four-Star Rating: Upscale Comfort
Also known as superior hotels, four-star hotels are large, upscale establishments complete with first-rate service and tons of extras. The spacious rooms are beautifully designed with premium furnishings and include luxurious touches like lavish bedding and fine bath products.

Four-star hotels offer loads of special services and amenities, including concierge services, fine dining, multiple pools and hot tubs, high-class fitness centers, bell hops, room service, valet parking, day spas, limousine services and an array of special suites. (A staycation can be just as enjoyable as a vacation, and can enrich your life for the whole year. Find out more in 9 Summer Staycations That Feel Like Vacations.)

Five-Star Rating: G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.
Now we're talking lifestyles of the rich and famous. Five-star hotels are the most luxurious hotels in the world. These fine establishments boast extravagant lobbies, unparalleled service and unequaled comfort. Five-star hotel are generally architectural works of art, featuring cutting-edge interior design and opulent furnishings.

As a guest in a five-star hotel, you will not have to lift a finger (except for when you hand over that platinum credit card, of course.) Many of these hotels provide their guests with a personal butler or designated concierge. The massive five-star guest rooms are glamorous and elegant, often including premium linens, a personal Jacuzzi tub, a large-screen Plasma TV with high-definition cable, a DVD player, high-speed internet access, fresh flowers, lavish bath products and speedy, around-the-clock room service.

For the most part, five-star hotels also offer gourmet restaurants, on-site entertainment, state-of-the-art fitness centers, multiple heated pools and hot tubs, valet parking, spa services, tennis courts and golf course access. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!

Star-Struck
There's no question that the hotel star rating system can be vague, confusing and downright arbitrary. However, with a little bit of research, it is possible to pinpoint the perfect hotel to suit your unique needs - and your budget.

While you're doing your hotel homework, you should also check out what other hotel guests have to say. Many travel websites include guest ratings in addition to their regular star ratings. Often, the best information comes straight from the horse's mouth.

Above all else, take hotel ratings with a grain of salt. You may not get a truly objective opinion on a hotel until you stay there yourself.

Article Posted: April 26, 2010 9:57AM by Amy Bell
Navigating The Hotel Star System - Investopedia.com