If you dream of getting away from it all and relaxing on the Caribbean coast, a holiday in Guardalavaca, Cuba, could be just what you are looking for. Located near Holguin on the northeast coast of Cuba, Guardalavaca is something of a hidden gem when it comes to Cuban beach resorts. The beach is fantastic, the resort has plenty of activities to keep you occupied and Guardalavaca’s hotels are top notch, but the resort remains quiet, secluded and unspoilt, making it ideal for a relaxing beach vacation. Here are a few highlights for a Guardalavaca holiday.

Most people come to Guardalavaca for one thing and one thing only - time on the beach. As though it weren’t enough for a resort to have one beautiful beach, while you are on a Guardalavaca holiday you can choose from three - Guardalavaca beach itself, Esmerelda beach, and Playa Pesquero. There’s even a mini train that connects Guardalavaca beach to Esmerelda, making it easy to move between the two.

All three beaches feature pristine white sand that slopes gently into clear water, dotted with the occasional tree to provide a spot of shade. The presence of the coral reef at Guardalavaca keeps the water calm most of the time, making it perfect for families and gentle swimming. Catamarans, pedalos and other common beach activities are all available for those who would like to do more than sunbathe.

Reef Diving

Out of all the diving spots in Cuba, Guardalavaca is a real highlight for scuba enthusiasts due to the expansive coral reef, located a few miles offshore. Teeming with wildlife, the reef is a wonder to explore while scuba diving, with plenty of caves and sheer drops to see. If you tire of the coral reefs themselves, there are a number of shipwrecks that can also be seen. If you are interested in scuba diving, the resort has several diving centres who can arrange trips and equipment rental for the best dive sites.

Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins can be an amazing experience, and if you are on holiday in Guardalavaca you will have the perfect opportunity to take part in this unique activity. Close to the resort is the Acuario Cayo Naranjo aquarium, where you can see spectacular dolphin, seal and walrus shows, and then swim with the dolphins yourself. The trainers will teach you how to get the dolphins to splash and clap, and there is also the chance to “surf” on the dolphins at the end of your swim. People of all ages are able to take part, and life jackets are provided.

Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing has been associated with Cuba ever since Ernest Hemingway (who was a keen hunter and fisherman when he wasn’t writing books) made the island his home in the 1930s, and the Cuban waters are rich with tuna, barracuda, sailfish, snapper, grouper, and many other kinds of fish. Those on holiday in Guardalavaca can take part in this exciting and demanding activity, and you don’t need to be a veteran fisherman to do it. Experienced crews can teach you the basics and take you out, and the concentration of fish around the reef makes Guardalavaca a great place to go for deep sea fishing trips.

Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent Cuba holiday specialist. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can help you tailor-make the perfect Guardalavaca holiday.

Mornington Peninsula is a water wonderland, with its vast number of beaches, bays and harbours. If you love water sports you will be right at home here with plenty of surfing, fishing, scuba diving, boating and, of course, fishing. This has to be one of the top tourist spots in Victoria to rest and enjoy the ocean at its best, and the perfect destination for your self drive holiday.

Located just over 100 kilometres south from Melbourne, on the east side of Port Philip Bay, many travellers find a spot close to the water and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the ocean and its treasures. Mornington Peninsula National Park is like heaven on earth, with coastline and beaches that cannot be compared to many. Swimming with the bottlenose dolphins is another unforgettable experience that is common in this stretch of water.

There are a number of incredible walks which take you past amazing scenery, cliffs and lighthouses, and it doesnt matter which direction you take, there is always a majestic view of the ocean, gentle waters of the bay, or the coast hinterland. The climate is wonderful year round making this region a magnet for sun lovers around Australia.

With so many beaches to choose from you can always be guaranteed an enjoyable spot as the ocean side is a direct contrast to the still waters along Port Philip Bay. The best place to see the bay is from Arthurs Seat, which offers incredible views of the Peninsula right through to the city skyline.

Sorrento is known as one of the most popular and stylish seaside villages, and is well worth a visit. It is relaxed and beautiful, with the beach so close and always plenty of picnic spots close to town. You can enjoy sailing, boating, bushwalking, scuba diving and fishing here, and there are camping spots nearby, one of the most well known being Sorrento Village Campgrounds. One of the best attractions are the dolphin cruises, the Sorrento Museum and the coastal walks which are magical at dusk.

There are plenty of beaches in this region, one of the most popular being Frankston, which has long, sandy beaches perfect for all types of water sports. Mornington itself has safe beaches around the bay harbour with fantastic lookouts at Schnapper Point.

One of the best is located at Rye, with a long jetty, playground and walking tracks nearby. It is a tradition by many locals to set up camp on the beach in this area and take the children to the wildlife park, enjoy horse riding along the waters edge or simply relax and make the most of the glorious water views.

Flinders has superb views of Phillip Island and Seal Rocks, and is well known for its excellent fishing, Pelican Park Aquatic Centre, blow holes and incredible views of Bass Strait. Its great for a stopover or a closer look at the abundance of wildlife especially at night.

Home to the rich and famous, Portsea can be found at the top of Mornington Peninsula. It is an attractive stretch of coast with magnificent trees and coastline that is worth the visit. However, it may cost a bit more to wine and dine here.

Set in the hinterland, there are wineries, orchards and fantastic art and craft shops at Red Hill. Famous for its monthly markets, you will find many treasures here, even if it means picking strawberries at the berry farm. It will be an enriching experience to spend a few days here in the heart of this welcoming town.

Mornington Peninsula is a tourist haven, especially for those who need to get away and enjoy the natural wonder of the ocean, beaches and seaside towns. If you can escape here for a number of days or more you will return tanned, relaxed and counting down the days until you return to enjoy more hours in the Mornington sunshine.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Car Hire Australia

No one thinks about the city of Pasadena, California, unless it is Rose Bowl or Rose Parade time, except for Los Angeles County residents and people who hear the song “Little Old Lady From Pasadena”.

When tourists think about visiting California they most often think about going to Disneyland or cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco or beach cities like Long Beach, Monterey, Newport Beach, San Diego, Santa Monica, etc.. Very few of them think about visiting or staying in “small town” Pasadena and that is a big mistake.

No matter what you are looking for in a vacation or what you wish to do you can find it in or near Pasadena. The city itself has over four hundred (400) restaurants that serve amost any type of food that you can imagine, dozens of art galleries and antique shops, fine museums like the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum of Art, hotels of all categories from inexpensive motels to the Ritz Carlton, night clubs and comedy clubs, beautiful homes with magnificent gardens that can be seen while driving through the city, over two hundred (200) churches, shopping galore and much more.

Mountains, ski resorts, beaches and the desert as well as Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, The Aquarium Of The Sea, the Getty Museum, etc. are all within a one half to one hour drive. Visit Hollywood or Beverly Hills. Downtown Los Angeles is only nine freeway miles from downtown Pasadena. Visit the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens or the Los Angeles Zoo. Take in a Dodger, Lakers, Clippers, Kings or Galexy game (all venues are less than fifteen (15) miles from Pasadena). Take in a horse race at Santa Anita, go to one of California’s largest swap meets at the Rose Bowl or just sit in an outdoor restaurant in Pasadena’s famous “Old Town” and people watch.

For more information about the city of Pasadena, California see http://pasadena.usacitydirectories.com a directory of links to city of Pasadena, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, churches, physicians, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go, art galleries, service organizations, auto dealers, nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, antique dealers and more.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

The olive oil and wine that are an integral part of every Tuscan meal are world-famous. The green, extra virgin oils from the frantoio (press) - many from limited production farms or homemade - are from a six-thousand-year-old tradition and of the highest quality. Tuscany is a protected geographical cultivation for olive oil. The oil produced in the region is of such a high degree it has been given its own label of origin, in the same way as renowned wines are defined.

Tuscany’s full and mellow wines abound in the lush vineyards weighted with richly heavy grape clusters. Italy was called “Enotria” (land of wine) by the ancient Greeks. Upon arriving in Italy, the Greeks found that Etruscans had been producing wine from wild grapes for (literally) ages. Nowhere is Enotria more evident than in Tuscany, the heart of Etruscan civilization and the heart of winemaking. It seems that every spare inch of the region, whether in the verdant plains on the sloping hills or by the tranquil sea has found a way to grow luscious grapes. Wines such as Chianti, Sangiovese, Brunello and the sought-after Super Tuscans (new blends made in an international style and often containing grape varieties, like cabernet, not found in classic Chianti wines) immediately come to mind; but that is just the beginning: An in-depth exploration of Tuscany will take you on an enological tour of discovery and reveal the passion and spiritual awe that Tuscans feel for all that they love. The point is not to over-indulge; the point is to experience the wine along with the perfect food pairing. A Vin Santo (sweet dessert wine) with biscotti at the end of a multi-course meal is a well-known classic. The most fortunate, most explorative wanderers may also run across a Vino da Meditazione (Meditation Wine) and be offered a glass. Ideally, this contemplative experience requires adequate time and tranquility of the soul. These exceptional wines are generally sweet wines, to be savored in a calm, reflective setting that respects their complex composition and outstanding quality. The flavors slowly unfold and transfer from the glass to the palate over an extended period of time. Acquaint all your senses to the wine. To live life alla Toscana, you cannot rush.

The meditative wines are simply an example of Tuscan life at its best. The pride, passion, love and attention to the blending and balance of a series of details are transferred from the wine maker to the wine taster. How cruel it would be to rush through a precious tasting of Meditation Wine, through a lovingly prepared meal, through a beautifully arranged art gallery or through any worthwhile activity without enjoying each separate, important piece and moment of the experience!

Some fear the Tuscan way of life is in danger; that fast food and fast living will destroy the thousands of years of tradition, life style and philosophy that produced greatness in this exceptional land. Others believe that the Tuscan spirit and way of life are too entrenched and strong to change.

It is no accident that Tuscany is a key participant in the Slow Food and Slow City movements pioneered in Italy. These movements are based on ecologically conscious principles and organic foods. They focus on preserving the traditional and distinctive quality of life enjoyed in the smaller cities and towns, emphasizing the rich cultural, culinary and artistic local traditions of each community.

Tuscany remains therapeutic, spiritually vibrant and transformational. When your heart is open and ready, Tuscany will abundantly fill it with wondrous feelings. If you want your life to be fuller, more satisfying, balanced, passionate and joyful, try living like a Tuscan.

The combination of sounds is unique: the mellifluous singing of the birds, like the harmonizing of a thousand flutes, seems more serene; the occasional sounds of lively conversation, resonating arguments or lilting laughter fill the air and mix in with the cacophony of the speeding Vespe forming the soundtrack of your mind’s Italian memories. Visit http://www.ToscanaMia.biz to learn more about travelling to Tuscany, Italy.

Serenella Leoni helps her clients experience the true Italy by providing them with elegant Italian villa rentals, Italian wedding assistance and sharing the latest news, advice and tips on the Tuscan lifestyle. Visit http://www.ToscanaMia.biz to learn more about Tuscany, Italy as a travelling hotspot for your lifestyle.

A brief history…

The first brick of Ireland’s oldest university was put down in 1592 under Queen Elizabeth’s reign. It’s said that she built the college to keep young Protestant scholars in the Pale and prevent them from going to Europe and discovering the Roman Catholicism.

Since then, the college has witnessed many of Ireland’s historic events. While the 18th and 19th centuries were generally quiet and peaceful eras, 20th century Ireland saw a huge divide come between Ireland and Great Britain. This lead to very turbulent times as the Irish nationalists fought the British for Irish freedom. Trinity, a protestant college at the time, was looked down upon by many of these freedom fighters and often got caught in the crossfire.

Trinity College was also a leading pioneer when it came to women gaining third level education. The first female enrolled in Trinity - or Trinners, as students past and present know it - in 1904. This was very controversial at the time as you can only imagine!

Famous students to have past through it doors include famous playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, J.M Synge and Bram Stoker. Other famous figures include revolutionaries Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone and George Berkeley - a famous philosopher.

Where to find it…

Trinity College Dublin boasts a prime located - right in the heartbeat of Dublin city centre! It’s located at College Green, which can be found at the junction of Grafton Street, Dame Street and Westmoreland Street. You won’t have any problem finding the college as it’s a magnificent piece of architecture which does manage to stand out at this busy junction. You’ll probably recognise the building instantly by the crowds of visitors and students going through the archway - the main entrance to the college.

Spread out over 40 acres, the campus is always thronged with both students and visitors alike. The campus differentiates itself from other colleges with its cobbled squares and numerous green areas. Each building within the campus symbolises the different transformations that have taken place in the college over the last three centuries.

What to see…

Now, onto the exciting stuff! The easiest way to become familiar with the campus itself is by taking a walking tour of the campus. These are given by students who will try to provide you with as much information as possible, including an accurate account of Trinity’s past, a history of the Campus buildings, and interesting anecdotes about its most famous graduates. You can also ask the students about their Trinity experience and why they chose to study there, about its nightlife and its famous end of year, open air, ball! If you’re interested in taking an escorted tour just book one inside the main gate of the college. You can avail of the tours from mid- April to early October with the first tour starting at 10.15am and every 40 minutes after that.

The college boasts some superb historic attractions like the cobbled Parliament Square, the Campanile and the Dining Hall. The Chapel (to the left) and Examination Hall (to the right) are bound to catch your eye as you enter the main archway.

The most popular part of the college is the Old Library - and you know you’ve arrived here when you see the crowds of visitors flocking to see one of the country’s top attractions - the world renowned Book of Kells.

The Book of Kells

The Book of Kells was written about 800AD, which makes it one of the oldest books in the world!

The beautiful manuscript is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in Latin, which is thought to have been made by monks on the island of Iona. The script is inflated by the elaboration of key words and phrases and by a creative range of decorated initials and drawings.

For conservation reasons, the script has been divided into four separate volumes, with two of these usually on show - one highly decorated page and one highly scripted page.

When you have finished admiring the Book of Kells, check out some more interesting features in the Long Room of the Old Library - where you’ll see the oldest harp in Ireland (dating to about 1400), and an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence. And if you still haven’t had enough of cultural stimulation why not pop into the Oscar Wilde Centre, the Samuel Beckett Theatre or the Douglas Hyde Gallery.

So the next time you find yourself in Ireland’s charming capital city, put a visit to Trinity College at the top of your list and see the Book of Kells for yourself - one of the Ireland’s most precious medieval treasures.

Book a Dublin hotel or a hotel in Dublin city centre now for your visit to Dublin.

Mairead Foley writes for Ireland travel website http://www.GoIreland.com

Are you tired of the cold and snow?

Do you feel the need to get away…and soon?

Have your children been to your very favorite places?

You need a vacation. And the time to plan it is now!

Dreaming of a fabulous vacation and actually pulling one off are two different things. As a modern professional, you are probably an expert at scheduling, time management and project coordination in your career.

These are the same skills you need to use when it comes time to plan your dream vacation.

And the first tool you need is a vacation checklist.

A vacation checklist will get you on top of your planning immediately and keep you there right up until the day you leave on your trip. A vacation checklist will ensure

- you don’t forget anything and take exactly what you need,

- and you actually pull off the trip of your dreams.

Your vacation checklist doesn’t need to be fancy. Just thorough. You can make one yourself or find a free one by looking in the resource box following this article. Whatever checklist you use, you’ll need to customize it for your own use, of course. And if you start now, customizing your entire trip will be easy.

Using your vacation checklist to keep track of your notes, start out by vacation dreaming.

- Where do you want to go?

This is easily decided by determining what type of vacation you’re in the mood for. If you’re tired of the cold, you’ll want warm…and maybe beaches. If you need rest and recreation, you’ll look for places that can pamper you and evaporate your stress. If you want to show your kids the world, you’ll look for family-friendly and educational adventures.

- How long a trip will this be?

Mark down on your checklist the length of your vacation. Are you working around a school schedule? How many vacation days are you willing to trade for your dream vacation? Would you rather take one long vacation or several long weekend jaunts? Factor in travel days…that will tell you whether you want to drive or fly. And that will affect your next item…

- What’s your travel budget?

This part of vacation planning needn’t be a downer. By planning ahead, you can maximize your travel monies through booking the least expensive travel and hotel arrangements. Do a little upfront research and write down on your vacation checklist how much your dream vacation will cost. Divide that amount into equal monthly payments between now and your travel dates. Can you make that happen? Do you have other monies set aside you can allocate for your trip? Be wary of just putting your trip on credit. No matter how wonderful your dream vacation is, paying for it after the fact can tarnish its memories.

- What are your expectations?

We’ve all been on vacations that we had high hopes for but didn’t turn out as we envisioned. Sure, stuff happens, but you can put the odds on your side that your vacation will be what you dream of by planning as much detail as possible ahead of time. It also helps to ask yourself the simple but powerful questions of

- am I wanting to make lifetime memories with this vacation?

- am I wanting to cram in as many activities as possible on this vacation?

- are my vacation wants in conflict with my vacation realities? For example, do I want to take my spouse on a romantic getaway but I have five children under the age of ten and they must accompany us?

Bottom line…when it comes to vacations, planning is king and your vacation checklist is queen. Plan your dream trip, make sure your expectations are in line, keep track of everything on your checklist, and before you know it, you’ll be THERE…exactly where you want, with the people you want, doing what you want. Enjoying the vacation you dreamed of.

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 25 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Get your free vacation checklist here.

STEP ONE: Review Your Finances
Take a look at your financial situation. Make a list of your monthly payments and expenses. Think about your car payments, insurance payments, saving account/RRSP, cell phone bill, gas expense, entertainment, credit card payments, food, clothing, travel, etc. Using your monthly pay check from your current job, take all your expenses away - what do you have left over? Are you willing to use all that’s left over as your mortgage payment? How much can you afford?

STEP TWO: Get Pre-Approved
Knowing how much you can afford will help you narrow down what houses to look for. The last thing you would want is to go into this situation unaware - imagine finding the house of your dreams only to find out you can’t afford it!? Getting yourself pre-approved alleviates that stress, as you will only look at properties that you can afford. Meet with your Bank or Mortgage Representative to get this ball rolling.

STEP THREE: Choosing a Real Estate Representative
Having a skilled, knowledgeable and accessible Real Estate Representative on your side will only add value to your search for the perfect home. It’s their job to watch the market and find new homes that become available - this is their focus for much of the day! They have an inside view of the market and are “in the know”. Having this type of partner on your side is very valuable as their job doesn’t stop at finding the home, they are the expert in negotiations, completing the paperwork, and they can recommend lawyers, home inspectors, moving companies, and more. The Real Estate market can move very fast and can be quite stressful - rely on them to help you navigate through it.

STEP FOUR: Choosing A Location
Take some time to evaluate your life and future. Do you need to be close to public transportation? How far are willing to travel to work everyday? Are children a part of your life now or will they be in the future? If so, you need to examine the schools in the neighborhood. Take your hobbies and extra-curricula activities into account as well. What things do you need nearby; parks, fitness center, restaurants, shopping, the GO Train, etc?

STEP FIVE: Begin Your House Search
Give your Real Estate Representative dates and times that you will be available to view homes. Bring a friend or family member along while you go on this exciting journey. They aren’t looking for themselves and often think of things that you may not. Plus, they usually see beyond things you can’t because you are excited about a property. Know what you want; in fact, write your top 10 wants down. If you get 6-7 of them, you’re on the right track! Ask your Real Estate Representative to put together a comparison of the top three properties you are interested in. Take the time to review them again, don’t make any quick decisions.

STEP SIX: Making An Offer
Once you have made a decision on one of the homes you’ve seen, it’s time to make the offer! This is the most stressful time of the process. You Real Estate Representative will evaluate the home with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) and work with you to decide on the price you would like to offer. While you wait for your Real Estate Representative to return from presenting the offer to the Seller, keep yourself occupied (but available) as this is one of those times in your life where you will be checking the clock every 2 minutes. One of two things could happen, the first is that the seller may ask for a couple of changes, which you may or may not agree with and will have to go back again to find a middle ground where you’re both happy, the second is that your Real Estate Representative has done a great job evaluating the price and comes back with the papers signed - you just bought a home!

STEP SEVEN: Working With Your Lawyer
Find someone you trust and has a strong understanding of Real Estate law. Your lawyer will help you work through the contract if it’s not very straight-forward and they will also review your closing information. Take their advice to heart as they have been through this with other clients and only want you to be covered from all sides.

STEP EIGHT: Have Home Inspection Done
This is a very important part of the process, do not skip it (it should have been included in your offer). Try to be there with the Home Inspector as they go through the property, you will learn more than you expect. Not only will a Home Inspector explain any concerns or deficiencies, but they will also show you the water shut off valve, areas that were renovated, leakage issues, roof/shingles that need work, etc. Ask them as many questions as you think of to gain as much knowledge and understanding of the home as possible. This will only help you in the future. Hopefully, there are no major concerns, but if there are, talk to your Real Estate Representative to see if there’s a way for the Seller and yourself to compromise.

STEP NINE: Closing Costs
You will need to have cash on hand for your final, closing fees, approximately 3-4% of the price of your new home. These include things such as Lawyer Fees, Land Transfer Tax, Appraisal, Title Search, Survey, Taxes, Insurance, etc. Depending on what your offer states, you may need to have the balance of a down payment ready as well.

STEP TEN: Move-In
It can take a few weeks to a few months to finally move in to your new home. Hopefully you have already begun packing so all you have to do now is load up the truck and transport your personal items to your future home! If you ordered any new items (appliances, furniture, etc), be sure to set up a good time for them to be delivered. Take the time to experience the process; this is a special moment in your life. Buying your first home will never happen again, enjoy it - this is the first day of your new life!! Congratulations!

Check out my blog today for more tips, news, and information on the exciting world of Real Estate. Or contact me directly via email or phone for specific questions or to have me list your home or help you in your home buying experience. ** AMANDA ROSS, Century21 Miller R.E. Ltd., PHONE: 905-845-9180, EMAIL: amanda.ross@century21.ca, WEB/BLOG: http://www.amandaross.ca **