With something for everyone, Miami is a haven for those craving for outdoor sporting and other recreational activity, this city resplendent with beaches, golf courses, theaters, comedy clubs, shopping malls and the like. While most luxury hotels in Miami boast of these facilities on site, downtown Miami offers several malls, nightclubs, dance theaters to cater to the diverse tastes of various communities that have sprouted in this city. To the unsuspecting tourist vacationer, booking your stay in a fine luxury miami hotels like the JW Marriott hotel may make things a little easier as opposed to hunting for accommodation and directions in a city where over 70% of the population use Spanish or Haitian /French Creole as their first language, Miami having grown with migrant population of Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean descent, apart from the German, Italian and other European communities that have made this city their home. However, the weak at heart need not get disconcerted, as most people do indeed speak English as well.

Enjoying mild to warm climate all year round, Miami has moved from obscurity to become the cruise capital and the cargo gateway connecting the continents of North America to the South. Home to most major international banks, Miami’s real estate is constantly booming, promising quite a few skyscrapers well above 150 feet, several downtown Miami luxury hotels already in existence, indicative of a promising future for this vibrant city.

And for the nature buffs out there, bordered by 2 national parks, i.e. the Everglade on the west and the Biscayne National park on the east, Miami abounds in opportunities like swimming, Trekking, Kayaking, Sailing, rock climbing, water skiing, snorkeling etc at places like the Oleta River state recreation park. And for the less adrenaline pumping types, the Seaquarium, the Parrot Jungle island offer feast to the eyes, by way of sea life and bird life.

Miami, meanwhile does not disappoint the more discerning gentry either, with its fine dance theaters like the Miami city Ballet with over 80 productions, or the Traditional Ballet Etudes offering traditional styles, with the Spanish fever fanned at the Ballet Flamenco la Rosa, these offering stiff competition to the Miami symphony orchestra and the Florida grand opera.

The young at heart can discover and romance with the various dance styles like salsa, jazz, hip hop or techno, courtesy the heavy influx of the Latinos from down south, into this throbbing city, continuously warmed by the gulf stream, a warm ocean current that Miami is blessed with all year round.

Miami is most certainly wasted on types that believe one eats to live. This city is a must for those who subscribe to the view that one also lives to eat, food cravings best cured on the sea food delights that are laced in South American , Caribbean, Cuban, Italian and other flavors, not to mention Miami’s very own Floribbean flavors. The place to be for Gourmet lovers, apart from the various places mushroomed all over, is South beach that offers several options in one place.

The ideal destination to chase away the winter blues, some of the attractions of Miami also include the International boat show held in February, or the Calle Ocho in March, besides the NASDAQ 100 Open Tennis tournament held in March.

With your stay in Miami being a race for time, checking into a downtown miami luxury hotellike the JW Marriot may prove a wise decision, this hotel being just minutes away from the Miami Intl. Airport, South Beach and its shopping and dining attractions, like the Bayside Marketplace, Coconut Grove/ cocowalk, or the high end Coral Gables – miracle mile shopping area. Featuring 296 amazing guest rooms inclusive of 22 suites, the hotel is the frequently the chosen site for high profile meetings at the 18,000 sq.feet dedicated facility serviced by a most professional and multilingual staff.

This video from Alimandi Vaticano inRome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of Alimandi Vaticano. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist

Kisha loves to research and gather information while her sister finds it unnecessary

The best camping tip you can get is to abide by the Boy Scout motto and “be prepared.” There are all sorts of things that can happen on a camping trip so expect the unexpected. Make lists of items that you should bring and pack all the essential equipment. Take into consideration the area where you will be, any rules for the camping site, weather conditions, safety and fun.

The Campsite
Make sure you have the proper equipment for camping. Know what sleeping arrangements are and where you will be cooking. If you are using a camper or RV, much of this will be supplied in your facilities but you will need to know any rules for the particular campsite. If you are sleeping outdoors, make sure you have tents and sleeping bags as well as warm clothing. Bring waterproof matches for campfires and cooking. Set up tents according to instruction. Always leave your campsite the way you found it. The best rule of thumb is to make sure it looks like you were never there.

Food
Bring only the cooking utensils you will need to prepare meals and eat. You will not have a dishwasher and may not have trash bins available. So, make sure you can easily clean and dispose of food items and waste. Bring lightweight, non perishable and easy to cook and clean food items. Canned foods, trail mix, soups and stews are great nutritional meals that are easy to store and carry.

My favorite way to cook while camping is over the fire, using a tripod and aluminum foil. There are lots of delicious meals you can cook by putting a few ingredients in a piece of foil, sealing it, and cooking it. Cleanup is a breeze. There are no dishes to wash. You just need to properly dispose of the used aluminum foil. Do an Internet search for “campfire recipes” and you’ll get lots of delicious foil/pouch campfire meal ideas. While getting ready for camping, do not forget the water. Make sure you have plenty available to keep hydrated and to cook with.

Weather
Plan for the expected weather conditions in the area but do not be surprised if there is a sudden climate change. For summer bring hats for protection, sunscreen and insect repellant. For winter, make sure to dress in layers, wear sunscreen, and have waterproof footwear. Always bring extra clothing in case of a climate change. Even in hot weather it can get very chilly at night. Prepare for rain by ensuring you have shelter, tarps and waterproof attire.

Safety
A first aid kit is a required piece of camping equipment. These can be found pre made in pharmacies and outdoor sporting goods stores. Rope, a flashlight and waterproof matches are also important. Having a compass available will help in case you get lost and a whistle can help you call for help even if you are fatigued. If leaving the campsite, make sure you bring food and water supplies.

Fun
Bring games and toys, especially if you are traveling with children. A game of Frisbee or football is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Bring your fishing rods and canoes for fun on the water. Do not forget to bring binoculars and a camera for hikes and nature walks. You may want to bring art supplies and books in case of inclement weather. For nature walks, insect and plant guide books are usually lightweight and can help you identify wildlife and items in nature.

Camping can be great fun but you should always prepare for things that may come up. Sudden changes in weather can occur and accidents can happen. Make a list of the supplies you will need and carefully pack for your trip. Being prepared will help ensure you have a great time and stay as safe as possible in all conditions.

Structural steel provides the strength needed for components within bridges, high-rise buildings, damns, and other large construction projects.  The reliability, quality and efficient design of the steel components is of the utmost importance.  Therefore, selecting the right subcontractor for the fabrication of the steel receives much attention.  At the same time, outsourcing is becoming a requirement to meet strict budget constraints.  With so many countries in the world offering structural steel fabrication, it can be difficult to determine which low cost countries serve as the best source of reliable subcontracting partners.

The primary low cost countries offering large numbers of structural steel fabrication facilities include China, India, Brazil, and Turkey.  Each country offers very unique experiences when carrying out transactions related to structural steel.  The cultural norms, business styles and political characteristics of each nation must be taken into account when selecting a structural steel subcontractor.If a company does not want its steel fabrication designs to be copied, it should not be manufactured in China.

India is also a popular option for low cost structural steel fabrication.  However, purchasing managers should take not that the lack of infrastructure within the country leads to many frustrations.  Items are often delivered late, or even worse, completed, but too large to travel on Indian roads, therefore never able to reach the end customer.  Additionally, Indian politicians are constantly at odds with each other over tariff levels.  The import and export duties quoted when starting a project are rarely the same by the project completion date.  Lastly, a recent study from the United Nations found that Indian workers are ranked as the least productive in the world.  Extreme caution should be exhibited when locating an Indian supplier.  Nonetheless, companies such as Tata Steel have emerged in India, as an exception to the rule that Indian suppliers are not reliable.  However, now that Tata Steel has earned such a strong reputation, its structural steel fabrication services are often not priced competitively.

Brazil is a popular source of low cost structural steel fabrications.  Brazil’s proximity to the United States in comparison to other low cost suppliers like India makes it an attractive option.  However, Brazil is infamous for depleting the rainforest in the name of industrial development.  In this sense, purchasing managers are faced with an ethical dilemma when supporting companies that source raw materials for important ecological areas.  Not taking into account ethical issues, Brazilian companies can be considered reliable and timely manufactures of structural steel fabrications.  Brazil is recommended far above India or China.

Finally, Turkey is among the most popular sources of custom steel fabrications.  Turkey is the highest recommend nation as a supplier of structural steel.  Its proximity to the European Union and its lack of tariffs on steel products exported to the United States make it an attractive choice.  Its young, highly skilled workforce ensures products are manufactured to highest standards of quality.  Thanks to funds provided by the European Union, Its infrastructure is much stronger than any of the other low cost countries mentioned, allowing for flawless logistics.  Multiple international seaports, multi-lane expressways, and railway lines with direct connections to the West serve the steel fabrication shops throughout Turkey.  Furthermore, scholarly research has shown that Turkish business culture is highly pro-Western, meaning Turkish steel fabricators are highly motivated to prove their dependability to Western customers.

With the increasing complexity of large infrastructure projects it has become essential to verify the quality of structural steel components prior to delivery and to assure they are durable, safe and perform as designed.  Turkish structural steel suppliers prove to deliver high quality structural steel components in a timely manner, while still offering the cost savings found by outsourcing to a low cost country.  Due to cultural and political factors, Turkish structural steel fabricators prove more reliable and better-equipped than those from other low cost countries

Turkey-based Yap?-Tek Steel offers a wide range of <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.celiksanayi.com”>structural steel fabrication</a> services from a single source.  Yap?-Tek Steel‘s design team is prepared to offer comprehensive design services and support, keeping every detail in account to minimize the total costs of the project.  With nearly 10,000 tons of annual capacity, Yap?-Tek Steel has experience fabricating heavy steel structural supports for tunnels, seaports, airports and many other large, complex projects.

The cast may be evolving, but the scenery and soundtrack remain the same. The gorgeous half-moon of Pattaya Bay swoops around the headland to (slightly) more refined Hat Jomtien, and delicate sea-breezes whip up a heady cocktail of suntan lotion, fast food, and motorcycle and jet-ski fumes. Wide-eyed package tourists jostle with Indian tailors, ruddy-faced middle-aged Western men, and beachfront fruit and seafood vendors. Thumping beats, cruising ‘baht buses’ and the commercial hubbub provide an irresistible symphony. And after dark the tourists’ eyes open even wider with a stroll past Pattaya’s infamous go-go bars amid the sex tourism hub of Walking St.

Pattaya’s a stay up late kind of town, but wake up earlier than most and there are activities galore to redress your daytime/nighttime balance. Hit the dive shops to explore the city’s offshore reefs and wrecks, or get some fresh air on world-class golf courses. And if you’re here with the family, the kids (and mum and dad), will find plenty to do to make it a real holiday. The town’s wicked essence remains defiantly intact, but around the fringes it’s softening and becoming more inclusive. If you welcome it with a dash of confidence and a pinch of adventure, Pattaya’s sun-kissed pursuit of happiness might prove irresistible.

History

US GIs kick-started Pattaya’s dramatic transformation from quiet fishing village into throbbing tourist Mecca when they ventured down the coast in search of fun and frolics from their base in Nakhon Ratchasima. That was 1959. During the Vietnam War, the flow becomes a flood as troops on leave arrived to soak up Pattaya’s cocktail of sun, sand and sex. Package – and sex – tourists followed, and Southeastern Thailand’s golden goose grew fat on the seemingly bottomless pot of dollars pouring into the local economy.

More recently Pattaya is striving to re-position itself as a ‘family-friendly’ destination, and while the grit, glitz and seedy glamour remain, the ‘town that sex built’ is now offering more attractions that won’t have the kids asking awkward questions.

Orientation

Curving around Ao Pattaya (Pattaya Bay), Hat Pattaya (Pattaya Beach) is the city’s showcase stretch of sand. Th Hat Pattaya (known colloquially as Beach Rd) runs along the waterfront and is lined with hotels, shopping centres and, towards the north, go-go bars. At the southern end of Th Hat Pattaya, ‘Walking St’ is a semi-pedestrianised jumble of restaurants and nightclubs. The alleyways running between Th Hat Pattaya and Th Pattaya 2 each have their own character: Soi 13 is filled with pleasant, midrange hotels while Soi 3 is the heart of the gay area, dubbed ‘Boyztown’. Development is ongoing, and at the time of writing the third street back from the beach, Th Pattaya 3, was awash with the construction of new hotels, bars and restaurants. If you’re after a tad more tranquility then head to Hat Jomtien, a 6km stretch of attractive beach and cleaner water, 5km south of Hat Pattaya. Hat Naklua, a smaller beach 1km north of Pattaya, is also quiet.

www.saniholidays.com 5* Oceania Club & Spa Nea Moudania Halkidiki Greece

Vacation Planner:

Having visited Ocean City as a child, than as a parent, and now living here with my grandchildren has given me a unique look at what Ocean City has to offer. From a day trip to a yearly vacation I will offer my advice on things I have enjoyed over the years.

Things have changed over the course of 50 years but not as much as you may think. Gone are the sand dunes and wilderness that existed north of 60th Street when I was a child. They have been replaced with high-rise condominiums, strip malls, hotels, restaurants, and residential buildings of every possible configuration.

The boardwalk now runs from the Inlet at the southern edge of Ocean City to 26th Street. Most of the “action” is from 4th Street-south. If you want to stay where the action is I recommend staying on the boardwalk. This is a great area if you have teenagers or just like the hustle and bustle atmosphere. Even the boardwalk can be further broken down by just how much action you want. The further you get from the inlet the more relaxed the boardwalk becomes. See my article, Where to Stay, for a complete listing of what each area of Ocean City is like.

While not everyone likes the same entertainment, I’m going to assume that the major reason for coming to Ocean City is the ocean. Our beaches are fairly consistent throughout Ocean City with fairly wide expanses, very clean, and lifeguards stationed every block with communication systems connecting the entire beach. The one major exception to this is from the inlet to about 6th Street; this area has an extremely wide beach area with volleyball and play areas. This is good for daily visitors and children but difficult for the elderly and handicapped. Access to the beach from the end of the boardwalk-north is limited to paths made through the sand dunes at the end of each street. Rentals of chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards are available on every block entrance to the beach (as of this writing). There are plenty of places to eat lunch all along the boardwalk but make other plans for lunch if you stay off the boardwalk. See beach rules for a list of do’s and don’ts.

To get away from the action and have a more relaxed day at the beach I recommend Assateague Island State and Assateague Island National Park. Although the actual park starts at the inlet you must drive about 15 minutes to get to the parks entrances. Take Route 50 west, than Route 611 south. Route 611 ends at Assateague Island. Here you will find the State Park and the National Park. The State Park is somewhat more expensive to enter but has a snack bar. I personally prefer the National Park because it has more to offer. While the State Park is limited to a snack bar, the National Park has canoe rentals; tours, a crabbing pier, and a 4 wheel drive only area (permit required). Fires are allowed on the beach at night from the low tide mark to the high tide mark. Both areas offer lifeguarded beaches, picnic tables, grills, rest rooms, and showers. Campsites are available at both parks but advanced reservations are almost always required.

Entertainment doesn’t stop at the beach.                                                                       

The boardwalk offers rides, games, arcades, shops, and of course food for the kid in all of us. Here again, the action is centered from 1st Street to the inlet. To entertain the kids and the kids at heart I would suggest Splash Mountain at 30th Street and Coastal Hwy. There are several types of water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, snack bars, and my favorite the Rain Forest. The Rain Forest is fun for everyone; it has super sized squirt guns to shoot people as they walk by (my favorite-I get in battles with people from 6 to 60), water slides, a giant pirate hat that slowly fills and dumps its contents on everyone below, and water squirting at you from everywhere. Trust me; this giant sized water version of a jungle gym is worth the admission price by itself. It is so fun that the lifeguards wear rain hats and coats.

There are numerous race tracks for every age and miniature golf courses featuring something for everyone. For a complete list of fun things to do visit our entertainment page.

For the adults there are nightclubs catering to every age group and bars with many different themes. Seacrets is so popular with young adults that it has its own radio station while Fager’s Island is popular with the more sophisticated crowd. In between is everything from karaoke to beach bars.

A rainy day can be spent; going to the movies, going shopping, visiting the indoor pools located at many hotels, sitting on your balcony watching the ocean, taking a day trip to historic Berlin, Md., or just enjoying a long lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Dinner in Ocean City for most of us is kind of like Family Feud. There are so many choices and nobody ever feels like the same thing at the same time. My family starts discussing dinner plans early so reservations can be made if required. During the peak season keep in mind that lines at popular restaurants can be long (even if the food is just so-so). My personal recommendations are: 1-Marina Deck, excellent crab soup and seafood dishes, and it’s on the water 2-Waterman’s Seafood Restaurant, very good crab feast and seafood 3-Nick’s Original House of Ribs, very good ribs and beef 4-Harpoon Hanna’s, very good seafood and on the water (service somewhat slow) 5-The Crabcake Factory USA, the best crab cakes, 6-Higgins Crab House, very good crabs and good seafood, 7-Bull on the Beach, excellent pit beef and good beef entrees, 8-Adolofo’s Italian Restaurant, excellent Italian dishes (expensive), 9-Embers Restaurant, very good seafood and prime rib buffet, 10-Ponzetti’s Pizza, my favorite pizza, 11-Lombardi’s, another good pizza and Italian restaurant, 12-Sakura, excellent Japanese steak house, 13-Phillip’s Crab House, good seafood (worth a visit but no longer the best seafood in Ocean City), 14-Outback Steakhouse, the same food you get at home but it’s good when you get tired of trying new places. These are my favorite restaurants. There are many great choices and many different ideas about what a good meal is. A good restaurant to me is a combination of very good to excellent food with reasonable prices, good service, and a varied menu for the entire family. Please leave reviews for restaurants you visit during your stay to help others choose a good restaurant.   

If you’re new to the world of setting up motorhome rentals for the Las Vegas area, you may be confused as to what are the “best” rates as opposed to those which are clearly not as good.

Consequently, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you make the most of your disposable income as you plan your Vegas journey.

If you’re planning to rent a 22-foot motorhome:

Look for a motorhome rental that’s between $95 and $175 dollars per day depending upon the time of year that you‘ll be visiting the Las Vegas area. Anything less may not be of good quality; anything more and you’re paying too much.

If you’re planning to rent a 28 to 29-foot motorhome:

• You can expect to pay more for a 28-29 foot motorhome rental than you will for a 22-foot one, but the extra space is perfect, especially for a group of friends or a larger family. (Or, you might simply want more room to relax during your holiday trip!) Anything between $130 and $225 per night (usually with a minimum stay of at least three nights) is acceptable.

If you’re planning to rent a 30 to 32-foot motorhome:

• You’re definitely going for a biggie! But luckily the price doesn’t have to be that much bigger. Again, depending upon the season, you may be able to rent such a roomy vehicle for as little as approximately $180 or up to about $270 a night.

• Of course, this is just part of the savings you’ll enjoy. There are many other “hidden” savings that truly add up in the long run. You might not realize that you’re saving money, but you’ll notice a difference when you come back with more money in your pocket than you expected!

So how much will you additionally save when you rent a Las Vegas RV motorhome? Consider the costs that you won’t be paying, such as these:

• You won’t have to pay for hotel services that you’re not going to use, such as the fitness center or concierge services. (These are all included in the price of a hotel room whether or not you take advantage of them.)

• You won’t have to pay extra for parking. (In a larger city like Las Vegas, parking can be costly.)

• You won’t be tempted by the pricey hotel refrigerator stocked with $5 candy bars and $8 bottles of water! (At midnight when you’re hungry, it’s hard to say “no”, even if you know it’s a rip-off!)

• You can eat healthfully while on vacation. (In fact, you might just lose weight if you remain on your diet plan!)

• Your kids won’t be lured by gift store items. (Who needs another t-shirt, anyway?)

• You can sleep to the sounds of nature instead of the sounds of the room next door. (What does this cost? Well, if you’ve ever had a sleepless night, you know that the next day can be terrible!)

Make your next holiday trip the most memorable one yet. Choose a motorhome rental and see Las Vegas economically as well as in style!

For more information, visit SaharaRV.