Archive for June 30, 2010

Finding the Right Camping Tent

When preparing for your first camping trip, you’ll quickly find that there are so many tents to choose from it is hard to decide which one would suit you and your family best.  Here are a few of the tents that make your stay in the great outdoors as comfortable as possible.

A Dome Tent

Dome tents are the most popular type of tents because they’re so easy to set up and take down.

A great one to try is a Coleman Sundome Tent.  The Coleman Sundome Tent 7 x 7 sleeps up to 3 people comfortably, and the 10 x 10 sleeps up to 5.  One of the best features is an air flow system that allows you to adjust the ventilation inside the tent.

If you have a little bit of a larger family, you might want to try a family dome tent such as the Wenzel Family Dome Tent, which is small and compact but still offers lots of space for the whole family.  There are multiple doors, a tub style floor, and rain shingles. Some even include divider curtains so that you can have a little privacy.

A Cabin Tent

Cabin tents are a little less popular than dome tents because they’re a bit pricier, but they’re a lot more spacious.  A cabin tent can be large enough to sleep 8 people, so it’s a great buy if you have a large family.

The Coleman Cabin Tent offers a lot of space for the entire family and maintains reliable weather- resistance and easy set up.

A reason to choose a cabin tent over a dome tent would be that it has more space and offers a little bit more room to move around.

In Addition to the Tent…

Once you’ve settled on a tent, you should also make sure you have a few other camping essentials.  A wheeled cooler, like a Coleman wheeled cooler, will allow you to move your food and drinks around without pulling your back out.

To make the best food, check out one of the great portable BBQ grills you can buy.  A portable BBQ is great for camping but you can use it at home too.  You can get a wireless BBQ thermometer, such as an efficient Accurite Wireless BBQ Thermometer, to make sure you’ve barbequed to perfection.

Finding the perfect tent is easy, especially if you choose one of these simple designs.  It never hurts to have the right accessories on any camping trip!

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China vacations travel info – Kung Pao Chicken in Beijing

This article is about the China vacations and Beijing travel. You can find some useful information in it if you are a fan of the Chinese food.

Kung Pao chicken (also spelled Kung Po chicken) is a classic dish in Sichuan cuisine, originating in the Sichuan Province of central-western China. The dish is named after Ding Baozhen (1820–1886), a late Qing Dynasty official. Born in Guizhou, Ding served as head of Shandong province and later as governor of Sichuan province. His title was Gong Bao, or palatial guardian. The name “Kung Pao” chicken is derived from this title.

The dish exists in both traditional Sichuan and Westernized versions; the latter is more popular in the United States and Canada.

If you are planning your China vacations now, you should try the traditional Sichuan version of Kung Pao chicken. In my point of view, this is the real Kung Pao chicken, not the Westernized version.

Here are some good restaurants which serve good Kung Pao chicken in Beijing:

(1). Guolin (Zhongguancun branch): The Guolin is a famous Chinese Home-Style Cooking restaurant in Beijing. The price is not high (about 50 rmb for one person). Its Kung Pao chicken is a lot of people’s favourite. You can try its roast Beijing duck if you want. It is delicious too. (but much cheaper than the famouse Quanjude Peking Roast Duck) The services here are not bad and it is a very good place to hang out with friends in my point of view. Here is the address: 18 Zhongguancun Beiyijie Street, Beijing. Tel: 010 – 62628768. ( useful info for China vacations )

(2). Yuxiangcun: You can find the genuine Sichuan food in this restaurant. The cost is about 60 rmb for one person. The chefs here are from Sichuan and I like its Kung Pao chicken very much. It is sweet but not too much. You can try this real Kung Pao chicken from Sichuan here and you will find out that it is so different from the Kung Pao chicke you have in the U.S. or Europe. (info for your China vacations) Lots of people like its Boiled Fish too. You can try it if you like the spicy food. There are some VIP rooms in it and they are the good choices for you if you don’t like the noise. Here is the address: 5 Chengzhuanglu Street, Beijing. Tel: 010 – 86301674.

(3). Chuanban: Chuanban means “Sichuan’s” in Chinese. You can know that it serves the genuine Sichuan food from its name. The cost is about 50 rmb for one person. Although this restaurant is not in a good location, it is still in very good business. You will need to wait for the seats if you don’t make a reservation in advance. An interesting thing here is that you can get some discounts if you wait here for the seats. :-)   If you are not a big fan of the spicy food, you will need to tell the waiters / waitress first. They can serve the medium spicy dishes if you ask. Its Kung Pao chicken is very good and you can try the Fried ducks blood too. I like them both. Here is the address: 5 Gongyuantoutiao Street (Jianguomenneidajie Street), Beijing. Tel: 010 – 65122277 – 6101.

(4). Xinbashu Boiled Fish (Changping): You can know that the most famous dish here is the Boiled Fish (cost only 28 rmb) from its name. Many people like the Boiled Fish here because it is not very spicy. Its environment and decorations are good. This restaurant is always in good business no matter you come here in weekend or week days. Although it is a little bit crowded and noisy sometimes, its services are not bad. The Kong Pao chicken here is a very good option for you, especially for those who are not good at eating spicy food. ( hope this can be helpful for your China vacations ) You’d better make a reservation first if you decide to come here. Here is the phone number: 010 – 89710666. Address: 32 Changping Nandajiezhongduan, Chaoping District, Beijng.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about china vacations, lhasa travel guide and travel tips from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

About the author:Shane Lee.More flights,airfares info at:Flights from Phoenix to JFK.And:Cheap flights Chicago to Las Vegas .And:Direct flight RDU to BWI.

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Travel Luggage Buying Tip

When you travel whether it is a weekend getaway or a month long vacation one of the most important things to consider is the type of luggage you will be using. Most people just use what they happen to have lying around or whatever a friend had to lend them whether it is a pink luggage set or pink leather luggage. This is definitely the least expensive solution but this decision could come back to haunt you. A good piece of luggage will not only be with virtually with you every step of the way but it is what will carry and protect your belongings. Taking the time now to make an informed decision could mean the difference between a great vacation and a disaster.

One of the first things to think about when deciding on a new piece of luggage has nothing to do with the luggage itself but it has everything to do with what type of trips you like to take. Are you the type of person that likes to take those scenic multi stop tours where you will be visiting many different locations sometimes maybe in the same day? If so imagine having to carry one of those large hard suitcases to and from every stop, doesn’t sound pleasant does it. Now if you had chosen the smaller semi soft sided carry on luggage then it would be much easier and lighter for you to load and unload your pink luggage off the train or bus at each destination.

Now on the other hand if you are the type of person that likes to vacation for longer periods of time and tends to stay in one general area for example a trip to Italy where you will stay a week or two in one city then a week in another small soft sided luggage would prove to be impractical. On longer trips you will need to carry more clothing and other necessities with you because of the duration of the stay this will mean that you would need a larger pink luggage set. With larger size comes additional weight however most trips of this nature unlike tours usually have valets at your destination that will happily do all the lifting for you. Once you go for larger sizes of luggage you may want to consider getting pink rolling luggage this will make it somewhat easier to handle for those times that the valet is not around.

Today, many articles are written about how to avoid problems while travelling but very few take into account how your choice of luggage can affect the result of your trip. All things considered the choice of luggage you make should be carefully thought out and planned to suit your own style and personal needs.

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New York Habitat offers Discounts on Harlem – Uptown Vacation Rental Apartments

New York Habitat offers Discounts on Harlem – Uptown Vacation Rental Apartments
New York Habitat is now offering a discount on Harlem – Uptown vacation rentals apartment. The discount is valid on rentals that begin in September. Accommodations can be booked between now and September 30th 2010. The discounted apartments can be found on the New York Travel Deals page of the New York Habitat Website. (PRWeb Jun 25, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb …

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How to Book Last Minute Vacations

Do you want to go on vacation but cannot figure out how to afford it? Last minute vacations are a good option for you. These allow you to save a lot of money – sometimes more than fifty percent – and they still allow you to have the vacation of your dreams.

Pros of Booking Last Minute

There is an upside to taking the plunge and booking a trip on short notice. The main one is the cost. If you could not afford a full vacation, you may be tempted to go somewhere that you can afford which may not present you with the ideal situation. Booking shortly before your trip allows you to spend less money on the vacation that you want.

Cons of Minute Vacations

The absolute downside to taking a vacation at the last minute is that it can be hard taking time off and leaving for the trip on short notice. A lot of preparation needs to be made and some people need to scramble to take the time off. This situation is really ideal for those who have the time to take or are self-employed.

How to Book

Last minute vacations can be tricky to book because some of the offers are snatched up quickly. If you are serious about finding the deals, you can subscribe to online website that alerts you to them. Alternatively, you can sign up for alerts with your favorite airlines and travel companies.

If you want to book a last minute trip then you need to be able to make decisions quickly. Offers are snatched up quite fast and unless you can take the time off quickly, the offer will be gone.

Next, now that you learned more about Last Minute Vacations are you ready to book one? You may want to visit our last minute carribean vacations page and do just that.

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A Bahamas Vacation Travel Guide

A Bahamas Vacation has always sounded like paradise on earth, but did you know that when you travel to the Bahamas you aren’t just going to one island, but many.

Travelling from one end of the Bahamas to the other, not only are there the well known islands like Grand Bahama, The Abacos, Eleuthera, and Exuma, but the Bahamas is in fact a country of 700 islands, of which 23 are inhabited but there are many many unpopulated islets and cays.

The differences to be found between different islands is also extreme, when you take cosmopolitan Nassau and compare it to the desert like Inagua. As you can imagine being only fifty miles off the Florida Coast, the Bahamas are very much an American playground, indeed on a lot of the islands the tiny villages could almost be the same as ones found on the coast of Massachusetts, only the palms, and sands are different.

A Bahamas Vacation has long been popular with sailors because the sea is calm, there are cooling tradewinds and this is the home of the Gulf Stream which makes the climate so pleasant. The Gulf Stream also is the reason that there are so many large fish, and a general abundance of marine life, so a lot of people travel to the Bahamas for a vacation just for the sport fishing.

No vacation in the Bahamas would be complete without spending time either snorkelling or scuba diving. The Gulf Stream is again responsible for the sheer underwater delights, the spectacular shoals of fish which congregate around the reefs, which are over 5% of the total number of coral reefs in the world. You will never tire of this underwater technicolour fantasy world in the Bahamas.

Probably more people take a Bahamas Vacation because of the beauty of the beaches than anything else and no Bahamas trip would be complete without a visit to the pink sands of Harbour Island and Eleuthera.

Having said that there are more beaches in the Bahamas than you could ever visit in your entire life, but you should take the time to go to the Exumas and San Salvador where you will almost be alone on their beautiful beaches.

After you are sated by the beautiful beaches and everything the sea has to offer you on your Bahamas Vacation, why not go ashore and just enjoy the sheer spellbinding beauty of the Bahamas Islands. You can fly from island to island or just take a flight to see the amazing sight of the white sand, green islands, coral keys, turquoise sea, lovely little villages, all totally unforgettable.

On the ground why not hire a bicycle and explore, then of course there are the masses of other things to do on dry land. Your vacation in the Bahamas could consist of staying in one of the many world class properties and hotels that dot the islands, playing tennis, golf on beautiful championship courses.

Shoppin g is another delight on your vacation to the Bahamas in one of the island’s shopping arcades. If you like to gamble then there are casinos, but then again there really is nothing like sitting on a pink sand beach with a good book, a cool drink, surrounded by your family.

A Bahamas Vacation can bring you close to paradise on earth.

For more information on Caribbean Vacation Spots go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html

Gordon Steven writes about Caribbean Vacation Spots as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends in Kenya Safaris

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Vacations: Travel & International Vacation Packages

There is nothing more enjoyable and gratifying than to be able to go on a vacation after a long and hard year at work. However, there is also nothing so disappointing and upsetting as finding out that the vacation that you think is going to be so good actually ends up being a horrible experience because the travel agency did not tell you the whole truth about the vacation package! This article gives helpful advice as to what to do to get the best deal on your vacation package. The article also discusses where to go for advice and who to ask for advice, and it covers information such as how much money you really have to spend to get a good vacation package. This informational article gives a couple of tips for getting everyone in the family interested in going on an affordable vacation together.

It is always important to know all of the aspects of a vacation package before you pull out your credit card; there are a lot of great vacation packages out there, but unfortunately there are few scams as well. Some people tend to think that the more money you pay out, the better quality you will get. This is not one hundred percent true all of the time. There are some good deals on discount vacations out there, but you have to know what to look for.

To find the affordable vacations out there, you have to know who to trust. Talk to your friends, family and co workers to find out about their travel experiences and which travel agencies are the most honest and what travel websites will give you most out of your money. When it comes to discount vacations, word of mouth is the best form of guidance that you can get. When you have talked to all the people you know, and obtained all the necessary information, you can then start to think about what type of vacation package you would like to have.

A lot of wives complain about not being able to interest their husbands in vacation destinations, and one way to do this is to plan a golf vacation. Don’t worry; he won’t be playing golf one hundred percent of the time! Since Tiger Woods made golf a popular sport, it has changed some vacation packages at the travel agencies. There are now golf vacations! However, they know that the whole family usually goes on these holidays, so they make sure that there are many other attractions that will be fun for everyone.

An affordable vacation could be in your future; don’t be afraid to try and talk down the travel agent. There could always be a better deal out there, and sometimes your travel agent could have the freedom to drop the price a bit and add a few extras to your vacation package.

An affordable vacation could be in your future; don’t be afraid to try and talk down the travel agent. Nakhro

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The Weather in Alicante

Part of Alicante’s claim to fame as an established and well to do tourist town has been its climate, the city enjoys good weather throughout the year and this allows it to entertain visitors all year round, regardless of the season. As the region of Alicante Spain is flanked on three sides by picturesque mountains and on the fourth by the Mediterranean Sea, Alicante experiences a very stable temperature due to the maritime effect and the cut off effect from the rest of the mainland caused by the mountains that flank Alicante from all sides.

Due to this reason, summer and winter temperatures are both mild, making Alicante especially popular with visitors for its warm sunshine and long stretch of beaches. Consequently, in a regular year, Alicante may receive up to 2800 hours of sunlight, meaning that summers enjoy up to 12 to 13 hours of sunlight while the winter months experience at least 6 hours of sunlight. Because of this reason, Alicante also attracts many visitors from the northern European countries where mild winters are a luxury unheard of.

The temperature fluctuations are also very minimalistic as during the summer months of July and August, the temperature only fluctuates within the 10 degree Celsius range between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The story for the winter months is not so different as the temperature, again, does not oscillate more than 10 degrees Celsius and stays between 6 to 16 degree Celsius. And while temperature fluctuation is not normally more than 10 degrees, sometime mountain winds may cause this fluctuation to rise up to 15 degrees, the general trend, however, is that seasonal and annual temperature fluctuations tend to remain small and the temperatures remain stable all year round. Alicante also experiences some rain in the months of August to October, and while it may rain up to 200 mm on any single day, the number of rainy days usually never exceed beyond 40 in a year.

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Camping Espagne: Holidays in Spain

Camping Espagne – camping holidays in Spain? Most of us think of beaches and holiday homes when thinking of Spanish holidays, but this European country is an excellent choice for a camping vacation. Quality campsites are located around the country from the countryside to the coastal areas and near important tourist attractions. Spain has many natural wonders and highlights from mountains to beaches, and pitching a tent is a great way to explore another side of this country.

If you want to travel Spain in style then you can bring along your trailer tents. Why bring only one, bring one for each of your friends as well. Using a trailer tent is a great way to travel Spain and camp along the way.

If you travel with the family, Spain is a good choice. Many Spanish campsites are very family-friendly, and offer good facilities. Some are found in beautiful natural areas but there are also sites near the biggest cities. Camping can be a good way to save in vacation costs, especially during the high season when accommodation in many holiday resorts is fully booked and prices are higher than outside the seasons.

Many campsites in Spain have great amenities, and include playgrounds for kids and swimming pools for the whole family. One famous site for its family-friendliness is the Cambrils in Salou, near Barcelona. The mild south European weather means that Spain can be a good camp vacation destination for most part of the year and the season starts earlier than in neighboring France. Especially in the south of the country, you can stay at campsites from early spring.

Spain’s many national parks offer good opportunities to camp. The Sierra Nevada National Park is a stunning mountainous area with a diverse wildlife and has lots of campsites inside the park. Also in Andalusia, the campsites along the Playa de Castilla beaches are located close to the Coto Donana National Park, known for its wetlands, varied bird life and good hiking trails. The Coto Donana is an excellent choice for nature lovers and anyone who likes walking and active holidays.

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Louie Lopez 8.97 at 167mph Reynols, Georgia, Southern Buick Shootout 2009 SBC V8 Turbo


Louie Lopez 8.97 at 167mph Reynols, Georgia, Southern Buick Shootout SBC V8 Turbo community.webshots.com 1987 Buick Grand National 8.96 @ 162 MPH Dart 400ci SBC, PTE106, PTE 2000 liquid IC, PTC Powerglide and converter FAST XFI Dyno Tune by Cal Hartline

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Consumer Corner: Flightless travel makes the journey a more pleasant part of the experience

Consumer Corner: Flightless travel makes the journey a more pleasant part of the experience
By MARCELLA S. KREITER United Press International With the summer travel season here, maybe it’s time to rethink what actually constitutes a vacation.

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Travel to Portland Oregon with the PDX Airport Shuttle

Portland, Oregon is one of America’s most popular cities and is easily accessed by the international airport – just hop on to the pdx airport shuttle and you can be taken directly to your hotel in downtown Portland for a fun weekend of shopping and sightseeing.

Portland has a range of attractions for all interests and ages. For an injection of culture, visit the Portland Art Museum or Pittock Mansion. To enjoy the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest, take a stroll around the International Rose Test Garden or Portland Japanese Garden. If shopping is more your thing there are plenty of opportunities in the downtown area and at the Saturday Market. And kids will love visiting Oregon Zoo or the Lloyd Center Ice Rink.

Transportation around the city is made easy with an excellent public transport system. The pdx shuttle will bring you to the downtown area from which you can use the TriMet buses or the Max Light Rail system to reach all parts of the city and the outer lying suburbs. There is also the Portland Streetcar which connects the Cultural District with the Pearl District and the Nob Hill and Northwest Neighborhoods. The city center is pedestrian friendly and the famous architectural landmarks make walking on foot a great option. You can also hire a bicycle and cycle along the historic waterfront for a scenic view of the city skyline.

Getting to Portland from other parts of the country is easy. The city is serviced by the Portland Union Station with three daily intercity passenger trains. There are also long distance bus services from several cities and you can of course drive – the downtown area boasts affordable and convenient parking which is free if you make purchases of $25 or more at participating stores.

The international airport is the best option for visitors from further afield and this is easily connected to the city and other areas in the Pacific Northwest by the pdx airport shuttle.

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Calgary: overcoming stereotypes

The Canadian stereotype of Calgary is that it is a city full of red-necked cowboys and not much else. If you visit the city during its Calgary Stampede you might leave with the same impression. But Calgary has more to offer than steak and drunk cowboys. Some Calgary travel tips might just get you to change your mind about the city and head to Alberta for a visit.

Calgary is a sprawling city consisting of diverse and unique neighborhoods. The Beltline and 17th Avenue neighborhood is known for its party atmosphere. This is where Calgarians and tourists come to shop, eat, two-step and celebrate. You will find an eclectic mix of restaurants, unique boutiques and many bars and nightclubs along this strip. You may be surprised to find that Calgary has a neighborhood of such multicultural diversity as found on Forest Lawn. This is where you will find the city’s best Vietnamese, Lebanese and Central American cuisine. These are just two of Calgary’s neighborhoods, of many, that help change the stereotype.

Like other Canada travel tips, this article would not be complete without some advice about Calgary’s weather. Because of its location in the transitional zone between the Canadian Prairies and the Canadian Rockies foothills, Calgary experiences extreme climate changes, sometimes within the same day. Temperatures drop dramatically over night, in winter as well as in summer. If you visit Calgary during the summer months of July and August you can expect temperatures on average of 23 degrees Celsius. There may be a day or two of very hot temperatures but it is more likely that you will need a light cardigan to deal with the cool evenings. Be prepared for a winter visit by packing mitts, a warm jacket and a hat. You probably won’t need big winter boots unless you plan to head to the Rockies as snow doesn’t stick around long in Calgary.

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Is more secure to plan a international vacation online or through a travel agent?

I am planning a vacation to the Caribbean for the summer. I was originally going to book the flight through expedia.com but was advised by my boyfriend to book through a travel agent instead. After comparing the prices from both sources, the travel agent’s deal is $300 more expensive than the deal online. Is there a real difference between booking with a travel website and a travel agent? Is one option more secure? You can post your experiences if you like. Thanks!

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Panama City Beach Never Ending Summer


Who says summer has to end? Panama City Beach’s balmy climate, sunny skies and miles of glistening white-sand beaches mean you can celebrate summer well into autumn. In the fall, as the hustle and bustle of the summer season moves out, it makes way for quiet and peaceful beaches. It is a relaxing time to enjoy a walk on the beach or a nice dip in the blue waters of the Gulf. The fall is a really great time to see why PCB is one of the best beach destinations! Florida sun shines bright on fall visitors to Panama City Beach, offering award-winning beaches and family fun environment!

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Tripbase Launches Travel Horoscopes to Help You Follow Your Star to a Dream Vacation

Tripbase Launches Travel Horoscopes to Help You Follow Your Star to a Dream Vacation
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