Travel Guide to Finland

A visit to the very beautiful and exotic Scandinavian country, Finland is part of a gazillion bucket lists. Slowly but surely, Finland has now become a top tourist destination. With so much natural beauty and development, the country was bound to receive its share of appreciation sooner or later. If you are looking to take a memorable and nice vacation, Finland is the place for you. It is secure, fun, diverse, tourist friendly and has endless natural beauty. For the ticket, most travel experts suggest the usage of American airlines, especially if you are flying from USA, Britain or Canada. Being a passenger of American airlines countless times, I do consider it the most economical. But of course it is always a good idea to check out other airlines too. A landing at the Helsinki International Airport is the most viable and natural choice for tourists. The capital city of Finland is vibrant, exciting and to sum it up, the perfect place to start your trip. Summertime is the ideal season to visit but to be honest, even in winters, there is something magical about the city. Sibelius monument, Kiasma, Natural History Museum, Hietaniemi Beach, Esplanadi Park, Orion Cinema, Ateneum Art Museum, Toolo Winter Garden, Hietalahti Market Hall and Kaisaniemi Botanical Gardens are just a few of the countless amazing landmarks and destination in the city. After a taste of the urban surroundings, escape to the wild side of Finland and explore the natural beauty the country has to offer. Despite being one of the most advanced countries, the people have made sure that the natural areas are kept the way they are and during summers, even the locals head to the relaxing surroundings away from the urban hustle and bustle. Finland is home to 188,000 lakes and many beautiful islands. Book a wooden cottage next to a lake, swim in the water, catch fish and do a barbeque to enjoy like the locals do. Nature lovers and adventure seeking tourists are sure to have the time of their lives in Finland. The country is home to almost 35 natural parks which boast wildlife and unique species of plants and trees. Hiking and cycling are the most popular activities. Cycling through the wild pathways with birds chirping in the background makes you closer to nature than you ever wanted to be. In Finland, the famous residence of Santa Claus is a great source of attraction for tourists. But even more than that, the Korvatunturi Mountain is popular. Located within the Urho Kekkonen national park, the mountain range offers a scenic environment and a visit to this park is said to be a must do thing. Few holidays can be as fun as the ones in Finland and that is why the country stands to be one of the most visited countries of the world. I remember the day when I flew using American airlines business class flights to Helsinki, not knowing what the place had to offer. Ever since then, I am seen roaming in Finland every year in my summer break. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_H_Wise

Qualities of Luxury Boutique Hotels That Make Them the Best Choice

Staying at boutique hotels is an emerging fad in the world of luxury travel, and while many business analysts have conflicting opinion about them, it looks like they are here to stay. It's no surprise that many all-inclusive travel and leisure packages include accommodations at some of the most top-rated boutique hotels. There are a lot of qualities that make these hotels attractive to travellers; for some, it is the strategic location of these hotels in the urban area of a particular destination, while for others, it is the intimate size. In this article, we will take a deeper dive into some of the best characteristics of boutique hotel have that makes it a preference for travellers. 1. These type of hotels are small in size, which makes the service more distinctive. Although many luxury travels offer bend-over-backwards services, there is a value-added when the hotel you are staying at is no bigger than 100 rooms. The hotel staff are more likely to personalize their services, which contributes to the overall pleasant atmosphere of the hotel. Since the hotel could only accommodate a handful of guests, it is easier for the hotel staff to anticipate their needs-a quality that is rare in bigger hotels. Moreover, these hotels give the guests a semblance of closeness and togetherness. 2. Boutique hotels have evident themes that make each one of them unique. These themes give boutique hotels a "personality." The themes can be seen in the interiors, the decor, or even in the kind of music they play in the lobby. Some of them can be quirky or futuristic, while some are reminiscent of classic novel settings. It is important to note the significance of these themes because it is what makes the experience different (in a good way!) from one boutique hotel to another. 3. These hotels are often independent establishments and are not part of a bigger chain of top hotels. Sometimes, this can be a game-changer in terms of the quality of the trip. Being one of a kind and being more edgy somewhat makes these type of hotels a more appealing option for some travellers. The story boutique hotels tell is definitely something more exciting than "We spent a couple of nights in another one of those Four Seasons Hotels for our fifth anniversary." There is no clear definition of what qualifies as a boutique hotel, but when it comes to luxury travel, one thing is clear: travelers can tell at one glance whether a hotel is boutique or not. The key takeaway here is that modern travelers seek them out, and they are one of those accommodation types to watch out for. Our vacation club membership lets you enjoy luxury travel without the price tag. The luxurious experience of being a member of our club is too good to be kept to yourself, that is why we are encouraging you to spread the word to your friends. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._Boyd

Five Tips For Choosing Hotels

There are a number of ways to go about searching for the right hotel that fits your budget. But did you know that many lodging companies do not advertise their best deals on the Internet? It's true, especially if you're heading somewhere like Las Vegas. But for those of you looking to travel somewhere different, somewhere a little more interesting, here are a few tips that will help you size up the competition. Roadside Deals You've been driving all day, you're tired, and now it's time to look for somewhere to crash. But don't bust out those cellphone apps just yet (we'll get to that in minute). Roadside advertising is still a thing. And the way many hotels entice drive-by customers into their lobbies is by offering "last second," or impulse deals. These can be super inexpensive, to the tune of under $30.00 in some places! Cellphone Apps You're someone who likes to plan ahead, but not by too much. Cellphone apps, like Google's motel finder, just might be your ticket to finding a deal while traveling in unfamiliar territory. So be sure to download one if you haven't already before taking off into the night. Some other convenient features may include restaurant locators, full navigation to your chosen destination, and links to online coupons. The Internet For those who must plan every detail of their trip way ahead of time, the Internet may be the way to go. There are hundreds of travel agencies out there, and they all have websites. How do they entice customers to book through them? The old fashioned way; by offering great deals on lodging packages. Generally, you must book a few weeks in advance to get the best deals, but travel agencies are increasingly caving to customer demands for more booking flexibility and have answered by offering more last minute travel deals. Brick and Mortar Businesses Many booking agencies have fled their brick and mortar shops for a spot in Cyberspace. But many have not. And these companies are becoming more and more savvy when it comes to drawing clients into their offices. They do this the old fashioned way as well, but with a convenient catch; by offering great deals, but also by adding great perks to these deals, such as future booking discounts and a real live agent! I don't know about you but I prefer to conduct the majority of my business with a real person. Coupons! Coupons will never go out of style. I'm not much of a collector, but I know a deal when I see one. You can find coupons for specific hotels online, or you may receive them in the mail. Nevertheless, don't toss that annoying junk mail without perusing for deals on your favorite hotels first. Whether you're planning a long vacation or a spontaneous weekend trip, be sure to keep these tips in mind before fixating those eyes on the horizon. You do need a place to sleep after all, and finding such shouldn't take up much of your time. You're trying to have fun anyway, right? When looking for accommodating, affordable Holland, MI hotels, you can trust CityFlatsHotel. Learn more about our amenities at http://www.cityflatshotel.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Ardis

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom/Wife

One of the best things about Christmas for many people is the exchanging of gifts. But this can also be one of the hardest parts of Christmas. Finding the perfect gift for that person in your life can be hard. In fact, many people tend to give the same people the same type of gift every year. Gift cards are one of the newest answers. But if you know where to look you can find unique Christmas gift ideas for mom/wife. For nature lovers, including gardeners, gifts that help celebrate the beauty of nature are a great idea for a Christmas gift. The type of gift you choose for the woman in your life is going to vary according to her specific interests. The best part about gifts that celebrate nature is that you can choose from a variety designed to be used only outdoors. You can also find a variety of gifts that allow the woman in your life to introduce their love of nature into the house. And a positive fact is that the gifts won't leave a huge mess. One of the most popular gifts you can give the nature lover in your family is a live butterfly kit. It also happens to be a gift that just keeps on giving. The live butterfly kit continues to give over and over again because you can turn caterpillars into butterflies year after year. All you have to do is order new caterpillars each year. How the gift works is to begin by raising the caterpillars. Once the caterpillars reach adulthood you will be able to watch them form a cocoon. Then come spring you will see the live butterflies begin to hatch. You can do this project any time of year but if the butterflies hatch during the winter you will want to keep them in the house until the warmer weather arrives. If you would rather choose a gift that allows the woman in your life to bring nature into the home you can opt for a moving butterfly figurine. One of the most popular ones is that of a Blue Morpho Butterfly. However it is also available as a Monarch or Dragonfly. One of the nicest things about this figurine is just how realistic it looks. It actually leaves people wondering whether the butterfly is real or not. It can be even more of a surprise if you place it on a live plant in your house - particularly one next to a window. The butterfly can also be placed on a mirror or window. All you need is a place to secure it on. It makes no noise whatsoever when it runs and this realistic butterfly doesn't overheat. So no worry about a fire hazard. One of the best things about buying Christmas gifts for nature lovers is the variety of gifts available for you to choose from. Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor Christmas gift ideas for mom/wife, you should visit Christmas gift ideas Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manisha_Kumar

Free Places to Visit in Orlando, Florida

What comes to mind when someone mentions the action-filled location of Orlando, Florida, and the surrounding areas? Do you think of having your kids meet Mickey Mouse and other Disney Characters at any Walt Disney World theme park? Do you conjure images of the themed area at Universal's Islands of Adventure, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Do you bring up pictures of Elmo meeting Shamu at SeaWorld Orlando? Let's face it -- all the excitement and family fun of the theme park capital of the world is expensive. If you go to any theme park in the area, be it Epcot or SeaWorld Orlando, chances are that you'll pay for more than the admission tickets and seasonal or annual passes. You pay parking fees, meals (including many breakfasts where you take pictures of your relatives and their favorite cartoon characters), and souvenirs that are too materialistic. Water parks also work that way too: unless you stay at a resort with one, you pay for the admission and parking if it has a fee. You may be wondering if there's anything in Orlando that is completely free -- somewhere where you don't have to pay at the gate or booth. My friend, there are great places worth visits that suit your above needs. 1.The Epcot Resorts Area: around the borders of placid Crescent Lake lie the resorts that are just a mere walk away from Epcot, where its signature globe of Spaceship Earth can be visible without paying to actually get there. Feel free to park on any parking lot of any resort, take a stroll, and admire the beauty of each hotel. If you love free entertainment and love taking pictures, head on over to Disney's Boardwalk and watch some street performers like jugglers and clowns. I recommend that you visit during Christmas -- the decorations are worth many photo opportunities. 2.Downtown Disney: although it's regarded as a shopping mall, with stores, restaurants, and penny rides wanting your money, it's a free attraction of its own. If window-shopping is not your cup of tea, feel free to take pictures of the window displays, store signs, and buildings. Kids will love the interactive fountain play area to cool off on a hot day and the LEGO Imagination Center if they love building their own creations with blocks. Like the Epcot Resorts Area, Downtown Disney is a free place to visit at the Walt Disney World resort -- who says that everything is not free of charge? 3.Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe: if you are a Catholic and want to place a basilica in your vacation plans in Orlando, look no further than the eastbound edge of I-4. Just minutes away from the excitement of Walt Disney World and other Orlando area theme parks, this church is a haven for those who want peace and quiet or for those who want to commit to going to Mass if any day of their vacations falls on a Sunday. Marvel at the main church - it offers some of the best stained-glass windows that are guaranteed to dazzle you. Also, meditate in the Rosary Garden, look around in the gift shop, and take pictures of the surrounding greenery and fountains. If you either want to foster your Catholic faith or want to get away from all the hustle and bustle the Orlando area is known for free of charge, add this basilica to your vacation plans or just visit it. Orlando may be expensive in so many ways: you hand out lots of money for meals, spa treatments, theme park prices, souvenirs, and much more. On the other hand, it offers places where you can just get in without paying a dime. I strongly recommend visiting those above places if you really want a change of pace from riding spinning rides, meeting crazy movie characters, and above all, spending way too much money. I have been going to Walt Disney World and other places since early childhood. My blog, Flexible Disney ([http://www.flexibledisney.com]), offers tips, tricks, and news to anyone who loves or are going to Walt Disney World without much hassle. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tiffany_J._L._Alfonso

Have a Fun, Romantic, Unique Christmas Experience - Vacation at a Clothing Optional Resort

Do you remember the line from Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" movie? Clark, in frustration utters to his wife Ellen, "Worse? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell." Does that movie remind you of your last family Christmas vacation? Maybe it is time that you try something unique, different and fun. Try something new, exciting, and romantic. Have some fun in the sun. Vacation at a clothing optional resort this holiday season. "But, I'm not a nudist," you are thinking. No problem! More and more, nudist resorts have gone mainstream. You will want to go where the weather is warm meaning Miami or sunny Palm Springs, CA. At the best clothing optional resorts, guests don't even think of themselves as nudists. They just love the European style nude sunbathing. They don't even charge memberships like the old style nudist colonies did. People's lives are hectic. They are full of stress. They desperately need to relax. That is why nudist resorts are perfect. They are an oasis of calm in the sea of holiday uproar. The best ones cater to couples, so they don't have noisy children running around. You can relax poolside all day long and not get disturbed. A present of a vacation at a clothing optional resort is the perfect gift for any happy couple. In a recent poll by American Express Travel, they found "holiday travel has evolved considerably from the local family gathering to new, exciting adventures as travelers seize the opportunity to create lasting holiday memories. Not only are travelers looking to indulge in new travel experiences, they are also treating themselves to an extra special holiday season this year with 76% of agents reporting that travelers are booking more luxury vacations this season than ever before." Nudist resorts fit this bill perfectly. With 18% of Christmas travelers being couples, clothing optional resorts are perfectly situated to provide these new adventurous travelers with their best vacation ever. If you are looking for a new fun way to vacation and create your own romantic, fun holiday memories, give a clothing optional resort a call. You will be glad that you did! Tom with his wife Mary Clare Mulhall own the popular Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa http://sunnyfun.com located in sunny Palm Springs, CA. Called the most mainstream nudist resort in America, they are perfect for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time. Tom is a past president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. If you are looking for a fun, romantic, unique vacation this Christmas season or any time of the year, give them a call at 1-800-786-6938. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Mulhall

Christmas Gift Ideas For Couples

The presentation of Christmas gifts is a practice that has been going on for ages. People love to send gifts to their loved ones in order to make them feel special and cared for. If you are part of a couple then you are going to want to make an extra effort to make sure that your beloved spouse feels extra special during the holiday season. If you are hoping to find a great gift for your loved one then follow along with this guide to Christmas gifts for couples. When you are looking to get a sensational gift ideas for couples you want to make sure that think of something imaginative. As an example you could choose to get a matching set of jewelry. This can be a beautiful watch set or a set of matching rings or a necklace for you and a pair of cufflinks for your spouse. Jewelry is a beautiful and an always welcome gift for Christmas time and if properly cared for will last for a long time to come. If you are a really creative type you can even choose to make your own one of a kind piece for your loved one. Who wouldn't like a beautiful piece of jewelry that was created just for them. If you are a couple that likes to travel then how about planning a trip with you and your spouse in mind. You could choose something elaborate like a week's vacation in some tropical paradise. If you just want to get away for the weekend then you should consider planning a weekend away at a local bed and breakfast. If you are simply looking for a day trip then why not plan a day checking out some little known tourist attraction in your home state. No matter if you want to be gone for a week or an afternoon with a little thinking you are sure to come up with a trip that will be a lovely shared memory with your spouse for years to come. A great tip to keep in mind when you are planning a trip is to consult with a travel agent. They can give you a lot of great travel advice. If you are looking for a gift to give a couple in your life then you could choose to put together a gift basket. It could be a basket that carries a theme to something that the couple has ion common. For example it could be a cooking gift basket or a basket of treats to enjoy while watching their favorite sports team. You could also choose to give a personalized gift that has the couples initials engraved on it. There really is no end to the unique ideas that you can use for Christmas gifts for couples. Whether you are part of a couple or you are looking for a gift for a couple with a little creative thinking you are sure to be able to find a gift that will bring lasting memories all through the year. D. Halet is an European History, Holiday Season and Tarot cards passionate and writes articles and creates websites related to these subjects. It's Christmas Time will provide you with more fantastic ideas to celebrate the Fairiest Christmas Ever, while Christmas Gift Ideas will have you discover the joy to decorate the home, make your own gifts, find the best shopping deals, cooking, select the right greeting cards to send to your close relatives as well as choosing the best movies for the Holiday season. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D._Halet

Five Reasons to Visit Finland

Finland is a country of extreme contrasts - icy winters and golden summers, and vibrant cosmopolitan cities mixed with vast areas of remote wilderness. You are sure to enjoy these when you visit Finland, along with the following. The Christmas Country Christmas is the most festive time of the year for the Finns, filled with unique and heartwarming traditions, which is why it is a great time to visit Finland. Get to see the St. Lucia Festival in Helsinki, which is one of the country's pre-Christmas celebrations, especially for the Swedish-speaking Finns, and while there, grab the chance to skate at the city's popular ice rink or shop for crafts and delicacies at the St. Thomas Christmas Market. You can visit a graveyard in Helsinki, too, which is filled with candles on Christmas Eve or spend a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with a Finnish family. The best part about spending Christmas in Finland, though, is that you get to see Santa Claus - for real! Drop by the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and get to meet the man in the red suit himself in his office, as well as his herd of reindeer and little helpers. You don't have to wait until the Christmas season to do this, though, since the Santa Claus Village is open all year. Snow Castles and Igloos Have you ever wondered what it's like to sleep in an igloo? Put an end to your curiosity and spend the night in one in Finland, such as one of the the Harriniva Igloos, where you can sleep on a double bed made of snow under a blanket made of reindeer skin. Spending the night in the Kakslauttanen Igloos is recommended for couples since most are built for two. There is even one with a clear roof so you can gaze up at the Arctic skies - or even the Northern Lights - while wrapped up in each other's arms. There are also entire complexes made out of snow in Finland during winter like the snow castle in Kemi where there is a bar, a restaurant and a chapel made out of snow where you can have or see a truly unique wedding. There is also a snow village in Yllas where you will see many astonishing ice sculptures. Saunas There are approximately 1.8 million saunas in Finland so make sure you try out at least one when you visit Finland. Indeed, the Finns love the sauna. In fact, the word sauna itself is a word from the Finnish language - the only one to be included in the dictionary. Some saunas use electricity while others - roughly 500 - are traditional smoke or wood-burning saunas, which are usually located beside the lake. Popular saunas include the smoke sauna at Hotel Kakslauttanen - the largest in the world with a capacity of up to 70 people - and the newly opened Sauna Gondola in Yllas. Wildlife Watching Finland is home to an amazing diversity of Finland, although it is most known for its large population of European brown bears and wolverines, which you can get to see if you visit Finland. Indeed, there are many wildlife watching tours you can take during your stay so you can observe rare wild animals in their natural environment without fearing for your life. It is also easy to spot reindeer and different birds such as the elegant whooper swan - Finland's national bird. Outdoor Adventures Aside from wildlife watching, there are many exciting activities to keep you occupied if you visit Finland during the summer, such as hiking and cycling in its stunning nature parks, horseback riding, playing golf, sailing, kayaking and rafting. In winter, these activities are replaced with skating, skiing, snowboarding, fishing and reindeer or dog sledding, which means you will certainly have a lot to enjoy no matter what time of the year you come visit. Isabella Olsen writes for various travel magazines and has traveled to many global tourist destinations including Finland by car. To book your car hire Finland or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isabella_Olsen

The Perfect Christmas Holiday - 10 Reasons to Choose Schwangau - The Neuschwanstein Castle

If you are looking for a romantic and luxurious Christmas holiday, I will share a well-kept secret with you: Go to Schwangau and see the Neuschwanstein Castle village at the border of Germany and Austria. Having lived in Dubai during the boom years, and seeing new buildings emerge like mushrooms, I cannot believe how unspoiled the Neuschwanstein Castle area is. Despite more than 1 million tourists visiting Neuschwanstein every year (and 3 more castles in a 3 mile radius), there are no high-risers, no ugly modern buildings (a tribute to a great local government who puts tradition over financial gains). Instead you will feel as if time has stood still: old farms and mountain chalet style houses abound and you still see farmers on their bicycles leading their small herds along the road to the pasture - a marvelous heart-warming sight in a first world country. So here are my top 10 reasons for spending your winter and Christmas Holiday in Schwangau and the Neuschwanstein Castle area. 1. Magic Neuschwanstein Castle & The King Ludwig Story Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous and arguably the most beautiful castle in the world. It attracts more than 1 million visitors per year from all over the world and even inspired Walt Disney to come up with the Magic Kingdom/ Cinderella castle. Through Hollywood The Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle, however, might be even better known than the stunning original in the Alpine mountains of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II in Bavaria. His mysterious death in a nearby lake remains the substance for rumours to this day. 2. Great Skiing and Winter Sport Opportunities (downhill, nordic, ice skating) Within a 5-30 minutes drive you will have no less than 5 ski resorts and 140km of slopes for downhill skiing / snowboarding / ski touring at your disposal. There are slopes for all abilities and ski schools as well as ski/snowboard rental opportunities in almost every resort. Almost all resorts provide a snow-garantuee providing additional powder snow should the weather not comply. With mountain huts scattered all over the Alpine mountains, you will find plenty of reasons to stop for sunbathing on the terraces sipping a hot drink or enjoying a plate of rustic mountain hut food, like "Kässpatzen" (small local noodles tossed in mountain cheese) or "Kaiserschmarrn" (torn pancake with raisins and almonds topped with apple or cherry sauce). You can even go night-skiing right under Neuschwanstein castle. Schwangau also provides 30 km of nordic skiing tracks, 2km of which are also flood-lit at night. Finally, there are tobogganing slopes from many mountain huts and in most ski resorts and ice skating opportunities on one of the 6 lakes in the immediate neigbhourbood. 3. Romantic German Christmas Markets German Christmas Markets ("Weihnachstmarkt") are famous for their cosy and romantic Christmas atmosphere. You wouldn't want to miss them. Schwangau runs a culinary Christmas Market in November and Füssen, the medieval cobble-stoned town 3 miles away runs a magic Christmas Market most of December. Imagine strolling through a maze of stalls displaying treasures from wood-carved figures, "nutcrackers", little pottery items to all kinds of Christmas decorations while the air is filled with the sweet smell of mulled wine and freshly baked waffles. 4. Wellness Opportunities to Relax & Treat Yourself There are plenty of wellness offers in the area such as massages, sauna, light therapy etc. Of special interest are the hot pools at the royal spa thermal bath ("Königliche Kristalltherme"). Connected indoor and outdoor pools allow you to enjoy the warm steaming water while raising your head in the ice-cold air - just imagine the feeling of snow flakes falling all around you melting instantly as they hit the warm water. Across the fields you see the nordic skiers sliding by and against the mountain behind them emerges Neuschwanstein Castle. An experience not to be missed ! 5. Breath-taking Horse-sledge Rides through the Winter Wonderland to See Wild Deer Being Fed You can rent your own horse-drawn sledge or join one of the regularly scheduled excursions to the castles, the mountain huts or the deer feeding area in the woods. Wrapped up in warm blankets you'll enjoy the clean fresh air and the breath-taking panoramic views of snow covered mountains and white valleys. One of my personal favourites is seeing the wild deer being fed so close to you that you can nearly touch them. To avoid them rushing away, you'll hardly dare to breathe trying to stay silent as you see the majestic male deer slowly approaching the rest of the herd: a magic encounter with the wild ! 6. Dramatic New Year's Eve Fireworks Wherever You Look In Germany New Year's Eve is always celebrated with fireworks wherever you look. Everyone in this country can buy and launch their own and most families do. Why not try it yourself while you are here? Imagine watching the fireworks over one of the castles holding your loved one(s) and making a wish for the new year ahead. It makes for an unforgettable moment. After midnight many families engage in a tradition called "Bleigießen" (lead pouring) to predict everyone's good fortune for the new year. Little pieces of lead are melted in little pans over the flame of a candle. Once the lead is liquid you pour it into a bowl of cold water where it instantly forms a shape. Everyone then has fun interpreting the meaning of this shape to predict the pourer's fortune for the coming year. You can buy the full "lead pouring" kit at supermarkets in Germany. Good luck J ! 7. Delicious Local Food Specialities The local food is delicious and you will find plenty of restaurants to choose from. Pork dishes like "Schweinshaxe" (pork knuckle) are frequent but game and fish are also local specialities as is the famous "Apfelstrudel" with vanilla sauce or ice cream. A local speciality is the "Brotzeit" which are big platters with cold cut meat and cheese served with fresh German bread, freshly baked "Brezen" (big soft pretzels) and bread rolls. Finally, there is variety of local beers to try and why not visit the local brewery or the cheesemaker for a guided tour on how those delicacies are created? 8. Luxury & Rustic Hotels and Holiday Accommodation There are lots of cosy holiday apartments and luxurious hotel rooms to choose from. Lately more and more luxury holiday apartments cater to the growing demand for a truly relaxing and luxurious holiday. Most architecture is kept in the typical "Allgaeu" style, a variation of the mountain chalet using lots of wood on the facade and featuring wooden balconies on several sides of the house. There are also many working farms which offer accommodation combined with an experience of true farm life. For a first world country and the village of the King's Castles Schwangau has an astonishing amount of dairy farms. So get ready to hear the gentle ring of the cow bells wherever you stay :-) 9.Welcoming and Friendly People Who Celebrate Their Traditions From the moment we arrived in this region, people have been extraordinarily friendly and forthcoming. They are helpful, authentic and genuine. Everyone takes great pride in their traditions and heritage and all through the year there are festivals displaying local dance, music, clothing ("Lederhosen" and "Dirndl") and of course beer. Most people in Schwangau speak enough English to hold a conversation and many do so readily with astonishing fluency. There is also a growing international community in the region and of course tourists from all over the world. This makes Schwangau a true "international village". When you come drop me an email and I will help you with insider knowledge about this dream location. 10.Great History With so much natural beauty, high Alpine mountains and crystal clear mountain lakes all in the same small region, it is hardly surprising that the bishops and German Kings built their castles here. Even the Romans and Celts had decided to settle here. In fact, the Via Claudia Augusta, one of the big Roman trading roads leads right through Schwangau joining the province of Germania through Austria to Rome. You can find Roman pillars and visit a whole Roman villa on your magic trip to this exceptional place. Silke Rehman has worked more than 12 years in corporate management and then realized her dream of living in an idyllic location (Schwangau by Neuschwanstein Castle) which offers exceptional natural beauty and leisure opportunities. From there she follows her passion of working as a professional certified life coach helping women to gain clarity and realize their dreams. Together with her husband she has recently refurbished their luxury roof apartment which is now ready to welcome holiday makers from all over the world. English, German, French and Spanish are spoken. Come and enjoy this magic place and your lovely hosts who will be more than happy to share their full story with you. For more details about Birkeneck luxury holiday apartment have a look here http://www.myluxuryholidayhome.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Silke_Rehman

Best Christmas Gift Ideas for a Wife Or Girlfriend

Most men that I know loathe shopping and Christmas shopping can be an annoyance. They may love their wives or girlfriend but simply find Christmas gift shopping and shopping in general to be very taxing on them. It does not help that they have no idea what to get their wife or girlfriend for Christmas which makes this article on the best Christmas gift ideas for wife or girlfriend for 2010 helpful for many men to come up with the best Christmas gift ideas for their wife or girlfriend for 2010. The problem with shopping or the best Christmas gifts for wives and girlfriends is that most men do not have experience buying gifts because whatever birthday, engagement, housewarming, etc parties that the men go to during the year with their wife or girlfriend, she usually assumes the role and task of finding the best gift for whatever occasion. This means that these men will have no idea how to get the best holiday gifts for the woman in their life. Sometimes knowing what to get your wife or girlfriend as a Christmas present will involve simply being a good listener. Paying attention to what she says about what she covets and would like to have during normal conversations, will help you come up with great Christmas gift ideas for the best Christmas gifts for her. If you have poor listening skills or need information on the best Christmas gift ideas for 2010, here are a few suggestions of best Christmas gift ideas for wife or girlfriend for 2010. Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Women Firstly, diamonds are a girl's best friend and timeless gifts such as diamond tennis bracelets or diamond stud earrings always make some of the best Christmas presents for a wife or girlfriend to show that you do not take her for granted. Before purchasing diamonds, be sure that you buy from a reputable jeweler and consider the four 'C's involved with diamonds - cut, color, carat and clarity. If you are not in a position to make a significant Christmas present purchase, cheaper Christmas presents that will be appreciated include items such as a spa gift certificate. You can always score a homerun with a gift certificate to a spa. Women thoroughly enjoy any gifts that allow them to relax and get pampered with any combination or facials, mani/pedi, massage, etc. Gift certificates to spas are some of the best Christmas gifts ideas for wife or girlfriend. Another one of the best Christmas present ideas 2010 for the woman in your life are girlfriend's getaways that are becoming more and more popular and allow women to connect with their girlfriends while on vacation lazing on the beach, shopping, getting pampered. Many resorts offer various girlfriend's getaway packages and this will be a much appreciated Christmas present if you get this for her and a few of her girlfriends. While coming up with the best Xmas gift ideas for wife or girlfriend, it is also important to consider your wife or girlfriend's interests and hobbies. Based on what she enjoys doing, you can tailor Christmas gifts that you give to her to be in line with her interests and hobbies. If she is an avid reader, get her the latest model Kindle or an iPad. If she is into running or other fitness, get her the latest generation iPod or MP3 player. Thoughtful gifts are some of the best Christmas gifts by far. Another great Holiday gift idea for her is to get your wife a gift certificate for maid service. If she is a stay at home mom or an extremely busy career woman who does the majority of the housework, giving her the gift of maid service shows how much you care and appreciate her. If you are extremely budget conscious, you can come up with a homemade book of coupons for such things as doing the laundry, cooking, cleaning the house, etc so that she can cash in her coupons every now and then for a day or night off from these chores while you do them. These are just a few of the best Christmas gift ideas for wife or girlfriend for 2010. These make up some of the top 10 best Christmas gifts for women. Visit http://thetop10christmasgiftsnow.com/women/ for additional suggestions on the top 10 Christmas gifts for women for 2010. Find the best ideas and stores for the best holiday gifts for women. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Mays

Factors to Consider When Christmas Shopping Online

Online shopping continues to grow at an increasing rate at a time when most people, when they think of Christmas shopping, still think of crowded malls, parking lots and the general chaos. Online shopping on the other hand eliminates these problems while allowing you to Christmas shop in the comfort of your own home or other location. If you plan to online shop this year for the best Christmas gifts 2010, here are some factors to consider when Christmas shopping online. Some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping performed at a mall or other shopping center but most of us seek to avoid this at all cost. For those who engage in last minute Christmas shopping, dealing with these crowds and the stress may be unavoidable. For those who plan to early Christmas shop for the best Christmas gifts 2010, online shopping provides a great alternative. Early Christmas shopping is important when shopping online for the Christmas gifts that you picked out for 2010 for your friends and family in order for the presents to arrive on time without the need for the additional charges for rushed delivery. With the hard economic times, most of us are on the look out for ways to save and incurring unnecessary charges defeats the purpose of being prudent with your finances if you incur additional shipping because you ordered a last minute gift. Standard shipping charges can be reasonable because you will allow the merchants to get the Christmas gift to you within a reasonable time. Express shipping charges on the other hand can be quite expensive and may even be more expensive than the Christmas presents themselves. One thing to always keep in mind is that the gift may look better online until you receive it and then it is a different story. Many merchants to combat this problem have implemented various devices to help shoppers get a better view of the product such as video and zoom potential. This allows you to have a better idea of what the Christmas presents will look like when they arrive. Another point to remember is to always review the measurements provided so that you do not purchase Christmas gifts for your friends and family that are either too small or too big. Use a tape measure or ruler to get some idea of the measurements of the Christmas gift if you are not sure. Never assume. This will prevent you from incurring additional return shipping charges if you have to return the Christmas gift to the merchant. Another important point to remember when online Christmas shopping for the best Christmas gifts for 2010, is to try to the best of your ability to purchase the Christmas gifts from reputable online retailers. Reputable retailers are usually committed to providing the best products and also ensuring that you are satisfied with your purchase. If you are dissatisfied, they usually have great return policies. Sometimes you may be tempted to purchase a unique Christmas gift from retailers who have not developed a great reputation and in these cases you must be willing to assume the risk if you are dissatisfied and only purchase once you are reasonably sure about the product you are about to purchase. Early Christmas shop online for the best Christmas gifts 2010 in order to avoid the stress of last minute shopping. Online shopping is free of the hustle and bustle of visiting a mall or shopping center and is the best way to shop for millions of people each year. Visit http://thetop10christmasgiftsnow.com/ and find the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010 for men, women and kids as well as decorating and holiday food ideas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Mays

UK - A Great Tourist Destination

United Kingdom can be a best destination option for the vacation to any age group of people. This beautiful country has a constitutional monarchy comprising of four constituent countries. These countries are England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and collectively called United Kingdom. London city is one of the major tourist attractions of the world and is a highest visited place in UK by tourist. In London (England) many famous tourist places like Alton Tower and Buckingham Palace are welcoming to the London visitors. Wales is another beautiful tourist destination in UK and traveling in Scotland is a wonderful experience to the tourist, because of its natural beauty and traditional approach. The large cities of UK like London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are famous for their cuisine, pubs, and traditional approach. In all major cities of United Kingdom you can choose your accommodation according to your choice. These choice hotels are available in every city of the United Kingdom, with a variety of range. UK is fifth most powerful economy of the world and one of the major tourist destinations in world map therefore there is lots of good and cheap hotels are available according to your need and expenses. Inter city hotel, Maranton house hotel, Fraser Suites Glasgow- Scotland and many other good hotels are provide a best services to their customers. There are various good cheap hotels in UK, which provides best facilities in lower prices. These cheap hotels are started their prices from 30 Euro to 40 Euro pre night. During the festival seasons like Christmas and New Year Four Star and Five Star hotels also offer various discounts in their services. So find a cheap hotel with best facilities is not a tough task in UK. UK is a place where you can find cheap hotels to Choice hotels easily. Next time when will you plan a tour considers the United Kingdom, indeed. For more information to choice hotels [http://www.choice4hotels.com/chain-hotels.html] among some luxurious yet cheap hotels [http://www.choice4hotels.com/]; please visit our website for some amazing cheap hotels UK [http://www.choice4hotels.com/GB-hotels/index.html]. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Megha_Poddar

Best Holiday Destination in December

WANTED AN ESCAPE FROM THE COLD IRISH WINTER WEATHER IN DECEMBER We wanted to get away from the cold N.Ireland winter for a while and decided to try one of the much warmer Spanish beaches. Barcelona came first to mind as I am very interested in the architecture and splendour of what this magnificent city has to offer, and we also wanted to stay as close to the beach as possible. After some research on the internet, we booked an apartment at the Playa Golf Hotel in Sitges, more or less 30 minutes from Barcelona. With the family travel tickets (T10) we could make our way around easily and take trips there by bus or train as often as we wanted to. If you prefer to stay in Barcelona, I suggest that you try one of the numerous hotels on the La Rambla. It is very central and from there you have easy access to various places of interest. You also have access to different forms of transport to any destination in and around the city. BARCELONA, CITY OF GREAT ARCHITECTURE Two days later, it was time to take the road to Barcelona and we set off to the local train station in Sitges. Who wants to hire a car if you can travel in the comfort of the newly renovated and comfortable Renfe trains. Even though everything is written in Spanish, we did not find it difficult to get our way around. One quickly gets used to place names and streets and when unsure of our surroundings, there was always someone willing to give directions. The excitement was almost overwhelming when we exit the subway into the streets of Barcelona. With the map out, we studied our location and decided to first head for Antonio Gaudi's most ambitious unfinished basilica, The Sagrada Famillia. Work still continues on it more than 120 years after building began. This is an impressive feat of human vision and ambition. When complete, the church will have a total of 18 towers, each dedicated to a different religious figure and each one hollow, allowing the placement of various types of bells which will sound with the choir. If you love beautiful and unusual architectural buildings, it is worth visiting Gaudi's other structures. Colegio Teresiano is a school for the Teresian nuns which he built at the same time as the luxurious Palau Guell. When designing Guell Park he demonstrates his high regard for nature as he used recycled ceramics rather than firing new ones and to avoid leveling the land, Gaudi designed meandering viaducts. He also built a wavy wall around the Miralles Estate in Barcelona of which only the front entrance and a short expanse of wall remain today. Josep Batlló hired Gaudi to redecorate Casa Batlló which is also known as "House of Bones"due to its design. The design of the house uses skeletal, organic and underwater elements. The walls are being coloured in such a way that you can actually feel you're in an underwater world (the walls look like water). Also, it is very hard to find a straight line in the entire house. At the rooftop, you can actually notice that it looks like the back of a dragon. Absolutely remarkable. We went to see the Arc De Triomf in Parc de la Ciutadella, designed by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. One can't help but feel very small standing in front of this beautiful arch, built in colorful brickwork in mudejar style. The statues on and in the vicinity of the arch are all fascinating pieces of art. Visitors can hire bicycles for the day, or for as long as they need to use them. However, we have decided to walk as there are so many things to see and to do. Travel couches are also available everywhere and you can hop on and off as you wish, which is actually the way to go, otherwise you miss out on a lot of attractions. The La Rambla was also one of the highlight of my visit in Barcelona. This street is pedestrianized and bordered by trees. Kiosks, flower stalls, pet stalls and street artists are in abundance here and traffic passes on either side of the pedestrian area. While walking there I found it difficult to decide where to look first as there are so many things going on at once. The street artists were so cleverly disguised with costumes and make-up, it is hard to believe that they are actually not statues. The crowded fresh produce market, "Mercat St Josep la Boqueria" was astonishing. It has a wavy and colourful ceramic roof (build in clear Modernista inspiration) with an interesting conjunction of the old walls with modern elements and market stalls. I have never seen such a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish (all sorts), shell fish in all variety's, mushrooms, olives, spices and other quite unusual kinds of food. I would want to live close by just to be able to visit this market once a week. One's imagination will run wild with such a selection of food on your doorstep. There won't be any chance of telling your hubby that you don't have any ideas left for the next meal. SOME TRAVEL TIPS WHEN VISITING BARCELONA 1. Do some research on places you want to visit and take the list with you. 2. Make sure you have a street map that shows all the attractions. 3. Book a "Hop on hop off" tourist bus, then you won't miss out on the most important attractions. 4. If possible, don't take children with, they don't enjoy sight seeing and get bored quickly, and that means that you also will not be able to enjoy your visit to this marvellous city as much as you have planned to. Drop them off at the fun park if they are big enough to look after themselves. Otherwise if you have plenty of time, only visit a few places each day. 5. It is not crucial to do a crash course on how to speak Spanish before you go, as most of them can communicate in English. However, it helps if you know a few basic words or sentences. They appreciate your effort to talk with them in their own language, but it also helps you to find your way around a bit easier as virtually everything is written in Spanish only. 6. Go there when it is either winter or spring, especially if you are not used to high humid temperatures. 7. Read the reviews before booking an apartment, it gives the best indication of what you can expect. 8. If you like seafood, make a point of eating their famous paella. 9. It is good to book half board accommodation, in this way you don't need to spend all your money on buying food. 10. Enjoy your visit, Barcelona and Sitges are definitely one the best holiday destinations as there is so much to do and to see and there are many facilities to entertain the kids and youngsters too. I live in Northern Ireland, close to Belfast and enjoy travelling and the easy access to various airports make it so much worth my while. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lianie_Collins

Choosing the Best Holiday Destination

Choosing the Best Holiday Destination By Rhiannon Williamson | Submitted On August 03, Working 9 - 5, raising a family, worrying about the mortgage and trying to make time for all the people, pressures and demands in your life can take its toll. You need a break from time to time and because it is so essential that you use your holiday time for completely unwinding and de-stressing it is absolutely critical that you pick out the best holiday destination each time and avoid wasting your days away, your hard earned cash and your quality time with loved ones. This guide to choosing the best holiday destination for you covers the top ten points you should consider when planning that next getaway. 1) The Time Of The Year - when are you planning on taking your next holiday? Certain destinations are only attractive to holidaymakers at a given time of the year because of climatic conditions. Think carefully about when you'll be travelling and then examine the rainfall and temperature charts for your shortlist of destinations and make sure it will be neither extremely too hot or cold or wet or windy when you plan to holiday. 2) Your Budget - your budget will have a major bearing on where you travel to and also when you can travel. Travelling out of season on a last minute package holiday will of course save you lots of money, but there are other ways to make your money go further. Travel agents nowadays offer early bird booking discounts for example, alternatively you could book each stage of the holiday separately and possibly save more by calling airlines, hotels and hire car companies direct and asking about any special offers or discounts they offer and maybe you could even consider a house swap to save on accommodation costs. 3) Distance - long haul flights are no fun unless you can travel business class! And what's more, having to travel to your ideal destination over a 12 or even 24 hour period and then suffering jetlag when you arrive and upon your return will maybe eat up as much as half of your holiday in real terms. Think about the distance you would like to travel in terms of hours sat on a plane, in departures, on a bus, in the car or even on a train...and then research destinations accordingly. 4) Travelling Parents - if you have children and you're planning a family holiday a whole load of new criteria come into the planning. If you have young pre-school children you may be able to travel out of the peak school holiday times and thus save yourself thousands...but you will have the added hassle of having to travel with half a tonne of baby paraphernalia! Research your airline and resort in terms of the facilities they offer parents. Also, you must consider the heat, sun and humidity factors when travelling as children suffer more and also tend to vocalise more than us when uncomfortable for long periods of time! 5) Facilities - what facilities are in or around the resorts you're considering and what facilities to you require? If you can't be more than a day away from the internet make sure there's access from your hotel, if you're travelling with children is there a laundry service offered - or better still if you're on a budget, do they have a laundry room in the hotel that you can access? Do you need to carry an iron, a hair dryer, a carry cot or even a child's car seat with you or will your hotel and hire car company be able to supply you with all the bulky items you need? Ask, don't assume! 6) Amenities - if you want to keep fit when away is there a hotel gym, what about a spa so that you can make the most of your time away? Is there an onsite bar and restaurant, what about gift shops and a mini market? Think about all the amenities you would like to have access to before you begin your research and then when you find an attractive destination tick off your list of desirable amenities against what it offers. 7) Entertainment - when it comes to your idea of a good time does that include wild night life or easy access to sites of historic or cultural interest? Are you after pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants for a 24 hour party or would you like to be able to drive to a stunning castle, take a boat trip out to sea, wander away from the crowds and find entertainment in tranquillity? You will have a good idea of the entertainment requirements you and travelling companions require - just make sure you pick a resort that fits in with those requirements! 8) Beach Flop Or Activity Holiday - are you happy to flop on the sand and soak up the sun or would you be happier hiking in the Himalayas? Think carefully about what exactly would bring you the most pleasure from your time away. Don't go with the flow and copy the crowds if your idea of a nice time is simply relaxing in your garden at home for two weeks then do that! Your holiday time is your own so make of it what you can and what you want. 9) Health Requirements - if you or your family have any particular health issues from asthma to diabetes, from a physical handicap to even a fear of flying you should take all of these factors into the planning. Certain destinations are less sophisticated in terms of medical facilities available and even in terms of access to prescription drugs, some are more inaccessible in terms of travelling to or even getting around than others. Also, some destinations carry disease warnings and require you to have inoculations before you travel or to take malaria drugs when on the ground for example. Consider your preferred destination in terms of the health aspects for your whole family. 10) Take Recommendations - listen to family, friends and colleagues when they tell you about where they've been that was good and where they've been that was terrible; learn from their experiences and disaster stories and take any recommendations from trusted and like minded sources. Such recommendations can be a great place to begin your research and if you find that the destination likely suits you to a tee you will be able to find out about the best places to eat, the must see sights and the friendliest staff before you head out which will give you an extra confidence boost and get your holiday off to a flying start. Have fun! Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about traveling and living abroad have appeared in many major travel and expatriate publications throughout the world. You can find more of her articles at: [http://www.aboutnorthcyprus.com/] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhiannon_Williamson

Best Places For Snowboarding in the World

Most resorts now cater to skiers and snowboarders alike, but what are the best areas and resorts in the world for snowboarders? Read on to find out: USA The United States has some of the best snowboarding in the world. With Colorado, Wyoming, California and Utah in the west and Vermont in the east home to great resorts that cater to snowboarders. Resorts famous for their snowboarding include Crested Butte in Colorado, Vail in Colorado and Mammoth Mountain, Squaw Valley and Heavenly Valley in California. California abounds with a vast selection of snowboarding options. Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood are also favorites among California snowboarders. Canada Some of the very best snowboarding in the entire world is in Canada, with a great amount of resorts from the east to the west. Whistler/Blackcomb is the premier destination for snowboarders in Canada, but you can't overlook the smaller resorts including Silver Star, Apex, BigWhite, Whitewater and Sunpeaks. You also can't forget Banff, with some of the most beautiful and majestic scenery anywhere and their resorts like Lake Louise. Japan Japan? Great for snowboarding? Yes. As well as skiing. People forget that Japan has many mountains and cold areas since the country is very long and reaches quite far north. In fact, Japan has over 600 ski and snowboarding resorts! A little ways from Tokyo, you'll find some nice resorts, but they tend to be more crowded and expensive due to their popularity with Tokyo residents. To experience Japanese snowboarding at its best, you'll want to travel away from Tokyo. Around Japan's 600+ resorts, you'll find everything from ultra modern and high tech resorts to traditional resorts to small time, family run resorts. You can't forget Nagano, also not too far from Tokyo and home to the 1998 Winter Olympics. Europe Ahh, the Alps. The Alps, whether the Swiss Alps, the Italian Alps or the French Alps, you'll be treated to a different experience when you are snowboarding in Europe. European visitors to ski resorts tend to be well off and enjoy a lifestyle fitting of their wealth. Partying is about as important as skiing or snowboarding for European vacationers. In addition, runs tend to be quite long, perhaps unusually long for those used to only US snowboarding. European resorts also tend to be huge, fancy and modern, with a price tag to match. However, there are plenty of affordable options to be found at smaller, lesser known European resorts. If you have the wallet though, you can't get better than the French resort Chamonix and St. Moritz in Switzerland. Don't forget Italy as an option, with some of the best snow in the world. A favorite of Italian snowboarders is Livigno, with affordable options and over 60 miles of runs. South America Argentina and Chile are both home to some fine snowboarding. One of the main advantages to snowboarding in South America is that Americans can enjoy great snowboarding in our summertime, since their wintertime is America's summertime. Lydia Quinn writes for PhatSportShades, offering ski goggles, snowboarding goggles [http://www.phatsportshades.com/ski_goggles.php] and sunglasses for everyday. Visit us at: [http://www.phatsportshades.com] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Quinn

The Best Swiss Chocolate

Being Swiss somehow seems to make me an expert in matters concerning Chocolate. Friends, colleagues, neighbors who are about to travel to Switzerland never venture there without asking me which Chocolate they should try, buy or bring back. I am usually excited to share my opinion, unless in situations where a Belgium, French or other national from a Chocolate savvy country tries to start degrading the Swiss Chocolate. There I have no choice but to tell them straight out that nothing else reaches the quality (ever heard of Belgium or French Quality?) of Helvetic Chocolate. Just between us, and out of reach of Belgian, French or even Swiss ears, I actually quite enjoy all three, but since I cannot stand biased accusations, I have to result to defending my heritage. So what do I recommend? First of all, no matter what Chocolate you decide to savor, the main thing is that you give it the attention it deserves. Which means, should your mind be in any way littered by taste crippling thoughts about calories or bikinis, do not even try. You are not worthy of eating chocolate. I am often told that people cannot believe I love chocolate, simply because I do not carry it around my midsection. Once and for all, it is not chocolate that makes you fat, it is you not being able to balance its consumption properly. A 100g bar should last you a week, not a day! And if does not, you are not giving it the respect it deserves. Which brings me to the next important point: anticipation. Half the joy of eating chocolate is the anticipation. Imagining or remembering what it is going to taste like when it melts in your mouth. I have a chocolate moment every day, not a big one, but a well deserved one. The other great thing about anticipation: it doesn't have any calories either! Last but not at all least: Quality! Buy the good stuff. No matter wherein North America you live, you can buy chocolate other than the low end Nestle, Hershey or any other of those 'we have to add other stuff because our chocolate is not good enough'-brands. The reason why people tend to eat as many of those evil 'cash registry lane pavers' is because they do not manage to satisfy fully and leave a craving for more. Trust me. If you have a really good piece of chocolate, and give it the attention it deserves, you will be happy with just one piece. I used to gobble down bars almost unnoticed while reading books. That is the perfect recipe for feeling awful later, as soon as you close that feel-good story book. Now, having said all that, which one to go for? Well, like anything else, chocolate tastes vary. More expensive does not always mean better. My sister for example prefers a Swiss grocery giant's own brand to an exclusive chocolatier's recipe. Dark chocolate has more of the good stuff and leaves you feeling satisfied with less. Too much of a cocoa content though can turn it rather bitter, which not everybody enjoys. Personally I do not go higher than 70% cocoa content, and even that usually would have to have something else in it counter balance the bitterness. As far as white chocolate, well, I do not consider it chocolate. Unless it is in some dessert mousse, I do not touch it. Here are my personal favorites: Ovomaltine Chocolate: like the Ovaltine drink powder mixed in with milk chocolate; a pleasurable crunch without being too sweet. I cannot get it in Canada, therefore I guess the anticipation level is so high, it's ranked at first place. Cailler Cremant Chocolate: my grandmother's favourite as well, dark chocolate, also great for dipping in a cup of warm milk. I am a little upset though that Nestle managed to gobble up Cailler and after my last visit back home, I had a feeling they changed the recipe. Cailler Chocmel: same brand but milk chocolate with almond splinters and honey. First the chocolate melts on your tongue and then there is a wonderful after crunch. Minor Chocolate: probably mostly due to the fond memories of accompanying my Dad every Sunday on his drive to the local kiosk at the train station to pick up his weekend paper. Needless to say a "Minor Stengel" always made it to the cashier as well. As their English website reads: The much sought after Branche is more than a delicious praline stick, it is a bite of delight. Now, none of these widely available grocery store chocolates will compare to freshly made chocolate that you get when you enter a smaller boutique that makes their own. The sweet smell of chocolate in your nose will add much to the pleasure and although prices will dramatically increase, it is well worth it for a truffle or two. Enjoy! Anne has been writing for many years, entertaining and educating many around the globe. You can check out more of her writings on landlord house insurance or find out what she has been researching on lumbar support pillows Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Stiehl

Women & Chocolate

Sinful is how women has always described chocolate. But despite so, do you know that 99% of all women love chocolate and that they may actually prefer chocolate more to than to sex? What exactly about chocolate is it so wonderful? Well, in fact it is not just the women who love it but almost everybody would love it too. I believe you enjoy chocolate just as much? It always feels so nice to have it melted in your mouth, delivering its wonderful taste right through your tongue, doesn't it? Well its wonderful taste aside, chocolate contains phenylethylamine - the same chemical that is released in your brain when you fall in love; leading to that increase in the pounding of your heart, feeling of a sudden gush of excitement. "Love Chemical" is what some would call it. It is also believed by researcher that phenylethylamine in turn causes the brain to release mesolimbic dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain, another chemical where its presence is at peak during an orgasm. Nevertheless, the sweetness from chocolate also triggers the release of endorphins. Think about those blissful feeling you had after a wonderful session of lovemaking. That is the effect from the production of endorphins in your body. Perhaps that is why some women actually remarked that they felt a feeling of elation when eating chocolate. Well, a perfect gift for your love, chocolate will be. Just like buying roses during Valentine's Day, chocolate can never go wrong. In fact, the both could be the best combination ever. Do you know that roses also contain the "Love Chemical", Phenylethylamine? That explains for its distinct scent. Giving of chocolate, as gifts of love has been long popular in Japan since the late 1950s. A bit different though; during Valentine's Day, the ones doing the giving are the women instead and usually, chocolates were sent as gifts to confess their love for that special guy. Heart-shaped chocolates would usually be given. To nevertheless balance out this unique custom, "White Day" was later invented in Japan. On 14th of March it falls, one month after Valentine's Day exactly. During this day, guys who received the chocolate will be given the chance to reciprocate their valentine gifts with soft, fluffy marshmallows. This would be the happiest day for girls who receive their fluffy gifts. Isn't it so lovely? Well, giving of chocolate as a gift of love has today, definitely become more and more popular. Along with the greeting card, your message of love will be delivered. Filled with your most genuine love, each chocolate will contain. Melting one's heart as they melt in the mouth, warming up their heart as sweetness run through their tongue. Why not send some to your loved ones today, brightening up their day with a chocolate so full of love. Rick Valens Staff Writer for Love Relationship Discussion Forum, http://www.loveletterbox.com and nevertheless also a freelance writer for http://www.fashion-in-style.com, bringing to you new fashion ideas & lifestyle. NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided that the article is reproduced in its entirety, including the author information and all live website link as above. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Valens

Traveling Overseas With Your Dog

I recently began investigating the idea of traveling to Europe with my two dogs and discovered that it's not always an easy thing to do, but it is possible, providing you do your research far in advance regarding shots, health requirements of the country you're visiting and the rules governing in-cabin pet travel with various transatlantic airline carriers. The first thing I did was contact the embassy for the countries I was thinking of traveling to, namely England, Spain and France. Although Spain and France are similar in requirements, i.e. EU ISOP subcutaneous microchip and rabies vaccination at least one month and not more than one year prior to arrival and a licensed vet certificate saying your dog is in good health, England, being an island, is quite different in its requirements. Firstly, you need to know you're going to England at least 6-7 months in advance because the rabies shots require blood test work done to show that there is enough antibodies in your dog's blood at least six months prior to entering the United Kingdom. You also will need a subcutaneous microchip (Euro ISOP) implanted into your dog, proof of treatment for fleas and tapeworm 24 to 48 hours prior to traveling as well as a certificate of good health. Once inside the United Kingdom with your pet, you can go to a U.K. veterinarian and get a Pets Travel Scheme Passport (PETS) that is valid for travel to and from the United Kingdom as long as your pet's shots are up to date. If you travel to the U.K. with your dog, remember that if you plan on going on to another European country with your pet, you must wait at least 21 days after arrival into the U.K. If you plan to move around the EU with your pets, you may want to consider getting a pet passport once you arrive in the EU. The EU Pet Passport confirms your dog is in good health and has its shots up to date. It is good in all European countries except the United Kingdom, which uses the Pet Travel Scheme Passport (PETS). While all this seems like a lot of work to bring your pet to the United Kingdom, keep in mind it has only been a few years since they lifted their mandatory six month quarantine on pets entering the country. With the new rules, you are really doing the quarantine period at home. This includes the blood tests six months in advance of bringing your dog to the U.K. For more information on the requirements for entering the United Kingdom with your pet, go to www.Defra.gov.uk Once you've mastered the requirements for bringing your pet into your destination country, you need to find a carrier that is approved to transport animals overseas. This is not to be taken lightly. In the last few years, airlines originating in Canada and going to the United Kingdom have stopped allowing in-cabin pet transport for small pets altogether. You know, the ones in the little aerated bags that go under the seat. This is likely as a result of numerous lawsuits against airlines like Air Canada by disgruntled allegedly allergic passengers. You can still transport your pet to the United Kingdom from Canada, but it will have to travel as cargo, usually on the same flight as you, but underneath, in a specially kitted out area for pets that ensures the noise and temperature is comfortable for your pet.Even though Canada doesn't have anymore direct flights to the U.K. offering in-cabinet pet travel, you can choose the alternative of a connecting scheduled flight. For instance, both KLM and Lufthansa allows pets to travel in the cabin from Canada, but you will have to change planes in either of their respective hubs, Amsterdam (KLM) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa). This is an option only if you don't feel comfortable stowing your pet as cargo. Each airline carrier provides information on the size of dog crates allowed to travel in this special cargo hold. Some airlines, Lufthansa being one of them, will allow two small dogs to travel together in one hard sided carrier, provided there's enough room to turn around and they aren't too cramped. This may be a good idea as the experience may be harrowing for a single dog, but with the company of its sibling or mate, plus one of your old recently worn old t-shirts, they may have a more comfortable and relaxed journey to your destination. You may even get away with a single fee for both of your dogs if the crate they're both traveling in is small enough. After reviewing numerous airline carrier restrictions and guidelines for in-cabin pet travel, I've found Lufthansa to be the most generous in their sizing allowances. I don't know why this is, maybe because little German dogs are bigger than other airline little dogs. Kidding aside, I really think it's because Lufthansa wants to make pet travel a priority service, taking business away from other carriers and other European hubs like London. Lufthansa recently opened a pet lounge in Frankfurt, catering to any kind of mammalian travel, from bunnies to elephants. You can pick up your pet between flights upon arriving in Frankfurt, walk and water your dog in the pet lounge, then check them back onto the plane for your next destination. Not only is Lufthansa the only carrier to offer anything even remotely resembling service for those traveling with pets, their fees for transporting pets are also less and more comely than other major airlines, charging approximately $100 U.S. per dog or cat per leg of travel in comparison to an average of $300 for transatlantic pet travel with other international carriers. Under the seat in-cabin travel is really intended for only the smallest of pets like teacup Yorkies. The rest really need to travel in a specially outfitted pet cargo hold in a hard sided carrier. Sherpa Pet sells an aerated soft sided carrier that is approved by many international and North American carriers. It's a soft-sided bag that comes in small, medium and large and compresses slightly to fit the guidelines set by the carriers, many having a height restriction of only eight inches. For more information about Sherpa soft-sided carriers, go to www.SherpaPet.com Their website provides a list of airline carriers and their respective pet travel guidelines. So traveling or moving with your pet overseas is possible and, if traveling to or through Lufthansa's pet lounge in Frankfurt, even somewhat pleasurable, but it just takes a bit of sleeve-rolling to find out everything you need in advance of making any bookings or travel arrangements. Suzanne K. recommends you visit TeddysTogs.com ([http://www.TeddysTogs.com]), a website where proud pooch owners can download and print easy-to-sew dog clothes patterns. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_K.

Holiday Engagement: Christmas Engagement Proposal Ideas

It's that time of year when everyone gets close to those they love. They remember what they are thankful for and think about what they want to hold on for the future. Christmas engagements are very common and in fact, most engagements actually happen around the holidays! Some guys are clueless when it comes to proposing on Christmas, or thinking of Christmas engagement ideas. Here are a few ideas to either give you the picture perfect holiday engagement, or to spark your creativity to say "Merry Christmas" in the most surprising way! Make the Ring the Ornament A cute way to propose at Christmas is to hang the ring on the Christmas tree - like an ornament! Have the ring be the ONLY ornament on the tree when she walks in...or, hang the ring box with ribbon on the tree and point out the "interesting" new ornament. She won't know what to think! Visit Santa Claus No, seriously. Go to the mall and visit Santa Claus. This could be the making of the perfect Christmas engagement! Tell her you know what she wants for Christmas...then BOOM. Drop down on one knee in front of everyone. She will have to say that Santa knew what she wanted! (Cheesy, but true!) The Magic of Mistletoe Everyone knows that the Christmas tradition is to kiss under the mistletoe...so why not take it a step further? Give her a quick smooch then pop the question right there - propose under the Christmas mistletoe! It is a romantic, personal, and intimate way to share the moment together. The Bottom of the Stocking This Christmas engagement proposal idea is pretty easy to figure out. Hide the ring box at the very bottom of her Christmas stocking. When she goes through all the candy and little things along the way, the best present yet will be waiting at the bottom - an engagement ring! The Stroke of Midnight Another interesting Christmas proposal idea is to ask the question when the clock strikes midnight - that moment between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can bring in the holiday the very second it begins with your surprise Christmas engagement. With the Family Gathered 'Round This Christmas engagement idea is one that you can only do if you are comfortable and on good terms with the family! If you both are super close to your families, try popping the question of marriage when the family is together to celebrate the holiday. Then everyone can celebrate together when she says, "Yes!". Christmas Abroad Many people travel for the Christmas holiday. Try taking a trip to an exotic location, somewhere you both love. Whether it be the heart of Europe or the coast of Costa Rica, a creative way to propose at Christmas is to ask her when you are somewhere completely new - an adventure you are both on together! The best part will be coming back home to share the happy news. A Romantic Evening Out Maybe a romantic date for the two of you is a way you might be more comfortable with when proposing at Christmas. Try planning a lovey dovey romantic date night out. A carriage ride downtown, looking at the Christmas lights in the snow, dinner at a fancy restaurant under candlelight, or a home cooked meal at home with Christmas music playing in the background offer the perfect Christmas engagement setting. Personalize It! (The Ornament, that is) We all have seen those ornaments in the mall and other shops where you can personalize your own Christmas ornament. Try putting those 4 words on a Christmas ornament! Have it engraved or painted on, then leave it on the tree and lead her to it. You won't even have to talk! The ornament will speak for itself. Christmas Photo Album A creative way to propose, and a perfect gift in itself, is a customized photo album with photos of the two of you. Websites like Shutterfly can create amazing Christmas photo albums that you can give to her as a gift. Make the last picture in the album a photo of the ring. Then ask away. Ask In Bed This is probably the most intimate way to ask that heart stopping question. On Christmas morning, stay in bed. Keep things personal and private with each other. Asking her to marry you in bed on Christmas morning might not seem like the most creative way to propose at Christmas, but it will be a moment just the two of you can share in an environment and space the two of you only share. Rachel Searfoss is a wedding photography, online marketing, and search engine marketing (SEO) expert. She can help with building photography business, inexpensive websites, and website traffic through link building, SEO, and PPC Advertising. Searfoss also works with and Affordable Website Design. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raychle_Searfoss

Top 10 Places To Visit on Vacation in Austria

1. The Habsburg Quarters - No vacation in Austria would be complete without a visit to the Habsburg Quarters in Vienna. This is actually an entire complex of structures, with more than twenty-six hundred rooms, the Imperial Silver Collection, and the Kaiser Apartments. You will also find the Spanish Riding School, the Sisi Museum, and many other wonders located on the palace grounds. 2. The Schoenbrunn Palace - This palace in Vienna was used by the Habsburg royalty in the warmer summer months, and it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The elegance and opulence is astounding, both inside the palace and outdoors in the gardens and grounds. Fountains, different types of gardens including what is considered one of the first zoological gardens and zoos ever created, and much more to see and do. 3. St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna - This cathedral is an incredible sight from afar, and up close this structure can be quite intimidating as well as awe-inspiring. It is a world-famous landmark, and the imposing Gothic architecture attracts visitors from around the world. This is the most famous cathedral in Vienna, and possibly all of Austria. 4. St. Peter's Church in Vienna - Though not as large and impressive from the exterior as some of the churches in Vienna, St. Peter's Church is still a must visit for what you will find in the interior of the church. A tour will take fifteen minutes or less, but the amazing artwork and design in the church will stay with you forever. The Baroque decorations, exquisite altar, and numerous unique and unusual features make this one of the top places to visit in Austria. 5. The Hundertwasserhaus Apartment Complex - If you are on vacation in Austria then a visit to the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna should be high on your list. This apartment building is one of a kind, with an unusual appearance and unique decorations and touches that make it really stand out. This building is one of the attractions in Vienna visited most often by tourists, and it is well worth the time to see. 6. Salzburg - Salzburg is one of the top attractions in Austria, and for some very good reasons. Not just Mozart's birthplace but in this city you can visit Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hellbrun Castle, Zoo Hellbrunn, Salzburg Fortress, and many other attractions and places of historical interest. 7. Innsbruck - Any vacation in Austria should include a stop in Innsbruck. This city is often called the most beautiful in the entire area, and there is plenty to see and do here. The Golden Roof has been called one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and the Court Church offers hundreds of statues for you to marvel over. Ambras Castle offers many collections and treasures to view. 8. Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves - These ice caves are the largest ones found anywhere in the world, and ice formations are scattered through the entire cave system. You will see frozen glaciers, towers, waterfalls, and other formations. Even in the summer months the temperature of these caves stay below freezing. 9. Graz - This city is referred to as the heart of the culture of the country, and many of the top places to see are situated in and around the city. Eggenberg Palace, Graz's Old Town, the Marien Lift, the Graz Art Museum, the Graz Clock Tower and Fortress, and many other attractions can be found here. 10. Danube Cruises - A Danube cruise is a great way to vacation in Austria. These cruises allow you to relax while you take in the gorgeous countryside and landscapes, as well as historic buildings, cities, and villages. The Wachau Valley is ideal for a cruise, and allows you to take in everything the area offers. Kayla McBride is one of the fellow article contributors of the travel informational website Travel Advisor Tips. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayla_McBride

101 Reasons to Travel to Brazil

There are many reasons to go to Brazil, probably thousands of reasons. I've listed the top 101 reasons to travel to this beautiful country filled with warm, fun loving, people, and very beautiful exotic feminine women. #1. Carnival - A world-renowned celebration in Rio which takes place 40 before Easter. Carnival in Rio, Brazil's world-renowned celebration, takes place 40 days before Easter. Rio is considered by many to be the carnival capital of the world! #2. Copacabana Beach World famous beach that attracts millions of tourists every year. In 2005, Lenny Kravitz performed there in front of 300,000 people. #3. Cariocas (Define Carioca) The women of Rio de Janeiro are called 'Cariocas'. They are known for being very friendly and hospitable to visitors. #4. More Women then Men The ratio of women to men are higher then in most other countries in the world. Especially in Rio, where it is believed there are 100 women for every 86 men. #5. Great surfing Beaches In Rio you have the Arpoador beach at the north end of Ipanema beach, and it's great for surfing. Brazil has many great beaches for surfing such as Florianopolis in the state of Santa Catarina and the island of Fernando de Noronha, located off the northeast coast of Recife. #6. Brazilian Bikini Babes millions of young Brazilian women love to sport bikinis---and with warm weather all year long, trust me you won't miss seeing them in winter coats. #7. Median age in the late 20's According to indexmundi, the median age in Brazil as of 2008 is 29. This is much lower then most Western European countries (late 30's), United States (late 30's) and Japan (40). This means more younger sexy ladies! #8.Fitness Culture: most women are thin or fit It only takes one trip to Rio, Sao Paolo, Recife or any other Brazilian city to realize that in Brazilian culture the women---and men have a keen interest to stay in shape. Thousands of young ladies work out on the beaches every day . #9. Small percentage of obesity in Brazil Because of a culture of fitness and health conciseness, most Brazilian women are in good shape and are not obese. Brazil doesn't have an obesity crisis like the United States, Australia, England and some other Western European countries. How can a young Brazilian woman where a bikini if she is obese? I guess the bikini craze keeps the pressure on them! #10. Brazilian women love foreign men! If you are North American, German, British, Australian, Japanese---or from any other Western European country, then Brazilian women will love you. They have a thing for foreign guys---most Brazilian women are fed up with Brazilian guy's reputation of 'players'---but can you blame these guys? With such nice ratios of women to men and numerous hot young ladies to go around, it's very easy to fall to temptation! #11. Great place to learn Portuguese If you want to practice some Portuguese, then this is a great place to start. Be sure to practice some basic phrases before you come! You will have plenty of women to practice with trust me. #12. Brazilian women are fun to be with Most Brazilian women are very fun and know how to have a good time. In there culture it's all about the carnival and having a good time, dancing and just living life to the fullest #13. Brazilian women are friendly and hospitable In comparison to American and some Western European countries, the women in Brazil are much friendlier and approachable. You can easily make new friends with young sexy Brazilian girls---just by being sincere, and they will make you feel at home very quickly. #14. Great food Brazilian food is very good. Be sure to go to a 'churrascaria' while your down there. The 'Frango Asado' is a good dish, it's barbecue chicken with rice and fries. Very good. #15. Ipanema Beach The other great beach in Rio besides Copacabana. Ipanema Beach is also one of the safest areas in Rio, giving you yet another reason to stay here. Plenty of young ladies to check out. #16. Great weather all year round The average weather in Brazil fluctuates around 70's to 80's degrees all year long. For example, the average annual temperature in Rio De Janeiro is 73.5. #17. Help Disco Almost half of the girls you will meet here are working girls. Either way, it's a great way to warm up with the local ladies. #18. Club Six in Rio - A very popular nightclub in the Ipenema section of Rio. A great place to have some drinks while enjoying all kinds of music, including dance music, hip-hop, etc. Plenty of women to talk to. #19. World famous Topless beaches Copacabana and Ipanema have great nude beaches. Don't forget the sunglasses! #20. Lots of single attractive women who are not committed Unlike many other countries, Brazil is full of attractive single women who are not committed. Many are having a hard time finding a normal, down to Earth guy who isn't married. #21. Friendly Brazilian culture In Brazil it is culturally accepted to treat everyone, especially foreigners---with great hospitality. A smile and a friendly greeting is very common from strangers. Not like in NYC! #22. Variety of women from mullata to blonds You can find all kinds of women in Brazil. To date, there are roughly 11,714,000 people in the Rio De Janeiro metropolitan area. Out of these, 53.6% are white, 33.6% are brown, 12.3% are black, and .5% are Asian or Amerindian. This means you have plenty of different shades of women to choose from! #23. Great soccer games If you like soccer, then you will be in the right place. There are many soccer games to go to. #24. The Maracana Stadium The most famous soccer stadium in Brazil. It's located in Rio and the local clubs Flamengo and Botafogo play here. #25. Open sexual culture Unlike women from many other countries, in Brazil sex is embraced openly---it's considered the national pastime! #26. Brazilian women enjoy sex and are very sensual Great news guys! In Brazil sex is not used as a bargaining chip by the local women like in other countries. In Brazil sex is used to make love! #27. Stable Government, Stable political climate The Brazilian government is experiencing a period of political stability. President Lula Da Silva has won the faith of the people and it's showing. #28. Improving economic situation - Compared to other Latin American countries, Brazil is experiencing a period of unprecedented economic growth and investment. #29. One of the easiest places on Earth to find an attractive girlfriend It's the most populated Christian country in the world that has a higher female to male ratio---China, India and USA have a higher male to female ratio! Indonesia is an Islamic country. #30. Pay for play is always an option, especially in Rio There are many popular places in Rio where you can find plenty of young hot working girls. Help Disco is one of them. #31. Hot Brazilian girls will flirt with you Hot Brazilian girls, from working girls, university students, professional ladies, to traditional ladies, they all flirt with you! #32. No game needed, the sexy Brazilian girls will do all of the seducing They have no choice. Remember, in Brazil there are more women then men. This means the women have to compete over the fewer guys---like you! #33. Beach soccer: A great way to work out and have fun also. Many women play soccer also, making it even more enjoyable. #34. Brazilian thongs and bundhas World Famous "Dental Floss" thongs, very popular and very sexy. You won't find these in NYC, Dublin or London! Have fun! #35. The Euro, Pound and Dollar are stronger then the Real (the Brazilian currency) Your currency is stronger. This means while in Brazil most local goods will be much cheaper for you. Especially the Euro and Pound, you guys will live like Kings! #36. Brazilian culture is one of the most open minded in all of the Americas and the World - Due to a history of mass cultural absorption by Portuguese, Indigenous, African, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish and many other ethnicities, Brazilian culture has evolved into a very diverse, 'everyone get along' culture. #37. Brazilian women love to dance The local ladies are known for having a great time, especially on the dance floor. This is one reason they stay in such great shape. #38. The exotic culture, women, and feel - Brazil is being discovered as the world's most exciting destination and the local Brazilian people are vibrant and the nightlife is simply extraordinary. #39. The drums in Pelourinho - Salvador has some of the best nightlife in Brazil. Pelourinho explodes with music and people and activity search harder and on any given night in Pelourinho you could probably uncover scores of groups playing. Many of these concerts are free. #40. The tan - Beach life is considered a normal part of Brazilian culture and a major attraction for tourists and foreign investors. #41. New Years party on the beach Rio de Janeiro has the largest new year's celebration worldwide---well over 3 million people every year go to Copacabana. #42. The Caipirinha's Brazil's most famous cocktail drink---so popular that even in Miami and NYC people enjoy it. It is delicious and potent! #43. The view from Corcovado - Corcovado (Christ the redeemer) is one of the best-known landmarks in Rio and it is definitely the best view in Brazil. Recommended for one of the seven wonders of the world, you can see all of Rio beneath you. #44. Sugar loaf mountain around 600 million years ago mother nature's formed a natural wonder, called Pao de Acucar or Sugar Loaf. Today it's one of the most recognized and sought after tourist attractions in Rio. #45. Botafogo Bay (Rio) - Botafogo is a beautiful beachfront neighborhood (bairro) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Botafogo's beach is within Guanabara Bay and it's also home to two of the city's largest shopping centers, Botafogo Praia Shopping and RioSul. #46. The malls filled with beautiful Brazilian ladies Botafogo Praia Shopping Mall and RioSul Shopping Mall are just two of the many malls filled with beautiful young ladies in Rio. This is a great place to get a few emails and make a few dates! #47. Ipanema Beach - Ipanema is a neighborhood located on the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, near Copacabana beach. It is a sunbather's paradise filled with thousands of young beautiful women wearing Dental Floss bikinis. Ipanema is also regarded as one of the safest districts in Rio. #48. Bello Horizonte (means "beautiful horizon" in Portuguese) - The capital of Minas Gerais state, located in the southeastern region of Brazil and with a population of 5.3 million it also has the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The city offers interesting leisure areas and it's known for a traditional characteristic: regional hospitality. #49. Bahia - one of the 26 states of Brazil located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is also the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais. It is also one of the most important states in terms of history and culture. Bahia's capital is the city of Salvador (São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos). Salvador is known for having world class beaches for surfing. #50. Minas Gerais - one of the 26 states of Brazil and also the second most populous with 19,522,000 people. The capital is the city of Belo Horizonte. In Tourist attractions are Monte Verde and the national parks of Ibitipoca and Aiuruoca. You also have the Sete Lagoas, Cordisburgo and Lagoa Santa, and waterfalls which attract many tourists. #51. Recife - the fifth largest Metropolitan area in Brazil with a population of 3,646,204. The capital of the state is the city of Pernambuco. It is also known as the Brazilian Venice thanks primarily to its resemblance with the European city. Recife is considered one of Brazil's cultural capitals. #52. Fortaleza - Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in northeastern Brazil, and has a population of over 3.4 million (in the metropolitan region). Nightlife in Fortaleza is filled with energy and excitement, local nightclubs and discos open every day of the week. #53. Florianopolis (nicknamed Floripa) - The capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina. It has a population of 406,564 while the metropolitan area has an estimated population of 821,552. The city has 42 pristine beaches and is a center of surfing activity, considered by many Brazilians as one of "the best places to live in Brazil." As a result Florianopolis is growing as a second home destination for North Americans and Europeans. #54. Porto Alegre (Joyous Port in Portuguese) - The 10th largest city in Brazil and also the capital city of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is one of the most important cultural, political and economic centers of Southern Brazil. It is also considered to have one of the highest standard of living in all cities of the country. #55. Curitiba The capital city of the Brazilian state of Parana, with a population of 1.8 million---it also has the fourth best GDP ranking in all Brazil. As most of Southern Brazil's population, Curitiba is mostly inhabited by Brazilians of European descent. The city has the largest population and also the largest economy in Southern Brazil. #56. Trancoso - A small town in the municipality of Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia, Brazil, it's the perfect sunny getaway---a place to slow down and relax. There are many great beaches---one of the most popular by visitors and locals is Coconuts Beach. #57. Osklen Swimming trunks Here is your opportunity to sport some of the most popular Brazilian swimwear for men---and check out the ladies in bikini! This is not New York guys! In this environment everyone shows 80% of there skin every day! #58. Sao Paolo - The capital of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, this city is also the largest in the country and the most populated city in all South America (10,886,518 people). Located in the South East of the country, Sao Paolo is also the richest city of Brazil. Again, like Rio, there are unlimited number of blondes, brunettes, mullattas, etc. #59. Futsal The indoor version of soccer, 'Futsal is very popular in Brazil. Futsal is played with a smaller ball and places more emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique. It's a great way to stay in shape. #60. World cup champion soccer Brazil is the world cup's most successive national team, having won the prestigious tournament a record 5 times. Brazil is also the only country to have participated in every World Cup tournament. #61. Porto Seguro- A municipality in Southeastern Bahia, a North Eastern Brazil state and one of the oldest settlements in the country. Many Brazilians believe it is in Porto Seguro where Pedro Álvares Cabral, (a Portuguese discoverer) first set foot on Brazil on April 22, 1500. An interesting note: A significant number of Bahian women have married Italian and Swiss men---and the trend continues to grow #62. Investing- Apart from life's pleasures, Brazil is also a great country to invest in. The Brazilian economy and importantly the rates of interest and currency are recognized as stable and supportive for foreign investment. The country is also experiencing unprecedented growth. #63. Outdoor culture unlike many other countries where people tend to spend a lot of time indoors, in Brazil people tend to spend more time outdoors, usually with beach related activities such as surfing, swimming, beach soccer, or just working out. This means there are plenty of sexy women outdoors! #64. Brahma Beer a very popular Brazilian beer, originally made by the Companhia Cervejaria Brahma which was founded in 1888. It's very sensual and a great way to relax in the sun. #65. Daily Flights to USA and Europe More then 5 million people visit Brazil every year. There are numerous flights from USA---Europe is literally connecting with Brazil, particularly via Fortaleza with direct flights from Germany, Netherlands , Spain , Norway and others. #66. Great scenery and diversity One nice word to describe Brazil is diversity: a mix of cultures, food, music, dance, drinks, art, crafts, architecture and love of the sea. #67. The nature Covering 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres), Tumucumaque Mountains National Park is the world's largest tropical reserve - the same size as Belgium and about 500,000 hectares (1.23 million acres) larger than the state of Rio de Janeiro. Nature untouched!. #68. The Amazon Rain Forest - Brazil has the largest forest in the world in the Amazon Basin which houses 20% of the worlds living species and have 14% of the worlds renewable fresh water. Another interesting note: more than one third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest #69. The Amazon River - The largest river in the world by volume, with a total river flow greater than the next top ten largest rivers flowing into the ocean combined. It also has the largest drainage basin in the world, accounts for approximately 1/5 of the world's total river flow. The Amazon river has over 3,000 recognized species of fish and that number is still growing. Some estimates go as high as 5,000. #70. Beautiful waterfalls - Brazil is much more than beautiful beaches: a trip to the southern state of Paraná reveals one of the countries most popular tourist destinations. This is a beautiful waterfall named Cataratas do Iguaçu located in the town of Foz do Iguaçu, #71. Lots of international food (from previous migrants and communities) - The cuisine of Brazil is very diverse and varies greatly by region. This diversity reflects the country's mix of native Amerindians, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Poles, Syrians, Lebanese and Japanese among others. There is great variety and great food! #72. Lapa (Small bar/club zone in Rio, close to club Six) - The Lapa street parties are among the best of Rio nightlife and there are bars open all week as the crowds gather from around 11 am until 5 in the morning. Hundreds even thousands of sexy ladies mill up and down the street, drinking beer at street bars and just going with the flow. #73. Brazilian coffee - Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer. Santos Brazils is the most traditional Brazil coffee, and the kind most likely to be seen in specialty store. Be sure to try some when your down there! #74. Salvador - a city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of joy due to its countless popular outdoor parties, including its famous street carnivals. The first colonial capital of Brazil, the city is also one of the oldest in the country and in the New World. #75. Manaus - a city in the northern part of Brazil and capital of Amazonas State, it is an important centre for ecological tourism. Located on the Rio Negro near its confluence with the Amazon River it is the chief port and a hub for the region's extensive river system. It is also a common point of departure for tourists visiting the Amazon region. #76. Belem - the second biggest city of Amazonia, in the northern part of Brazil. It is the capital of the state of Pará, part of the greater Amazon River system. It is the entrance gate to the Amazon region and together with Manaus the most important city in the north of Brazil. #77. Goiânia - The capital and the largest city in the state of Goiás, it's also the largest city in the Central-Western Region of Brazil. With a population of nearly 1.25 million Goiânia is the twelfth largest city in Brazil. #78. Pao De Queijo (Cheese Bread - a famous bread from the state of Minas Gerais) - A typical Brazilian snack which is made of manioc flour and cheese--- served hot. Very delicious and very popular sidekick for coffee. #79. Cachaca This Brazilian sugarcane liquor has become the second most popular drink in Brazil---after beer. Cachaca is distilled in such a way that the scent of sugar cane and inimitable flavor typical of rum are retained---making an enjoyable drink! #80. Brasilia - The capital of Brazil which borders the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. The city and the district are located in the Central-West region of the country and has a population of about 2,455,903 making it the fourth largest city in Brazil. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. #81. Praia do Pinho First official nude beach in Brazil's history located in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Praia do Pinho beach in Brazil is a naturists dream. It is one of very few nude beaches in the world where it is legally required to be nude! #82. Scuba Diving There are more then beaches in Brazil. Arraial do Cabo Marine Reserve is considered the best scuba diving on the southern coast of Brazil---it's located just 2 hours by car from Rio de Janeiro. The splendid waters of Arraial do Cabo are teeming with marine life - turtles, sea horses, moray eels, colorful coral and some exotic tropical fish like the famous Holacanthus Ciliaris). For around 200$ you can take a tour that includes Scuba equipment, bilingual guide, boat operation and a 10 hour duration. #83. Fishing - Peacock bass fishing in Northern Brazil (Manaus) is as good as it gets! The peacock bass is legendary in its explosive top-water strikes and bullish runs. In a class of its own, the peacock bass is one of the hardest hitting and most aggressive sport-fish---plentiful in the Amazon. The Amazon offers fishers a haven of fish life that makes fishing as fun and exciting. #84. Trekking- One of the most traditional backpacking trails in Brazil, a 36 kilometer (22 miles) crossing linking the two Brazilian imperial towns of Petrópolis and Teresópolis. The crossing takes 2 to 4 days, hiking through valleys, ridges and mountaintops where Atlantic rainforest vegetation is exuberant and pristine. It's located just 100 km off Rio. #85. Rafting - Hold on tight and experience a great adrenaline rush: rafting down the wild rapids of the Paraibuna River! The Paraibuna is located in Três Rios city, 2 hours from Rio de Janeiro by car. The Paraibuna is also a full 20 km (14 miles) of level 3 and 4 rapids so bring a change of clothes! For around 100$ you can enjoy up to three hours of great adventure! #86. Amazonia National Park This massive park covers almost 40% of Brazil's landmass including seven of Brazil's 27 states. Every year thousands of visitors come here to witness the splendour of this magnificent natural wonder. You can go bird watching here. A journey into the Amazon rainforest can be an experience of a lifetime! #87. Iguassua Falls The waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. It's a great once in a life time opportunity! #88. Brazil's Oil Boom Last year a huge offshore oil discovery in Brazil could raise the countries oil reserves by a whopping 40 percent and boost this country into the ranks of the world's major exporters. The future of Brazil looks bright indeed. #88. Great ecosystems - many of Brazil's plants and animals are found no where else on Earth. #89. Brazilian women are generally very friendly the best part of Brazil is how friendly the women are. The great weather, nice beaches, growing economy, it's all great, but without the sexy friendly women---it's all in vain! #90. The nice hips and bottoms Hourglass figures are very common in Brazil. How many women do you see where you live that have a nice .7 waist to hip ratio? If it's not 80% of all the women, then you need to come to Brazil! #91. Proximity to other great destinations for men Brazil borders many great countries for meeting women, such as: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela! #91. Language close to Spanish If you learn Brazilian Portuguese, then learning Spanish will not be so difficult. These two languages are cousins, so learning either one will only make it much easier to learn both! #92. Brazil is considered the world leader in production of Ethanol based fule Brazilian Ethanol is made from sugar cane, which is cheaper then gasoline and is much less harmful to the environment and the world. #93. Brazilian currency weaker then U.S. Dollar, Euro, Pound, Yen and Australian Dollar Get more bang for your buck. In Brazil you will find much cheaper prices then you would in the United States, Western Europe, Japan, U.K. and Australia! #94. Brazil has the eighth largest economy in the world Their are a lot of potentials for investment in Brazil. Many people are realizing that Brazil has great resources and is a major player in the world economy. #95. Political Stability Brazil hasn't had a major conflict as some of it's neighbors have had. It is politically stable, and is a leader in Latin America, such as the recent crisis between Colombia and Venzuela, Brazil's government led the peace and helped keep Latin America in a period of stability. #96. Brazil is self sufficient in Oil! Due to the leadership in Ethanol on a global scale, Brazil today produces enough oil/ethanol to run its own economy. #97. Brazil is not a Hurricane risk Unlike other countries such as Cuba, United States (Gulf Coast Area), Honduras and Guatemala,Brazil does not experience Hurricane risks. #98. Cost of living very low compared to USA and Western Europe You can live like a King in Brazil. In some places of Brazil, you can live with 30% of what it would cost you in Western Europe, USA, Japan, UK, Canada, Australia and other wealthier countries. #99. Real Estate in Brazil is Booming! Don't wait til it's too late. Now is the time to invest in Brazil! #100. Brazil is believed to be a leader in the future Many leading world economists and politicians believe that Brazil has the potential to become a world leader along with China, India and Russia. #101. All the young Brazilian ladies that are waiting for you! That's the icing on the cake! Remember, in Brazil there are more +women then -men = great news for you! Dan DeLa Cruz is a globe trekking author, traveler, and international ladies man. Dan is the author of the breakthrough series of books dedicated to helping men meet, date, seduce and even marry foreign women from places like Latin America, South East Asia, and Eastern Europe. Through his website Dan provides various coaching and training services that are designed to help men take their dating global, and meet attractive foreign women. The Global Dating Revolution website features the entire series of books about meeting foreign ladies, videos, training modules, tutorials, blog, community forums and much more. Dan is also one of the foremost experts in the topic of mail order brides, as well as meeting and dating brazil girls. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_DeLa_Cruz