Think Travel

Timeshare is an internationally accepted vacation arrangement that operates successfully through a network of standard holiday rentals. It is a “concept” that is traded in exchange of a charge that takes the form of a membership fee. People are given an ownership of a particular resort/holiday accommodation for a specific time period for every year of their membership. These membership prices vary depending upon booking period. Ownerships are offered for high, intermediate and low demand periods. Their booking period directly influences the price and exchange power of such deals. Florida timeshare deals are mostly ownerships of studio apartments, but there are also apartments with one or two bedrooms, condos and resorts available.

Timeshare vacations are considered to be a flexible concept and vacationers only need to make an application regarding their choice of destination when they decide to go on a vacation. Reservations are made according to availability of same sized lodgings at a different location. Florida is largely dependant upon tourism, which proves to be a major source of income for the state. Florida time-share deals are also available in the form of a resale. This allows potential customers to buy a membership at discounted rates from an existing member who chooses to discontinue their membership.

When compared to international Florida memberships that permit a person to visit different parts of the world, domestic timeshare deals are reasonably priced. This limits members’ vacation choices within the country but destinations are innumerable. Florida timeshare deals could revolve around fixed, rotating and floating membership weeks, which largely determine the time of vacation every year. Florid timeshare deals may be based upon a deeded or rights to ownership scheme. In the former owners have singular ownership all through their membership and in the latter the membership rights are transferred to the property owner at some point of the membership period. There are numerous Florida timeshare companies that offer such deals. It is advisable for potential customers to compare their options and make a judicious decision.



Regular people and regular vacations are nice and everything, but sometimes the temptation to surround oneself with incredible, unbelievably good-looking people and scenery is just too much to bear. For these times, there is a place called South Beach that will sate the most demanding appetite not only for aesthetic beauty, but for fun and frivolity as well. A trip here is like visiting a movie/photo shoot/land of amusements, so if that’s what you’re after then send yourself south sometime soon.

Start with the basics; you know you’ll be spending plenty of time shopping, lounging on the beach, eating at great restaurants and seeing the sights (including lots of attractive people, yes), but first it is important to book a worthy place to stay. South Beach is filled with hotels in all price range but for this different kind of trip why not consider different kinds of accommodations?

Specifically, check out the prospect of a vacation rental. This broad term may or may not sound familiar, but if traveling is something you take seriously, it should be a well-used part of your vocabulary. A vacation rental could be a condo, a beach villa, an apartment or a cottage. It could be made for two people or twelve, and it could be located amidst the hustle of downtown or tucked a little farther back from the bustling nightlife and swarm of humanity. Just like South Beach itself, the rental offerings here are eclectic, colorful and most likely quite whimsical.

Pastel colors, swimming pools and green gardens characterize many typical homes around these parts, and staying in one will do wonders for a person’s state of mind. After a few months (or years) of mind-numbing work in a less-than bright and cheery land, it’ll be like crossing over the rainbow to a place alive with brilliant hues. Waking up to the Florida sun beaming across your comfortable bed and knowing that a world of excitement lies just beyond your front door will mean each day begins on a positive note.

Before you even leave your home away from home to explore the amusements out there, there’s a world of contentment to be taken advantage of right inside your front door. From your master bedroom to your spacious, modern bathroom, from the fully-equipped kitchen perfect for whipping up a healthy South Beach-style breakfast (or bacon and eggs, whatever) to the patio that faces the sea, it’ll be tough to tear yourself away. Penthouse or villa, it’ll take some time to properly appreciate your lodgings so do leave room in your schedule for the much-coveted down time your pleasing place will allow you.

Some properties are located within historic buildings in the Art Deco District and sit within two blocks of the beach. This would be the perfect set-up for just about anyone wanting to enjoy South Beach’s best features. Art tours and charming sidewalk strolls are prim and proper things to do before eating a sinfully lavish dinner at one of the delectable restaurants or hitting the club scene later on. Dance and carouse to your heart’s content and see if you can keep up with the crowd; it’s a formidable task, but you’re only here for a few days so give it your best shot.

Hitting the hay back at your comfortable South Beach Vacation Rental could very well become the best part of your evening. Nothing is better than snuggling up in a comfy place after exerting yourself and having a blast, so remember, take care of this one detail to ensure that the rest fall into place. Your South Beach vacation awaits you, so start planning today.



What do you know about New Zealand? If you are anything like me, you probably think of New Zealand and Australia the way I think of the United States and Canada – New Zealand is close to Australia, similar to it in many ways, but just not quite the same. I spent five months of last year in New Zealand and have now come to regard it differently. For one thing, I finally realize why it was chosen as the ideal location of Tolkin’s Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

New Zealand lies east of Australia and is situated in the South Pacific region. It is composed of two large islands, north and south. Its climate is mild and its scenery is simply breathtaking. New Zealand is also steeped deep in the tradition of the Maori people. Its major cities include Auckland (the capital), Wellington and Dunedin. Queenstown is acclaimed as one of its best destinations, an ideal place to ski that is peppered with magnificent slopes.

It is no secret that the Lord of the Rings trilogy gave the New Zealand tourism industry a major boost, what with the amazing scenery and sense of mystery and romanticism depicted in the films. The trilogy also gave movie-goers a glimpse of New Zealand’s many beautiful destinations. Today, the local businesses that helped transport the movie makers from one location to another have their hands full doing the very same thing to an ever-growing number of tourists, for a fee of course. And although curiosity about Lord of the Rings may have spurred many to visit New Zealand, once there most tourists are eager to see the rest of this beautiful country and take side-trips to visit the more exotic locales.

New Zealand is also an ideal destination if adventure is your cup of tea, especially for the younger travelers. For instance, Rotorua is acclaimed for its “zorbing,” which amounts to sliding into a giant hamster ball and rolling yourself down a hill. There are several whitewater rivers which tourists can challenge via jet-boat rides as well as tight canyons which make your boat hurtle at breakneck speed. If you have the guts, you might want to try jumping off the highest bungee jump in the world. Other locations like Waitomo offer huge caving opportunities, ranging from board-walked tourist caves to rappelling and sliding through mud and water to explore extensive underground labyrinths. Certainly, the New Zealand tourism scene has lots of opportunities for adventure, if you are so inclined.



Introduction

Lake Iseo, also called Lake Sebina, is the fourth largest lake in the Lombardy region of Italy. The lake was formed by the Valcamonica Glacier, and is 24 kilometres long and up to 5 kilometres wide. This width is not always obvious as the largest lake island in Europe, Monte Isola, sits in the centre of the lake. The lake is situated just north of Brescia and Bergamo, this being reflected in the fact that it is administered on the western bank by the Bergamo district council, and on the east bank by the Brescia district council. The River Oglio, flowing down from the Val Camonica and entering between Lovere and Pisogne, mainly feeds the Lake from the north. The Val Camonica has thermal spas and prehistoric rock carvings. At the southern end of the lake lies the Torbiere, a peat bog and now a nature reserve. South of this lies the Franciacorta valley, producing the best sparkling wine in Italy.

On the eastern bank, a few kilometres up from the lake, is the Natural Reserve of the Pyramids of Zone, a unique formation of pillars created by uneven glacial erosion. The sixty-kilometre perimeter lakeside is dotted with villages and towns, the main ones being Iseo, Sarnico, Lovere, Pisogne and Marone. These towns are full of historical and cultural interest, yet it is pleasant to stroll along the promenade or linger over a drink in a café. There are a variety of water sports available on the Lake and fishing is popular with the locals, tench being the prized catch. There is a good selection of walking and cycling trails, and in Winter there is skiing north of Lake Iseo in the Presolano area.

Unique points

The fact that Lake Iseo is not well known outside Italy and therefore less touristy makes it more appealing. One of its biggest attractions is Monte Isola, the largest inland lake island in Europe, which is easily reached by ferry and with no cars on the island it is very peaceful, making it ideal for walking or cycling. There are also the Pyramids of Zone, where the erosion of glacial deposits has left pinnacles of earth up to ten metres high. On the western lakeshore are the bogns of Castro and Zorzino, sheets of limestone that plunge into the lake. North of the lake in Val Camino you can see hundreds of prehistoric rock carvings at the National Park of Rock Engravings and to the south of the lake is the Torbiere peat bog and Franciacorta, the area where the renowned sparkling wine is produced.

Getting there

Nearest airports

Bergamo (Orio Serio)
Brescia
Verona
Milan (Malpensa)
Milan (Linate)

All of these airports are within reasonable travelling distance to Lake Iseo. Most international flights come into Milan Malpensa, although the low cost carrier Ryanair uses Bergamo and Brescia.

Car: travelling on the Milan Venice motorway (A4) to go to the West bank Of Lake Iseo you would come off at Sarnico junction and on to the SS649. To reach Iseo town, travelling east on the A4, you would also come off at Sarnico exit, and travelling west on the A4 you would turn off at Brescia up the SS510.

Public transport: There are regular connections by bus and train to Brescia from all the nearby airports, then connections from Brescia by bus and train to Iseo. The train continues up the east bank to Pisogne.

Once you have reached Iseo the most relaxing and picturesque option for getting around the lake is the ferry.

Guide to Lake Iseo, clockwise from Iseo town on the southern shores.

ISEO TOWN

I am really fond of Iseo town; it has a relaxed ambience, wide squares and a lovely promenade with a fantastic view of the lake and Monte Isola. It is quite lively, mainly with Italian families and couples.

Iseo was a business centre in Roman times, and it was an important port until the end of the 19th century. The hero of Italian unification, Garibaldi, is celebrated with a statue and fountain in the main square. Also on this square is the Palazzo Vantini, built in the 1833s and now used as the town hall. The Pieve di S. Andrea dates back to the 12th century, and is distinctive because of its cusped Romanesque bell tower. The 11th century Castello Oldofredi was recently restored and now houses the public library.

Just south of the town are the peat bogs; Torbiere del Sebino is now a nature reserve. Lake Iseo was around 10 metres deeper in the past, but erosion of the bed of the River Oglio at the southern outflow meant that the lake level began to drop, cutting off a shallow basin, which gradually became a large marsh with peaty deposits. During the industrialisation of the 19th century local factories began using the peat as a source of energy, eventually excavating most of the peat deposits. Imagine digging up the peat using a caged spade with a five-metre handle!

Evidence of prehistoric settlement was found during peat cutting: stone arrowheads, blades and daggers dating from 5000 BC. Now the area is of great scientific interest and home to many species of bird and fish.

The Franciacorta region, south of Iseo, has become well known for its sparkling wine. In the mid 1950s a young entrepreneur started to make sparkling wine emulating the method using in the Champagne region of France. This means that the secondary fermentation of the wine occurs in the bottle, a process which takes around two years. Now this valley produces the legally protected Franciacorta wine, assuring it has been hand made using the traditional champagne methods in one of the thirty wineries in the area. Visits to the wineries and tasting sessions can be arranged. Wine lovers may wish to visit for the three days in September for the Wine Festival, with tasting, special meals and visits to cellars.

Villa Lechi, a Palladian style villa built in the 16th century, can be visited by appointment (phone 392 706 30087 to arrange) Just west of Erbusco is the Oglio North Park, on the eastern banks of the river.

SARNICO

Sarnico is the first resort heading west from Iseo. It was originally a prehistoric stilt village, as it stands where the lakes narrows and once again becomes the River Oglio. There are frescoes dating from 1200 AD in the church San Nazario e Rocca di Castione. You can still see ruined medieval ramparts.

For some Sarnico is best known as the home of the premier speedboat company Riva. One of the most fascinating aspects of the companys story to me is the journey of Pietro Riva from his hometown of Lagio on the Lake Como to Sarnico in 1842. The young Pietro was travelling to start a new job repairing boats in Sarnico; his 70-mile journey took him two days, travelling by boat, train and coach.

His repairs were so successful that he was soon being commissioned to build boats. The boat building business grew under Pietros son, Ernesto, who began produced boats powered by piston engines.

In 1912 Ernestos son Serafino achieved a speed of 24 kilometres an hour in a speedboat. Riva became a prestigious brand, sought by the rich and famous as a status symbol. However you no longer see speedboats on Lake Iseo because they were banned for environmental reasons in 1976!

Sarnico is home to the Bellini Gallery, a picture gallery exhibiting around 150 pieces, mainly from the period between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Gallery is in the old part of the city and was formerly a nunnery. Also on display are some sculptures and furniture.

The Palazzo to Sarnico rail line winds along Oglio River. Volunteers reopened this line recently. TrenoBlu as it is known is often steam hauled. The trains run during the Summer. There are rail connections from Bergamo and Milan.

Just outside Sarnico, heading east, stands the Faccononi villa, designed by one of Italys best Art Nouveau architects, Sommaruga, for the wealthy Faccanoni family. The villa on the lakeshore exemplifies Sommarugas trademark Floreale style.

RIVA DI SOLTO

The stretch from Tavernola north constitutes the most dramatic stretch of the west bank. Just try to blot out the quarry at Tavernola! Riva is a pretty fishing hamlet, full of arches and alleys. The old centre is up the hill at Zorzino. The Zorzino Bong, with its vertical slabs of limestone plunging Mount Clemo, creates its own enclosed bay. Further north is the Castro Bogn.

LOVERE

The Lovere area was occupied by the Gauls in the Iron Age, and by the second century BC the Roman settlement began to take form.

Lovere still has ramparts remaining from its period as a medieval fortified town. The oldest church is the 12th century Capell di San Martino. The town was famous in the 15th century as Venetian textile town. Most of the output of woollen cloth was sold in Germany and Austria. At the beginning of the 16th century there was a period of turmoil, with periods of rule by the French, the Holy Roman Empire and the Spanish, which greatly disrupted the production and distribution of the cloth. There was more strife later that century with plagues and famines. By the 17th century the authorities had tackled the security problem of bandits and some Lombardy noblemen began to travel to Lovere for their holidays. The Basilica of Santa Maria dates from the 15th century and houses a 16th century organ case and frescoes. The lakeside Palazzo Tadini contains the School of Fine Arts, a gallery with paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Count Luigi Tadini began this collection in his town house in Crema. The Tadini familys only son died in Lovere in 1799 where they often took holidays. Count Tadini provided the funds to built the Palazzo, in memory of his son.

The English writer and poet Lady Mary Wortley Montagu lived in a villa on the outskirts of Lovere in the 1740s. Lady Mary is said to have written many letters to her daughter in the villa garden, and been inspired to write poetry by the beauty of her surroundings. In fact she declined an invitation to the Venice carnival saying, there are plenty things to do in this village which, by the way, is one of the most beautiful that exists. Lady Mary came to live in Italy in 1741, supposedly for health reasons, although it is thought that she no longer wanted to live with her husband. Lady Mary had travelled to Turkey as wife of the British Ambassador and there she came across the practice of inoculation against smallpox. She had her own children inoculated but was never given proper credit for introducing the practice in Britain. Lady Marys daughter married Lord Bute, who became prime minister of Britain in 1762, a year after Lady Marys death.

Lovere has another literary connection in Georges Sand, the French novelist, who wrote of Lake Iseo to a friend in London, Come, I have found a lovely place to live. Georges Sands real name was Aurore Dupin, but she had taken a mans name as it was not deemed suitable for ladies to be novelists in the 19th century, and she often dressed as a man. She had a long-standing affair with Chopin. After their break up in 1847 she wrote the novel Lucrezia Floriana. The romance between a young Italian noble and an older lady is set on Monte Isola. It is said that this novel inspired many visits by ladies seeking romance to the area!

In 1854 Lovere joined the industrial revolution, with the development of the first large steel complex in the region. Lovere prospered as an industrial centre until the 1980s, but this has left a scar on the landscape.

Valle Camonica

As you head round the north of the lake, you may wish to have a slight detour to visit the Valle Camonica. This valley is 90km long and contains 41 towns and villages, making it the longest valley in Italy. The healing powers of the waters of the spa town of Boario Terme were written about as early as 1497 by the naturalist Paracelsus. The Italian writer Manzoni was a regular visitor, living to the age of 88. Nearby at the Capo di Ponte is the National Rock Engraving Park, with prehistoric rock carvings, dating from Neolithic times through to the Iron Age. The carvings relate to the history of the Camuni tribe throughout this period. It is an amazing site, containing thousands of figures: an enormous stone history book. One of the most common carvings is that of the Camonic rose, which is now the emblem of the Lombardy region. On this site is the Archeopark, an open- air interactive park where you can try out various daily prehistoric activities e.g. lighting a fire, shooting with a bow and arrow and grinding corn and baking bread. The Archeodromo is a realistic construction of a Neolithic village with six huts perched on a rocky hill. Some school groups stay in the village for a few days to get an authentic taste of prehistoric life. Personally speaking I think Id rather go back to my hotel bed and shower. The traditional art of woodcarving continues in this area. The Cammunian Wood Handicraft Workshops in Boaria Terme, where all types of objects from religious ornaments to babies cribs are produced, can be found in the area. A fusion of modern and 16th century techniques are used to craft the goods.

PISOGNE

Pisogne was an important centre in medieval times for commerce - a large weekly market was held there. The town had a ring of walls and a system of gates but not much is left standing now. In the Market Square you would be hung in a cage suspended from the tower for non-payment of taxes due to the bishop. Tax was due on almost everything - fishing, hunting, milling, salt and iron. The bishops were forbidden to inflict any punishment that would cause loss of blood, so humiliation was the next best option to extract their dues. In 1518 eight women accused of witchcraft were imprisoned in the Widow Tower before being burned.

Just off Market Square is Santa Maria Assunta church, which contains a 150-year-old pipe organ. The facade of the Palazzo Fanzango is adorned with medallions depicting the characters from the book I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed) written by Manzoni. This is an important piece of Italian literature, telling the tale of how love triumphed for two peasants despite the efforts of a local tyrant. The book also has a vivid description of the spread of the Plague in 17th century Milan.

At the end of the 17th century, Pisogne was home to the notorious bandit Giorgi Vicario. There was not much brotherly loyalty between the bandits as Vicario tracked down and killed Giuseppe Techi for a reward. Techis head was delivered on a tray decorated with bay leaves to the authorities. A double whammy, a reward and less competition locally!

Pisogne hosts the local festival of mushrooms and chestnuts on the last Sunday in September.

MARONE

Marone is situated in a beautiful spot in a green valley at the foot of Monte Guglielmo. There are ruins of a first century Roman villa, Co del Hela as you enter the town. On the lakeside is the Parrocchiale di tours, an 18th Century Baroque style church with a marble altar. Marone was well known for production of woollen cloth and felt and the quarrying of dolomite. Nowadays tourism is the main industry.

A few kilometres uphill from Marone on the road to Zone lie the Earth Pyramids. They are an amazing sight: thin spires of earth up to 30 metres high, with large granite masses perched on top almost like hats. The Pyramids are not static as they can erode, causing the boulder to fall and gradually new pyramids are created.

On the way to the Pyramids is the church of San Giorgio and on the outer sidewall are frescoes painted in the 15th century, including one of San Giorgio slaying the dragon.

Further up the hill is the village of Zone. As you ascend you can see what I initially thought was a ski lift, above the road. It is in fact suspended containers, which carry the dolomite down from the Calarusso quarry. In some respects it reminded me of a Swiss alpine village; the air was so fresh and crisp. There are two interesting churches on the Piazza Almici: The octagonal 18th century Beata Veringe di Lourdes and the 17th century Parrocchiale S Giovanii Ballista, containing wooden works of art by Andrea Falconi. The festival of honey is held in the town square at the beginning of August. From Zone there are several walking paths and, if you’re feeling energetic, one to the summit of Monte Guglielmo.

MONTE ISOLA

The largest lake island in Europe is 3km long, rising to an elevation of 600m, and is sometimes referred to as the pearl of Iseo. Only public service four wheeled vehicles are allowed on the island. If you want to see more of the island you can rent a bicycle or use the local bus. There is also the option to take the gentle level walk along the southern coast from the village of Peschiera Maraglio to Sensole and return on the ferry from Sensole. If you are feeling energetic you can visit the 13th century Il Santuario della Madonna della Cerinole, which is situated at the highest point of the island.

The 14th Century Fortress Martinango is the ancestral home of the Olofredi family. It is one of the best-preserved forts in the region. It is unusual in that its highest tower is in the centre.

The population of the island is around 1700, with those not employed in tourism working as fishermen, in boatyards or making nets. In fact, the nets for the goal posts of the 1982 Football World Cup were made locally. Guess what - Italy won the Cup that year! There are still numerous naets, the typical wooden local fishing boats, to be seen. Some of the catch is left outside to dry in the sun in the traditional manner.

You can visit a traditional boatyard, Cantiere Nautico in Peschiere Maraglio, and see the construction of the handmade wooden boats.

I think that Monte Isola is a charming, tranquil place to visit, still relatively peaceful and relaxing. It is very thickly wooded, when you observe it from the shore its hard to imagine being able to reach the summit.

One of the big events on the island is the festival of Corzano, a hamlet that dates back to the 1600s. This only takes place every five years.

There are regular ferries from several towns on the lakeshore to the coastal villages in Monte Isola.

Suggested Itineraries

Day Trip:

Driving: it is possible to drive round the lake with a few stops in one day from Milan, Brescia or Bergamo and see unique sights.

Public transport: bus/train to Iseo, ferry trip from there. Trains from Brescia operate every hour, and it is a half-hour journey to Iseo, and they also go up to Pisogne, stopping at Sulzano and Sale Marsino.

Weekend/Short stay (2-3 nights) you could either be based in Iseo, spending a day visiting Monte Isola, one day visiting the west bank of the lake and one day on the east bank. An alternative would be to tour the lake in a day and spend a day either in Bergamo or Verona.

Iseo town would be a good base for day trips to the cities of Bergamo, Verona, Venice, Brescia, Vicenzia and Padova. Lake Garda and Lake Como are both nearby.

Travel Planning For South Africa Population Information:

The original inhabitants was the Khoi and San but now they are a tiny community in the Kalahari Desert, the San once had southern Africa to themselves.

Khoisan is a term used to describe two separate groups, physically similar in being light-skinned and small in stature. The Khoi, who were called Hottentots by the Europeans, were pastoralists and were effectively annihilated; the San, called Bushmen by the Europeans, were hunter-gatherers. A small San population still lives in South Africa.

South Africa is a nation of over 47-million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs.

2006 Statistics South Africa, the country’s population stands at some 47.4-million, up from the census 2001 - 44.8-million.

Africans are in the majority at 37.7-million, making up 79.5% of the total population. The white population is estimated at 4.4-million (9.2%), the coloured population at 4.2-million (8.9%) and the Indian/Asian population at 1.2-million (2.5%).

While more than three-quarters of South Africa’s population is black African, this category is neither culturally nor linguistically homogenous. Nine of the country’s 11 official languages are African, reflecting a variety of ethnic groupings which nonetheless have a great deal in common in terms of background, culture and descent.

Africans include the Nguni people, comprising the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi; the Sotho-Tswana people, comprising the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana); the Tsonga; and the Venda.

South Africa’s white population descends largely from the colonial immigrants of the late 17th, 18th and 19th centuries - Dutch, German, French Huguenot and British. Linguistically it is divided into Afrikaans- and English-speaking groups, although many small communities that have immigrated over the last century retain the use of other languages.

The label “coloured” is a contentious one, but still used for people of mixed race descended from slaves brought in from East and central Africa, the indigenous Khoisan who lived in the Cape at the time, indigenous Africans and whites. The majority speak Afrikaans.

The majority of South Africa’s Asian population is Indian in origin, many of them descended from indentured workers brought to work on the sugar plantations of the eastern coastal area then known as Natal in the 19th century. They are largely English-speaking, although many also retain the languages of their origins. There is also a significant group of Chinese South Africans.

In terms of religious affiliation, about two-thirds of South Africans are Christian, mainly Protestant. They belong to a variety of churches, including many that combine Christian and traditional African beliefs. Many non-Christians espouse these traditional beliefs. Other significant religions are Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.



Owning a Sports Utility Vehicle gives one access to a vast array of outdoor activities. Its’ no secret that SUVs can go places ordinary vehicles can’t, but little attention has been given to proper SUV camping equipment and methods. That’s right, we’re talking about sleeping right there in the back of your SUV.

The first consideration, of course, is whether your particular model of vehicle has enough room to actually stretch out and sleep. I’m six feet tall and have no problem sleeping in the back of my Nissan XTerra. The best way to find out if you fit is to crawl in there and lay down! I’ve found that sleeping in the vehicle itself has advantages. The foremost of these is the security of being in a vehicle during a rainstorm or foul weather. Also, while I’m not averse to old fashioned tent camping, I find that the vehicle is much warmer than the cold ground. Another plus is that I don’t roll over in the night to find a tree root stuck in my back. Some great solutions for a good nights sleep in the back of your SUV may actually be in your closet or basement right now. One of the best is a single sized futon pad. These roll-up nicely for transport and provide not only comfort but insulation on colder nights. Some campers like to use inflatable mattresses of various sizes, including the small inflatable models sold for hikers in most outfitter stores. Personally, I use a pad from a chaise lounge on my back deck. It folds well and is rugged enough for tough use. Also, the SUV makes a great base-camp for day-hikes or fishing expeditions. By using the SUV as a tent you don’t need to carry a restrictive mummy bag if you don’t wish. Break out the cotton sheets and sleep in comfort!

Another consideration is ventilation. Sleeping in your SUV with the windows closed can become uncomfortable, especially in warm weather. Not only do the windows become foggy, but the entire interior of the vehicle can become moist with breath exhalation and quite stuffy. Leaving the windows down is a solution that works fine so long as there are no bugs flying around. However, add a few mosquitoes or other buzzing critter and the night can become very uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are a couple of ready solutions for this problem. The first, and most expensive, is to purchase a truck tent system for your SUV. There are many models designed to fit over the tail gate of many common models. Some are smaller and simply create a little extra space with the gate open. Others create an entire room off the back of the vehicle with screened windows and room for the family. This choice is a matter of personal taste, budget, and intent. Another solution, which can compliment a truck tent or be used solo is a product called the “Magna Screen”. These allow you to sleep with your windows down and provide a barrier against insects. Basically, a Magna Screen is a screen that fits magnetically over the exterior of your side window. They’re inexpensive, durable and solve the problem nicely.

Getting to the back-country should be no problem. The best thing you can own is a detailed map of your local National Forest or Park. Make sure to own a map that details all accessible fire roads in the area, and check local conditions to be sure that motor vehicles are allowed where you plan to camp. High end dashboard GPS units, such as Garmin, will also have details on access roads. Once you use a GPS unit you may never buy a map again, and with a good GPS system you can mark all your favorite fishing and camping spots to return again and again with laser precision. So there you have it, your SUV can do even more for you if you’re willing to try something new. Sleeping in your SUV may seem odd at first to some, but once you experience the freedom it allows on back-country jaunts you will be sold. Remember, always respect your environment and always practice “leave no trace” tactics when enjoying the outdoors.

“Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?” We didn’t know, but the old man at the campground in Florida insisted WalMart not only allowed RVs and vans to park overnight, but encouraged it. “Free camping,” he told us, and we didn’t wait long to take advantage of this new knowledge.

Somewhere in northern Georgia we pulled into a Wal-Mart, and sure enough, we saw some RVs off to one side of the parking lot, looking like they were there for the night. We were heading back to Michigan in our conversion van, and free camping sounded good to us. We parked, plugged in our 5-inch T.V., and settled in for the night. Nobody bothered us. In the morning we used the bathrooms inside, and bought some orange juice.

The next night we camped for free again, this time at a “Flying J” truckstop. There were RVs camping there as well. You’ll find Flying J Truckstops all over, and they actively court the RV crowd, counting on gas and other sales. We filled our tank there in the morning, and bought some food as well. As long as campers stay out of the way of the truckers, free camping is likely to continue.

Other Free Camping Places

Generally, you can camp free on any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, unless it’s specifically forbidden in an area. This is also true of National Forest lands. In both cases you’re limited to a stay of two weeks in one place, though this rule is not always enforced, and the next two-week place might have to be only a hundred yards away. State forest lands are usually open to free camping without permits, but policies vary by state (The two-week rule seems to be common).

We camped in our van for ten days at Williams Landing, east of Tallahassee, Florida, on Lake Talquin. It’s a beautiful place, with hot showers. Our cost? Zero, and you can stay up to two weeks. There are free campgrounds scattered around the country. Ask an RVer about this, or buy a Woodall’s directory from any large RV dealer.

Note: Wal-mart seems to encourage the campers, except in coastal areas where too many RVer’s want to live in a parking lot. Don’t roll out the carpet and put out lawn furniture like one traveler we heard about, or you may ruin it for all. Some stay for a week at a time, going out all day to see the sights (and so they don’t wear out their welcome). Wal-mart gets business from the campers, but they’ll only continue their policy if they don’t have problems, so keep it low-key.

To find a Wal-Mart in the area you’re traveling to, visit Walmart.com. Scroll down to the “store finder” link to search. Thank you for camping at Wal-Mart!



Traveling can be fun and exciting if you are heading to a favorite destination. There are also many people who have to travel for business. Whatever your reason for traveling, there are a few things that you should be mindful of in order to keep you safe while away from home.

Transportation If you are flying, make sure you keep all of your personal items with you at all times. Make sure your luggage is clearly marked and try to collect your luggage as soon as it enters the carousel so that someone else does not take it. You should also try to use quality pieces, such as Samsonite luggage, so you do not have to worry about your bags breaking. Find out which taxis are safe to travel in by checking with the information desk at the airport or with a police officer. Do not share taxis with people you do not know. Try to avoid public transportation late at night if you are unsure where you are going. Do not hitch hike.

Hotels You will want to ensure that your hotel is in a good area. When you check in, take note of where the emergency exits are. Don’t open your door to a stranger and do not invite strangers to your hotel room. Make sure you lock your door and use the chain at night.

Clothing You should try to dress so it does not appear that you are a tourist. Don’t wear expensive accessories. Keep your money in a case that is worn near your body. Do not put anything you can’t afford to lose in your pocket or purse.

Looking like a Tourist While it is often fine to be a tourist, in some areas it is best not to stand out. If you need to look at a map, step inside of a store or restaurant. Try to avoid being out late at night or in areas that are not well populated.

General Safety If you are traveling overseas, make sure you know the number to the embassy. Use the ATM during the day and try to avoid using cash whenever possible. Stay hydrated and make sure you have any essential medications with you at all times. Even if you are traveling alone, someone should be aware of your travel plans and be able to reach you.

Traveling does not have to be a risky proposition. These are just some things to think of while you are out and about. If you keep them in the back of your mind and use common sense, you should be able to enjoy your trip without any incidents.



In the dynamic city of New York, the real estate scene is thriving with upscale, luxurious condos. Many of these condos are available right in the heart of the city. One of the advantages of living in a condominium is the fact that you can still live close to all of the excitement of the downtown city life. And in NYC you never run out of things to do or people to see.

A great tip to remember when looking for your new residence is to make sure you get a loan pre-approval letter before you start your actual hunt for the perfect condo. This letter will not only give you a better idea of the amount of money you have to work with, but it will also give you heightened credibility.

Once you have found your dream condo be sure to take in all this spectacular city has to offer! New York City is one of the brilliant metropolises of the world; it represents one of the world’s centers for fashion, business, shopping and culture. The Big Apple has great things to offer you and your family.

There are many activities and events that are children-centered and family friendly. New York City’s Coney Island is home to Astroland Amusement Park, which contains the New York City Landmark Cyclone Rollercoaster. There are also children’s museums available including the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Also, you can visit NewYorkKids.net to find an enormous list of NYC family activities, shows, museums, tours, shopping, beaches, sports and attractions.

For sports fans there is never a dull moment in NYC! The city’s teams include the Yankees (MLB), Mets (MLB), Liberty (WNBA), Knicks (NBA), Rangers (NHL), Islanders (NHL), Giants (NFL), Jets (NFL) and the Magic and Metrostars soccer teams. Make sure to take advantage of all these sports offerings, pick your favorite teams and enjoy all the excitement they provide.

New York City is also home to the 843 acre refuge of Central Park. This luxurious oasis located directly in the heart of the bustling city provides 25 million annual visitors with a place to relax and enjoy some recreation. Activities in the Park include horse-drawn carriage rides, rock climbing walls, Tai Chi, Yoga, Music in the Park, basketball, tennis, chess, cross-country skiing, ice skating, lawn sports, swimming, birding, fishing, soccer and football.

The city also holds the annual ING New York City Marathon. In 2000, the race accommodated over 30,000 athletes from all around the world, representing more than 100 countries! The marathon travels through the five boroughs of NYC and ends in Central Park.

Another great thing about NYC is that there is always a cultural activity or event happening. Whether you want to visit one of their world-renown art museums, catch a Broadway musical or visit the exquisite Metropolitan Opera, your weekends can always be filled with entertaining, enriching events.

As you look for the perfect condo for you and your family make sure to pay particular attention to location. Find a residence that is centrally located so you can experience the excitement of living in the heart of one of the world’s most renowned cities.