Road Trippin' With The Terrible Two's

Many parents cannot imagine a scarier thought than going on a long road trip with their 2 or 3-year-olds. Even a short trip seems overly daunting for many of the parents we have met. At a recent meeting of the Albuquerque Twins Club, we spoke with a father who was frightened to take his twins on a mere four-hour drive to see their grandparents!Since when did parents become scared of their own children? This is America after all, the country founded by settlers who bore their children in wagons across wild lands that had never been graced by a McDonald's Play Place.When Jesus was a little one, an angel of the Lord told Joseph to take his family to Egypt because King Herod would come to kill the child if they stayed in Bethlehem. If this had taken place in 2006, I wonder if Joseph might have replied, "travel to Egypt with my kid? I'll take my chances with Herod!"But I say to you, Fear Not! Traveling with the Terrible Two's is certainly different, but it doesn't have to be hard, and certainly should not be scary. Two weeks ago, my wife Alison and I made the 12-hour drive from Albuquerque to Wichita with our 2-year-old twins, and the same 12-hour drive back three days later. You know what? It went pretty smoothly. And now I'm going to share our secrets with you:WHEN TO LEAVEFor a short trip, 4 hours or less, consider heading out around your child's bedtime. After a long hard day of playing, the car will put them to sleep in no time. When you arrive at your destination, just carry your little sleeper to their bed, and voila.For a moderate-sized trip of 4 to 8 hours, you can buy yourself a little time by heading out around naptime. Some children, but not all, will take a nice long nap in a moving vehicle with a stomach full from lunch.For a long trip of 8 hours or more (like our trip to Wichita), it is important to get an early start on the day. Get yourselves ready before the break of dawn, and quietly transport your sleeping child to their car seat, pajamas and all. The darkness outside will help them stay or go back to sleep, and provides a nice way for them to ease into the excitement of being in the car.HOW LONG IT WILL TAKEAs a general rule, add an extra 1/2 hour to every 2-3 hours of expected driving time to account for the run & play breaks your child will need to fight off the boredom and captivity of being in the car seat for extended periods of time.WHAT TO TAKE1. Inexpensive new toys that the kids have never seen before - Little men or dinosaurs in tubes that they can play with or just take in and out - Crayons and new coloring book or lined notebook - Small magnadoodle is always a favorite - Hot Wheels, My Little Pony, action figures - Put some small toys from home in a little backpack or resealable bag so that they can take them in and out again and again2. DVD Player or Laptop - Probably not needed for a trip less than 3 hours long, but it can still gain you some quiet time on those short trips. We all want our kids to enjoy the scenery and learn about the areas we are driving through, but that is not very realistic for a toddler. Some kids will sit happily for hours but most need something to keep their mind off the fact that they are strapped in their seat and have no idea when they will be able to escape. - Favorite movies for our girls include: Signing Time videos, Muzzy, My Baby Can Read, and many of the animal-based Disney movies.3. Snacks - This is very important. Do not worry too much about nutrition but do try to get some healthy food in them. It is not a myth that some children will get sick if they eat a lot of junk food and, even though they will probably only throw up once, it is not something you want to deal with. I have always found traveling to be hunger inducing and in my experience traveling with kids, it has the same effect on them. We bring along their favorites like organic cereal bars, Gerber fruit snacks, oranges, and letter cookies but we also bring some special (unhealthy) treats to get doled out once or twice a day like button candy. Make every effort to have a large supply of food they like on hand - Drinks. A sippie of water is good because as long as it does not get dirty, you can use it for a couple of days. If your kids will not drink water, bring along a case of 100% juice boxes. Milk boxes also travel well. Sometimes just having a special bottle they like will help them stay hydrated. For example, our girls love their child-size water bottles with the sport tops just like the ones mommy and daddy use.4. Books - Books can keep kids occupied for a good while. We always put away some of their favorite books a couple weeks before a trip so that they are excited to see them again when we bring them out in the car. If they have a new obsession, you can also get some inexpensive books relating to that for the drive.5. Taby Tray or other Lap Desk - If you take a trip over 3 hours in length, this is something you will not regret investing in. It gives the kids a surface to play on so that they can keep themselves occupied while you try to drive.6. Children's Music CDs7. Cleanup Supplies - plastic bags for dirty diapers or clothes - baby wipes and Purell for cleaning hands and faces after playing outside or eating - paper towels for accidents8. A Camera - Even if you don't think you will be going anywhere photo-worthy, take this just in case. You never know when your little ones are going to experience something you wish you had captured on film.HOW TO HANDLE SLEEPTake all the items you normally use for the nap & bedtime routines such as cds, pajamas, special blankets, special small toys, books to read, etc. Try to keep the routines as close as possible to how they are at home, even though you're on the road. This is very important for helping your child realize that it really is time to sleep.Also important is to put up a sheet between the passenger and driver seats so that your kids cannot see you. If they can see you, that is often enough by itself to keep them from falling asleep. For some strange reason, they find us entertaining.HOW TO DRIVEDole out the toys very slowly with other activities mixed in like cds, singing, rest stops, or dvds. You should not be out of toys when you are only a few hours into the drive.Pull over every 2-3 hours to allow the kids to run. A rest stop is good for this, or you can combine the break with a meal by searching out a McDonald's or Burger King with a Play Place (you will never find us at one of those establishments at home, but they are a blessing out on the road). Feed yourself while the kids play and then feed them in the car on their taby trays to buy yourself peaceful time on the road.And finally, expect to spend some small part of the trip sitting in the back seat with the kiddos. If you prefer to sit in the front, do not give in to going back there too easily or else your children will learn to expect it. They are old enough to entertain themselves for reasonable stretches of time with only minimal help from you, but you should still go back if you feel they have finally had more than they can handle and need some comforting to get them back on track.CONCLUSIONParents of small children should not feel as though they have been inextricably chained to their house. Traveling with small children is complicated, but it doesn't have to be difficult. And the earlier you get them used to the road, the easier it will be as they progress to the older stages of childhood. Enjoy your travels, and BE NOT AFRAID!-------------------------------Copyright, Paul Martin, Noss Galen Baby LLC 2006Paul and Alison Martin are the owners of Noss Galen Baby LLC, a small online business dedicated to offering innovative, hard-to-find products for babies and toddlers at affordable prices.To subscribe or to see previous issues of Paul's "Live and Learn" newsletter, please visit http://www.NossGalenBaby.com/newsletter.html.

Small Business Marketing: Are We There Yet?

Small business marketing is not like taking a family vacation.Did anybody take a family vacation this summer? Do you have children of your own, or do you remember what it was like when you were a kid taking a trip somewhere?I can still remember the family vacations as a youngster growing up. Our famous treks across America in the family station wagon or the rented RV, when the station wagon became impractical. Now with my own family we've taken some similar but generally smaller scale trips.It seems like one of the most asked questions from a child - "Are we there yet?" Or the other favorite is, "How much longer?" Even families that fly to their vacation destination I'm sure can relate.What does this have to do with marketing?I think sometimes (maybe many times) service business owners can become like that child in regards to their marketing. Are we there yet? How much longer?You work on a web site, or a brochure, or go to networking events and send out letters. Then you wonder when you're going to start getting results. When does the fun start? You know, the fun -- when prospects start calling and others refer and send business your way.And much like the family vacation, continual asking of are we there yet or how much longer often leads to unplanned stops or detours. You stop to work on other things because there is so much to do and it's sometimes hard to see how this marketing is going to work.Marketing shouldn't start and stop.Most people say they understand, even if their actions say differently, that marketing is an ongoing activity. Marketing isn't like a vacation where you have a final destination and then you stop traveling because you're there.Unfortunately, many small businesses get frustrated or burned out when they work on their marketing. They want to know, "how long this is going to take". Are we there yet?And far too many times, they abandon their marketing "campaign" because it wasn't getting them results and taking them where they wanted to go. But even worse than that, many times the "are we there yet" mentality didn't even let them finish planning or put the idea into action.Eventually they start planning, or maybe just take off on, another marketing trip. Once again, they start wondering how much longer it will be. Are we there yet?Marketing needs to be an ongoing, lifelong kind of journey for your business. It takes regular and consistent effort to keep your pipeline full of good, high-quality leads and to keep moving your prospects forward until they become paying clients. That means continuously marketing even when you have clients you're busy working with.Keep Moving On.The question "are we there yet?" needs to become "how do we keep going?" Yes, you do need to monitor results so you can assess how well things are working to get you where you want to go. When your measurements show you that something is working, keep doing it. In fact, do more of it.But you can also keep striving to reach new heights as well. How can you continuously improve even the things that are working to get even better, more consistent results?If you continue to ask the question, "Are we there yet?" you might just stall out on your journey. You see, eventually you'll discover some marketing strategies that will start to attract attention and generate the response you've been hoping for. It might seem like in fact, "you are there" and so you put the marketing on cruise control.How to keep moving forward.When you find yourself asking this most asked question, consider any or all of the following ideas to keep you continuously moving forward.Study up on marketing. There is no shortage of resources out there. You need to find them and begin consuming them. There are lots of books available on the subject. Look for the ones that offer proven, hands-on strategies and tactics. Remember, one or two good ideas now and then could make a significant difference to your business.Form or join a "think tank" or mastermind group. Find a group of people who care just as much about your success as you do, just as you'll care about their success. This is not a group of friends who will simply stroke your ego. Look for an honest group who will ask the tough questions and demand accountability from each other while supporting each others' efforts.Attend talks and workshops. If you go and participate fully, you'll often get just as much from the other participants as you will from the session itself.Get hands-on assistance. Working with a coach or marketing consultant who can help you focus, set goals, prioritize, create action plans and help hold you accountable could be an invaluable experience for your business.Support from outside resources like this can help you shift from a mindset of "are we there yet" to a mindset of "how can we keep going." They'll help you continue to see possibilities beyond where things currently stand in your business.(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing

Top 10 Tips For European Tours

If you're traveling to Europe with a European tours company, there are a few tips you should know. European tours are highly recommended, as every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed for you; all you have to do is show up and enjoy the trip. A European tours company will not only guide you every step of the way, but also give you free time to explore sites on your own-a true win-win situation.1. Pack with a plan - Know what to expect in terms of climate, and pack as lightly as possible. Wear outfits more than once to cut back on how many clothes you bring, and don't get carried away with additional items (i.e. books, electronics, toys, etc.).2. Be a selective shopper - It's easy to get carried away with shopping, especially on European tours where you visit multiple cities in one trip; however, keep in mind that whatever you purchase will have to come with you on the flight back home.3. Wear a 'fanny pack' - Although you may feel somewhat foolish sporting a fanny pack, it's a great way to keep your hands free and your belongings (i.e. wallet, water bottle and keys) safe throughout your European tours.4. Understand the culture & the language - Once you know the places you'll be visiting on your European tours trip, do your homework: Study the history, culture and language of each city/country. You'll have a better grasp of the people and a good point of reference.5. Diets and traveling don't mix - When you're on a European tours trip, all diets are off. This is a time not only to splurge and live a little, but also to experience cultural dishes and flavors from various regions. We're not telling you to fall off the wagon completely, but don't obsess about counting calories.6. Learn the secrets - Most European tours will allow you a free day here and there to do whatever you please. Ask around and discover the secrets of the land. From bakeries to hidden wine cellars, you'll enjoy uncovering undisclosed places.7. Treat jet lag early on - Let's face it: You will most likely feel fatigued once you've arrived at your European destination. The best thing you can do for jet lag is to address it immediately. Once you arrive, remain awake until an early local bedtime. (If you think you'll need a little assistance, ask your physician before your European tours trip for a sleep aid.)8. Don't drink too much - You might gasp when you read this, but try not to overindulge when it comes to alcohol. Not only will you have a hangover the following day, which can spoil a good time, but you might also run the risk of other not-so-pleasant things (i.e. blacking out, forgetting how to get back to your hotel and getting robbed). It's okay to enjoy the culture's signature libations, but moderation is key.9. Beware of tourist scams - Don't be too skeptical of strangers on your European tours trip, but be smart about your transactions. Research popular tourist scams, and think twice before buying ANYTHING!10. Know your budget beforehand - Figure out your budget before your European tours trip and stick with it. When you're in Europe, you'll see how easy it is to get carried away with spending. If you know your budget up front, you're less likely to blow it.

Now that you're armed with travel tips, you can simply relax and have fun. European tours are outstanding ways to explore Europe and its splendor

Brendan Davidson, a freelance writer, goes on at least two European tours annually. "Traveling to Europe with a group of strangers is what I live for-I love exploring new territory and experiencing all sorts of adventures!" he says

Ford Econoline Van: In Production Since 1961

The rest of the world knows this line of vehicles from the Ford Motor Company as the Ford Econoline Van or the Ford E series. However, if you travel to the Philippines, you would then know that in this region and area, the Ford Econoline Van is marketed and known as the Ford Chateau Wagon. Take a closer look though and you would notice that the Ford Chateau Wagon is just a similar vehicle but has its differences with the Ford Econoline Van.1961 was the year that the production of the Ford Econoline Van started. It was manufactured to be a full size van and it was mounted and crafted using the FR VN platform. Competition for this van includes the Chevrolet Express, the GMC Savana, the Dodge Sprinter, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, and the Freightliner Sprinter. This line of full size vans were made for both cargo and passenger transportation. Looking at Ford's line up for vehicles, the Ford Econoline Van and the whole Ford E series is very much related to the company's F series which is a line of pick up trucks.The Ford Econoline Van is already on its fourth generation of versions for this vehicle. The first generation was known for it became a success for utility companies that included the Bell Telephone System. It was then a cargo van and could take in eight passengers inside. As per the second generation of Ford Econoline Vans, the engine was now moved from the rear up to the front. In 1975, the third generation came about. It held more ergonomic controls as well as a full frame design. Come 1983, the logo of Ford that was a blue oval was now integrated into the front grille of the van. The fourth generation came in 1992 and this was a redesigned version. This time around, the Ford Econoline Van came with a vast choice of engines for patrons' various preferences and needs.Ford Parts and Ford Auto PartsFord Econoline Van parts and Ford accessories.----------Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Upholding Volvo Standards

A full-size station wagon, the Volvo V70 of the Volvo Car Group is originally a development of the 850 station wagon and sedan series. A trivia for this car company is that it has a naming strategy that completely depends on the vehicles' size and body style. The car manufacturer, Volvo, in the station wagon segment adopted V (which means Versatility), S (which stands for Sedan), and C (which refers to the new Coupe and Convertible). The Volvo V70 upholds the Volvo body style which means artless riffs on the right angle, bearing utility and beauty all in one vehicle. This vehicle has a styling that is restrained and elegant yet at the same time crisp and uplifting. It has been made available with different packages. One of these is the sport leather package that offers fine-grained hides on the steering wheel and gear-selector boot. The security package, meanwhile, features all-important mass movement and level sensors, security laminated windows, and an air-quality system. Also, the cold weather package did not fail to offer traction and stability control, heated seats, and head lamp washers and wipers. As an addition, options also included a Dolby Pro Logic in-dash four-CD audio system along with nine speakers. This audio system also comes with an astounding clarity and stereo imaging. In its interior, the Volvo V70 holds 60/40 split rear seats that are easy to use, and also provides an impressive 71.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. The rear seats also sport two seatback-angle settings that are in a fully upright position for increased cargo space. As per safety, which is one of Volvo's main values that should not be excluded in the manufacture of their vehicles, the Volvo V70 has dual stage airbags, whiplash protection seats and ISOFIX attachment points for rear child safety seats. The ISOFIX hooks guarantee that the child buckets do not move up the side windows in case of accidents. Overall, the Volvo V70 exudes an aura of civility, responsibility and parental role modeling. It also provides the driver a feel of traveling faster. Also, this vehicle had options laid out in reference to its engines. There is the 2.4 liter engine; the 2.4 T engine that could produce 197 horsepower, and the 2.4 T engine XC with an all wheel drive. The five-cylinder engine is able to provide a smooth performance along with a nice power from its torque production. Volvo definitely considered comfort in the construction of the Volvo V70. The seats have been specially designed so as to provide a maximum level of support and comfort. Climate control is found on most of the models in the line up, along with high technology audio equipment with Dolby pro logic and subwoofers made available. The leather seats have become standard along with extra soft luxury leather seats as well. Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts has a product line up for Volvo V70 parts that includes accessories, brakes, cooling system parts, suspension, steering, fuel injection parts, and more.

A Family MPV That Is Practical And Stylish

At last we have a practical family MPV that serves its purpose as a practical family car... and that doesn't look like a big unattractive space wagon like many of its competitors in the market!So many 'family MPVs' are designed to accommodate growing families - which is what they should do. But in the attempt to offer as much space as physically possible the exterior often looks like a bulky space wagon - which doesn't exactly make it aesthetically pleasing. Many families then find themselves having to sacrifice looks to buy something that offers them 'space' and practicality.Combining stylish looks with family-practicality in a family MPV seems to be unheard of so far. You usually have to decide between a chunky wagon or a generic 7-seater - which all basically look the same. The C4 Picasso offers something new...Citroen have finally designed something that satisfies all your families' needs! The C4 Picasso is surprisingly attractive with its sleek, curvaceous lines and (almost) never-ending windscreen which gives you great all-round visibility. It is definitely one of the more advanced MPVs on the market. The interior is comfortable too - which is often a high priority on your 'must-do' list when searching for a family-friendly vehicle. Many other MPVs sacrifice the quality of the interior fixtures and fittings to focus solely on space. The new C4 Picasso will provide you with plenty of space, so you and your family can travel in comfort and the fixtures and fittings are pleasantly good too. The interior has lots of compartments for you to store all your personal bits and the boot is spacious enough to cater for your busy weekends and weekly shopping trips. The third row of seats also fold down so you can maximise your boot space. There are two petrol and two diesel engines to choose from which promise to deliver 'low-ish' carbon emissions and a good fuel economy. The C4 Picasso has also achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating which compared to other MPVs is impressive and allows you to relax in the knowledge that you and your family are travelling in a safe cabin. The C4 Picasso has sold extremely well since its introduction to the market which is testament to its innovative design and family practicality. So, finally you don't have to compromise on looks to accommodate your family's needs - you can buy a Citroen MPV that is stylish and practical.



Tony Hill is an online marketer and researcher who is currently researching new Citroen cars

Donner Party Cookbook: A Guide to Survival on the Hastings Cutoff

January 8 2004--You probably know something about The Donner Party, the wagon train that became snowbound in the mountains on the way to California? You know.... when the food ran out, they resorted to eating their dearly departed?The tale of the 1846-1847 Donner Party is one of those fascinating episodes of American history where there is a wealth of awareness but not much knowledge. And our awareness is likely to be exclusively about the cannibalism.Terry Del Bene, Ph.D. an archeologists and historian, tells us much more in his history of the ill-fated train and its people. In his book we learn that the wagon train was made up of a group of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, mostly of their own making.From its inception in what is now Wyoming, on July 20, 1846, the leaders of the Donner Party made fateful decisions that doomed the wagon train from successfully completing its journey to California. An early winter in the high Serria-Nevada Mountains and record snowfalls isolated the Donner Party just short of making it through the pass. By the time of their rescue in the spring, more than half of the people were dead and those who were alive survived by consuming the frozen flesh of their traveling companions.But, this is more than a history of this unfortunate episode in American history, the author lightens the mood with many delicious recipes that the westward travelers used before the food ran out. The book contains dozens of recipes, which are authentic to the mid-nineteenth century. There are instructions as to how to cook outdoors, in the cold, in the wind, at high altitudes and even how to use buffalo chips for fuel. Recipes include such mid-nineteenth century favorites as buffalo tongue, brain stew, gruel, lumpy dicks, journey cakes and various soups, breads, cakes, and puddings.The author admits that the book contains an element of dark humor, but at the same time he hopes to presents the human side of this compelling tale of survival. The mix between dark humor, well research history and interesting recipes and tid-bits concerning nineteenth-century cooking makes this book and extremely enjoyable read.

Outdoor Activities For Kids - Wooden Swing Sets Are a Great Option

When the warm weather hits you're children will want to escape to the great outdoors. However, sometimes it can be a challenge to keep them entertained and happy during the long summer days. Kids get bored pretty easily, but the following wide range of activities, including wooden swing sets, will keep them occupied for many days to come.Wooden swing sets are one of the best summer play toys on the market. They have so many fun activities included on them and there are a wide variety of games kids can play on them when they use their imagination. If your kids are into action sports and adventure, you can purchase wooden swing sets that have rock climbing walls or mountain climbing walls on them. If your children like to pretend they are pirates or ship captains, then you can purchase accessories like steering wheels, telescopes, and periscopes to attach to the wooden swing sets. Your little ones will have a blast with these great accessories. Sandboxes are also another great feature some units have. If your son or daughter loves slides some units have enough room for two, a wave slide and a tube slide. Wooden Swing Sets are sure to provide lots of all day fun!Another great option to keep your kids occupied outside are Radio Flyer Wagons. These classic bright red toys have been loved for many generations and your child will love having one of their own. They can pile up their dolls and stuffed animals in them and pull them around the driveway. If they have friends over, they can take turns pulling each other around in their Radio Flyer Wagons. Mom and dad can also have fun with them by pulling them around or taking them for a walk in their Radio Flyer Wagons. With a little imagination, Radio Flyer Wagons can be turned into racecars or traveling lemonade stands in the neighborhood. This is a great toy and it's iconic status makes it something every kid should own.Another fun option for summer fun is tricycles. These fun bikes are great for younger kids who don't have that great of balance but want to ride around like the big kids. With its' three wheel design, tricycles are safe for younger ones. Some even have seatbelts to ensure kids don't fall off of them! Others have optional pole handles that can go in the back so mom or dad can push their child around on their tricycles while making it seem like the kids are riding all on their own. The optional bells and horns that can be purchased and added onto the tricycles make the bikes a blast for kids to cruise around on.Another fun activity is driveway chalk. Kids will love writing out their names or drawing artistic masterpieces all over the sidewalk. They can also play games like tic tac toe, snail, or hop scotch. They could even draw a circular track with lanes and ride their tricycles or Radio Flyer Wagons around the pavement in circles like race car drivers. The possibilities for fun in June, July, and August are endless with just a few play pieces and a lot of imagination.

Jennifer Boris is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Wooden Swing Sets, visit Best Price Toys.

Suzuki XL-7 SUV 2005: The Weekly Driver Review

Traveling east from Sacramento on either Interstate 80 or 50, the capital of California extends into ever-expanding suburbs. Sierra Nevada foothill communities soon follow and then respectively the well-known gambling and recreation meccas of Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe, Calif.Busier freeways exist, but both Northern California thoroughfares have their share of hectic commuter traffic and every other conceivable transportation concern.Both freeways therefore provide perfect arenas for vehicle testing, particularly the consistent, steady ascents into the foothills and toward ski resort elevations. There's nothing too steep, but the steady grades can abruptly help showcase a vehicle's power strengths or weaknesses.In my recent test drive of the 2005 Suzuki XL-7, the new midsize SUV offered by the Japanese manufacturer, the latter applied.The XL-7 has its share of attractive features, including a good price point and plenty of impressive standard features. But acceleration and overall engine performance is not the vehicle's strong suit.On out-of-town journeys on both Interstate 50 and 80, the XL-7 was noticeable sluggish on the steady climbs out of the flatlands. The XL-7 has a 5-speed automatic transmission and 2.7-liter, 24-valve, 185-horsepower, V6 engine. Yet, even on solo treks into moderat elevation locales, in highway passing situations, or in other needed acceleration scenarios, a foot-to-the-floor effort was required.The XL-7, however, should not be dismissed It's been introduced as an extended version of Suzuki's compact Grand Vitara, with a 2.9-inch longer wheelbase, 22.9 inches of added length and the aforementioned larger engine.Nearly a dozen model options are available, from base model, 2WD, LX-4-door wagon with manual transmission ($19,499) to the 4-WD EX wagon with automatic transmission and third-row seat ($26,899). My test vehicle was the 4-WD EX-wagon with automatic transmission. With standard features including heated front seats, leather front and rear seats, 6-disc CD and AM/FM audio system with seven speakers, 16-alloy wheels, power-tilted sun and moonroof and Suzuki's 7-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the $26,394.00 price point is appealing.So, too, are the XL-7's controls and materials, and the vehicle's cargo space is generous, if not less-than simply designed and orchestrated via confusing levers.Like other Suzuki models, the XL 7's instrumentation is simple and nicely designed. Large control dials offer ease of use and the console materials are attractive, even the faux wood trim. Likewise, Suzuki has some innovative ideas for storage cubicles and the cargo areas for groceries, sports equipment and the like is on par with the available other vehicles in its category. Seating is comfortable, and from driver's perspective vision is good and without blind spots.As a 4-WD drive vehicle, Suzuki offers a push-button, part-time system. It's convenient and has a low-gear ratio. Unlike other manufacturers, however, the Suzuki 4-WD option should not be left engaged in dry pavement.The XL-7 is Suzuki's offering against the Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy and Toyota Highlander. All are higher priced and have established niches in the resale market. The Suzuki doesn't have any history yet. The XL-7 doesn't get high marks in ride quality, and it certainly isn't quiet on the road, either. The manufacturer claims 17 mpg gallon in city driving, but the Consumer Guide testers documented a city average between 13.6 and 15.4 mpg.There's nothing wrong with a manufacturer having pride its brand name, either. But the "S" insignia on the front grill is particularly large, and it can't help remind one of the Superman "S." In short, it's just too large.Beyond cosmetics, however, the XL-7 has offer a good supply of standard features for its price. But it's not the best choice in its class and won't be until it at least gets more horsepower.Safety features Driver and front-seat passenger front and side airbags, Antilock brakes; 24-hour roadside assistance.Fuel Mileage (manufacturer estimates) 17 mpg (city), 22 mpg (highway).Warranty Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles.Base price range $19,499-26,899.James Raia is journalist, author and publisher in Sacramento, Calif. To read more car reviews or other examples of his work, visit his web site: ByJamesRaia.com

Radio Flyer - Awards And Achievements

At the beginning of the twentieth century, a young Italian boy named Antonio Pasin dreamed of a better life for himself in America. His family supported his dreams, selling their meager belongings to finance the trip. Antonio Pasin left his parents and friends behind at the young age of sixteen and traveled to Chicago. Pasin came from a line of skilled carpenters and hoped to find work as a cabinet-maker. Instead, the teenager worked many different odd jobs until he finally saved the money for his own workshop and wood-working equipment.In this little one room shop, Antonio Pasin began building his American dream, working day and night handcrafting wagons out of wood. Pasin first called his business the Liberty Coaster Company. Over the next few years, Pasin began using the same technology as car manufactures, producing mass quantities of high quality steel wagons. He called his manufacturing company Radio Steel, but coined his little red wagon the Radio Flyer, which would eventually become the company name.Radio Flyer has been producing the world's favorite wheeled toys for over eighty-five years. They have achieved great customer loyalty and became a household name. Radio Flyer and their products have been noted for their high standards, quality products, and their dedication with numerous awards.The 1933 World's Fair, held in the company's hometown of Chicago, was Radio Flyer's first boost of public recognition. The Radio Flyer exhibit featured the forty-five foot Coaster Boy and was one of the most popular attractions. The company saw great success with the sale of their collectible miniature wagons at the fair, leading to a rise in sales across the rest of their product line. During World War II, Radio Flyer ceased production of their toys to manufacture materials needed by the military. An Army-Navy "E" award was presented to the company on July 14, 1945 to recognize their efforts in assisting with the war. After the war, Radio Flyer resumed production of their toy lines, experiencing even more customer loyalty and satisfaction. Through the years, many of Radio Flyer's products have been named with special awards for their quality and popularity.Radio Flyer wagons and tricycles have been named the world's best selling toys time and time again. Their products have won numerous awards from prestigious agencies including Parent's Choice, The Great American Toy Test, Dr. Toy, and Parent's Guide to Children's Media. Many Radio Flyer toys have also been given the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval. To celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Radio Flyer, the company produced it's record breaking World's Largest Wagon. The one of a kind big red wagon weighs 15,000 pounds and measures a huge 27 feet long and 13 feet across.Antonio Pasin and Radio Flyer toys have influenced the minds and changed the lives of children everywhere for almost a century. In 2003 Pasin was commended for his innovative ideas with the ultimate award. The Toy Industry Hall of Fame inducted Pasin as it's 44th toy inventor, honoring the imaginative spirit that has driven Radio Flyer to where they are today.

Jobs on the Road For the Vagabonds

In order to sustain and maintain traveling accessories and equipment, the vagabond with a small or even non existing bank account, may sometimes find themselves stopping over to earn payment for services.The form and amount of payment may depend on the specific job, but as long as the vagabond can attain enough resources to continue trekking, any job will do.Because of their non materialistic and efficient lifestyle, most vagabonds won't usually need to find a source of income.But in times of hardship and when resources get scarce (like worn out shoes), money can always be obtained to provide for whatever a traveler may need.More elaborate vagabonds usually have higher traveling cost to maintain and provide fuel for RVs, trailers, wagons, campers, towing vehicles, and other expenses attached to motorised traveling.The vagabonds with larger wagons, typically travel in groups, some having family members sharing one RV, or a caravan of many RVs of other nomads, gypsies, wanderers, drifters, and tramps.Opportunities for the Vagabond Below is a list of various fields of work that a traveler can look for, all depending on how long the traveler is willing to stay in one area, there is always work to be found anywhere your wheels or feet take you.Seasonal jobs sites: Jobs are available everywhere you go. Farms (crop pickers, equipment operators, animals to tend),Amusement Parks (maintenance, sales, promotions, services), Cruise Ships (cooking, hosting, housekeeping, travel guide), Outdoorsman Camp (fishing, hunting, guides), Training Centers (teaching, organising), Construction Sites (skilled trades, labour), Tradeshows (sales, promotions, bartering, great place to sale stuff), Tourist Sites, Campgrounds (office work, reservations, sales, grounds maintenance, handy-person, housekeeping, running social activities),Property Owners (house sitting, gardening, pet sitting, landscaping), Tax Centers (having ability to do tax returns. Get trained and go to work remotely or at a local tax form preparation office.)Skill-Specific Work: A skilled worker is any worker who has some special skill, knowledge, or (usually acquired) ability in his work. A skilled worker may have attended a college, university or technical school. Or, a skilled worker may have learned his skills on the job. Skilled Labour (equipment operator, carpenter, mason, electrician, plumber, painter, etc.), Consulting (providing specialist advice to other people who work in the same field) Teaching, Personal Care, Property ManagementWagon based work: It is just like a home based job, however with today's communication technology, a vagabond can work out of his RV.Some mobile communications gadgets are required, for example mobile phone and fax machine, laptop, portable printer and scanner, etc... Publishing, Sales, MarketingVagabond Jobs DescriptionsRecreational Activities Worker: Plan, organize, and direct activities in local playgrounds and recreation areas, parks, community centers, religious organizations, camp sites, theme parks, and tourist attractions.Performers, Event Planners, Sports Coordinators, Fishermen and Hunters, etc...Property Caretaker: Property Care for financial compensation, and sometimes in exchange for rent-free living accommodations.Ranch Sitters, Bed & Breakfast and Inn Sitters, Property Managers, Estate Managers, Hosts, Mechanics, Electricians, Cooks, Landscapers, Farmers and Gardeners, House Sitters, etc... Personal Caregiver: Someone with health care skills, who is employed to care for another person or pets, can look for jobs like.Pet Walkers, Teachers, Pet Groomers, Caterers, House Cleaners, Nurses, Hair Stylist, etc...Mystery Shopper: Mystery shopping or Mystery Consumer is a tool used by market research companies to measure quality of retail service or gather specific information about products and services.Mystery shoppers posing as normal customers perform specific tasks-such as purchasing a product, asking questions, registering complaints or behaving in a certain way - and then provide detailed reports or feedback about their experiencesTravel Guide/Agent: Provide travel related services for weary travelers such guides, tours, and travel arrangements. Travel agent, Host, Tour Guide, etc...Publisher/Writer/Producer: Making information available for public view and getting paid for it can be a vagabond's source of income.Using the internet to publish blogs, tips, articles, stories, even novels could be a rewarding way of getting money for the traveler, since there is no need to stop over.Online Entrepreneur: Every day more and more entrepreneurs are building successful businesses using the internet. There is an abundance of opportunity online and depending on the venture; there is often less cost and risk involved when compared with traditional businesses.Traditional Business: Small business can be operated out of an RV, such as selling a product or service in return for money or other means of compensation.Paid Online Surveys: You can earn money just for sharing your opinion; it's a fun and easy way to make some money help for some travel expenses.Sign up on the following websites to start some surveys that pay now. http://www.SurveySavvy.com

Dan 'The Gypsy Dad' Sauve
For more resources on traveling the vagabond way, visit http://www.TheModernVagabond.com
Join Vagabonds Social Network to share your pictures, story, video, or just chat with more Vagabonds.

Radio Flyer Goes Off-road

Radio Flyer Wagons such as the Radio Flyer ATW Wagon have been a part of American childhood since the early 1900's. These strong, sturdy steel wagons have carried generations of tired children and been the center of millions of play groups. Radio Flyer wagons have fostered imagination in the minds of so many children, they are now the number one selling brand of toy wagons in the world.Each Radio Flyer wagon is made to last. With seamless steel construction and numerous safety features, these toys usually outlast the child and become family treasures. The Radio Flyer company's commitment to enhancing young minds through innovative play products has driven them to keep their toys up to date, continually changing with the demands of the time.Near the close of the twentieth century, Radio Flyer improved their signature wagons by steering away from the usual sidewalks and driveways. Powerful air-filled tires allow Radio Flyer ATW wagons to go anywhere. Across the mud, over leaves and brush, and wherever the path may lead, Radio Flyer ATWs (All-Terrain Wagons) keep up with today's busy child.Like all Radio Flyer products, the ATW is engineered to meet the highest of standards in safety specifications. Using Radio Flyer's exclusive controlled turning radius, the ATW can brave the toughest backyard terrains and never spill a load. Radio Flyer All Terrain Wagons are multifunctional as both toys and utility wagons. The ATW is available in three different styles to meet many purposes.The Big Red Classic ATW is a monster version of the signature Radio Flyer little red wagon. With fifty percent deeper carrying capacity and extra high steel sides, this ATW provides usability as well as tons of fun. The Big Red Classic ATW is large enough to carry two children and sturdy and rugged enough to go through the backyard with a load of firewood. Radio Flyer's second design in their ATW line is the ATW Cargo Wagon. Over three feet long, this wagon is made of fine quality finished wood. It features removable bright red sides for extra versatility, making it the perfect ATW for wide loads of flowers or small shrubbery. The large, comfortable body ensures hours of outdoor adventure.The ATW Steel & Wood Wagon takes the classic Radio Flyer little red wagon and adds high wooden stake sides and big air-filled all terrain tires for the ultimate in fun and adventure. With the extra-long handle, this ATW will effortlessly pull two with plenty of space for other belongings. It is ideal for nature walks or along the beach.Radio Flyer ATWs can travel almost anywhere. The line of wagon accessories will guarantee a comfortable ride no matter how bumpy and rough the path may become. Radio Flyer wagon pads are made of soft foam cushioning and feature an easy to clean cover. The pads are available for the sides as well as the bottom of the wagon for complete safety and comfort.The award winning all terrain wagons from Radio Flyer have taken the classic wagon to new and exciting places. Every ride in a Radio Flyer wagon creates a new adventure. With the Radio Flyer ATW, the adventures are endless.

Radio Flyer Goes Off Road

Radio Flyer Wagons such as the Radio Flyer ATW Wagon have been a part of American childhood since the early 1900's. These strong, sturdy steel wagons have carried generations of tired children and been the center of millions of play groups. Radio Flyer wagons have fostered imagination in the minds of so many children, they are now the number one selling brand of toy wagons in the world.Each Radio Flyer wagon is made to last. With seamless steel construction and numerous safety features, these toys usually outlast the child and become family treasures. The Radio Flyer company's commitment to enhancing young minds through innovative play products has driven them to keep their toys up to date, continually changing with the demands of the time.Near the close of the twentieth century, Radio Flyer improved their signature wagons by steering away from the usual sidewalks and driveways. Powerful air-filled tires allow Radio Flyer ATW wagons to go anywhere. Across the mud, over leaves and brush, and wherever the path may lead, Radio Flyer ATWs (All-Terrain Wagons) keep up with today's busy child.Like all Radio Flyer products, the ATW is engineered to meet the highest of standards in safety specifications. Using Radio Flyer's exclusive controlled turning radius, the ATW can brave the toughest backyard terrains and never spill a load. Radio Flyer All Terrain Wagons are multifunctional as both toys and utility wagons. The ATW is available in three different styles to meet many purposes.The Big Red Classic ATW is a monster version of the signature Radio Flyer little red wagon. With fifty percent deeper carrying capacity and extra high steel sides, this ATW provides usability as well as tons of fun. The Big Red Classic ATW is large enough to carry two children and sturdy and rugged enough to go through the backyard with a load of firewood.Radio Flyer's second design in their ATW line is the ATW Cargo Wagon. Over three feet long, this wagon is made of fine quality finished wood. It features removable bright red sides for extra versatility, making it the perfect ATW for wide loads of flowers or small shrubbery. The large, comfortable body ensures hours of outdoor adventure.The ATW Steel & Wood Wagon takes the classic Radio Flyer little red wagon and adds high wooden stake sides and big air-filled all terrain tires for the ultimate in fun and adventure. With the extra-long handle, this ATW will effortlessly pull two with plenty of space for other belongings. It is ideal for nature walks or along the beach.Radio Flyer ATWs can travel almost anywhere. The line of wagon accessories will guarantee a comfortable ride no matter how bumpy and rough the path may become. Radio Flyer wagon pads are made of soft foam cushioning and feature an easy to clean cover. The pads are available for the sides as well as the bottom of the wagon for complete safety and comfort.The award winning all terrain wagons from Radio Flyer have taken the classic wagon to new and exciting places. Every ride in a Radio Flyer wagon creates a new adventure. With the Radio Flyer ATW, the adventures are endless.

Check Out Your Options When Choosing a Wheelchair Van

If you're in the market for new wheels for your wheels, you'll find that there are amazing new and used wheelchair vans to be had at some very cheap costs. In this article you'll find information on some of the wagons available. Perhaps you will even decide that you need to take a look.You are going to love the new Honda Odyssey vans. They are some of the best on the market when it comes to sturdiness and style and are an excellent choice for families who enjoy traveling. The space inside an Odyssey has been maximised. Additionally, it will include quality CD and cassette players, a back-up sensor, and two removable front seats. Since both seats can be removed, you are going to be able to either be the passenger or to drive for yourself when there is no one else around.The wagon is designed for easy accessibility and has a power ramp found in the floor. The dual air conditioning guarantees a comfortable ride in both front and back. You'll be able to select the color of your wheelchair truck from a good selection of interior and exterior options so that your wagon will reflect your own personal style.A Dodge Grand Caravan would be another excellent choice. These vans also come with the dual A / C, a power ramp that will fold out, and a power sliding door. The interiors are terribly roomy and comfortable and have seats that adjust so you won't feel cramped or claustrophobic when traveling for long amounts of time.Chevrolet puts out a great wheelchair wagon called the Venture. A venture features lots of space, keyless entry, and seats which can be removed. There's also a CD player so that your tunes can travel with you and keep you pleasantly occupied while traveling.If any of these lorries sound like what your folks might like, you should talk with your local dealership to see what can be done to customize your van for your needs. Some dealers will wish to charge more for these services than you should have to pay, so make sure that before agreeing to any deal you do some comparison shopping in order to get the most your get for the littlest price .A good way to comparison shop is to visit internet sites such as mobilityvansusa.com where you are going to be able to read more about each lorry as well as compare costs. Another good site is libertymotorco.com which has photos of all of the different trucks listed. By doing your research ahead of time, it'll eliminate surprises when you see the completed product.Be certain to check out Honda or Chrysler. You'll be able to visit with a rep about the customized wagon packages they offer as well as prices, so that when you are through doing your research, you are going to be able to find the ideal wheelchair van for you and your family.

For more info on wheelchair vans visit http://www.wheelchairsandyou.com

Caviar Flights and Borscht on Rails - Adventures in Crossing the Motherland

You're in Moscow on business when your boss tells you he wants you in Kiev by Monday. Quick, what do you do? In the U.S., you'd log on to some travel search engine and find the best flight. The train wouldn't even register as an option. But here in the Former Soviet Union (F.S.U.), the train is usually the first (and often the only) consideration for long-distance travel. Let's take a closer look at both options.Most major cities in Russia and Ukraine have airports, and most major airlines serve them. In-country air travel is modern and - as expected - relatively inexpensive. Thankfully, even on purely Russian airlines such as Aeroflot, announcements are made in both Russian and English. Equally convenient, all important airport signs are also written in English. The main difference between Western air travel and Russian is the peripheral infrastructure. Don't expect Starbucks. Instead, be thankful if there's a caf at all. Bring your own toilet paper (a rule that actually applies to any mode of travel throughout the F.S.U.), and brace yourself for barbaric bathroom conditions.Step through the gate and civilization returns. Nowadays, passengers on Russian airlines are better fed than their American counterparts who are lucky if they get a packet of pretzels tossed their way. The various Slavic airlines which serve the F.S.U. are reminiscent of the variety of Western budget airlines like Southwest: Professional, reliable, and no-frills. They have comparable safety records, as well. Though you'll probably do most of your long-distance travel in the F.S.U. with the airlines, you shouldn't rule out train travel.Buying a train ticket is easy enough, even if you speak no Russian. At the ticket counter, say the name of your destination as you hand the lady a slip of paper with the travel date written on it. Just make sure you use the European system: Day then month. It's easy, and tickets are cheap. You can cross nearly the entire expanse of Ukraine - the largest country in mainland Europe - for a whopping ten dollars.But it won't be in style. A ten dollar ticket buys you passage via a barracks-style wagon called 'plaskart'. I don't know what the word means, but can only assume it's Russian for "suffering." Winter or summer, it's always too hot and too crowded. Although the communal spirit of traveling 'plaskart' style can be appealing - imagine sharing beer and dried fish with complete strangers - the communal noise and odors quickly take their toll. Traveling in the great cattle wagon of the Russian train system is best experienced vicariously.That was the ten dollar ticket. For $15 or so, you can go first class. Called 'kupe' (pronounced 'koo-PEH'), this is a private, four-person sleeping car. Your own bed, your own luggage compartment. There's even a lady who comes to bring you tea. Some trains have an even more exclusive option: Written C.B., it's pronounced 'Ess-Veh' and stands for 'Super Wagon.' A spot in one of these two-person rooms will cost about $35. But no matter how comfortable your personal compartment is, there's no hiding from the noise of the train itself. My girlfriend finds the constant clattering relaxing, but as I try to sleep, it sounds like it's Hammer & Anvil Day at the metal works next door. My advice: Bring ear-plugs.Still, traveling by train across the great Motherland is an amazing experience. Make your way to the restaurant car, sit at a table by the window, and enjoy a surprisingly tasty dinner as you watch the countryside roll by. Neither words nor photos can express the marvel of passing the unending fields of sunflowers in the south of Ukraine. Is there that much yellow in all the world?Depending on the time of year you travel, you'll ask similar questions of other colors. Imagine, for days on end, passing nothing but snow covered fields in Siberia. You'll think someone painted all the windows white. Or take a ride through the forests east of the Carpathians at the height of autumn. Trees are ablaze with red and orange. In summer, you might see only green fields and blue skies. Traveling by train across the F.S.U. is a visceral experience, not to be simply dismissed for the ease and comfort of air travel.So let time be the deciding factor. If you're in a hurry, head to the airport. But if your schedule permits, considering crossing the land of Eastern Europe by train. You might lose a day or two, but you'll gain a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mark Thomson learned the Russian language and attained fluency quickly. If you'd like to know about Russia, Ukraine, or his language learning techniques visit: russian-video-blog.com

Cheap Holidays In Naples Florida

Naples carries the well earned reputation as being one of Florida's finest towns. Located on the sun drenched beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. For an age, Naples has been the regular winter retreat for the wealthy Americans who are looking to escape the drudgery and cold of their home State and come to the enchanting and warm climate of Naples. Here they can bask in the sun and enjoy the beautiful beaches, people and weather.With spectacular beaches, shopping and wildlife and abundant challenging golf courses, Naples is truly a first rate choice for a Florida holiday. With nearby attractions such as Venice, Marco Island and the Everglades Visitor Centre, no wonder Naples is a popular place to spend your summer. AttractionsNaples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens - Rediscover nature and fun in the heart of Naples itself.Babcock Wilderness Adventures - If you want to experience the thrill of meeting assorted wildlife close up like panthers, bison, birds, and dozens of wild alligators face to face, then this tour is a must for all Naples visitors.Everglades Excursions - Taking the "Safari Wagon" to the Everglades Jungle Cruise is an ever popular choice for tourists and locals alike.Accommodation in NaplesThe accommodation in Naples ranges from budget (cheap and cheerful) right up to exclusive and expensive. Although for this location, you would reasonably expect to pay much more. The Inn at Pelican Bay is located on the lakeside to the north of Naples and is just 2 minutes drive from the beach. With 100 rooms over 6 floors, each room comes with air conditioning, cable TV, safe, iron and board, coffee maker, hairdryer and bathrobes. Rooms have either 1 king sized bed or 2 doubles and can sleep a maximum of 4 people. The inn at Pelican Bay offers its guests a complimentary continental breakfast each morning as well as the newspaper to read after. There is a swimming pool with tropical terrace, whirlpool and fitness centre. For value for money, the Inn at Pelican Bay is first rate. With all amenities you could need, plus many added extra's, it can be hard to beat this friendly and efficient hotel. Prices can start from as little as 40 per night.The Quality Inn Gulf Coast is another reasonably priced hotel in Naples. Located in the very heart and soul of Naples, this beautiful hotel is just 5 minutes away from the beach. There are 121 rooms on 2 floors and each room comes with air conditioning, tea and coffee maker, TV, safe, fridge, hairdryer, iron and board. Rooms will normally have 1 or 2 double beds with a rollaway and can sleep a maximum of 5 people. There is a pool bar and caf called Harold's Place Bar. This is great for basic meals and can cater for almost any taste at a reasonable price. The Fujiyama's famous Japanese Restaurant is great for a treat or special occasion. The Quality Inn Gulf Resort also has a swimming pool, shuffle board and a video games area for the children or big kids. There are several nearby shops and stores to keep you entertained or for a spot of retail therapy. Catering for almost any taste, this can be a great place to take advantage of all the local amenities.The Cove Inn on Naples Bay offers a spectacular view of the famous waterline. Located in the charming Olde Naples where there is plenty to see and do, and everything worth doing or seeing is nearby. The only hotel in Naples, Florida located on Naples Bay which affords a unique experience not offered anywhere else in Naples due to its location - my personal favourite.The above hotels are superb value for money and situated near the main attraction, the beach. With shops surrounding the hotels , all the hotels are ideally situated.Prices do vary season to season, but on average you can expect to pay in the region of 40 per night for a room.

York Tourist Guide & Travel Information

York is a city that is recognised for its rich heritage, city walls and strong links with the Roman Empire who ran their government from here. The face or York changed in 1839 with the introduction of the railway which later became the headquarters for the entire North Eastern Railway, providing thousands of jobs for local residents. In recent years, tourism has become a huge industry due to the city's powerful history. For a historic overview of York visitors can go to the National Railway Museum which illustrates the foundations of rail transport and how its creation has affected society. Spread across 20 acres, the museum showcases a diverse range of railway vehicles from all of Britain as it holds arrays of national collections. It is globally the largest museum of rail transport and is the most popular museum in all of Britain outside of London. There are also many vehicles that have been imported from China, France and Japan including the Wagons-Lits sleeping car and Night Ferry service. Another great museum that is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in York's Roman history is Jorvik Viking Centre. Here you will come across recreations of streets from the Viking era and a variety of exhibitions that have brought in 15 million visitors over the past 25 years. All artefacts and displays are from archaeological findings where remains of 10th century Viking buildings were found. Amazingly, items such as wood and leather had been well preserved resulting in the discovery of thousands of objects. For shopping, you can visit Coppergate Shopping Centre located in the heart of the city. The shopping centre houses many popular trendy retail stores including Boots, Clarks Shoes, Evans, Fenwick, The Body Shop, Topman, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and many more exciting high street brands. There are cafes and restaurants such as Starbucks and Russell's Restaurant that caters traditional British food. The Jorvik Viking Centre is also situated in Coppergate Shopping Centre which makes for a fantastic day out in York. If you are looking for designer labels at an affordable then York Designer Outlet is the place to be. It is based towards the city centre and offers a variety of over 120 retail stores such as Jeff Banks, Karen Millen, Fred Perry, French Connection, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Ted Baker to name a few. The outlet is open every day of the week although and is open from 10am although closing times differ according to what day it is. Family facilities are also available, with plays areas designed for small children and a selection of restaurants so you can make the most of your day out. There are various venues for entertainment, one of them being the York Theatre Royal. Built in 1744, the theatre has developed throughout the years, particularly in the 1960's where it underwent severe refurbishment. Many new features were built to modernise the building such new entrance facilities, foyer and a glass reception area that has received many awards for its unique structure. The auditorium was also enlarged, currently seating more than 800 people and improved sound systems were introduced.



Naz Daud - CityLocal YorkYork GuideYork Business DirectoryYork BusinessesBusiness Reviews

Get on the Broadband-Wagon

'Broadband' is the general term used to refer to high-speed information transmission over networks, and nowadays is used increasingly to mean a fast Internet connection.The term has more to do with the electrical waveform ('signal') being transmitted. The signal can come to you through a variety of physical arrangements: a DSL line, a T1 line, a TV cable, a wireless link and even your utility power line.Which physical arrangement is best for you depends a great deal on what is available in your geographical area and the price of each arrangement. You should do a comparison of speeds and costs and choose what is optimal for you. Just be sure you do not choose an ISDN line (because it is getting obsolete) or power line (because the technology is not mature, and it will be some years before the bugs are ironed out).Live in a large city and want free wireless broadband Internet? Your wish is or will be granted! Almighty Google is busy fixing antennae to lampposts in major cities so that your computer can access the Internet much in the same way your mobile phone accesses your cellular network: almost anywhere in any city. Not only will you get driving directions to that restaurant you are going to, the maitre d' will appear on a small screen and take your order as you drive.~ Broadband's Bag of Goodies ~Broadband has brought a slew of valuable capabilities to the Internet:1. Good VideoFirst of all, you can download smooth, non-jerky video. Consequently an increasing number of sites are including rich graphics, Flash and video to enhance the appeal of their messages. You can now download feature films from over 200,000 Web TV stations and watch them as they stream into your computer ("stream them"). No more trips to the video library and no more renting DVDs!You can share your screen and talk with co-workers located at far-flung locations (or just relax and play Xbox or PS2 games with them). You can interact with them from the convenience of your home computer, and the need for a physical office can be dispensed with. This implies less travel in your car, less gasoline consumption and less pollution of the atmosphere by engine exhaust gases.You can search online video archives with specialized search engines. This means you can download video that matches your chosen phrases. Examples would be "Nick Lachey singing 'My Everything' to Jessica Simpson", "Oprah visiting Katrina victims" or "how to toss a thin pizza shell". There is no longer a need to wait for your subject to be broadcast.2. Cheap Long DistanceBroadband has enabled miracle of low-cost long-distance Internet telephony. This application is based on the renowned technology, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You can now speak to your loved ones or business associates in most other parts of the world for 2 cents a minute!No more waiting for late nights or weekends to get those "free minutes" you can afford to call anytime. Additionally, the sound clarity is several times better than that of a conventional phone call voices are loud and clear with little or no background noise.This means you can stay in touch more often. You can get news faster and offer advice without delay. For instance, a timely observation about a certain medical treatment could very well save the life of the person at the other end!3. Always OnWith Broadband, you are always connected to the Internet. No more dialing up and waiting to connect. The dialing time is freed up for you to use for other things.In most cases, you get a telephone connection with the broadband connection, so you can simultaneously speak on the phone and surf the Internet. Your phone line will not be busy when you surf so that people can reach you even if you are online.One important user of this constant connectivity is security. You can have inexpensive webcams mounted in various locations of your home or office and connect them to the Internet. Since your broadband connection is always 'live', you can monitor your house from anywhere, anytime. No more worrying when away from your desk or living room!~ Conclusion ~The day is not far when dial-up connections will be a rarity. If you have not yet upgraded to broadband, start working at doing so NOW. You will definitely not regret it.John J Stockwell is an engineer with considerable experience in Internet technologies. Get even more information n broadband from his website at http://broadband-aa.info

Leisure Bicycle Tours Are The Way To Travel

Many companies offer leisure cycling tours to locations around the world. This article summarizes how you should prepare for your trip.There are many ways to enjoy travel in a foreign country. Most people think of renting cars, or taking buses or trains everywhere. But because people are following a different routine and are on vacation - they do tend to pack on the pounds. The way to ensure that you will not need to go on a diet after you return from your vacation is to go on a cycling tour. You'll be able to sample the local cuisine all you like, because you'll work off all those calories on your bike!Cycling tours are offered for every level of bicyclist - from the beginner who might need a "pick up ride" after a while, to the experienced cyclist who can zoom up the hills as if they were weren't there.Most European countries are extremely bike friendly. Bikes are expected to be on the roads, drivers are familiar with them and give them a wide berth. So it's very safe to bike in Europe. A lot of places in the United States seem to resent the very existence of bicycles, which is why it's always best to go on a cycling tour with like-minded people. You'll be biking through areas that are used to seeing cyclists.Leisure cycling tours are designed for all different kinds of terrain - from flat and peaceful rides through the beauties of nature to the fitness challenging of the steepest of mountains.If you'd like to go on a leisure cycling tour, the place to do your research is on the web.When you're looking for a particular tour, you'll want to compare all the available amenities for each tour.1) Accommodations. Are you going to be staying in hotels, or in campgrounds?2) Are meals included? If so, which ones?3) Will there be free refreshment stops each day?4) If the tour passes by anything of historical interest, are riders given an opportunity to go look at any sites of interest?5) Baggage transport. Who handles the luggage?6) Is their a sag wagon? (This is a car or other vehicle which will come and "rescue" a tired rider or one who has had an accident of any kind.)7) Do riders receive daily maps and cue sheets that are easy to read and follow?8) In the evenings, is there someone around to clean your bikes, or is it up to each cyclist?Depending on the state or country through which you're riding, most of these amenities are offered, unless you're on a budget tour. If you're going budget, it's best to be a very experienced cyclist and already know what you're doing.Bicycling is a very popular way to see Europe. There are self-guided bike tours as well as the tours offered by companies. It's important to check out what kind of bikes they offer to ride, however. You'll want the best quality available.Types of ToursWomanTours is a company that focuses solely on offering bike tours for women. Most of the tours offered by this company take place in the United States, but at least once a year they do offer a tour overseas. You can go on an economy cycle tours of Hawaii, cycle through the Outer Banks of North Carolina, experience the majesty of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and much more. Their website even has a tour blog so you can see the fun that past cyclists have had on their tours.Some of the major bicycle manufactures have a travel and adventure arm for their customers. For example, Trek Bikes has "Trek Travel." They offer six trip types: classic, explorer, family, family explorer, specialty and weekend tours, in destinations such as Asia-Pacific, Central America, Europe, and North America.The "classic" tours are designed for riders of all abilities. The "explorer" trips put less of an emphasis on luxury - you'll be camping out in national parks, for example. Family trips are designed to have activities available for people of all ages. And Trek's specialty trips include being escorted by professional cyclists - for example "Classic Climbs of France with Kevin Livingston," or "Texas with Lance Armstrong."If you're planning on taking a leisure-cycling tour, you must do your research. Find out how long the tour company has been in business, and try to contact some people who've been on those tours so you can find out if anyone had any bad experiences. It's always a good idea to contact the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone has lodged any complaints against themA leisure-cycling tour is one of the best ways to see a particular region. The more you know and the more preparations you make, the more fun you'll have on your trip.

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #2: The Price is Right

When it comes to shopping for something on-line, we tend to become naturally more focused on a singular aspect of the product or service we desire. There is so much information to be absorbed while browsing sites that it is nearly impossible to factor everything in. This is very true of the travel industry, which happens to be the second largest on-line market (I'm sure you can guess what the first is) and the one thing most customers tend to zero in on is that magical of all numbers: price.This is of course to be expected. We can, after all, only afford what is in our budget. However, the first order of business should always be to understand the requirements of our vacation, in this case, the car rental. Before you look at prices, you should have a solid idea of how many people you need to accommodate, the amount of days you are staying, whether or not you can drive a manual shift, and the locations you are picking up and dropping off at. Provided you have those things locked down, you can safely move on to comparison shopping.While it is true that 91% of travelers at least research if not purchase their trips on-line (source: Nielsen NetRatings - EyeforTravel independent study), it is always best to have some human contact before you make that important decision. In fact, if it is difficult to elicit at least a personalized e-mail response within 24 hours of contacting a travel company, you can almost guarantee that their customer service will put you on the back burner should you have a problem. Before you settle on a price, make sure that any future dealings with the company you choose will be satisfactory, or you will end up paying much more than that number on the screen.The time honored tradition these days is "added extras", also sometimes known as local taxes, hidden fees, or much more malicious wordings, depending on who you talk to. Some companies only quote you a "base rate". Some companies will tell you their price is "all-inclusive". Sometimes this is true, other times it is anything but. As long as the company is honest in conveying this information, it should not be a deterrent, as sometimes it is not within their control. Make sure you always read any terms and conditions and if you are still uneasy, call or e-mail the company and ask if there are any other charges to be expected upon arrival. Note that I say "charges" and not "fees" or "costs". The basis of this being that in most cases a security deposit will be held for gas and key as well as a deductible for insurance purposes. The things that should either be included or not are:Value Added Tax: Like sales tax in the States, all the countries in Europe have a different tax structure. This can be as low as 7.6% (Switzerland) to 25% or more (Scandinavia) and is generally not refundable as it is on goods, since car rental is deemed a service.Insurance: While there are new types of insurance being imagined up by rental companies everyday, the main ones are usually Collision and Theft (these two are sometimes covered by credit cards - more on that in later articles), liability, personal accident insurance (like medical insurance) and personal effects coverage (covers your belongings inside the vehicle).Mileage: Only luxury vehicles and SUV's should come with limited mileage. Beware any company who does not have unlimited mileage on normal sedan and wagon vehicles, even vans.Local Taxes: These typically include premium location surcharges (airports and railstations especially), road taxes, additional drivers, eco surcharges and more. Like insurances, these are called something different every day.After inclusions are tallied up, request a free quote in writing. If you can't get a free quote in writing, chances are the company will end up billing you for something you do not know about. If the company has a website where the quotes are stored, print it out off of your browser. Make sure it has a tracking number so you can pull it up when needed. Also make sure you know the difference between a tracking number and a confirmation number. One holds a rate quote, one holds an actual vehicle.In general, you can get the lowest price from a consolidator, who deals with multiple suppliers. They have contracted wholesale rates and typically hold more weight when confirming special requests such as hotel deliveries, additional equipment and after hours pick ups. It helps if they have a "best rate" policy. The better companies will offer to beat any rate you can find provided it has the same parameters and inclusions. Always ask if they have discounts for memberships like AAA, AARP, etc. Ask friends who have used the company if they know of any discount codes. You never know what will bring down the price in the long run.To sum this up, always remember that price should not be the first thing you look at. Make sure the company is reputable, is easy to reach via telephone and e-mail, has the criteria you require available, and then worry about the price. It may sound like a lot of work but in the end you will be happy that made the right choice.Murdoch Morris does happen to work for one of these car rental consolidators, which has given him 3+ years of thorough insight into the ups and downs of keeping your dream itinerary from becoming a nightmare. Feel free to contact him with any questions you may have specific to your next trip to Europe.http://www.autoeurope.com

How To Select A Good Car Hire For Travel Around New Zealand

Touring around naturally beautiful New Zealand by car is an exciting experience. You can hire your car from Auckland when you are in North Island. When you are in South Island, Christchurch is the place to hire your car rental. Travelling around New Zealand by car needs a few important things to be borne in mind before you plan one. We have highlighted a few important points pertaining to New Zealand car hire.Is your car hire reliable?Make sure your car hire is reliable by checking to see if the car rental company includes 24 hour AA (Automobile Association) roadside assistance. AA is a not-for-profit organisation which takes care of vehicle breakdowns giving you complete peace of mind when you travel around New Zealand. Does your car rental meet your needs?Ensure that the car rental you intend to book meets your needs. When you contact the supplier, be specific about the model of the car you are looking for and your budget. Your supplier will have a wide range of cars to hire at different budgets, luxury levels and number of travellers the car is suited for. Are you under the age of 21?If you are below 21 years of age, it is VITAL to ensure that the car rental company you are using will permit you to drive the car. Most car hire companies in New Zealand prescribe 21 years as the minimum age to hire a car. So, ensure that your car rental company allows you to rent a car and check if there are any associated surcharges.What is included in the car rate that you pay per day?You must carefully check what is included with the daily rate you pay for your car rental. Make sure you contact your car hire company to find out the inclusions and the exclusions in the daily rate. Do you need special requirements like baby seat etc?If you are travelling with your baby, ensure that a baby seat can be fitted in the car that you are hiring. In addition, most car rental companies hire out baby seats.Do you know the size of the car you need?Be very careful in choosing the size of the car you are looking to rent. Be very specific on what type of car you are looking to hire. Do you need a ferry service to transport your car?If your tour of New Zealand covers both the North Island and South Island, you must make sure of your car hire company's policy on the ferry crossing between the islands. Some car rental companies have depots on either island (Wellington on North Island and Picton on South Island). Some companies do not and this means you have to take your car on the ferry. From travel experience, it is easier to take your vehicle on the ferry to the other side instead of giving up your vehicle on one side, travel to the other side, transfer your luggage to the new vehicle and do up new contracts. At Ezy, we ensure that you, our valued customer, comes first and gets the best out of our car hire service to have the most memorable trip around New zealand. The highlights of our car rental service are:Ezy is a registered member of AA. In addition, Ezy offers a 24 hour replacement vehicle policy. If the vehicle cannot be repaired within 24 hours, Ezy will deliver a new vehicle within 24 hours.Ezy are a prominent 2nd tier company in New Zealand car rental industry and their great rates reflect this. They also offer a range of car hire ranging from cheap car rentals to luxury cars and 1st tier cars to suit special needs of clients.Ezy Rentals hires cars to 18 years+. In this case, the hire rates remain unchanged. It is the insurance excess that is slightly higher.Ezy car hire rates are inclusive of standard insurance, Goods and Sevices tax or GST and free 24 hour roadside assistance from AA.Ezy rentals offer a wide range of vehicles with baby bolts fitted so that baby seats can be attached securely and safely. Ezy also hires out 3 different sized baby seats and boosters to ensure that your child fits into it perfectly.Ezy Rentals has a wide variety of cars on offer from small hatchbacks to large sedans, station wagons and people moversEzy Rentals does not have offices on either side. Hence it is best to take the car on the ferry. This makes it easy for the client. Ezy offers discounted ferry rates for its clients.Ezy Rentals is a market leader in the 2nd tier segment of the New Zealand car hire industry with branches in Auckland and Christchurch. We have earned our reputation as a clean and honest car hire company in the New Zealand tourism industry. We are sure that you will not be disappointed with our high level of service and our car hire prices.Courtesy: Tim AlpeCEOEzy Rentalshttp://www.ezy.co.nzEmail: tim@ezy.co.nzWe make your New Zealand trip by car EZY

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips For Europe Travel - Tip #1: Car Size and Type

More often than not, a person will base his or her entire decision on the price. This is especially true when one is on-line creating their own itinerary without the help of a travel agent or trained professional, something that within 5 years from now will be standard practice. While price is undoubtedly one of the most important things to consider when making a reservation, it is not the first priority. The first priority should be to determine what kind of car you will need, based on a few different factors.To begin, you must know how many people will be accompanying you on this trip. Remember that the European equivalent of a rental category will be smaller than its US counterpart, so make sure that you take notice of the model that they are quoting you for, along with the supposed size. Once you know what the model is, look it up on the internet and make sure that it will work for you. Some companies will quote you for what they bill as an intermediate car when it is in reality a compact size. Usually for 1 or 2 people, an economy will suffice, provided you have one suitcase apiece. In the event that you have more luggage than this, you may opt to put it in the back seat or upgrade to a larger vehicle. Keep in mind that if you are planning on stopping at any places where your luggage will be visible from outside the car, it is best not to keep it in the back seat.For 3 people, a compact should be suitable. Sometimes, if you do not mind being a bit cramped on shorter trips, this will also accommodate 4 people. You may have to put some luggage in between the people in the back though. A car this size should be roughly the equivalent of a Ford Focus or Toyota Corolla here stateside. If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend an intermediate 4-door vehicle for 4 people.For anything above 4 people, it is best to get a van, or more than one car. Once again, if you don't mind being cramped, then get an intermediate wagon. This will allow you to seat 5 people and have room for the luggage. However, luggage for 5 may not fit under the pull-shade most wagons are designed with to eliminate luggage visibility, therefore increasing your chances of a break-in if you leave the vehicle unattended. Vans are typically much more expensive and use a lot more gasoline, which is a commodity in and of itself in Europe (current average of about $4.00 USD per gallon, less for diesel) and sometimes even more expensive than two compact vehicles.There's nothing less embarassing than trying to squeeze too many bodies and suitcases into a car that's not designed to take them. That is, unless you get a stickshift vehicle and don't know how to drive one. Americans (myself included) have generally been spoiled with unlimited access to automatic transmission. Most of the rental cars in the States are automatic as well. The opposite is true in Europe. While most major locations do stock automatic vehicles, you will not get a very good selection to choose from and those that are there will cost anywhere from fifty to one hundred percent more than the manual version. On top of that, you will lose 5 to 10 miles per gallon in gas efficiency. However, if you are uncomfortable with a stick, it costs a lot less in the long run than taking a chance in getting in an accident, which costs you time, money and overall enjoyment of the experience. This is especially true in countries like England, Ireland and Cyprus, where the cars (and drivers) are on the opposite side.In conclusion, remember that in most cases you are planning for a vacation. Sometimes in order to enjoy it, you have to be willing to spend a little bit more. Keep an eye out for my next installment, when we discuss the best way to get the car you really need for the price you really want.Murdoch Morris has worked in the European Car Rental industry for 5+ years, helping drivers to find the best way to get the most out of their itinerary for the least amount of money. Feel free to contact him with any questions you may have specific to your next trip to Europe.http://www.autoeurope.com

Top Five Places Not to Miss When You Travel to Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri - not to be confused with the other Kansas City, Kansas - is a vibrant and historically rich city that does indeed have many amazing places to see and things to do if you are visiting. Located roughly 250 miles west of St. Louis, set right on the border of Kansas, this city is one of the only cities in the United States that is actually positioned on two state borders, the Kansas side and the Missouri side. It is important to note that the Missouri side is where all of the fun and excitement occurs, from the revitalized downtown area, the many museums and the historical districts, not forgetting the rich history of this great city. On the Kansas side, the city consists mostly of suburbs and is actually lacking in any areas of real interest.During the early 1800s, this city was a true staple to the wagon trains and settler routes that defined America. The city financially suffered during the Civil War but was later revived during the railroad tycoon revolution that saw thousands of stockyards populate the state. Today, the city boasts a mixture of cultures and ethnicities that have spawned a vibrant and exciting, newly revitalized downtown area complete with an astute mixture of arts, sciences, shopping districts and professional sports teams that have certainly earned Kansas City its own right as a destination, mid-western city on the US map. If you plan on traveling here, make sure to checkmark some of these must-see locations.Kansas City Zoo: One of the largest and most complete zoos in the entire US, this zoo boasts an amazing two hundred plus acres of land that it sits on. It is so large, in fact, that they even have trams that take visitors from one end of the zoo to another, as it could easily take half an hour to walk to both ends on foot. The zoo offers animals from around the world and is so popular that the park sees nearly three quarters of a million visitors annually. Don't forget to hop on a guided train tour of the zoo, to truly enjoy all the exhibits that it has to offer.Westport: An absolute must-see when you travel to Kansas City, MO. Perhaps the oldest historical district in the entire city, and in the state for that matter, some of the red brick buildings in this district are so old that they used to serve as supply outposts for settlers and pioneers. Aside from the history and the many preserved buildings, this district is adorned with a plethora of unique eateries, art galleries, nightclubs, boutique stores and cafes.18th & Vine District: This is the number one place that you HAVE TO SEE if you find yourself in this great city. Fondly referred to by musicians around the world as, 'The Birthplace of Jazz,' this location was the stomping grounds of some of jazz's greats including: Charlie Yardbird Park, Count Basie, Joe Turner and Ella Fitzgerald, just to name a few. Places not to be missed include: American Jazz Museum, Horace M. Peterson III Visitors Center and Gem Theater. On an additional note, this is the top tourist destination in the city, so don't forget to mark this on your must-see list.Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Experience some of the most famous art pieces in the world firsthand. Just to let you know about a few of the artist's works that you can see here, they include works by the following masters: Homer, Caravaggio, Monet, Titian, Rodin, Renoi, and many more. The museum offers several sections, including a real Egyptian tomb, a Chinese area and even a sculpture garden. An absolute Must-See!Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: There are many different facets to this great museum of contemporary arts. From above, the building has been designed to look like a bird with spread wings flying. Inside, onlookers can enjoy some of the most prominent contemporary artworks in the world. From Herb Ritts, to Robert Juarez, if you travel to Kansas City, MO, make certain you set aside a few hours to peruse this great museum.

To learn more about amazing Kansas City, MO vacation spots, including our full top ten list of spots to visit, great links and tons of free information, please visit: http://www.KansasCityVacationTravelsGuide.com

The Buzz of Air Travel - From Departure Lounges to Airport Transfers

If you let them, airports can give you an electric feeling that few other major buildings can. The airport is constantly on the move, serving a conveyor belt of holidaymakers, business people and those simply moving from A to B. Airport transfers mark the beginning of your flirtation with air travel, delivering you to the busy entrance, garnished with taxis, space wagons and cars - each spilling forth families, suited men and excited weekend breakers.The structure of airport terminals may not change significantly, but the lifeblood is moving all the time. The airport is the skin and bones, and the passengers are the pumping blood - ceaselessly arriving, waiting, buying, eating, drinking. Airport transfers, luggage porters, baggage handlers, security details - all these contribute to the buzz of the airport.A school or a hospital or a hotel - they have a liveliness about them, but nothing like that of an airport. Transfers between different terminals, each serving different continents - heading to Rio or LA or Toronto, to London, Glasgow or Edinburgh. All take the form of mini trains or people carrying conveyor belts - internal airport transfers have never been so slick.Coffee fuelled, twitchy businessmen clutching bottles of perfume for their neglected wives, heavily laden Canadian backpackers eating the previous night's leftovers, nouveau riche pensioners treating themselves to the Spanish south - the whole patchwork of the human travelling quilt is sewn into the constantly shifting fabric of the airport. Transfers hurry along wide corridors of Singapore terminal 1, on their way to Bangkok to the north, or Jakarta to the south. Late arrivals in Amsterdam hurtle towards the soon-to-close flight to New York. The thrill of people going to places continues 24 hour a day.Never resting, the airport is impossible to pin down. Its temporary residents finally settling in to their aluminium tubes, handed their glossy in-flight magazines before failing to heed the safety demonstration for the Nth time. Sated by shopping and expensive airport food, they sit waiting for take off, surging up into the blue or the grey or the black - waiting for the experience at the other end.The red wine from flight 209 and black coffee from flight 803, the compact lasagne from Milan 222, the mini spring rolls from the Shanghai 406. The rich experience of air travel will take many hours to leave the traveller's system - and many more to adjust to the time difference. Jet lag is the come down from this heady world of plastic mini cutlery and little yoghurt pots - endless red wine refills and tiny bottles of whisky.And what at the other end? More airport transfers to other destinations - or perhaps simply airport transfers to familiar homes and familiar beds. But first the process of exiting - held up by passport checks and luggage which fails to appear on the conveyor belt. But, bag or suitcase retrieved, its time to exchange final Euros or Dollars or Pounds, time to find your way through the throng to the exit, out into the cold chill of the stationary taxi rank. At last the earth is still - until the next time.

Shaun Parker is a travel writer with many years of experience in the tourist industry. Find out more about airport transfers at http://www.vennards.com/

Travel Around in Los Angeles - City's Public Transportation Info

So you are in The Hollywood City- Los Angeles, the jewel in the crown of California. It is one of the four top cities in USA, the other three being New York, Chicago and Las Vegas. You may have been brought here for shopping, romance or just plain travel Los Angeles mindset. Anyhow, the purpose is served and you are in Los Angeles.Places to visitLos Angeles travel guide is quite a possession if you want to see places in the city. There are so many places to venture out that you will be floored. Hollywood Walk of Fame is the place for must-visit. Here you get to see many celebrities making rounds in their swanky cars if you are lucky. County Museum is also one of the favorite spots.You get to see the Universal Studios and check the rides. Elysian Park is another place where you can rest at ease and let time pass by. There are other areas which you may try out to capture the full essence of Los Angeles travel.There are a great many hotels in which to drop baggage. You get a choice of riches from luxury, exclusive, comfort and budget chain and boutique hotels. Even if you do not stay there and have a farmhouse, or better, a home to live in, you can always gape at the beautiful buildings that act as hotels.How to get to places?Transportation is always an important arm of a city. And when the city is ever buzzing with tourists, you will feel the crowd of cars and wagons overhauling the crowd of people. Strange but true!Thankfully, Los Angeles has fully furnished transportation infrastructure. This is one more reason to make Los Angeles travel much respected.ShuttlesIf you have a morning flight to catch or a day one, worry not if you can call shuttle. The rates may be high but there is a system with which the on-demand shuttles work. They will exactly point out what time a particular place will take; say, airport, railway station or Hollywood. They are known to be correct most of the time. This service is very professional.Metro railMetro rail is the bloodstream of the city from 1990 onwards. The environment friendly nature is a big boost for times ridden by global warming fears. The service is varied and you get to cover almost whole of Los Angeles if you plan well. What is Los Angeles travel without a careful spread of Metro rail?Metro basically runs in six color lines; blue, green, red, orange, purple and gold. Orange is the best service and has connection with rapid bus transit. It takes you to the Hollywood terminus.Blue line takes you to the carnival beach Long Beach. The other lines also take you to important and tertiary parts of the busy city. Whichever city the Metro rail is available, it becomes the center of moving activity.Metro busesFor Los Angeles CA travel, Metro buses are the next in line and are quite efficient. Plus, you do not have to get down boarding a train. That is a minus point for metro rails as the handicapped ad senior people find it hard to use Metro rail as a means of transportation.Metro Local is the artery of Los Angeles travel. You get to stop anywhere you like to, or within half a kilometer of its radius this is because there are countless stops and that causes the fare to be quite affordable. It runs a non-exhaustive network.Metro Rapid stops only in five or six places throughout its traversing distance. It runs on select routes and is generally not stopped by the signals. Actually transponders help the police know that a Metro rapid is arriving and so the signal is released at the earliest.Metro Express is only meant for expressways, freeways and highways. It stops only when someone feels nature calls, or when it passes tolls.Los Angeles travel guide gives you the proper knowledge of when these buses are available. The second and third buses have raised fares.Dash networkThey say your Los Angeles travel is incomplete if you have not been on a Dash. Los Angeles Downtown is quite a picture and pretty huge. To cover it, six quick bus routes operate, jointly known as Dash. Mainly, office goers take advantage of the bus. It is also available for some external routes.So Los Angeles travel is helped by a coterie of well-mannered transportation. You will not be short of options. Even if you are short on cash, do not worry. You get cheap transports too. Yes, the speed gets a tad slow on these cheap transports.

William M. Palmer is a professional web developer who deeply understands the travel market after years of studying and working in various cities including Orlando, Phoenix, Boston and Chicago. From budget travel to Los Angeles Ca travel guide, William M. Palmer's travel-related articles put the essence of travel right at your fingertips. Find out more travel Los Angeles information and ready to enhance your next journey.