Secluded Tranquility at Beavers Bend Log Cabins

Beavers Bend State Park is one of the most beautiful mountainous regions in Oklahoma. You can enjoy all the outdoor recreation available on Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River when you take advantage of beavers bend state park cabin rentals. The beautiful rustic décor and spacious rooms are in a secluded area and provide a luxury vacation rental for affordable prices. The cabins are located on 65 acres with a private stocked fishing pond, disc golf course and spectacular natural beauty.

No Extra Fees

The daily rate for each cabin includes everything you need. There are no extra fees for having your cabin cleaned, your sheets and towels washed, using the resort facilities or for other amenities offered at the resort. Beavers Bend State Park cabin rentals have pet-friendly cabins and offer specials and discounts throughout the year.

The Do’s and Dont’s of Traveling

Are you going on a trip soon or are currently planning one? If so, then it is important to take some things into consideration. It is easy to get excited about your trip and not take notice of important things you should and should not do. It is always better to plan ahead and be safe than sorry later. Therefore, keep reading to discover some helpful suggestions of what to do and what not to do the next time you head out to travel.

The days leading up to a vacation can be stressful and also filled with anticipation, but there are definitely things you need to do before you leave your home. Do make sure you clean out your fridge. The last thing you want is to come home to smelly or gross food in your fridge that is expired. Do make sure to take out the garbage everywhere in your home.

Booked My Flight for A Holiday to Asia

I finally booked my flight for a holiday to Asia this year. It's been so long a time since I did not had a travel in my home country, Philippines. I chose to explore many countries in Europe and finally this spring time, I will be flying home.

During my flight from Phoenix to San Francisco in 2012.

I started to find cheap flights since October 2013. I was browsing online which travel portals or agencies are offering the cheapest ones. Since Asia is quite a long way especially to the Philippines, I decided to choose the flight that I don't need to have a long lay-over.

I was also asking for affordable flight to the travel companies where I booked my flights during my previous travels to the Philippines. I was quite disappointed with Vollmer Reisen, a travel agency in Germany because it was very clear in my inquiry about the flights that I want. They also don't answered on my queries immediately. Due to that, I decided to inquire about Kirschner Reisen, a travel agency in Cologne. They immediately replied to my message in their facebook page. Since the offer for flight was quite reasonable, I ended up booking it. It is also a peak season in April-May and I am afraid that there will be no more seats available, the reasons why I booked it immediately.

More on that, I will be visiting Singapore also and other places and islands in the Philippines. I am still planning and organizing for my travel itinerary as of now. I hope I can finalize everything before the end of March.

Thanks to my siblings from the US who sponsored for my plane ticket this year. I am indeed blessed to have such loving sisters. God bless you my dear sisters. God bless us all!

A Golf Holiday

Spain is a beautiful country. With its diverse culture, lively nightlife, beautiful beaches, historic sites and cities, world famous folklore and festivals, Spain has been a dream country to visit for many tourists worldwide.

I am so lucky to visit this country and I can say, I will keep on coming back there when time and financial aspects are possible. I have been there twice and maybe in my next visit I would love to experience some Golf Holidays in Spain.  I was  thinking the past months that spending a golf holiday can be a   unique and enjoyable experience. For a first timer like me, I believed it will be full of fun and challenges.

A  nice beach in Costa Brava during my visit last July 2012.© http://bloggirl08.blogspot.com

Things to Consider When Planning for you Trip

There are a lot of things to consider when planning for your trip. Below are just some of the most important ones;

Budget- For those who have a lot of money, going for a vacation is always convenient and easy. For some travelers who are tight in their budget, planning ahead of time is required. If we are traveling to other countries who don't use the same monetary value like what we use in our country, we have to consider Foreign Exchange. If you are in UK for example and wish to travel to the United States, be sure to have some US dollars with you. Sometimes exchanging your money at the airport can be very expensive. There are a lot of financial companies online who offer better Exchange Rates for your money.

 Accommodation- Finding the right accommodation that will fit your needs and budget also needs to be considered. I remember our trip to Vancouver, Canada lately. My friend from Seattle, Washington booked our overnight hotel for almost $200.00. For a budget traveler like me, that is quite a high price. When I searched online, I found a hotel that only cost $70.00 per night for double room. Imagine the difference and the savings we had when I told my friend to immediately cancel the one she booked and changed it with the one I saw online. I ended up buying a lot of souvenirs for the savings we had.

Top 10 Reasons holiday makers overspend Infographic

This infographic represents the main holiday expenses: food, alcohol, trips, gifts, duty free, travel & transport, holiday decorations, clothes, sports, and accessories. Christmas is a great opportunity to relax and save up some strength for work; however, the holiday season is particularly expensive. The most popular states to spend Christmas vacation in are: Nevada, New York, Colorado, and Florida. 37% of Americans even don’t think about their spending, especially when they are on vacation. Astoundingly, 63% of Americans take out payday loans to get quick cash, along with high fees. During the holiday season, it is necessary not only to control your expenses, but also to use payday loans right way, for emergencies.

An Evening of Theatre – Manchester

The summer is coming; the weather is (hopefully) perking up. What better way to spend an evening than enjoying a little theatre?

At The Quays, Greater Manchester, there’s so much to see and do to guarantee a good day. If you wanted to spend a little longer appreciating what the area has to offer, it’s easy to find a hotel in Salford Quays to ensure your stay will be a comfortable one.

Home to The Lowry theatre, catching a performance is the perfect option for evening entertainment. The fantastic multi-talented actor and musician Hugh Laurie will be showcasing his musical talents at The Lowry on the 1^st July. With backing from his Copper Bottom Band, they return to the UK to do their biggest shows to date. Be there to experience Hugh’s passion for music and appreciate the Blues, Hugh’s way.

At Manchester, one of the cities I visited  during my three weeks vacation in UK last 2008.

For a more comedic evening, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience will be at the theatre between the 4^th and 9^th of September. Be in stitches as everything will inevitably go wrong in true Faulty style. Sticking with reasons to chuckle, the fantastic Russell Kane will be performing in October – there won’t be a dry eye in the house with his infectious stand up comedy.

For more music, there’s an evening with our favourite Aussie, Rolf Harris – a rare stage performance which will include some of his classic songs and some live on-stage artwork. A very unique experience which really shouldn’t be missed. In September, the Rat Pack Live will be swinging on to the theatre stage – stars of the West End’s tribute to the original Sinatra, Martin and Davis Jr will be performing some of the classic songs we all know so well.

All this and more, coming to the Lowry over the summer months – more than enough reason to take a visit to The Quays.

The Canaries with the Kids

The Canaries are an ideal year round getaway for the whole family. Whatever your holiday style there is an isle to suit your taste. Lively Tenerife and Lanzarote holidays are great for active kids, while Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria family holidays provide a more relaxing beach break.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria family holidays are best spent in Playa Del Inglés and Maspalomas. Despite the flurry of tourists in peak season, these areas have some of the best sheltered beaches around. The safe shallow waters are perfect for children.

Playa Del Inglés’ main waterpark, Aqualand (with over 30 attractions) is in your immediate vicinity. The resort’s camel back rides provide another fun day out.


Tenerife

Southern Tenerife has a reputation for being the party central of the Canaries. Although resorts such as Playa Paraiso have a calmer ambience, head north of Tenerife to Puerto de la Cruz to experience an authentic taste of Canarian lifestyle.

The area is fantastic for children; the wonderful wildlife attraction, Loro Parque, is great for all ages. Spend your days bathing on Playa Jardin or at the fantastic pool complex, Lago Martiánez.

Lanzarote

Along with Tenerife, Lanzarote holidays promise lively entertainment for the clan. When travelling with children, Playa Blanca is the best base.

Nearby you will have access to Rancho Texas Park, a Wild West themed amusement park, as well as the Playa Blanca Blue Flag beach.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is the smallest of the four main tourist islands of the Canaries and it is also the quietest. With its modest status comes the unspoilt beauty of its beaches.

Stretching for miles, the sands of Fuerteventura are perfect for lazy days in the sun with children who are happy to dig for treasure and build castles by the sea.

Playgrounds are scattered across Fuerteventura with free swings, slides and trampolines for the children.

From Tenerife getaways to Gran Canaria Family Holidays, the Canaries have an island to suit the style of every holiday maker.

Share a Chalet for Cheap Ski Deals

Skiing holidays lend themselves perfectly to socialising with friends, so why not gather a group together and book a chalet?

Sharing a chalet with friends or family can be a great way to lower the price of your ski holidays and allow every member of the group to benefit from cheap ski deals.

At Neilson Holidays you’ll find ski chalets to accommodate up to 18 people; as well as dedicated ski holiday specialists who will organise flights and transfers for your group, taking the hard work out of booking your holiday ski deals.

With a variety of the best ski resorts on offer, lets take a look at chalets to suit large groups, and see what you can get for your money:

Neilson Chalet Alexandre, Les Deux Alpes

This large chalet is really beautiful inside and out, and is furnished to a high standard, in a traditional rustic style. As well as a large open plan lounge with dining area, you’ll also find a sauna and a ski and boot room.

It sleeps 14 to 18 people in seven ensuite bedrooms, making it the perfect choice for groups of friends, large families, or two or more family groups holidaying together.

Be Brave and Book Late Holiday Deals

Add some excitement to your summer by vowing to book a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ last minute holiday deal this year.

Simply wait for a window in your busy schedule and get online to browse the best late holiday deals in some of the most popular summer sun destinations.

Booking late means that you’re likely to find cheap holiday deals, so why not take advantage of getting more for your money and book a far-flung destination like Mexico?

This stunning Caribbean destination offers holidays that dreams are made of. You could make your dreams a reality when you pick up last minute, low cost holiday deals online.

At 12 hours away, Mexico really offers an experience that’s a world away from your usual European summer sun hotspots. Forget the last minute rush around town and instead pick up everything that you need at the airport – from bikinis to Mexican dollars, sun tan lotion to travel plugs and paperbacks – you’ll find it all in the airport shops allowing you to book as last minute as you dare!

Aftersun and insect repellent should also be on your list of last minute essentials, to help keep you comfortable in the strong Mexican sun.

As far as resorts go, choose Cancun for your last minute Mexico holiday and you’ll be straight from airport to hotel in no time at all.

Booking all inclusive will also mean that you don’t have to worry about a thing on arrival. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be taken care of, as well as selected entertainment and activities, so all you need to do is kick back and feel yourself slowly unwinding.

There’s no better feeling than bagging a bargain break, and snapping up a last minute deal to Mexico is sure to have your friends turning green with envy. So be brave, hold out and snap up those late availability deals in order to get the best possible price.

Cruises: The best all-inclusive holiday that money can buy?

There’s no two ways about it: when it comes to holidays on all inclusive, cruises usually win hands down. With all that sumptuous food, never-ending buffets and a new destination to wake up to every day, you’ll be hard-pressed to get better value for money on a standard package holiday. But what can you expect from a cruise holiday?

On most large-scale itineraries the cruise ship is your hotel, entertainment, restaurant and transport - whisking you from one glorious destination to another while you sleep, eat, sun-bathe or party. It’s therefore a huge part of the holiday experience, and because of this you’ll find a range of experiences set up to suit different ages and personal tastes.

For example if you cruise Thomas Cook, you’ll find everything from short taster cruises over a weekend to longer itineraries covering 14, 15 or more nights, travelling to such far-off gems as the Caribbean and South America. With these style of cruises you’ll not only get an all inclusive board basis with breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll also get snacks and regular treats such as afternoon tea or special gala dinners. Onboard the facilities range from cinemas and spas to heated pools and fitness centres.

At each port of call, customers will have the chance to disembark and wander around the destination in their own time, or join a specially organised excursion - providing transport to see the sights, an escorted shopping trip to the markets or even boat trips to the local beauty spot.

On a cruise holiday there is always plenty going on, and when you factor in all those wonderful new destinations and varied onboard facilities, it’s easy to see why so many people come back to enjoy all inclusive cruise holidays year after year.

Accommodation On Your Holiday To Bali

Bali is not only a famous holiday destination in Indonesia but in the whole world as well. It has a lot to offer to every guest and visitor. It is famous for its enormous number of historical, cultural and archaeological attractions. Its world-class diving and surfing also make it to one of the top destinations worldwide. Due to its huge number of visitors each year, it has an enormous range of accommodations from luxury hotels to Bali villas, guest houses, lodging houses, beach resorts and dorm accommodation that proliferate over much of the island. For all these reasons above, Bali consistently wins travel awards.

Villas in Seminyak- Private villas are mostly found in Seminyak. Staying in a villa offers you more amenities than a typical hotel. If you want to have more authentic Balinese experience, staying in one of the villas is recommended for you. Seminyak is a beach town in South Bali. It is also the high end spa and boutique shopping capital of Bali. One advantage when staying in a villa is the availability of staff to cater to your every need, whether cleaning, meals or driving.

Villas in Uluwatu- There are a number of villas in this area. Some of the private villas include The Istana and Villa Moonlight. They have their own swimming pools, private entrances, lovely gardens, ornate Indonesian architecture and personal staff.

There are also budget hotels and mid-range bungalows and cottages in the area.

The Uluwatu Cliff in Bali, Indonesia.

Accommodation in Lovina- If you want a relaxing and revitalizing holiday, Lovina might be the perfect place for you. It is a quiet coastal town on the North Bali coastline famous for its spas, cafes and black sand beaches. There are a lot of budget accommodations that are catered for backpackers. Mid-range resorts and hotels are also available.

Depending on your type, needs and budget, there are a lot of accommodation to choose from in Bali. Other places to stay are in Ubud, Canggu, Jimbaran, Sanur and Legian. When searching for cheap accommodation, you have to remember, you get what you pay for.

Important Reminders Before Taking Your Holiday

I know there are a lot out there who are experts about this topic. I might not be, but I have enough experience to share with you. Let me begin with the basics. There are a lot of things we need to consider when planning or before going for a trip or vacation. As a frequent traveler, I have a lot of experiences to impart to those who want to travel. Things you should do and prepare before going for your holiday. Here are some travel guides and tips I wish to share to all those who are still beginners in the travel world.

What to Take

With the exploding prices of gasoline these days, most airlines are reducing their allowed baggage both check-in and hand carry. I remember during my first vacation to the Philippines where I am allowed up to 35 kilos for check-in and 12 kilos for hand carry. That was 2004. During my last vacation last 2009-2010, my check-in luggage was only 30 kilos and hand carry was 7 kilos. Imagine the difference.

This is only a reminder that we need to only take the most important things we need. I know you don't want to be left in your flight, only because of overweight in your luggage.

There is a saying that says, "Half the clothes and twice the money". This simply means that bring as little as possible. You don't know if you are still shopping for clothes and sometimes overweight luggage can give you stress. Bring only the things that you importantly need. Bring with you one medium-size suitcase, with wheels is lighter. I usually have an extra shoulder bag where I put important travel documents. I also bring a smaller bag where I put some personal items. If you follow this rule, you will surely have a comfortable trip.

I always see to it that I always bring with me an extra sweater. This is especially true if you are traveling in Europe. Sometimes there are countries that have changing weather condition. Brief cold spells in Europe are not uncommon. I also bring with me some pens and notebooks because I usually write a travel journal. Slip-in a small pocket flashlight in your shoulder bag together with collapsible umbrella. Also take with you adapter plugs and electrical converter for your electrical appliances. European voltage is 220.

I truly recommend luggage with wheels. I only have a two-wheel luggage at the moment. I want to buy a four-wheel luggage soon.

Cash, Currencies and Cards

For me these are the most important things you need to consider when travelling, cash currencies and cards. Most members of the European Union countries are now using Euro currency. Some countries in Europe like England, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Norway are using their own monetary unit. It is not a problem because you can find a lot of money or currency exchange shops at the airport, train stations and banks.

There are sites online like caxtonfx.com where you can convert one currency to another currency. You can also purchase an electronic foreign exchange rate converter. Some cellphone apps or cellphone companies are having this feature now.

Cards like Visa, Maestro, Cirrus and most debit cards are widely accepted nowadays. It is advisable not to carry more cash than you can afford to lose. There are ATMs everywhere. You can also carry a traveler check which is safer. I hope you are also aware that credit cards are safer to use that debit cards.

Before You Go

You should take steps to ensure that no break-in will happen when you are away. This is especially true if there have been any break-ins in your area. You can ask your neighbours to keep a watchful eye for suspicious people and their activities. Request you neighbour to call the police if ever there are suspicious people around.

Some people who are members of social networks like facebook, myspace, tagged, etcetera are announcing their vacation on their walls and shout-outs. Beware of these, the burglars might have an idea that you are not at home. Lastly, don't announce your forthcoming holiday plans in the newspaper or tabloids. It might cause you or your properties some harm.

I guess these reminders and tips will help you in your journey. Have a safe and enjoyable trip to all travelers out there.

Melbourne Sightseeing

For me, Melbourne is one of the beautiful cities in Australia. It is actually the capital in the state of Victoria. It is also the most populous city in this state and the second most populous in the whole of Australia. For sure, when we will be visiting this city, we need a place to stay. Unless you have some friends and relatives who will heartily welcome you in their homes. But don't have to worry there are, cheap melbourne hotels who will always welcome us during our stay. I am included here because I still did not visit this city.

For now, all I can do is read and share about its famous sights. Here the sights I wish to visit in Melbourne.

Federation Square

This is the first in my wishlist to visit in Melbourne. It is a major square in this city. You cal also find here the Federation Square Building with its unique architecture. It is considered to be Victoria’s second most popular tourist attraction.

Luna Park Melbourne

I always love parks and garden and I am very sure that I will love this place. Luna Park Melbourne was opened on 13 December 1912. It is a historic amusement park located on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda, Victoria.

Eureka Tower

It is the tallest residential building in the world. You can have a wonderful panoramic view of Melbourne at Eureka Skydeck. If you have fear on heights, better not attempt to go up.

The Royal Exhibition Building

Another worthy to visit is the Royal Exhibition Building located in the Carlton Gardens. The buildings and the gardens belongs to the list of UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004.

Of course, there are still a lot of sights to see. This is only my partial list. I believed I can visit this city one day.