Our 7 Wonders - Seven of the most amazing natural places on earth

To end the year, we wanted to share a photo post of some of the most amazing places on earth. Whether you ever travel to see all of them in person or not, it entices the imagination just knowing they are out there ...

The Great Blue Hole, in Belize

The Great Blue Hole is actually an underwater sinkhole, off the coast of Belize. The atoll is the Lighthouse Reef.

  Mount Roraima

The surface of Mount Roraima when surrounded by clouds looks like it's the only place remaining on earth. It is a tabletop mountain on the border of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, only accessible from a steep slope from Venezuela, since the other sides are sheer cliffs. Spectacular waterfalls cascade from it's heights. Being isolated, there are some unique plant and animal species to be found on Mount Roraima.

Socotra

Socotra Island is another isolated location that boasts it's own collection of weird plant life and unique animals. It is one of a group of islands of the coast of Africa, but if you didn't know better, you might think you were on Mars instead from looking at the extremely weird landscape.

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway in Ireland is a top destination for travelers to the Emerald Isle. The Causeway is made up of columns of basalt that interlock into an intricate pattern, and in some places rise high to form chimneys.

Lençóis Maranhenses

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is an oasis of sand dunes in Brazil. In spite of regular rainfall (it is not a desert) there are no plants. Surprising small lagoons fill the spaces between the dunes during the rainy season, reaching their peak between July and September. The lagoons are filled with fish (whose eggs are presumably brought in by birds from nearby bodies of water) and the inhabitants of the park fish the lagoons.  Truly a visual contradiction - lagoons in the desert.

Wave Rock

Wave Rock near Hyden in Western Australia is a natural rock formation that resembles a huge ocean wave just about to break.  As you can tell from the pictures here, it is a good site for some fun photography tricks.

Spotted Lake

Spotted Lake is found near Osoyoos in British Columbia, Canada. Great concentrations of various minerals as well as lesser amounts of silver and titanium combine to give the pools their intense coloration. When the water evaporates during the summer, the minerals remain and form the spots.  The area was purchased by the First Nations in 2001 and set aside as a sacred and therapeutic site. 

Coming soon: amazing man-made features!

Please excuse our mess!

Just a little administrative notice ... we are taking advantage of the down-week between Christmas and New Year's to update all of our blogs and jazz them up a bit. In the meantime, please excuse the mess!

We are aware that many posts have gone missing :( and they should be replaced from our saved database soon.


The dust should settle within a few days, and we plan to roll out a whole new look for the New Year!

Peru - Adventure, Wilderness, History, Mystery!

Peru travel tours offer a wide range of vacation options unique to this destination alone. The cryptic Nazca Lines, the hidden peaks of Machu Picchu, the depths of the Amazon rainforest, all of these make Peru a land of mystery that beckons to the adventurous.



No Peru vacation package would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Built by the Incas as an estate for the emperor, it was abandoned during the Spanish Conquest. Hidden away during the centuries since then, Machu Picchu remains nearly intact. Voted one of the new seven wonders of the world, it stands as an amazing example of Incan construction. Machu Picchu Peru tour guides lead tourists to the mysterious forgotten city in the clouds, introducing visitors to the rich culture and history of the city. Marvel at the amazing Incan building ingenuity which has allowed Machu Picchu to stand for centuries in spite of seismic activity, rivaling the best designs of modern architects in the attempt to deal with earthquakes. 

Cruise the Amazon River on Delfin Luxury Cruises. Be amazed at the incredible diversity of plant life and the kaleidoscope of animal species. The Amazon is home to a staggering 1/3 of all species on earth, and more are being discovered every year.Experienced guides offer insights into the local wildlife. An ideal cruise for anyone who loves adventure and exploring a rich biodiversity.

The Nazca Lines were unknown until planes began flying over the area, and from the sky, passengers noticed the geometric patterns and likenesses of plants (tree and flower), likenesses of animals (including spider, dog, phoenix, hummingbird, monkey, and more),  and in a few cases humans (one image is called the astronaut!). Much speculation has surrounded the Nazca Lines, but no one knows their exact meaning. They were created by removing the top layer of red stone, revealing lighter sand beneath.

Peru has a flavor and excitement all its own, from colorful local villages, exotic flora and fauna, and mist-topped mountains often reached by trekking with llamas. Rich in history and shrouded in mystery, Peru offers travelers a unique vacation adventure!

Hotels in Queenstown NZ - family fun and adventure

Looking for a holiday that is fun the entire family? A destination with adventure at every turn that will fill your days with excitement and provide memories for a lifetime? Queenstown, NZ will not disappoint!

Fly into Christchurch and stay in a Christchurch hotel, then get an early start to Queenstown. Here are some attractions you won’t want to miss!

• Alipine Aqualand at $3-$8 per person is a great bargain, and fun for the entire family. Visitors from the Northern Hemisphere will especially appreciate the opportunity to splash down the hydroslide or relax on the lazy river
• The Shotover Jet is an extreme jet boat ride that will thrill your entire family as you catapult through the awesome scenery of the Shotover River Canyons!
• Relax on a steamship as you arrive at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a fun day filled with sheep shearing, horseback rides, strolling along lovely garden paths, and savoring delicious, traditional foods
• Enjoy a visit to the Kiwi Birdlife Park where you can watch and even feed kiwis and take in a conservation show
• Pick up the excitement again by taking a gondola to the top of the Skyline Luge, where a scenic path is available, along with a thrilling advanced track 
• Check out the Remarkables Market (near the Luge and open Saturdays October through April) where you can enjoy seasonal food, exclaim over the work of local artisans, and be entertained by performers -- all for free!
• Relax in a private spa at the Onsen Hot Pools. Possibilities include a cozy candle-filled hot tub room or retractable windows that open to reveal a breathtaking cliffside view
• Segway on Q lets everyone enjoy the unique experience of Segway, adding excitement to your local tour!
• Summerdaze Festival will run from December 30 to January 31, and features fun for the little ones as well as live music, many sporting events, and arts and crafts. The cost is free, we recommend you don't miss this one!
• This is the season for the Queenstown Farmer's Market as well. Visitors can enjoy fresh local produce as well as artisan breads, cheeses, chutneys, sausages, and many other farm delights
• Ring in the New Year on the Steamboat Jazz Tour, and be in perfect position to view the fireworks over the water

These are just a few of the attractions and events you can enjoy on your Queenstown vacation -- there are far too many to be able to list here. So book your vacation in Queenstown hotels, plan your fun, and bring the whole family!

Tips for safe and healthy travel

Everyone wants to focus on the fun of a vacation, but a little advance planning of practical aspects can save a lot of fear and frustration (and maybe a life!) later, in case something goes wrong.



Not long ago I was traveling across the country with Pepper, my beloved pet Labrador. Pepper has been my close friend and traveling buddy since I got her as a puppy 3 years ago.

We were on a stretch of road in west Texas when Pepper started wheezing. She had never done anything like that before, and I was concerned. My concern turned to near-panic when her breathing became even more labored, and I could see she was in serious trouble. I pulled over to check on her, but she wasn’t choking on anything and I didn’t know how to help her. I grabbed my cell phone … no reception.

I had no idea what to do, but I knew out in the middle of nowhere I wasn’t going to be able to help her, so I got back on the road and rushed to I-didn’t-know-where. There was an exit coming up, and a little gas station there, so I pulled in. Thankfully, the attendant didn’t think I was crazy, started making phone calls for me, and put me in touch with a vet clinic that was less than 10 miles away.

I rushed Pepper there, and two men in white medical lab coats picked her up and carried her into the back. The story had a happy ending – it turns out Pepper was having an acute asthma attack, and while it WAS an emergency, they were able to stabilize her. Now I have medications to (hopefully!) keep it under control. Her attack was most likely triggered by something in the air that she hadn’t been exposed to before.

Of course, I'm so glad what could have been a tragedy turned out alright.



So, what can you do to protect your pets, your children, and even yourself when traveling in case of an emergency?

image courtesy of         
http://www.blueskyscrubs.com

The National Institute of Health recommends the following precautions –

• Check with your insurance company before traveling to find out what coverages you have. Make sure to bring insurance information with you, and consider traveler's insurance if needed

• Make sure you have any medications you will need for the duration of your trip, and keep it with you in a carry-on rather than checking it
• Try to research health care in the country you are visiting if you travel abroad, and if possible, know where you will go if you need help. (Often your hotel can be very helpful with this information)
• Bring immunization and health records, and contact information for your physician(s) and pharmacist
• Find out if you will need to update any immunizations 4-6 weeks before you travel
• Know what precautions to take for the area you are visiting, such as whether any foods or liquids may be unsafe, prevention of mosquito bites, whether traveler's diarrhea is common at that destination and how to prevent/treat it
• When you arrive at your destination, find out how to contact emergency services if it should become necessary

A first aid kit and sunscreen are sensible items to pack as well.

And for traveling safely with pets:

• Bring proof of the pet's vaccinations, and contact information for your veterinarian
• Pack enough of the pet's regular food so that they don't have to change during the trip, if it is a food that might not be available locally. It can be a good idea to bring jugs of water from home as well
• Have a carrier for the pet and get them used to being inside it before they leave, so they have a safe haven to retreat to and you have a way to restrain them
• Harnesses and leashes are a good idea for cats who might otherwise easily escape and run away in panic. Of course leashes are essential for dogs as well.
• Never leave pets in a car when the weather is warm, as the temperatures can quickly become too much for them (and it may be illegal in some places as well)
• Make sure to bring any medications the pet may need
• A veterinary visit before traveling can be a wise precaution, since pets often hide early signs of illness until it becomes more serious

We hope these precautions help our readers to have a healthy and safe trip!

Rental cars - return clean OR ELSE! Five tips to avoid cleaning fees

Last time we talked about saving money by avoiding extra rental fees, but one particular area bears closer attention, and it can also save money on hotel and other property rentals. I’m talking about the cleaning fee that is usually written into every rental and lease agreement, and which can sometimes be quite high, and sometimes isn’t even justified.

I once rented a car to transport a handicapped man and his dog to a destination. I cleaned the car before it was turned in, but I missed a couple of dog hairs that had fallen to the carpet. I was then informed that I would be charged a $150 surcharge because they would be deep cleaning, deodorizing, and treating it for fleas. I was truly taken aback – this was not a luxury-type vehicle but a very utilitarian one, and the animal was very clean and well-cared for and certainly didn’t have fleas, but the manager insisted it was standard policy.

Not all companies are that particular, but the fact remains that for some of us, accidents DO happen, especially when traveling with pets or children. It pays to be prepared, and prevent any problems that have associated fees when turning in a rental car, checking out of a hotel room, or returning any other rented property.

1. Don’t smoke inside (or request a smoking rental). Even if you open a window or take other precautions, the smell of the smoke will get into fabrics, carpet, upholstery, etc. and may incur a hefty fee.

2. Be prepared. A simple container of baby wipes can clean small messes quickly and prevent them from setting.

3. Take along bags. A kitchen garbage bag, or even store shopping bags are useful to corral drink cups, soda cans, food wrappers, and protect carpet in the case of muddy shoes.

4. Use kid-safe containers. If your children are small, bring along drink cups and snack containers meant to minimize messy spills.

5. Be aware of pet issues. Keep your pet crated, if that is practical. If necessary, make sure you at least vacuum any loose hair. Your pet should be clean and odor-free, and of course should not harbor fleas.

And in the case of pet accidents, follow these car upholstery cleaning tips. Highly successful cleaning company The Steam Team (http://www.thesteamteam.com/austin-cleaning-services/) recommends cleaning up pet urine right away by blotting with white towels. Continue blotting until no more wetness can be felt. Next, prepare a solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar to use on a fresh towel to clean the area. Afterwards, continue blotting to remove all moisture. They do not recommend using spot-cleaning solutions or detergents, but if you have a machine of your own, you can flush the area with plain water.

I hope these tips will help save our readers money, and keep their rentals cleaner and more comfortable, making travel that much more enjoyable.

Car rentals – don’t get taken in by these extra charges!

When deciding which rental company to use, most people call around and compare rates. However, the base rental rate isn’t the only factor that will determine how much you pay. Ask about extra fees which usually aren’t disclosed in rate quotes, and be especially aware of the following:

Added insurance fees – the common wisdom is “don’t buy it, it’s too expensive.” And that is usually true. Before you rent a vehicle, call your own auto insurer and check with them. Chances are if you have full coverage that your rental will also be covered. Be sure to ask about exactly what is covered and any exclusions though. For example, it may be that only certain drivers are covered. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover some losses as well, so you should give that agent a call. Another possible source of insurance coverage is your credit card company. Contact them in advance as well to see what kind of coverage comes with using their service, if any. (This could be a deciding factor of which card to use, if you have multiple cards.) Another consideration … if you have had at-fault accidents or other claims against your policy in the past few years, it might be better to bite the bullet and buy the policy offered by the car rental agency. That way you won’t have to turn in a report of any damages to your own insurer, which could drive your rates MUCH higher in a situation like this.

Mileage fees – be very aware of this one. Some rentals include unlimited mileage, but others charge a fee for every mile over a base rate, which quickly adds up. If you’ll be using the car often or driving some distance, you probably want to opt for unlimited mileage

Extra cleaning charges – Rental companies vary in what they will accept. Most won’t charge you even if you leave paper trash in the floorboard and the exterior looks like you’ve spent your vacation traveling dirt roads, but a few are more particular and will charge for anything other than “the condition in which you received” the vehicle. The safest bet is to keep it reasonably clean and, if necessary, give the car a once-over before taking it back. After you turn it in you may be stuck with the fee and then it’s too late.

Drop charges – some companies charge you to drop the car off at a place other than the exact location from which you rent it. These fees can vary quite a bit, so if you won’t be returning to the same location, ask in advance not only what the rental rate is, but how much it will cost to leave it at your destination. You may find the fee increases the price so much that it’s better to go with a company that charges a higher base rate.

Damage charges – make sure you carefully inspect the vehicle before you drive away, and insist that any damage at all be noted on the rental form as prior damage. Since most cell phones function as a camera, consider taking photos of any prior damage. Again as you drop the car off, take your own photos to prove it wasn’t damaged when you returned it, and ask to have it inspected right away if possible.

Optional equipment rental – often you pay a premium price for add-ons such as GPS or child safety seats. Sometimes these fees are high enough per day that you’d be better off buying a new one than paying rental charges for a week. If possible, bring your own instead. And if you truly need something, like a child safety seat, ask about guaranteed availability when you make the reservation. Often these cannot be reserved and may or may not be there when you arrive.

Fuel charges – this one has been causing quite a stir lately. Generally you are given the option of returning the car with a full tank, and not being charged for fuel. This is usually your best option, and you do want to be sure to fill up right before you drop off the vehicle. If you are short even a small amount, you can be charged more than twice going rates for fuel from the rental agency. Another item to hit travel news lately is a rental agency requiring receipts for fuel purchased IN ADDITION to the tank being full in order to avoid fuel fees. Be very careful of the fine print on this one.

I hope these tips will prove helpful with so many car rentals coming up over the next weeks, since so many people will be traveling to visit family. Be safe, be wise with your money, and have a good trip!

Working HARD

Thanks for the article from Angelo White

I’ve been working so hard over the last few months and I’m just feeling burnt out. I don’t know why in the world people push themselves as hard as I do but you know, at the end of the day you do what you’ve got to do in this economy to really make a mark on where you think you can go in life. My boss asked me to work extra hours and I’ve been doing it so you know, I feel like at this point I’m putting in my dues so I can reap the rewards later. I love that I can get home on the weekends and watch TV (I found a good direct tv dish network comparison when I moved) and just sleep all I want – that’s one of the benefits of being a SINGLE young professional since I don’t really have any responsibilities outside of my work. I don’t want it to be that way forever but I like it that way for now and it makes me feel settled – that’s what I’m going for!

Solve your holiday hotel blues

Are you tired of the one-size-fits-all impersonal hotel room with the lack of privacy and amenities that usually means? Next time check into alternatives to hotel rentals, such as villa rentals.



While it’s true that there are hotels all over, villas offer so much more. Maybe it’s a private ski chalet in the mountains that fuels your vacation dreams. Perhaps you’d rather enjoy a cozy bungalow on the beach, with sea breezes carrying the sound of surf through open windows and the sandy beach at your doorstep? What would you say to a rustic cottage in a countryside village and waking up to the sound of crowing roosters to take a walk alongside prancing lambs?


Whatever your ideal vacation, you can enjoy it with all the amenities of home and immerse yourself in the local scene. Renting a local villa offers you all the privacy and space enjoyed by homeowners.

If you’re seeking holiday inspiration for vacation destinations, check out the top five Christmas holiday destinations. Take your entire extended family to a magical holiday getaway and share accommodations in a larger villa.


Looking for more information about renting holiday villas? Visit Go! Travelblog for ongoing information from an established network of  over 250,000 properties to select your holiday destination today.

Calgary has it all

Visitors to downtown can travel about the city unhampered by traffic in the world’s largest skywalk network, shopping and dining in the historic Stephen Avenue area or in one of two malls. Those interested in cultural events have many cinemas, galleries and museums to choose from, and can attend performances of various theatre troupes and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sports enthusiasts need not be disappointed either. The Saddledome is home to the National Hockey League Calgary Flames, and in recent years several other hockey teams and a lacrosse team as well.

With all of this going for it, one of my favorite features of the city is that, even though it is one of the densest business districts in North America, residents of the many apartments in downtown Calgary are not locked into a concreted urban existence.



The Core Shopping Centre houses the Devonian Gardens on the upper level. The Devonian Gardens is an amazing 2.5 acre botanical park in the sky. Completely enclosed in glass, it is a tropical oasis even in the midst of Canadian winters, home to thousands of plants native to much warmer climes.

Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Olympic Plaza in downtown Calgary as well. The Olympic Plaza was the site of the medal ceremonies when Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, and has since been the site of festivals, open-air concerts, and other outdoor events. In warmer weather, visitors enjoy the fountains and decorative pools. In winter the park serves as a public ice skating arena.

Indoors or out, culture, shopping or sports, Calgary has something to suit everyone.

Edmonton - The Festival City (and much more!)

Love festivals? Edmonton, Alberta is the city for you! While festival season is usually limited to a few months, Edmonton offers outstanding festivals throughout the year. To be in the center of the action at more affordable rates, rent Edmonton housing and stay and enjoy a palette of attractions.

Churchill Square is the site for a number of summer festivals. The Works Art and Design Festival takes place from late June to early July and features entries from award-winning national and international artists. Street performance takes center stage in July at the Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival.

Other performance art events include the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, one of the largest in the world, and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, which is a major festival in its own right. You can also attend the Free Will Shakespeare Festival or the Edmonton International Film Festival

Klondike Days is a huge summer festival themed after the gold rush and features fireworks, rides, live music, chuckwagon races, and much more. Another similarly themed event is the Canadian Final Rodeo and Farmfair, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world. In a similar vein is the Edmonton Heritage Festival.

Non-festival weekends offer plenty to see and do locally as well. One can visit the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra or enjoy a visit to one of many hosted professional sports games, since Edmonton is home to many professional sports teams including football, hockey, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse, along with several Indy events.

If shopping is your thing, visit West Edmonton Mall, which was the world’s largest mall until 2004. Fort Edmonton Park also boasts the title of Canada’s largest living history museum. So whether shopping, nightlife, cultural events, festivals, or sports appeal to you, you can find world-class outlets in Edmonton, Alberta.