Archive for category Travel Info & Tips

A Very Different Kind of Aspe Accommodation-Four Points Villa

Aspe, a municipality in Alicante, is a very tranquil place – the perfect getaway for people seeking a peaceful respite. This place has everything to offer from the beautiful town itself to the exciting Benidorm city which is just up the coast. But it is also in this place that you will find a different type of accommodation. This article is going to be concentrating on the Four Points Villa which is just like the many other accommodations in Aspe except there is a certain twist to this property. This villa caters to another kind of exciting escapade.

Four Points Villa is owned by Steve and Paul and it is situated at 85 Camino Noria de Sargueta in Aspe.  It is in the heart of Aspe, a wine growing region of the Costa Blanca and from Four Points, the town center of Aspe is just 3 minutes away by car. The location is near the Alicante and the La Marina nudist beaches. It is near the exciting gay scene in the cities of Alicante, Benidorm and Elche giving you a chance to savor a new thrill. Or if you are culturally inclined, you can visit the historic towns of Murcia, Elche and Orihuela.

This villa is a gay house accommodation – designed by gay men for gay people. It is a one level restored farm house. The villa has four rooms and a self-contained apartment and caters to male only clientele.

Amenities include a swimming pool with Jacuzzi. Clothing around the pool and Jacuzzi is optional. There is a shaded garden and a big air-conditioned lounge where guests can mingle and chat. There is internet access and available phone lines. Price ranges are 65 to 109 euro per day or 455 to 763 euro per week. You can book online and acceptable payment method could be cash, credit card or pay pal. Complimentary breakfast is included in the accommodation quotation and this can be served either in your room or in the terrace where you can meet other guests. Room rates are inclusive of all drinks consumed during the duration of your stay.

Room amenities include flat screen TV and there is DVD player. A selection of films is available and you can just borrow from the film library. There is a mini-bar and is restocked every day. There is a tea and coffee maker.  All rooms are air-conditioned and have king size beds and en suites with rainfall showers, hand basin and toilet. Complimentary toiletries are in-house.

Guests can also opt for the self-contained apartment. However, there is only one unit of this type of accommodation. Like the guest rooms, the self-contained apartment is furnished with a king-sized bed and with all the amenities found in the guest room, including the en suite. This apartment has a fitted kitchen with the necessary cookware and utensils that will enable you to cook your meal or snacks. The kitchen has a ceramic hob, a microwave oven and a fridge-freezer.

Steve or Paul can book a rented car for your exploration of the other neighboring towns and cities. If you like nightlife or beaches, Benidorm is just a few minute-drive. If you are golf enthusiast, you can visit one of the nearby golf clubs. Or – you can visit the different vineyards for which Aspe is noted for or the nudist places in Alicante.

Visiting Aspe can give you a different kind of experience. There are varied choices and you can always pick-out you options for a memorable holiday.

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Alicante Flights for the Budget

The Alicante airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain. This is because the province of Alicante is popular amongst tourists all over the world. The Costa Blanca region of Alicante is the destination of most of these international visitors and finding Alicante flights can be very difficult during the busy seasons.

The best option is to book a flight well in advance of the chosen vacation month. This will allow you to choose form a variety of airlines and also give you more of a choice when it comes to choosing prices. The busy seasons always bring an increase in the airlines prices and for those on a budget this can be a real problem. The wise thing to do would be to first decide the exact date and time of your vacation so you may plan accordingly.

The next thing to do is to employ the services of a good travel agency. Most people opt for this route because it is hassle free giving them time to deal with other aspects of their vacation. However, choosing a deal offered by these travel agencies does not guarantee the best and cheapest deals. A better alternative is to utilize the freely available information on the internet and research the options available to you.

Various websites and forums deal with these issues and can provide valuable first hand advice about planning your trip. Many people have shared their experiences, both positive and negative, on different forums and this can help you to decide each detail of your planned vacation. Therefore, the best thing to do is to go through each package and airline service in detail to get a sound idea of what would be the best option for you. For instance, the Scandinavian Airlines offers many cheap packages for travelers from Norway and Easyjet from England, Scotland and Switzerland.

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4th of July Vacations for Family Fun

There are many places families can go for 4th of July vacations.  Resorts, camp grounds, hotels and other locations often have special rates available for such holiday weekends.  Many places have pools to help endure the heat and give the children something to do.

Beach destinations such as Myrtle Beach offer great dining, inviting beaches, golf, casino cruises, live entertainment, amusement parks, fishing and other water sports.  Many attractions and activities are family oriented, so the children will not be bored.

If your family enjoys the outdoors, camping may be another option.  IF you already have camping gear and a tent or RV, you will simply need to choose your location.  Many state parks offer inexpensive camp sites, though you will need to book early for the best sites.  If you own an RV, you may want to head to a national park or historical site.  Such places usually have activities and grounds for children to play.

If you are tent camping, you may want to make backup plans in the event of rain.  Check maps of camp sites before reserving one.  If you have small children you may want a spot closer to bathrooms and showers.  It will make life much easier and give you more time to enjoy the outdoors.  Hiking trails and horseback riding are some activities that your family may enjoy in such a setting.  Always check with providers for ages of children they will allow.

Resorts are great if your family is smaller.  They can usually accommodate any special requests or provide additional equipment for infants and toddlers.  Resorts sometimes offer packages which include accommodations, meals and some form of entertainment.  Some families want to see fireworks on Independence Day, so you will want to consider this when choosing 4th of July vacation spots for your family.

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The ruggedness of Onil

Settled into the foothills of the Sierra de Mariola is the rugged town of Onil. The town has been around since the beginning of time, or so it seems. The first recorded mention of Onil was around the time that the Christians reconquered the land and James I of Aragon was the king. The Muslims were in this land for a long time and left some of their most priceless skills and knowledge behind them. Like most small Spanish mountain towns, Onil is a surprise if you turn a corner and you arrive here. On one side of the town are the steep mountains and on the other side are the plains.

The typical weather here in summertime is like the rest of the entire Costa Blanca, very hot and humid with temperatures that can reach to well over 35°C. But during the winter months, because the town is settled in between the Mediterranean climate and the Continental climate, the temperatures can plummet to -10°C. So, it is advisable to try and holiday here during the summer months if you can, or at least during the spring.

One of the best times to come to this part of the world is during the spring. This is when you will really see the town coming alive. The festival of the Moors and Christians is held here towards the end of April. The Fiesta is a celebration of the famous battles that happened over 700 years ago. And when it comes to a party, these mountain people know what they’re doing. There are various other celebrations throughout the year including the religious festivals and processions that take place around Christmas and Easter. With a population of 7500 people, the town of Onil has based its particular brand of tourism on peace and quiet, on allowing anyone who comes here to relax and take part in the mountain culture.

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Working with Airline Alliances for your RTW Ticket

If you are looking to take a round the world trip, finding out how to get to each stop is a lot of the planning and can be a bit of a headache. Your round the world trip is supposed to be exciting and not stressful. So, in order to plan your RTW tickets, you will need help from a professional. Travelers either work with a trip advisor, or they can work directly with an airline alliance.

An airline alliance works with all the different airlines trying to get you cheap airline tickets for your RTW ticket. Normally the alliance will have a list of specific airlines that they deal with, so check to make sure that all the countries you want to travel to are represented by the alliance you choose. There are many different alliances available around the world, and each offers their unique combination of airlines they use, as well as how many stopovers, or miles you are allowed.

Alliances are either based on how many continents you visit, or how many miles you use. Depending on where you are traveling, you can decide which way works best for you. Many of the RTW tickets start at about $2,000 USD and go up from there. The prices will tend to fluctuate depending on what time of year you are flying.

The number of stops allowed on your ticket range from 3-20. If you choose to use the miles option the range is normally between 26,000 and 39,000 with an option of purchasing more miles if needed. If you backtrack at any point in your trip it will cost you miles. The continent option is normally based on visiting 3-4 continents but can go as high as 6. If you choose to travel by continent instead of by miles there is normally no miles limit to your ticket.

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Fly Fishing Trips

This article is going to be about how to plan a fishing trip. In order to successfully plan a fishing trip, you will need to figure out what you are exactly fishing for. If you are going on a fly fishing trip, then you need to make sure that you have the right kind of rods and tackle with you.

If you do not know anything about the fishing style that you are going to be doing, it’s a good idea that you do some research. Once you figure out how, you can go about figuring out what to bring with you on your trip.

You are going to want to bring some food, especially if you plan on camping for a few days. Bring a little bit extra food then what you really need just in case something happens while you are out there.

Next you are going to want to bring first aid kits and any other health related things. This is for your safety and so that you wll not hurt yourself.

If you follow these tips, then you should be able to have a fun and exciting fishing trip.

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Finding and Maintaining a Boat Trailer

When it comes to buying a boat trailer, quality is key. A cheap boat trailer will not withstand the test of time. Also, be sure that you do your reasearh on different specifications such as trailer weight (aluminum vs. steel) and wheel size. Larger wheels will rotate less, therefore there will be less friction and wear to the tires, as well as less wear on the wheel bearings. It’s important to keep up on proper maintenence of your trailer once you have made the purchase, as well. The most important thing to watch is the wheel bearings. Boat trailers are frequently dunked in water, which is the number one enemy to the bearings. Keep the bearings sealed and greased to insure long life. Also, have a friend or family member help you with making sure all light functions are working as they should be. Additionally, if your trailer is used in saltwater applications, rinse it off with freshwater after every use to extend the life of all components of the trailer.

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Walking holidays in Spain

I love walking. It beats jogging, cycling, jumping, and skipping. No seriously, I think there is no better way to view a foreign city or a foreign land than just walking. The whole secret is to take your time, taking in the views, the sounds, all the smells. You cannot get this from the car, or on a tour bus.

Walking holidays in Spain and firmly embedded in my blood. There is no other way I would visit Spain or the Spanish cities and resorts, and burden myself with a car. It’s just pointless.

You are also keeping yourself healthy. Many people go on foreign holidays to sit in the sun and get burned, or drink themselves into a stupor, or eat themselves into a bigger pair of pants. I walk, period.

Operación Retorno
Creative Commons License photo credit: Lambroso

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Southampton

The playground of the rich and famous. You can rent a house for the summer in Southampton for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like this lovely place: 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, and 3500 square feet to get lost in. Just a cool $600,000 for the summer.You could also save some money and get in on this deal for $525,000. A three acre estate with a pool and tennis court, 8 bedrooms and lots of other extras in a neatly packaged 9000 square feet. Now that would be a really nice Hampton vacation!

Just for fun, you could head on over to Coopers Beach in Southampton and see some of the folks that are surely staying for the summer in one of these mansions. The beach is just one of many in the Hamptons but is situated so their are a lot of large homes and estates in close proximity.

Even though Coopers is a public beach it can be tough to find a parking spot. If you do get the beach early enough, you might be “unlucky” enough to find a parking spot. You see if you don’t have a $150 season parking pass, you will have to pay a $25 or $30 parking fee, depending on the day of the week. At least there are lifeguards. So you will be getting something for all that money you pay for the privilege of getting to stay on the beach there.

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Going Naked in the Languedoc Roussillon

2002-10-26 11-15 Andalusien, Lissabon 434 Torre del Mar
Creative Commons License photo credit: Allie_Caulfield

As much as the tourist offices of the Cap d’Agde beach resort tries to play down the popularity of its naturist village it can’t escape from the fact that naturism is definitely the areas claim to fame! In fact Le Cap d’Agde, in the Languedoc Roussillon region of France, had a hell of a lot going for it as a family destination and the nudist village and beach is only a small part of the resort.

Nevertheless, sex sells and by far the most searched for information for the location is from those looking for pictures and info about the steamier side of life. In reality the naturist village is full of middle age couples walking around with nothing on and I can’t imagine more of a turn off, but there you go each to their own. I can understand the attraction of sunbathing naked on the beach, but the naturist village has its own shops and supermarkets. Do I want to buy my groceries naked? No.

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