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We, the human race, are becoming more sensitized to
the needs of the planet and its environs. With this in
mind, many places are offering vacations with a
difference. A place and time to learn what we can do
to lessen the impact we make on the earth itself.

Some places even offer courses up to master?s level
for those individuals interested in ecology. Many of
these places are running farms capable of sustaining
themselves as well as those in the local community.

All fruit and vegetables, for an example, are grown
without the use of chemicals and sometimes without the
use of machinery! – a very ?hands-on? approach not
usually seen in this day and age.

One of these ventures in particular is trying to
re-introduce the concept of local people connecting to
the food supply being grown literally in its own
backyard instead of buying everything in plastic bags
at the supermarket.

Accommodation is sometimes on the farm itself or in
the local community giving the holiday-maker a chance
to revisit rural America in a rather unique way.
Children are given a small taste of what life was like
before computers and designer labels took over.

This may not be everyone?s dream holiday, indeed it
may take some kind of persuasion from parent to child,
but I can?t help feeling that we should take a chance,
perhaps once in a while, to experience something
completely different.

This is certainly one for the more adventurous amongst
us!

Summer is coming again and you know you want to do
something ?different? but just what is that you are
looking for?

One of the fastest growing vacations is the kind where
you learn to do something totally out of your normal,
everyday life. Perhaps you would like to try
scuba-diving?

These courses are offered in most areas but why not
learn it in some exotic far-flung place and have a
great adventure at the same time? Places are far apart
as Zanzibar or Turkey, Kenya or Israel and the like.

Maybe you are not into the ?watery? sports, so what
about belly-dancing or rock-climbing? Again, all on
offer near you whether it?s in the local community
college or at the mall.

More exciting though when, for example, some dusky
eyed maiden is swiveling her hips for you in some
balmy Mediterranean hotspot.

If the more active holiday is not for you – try out a
cookery course. Think of the shock on your friends or
family?s faces when you invite them to that gourmet
meal that wasn?t delivered by the local eatery. Or
display that water-color you produced yourself on the
shores of the Indian Ocean.

That is not to say that you can?t have that ?lying in
a hammock with cold drink and a good book? kind of
vacation but there is nothing more rewarding than
mastering a new art.

It may be time to impress your friends, and yourself,
with that latent talent you never knew you had!

Can you remember that song? Was it in South Pacific?
Ok, for the younger ones, this was a haunting song
from a musical – not many of those around these days!
- which in those days seemed like a world away from
our everyday lives.

But these days Bali has much to offer and it is within
most people?s ?trip of a lifetime? holiday plans.

Where is it? It is one of the islands of Indonesia. If
you look at a world map, Bali is North West of
Australia sitting between Jakarta and East Timor.

What does it have to offer? Well, it could probably be
listed amongst some of the most beautiful places in
the world. The island is practically ringed with white
sand beaches and clear water.

It has an active volcano at its center, rice fields
abound everywhere and Hindu temples, complete with
offerings to the Gods, are scattered throughout the
island.

The island is famous for its batik cloth and
paintings. Balinese culture includes the colorful and
unique dance troupes as well as its famous wood
carvings.

This truly is a beautiful and serene place where the
local people love to show off their cultural heritage.
They welcome visitors from all around the world and
offer many kinds of exciting experiences along with
the usual snorkeling, diving programs, horse-riding
and boat trips to other islands.

This surely must be one of the most exotic and far
flung places you could ever wish to visit.

If you are itching to do something different this
summer vacation, why not consider a ?once in a
lifetime? holiday to England?n

Historical sites are in abundance, with several of the
Queen?s residences in easy reach of central London.
Most have sections open to the public and offer a
unique insight into the history of her ancestors.

Art galleries, theaters offering the latest and best
stage shows, nightclubs, casinos, London has
everything including the ?London Eye? – a huge wheel
housing bullet shaped carriages for twenty or so
people to view the London skyline both by day and
night. These are even rented out for cocktail parties
and weddings!

London also boasts one of the best local transport
systems in the world and it is very easy to ?pop-up?
all over London in a relatively short time by using
the underground railway. It?s a great way to avoid the
traffic jams also!

But England is more than just London. Take a trip out
to Oxford or Cambridge, the towns housing perhaps some
of the most famous colleges in the world. It?s like
stepping back in time with the ancient buildings still
in use after hundreds of years.

Many Britons now offer a ?home-stay? type of holiday
where you can stay with a family or perhaps the
holiday swaps where you go to a families home whilst
they come to yours.

This sounds a bit dangerous but there are agencies set
up to monitor this and it is becoming increasingly
popular.

Can you remember that song? Was it in South Pacific?
Ok, for the younger ones, this was a haunting song
from a musical – not many of those around these days!
- which in those days seemed like a world away from
our everyday lives.

But these days Bali has much to offer and it is within
most people?s ?trip of a lifetime? holiday plans.

Where is it? It is one of the islands of Indonesia. If
you look at a world map, Bali is North West of
Australia sitting between Jakarta and East Timor.

What does it have to offer? Well, it could probably be
listed amongst some of the most beautiful places in
the world. The island is practically ringed with white
sand beaches and clear water.

It has an active volcano at its center, rice fields
abound everywhere and Hindu temples, complete with
offerings to the Gods, are scattered throughout the
island.

The island is famous for its batik cloth and
paintings. Balinese culture includes the colorful and
unique dance troupes as well as its famous wood
carvings.

This truly is a beautiful and serene place where the
local people love to show off their cultural heritage.
They welcome visitors from all around the world and
offer many kinds of exciting experiences along with
the usual snorkeling, diving programs, horse-riding
and boat trips to other islands.

This surely must be one of the most exotic and far
flung places you could ever wish to visit.

We all have that image of Las Vegas where on every
corner there is a casino with bigger and better
attractions than the last one, but take another look
and you may be surprised at what you find.

Red Rock Canyon, one hour drive from Las Vegas, has a
13 mile scenic adventure where every bend in the road
rewards you with yet another superb vista – great
photographic opportunities here.

If you want something a little more strenuous then you
could park the car and hike through this incredibly
beautiful countryside.

Or what about taking a day trip to Hoover Dam and take
in Lake Mead at the same time? The lake boasts many
water activities including paddle steamers and
cruises.

If it is water that you are interested in but you want
a bit more of the ?white knuckle? kind of adventure,
then check out the Colorado River. You can river raft
down this mighty waterway – but perhaps the organized
tour would be safer since equipment and instructions
are provided.

Of course there is also the ubiquitous helicopter ride
- another heart stopping experience – over the mighty
Grand Canyon and Death Valley.

All of the places mentioned are within driving
distance of Las Vegas whether it be under your own
steam or on an organized tour.

Whichever combination of sites you choose to visit,
you will truly be astonished at the array of
?adventures? available and all from that place where
you thought gambling was the only thing Las Vegas had
to offer!

The kids are staying with the grandparents, the summer
is here, and you have two whole weeks of nothing in
front of you. What do you do?

A truly superb treat for yourself is to try out a spa
vacation. Take time to recharge those batteries and
get back in touch with you and/or your loved one.

This could be a time to kick back, leave your worries
at home and be rejuvenated by the many treatments
available. How about a specialized massage with sweet
smelling oils followed by a fruity facial? Then off to
the sauna to sweat out those toxins that have been
accumulating all year.

There are virtually hundreds of these spas all around
the world and most have something unique to offer.
Perhaps your idea of ‘recharging? your batteries is to
lie in a hammock reading a good book whilst sipping
exotic drinks from a coconut.

Or perhaps you would like to nibble on mangoes and
papaya after the early morning yoga session? Whatever
your desire, it is on offer.

Choosing this type of holiday may be one of the best
decisions you ever made. If your life is full of
stress – and who doesn?t have that kind of life these
days – this could be the time you take for yourself to
evaluate and consider where your life is leading you.

It may seem a little self indulgent but didn?t you
work so hard this year? Go on – you deserve it!

Can you remember that song? Was it in South Pacific?
Ok, for the younger ones, this was a haunting song
from a musical – not many of those around these days!
- which in those days seemed like a world away from
our everyday lives.

But these days Bali has much to offer and it is within
most people?s ?trip of a lifetime? holiday plans.

Where is it? It is one of the islands of Indonesia. If
you look at a world map, Bali is North West of
Australia sitting between Jakarta and East Timor.

What does it have to offer? Well, it could probably be
listed amongst some of the most beautiful places in
the world. The island is practically ringed with white
sand beaches and clear water.

It has an active volcano at its center, rice fields
abound everywhere and Hindu temples, complete with
offerings to the Gods, are scattered throughout the
island.

The island is famous for its batik cloth and
paintings. Balinese culture includes the colorful and
unique dance troupes as well as its famous wood
carvings.

This truly is a beautiful and serene place where the
local people love to show off their cultural heritage.
They welcome visitors from all around the world and
offer many kinds of exciting experiences along with
the usual snorkeling, diving programs, horse-riding
and boat trips to other islands.

This surely must be one of the most exotic and far
flung places you could ever wish to visit.

One of the most interesting and exciting vacations on
offer today is the safari holiday. Some of these now
have become rather more sophisticated than the tent
and backpack variety and have something to offer even
the most discerning of travelers.

Most visitors to East Africa, for example, choose to
take a few days relaxing – jet-lag gets the best of
most people! – at the beginning and end of their
holiday lying ocean-side in a five star hotel with all
of the comforts you would expect.

Kenya has lots to offer with the superb white sandy
beaches edging the Indian Ocean to its vast national
parks being home to some of the worlds? most exotic
creatures – including the ?big five?.

The great wildebeest migration starts in October with
literally hundreds of thousands of the animals
crossing from Tanzania in the south through Kenya and
back again. People come from all corners of the world
to witness this spectacular event and always leave in
awe at the spectacle.

After the grueling road trip – Kenyan roads are not
the best – its time for the luxury again. Hotel staff
are very courteous and highly trained in customer
care. They have had many years to polish up the
service and it shows!

So if it is great snorkeling, diving courses, or dhow
trips (traditional Arab sailing vessels) you are
after, as they say there ?hakuna matata? – no problem.

Life in Kenya is relatively slow so it?s a great way
to relax and unwind!

Perhaps one of the most diverse areas of the United
States is the region containing Idaho, South Dakota,
Montana and Wyoming.

This surely must offer the widest range of parks,
rodeos, adventure holidays, skiing holidays and river
rafting adventures etc. There is more to see, do and
get involved in, than possibly any other part of the
US.

Mount Rushmore is situated here – imagine how many
people must have seen this monument – along with the
famous Little Big Horn battle ground.

Its not all camping trips and trekking here though.
Five star resorts with gourmet meals and fine wine
abound and cater for the discerning palates amongst
us. Did you know that there is a falls higher than the
more famous Niagara Falls? Or a canyon deeper than the
Grand Canyon? Surprisingly both can be found here.

There is a lot for children to do too. Imagine
teaching them how to light and cook over open
camp-fires. Teaching them to fish for their supper!
Hiking up trails instead of sitting in front of the
T.V. – a somewhat ?old-fashioned? way of reconnecting
as a family.

There is much on offer here and it would seem to give
the traveler something a little different. The chance
to be at one with nature and see the natural wonders
of the world.

So if it?s wide open spaces with big skies that you
are looking for – this is the place. But be warned,
once you have experienced this magnificent place, you
may not want to leave!