Skydive Woo Hoo

Whatever your choice of adventure or activity holiday it’s important to stay safe. Travel insurance that covers your chosen activity is a given, and you should check with your insurance provider that whatever you’re planning will be covered by your policy. But don’t just rely on insurance to make it all better if anything goes wrong, here are our top tips for staying safe while you play:

Obviously you need to get travel insurance. But check that it covers any sports or activities that you’re planning to do. Extreme sports like bungee jumping or a solo or tandem skydive are unlikely to be covered by a standard policy. Remember that if you’re abroad and uninsured the costs for medical care and repatriation could be sky high.

Always check equipment like ski bindings and diving gear. If it’s not your own gear then check it even more carefully. If you’re not happy with it don’t use it.

If you’re skiing or snowboarding – prepare for it like you would any other vigorous exercise. Warm up first and make sure you are fit enough for the amount of activity you intend to do. Wear warm, weatherproof gear and don’t forget sunscreen.

Whether on snow, sand or water, always protect your eyes – sunglasses or specialist goggles are essential. Consider wearing sandals or trainers on beaches to prevent foot injuries and infections.

Listen to local advice and especially weather warnings. Don’t take to the water or the slopes if weather conditions are likely to deteriorate and pay special heed to avalanche warnings.

Don’t swim or surf anywhere if you’re not sure that it’s safe to do so. Ask locals about tides and currents. Use common sense and don’t take to water straight after meals or drinking alcohol. If you’re diving, wait 24 hour after your flight. And always wear a life jacket for water skiing or any offshore water activities.

Finally, if you’re climbing, be prepared. Take bad weather clothing and a first aid kit. Make sure someone knows exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back. If you’re not an expert, take a guide.

This is a guest post by Rebecca Hall at Extreme Element, providers of extreme sport experiences like tandem skydiving and bungee jumping.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino

Harrah’s Casino, Cheroke NC

One casino that definitely stands out is Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in the Smoky Mountains. For one, the scenery around the casino is unparalleled, especially since Great Smoky Mountain National Park is right around the corner. When it comes to poker, it’s digital. Most people are turned off by this. However, once someone plays here, they never want to play with live cards again. The layout is the same as a regular poker table. The only big differences are that there is no dealer and that you look at your hands on a screen. The reason people fall in love with poker here is because there are twice as many hands dealt per hour. That being the case, a good player stands to win a lot more money. Another big advantage is that since there’s no dealer, there is no tipping to worry about. This saves poker players money. Two other advantages are that no one has to be reminded to post their blinds and dealer errors are non-existent.

Mardi Gras Tri-State Casino

Mardi Gras Tri-State Casino

Another interesting casino is the Mardi Gras Tri-State Casino in Nitro, West Virginia. They like to say they’re located in Charleston, but they’re not. They also have some of the worst dealers in the history of poker. Therefore, you’re probably wondering why you should play there. The number one reason is because they have a big tournament on the last Sunday of every month. What makes this tournament special is that you risk $225 to have a shot at $25,000. This is with only 200-300 players.

Silks Poker Room

Silks Poker Room

Our third and final unknown casino to be considered is the Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs, which is actually located in Oldsmar, Florida. The reasons this poker room is so enticing are because of its spaciousness, quality dealers, scenic views and great food. These are factors you rarely find in a poker room.

Books vs Kindle !!!

Despite the fact that e-readers are becoming an essential part of the book loving community, some readers have strong preferences for paper books. Trying to find the perfect gift for a book lover can be difficult, as each reader has individual preferences. One of the major questions people will be asking this year is whether to get their loved one an e-reader or physical books.

The Kindle ‘The Future’

The Kindle is a great gift for readers who travel. Instead of carting around a heavy suitcase of books, the reader can carry one device that holds thousands of books. It can also carry a variety of genres. Worried about getting bored with the mystery you are working on? That’s okay because within 60 seconds you can be reading a romance novel. The Kindle is also great for readers of all ages, since it offers books for children and young adults. Students may find that some of their textbooks are available in e-book format. E-books tend to be cheaper than physical books so there is a discount there as well. The Kindle also has several different options. There is the basic Kindle in addition to the touch screen version and the tablet version. Some of the Kindle UK models offer internet access and apps that can be purchased from the Amazon app store. The Kindle has evolved into more than just an e-reader with the newer models.

Books ‘The Old Skool’

Books are a great gift because they are affordable. They can be purchased new or used, online or in bookstores. They are easy to find. Books can be enjoyed for hours. There is also a genre for everybody. Anybody can learn from a book and anybody can find something to enjoy. The best way to find a gift for a reader in your life is to target their genre, whether it is romance, mystery, or adventure. If you are unsure about which authors to go for, try getting a couple books from a popular author and then one or two by authors who are not as well-known.

The best way to determine which gift is best for the book lover in your life is to ask! Some readers who are fond of paper books have hostile feelings about e-readers but some just have not had a good experience with an e-reader yet and don’t understand what advantages they offer.

Travellers want to get the most out of every holiday or break without needlessly emptying their pockets. Cheap hotels offer exceptional value for money and are the best way to achieve this.

HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist, has a comprehensive list of more than 20,000 properties, including some top quality budget hotels.

In Europe Hotel de Rocroy is ideally located next to the train station Gare du Nord, with direct links to the city’s main airports. Its central positioning allows easy access to the best French capital attractions such as Montmartre, the Sacré Coeur, the Opéra and the Marais. It boasts a traditional Parisian façade and has 55 completely renovated single, double and twin-bed rooms in stylish and colourful designs.

Petit Palace Tres Cruces is a charming hotel in a classic building. The cheap hotel has been carefully restored to conserve its original style but with modern comforts as standard. It’s located in a pedestrianised area right in the heart of Madrid’s best shopping area. All of the best city sights are within walking distance, including the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Prado Museum. It offers single, double, twin, triple and family rooms for up to four people, making it the ideal choice for families and groups of friends.

MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte is situated in the historical spot where the natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt lived until his death. The 118 unique rooms boast high-class accessories and are individually designed by DaWanda artists. Each floor has a theme based on one of Humboldts’ fields of work: nature, freedom, truth. The public areas are decorated with comic strips about Humboldt drawn by Cuban artists and printed on wallpaper. On the fifth floor guests can find several gallery rooms overlooking Berlin.

Hotel Beautiful in Rome is situated in the historical centre, just next to the Termini train station. It’s well connected to all city areas both by bus and subway, making the visit to all the major touristic attractions easy and quick. The hotel, with all modern amenities, offers a quiet and relaxing retreat after guests have visited all the sites Rome has to offer.

In Dublin, Dergvale Hotel is a family run business with an excellent central location in Dublin City. Whether guests stay in Dublin for business or pleasure the Dergvale Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Dublin city’s top attractions including: O’Connell Street, Henry Street, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, the theatres, museums and restaurants.

Try bunking down in a cave as the Turkish nomads once did, get out on the water with a floating hotel or climb to the forest canopy to sleep in a treehouse. Now where is that adventurous spirit of yours?

In a castle…India
In all its glittering splendour, the Umaid Mahal is an awe-inspiring spectacle of ornate furnishings and traditional welcoming Rajasthani hospitality. The luxurious swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off and on request, guests can enjoy a traditional folk dance and puppet show as well as excursions in to the desert, village , Jaipur and around Rajasthan. Luxury for a fraction of the price.

For the art…Spain
28 artists are responsible for the 28 themed en suite rooms at the Rooms Deluxe Hostel in Valencia. Feeling spiritual? Give the Buddist temple some quality meditation time. Felling passionate? The flamenco suite might just be for you. Art lovers might want to spend the rest of their time visiting the Ciudad de lads Artes y las Ciencias, which is locate d just 2 minutes’ walk from the hostel. There is also a games room and self-catering facilities at hand.

On a river…Serbia
Floating idly on the river Danube Arkabarka Floating Hotel is a multi-storey houseboat accessible from a small jetty. Out on the water it offers spectacular views across to the Kalemegdan fortress and Ratno Ostrvo (War Island) which you can enjoy from many of the bedrooms as well as the bar and communal balcony. It is moored at the edge of Usce Park, a charming leafy location for your stay in Belgrade and guests can make the most of the free cycle hire.

In a cave…Turkey
Cappadocia is famous for its cave dwellings and there is no better place to experience them than at the Aydinli Cave Hotel in the heart of Göreme. One of the suite rooms would be ideal for families and most rooms have Jacuzzi, walk in showers, fireplaces and hamam sinks. Guests can enjoy their free breakfast on the roof terrace which overlooks the old town and there are also self-catering facilities if guests would like to prepare a packed lunch.

Ski and Snowboard Time!

Since snowboarding has become a more mainstream sport there are often now plenty of resorts that offer pistes that are friendly to both skiers and snowboarders. However, if your group plans on only enjoying some boarding rides down the slopes then you may want to focus your attention on snowboarding resorts that offer a plethora of opportunities and half pipes instead of just offering snowboarding alongside ski slopes. Believe it or not there are some great hidden gems spread out across Europe. The following are just a few of the best snowboarding and skiing holiday resorts in the EU.

Mayrohofen one of the top snowboarding resorts because while the Austrian ski resort only sits at an altitude of 630m, it offers three modern gondolas that will quickly rush you up to the valley slopes at the top of the mountains. Another great reason that Mayrohofen is so well known as one of the best snowboarding resorts is because it offers slopes for all skill levels with the Ahorn mountain pistes for beginners, Penken mountain slopes of intermediates, and a few great expert runs spread out in between the two areas along with plenty of great mountainside cafes for break time.

If you want to get a little farther into southern Europe, you can head down to the snowboarding resort of Cervinia, Italy, which is spread out over the Matterhorn mountainside. One of the perks of choosing Cervina is that snow is practically a guarantee due to its high altitudes and the resort area is linked to the Zermatt pistes from the top allowing for plenty of variety and something to accommodate every skill level. As a perk, the area is known for excellent affordable Italian restaurants making it a holiday location your tastebuds will defiantly enjoy.

Outside of these two great snowboarding holiday resorts, France of course also has a few to offer interested snowboarders including the top rated snowboarding resort areas of Avoriaz, La Tania, and Flaine. La Tania in particular is a great choice for those who want to book a quick weekend getaway given it is an easy drive away from the UK. For children, Avoriaz is a great beginner’s park with plenty of space and offers three snowparks for those who like a freestyle challenge.

Get all biker Hippy! Stonehenge!

Stonehenge Circuit – 140 miles
Traveling through the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire, this route passes through scenic New Forest and gentle fields of Salisbury Plains on its way to the historic Stonehenge monument. The ancient and mysterious stone circle is a timeless attraction, and a great place to stop for lunch on your motorbike tour.

Once you’ve taken the time to explore and sample some local brew, you can travel through the distinctive Hampshire Downs on your way back to Salisbury. The Salisbury Cathedral is the tallest spire in England and a great place to conclude your tour of this historic route.

Severn to the Sea – 260 miles
From the Brecon Beacons north through the Cambrian mountains and Snowdonia in the north, Wales offers breathtaking sights and stunning scenery. If you choose to take this bike drive, you will enjoy a predominantly smooth ride on a well-maintained road. Take care between Rhayader and Devil’s Bridge, however: Unfenced pasture on either side of the road leads to sheep wandering in front of motorists and bikers alike!

If you start at the north, your destination will be St. George’s Channel at Aberystwyth, where you can stop in for a drink at a popular local coffee shop. If you’re heading northward toward Chepstow, you can enjoy a scenic view of Chepstow Castle on the banks of the River Wye. Either way, you can enjoy some of the most stunning views in the UK. So make sure that you are all ready to ride and have motorcyle insurance and ready to ride. The UK has some stunning open road rides so let get out there and roar down the road.

Bansko Ski Resort

Skiing in Bansko Great Powder & Fast Runs

The base skiiing area of Banderishka Polianna is served by a new lift, completed in 2003. With over 50 miles of trails and runs for skiing and snowboarding, the 25 ski lifts and drag are kept busy in the winter. Whether you need bunny slopes or expert runs, all levels of skiiing can be found at Bansko. The peak is over 2,600m high and easily reachable by ski lifts at the resort. The vertical drop back to the base area is over 1 kilometer, with another half-kilometer back down to the town. The World Cup for Alpine ski racing for women was held here recently, for both downhill and super, and the men’s slalom combined with a super. Regular competitions are held now, with 60 cannons blasting out snow to extend the seasong into April each year. If you want great value for money, you can’t find better than Bansko, and the great snow, apres ski and activities for adults and children make this a super holiday destination.

Snowboarding at the Resort

Snowboarding in Bansko ROCKS!!

If you are a snowboarder, then you will love this Balkans area. You can even build your own jumps here, and tailor a rull run with your friends to match their style and abilities. If you are interested in competitions, then you will find that the Shiligarnika run has daily races, and prizes are awarded.

Hiking in the Pirin Mountains

Hiking in the Pirin Mountains

Bansko is a delight in summertime, with gorgeous weather in the resort and local vicinity. Beautiful valleys surrounded by sharp granite peaks of the Pirin Mountains are cover with wonderful trails. You can start directly from the town, hire a driver, or rent a car to drive to further trails. Tour buses and local private guides can also be found at good prices. All levels of trails can be found in the area, from gentle day hikes, to seriously difficult trails with climbing and camping. Overnight and longer trips are easily arranged at a wide variety of tour companies in the town, and excellent supplies are available for all your hiking and camping needs.

Mountain Biking near Bansko

Mountain Biking - Get off Road in Bansko

Newly popular in Bansko is the sport of Mountain Biking. As recently as 10 years ago it was unheard of here, but now you can find experienced guides to show you fabulous trails. Maps of the area show over a thousand kilometers of trails now, including old logging tracks, trails along streams and rivers, runs with long vertical drops, and gently forested and quiet trails. Be sure to plan for a full day at least, and if you want longer, you can be assured of weeks

Rafting and Kayaking

Rafting and Kayaking - Get on The Water

If you want to get onto rivers for rafting and kayaking, the Pirin Mountains are quite amazing. Winter snow runoff assure full and fast flowing rivers all spring and summer, especially on the Struma River. White-water rafting and kayaking there is superb as the river runs down into the Sandankski Valley. For gentle-water trips, peaceful and relaxing, try the Mesta River. You can travel down river for a day, or longer if you wish. This entire area is pristine and exquisite, and will delight you with wonderful memories for years to come.

More and more people realize that bicycles can be much more useful than cars. Bikes are cheap, environmentally friendly, keep their owners in good health and as much more fun means of transport for travellers exploring a new destination. HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist names the top 5 bicycle-friendly cities and hostels in the world:

Amsterdam, the bike capital of the world, is home to the famous Amsterdam Bike Ramp which holds thousand of bikes. With a safe and extensive bike route network, bountiful governmental support and promotion, it’s no wonder 40% of the city’s traffic moves on two wheels. In the heart of Amsterdam city centre, Hostel Van Gogh provides cool modern facilities at a great price – including cycle hire for guests. It is just a few steps from the Van Gogh Museum, Rijks Museum and Amsterdam City Art Museum. At Hostel Van Gogh guests can pedal to the many bars, shops, clubs and restaurants on offer. The hostel is also just a 5-minute walk from the famous clubs and open markets of Amsterdam. Dorms start at €25per person per night and private rooms at €28pppn.

Named one of the Top Ten Places to Live in Europe, according to Forbes, Copenhagen is also home to the world’s most successful bicycle community program. In Denmark, most of the population has a bike, and for many years Copenhagen has been known as The City of Bikes. Every year Copenhagen invests on bike infrastructure additions and improvements. Just a few minutes from Copenhagen’s Central Railway Station, guests will find Hotel Ansgar. With its central location guests are only a few minutes walk from Tivoli Gardens, the famous shopping street of Strøget and Town Hall Square. The quiet street is perfect for getting to grips with the hotel bike rental. There are 81 rooms to choose from, ranging from singles to quads and all are equipped with Wi-Fi. Private rooms start at €43.60pppn.

The best thing about cycling in Berlin is the wide streets – Karl Marx Allee is 90m wide – and there are no uphill struggles. The government has decreed that all new roads in Berlin must have cycle lanes, and they are dedicated to ensuring the existing ones are updated. Currently there are over 620km of cycle paths and 190km of off-road routes. The Three Little Pigs Hostel in Berlin is housed in a former 19^th century convent at famous Potsdamer Platz Square. Guests will be just a short cycle ride away from the buzzing districts of Mitte and Kreuzberg, and they can rent bikes directly from the hostel. Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag Building are just around the corner as is the best of Berlin’s nightlife. Dorms start from €11.46pppn and privates from €18.52pppn.

Cycling in Beijing, with its nine million bicycles, is something of a rite of passage. Bike rentals start from around 10 Yuan (€1) per day plus a cash deposit. In 2010 the Beijing officials launched a campaign to get people off the car-choked roads and on to the nice flat cycle routes. They believe 20 years ago, 4/5 of the city’s population cycled to work, but now just 1/5 saddle up every day.

Built on a 400-year-old historic site which once served as the home of famous artist Mr Mei Lan Fang, Beijing Si He Courtyard Hotel is just 10 minutes from the centre of Beijing. They have a free bike rental service so guests can explore Beijing the local way. Wangfujing Avenue, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are all nearby. There are spacious traditional guestrooms positioned around the courtyard so you have lovely views. The antique furniture and carvings of ancient symbols add to the atmosphere. Private rooms start from €39.95pppn.

Cycling in San Francisco is becoming very popular, thanks mostly to the increase and care given to the cycling infrastructure as well as it’s trendy fixed gear culture. As far as the terrain goes, the city is extreme, with famously steep hills but along long straight boulevards and wide avenues. The government has installed over 1,500 bike racks and all new car parks must provide a certain amount of bike storage space. Around 16% of San Francisco’s residents class themselves as ‘frequent cyclists’ biking on two or more days per week.  Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse offers free meals, free Wi-Fi and even a free sauna. It’s located in the city by the bay and the free bike rental means guests can travel around the city in style the green way. There are private and dorm rooms with comfy beds, a lucky few have TVs and a huge selection of movies. Set out by bike, and the hostel is just a few minutes away from Chinatown, San Francisco Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf and Little Italy. Dorms and privates start at €22.96pppn.

Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic surgery aims to enhance one’s physical features in order to boost self-confidence and increase satisfaction with appearance. Unlike reconstructive plastic surgeries, such as repairing tissues after an accident, fire or illness or correcting a defect that was present at birth, cosmetic procedures are rarely if ever covered on National Health Services such as Britain’s NHS. Because surgical fees and inpatient accommodations for elective cosmetic procedures can be extremely costly, many patients who seek the benefits of aesthetic enhancement are turning to surgeons and hospitals abroad.

As cosmetic surgery gains widespread public acceptance, more people are choosing to modify or improve certain features of their face or body. Despite changes in social attitudes, some patients are self-conscious about their decision and sensitive to criticism about their choice to have cosmetic surgery. Having plastic surgery abroad gives patients the opportunity to undergo the elective procedure of their choice in a confidential, secure setting.

With the rise in bariatric surgery to correct obesity, a growing number of patients are seeking cosmetic procedures to reshape their bodies after a significant weight loss. Obesity surgery may be performed on the National Health Service if the patient’s health is seriously compromised. For many patients who have lost significant amounts of weight, cosmetic surgery augments the benefits of weight loss and restores a healthy body image. However, removing loose skin or lifting the breasts after weight loss surgery are considered to be elective operations and must be paid for out of pocket.

In response to the rising demand for cosmetic surgery, more UK health care providers have begun to perform cosmetic procedures. Plastic surgeons who once limited their practice to medically necessary reconstructive operations are branching into cosmetic enhancement. In spite of the growing availability of aesthetic treatments, having cosmetic surgery in the UK is still more expensive for patients than travelling abroad. Those who can’t afford to pay for a face lift or tummy tuck out in the UK may find that surgeons’ fees and hospital accommodation are considerably less expensive abroad.

Medical tourism has become increasingly common as patients gain confidence in the expertise of international doctors and the safety of hospitals abroad however choosing the right plastic surgeon is as important as selecting the procedure itself. Most patients seek a surgeon with a proven record of performing the procedure that they’re looking for, whether it be nose reshaping, breast augmentation or a tummy tuck. Some plastic surgeons overseas have extensive experience at these procedures, and their training and background often rivals that of practitioners in the UK however this cannot be said of all overseas practices so it’s certainly wise to do your research first and check the surgeon’s professional accreditations.

Whilst may are using the phrase ‘medical tourism’ it would seem that primary motivation for travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery is to save money rather than to combine it with a holiday. Whilst there are savings to be made it is likely that more and more people will opt for plastic surgery abroad however we can’t stress how important it is to do you research first!