Do you say I love you with sparkling jewllery and shimmering pearls, a gold chain or a silver bracelet? Will she marvel with wonder when she opens her crystal drop earrings? A stylish watch that she continuously checks while she counts down the minutes until her date with you. A charm for her bracelet is a special token to remember a beautiful Valentines Day spent together.

Say I love you with some hair and beauty help (though you’d never tell her she needs that would you…), with so many tools, cosmetics and products on the market there’s one for even the most laid back of girls routines. Treat her to a sleek set of GHD straighteners to take the fuss and bother out of taming temperamental tresses, or a collection of dedicated shampoos, conditioners and styling products for that salon perfect wash and finish that’s so sought after.

Valentines Day Book
This seemed like a great option as you can customise this and actually make it quite personal and heartfelt without needing to break the bank. With the ability to add names and some photos that she may have forgot existed i think its well worth the £9.99.
You can view the above product here:

http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/personalised-gifts/personalised-gift-book-i-love-you-new.htm

Engraved Jewellery Box
I love this next possible gift as it feels very personal and also has the wow factor and may seem to be much more expensive than it actually is which is a sign of great quality. You have the ability to emboss a message along with a name and i think this may come across that alot of thought has can into creating this which also will help score some extra brownie points and avoid any potential gift disasters.
You can view the above product here:

http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/gifts-for-her/engraved-heart-jewellery-box.htm

Risque Gift – Naughty Knot
This is more of a gift for myself, I think it would be a great gift alongside something as im not to sure what my partners reaction would be if this was all she had to open on Valentines day. However from my perspective as this is more for my pleasure I guess I would probably get something small along with this and as its only £12.99 with free delivery it comes in at great value and definitely going to be something i seriously consider.
You can view the above product here:

http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/risque-gifts/naughty-knot-c.htm

All the gifts above are available from www.gettingpersonal.co.uk feel free to share this article.

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.

As the Christmas party season approaches the weekly competition will give Londoners the opportunity to discover new venues and hidden London bars and clubs around the capital.

The competition will run on Twitter every Thursday from 9:30AM and will close the next day on Fridays at 9:30AM. On the 20^th of October HostelBookers, with partner designmynight.com will provide the lucky winner with 2 x free entry to Zigfrid Von Underbelly, the coolest bar in Shoredtich, plus 1 bottle of sparkling and 2 free cocktail.

A draw will be used to choose the winner at random and will be notified via private message and once they have claimed the prize they will be announced on Twitter.

For further information please go to http://blog.hostelbookers.com/top-cities/london/free-london/

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HostelBookers is the leading budget accommodation website in the travel industry not to apply a service charge and is, on average, 8.7% cheaper than its nearest competitor. It features over 20,000 hostels, cheap hotels and budget properties on its website in over 3,500 destinations across the world. Follow us on Twitter @hostelbookers