Sales Gnosis

There is something about that extra day tacked onto a weekend, be it a Monday or a Friday, which turns a getaway into a mini vacation. Of course three day weekends are a state of mind. One “three day weekend” trip my boyfriend John and I took to Vegas started on Memorial Day Monday and ended on a Wednesday. We tend to take breaks just before or just after big holidays – you get better rates, better service and a lot fewer crowds. That trip we skipped our usual easy bargain booking for midweek Luxor (always clean, excellent bathrooms) and made a blind Hotwire bid on a Vegas Strip 5 star hotel and ended up in the mind-boggling Venetian for an unheard of price – under $100 a night including service fees. Lots of California people fly to Vegas, Tahoe or San Francisco, but we seem to end up driving to our breaks, partly because the dog kennel we use is right off the 10 freeway and often on the way, partly because getting on the road means the vacation has already started. When you add up getting to the airport early, parking, waiting to board, being inspected, then collecting baggage at the other end, you are practically at the same number of travel hours. And on the plane, we don’t get to eat one of John’s patented toasted sandwiches. Somehow, the way he makes the sandwich means I actually eat mayonnaise, a substance I usually detest. Driving against the traffic (everyone else was heading back from the weekend away and oh what a stream of headlights we saw crawling along) we were hypnotized by the flashing lights of an outlet mall/casino combo at the border – Stateline, Nevada – and stopped in. Great bargains for men’s wear, not so great for women’s wear – but we didn’t do a thorough search.

On that Vegas trip, we dragged our battered garment bag, with a freshly broken strap, across the lush marble-floored lobby, looking like refugees. We entered our suite-like room – with its canopy bed, step down tv lounge and huge marble bathroom (two sinks, a shower and a huge tub), pulled out the nice champagne we’d brought along in our cooler, pulled out our travel champagne glasses (if they break we don’t care) and put on the plush robes the Venetian provides. A cable movie and champagne shook the dust off the road trip. The next couple of days in Vegas sometimes means the spa for me, for sure the sports bar for John, and our search for the stranger slot machines to play. The “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” slots actually reward you for answering trivia questions. Vegas is not really about thinking, but the times we’ve played the game we’ve gotten a few interested onlookers impressed with our ability to pull facts out of our brains. We toyed with the idea of hanging around the machines having a cocktail and helping other players answer their bonus questions but decided against it. Along the strip, the Barbary Coast has maintained its original kitsch, sandwiched between lush hotels who doubtless are sporadically trying to buy them out. The tables there are friendly and attract a mixed crowd of fairly low stakes players. Like, a lot of hotels, dealers display where they are from on their name tag. A tall, blond Czechoslovakian dealer at the Barbary Coast took John’s blackjack stake away with breathless speed and efficiency. Was she paid by how many cards she dealt? She was so fast that the dealer at the next table actually seemed mad at her for ruining everyone’s fun. His attitude was “This is the Barbary Coast, we don’t do that here”. Good thing the sports book paid off for John phenomenally.

If you’re into food, Vegas can be frustrating. Bargain buffets notwithstanding, to-order food is often pricey and mediocre. You can always count on chains for consistency (Vegas has branches of California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfgang Puck’s, Chin Chin, and tons more), but part of a vacation is to try something new. We found two gems last visit. The two new places were both at venerable Ceasers, a survivor from the Rat Pack era which keeps re-inventing itself and staying near the top of the competitive heap on the Strip. At the Palm restaurant (also in NY and L.A.) there is a businessman’s lunch for $15.95 – choice of soup or salad, choice of fish or filet mignon (!), and coffee. Wines by the glass are pricey but excellent. One of Caeser’s food courts features such offerings as good southern bbq, roasted turkey sandwiches, and above average pastries.

As for dinner, we can’t resist our old standby – The Four Seasons’ Verandah restaurant. Their three course dinner special for around $30 is a great deal – cooked by a chef (not a kitchen worker), and always with a carefully designed menu. One night we learned there was most definitely a chef on hand as the man himself – beefy and affable – came out of the kitchen to talk when we had a question about how he made such perfect fish. I still use his halibut recipe – hot pan on the stove top, almost finish the fish, then transfer it to a cold un-oiled pan in a hot oven – but I digress. Even during the very hot summer, night time outdoor dining at the Four Seasons is quite pleasant, as you can sit by the pool. It’s hard to come by quiet in Vegas, but here you get it – there is no gambling in the Four Seasons. If you want to gamble after dinner at the Verandah, the hotel is joined to Mandalay Bay by an air conditioned lobby.

We left town the next day, stopping at Ceasers , our new casual dining spot, for good coffee for the road – and contemplated a last attempt at the Ripley’s slots. We decided to skip it and call it even when we learned the valet parking outside the coffee shop was free. We got on Interstate 15 and joined the weekday throng of truckers headed into California. Traffic was light ‘cuz thanks to driving an off time. We cruise to Interstate 10 and can’t be at the kennel soon enough for the dogs. I am sure the dogs know when we are getting close but I always call the kennel keeper to warn her. Humans need advance notice for what dogs already know. The sound of an approaching car sets off every dog in the kennel but the barking settles down once the fellas see us and know they are hopping in the convertible and heading home. Bert the shepherd sits in the middle facing forward to make sure we are following the right route. The other two mutts, Buster and Louie, lounge in the back, hanging their heads out the window, the kennel already forgotten. We never make the trip home without a few kids waving and pointing at the funny people with three dogs.

At least picking them up involves a lot less guilt than dropping them off, but sorry boys – there will always be another three day weekend ahead.

To read this article with pictures, please copy and paste the following address into your browser: http://www.SearchingCities.com/rio_de_janeiro_travel.htm Rio de Janeiro is my favorite city in the world. The main thing I am impressed with is the natural beauty of one of the world’s largest cities. I call the “Urban Jungle,” which I suppose has a double entendre. One of my friends lives in an area just past Ipanema called Leblon. He walks down the street his apartment is on to get to the beach. It’s about a five block walk. Meanwhile, although there are highrises and busy streets and restaurants and shops, it’s in the middle of a jungle. Somehow, this factor makes living there much less stressful. The view from his 12th floor balcony looks over the mountainside and the mansions that cover it. Of course, you can also see the ocean. Here’s a quick list of tips for your trip to Rio: 1) Find a good driver and get his cellphone number. It’s better to have someone who knows to expect you than to rely on a cab. Take his advice as to where to go, and, more importantly, where not to go! This one factor alone will dramatically improve your security while in Rio. 2) Eat at the following restaurants: Puercao (Churrascuria), Esplandada Grill, Leblon Sushi (Best Sushi in the World, bar none. Also a great “see and be seen” place. They were shooting a commercial right next to me last time I was there.), Esch Cafe (for drinks, light snacks, and cigars), Satyricon (fancy seafood place). 3) Stay at Ipanema, not Copacabana. It’s worth the extra money because it’s safer, more classy, cleaner, and less crowded. 4) Caesar Park Towers is a great place to stay in a great location and has great service if you can handle the price. 5) Eat lots of Pao de Quesia. You’ll understand when you get there. Brazilian food is a little salty, but it’s really good. The salads with hearts of palm are great. There are lots of rice dishes that are fabulous, many with bits of dried meat in them. Make sure to go to a Churrascuria while you are there. Unlike the copies in the US, most of the Churrascuria’s in Rio/Sao Paulo have the most amazing buffets you’ve ever seen. 6) Remember that in Rio, most “discos” are actually pick up locations for prostitutes (yes, that’s true for the famous club “Help” too), so find a local (or a hotel concierge) to recommend a place if you are really going out to dance. 7) Cabo Frio, about two hours from Rio, has great fishing. You can catch your fill of sailfish and often blue marlin. Paulo, the world record holder for the largest blue marlin ever caught lives a few hours east and north of Rio. It’s worth the ride to charter his boat and have him take you out. He also has a couple of apartments that he rents out to fishing clients. I highly recommend you go stay with him and utilize his skills at finding the fish. Beach. Beach. Beach. More stuff to see and do in Rio: Christ, the Redeemer Statue On top of the Corcovado Mountain at a height of 710 meters, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the world’s most-visited monuments. Hire a driver and have him take you through the mountains and the Atlantic Rainforest up to the statue. Along the way and once you arrive, you will see several amazing views of Rio from many different angles. From the top, the view is nothing short of phenomenal. You can see Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, the Botanical Gardens, the Jockey Club, and the Lagoon. The entire city spreads out in an unbelievable panorama during the day, and it glistens beautifully after dark. Botanical Gardens Rio is home to an impressive Botanical Garden. You will find many examples of plant life in this huge garden. The Imperial Palms are among its most impressive attractions, planted in 1809 by Prince Regent D. Joo VI.

There are huge trees decked with orchids that contrast with giant victoria-regia, lilies, bromeliads, royal poincianas, and tropical foliage, making the Botanical Gardens a favorite tourist attraction. Sugar Loaf Rio’s signature landmark is at the entrance of Guanabara Bay– the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Take a “bondinho” (cable car) to the top of Morro da Urca and eat a snack while admiring one of the most beautiful views in the world. Then, continue on to the peak of Sugar Loaf and enjoy a complete view of the Bay and the beautiful Rio beaches.

Island of Paqueta Visit the beautiful island of Paquet, lying in the middle of Guanabara Bay, just one hour from downtown by ferry. The only means to get to the island is by boat as there are no bridges linking it to the continent. The only cars on Paquet are one ambulance, one police car, and one fire truck. The beauty of this excursion begins when you board the ferry at Praa XV (downtown). Bring or wear a bathing suit and towel, because once you are on Paquet, you will love the beautiful beaches, the quaint atmosphere, and the unforgettable sunset. There are some wonderful photo opportunities on the island as well. Modern Art Museum Be sure to check out the Modern Art Museum located in Flamengo Park close to downtown. The museum is home to 1,700 works, including paintings, sculptures and engravings by Brazilian and foreign artists. It’s definitely worth your time to visit.

Qatar Airways to order both Airbus and Boeing in US$15.2 billion deal…

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world with one of the youngest fleets in the skies. They have a vast range of wide-bodied aircraft with the brand new double-decker A380 Super Jumbo, the world’s largest passenger plane, due for delivery in 2009. Made by European company, Airbus, this super-jet weighs in at a phenomenal 308 tonnes and is set to challenge Boeing 747’s long dominance of the jumbo jet market. Dozens of airports around the world are being updated to cope with this massive aircraft and the extra passengers it will be transporting. Heathrow is spending around £450m on improvements to its Terminal 3 from where the super-jumbo will operate.

Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Emirates and Malaysian Airlines are just a few of the other airlines who have placed orders for the A380 with Emirates having placed the largest order for 45 jets. The aircraft will be equipped to carry 555 passengers although there will be capacity to carry a maximum of 840 passengers at any one time. Development of the jet has cost about $11bn to date although the airlines that have committed to buying the jets from Airbus are already spending around $40bn.

Qatar Airways currently operates an all Airbus fleet of 40 aircraft, flying to 64 destinations including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Colombo, Dhaka, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Seychelles via Doha. Book your discounted Qatar Airways flights on line at “www.myqatar.co.uk” and receive a £10.00 discount per person! Also, buy a First or Business Class ticket at www.myqatar.co.uk and get another one FREE!!

The award-winning carrier is among an elite group of international airlines ranked with a Five Star status by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency and offers three classes of service on most flights from the United Kingdom. Travel in any one of Qatar’s award-winning cabins for a truly unforgettable experience. Generous luggage allowances in all classes of service with up to 40kg in First Class. Regardless of the class you choose to travel in , you are guaranteed the highest levels of service by the airline’s in-flight crew. All Qatar flights operate in and out of London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports.

The way in which many of us book holidays has changed dramatically in recent years. Ten years ago many of us would have relied on our local travel agents to find us a good deal.

When we came to think about our next trip away, we’d simply wander down the high street and nip into a few travel agents shops, picking up a number of different holiday brochures to compare prices offered by different tour operators.

Comparing prices sometimes involved taking into account certain special offers that might be available, or any additional costs caused by the time of year (school holidays, for example) or number of people travelling.

When thinking about destinations, resorts or particular hotels, our opinions might largely be shaped by what friends and family had told us, what we’d read in magazines, or maybe what we’d seen in holiday-related television programmes.

The arrival of the internet and its increasing availability to many of us has undoubtedly changed the goalposts. We now have the ability to research our chosen destinations online – we even have access to the thoughts of previous visitors to the hotels that we may be planning to stay at.

We can compare prices relatively quickly and also have more options in terms of how we structure our holidays. We’re no longer limited by the narrow boundaries of the package holiday market – we can now book our flights and accommodation independently, with far less hassle.

So everything has got better. Or has it?

The internet has brought us a lot of information but how much of that information is really reliable? When I read reviews of places that I’ve visited, I often find that other people’s experiences are very different from my own.

It’s clear that we all have different expectations of what is involved in having a good holiday.

It seems to me that, while holiday prices may well have come down, many of us are left looking to trawl through masses of information, much of which may be considerably less reliable than that once provided by the good old-fashioned travel agent.

Maybe we should take the “progress” provided by the internet with a small pinch of salt.

Keith Barrett writes about travel and holidays for Whatever the Weather.

The Gellert Hotel Spa is renowned as the ultimate spa destination in Hungary. Here’s a first hand account of the Gellert experience.

Gellert Hotel Spa

While in Budapest, everyone kept saying I hadn’t experience Hungary until I had a spa. According to my newfound friends, “a spa” meant the Gellert Hotel Spa.

Being a macho American male, I dragged an American girl I met on the train with me to the spa. The purported purpose, of course, was chivalry and introducing her to an experience she would never forget. After paying $2 each, my bluff was called. Women and men were separated for the treatments. I was alone and didn’t speak a word of the language!

Once separated, I was sent into a large room with what appeared to be a few hundred dressing rooms. An attendant looked up from a desk, said something in Hungarian, slapped a piece of cloth in my hand and pointed to a dressing room.

In the dressing room, I prepared to change only to realize the cloth was no more than a string and a 2 x 2 inch square of cotton. For those anatomically challenged, the string went around your waste and the cloth hung in front. At this point, there was only one thing to do. Chant the traveler mantra, “Ah, what the heck. I’ll never see any of these people again.”

Outside the dressing room, I proceeded to immediately stand around, try to look casual and see what the locals were doing. This was a bit difficult as I was the only person in the room. Eventually a local showed up, changed and headed down a hall. I followed and hoped he didn’t notice.

At the end of the hall, we walked through two giant pools. The walls were painted in baroque styles, the steps into the pools were marble and the whole place was impressive. I nearly let my loincloth slide up.

After the pools, we approached a room that looked remarkably more industrial. There was a line out the door and I dutifully joined it behind my guide. After a few moments, we rounded the door and I saw something I did not expect. Eight loincloth clad men like myself were lying on metal tables. Large male masseuses were standing over them. They would slap them about, spray them with garden hoses, slap them about and repeat as necessary. This wasn’t the massage I was anticipating, but I sure as heck wasn’t getting out of line. That would be to embarrassing!

After a few moments, it was my turn to jump up on a table. My “masseuse” looked at me and said, “Americanski?” I nodded. He grinned. And the beating began. A Hungarian/Turkish massage reminded me of the movie “Rocky.” In Rocky, the lead character pounds on sides of meat to get ready for his fight. In the case of the massage, I was the side of meat. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t exactly relaxing.

After a few moments of tenderizing, I was lifted off the table and sent flying through the air. As time slowly passed, I noted this hadn’t happened to any of the men who went before me. I also noted the limestone and marble material used in the walls. Just as I started panicking, I splashed down into a pool to the sound of laughter. While I was trying to decide if I should laugh or be enraged, my body started sending its own signals. I was in a pool of what had to be the coldest water on the planet earth. I am talking Antarctica kind of cold.

Leaping out of the pool, the men in the room gave me a standing ovation accompanied by hunched over, gasping laughter. Now I knew Hungary.

Well, when in Rome…err, Budapest.

Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com – makers of travel journals. Writing journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for him or her. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

By definition, timeshares refer to partial ownership of a vacation home or resort, which is only accessible during a set time period. Families buy fractional shares of a vacation property, usually measured in weeks or months, and the ownership is shared with others. A ski resort in the French Alps in the 1960s was the first to employ this concept.

Timeshares are sold as a deeded interest or right-to-use contract. The resort can offer fixed, floating or rotating weeks, with the accommodation choices being more flexible in the latter two ownership types. Exchange networks, Resort Condominiums International (RCI) or Interval International (II) are wonderful options that allow owners to exchange their weeks, making the notion of timeshare vacations more exciting.

Beautiful Florida, unique and diverse, is a must-see for any intrepid traveler. It is definitely a great choice for a holiday, with its warm weather, sunny beaches and theme parks, as ideal for the young as for those looking to retire. Orlando and Miami are popular spots. Disney, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Starwood, Wyndham and many other classy chains offer timeshares in Florida. Timeshare holidays are synonymous with practical and affordable vacations, strengthening bonds in families, and offering a leisurely time to look forward to every year. The sun-kissed Florida coast has Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, and Fort Myers. Orlando with its Disney World and Sea World is an equally attractive option. Busch Gardens at Tampa, Gatorland, Indian villages, the Kennedy Space Center, Florida Keys and Ft Lauderdale are also worth seeing.

Timeshare resale is often profitable as the people before you would have borne the marketing and development costs, but is often impossible. Timeshare promotions allow guests to enjoy a ‘discounted’ vacation, but one has to take the resort tour, a great marketing strategy. Like most things, timeshares have their advantages and disadvantages, and before buying there are lots of factors, other than budget and personal interests, that must be taken into account.

If you consider a Tornado and its awesome power would it be wise to build our own Tornado maker machines to make energy with? After all the Tornado more resembles a virtual heat generator than anything else? Well, why not make one and then use the energy to power up our towns? Oh great you say this bozo wants to make Tornadoes; forget you buddy; you are nuts you say? Yah, well sure, I have been called that too amongst other things but hear me out on this.

What if we build large tubular silos and allow for airflow in the bottom and re-circulation of the airflows out the top and back around and allow the tornado to continue to suck out side air in? Put the silos near areas where there is sufficient airflow already to keep it wound up to provide maximum wind power; for instance in a canyon.

Basically it becomes a vortex wind turbine upright generator. Inside would a sleeve with strakes or fins on it, which would turn and generate the power? We could collect energy two ways; one from the spinning sleeve and the second way by collecting the ionic flows of electrons from the friction of the air as it moves thru and back around like a turbo to go thru the system again. Can it be done? Sure it can, will it? Indeed, some worthy entrepreneur will build one some day; you watch. Consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

As insurance premiums keep going up, thrifty people are looking for discounts on car insurance. There are several different types of discounts available and if you can save a little money, then why not? Below is a list of general price reductions that may be available to you. Check with your insurance provider to see if you’re eligible.

Personal-Related Discounts

These discounts are usually given based on your performance as a driver and insurance policy holder. The other deductions are given based on your present status in life.

Vehicle-Related Price Reductions

The type of car you drive can be a huge factor in influencing the price of auto insurance. There are also extra features that you can add to your car to make it better to insure.

1. Air Bags. They present increased safety to you and your car and insurance underwriters love these.
2. Anti-Lock Brakes System (ABS). Many cars on the road today are equipped with ABS. Many insurance agents offer discounts if your car is fitted with this type of braking system and many states even require the insurer to do so.

Anti-Theft Devices. Installation of anti-theft devices like LowJack is a way to get cheaper insurance rates. There may be an added bonus if the alarm automatically activates when the car’s engine is turned off.

There is no denying the fact that the triumph of an organisation in the end comes down to the work of the personnel, but one event can easily wipe out all your work & shrink the financial profits to zero. In order to stay away from such an instance, you are advised to insure your business, whether it is a small organisation or a huge corporation. Yet, please take into account that smaller companies are a great deal more probable to require business insurance cover in today’s world. This is essentially since smaller firm owners will have placed their complete lives & income into the business.

A few of the things generally covered by nearly every business insurance covers include: natural disasters, volcanoes, machine or apparatus defect that shuts down the organisation, loss of income owing to worker carelessness and lawsuits brought against the firm.

There are a large number of insurance organisations, which provide policies that combine protection for all major property & liability risks in one package. You can also opt for a separate policy. Such a coverage is frequently labelled as a business owners’ policy (BOP). Large sized organisations may pay for a business policy cover.

BOPs incorporate property insurance for buildings & gear belonging to the firm. If there is any loss of profits caused by disruption of functions & commerce because of catastrophes like tornadoes, it can be covered under the Business Interruption policy.

There are a variety of liabilities, which cover the company’s legal accountability for the harm it may well cause to others. It is the result your company’s failure to do the business operations. It can also be the physical injury or property damage caused through substandard items, faulty installations and errors in services offered. Purchase employer public liability insurance with little fuss online today.

Still, BOPs do not cover professional liability, auto cover, employees’ costs or health and disability insurance. In this case separate policies are necessary for professional services, vehicles & employees. In general, floods, earthquakes and terrorist attacks are not protected in the business insurance. Always check before you acquire a policy!

Father’s Day…Father’s Day only one month away! Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th! Remember Dad this year with a “special delivery” from a local florist. Father’s Day is your opportunity to show Dad your love and appreciation! Your local florist has many great Gift ideas for Father’s Day. Just ask!

Send Dad a Beautiful bouquet of flowers! “Flowers for a man?”, you ask? You bet! Men appreciate the beauty and sentiment of Fresh Flowers just as women do! Men tend to prefer primary colors such as Reds, Yellow, Blues, Purples and Oranges. Unique Tropical flowers are also a great floral gift idea for Dad!

Consider sending Dad a Green or Blooming Plant. Plants are ideal for Dad’s office or den. You can even have the florist attach a few special balloons to your long-lasting gift. Include your message of “Happy’s Father’s Day” and your local florist can deliver your thoughtful gift to Dad!

Finally, Gift Baskets are a wonderful treat for Father’s Day! Send a delicious Gourmet Gift Basket or Fresh Fruit Basket to your Dad this year! Gourmet Gift Baskets can contain many goodies: Chocolates, Cookies, Crackers, and other snack items. Dad can enjoy his snacks chair-side while watching his favorite sports! Beautifully designed Fresh Fruit Baskets offer a healthy option and can contain a variety of fresh citrus and other “in season” fruits. Some florists offer gift baskets with unique items as well. Ask your local florist for gift basket ideas.

Remember to save money and get the best value when you send your gift to Dad, call a real local florist direct. Don’t pay an “order taker” to process your order. You and your recipient deserve the best value!

Happy Father’s Day!

Tenley McDonald- Former Florist- Now Co-Owner of http://www.flowerpowernetwork.com (Online Directory of Real Local Florists) You can call a local florist direct! No middleman, no extra fees! Ms. McDonald has over 14 years experience in ~Consumer Relations/Marketing ~Customer Service Management ~Floral Design.