The kindergarten class I was teaching was scheduled to perform a dramatic recitation. We needed several flower and bumblebee costumes. Since I have found that kids love making their own costumes, I wanted the class to be able to participate as much as possible in the process. Therefore, I came up ...

Maybe it was Mark Twain who said there are lies, dammed lies and statistics. This seems to be the case concerning statistics for Ngorongoro crater. As I checked my figures for accuracy for this article I could find no two sources that agree. So I will endeavor to keep statistics to a minimum. Thi...

...by observing you, children learn how to create and they learn craft. These powerful memories imprint a more important message. They come to understand the superiority of the creative tightwad method. - Amy Dacyczyn, a.k.a. The Frugal Zealot

Halloween cost...

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest, travel author and writer, Diane Stresing. Diane is an expert on hiking within sixty miles of Cleveland, Ohio, and recently launched is her guidebook, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cleveland. Diane`s art...

While we as U.S. residents think often about travel insurance coverage when we`re traveling overseas we`re not so quick to worry about health insurance for Canada travel. This is especially true if our voyage to Canadian provinces is by car and not by air. We don`t expect to need health insurance fo...

Despite the anguish being felt because of ultra high fuel prices, many airlines are still offering deep discounts on flights as the busy holiday travel season approaches. This is good news for consumers, but bad news for struggling carriers who absolutely cannot sustain this practice permanently. Co...

Every year in Arizona is the Cactus Fly-in which is one of the largest events in the city of Casa Grande AZ air show and fly-in, which is always well attended and a huge success. The event seems to be growing every year, much busier this year than last year even though general aviation has suffere...

There are a number of beautiful mountain ranges across the United States that provide wonderful vacation destinations. A mountain vacation can be an adventurous, fun-filled trip for the entire family, or it can be a secluded and relaxing romantic getaway. Scenic mountain ranges are found on both th...

There is no place like Las Vegas in the entire world, therefore people from all over the world come here on a daily basis. Vegas has changed over the years, but most of the changes have occurred in the past 6 to 7 years. 1. HOUSING The housing market here is over-inflated. A typical 3 bedroom 1.5 t...

Although not the most obvious of beach resort destinations, Galicia is actually in possession of more beaches and more miles of coastline than any other region in Spain. It also has every combination of sand and sea characteristic that you can think of, with one exception that is. The exception is o...

It is unbelievable how nine days can just fly by. Today my brother, sister-in-law and our two Austrian friends are scheduled to fly back to Graz, Austria, via Vienna. There has been an increasingly palpable sense of sentimentality in the air, in light of the fact that this wonderful time is coming t...

In large buildings to prevent sound pollution often double paned glass is used with music or flowing air between the panes, this works very well and is sufficient to prevent the noise. Since many commercial airliners have double paned glass already if we are careful to watch the harmonics as to not ...

Arizona is one of the most colorful places to vacation. Between enchanting sunrises and sunsets and the colorful fields, pine forests with the ever-changing climates and moutain ranges that seem to change colors by the minute, it is art for the eye. There is much to do in this great state. Outdoor a...

Here are some thoughts on the study of the theory of price wars as they relate to the industries like the Airlines and others. Comments on an article in Harvard Business Review in March-April edition 2000. The article was called `How to Win a PRICE WAR`. Written by Akshay R. Rao, Mark E. Bergen and ...

Airfare prices may be set to increase in 2006, as airlines struggle with rising fuel costs and not enough passengers. The hardest hit are the smaller, budget airlines, such as Independence Air, which closed its doors in the first week of January.

From that shutdown alone, airfare experts say...

Ah, the glamour of backpacking through Europe. Of course, the glamour comes with a price as I found in Siena, Italy. Siena Siena is located an hour or so outside of Florence, Italy. My handy dandy guidebook suggested it was a side trip that just had to be made. A medieval structure located behind pr...

The determination of whether you should purchase travel insurance is a determination of whether you want to assume nothing bad can happen during your travels, or whether should something bad happen you can adequately resolve these unforeseen events. None of us think something bad will happen. We ass...

So you`ve gotten the flight in and checked out Bodrum/Ismir/Antalya/Your Local Tourist Town. You`ve seen the ruins, dismissed the coffee and embraced the raki. And you`re thinking like Betty Friedan, is this it? Restless vagabond, you are in luck. Turkey is a country once and a half the size of Fran...

Two days ago I took our European visitors on a little driving tour of the Niagara Peninsula, specifically to explore some of the 50 something wineries. My brother is a chef and very interested in exploring the authentic tastes and flavours of Canada. So far my visitors have been very impressed with ...

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 Ho...

Where to stay before planning your vacation to the Poconos, will be the first thing on your mind. Resorts offer the comfort of a home away from home -- that`s why so many people choose to stay there. The legacy of Poconos resorts commenced in 1945 when Rudolf Von Hoevenberg opened ""The Farm on the ...

So many people would like to be paid to fly for a living. Many do not wish to drive a bus or an ?Airbus? in this case and work for a big airline. There are the ups and downs of the airline industry, as it is cyclical and if you get with the wrong airline in a downward sector rotation, you will be la...

While travel medical insurance for senior citizens generally carries a higher premium and a lower maximum level of coverage it is still widely available. In fact, some carriers offer travel medical insurance for senior citizens no matter what their age. One carrier we found offered travel medical in...

The diseases most commonly seen in travellers are diarrhoea, malaria (if you travel in a malaria-infested area), accidents (when travelling by car or swimming), wound infections and sexually transmitted diseases. -- Diarrhoea is caused by contaminated food and drinking-water. You must therefore be ...

Whether you?re out to experience the vibrant harbor area, relive the Gilded Age in a Newport Mansion, soak up the stunning views on Ocean Drive, or trek the famous Cliff Walk, then Newport RI is in a class of its own and your gateway to all this? and much more. Newport RI is located at the eastern m...

Sicily has made an indelible mark on the European traveling scene. Is it because of the Volcano that is still burning, or is it because of the rich cultural heritage that the city carries? The European experience has been adorned by the Italian influence. The Greek domination has left such marks on ...

Forgive me please, as I am not a parent. I never have been a parent. However, I have at forty-five, two newly adopted sons. Well, I should say, two sons to help in assisting with schooling, donating time and being generally available. I am sadly the only male role figure in these young lives to ...

If you aren?t from New Jersey, or you have spent little time in the Garden State, you may not be too familiar with some of the peculiarly named towns located around the state. Indeed, with 566 incorporated communities, New Jersey has no lack of uncommon named locales including, Hoboken, Hackensack, ...

This place is not just known for its matchless cricket army and world-class wine but is also famous for its bewitching scenic splendor and exclusive events. Ranked as one of the top-most vacation spots on earth, Australia is a place to be in. Children as well as elderly love to bask in the beauty of...

The legendary Rocky Mountains stretch from New Mexico up through the United States and into Canada. The Rocky Mountains are over 3000 miles long, spanning parts of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming before continuing into Canada. Stories of early adventurers like Lewis and Clark explor...

I think that we have been to over a dozen beaches and cities in Florida. It seems to be the place we choose whenever we travel for a number of reasons. Maybe you have a certain destination you love, and like us, want to venture out and try new vacation spots. So, without further ado, here are our...

On the southwestern tip of continental Europe, Portugal is an old school country. In this article, we take a look at Lisbon, Lagos and the Algarve. Lisbon Lisbon is the biggest city in Portugal and is located on the Atlantic coast in middle of the country. I?ve been to Lisbon three times, but only f...

The spice islands of Zanzibar refer to an archipelago of fifty or so islands with Unquia and Pemba being the largest. The main island is more commonly referred to simply as Zanzibar and to all intents and purposes Unquia is Zanzibar. Stone Town is the capital, the port and entrance to this spiced is...

Spaniards seem rarely to need much of a reason for a fiesta or festival of some sort and you can pretty much guarantee that wherever you are in Spain there will be some merrymaking going on somewhere in honour of a patron saint ? I?ve decided to look at some of Spain?s quirkier, slightly less known ...

Coming up with unique Christmas gift ideas can be difficult. If you?re buying for a traveler, here are a few unique travel gifts you should consider. Travel Gifts For some people, travel consists of hopping on a plane and moving around the country as part of a job. For others, it is an opportun...

Fall foliage in New England really begins in August. The shortening daylight hours trigger the deciduous trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. It happens all around North America, and all around the world. But in New England it?s special. Why is fall foliage in New England so diff...

Oregon`s coastline is full of secrets: veiled pleasures and surprises, clandestine, deserted beaches and hidden gems peppering the towns in the form of lodgings or eateries. But perhaps the most stunning secret on all of Oregon`s coast lies just outside of the art and culture mecca of Cannon Beach...

Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a Florida vacation. Florida beachfront rentals and Florida beachfront vacation homes can be found in all the most popular beach areas year-round. Besides the fabulous Florida beaches you have to choose from, there is so much to do while on vacation...

Around 60% of drivers of the 31 million cars on Britain?s roads travel alone, and with the number increasing every year, the idea of car sharing as an option is being promoted by County Councils as well as Friends of the Earth and Carplus. Car sharing, also known as carpooling, is when two or more...

To fully understand Normandy, one has to visit more than WWII sites and museums. To experience this region and understand its history and culture, one should visit these eight venues: 1. Honfleur- This picturesque little port village has been a magnet for artists for years, including the French i...

Plan Ahead for Travel to Europe Most people who plan a trip to Europe expect it to be fun. It can be if you take the time to plan for as many contingencies as possible before departure. A few tips that could help you are: 1. Plan sooner, not later. Now is the time to get the best prices, the b...

With the recent problems in London it is a depressing fact that the city will be portrayed in a negative light across the globe. As with all tragedies such as the London bombings people start to associate a particular place with the terrible events that went on. The tourism industry in London has ...

About 1.5 million years ago two large volcanoes, Kamakou in the east and Maunaloa in the west, pushed through the ocean`s surface and formed the island of Molokai. It first became inhabited around 650 A.D. by daring settlers traveling in double hulled canoes from Tahiti and other areas in the Sou...

Our trip to Thailand had been long awaited, originally planned for the winter of 94/95. My wife Karin had bought the maps and books and even packed; we were off. The balloon was ready at Thunder and Colt with a heavy duty basket tailor made for hard use overseas. And then they went bust. The delay m...

For me, living in Morelia was a very rewarding experience. It was certainly far different than what I had been used to in the United States. When I went there in 1997, technology existed, however, technicians were at times limited in their knowledge compared to their counterparts in the United State...

I?m sure you all know about Disney World?s amazing theme parks, but are you familiar with the myriad of fascinating activities for children offered throughout Walt Disney World that are either complimentary or offered for a reasonable fee to Disney resort guests? Here are some of the best:

16 Tips For Preventing Passport Problems

By William Manor - 22/01/2006


Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged. What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquir...

How to Travel for Free by Leading or Promoting Tours

By Jacqueline Corbett - 20/01/2006


Whether you`re 16 or 60, you CAN travel just about anywhere in the world for free -- and even with a nice stash of cash in your pocket -- by telling like-minded people about a trip and convincing them to go with you. Get 5 to 20 to book the same trip, and your trip is free. If you have a burning ...

The Benefits Of Markhor Hunting In Pakistan

By Anchan Ali Mirza - 18/01/2006


The northern areas of Pakistan contain the highest concentration of peaks and longest glaciers outside the polar region. This is where the world’s 3 greatest mountain chains collide the Karakorams, Hindukush and the Himalayas. Emanating out of these rugged mountains flow rivers, their tributar...

Tales Of The Warner Brothers

By Stephen Schochet - 06/02/2005


The four Warner Brothers, which included the womanizing Jack, the conservative Harry, the quiet Albert and the visionary Sam, had risen from obscurity with The Jazz Singer (1927) the first famous and financially successful talking movie ever made. Tragically, Sam Warner, the real brains behind the w...