Starting A Good Plan For A Family Reunion

Nothing could be more wonderful experience than getting relatives together for a family reunion, yet, similar to most things, the success of this reunion lies in proper planning.

Preparing the first get together of all your relatives can be overwhelming, however, it's easy with proper planning especially about location, accommodations and date.

Criteria to consider when choosing a destination, there are as many possibilities as there are family members.

Convenience is very critical. Choose a location near a major airport so it is easily accessible and provides service from a selection of airlines.

Activities are very important to avoid being bored. Pick an area is perfect for sightseeing and offers lots of activities. Some family might want to extend their stay after the reunion or to take side trips to local attractions. Do something different like, if you are from the west, try Southeast Asia for a change, try going to KL Malaysia, Jakarta Indonesia, Beijing China and much more must tries.

Consider the price. One must think about being practical, since exotic locations may be nice, but are not practical for a wide range of budgets, ages and interests. Decide on the area that will give you a price most families can afford. A cruise ships and resorts would be the perfect choice, they are often known for reunions because of their all-inclusive pricing packages that include meals, activities and shows. And especially that Baby-sitting is often available.

Preference is sometimes the key and the family’s hometown can be a great site for a reunion. Reaching on an agreement among relatives will help widen participation.

Several kinds of accommodations are suitable for a family reunion, from enormous resorts to cozy inns.

You'll want a place that can hold at least one big reunion dinner depending on family size. It also should have split areas so relatives can gather together as a group, detached into smaller parties or spend time as couples.

Think about that families with school-age children as they may find it easier to attend a reunion in the summer or around a long holiday weekend when picking a date and  choose the time of year with appropriate weather depending on the activities planned, choose.

Warning, the larger the gathering, the longer the planning time. It may take 18 to 24 months to put together a reunion for a large family scattered across the country.

For help, contact a travel agency experienced at arranging group tours -- expertise they can use to help put your family reunion together. A full-service travel agency, such as Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore can provide information on locations, accommodations, transportation and group discounts.

Exotic but Not Expensive

Traveling should be pleasurable, memorable, enjoyable and exotic, but it could be very expensive as well. That shouldn’t be the case, lets you travel the exotic thrill yet not expensive.

Recently the dollar just dropped a little compared to the euro and pound sterling, yet travelling to Western Europe's capitals still is still very expensive. If $100 taxi rides and $50 lunches aren't your thing, head to a country where your dollars will go a long way. So to avoid scams here are some of the best deals on the planet right now, places that are easy for travelers and easy on the wallet.

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore provides you the following travel destination that exotic for adventurous travelers but cheap and inexpensive.

Peru

You will never go wrong with Machu Picchu, it is worth a journey. This is just some of the value-packed benefits of traveling in the country. Inca ruins could be seen all around the Sacred Valley while in South America, Cuzco is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities. If you are a fan of hiking, you can do it in the Andes. Admire the colonial architecture on the streets of Arequipa. You can do trips through the Amazon, boating across the highest lake in the world, and flying over the strange geoglyphs, the Nazca lines.

Indonesia

This Southeast Asian nation is one of the most varied and attractive destinations in the world. Experience the long string of volcanic islands and a range of topography and culture. There is Bali, Jakarta, Java and more! What’s more is it is also one of the world's best bargains of cheapest hotels going for $5 a night not to mention it is often right beside great snorkeling spots.  Even in Bali, the most developed island, you can find plenty of deals. On the other hand Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi is trouble-free to branch out like an intrepid explorer or get pampered on the cheap in the most popular spots.

Czech Republic

In much of Europe, prices in the big cities are frequently twofold what you find in the countryside. This is particularly true in Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic, where vacationers on quick weekend breaks have driven up hotel and restaurant prices in Prague. However, in the smaller towns and cities, the country is one of Europe's remaining great values. It's an charming destination where you find castles on a hill, how about the world's best beer for a dollar in a pub, and winding cobblestone streets without crowds.

Warning! Travelling could be very tiring, exhausting and costly, but the above information is best for travelers with big expectations with a tight budget!

Black Sand Beaches Around The World

Black is beautiful and these black sand beaches from around the world show how true this saying is.

This Black Sand Beach, Lost Coast, California is so well-known for its black sand beach lies pristine and relatively untouched. It is 4,000 feet below the surrounding mountains of California. The remote beach is hard to reach and very hard to get in, the only way to get there is the small mountain roads. Camping as well as hiking are the two big things in this area. This is a perfect place to connect with nature.

You may have just found your new favorite beach in the world in Perissa, Santorini, Greece. With its crystal clear water and its smooth but devilishly hot sand you are sure to enjoy your getaway. It is known as one of the Greece’s best beaches and is protected by Mesa Vouno and the ruins of the ancient Spartan city Thera to the north. Enjoy a picture perfect scenic of the stark contrast between the black sand beach and the white buildings.Every tourist must experience the 3 kilometer hike to Mesa Vouno at dawn to take in a sunrise fit for the Gods, if not, your visit would be incomplete.

Aside from the beauty of nature in Bali and the beauty of the city in Jakarta, there is the Black Sand Dive Retrest is a small 6-bungalow quality dive resort located on a sheltered bay in a natural setting on Lembeh Strait, Indonesia’s Exotic Critter Capital. The resort focuses on personalized service both above and below the water, offering an exceptional dive holiday experience in "The Mecca of Muck Diving" Lembeh Strait for our discerning guests. Visiting divers have very limited holiday time and staying here will worth every minute of the vacation. It is the incredible diving that draws visitors to Lembeh Strait.

Vík Beach, Iceland is situatedat the southernmost point of Iceland. This is definitely one of the prettiest black sand beaches in the world. This stretch of black basalt sand is one of the wettest places in Iceland, getting about 90 inches of rain a year and is surrounded by volcanoes and glaciers – which if you ask us, makes for one heck of a unique destination.

Punaluu Beach, Hawaiiis to be found on the Big Island. It is actually a result of lava that’s flowed to the ocean and cooled, creating a beautiful, but rocky beach. Be wary for sun-bathing Hawksbill and Green turtles, you’re on their turf after all. Be sure to stay at least 15 feet away from these endangered creatures otherwise the beach patrol might cut your visit short. Oh, and taking some of that stunning sand home with you as a memento isn’t allowed either.

Travelling and having a vacation can sometimes be overwhelming and stressful. To avoid this kind of problem, make a research beforehand. How often is it that people became a victim of scam of false advertisements? Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore provides advice and tips as warning for travelers.

Warning Tourists To Be Fined For Wearing Bikinis

This summer, authorities in Majorca have vowed to fine tourists who leave the beach dressed only in bikinis or speedos.

Palma City Council has declared that it will issue fines of up to £500 ($A998) to holiday makers who take to the streets dressed in nothing but beachwear as part of a Good Citizen Plan.

Despite the fact that the fines may come as a shock to tourists, restaurant and bar owners appear to be fed up with having to serve underdressed clientele.

According to the residents, although the council’s threat is one they have heard before, a crackdown may actually take place this year. Anna Nicholas, a blogger for the Telegraph said:

“This time it seems there’s less saber-rattling and a more earnest intention to get serious with offenders of all kinds – holidaymakers, expats and locals alike.

“Visitors breezing around the streets in beachwear away from seaside resorts will be given instant fines and advised to cover up especially before entering bars and restaurants.

“When it comes to partying, especially in resorts close to Palma such as Arenal and Can Pastilla, there will be no tolerance shown to groups of young tourists that regularly congregate on Playa de Palma beach concocting noxious alcoholic brews that they consume through straws from large plastic buckets,” she added.

“Steep fines will be issued by local police as a deterrent while illegal vendors will also be penalised.”

After the two years of discussions, at the end of May, the civic laws are expected to be approved and introduced the new law.

According to the Daily Mail, under a section titled 'Etiquette', the Ordenanza states anyone 'devoid of superior parts of clothing' in roads not immediately adjacent to the beach will be fined.

Alvaro Gijon, the mayor of Palma, said that the aim of the new laws was to regulate good behaviour for tourists and residents with the aim of preserving 'harmony and civility', the newspaper reported.

Come and visit Southeast Asian countries such as KL, Malaysia or Jakarta, Indonesia for great beaches and fashionable bikinis.

Spa Vacation and Yoga Retreat

Get away from it all through a wellness vacation and come back healthier and more relaxed. Many countries offer such great wellness vacation. Souteast Asian countries such as Jakarta, Indonesia, KL, Malaysia, Singapore and much more offer such services.

A wellness getaway might be right for you if you are looking for a healthy travel alternative which is relaxing and restorative as well. A detox destination can be invigorating for mind, body, and soul. You can choose from a spa vacation at a luxury resort or a yoga retreat in modest surroundings.

Learning healthy habits after health and wellness trip is one more great benefit for you. The amazing effects of spa vacation or yoga retreat, if put into daily practice, will last a lifetime.

People may want to go to a wellness or spa vacation to escape the stress of their everyday lives and eliminate bad habits, such as unhealthy eating and drinking; drop unwanted pounds and raise their fitness level. Then relax and pamper in a indulging experience. The wellness destination that suits you base on the results you’re looking for and also the atmosphere you’ll see as more interesting.

Detox Destination: Spa Vacation

While you can check into many spas just for one day of pampering, spending a week at a great resort will give you greater benefits. During your stay, spa staff will lead you in fitness activities, provide you with tips to stay healthy, prepare healthful meals for you or offer a supervised fast, and even offer wellness classes, such as how to cook healthfully at home. You also might indulge in spa services, such as massage, water therapy, reflexology, and anti-aging facial or other beauty treatments.

Detox Destination: Yoga Retreat

Yoga is a mind-body discipline in which people engage in exercise movements called poses, breathing exercises, and meditation to achieve physical fitness and a state of relaxation. A yoga retreat is a getaway is centered on improving physical and emotional fitness, just a spa vacation, but there is some difference, the focus will be on expanding and improving personal practice of yoga.

According to Carie McAuliffe of Bridgewater, Mass., global marketing manager for an international sports brand and a yoga instructor who has been on two yoga retreats, a typical day at a yoga retreat might include a session of yoga in the morning, followed by a healthful breakfast, local excursions, and another session of yoga in the afternoon or at night. A menu of spa services might also be available depending on the facilities at the retreat location.

Cambodia On An Asian Cruise

Southeast Asia is a great destination for a cruise, Jakarta, Indonesia, KL, Malaysia, Beijing China, Singapore and much more, but if want to wander away from the beaten path on an Asian cruise vacation, consider booking a trip that calls in beautiful and exciting Angkor Wat, Cambodia. You will experience  many of Cambodia's ancient temples, incredible jungles, pristine beaches and exciting excursions at the nation's sole deepwater port at Sihanoukville.

The Ruins of Angkor, one of the most significant archeological sites in all of Asia, date back to the reign of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries.

Protected UNESCO World Heritage location, Angkor Archaeological Park spans hundreds of square miles and is consists of a huge collection of remarkable monuments, temples and capital buildings. An example is the well-known Temple of Angkor Wat located at the center of the park as well as the other architectural marvels like Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm. You can interact with residents from the local villages that still call the ruins of Angkor home.

Psar Lu Market. There's no better place than Psar Lu Market if you want to gain an up close look at how contemporary and historic cultures merge in Cambodia. To be found outside the city of Siem Reap and is known as the gateway to the Temple of Angkor Wat, this busy marketplace is a local hub of culture and commerce. You'll see vendors selling all sorts of unique wares, ranging from handmade local crafts to tourist souvenirs perfect for remembering your Cambodian vacation as you tour the streets of Psar Lu Market.

Wat Krom and Wat Leu. Considered as the most important religious structures in the area, the two well-preserved Buddhist temples Wat Krom and Wat Leu is situated just outside of Sihanoukville.

Wat Krom translates to "lower wat," and is located on a small hill on Santipheap Street overlooking the coastline. Alternately, Wat Leu - the "upper wat" - sits on a taller mountain nearby and offers picturesque views of the town below. Both of these incredible sites feature impressive stonework and are decorated with statues of elephants and the Buddha.

Phnom Penh. Sited north of Sihanoukville, the nation's capital and largest city of Phnom Penh offers tourists with a collection of cultural attractions, commercial centers, government complexes and beautiful parks.

The city still has heavy influences from French colonization during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and you can still hear French and Cambodian spoken side by side in Phnom Penh. While the delicious combination of Asian and French foods that comprises the local cuisine in restaurants and hotels throughout the city.

Indonesia's Best Dishes

Bakso

A favorite among students, this savory meatball noodle soup gained international fame when U.S. President Barack Obama remembered it as one of his favorites during a visit to Jakarta last November.

It takes on many forms; meatballs –- springy or rubbery, the size of golf balls or bigger -– are made from chicken, beef, pork or some amorphous combination of them all. Sold mostly from pushcarts called kaki lima, bakso comes garnished with fried shallots, boiled egg and wontons.

Gado-gado

Literally “mix-mix,” the term gado-gado is often used to describe situations that are all mixed up -– Jakarta, for instance, is a gado-gado city.

As a food, however, it is one of Indonesia’s best-known dishes, essentially a vegetable salad bathed in the country’s classic peanut sauce.

At its base are boiled long beans, spinach, potato, corn, egg and bean sprouts coupled with cucumber, tofu and tempe.

Gudeg

Fit for a sultan it may not be, but gudeg is certainly the signature of the royal city of Yogyakarta. The sweet jackfruit stew is boiled for hours in coconut milk and palm sugar, making the fruit so soft and tender it falls apart with little chewing.

Other spices are thrown into the mix but teak leaves give it a brown coloring. Like nasi uduk, it is served with rice, boiled egg, chicken and crispy, fried beef skin.

Gulai

Gulai is the common name for curry dishes, namely those from north Sumatra.

Indonesian curries have regional variations that depend on the types of meat and fish available -- though gulai almost always incorporates cinnamon. Opor and rendang can be considered gulais, but better to try out the rainbow of other options.

Perkadel

So simple it’s often overlooked, Perkadel’s unassuming appearance belies its flavorful punch.

A distant relative of Dutch minced-meat frikandel, these croquettes are either potato based and filled with beef or made from corn (perkadel jagung).

In Bandung, crowds line up late night in seedy alleyways to snack on potato fritters made soft from frying in hot oil.

Balado terong

The color of this dish is enough to set taste buds going.

Nothing more than grilled purple eggplant topped with heaps of chili sauce made from dried shrimp paste (balacan), it calls for a substantial portion of rice to even out the fire-engine flavor.