Archive for June, 2009
04
Jun
Luxury Travel Vietnam, a Hanoi Based Tour Company Launches an Unique Tour to Sapa and Bac Ha Sunday Market
Pham Ha asked:
Luxury Travel VIetnam, a Hanoi based tour company Launches an Unique Tour to Sapa and Bac Ha Sunday Market which offers some of Vietnam’s most colourful experiences.
Tucked high in Vietnam’s remote northern mountains, close to the Chinese border, the former French military outpost of Sapa offers some of Vietnam’s most colourful experiences.
The views are breathtaking. Vietnam’s highest peak, the 3,143-metre Mount Fansipan, looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields cut by fast-flowing streams.
Layer upon layer of green ridges fade into the distance, edged by sharp, rocky peaks. The region is home to several ethnic minority groups, all wearing their traditional and colorful attire.
Guests will be picked up from hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi Railway. The Victoria Express departs at 10:00 pm at 120 Le Duan Str., Hanoi. The luxury adventure trip starts with an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai.
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 6:00am. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer guests to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours.
Once at Sapa, guests will check into Victoria Hotel and have breakfast at the Ta Van Restaurant of Victoria Hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Meet guide in the hotel lobby at 2 pm for a walking tour to the hilltribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H’mong ethnic minority peoples.
As walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, guests will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here guests have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Diner at Victoria Sapa Hotel. Overnight at the unique and charming Victoria Sapa hotel.
“This is a special tour package combining the luxury and local charms for a memorable mountain experience in Vietnam. Guests will have the best in term of accommodation, colorful markets experience, fun, adventure, walking to hill tribes to get inside of their daily life. Each day guests wake up knowing that the day could be full of fun and adventure,” Tonny Pham, Product manager of Luxury Travel said.
Awakening to the sounds of a new day, guests eat breakfast at Victoria hotel and head out for a stunning spectacular weekend market.
Bac Ha is considered one of the most wonderful and colorful markets in extreme north Vietnam where thousands of local people in their traditional attire buy and sell the local products. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses… are all on sales.
This is a golden opportunity to take your best photos! In the afternoon, guests will take a pleasant walk to Ban Pho village, home to the flower H’mong people. This is a great opportunity to interact with the friendly locals and have pleasant walk amongst tribal villages.
Transfer to Lao Cai station for overnight Victoria Express back to Hanoi. Overnight at Victoria Express where you arrive at 5 am. Tour ends in Hanoi Station.
Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is offering this weekend package departing on every Friday, includes almost every thing and priced at only 464 USD per person, from 2 persons up, only good before 31 September 2009. English speaking guide, all transportation and transfers, all accommodation on twin share basis at Victoria Hotel, return Victoria Express train on superior cabin, meals as indication, admission fees and permits where applicable, drinking water during the trek.
To book this package, check it out at www.luxurytravelvietnam.com with lux4lux secret code.
Luxury Travel VIetnam, a Hanoi based tour company Launches an Unique Tour to Sapa and Bac Ha Sunday Market which offers some of Vietnam’s most colourful experiences.
Tucked high in Vietnam’s remote northern mountains, close to the Chinese border, the former French military outpost of Sapa offers some of Vietnam’s most colourful experiences.
The views are breathtaking. Vietnam’s highest peak, the 3,143-metre Mount Fansipan, looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields cut by fast-flowing streams.
Layer upon layer of green ridges fade into the distance, edged by sharp, rocky peaks. The region is home to several ethnic minority groups, all wearing their traditional and colorful attire.
Guests will be picked up from hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi Railway. The Victoria Express departs at 10:00 pm at 120 Le Duan Str., Hanoi. The luxury adventure trip starts with an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai.
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 6:00am. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer guests to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours.
Once at Sapa, guests will check into Victoria Hotel and have breakfast at the Ta Van Restaurant of Victoria Hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Meet guide in the hotel lobby at 2 pm for a walking tour to the hilltribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H’mong ethnic minority peoples.
As walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, guests will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here guests have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Diner at Victoria Sapa Hotel. Overnight at the unique and charming Victoria Sapa hotel.
“This is a special tour package combining the luxury and local charms for a memorable mountain experience in Vietnam. Guests will have the best in term of accommodation, colorful markets experience, fun, adventure, walking to hill tribes to get inside of their daily life. Each day guests wake up knowing that the day could be full of fun and adventure,” Tonny Pham, Product manager of Luxury Travel said.
Awakening to the sounds of a new day, guests eat breakfast at Victoria hotel and head out for a stunning spectacular weekend market.
Bac Ha is considered one of the most wonderful and colorful markets in extreme north Vietnam where thousands of local people in their traditional attire buy and sell the local products. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses… are all on sales.
This is a golden opportunity to take your best photos! In the afternoon, guests will take a pleasant walk to Ban Pho village, home to the flower H’mong people. This is a great opportunity to interact with the friendly locals and have pleasant walk amongst tribal villages.
Transfer to Lao Cai station for overnight Victoria Express back to Hanoi. Overnight at Victoria Express where you arrive at 5 am. Tour ends in Hanoi Station.
Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is offering this weekend package departing on every Friday, includes almost every thing and priced at only 464 USD per person, from 2 persons up, only good before 31 September 2009. English speaking guide, all transportation and transfers, all accommodation on twin share basis at Victoria Hotel, return Victoria Express train on superior cabin, meals as indication, admission fees and permits where applicable, drinking water during the trek.
To book this package, check it out at www.luxurytravelvietnam.com with lux4lux secret code.
Popularity: 1% [?]
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03
Jun
Avoid Being Overcharged On Your Luxury Travel Vacation
Virginia Morgan asked:
Almost everyone has heard travel horror stories. From robberies to scams, it is important to be informed about what to possibly expect on your luxury travel vacations. The most common stories of being ripped off abroad involve currency, purchasing “priceless artifacts” and being trapped by taxis. Take a look at these common ways people are either overcharged or ripped off, and use these strategies to stay in control of your money!
Currency Fraud
One of the most difficult parts about traveling to other countries is using foreign currency. There are several ways to handle this issue; the most important one is to be somewhat familiar with the exchange rate. For example, one Euro is the equivalent of $1.50 USD. Also, be familiar with what the local currency looks like. A common tourist scam is being approached in the airport or in front of a hotel by what appears to be a fellow tourist. They may wish to exchange some of their “left over” currency for dollars. They may attempt to sell you counterfeit currency, or offer a high rate of exchange. Do not be taken in by such people. The only safe way to exchange currency is through a bank, your local American Express Office, or the purser aboard any luxury world cruise.
Purchasing Antiquities
When traveling to countries with rich ancient histories on a luxury travel vacation, you may be tempted to take a piece of it home with you. In countries such as China, Egypt and Britain, there are a number of licensed and unlicensed antiquities dealers that will offer to sell you some of the greatest finds of the century. But buyer beware, even experts can be fooled by fakes. Not to mention that most countries do not allow exports of most pieces of their country’s history. So, if you did purchase the find of the century, you will probably not be able to take it home. If you are dedicated to taking something home with you, go to a well-known and licensed antiquities dealer. Your tour guide or cruise purser should have the best recommendations. Be sure to ask the right questions, such as delivery options, legality issues and get a receipt of sale. For more information on the latest AMT American Express Travel exclusives check out http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-exclusives.html.
Taxi Fraud
Most travelers get around their destinations via taxis, unless they are on a guided excursion from their luxury world cruise. Most taxi drives know this, and can spot a tourist from a mile away. They know you are unfamiliar with the exchange rate, the going local taxi rate and unfamiliar with the area. They may overprice their rate to take advantage of your ignorance, or take a more scenic route in order to run up the tab. Some may not run a meter at all and tell you a high flat rate. You can avoid being taken advantage of by asking the going rate before you step into the cab, and an estimate of how much to get to your destination. If there is no meter, do not get in. They might not be a legitimate taxi service, and may take you somewhere unless you pay them off. Do not hesitate to try another taxi if you think you can do better. Suddenly, the price might change to something more reasonable if you threaten to look elsewhere.
The first step in avoiding becoming involved in any of these scams is to be aware and informed. For help with your next luxury world cruise visit http://www.amtcruises.com.
Now that you are armed with information and strategies to avoid becoming involved in these situations, you are ready to face your luxury travel vacation without fear.
Almost everyone has heard travel horror stories. From robberies to scams, it is important to be informed about what to possibly expect on your luxury travel vacations. The most common stories of being ripped off abroad involve currency, purchasing “priceless artifacts” and being trapped by taxis. Take a look at these common ways people are either overcharged or ripped off, and use these strategies to stay in control of your money!
Currency Fraud
One of the most difficult parts about traveling to other countries is using foreign currency. There are several ways to handle this issue; the most important one is to be somewhat familiar with the exchange rate. For example, one Euro is the equivalent of $1.50 USD. Also, be familiar with what the local currency looks like. A common tourist scam is being approached in the airport or in front of a hotel by what appears to be a fellow tourist. They may wish to exchange some of their “left over” currency for dollars. They may attempt to sell you counterfeit currency, or offer a high rate of exchange. Do not be taken in by such people. The only safe way to exchange currency is through a bank, your local American Express Office, or the purser aboard any luxury world cruise.
Purchasing Antiquities
When traveling to countries with rich ancient histories on a luxury travel vacation, you may be tempted to take a piece of it home with you. In countries such as China, Egypt and Britain, there are a number of licensed and unlicensed antiquities dealers that will offer to sell you some of the greatest finds of the century. But buyer beware, even experts can be fooled by fakes. Not to mention that most countries do not allow exports of most pieces of their country’s history. So, if you did purchase the find of the century, you will probably not be able to take it home. If you are dedicated to taking something home with you, go to a well-known and licensed antiquities dealer. Your tour guide or cruise purser should have the best recommendations. Be sure to ask the right questions, such as delivery options, legality issues and get a receipt of sale. For more information on the latest AMT American Express Travel exclusives check out http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-exclusives.html.
Taxi Fraud
Most travelers get around their destinations via taxis, unless they are on a guided excursion from their luxury world cruise. Most taxi drives know this, and can spot a tourist from a mile away. They know you are unfamiliar with the exchange rate, the going local taxi rate and unfamiliar with the area. They may overprice their rate to take advantage of your ignorance, or take a more scenic route in order to run up the tab. Some may not run a meter at all and tell you a high flat rate. You can avoid being taken advantage of by asking the going rate before you step into the cab, and an estimate of how much to get to your destination. If there is no meter, do not get in. They might not be a legitimate taxi service, and may take you somewhere unless you pay them off. Do not hesitate to try another taxi if you think you can do better. Suddenly, the price might change to something more reasonable if you threaten to look elsewhere.
The first step in avoiding becoming involved in any of these scams is to be aware and informed. For help with your next luxury world cruise visit http://www.amtcruises.com.
Now that you are armed with information and strategies to avoid becoming involved in these situations, you are ready to face your luxury travel vacation without fear.
Popularity: 1% [?]
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01
Jun
Toning & Building Muscle : How to Get Rid of Man Boobs
expertvillage asked:
Get rid of man boobs by lowering the body fat percentage and avoiding the flat bend press exercise. Eliminate man boobs withtips from a fitness specialist in this free video on toning and building muscle. Expert: Bob Mathews Contact: power1k.com Bio: Bob Mathews is the owner of Perfect Body System and has been in Phoenix, Arizona for the last 15 years. He’s trained with Barry Goldwater and other devoted clients over the years. Filmmaker: Dustin Daniels
Popularity: 32% [?]
01
Jun
Spa Covers For Custom Spas
Spa Covers asked:
Every week I get a call from someone wanting to know if we can build a custom spa cover. The answer is yes with a qualification. Not every spa can be covered. Before you let work begin on that custom spa idea you should consider how you plan to cover it. After the spa is built it will often be too late.
Spa manufacturers are building all sorts of shapes and sizes these days that can be purchased and delivered to your home and covered easily. But for high end custom built spas, that often cost six figures it is not so easy. Unfortunately far to often it is after the spa is complete and the owner gets their first heating bill that they think about a cover.
These spas are often featured in spa magazines and truly look amazing. Who would not want one? They look like theme park attractions you can own. They often feature natural looking rock walls and water falls, spill ways and infinite edges so that while you sit on the spa you can see the landscape beyond. All very impressive and expensive. Unfortunately heating and keeping debris out of such a work of art can also be an expensive proposition.
If you ask the designer of one of these spas how they intended it to be covered when the spa was not in use, the answer is they do not want it covered. That may not seem so bad if the spa is in southern California or some tropical island. However even these places need to keep rain water and blowing debris out of the spa. In snow country it becomes even more important to cover the spa when not in use.
If you are considering having one of these spas built, make sure the designer is including a cover into the process and that it does offer insulation. Just having a safety cover anchored over the spa is not going to keep heat in or debris out. To insulate the water when the spa has different heights around the edge such as a spillway, the spa cover should actually rest on the water. By coming in contact with the water the insulating cover will cut down evaporation and chemical consumption too.
In order for the cover to be easy to attach and remove you also need to consider access around the spa. If you have one side of the spa hanging off in space it may be attractive but fastening any cover on that side would be precarious without some consideration of how to safely maneuver around outside of it.
Likewise a spa buried in a rock wall. If a wall of any kind rises up vertically, although beautiful will always be problematic for fastening and keeping stuff out of the spa. Planning on a cover before built is the only way I know of to deal well with this.
There are solutions available to cover almost any spa if the cover is built into the initial design. It will most likely be a costly spa cover and pricey to replace however not as expensive as leaving the spa uncovered. The reason for the cost is that each time it is built is basically a one off production. This is why most concept cars go straight to a museum. If anything breaks on it there are no replacements sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Every week I get a call from someone wanting to know if we can build a custom spa cover. The answer is yes with a qualification. Not every spa can be covered. Before you let work begin on that custom spa idea you should consider how you plan to cover it. After the spa is built it will often be too late.
Spa manufacturers are building all sorts of shapes and sizes these days that can be purchased and delivered to your home and covered easily. But for high end custom built spas, that often cost six figures it is not so easy. Unfortunately far to often it is after the spa is complete and the owner gets their first heating bill that they think about a cover.
These spas are often featured in spa magazines and truly look amazing. Who would not want one? They look like theme park attractions you can own. They often feature natural looking rock walls and water falls, spill ways and infinite edges so that while you sit on the spa you can see the landscape beyond. All very impressive and expensive. Unfortunately heating and keeping debris out of such a work of art can also be an expensive proposition.
If you ask the designer of one of these spas how they intended it to be covered when the spa was not in use, the answer is they do not want it covered. That may not seem so bad if the spa is in southern California or some tropical island. However even these places need to keep rain water and blowing debris out of the spa. In snow country it becomes even more important to cover the spa when not in use.
If you are considering having one of these spas built, make sure the designer is including a cover into the process and that it does offer insulation. Just having a safety cover anchored over the spa is not going to keep heat in or debris out. To insulate the water when the spa has different heights around the edge such as a spillway, the spa cover should actually rest on the water. By coming in contact with the water the insulating cover will cut down evaporation and chemical consumption too.
In order for the cover to be easy to attach and remove you also need to consider access around the spa. If you have one side of the spa hanging off in space it may be attractive but fastening any cover on that side would be precarious without some consideration of how to safely maneuver around outside of it.
Likewise a spa buried in a rock wall. If a wall of any kind rises up vertically, although beautiful will always be problematic for fastening and keeping stuff out of the spa. Planning on a cover before built is the only way I know of to deal well with this.
There are solutions available to cover almost any spa if the cover is built into the initial design. It will most likely be a costly spa cover and pricey to replace however not as expensive as leaving the spa uncovered. The reason for the cost is that each time it is built is basically a one off production. This is why most concept cars go straight to a museum. If anything breaks on it there are no replacements sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Popularity: 14% [?]
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