Why You Should Rent A Holiday Home In Corfu

A holiday cottage in Corfu provides you with the chance to explore what this island that is in the Ionian Sea has to offer. Of all the Islands to be found here off the Greek coast this is the second largest and is one of the greenest as well.

On it, there grows more than 3 million olive trees and the oil from these is one of the main exports from the island. However, tourism is also important to the island and many people come to it in order to spend time of some of the most beautiful beaches to be found in this part of the world. Yet for those who do crave a little excitement during their holiday this ideally has plenty for one to do and also some great nightlife as well.

As one tours the island, you will soon discover that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to, selecting which of the many different beaches it is you wish to spend time at. Below we take a look at some of the beaches on offer on this island and where they are located.

1. Arillas Beach - You can easily find this beach and will be astounded by its beauty when you reach it. Because this beach lies within a natural rock, formation carved from the sea it is well protected against the winds that comes in to it.

2. Agios Gordis Beach - This beach is only 35 minutes from Corfu town and is one of the longest that the island has to offer. However, you need to be aware that during the high season, this one can quickly become populated and is the most commercialized of all the beaches on the island. Around the perimeter you will find hotels, restaurants and bars that, you can avail of and there is also a regular bus service provided from Corfu town to it.

3. Barbati Beach - This particular beach is around 13 miles (21km) from Corfu's capital close to the town of Nissaki. This beach has attained a blue flag award, which means that it is well maintained and kept clean. Plus like many of the beaches if you want there are umbrellas and sun beds that can be hired to make your time relaxing on this beach more enjoyable.

4. Gialiskari Beach - This is one of the few beaches where tourism has taken over in fact this is quite a secluded one. Yet there are places where you can get food and drink whilst relaxing by the water's edge if you need to.

Along with the beaches, we have mentioned above there are plenty of other ones to consider visiting. So after settling into your holiday cottage in Corfu you should take some time to study a few maps and look at what beaches you can visit which are close to where you are staying.

There are a wide variety of holiday villas in Corfu which you can rent straight from the owner which will be cheaper than using a travel agent. Also take a look at these holiday cottages in other areas which you can choose from.

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Outdoor Hammocks - Camping Benefits and Styles

Outdoor hammocks have a traditional way of bringing us closer to nature. Invented by the Mayans, they have existed for thousands of years.

Camping

Hammocks are lighter than carrying a tent and foam pad. They take a lot less time to set up as well. It only takes a few minutes to tie the hammock to a tree. You can put your camp just about anywhere. You don't need to find a flat spot that doesn't have rocks or bumps. No need to worry about a full campsite either.

The comfort is superb. It's good enough that a lot of people are replacing their home bed with a hammock. You get gentle soothing movement not available in a regular bed. In addition, hammocks don't have the pressure points that a regular bed has. This means less tossing and turning. In fact, most people sleep longer when they use a hammock.

Styles

The most popular style is a white cotton rope hammock with spreader bars. This type of hammock is comfortable and durable, but not great for being portable. Fabric hammocks are the most comfortable. You have absolutely no pressure points. The hammock truly fits you like a glove. They are not as durable or as stylish as the rope hammock.

Double hammocks are for two people and are ideal for the patio.

Final Tip
If you don't have trees or posts to hang your hammock, consider a hammock stand. They come in metal and wood. Wood is more elegant and metal is less expensive and lighter to move.

For further information, please visit Outdoor Hammocks

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How to Sail a Boat - The Basics and Sail Control

How to Sail a Boat - The Basics and Sail Control
By Andre Sanchez

Once you have learned how to sail a boat, you will be able to have fabulous vacations by hiring boats and sailing them on the different types of sea and lake both in your own country and abroad. Like bicycle riding, it is something that you never forget, but each class of sailing boat is different, and you should first learn the basics about the wind and sails.

In addition to driving the boat forward, the wind can also drive it sideways, can cause it to turn and also to roll over! The technical term for this is 'heeling over'. It is how these effects are handled using the sails and their position, and the rudder, that makes the difference between sailors. Good sailors can use wind from practically any direction to move the boat in any way they desire.

The normal way to prevent a boat from turning over is to add weight to the bottom, or keel, or to construct a boat with a broad base, so that no part of the boat can turn past its center of gravity. Once this occurs the boat will turn over. Some boats are designed so that the crew can place their weight outside the center of gravity opposite to the direction the wind wants to topple it. This again helps to shift the center of gravity of the boat.

There are two terms that the beginner must learn to understand. First, each sail has its own 'center of effort'. That is the geometric center of the total area of the sail. The other term is the 'center of lateral resistance'. This is the geometric center of the profile of the boat under water. In order for there to be a proper balance in the boat, the center of effort should lead the center of lateral resistance by a certain amount that depends on a number of factors, including the hull shape and the design of the total sail plan.

The CE can be changed by making changes to the amount of forward and after canvasses, and the CLR changed by altering the ballast, or weight in the hull. This is normally done according to the amount of wind and its direction.

Another important factor for the new sailor to keep in mind is that when the rudder is used to turn a boat, the boat is actually rotating on a pivot. This turning point is generally well forward of the center of the boat, and if you delay too long in turning the boat, the stern will come round much farther than you would expect and collide with another boat if you leave it too long.

Knowledge of these aspects of sailing will come with experience, as will the best direction of wind. Although you might think that a wind coming from directly behind you would be best, in fact that is not the case. A boat can be very difficult to handle with this type of wind, and it is better if it is coming across the boat. Again, this comes with experience, and while textbook learning is useful to a certain extent, the only real way to learn how to sail is to get out and learn with an experienced sailor.

The best place to sit is with the wind at your back - this is called upwind - and just in front of the tiller. If the boat tends to heel over with the wind, you can bend back and get your weight farther outboard. Your forward hand, or that nearest the bow, should be used to hold the mainsheet, or rope, and the back hand the tiller. The tiller itself should be used as little as possible, and pushing it away from you turns it into the wind, and towards you turns the boat away from the wind.

You use the mainsheet to keep the sail operating properly. If it starts to flutter, or 'luff', you should pull it in until stops luffing. You should never pull a sail too tight or it will lose driving power. It should be just tight enough to stop luffing. If you are unsure how tight a sail is, let it out until it starts to luff, and then slightly adjust the trim to stop it. You will have to do this each time you change course, or the wind changes direction.

There are directions in which you cannot sail because the boat will be in the wrong direction for the wind. If your boat stops while it is pointing into the wind, then you should push the sale forward and reverse the rudder. Then let the sail out till it catches the wind, after which you can trim it properly and start sailing again. If you are sailing into the wind, you will have to tack the boat in the direction closest to the wind that you can sail, which is about 35 degrees. You will then have to tack to the other side of the wind to make progress in the direction that you want to go.

Doing this with the wind behind you is called jibing, which is done slightly differently since the boat will be moving at almost full power with the wind behind. You have to do this because you will not find it easy to sail with the wind directly behind you. Tacking and jibing are specific skills that you will learn while sailing, and are the subject of another article.

How to Sail a Boat: The Basics and Sail Control was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com

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How to Research and Book a Cruise Vacation

If you're planning a cruise, there are eight key questions you need to ask yourself before you even begin to book. Keep reading to learn what these eight questions are and how to research and book the best cruise vacation for you.

1. Who's Going?

Depending on the age of your travelers and whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a family fun free-for-all is going to have a defining impact on the type of cruise you choose.

By determining well in advance who will be going, you can really narrow down the choices.

2. What's Your Budget?

Setting a budget in advance will help you plan how much you spend and the type of cruise vacation that you can afford. A typical cruise vacation costs about $100-$300 per day per person, excluding airfare.

Booking early, booking last minute or being willing to take an inside cabin are ways you can save money on your cruise. Inside cabins do not have a window view of the ocean.

3. How Much Time do You Have?

Knowing how much vacation you have will help you narrow down your cruise choices. For example, if you only have 5 vacation days available, you won't be indulging in that 3-week adventure up the coast of East Africa.

Typically, a week's vacation allows for a solid 5-7 day cruise in the Caribbean. It can also work depending where you are in North America, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and even the South Pacific.

4. When Do You Want to Travel?

Having a rough idea of when you want to go will help you focus on specific sailing times and even destinations. For example, Alaska cruises only operate during the five summer months.

5. Where Do You Want to Go?

From Africa to the Caribbean to the South Pacific, cruises travel all over the world. If you know, for example, you want to explore the cities of the Mediterranean, you'll be able to focus your search on Mediterranean cruises.

6. What Activities Do You Like?

For every taste, there's a cruise ship that caters to it. From wine tasters to extreme athletes, there are cruises designed specifically for you - you just have to determine your interest.

7. Do You Like Structure?

Some cruise ships have set dining times, ranging from as early as 6:00 p.m. to as late as 9:00 p.m. Others offer freestyle service which allows you to eat when you please.

8. Do You Enjoy Formal Wear?

Before you book a luxury cruise that offers formal dining every night, ask yourself if you're ready to pack your tuxedo. Whether you want to dress up for dinner every night, just a few nights or not at all, there's a cruise for you. Just be sure to research your options before you purchase.

For information on practical travel cruise recommendations, please visit http://www.travel-cruise-adventures.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning help with cruise line and location ideas, such as Holland America Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruise Lines, and many more!

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Start Looking For Your Next Great UK Holidays

Summer seems so far away that many people leave their holiday plans to the last minute when they have hardly any time left to make an informed decision and the end result is a not very well organised vacation. With the cold weather here and not much sign of any sunshine this is indeed a great time to start looking out for a variety of summer holiday destinations to cheer up that winter mood. The months pass quickly and often the best places are almost fully booked by the beginning of summer. Have a think about your next holiday and what you would like to gain from the experience. The more thought and planning that go into the decision the better it may well turn out to be for all the family.

A UK holiday offers somewhere peaceful and relaxing to unwind if you choose the right place. You can get away from the city noise and pollution and unwind in luxury style in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. Perfect choices for the boating enthusiast with plenty of rental options available from a basic sailing dingy right up to a super fast power boat. If that sounds a bit too energetic then why not consider a walking or painting holiday where you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze and the natural, unspoilt, wildlife of the area. There are ample opportunities for the budding photographer to snap the rare delights of the birds or the beautiful rolling landscapes that make the Isles of Scilly a well known holiday choice to the many visitors that return there every year.

Have a look at a map of the UK and do some further investigation on the Internet to discover some of the special offers available to the discerning traveller. If you have never spent a holiday in the UK then you are truly missing out on a splendid experience and a most relaxing time. There are many choices of self catering holiday cottages that have been brought completely up to date with modern conveniences ranging through to luxury hotel accommodation with the very best amenities. Whatever you decide make sure that you investigate the many opportunities that the UK has to offer for holidaymakers. The summer season is not too far away now so start looking for a great offer before all the best places are fully booked. Enjoy your next holiday and make sure that you unwind in style wherever you decide to go.

For further reading see the site Tresco for your cornwall cottage holiday and here for your uk holidays and here for a luxury hotel cornwall where you can enjoy a traditional Cornwall holiday in style!

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Italian Historical Architecture

Italy is a magical country to visit and spend time; every region has something new to offer whether it is its food, the people, the history or its architecture. Its architecture is unsurpassed in Europe, historically Italy has everything and this shows within its architecture.

To many people the architecture of a country is it's main attraction and this could easily be said about Italy with it's millennia old stones, sumptuous remains of mysterious Etruscan kings, witnesses to ancient pagan rites, memorials to a history whose origins is lost in the mists of time. Ancient temples that have stood for thousands of years and have amazed all those who run a hand over their immortal columns, such as the temples of Agrigento and Selinunte. Entire cities that remain like some marvelous stage set to tell us about life as it was in the distant past. A life cut short, in ancient days, by the dramatic whim of a volcano, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, or by the implacable advance of malaria, as in Ostia Antica and Paestum. Walls and buildings that have been witness to a boundless power, that of ancient Rome and its countless conquests. Places still capable of moving us deeply owing to the ingenuity of their construction and the peerless historical heritage that they embody.

Italy has a wealth of religious architecture, towers and churches launched towards the sky. Striking spires, dainty cupolas, artistic facades, and bell towers jutting up towards the blue sky and towards an Italian heaven, mysterious naves that guard artistic masterpieces ancient and modern. Visit any Italian city, town or village and you will see churches everywhere, guardians of and witnesses to a faith thousands of years old and then tiny chapels on the mountain tops, solitary shrines on street corners, statues and frescoes for the protection of the home.

Small signs of popular devotion that stand as corollaries to the magnificence of the cathedrals. Italy loves religious architecture. A series of masterpieces that tell the entire story of western architecture: from the elegant Romanesque forms of Santa Maria all' Aquila to the fanciful Gothic spires of the beautiful Cathedral in Milan, from the perfect example of Renaissance architecture in Florence Cathedral to the baroque wonder of Lecce Cathedral. Each one with its trusty bell-tower at its side to announce its presence; including the most famous one in the world: the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Italian squares or piazzas that seem to be picture perfect stage sets all complete with outdoor cafes to enable you to sit and watch the world un-fold in front of you. Buildings that were created to enchant and impress visiting dignities from an age gone by with luscious façades and interiors that house unimaginable riches and art treasures now have the same effect on those tourists visiting Italy. Towers constructed to bear witness to power that now regale unforgettable panoramas to those bold enough to climb to the top.

Streets resembling open-air museums. Bridges that create seem-less bonds between the banks of rivers such as the Rialto in Venice or Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Walls originally designed to defend a city have later been turned into wonderfully imposing rings that have been giving communities a sense of security for centuries.

Ample flights of steps from which to savor the spectacle of a city's life. The taste for beauty is all pervasive, from the tiny village, to the old town, to cities great and small. Beauty touches every nook, every vista, everything. The ancient Italians left a world of elegant architecture and monuments behind for future generations to stare in amazement at.

I try to pass on my musings on life and experiences in a way that people may find interesting to read.

http://www.cookery-school-italy.com

You may not always agree with my writings but I hope to inform.

Harwood E Woodpecker

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Shopping, Whitby Style

Venture down some of Whitby's old cobbled streets and you will find a few surprises. Traditional pubs, cosy cafes and some unusual shops await. It's very easy to spend a whole day exploring the wide variety of shops and eateries (is that a real word?) to be found in this historic, quaint town on the Yorkshire Coast.

Gothic visitors will love the clothes shops where you can buy everything from black (surprise!) leather coats, trousers and shoes to jewellery and Victorian costumes.

Whether it's Sandgate's traditional sweetshop - its walls lined with jars full of sweets - or Whitby's last remaining smokehouse, offering fresh kippers, you will find some unexpected treats in the old town. The Fortune family's smokehouse can be found at the end of a row of fishermen's' cottages on Henrietta street, within sight and sound of the harbour.

Other retail attractions in Whitby include Justin's Dracula-themed fudge shop, where you can treat yourself to Dracula's Dream, Captain Cook's Rum & Raisin or perhaps a man-sized Cannonball. All Justin's chocolates and fudges are made on the premises with top-quality ingredients and his Church Street shop is definitely worth a visit, should you be nearby.

The music-lover is catered for with a few shops selling unusual CDs that you don't see very often (I've spent a fortune in one of them!) - lots of folk music on acid!

The market in the old town is great in Winter (especially towards Christmas time) and, if you've eaten too much and feel guilty, there's even a great shop that sells herbs, essential oils and diverse potions to get your system back on track!

Why not give Whitby shopping a try? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Alan Moore invites you to join his free email newsletter The Whitby Bite: http://www.dracula-in-whitby.com/whitby-bite.html where you can learn more about the real Dracula and his connection to Whitby, Yorkshire's unique vampire town.

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