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Manali Vacation and hill station

Manali Vacation and hill station

Manali sets at the head of the majestic Kullu valley. The town is sandwiched between the serene surroundings, glittering snow capped mountains and dense pine forests. The milky Beas river meanders through the unspoiled jungles, deep valleys, grassy meadows to the buzzing town of Manali. This magical hill station derived its name from the Manavalaya meaning the abode of Manu Rishi- the creator of human race as per the Hindu mythology .The tranquil environs and the pleasant weather of Manali allures travelers who crave for an ideal summer retreat. Manali is also famous for its adventure sports like Skiing, Para gliding, mountain biking, rafting and kayaking.  Manali is clotted with many small markets selling handicrafts and colorful sweaters and shawls, caps and other woolen wear. If you are interested in buying traditional Tibetan souvenirs such as Buddhist paintings, intricately designed carpets and inexpensive silver jewelry, then browse through the Tibetan market that rules the extreme south end of Manali.

Places of Interest

Vashishth Kund

Vashisth, a small village located near to the main town Manali is worth visiting. A trek to the vashisht village offers amazing views of the snow covered mountains, murmuring Beas River and apple orchards.

The village streets are lined with cafes and small Chinese restaurant serving authentic Chinese delicacies that include mouthwatering momos and thukpa. Vashisht is noted for its hot water spring and the temples dedicated to lord Rama and Vashisht Muni.

Hadimba Devi Temple

Built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, Hidimba temple sets in the small village of Manali called Doongri. The temple is dedicated to Hidimba, the wife of Bhim( the second pandav). Hadimba temple boasts of its ornate roof having four-tiered pagoda and exquisitely carved wooden doors.

Solang valley

The glorious Solang valley in Manali nestles amidst the Solang village and the Beas Kund. The splendid valley commands awe-inspiring views of the glaciers and the verdant meadows. The Institute of Mountaineering and Allied sports, Manali has set up one of their guesthouses here. The Solang valley has been all time favorite spot for adventure sports like Para gliding, skiing etc.

Mall Road – The main road of Manali, The Mall is the excellent place for shopping. The markets are stocked with shops selling wollen goods that include intricately embroidered shawls made from finest pashmina, pure wool sweaters available in all brilliant colors. You can also shop for authentic Tibetan   souvenirs such as amulets, masks, musical instruments, attractive silver jewelry studded with semi precious stones and Thangkas.

Accommodation in Manali

Manali is dotted with numerous hotels, guesthouses, lodges, resorts catering to travelers of all budgets.  The old Manali is lined with many budget class hotels and family run guesthouses that offer comfortable rooms with all basic amenities at the lowest price.

Best Time to Visit Manali: May to October

How to Reach Manali

By Air: The nearest airport, Bhuntar is 52 kilometers from Manali. Air Deccan and Jagson Airlines operate regular flights from Delhi to Manali.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Chandigarh (357 kms from Manali).

By Road: Manali is located on the National Highway 21, which connects it with Chandigarh. There are regular bus services to Manali from all the key cities of Himachal Pradesh and the neighboring states.

Tips, Deals and Trips: Blow Off Steam Without Blowing Your Wallet

Tips, Deals and Trips: Blow Off Steam Without Blowing Your Wallet

If you look at a recent graph of the stock market it is difficult not to think about a roller coaster. Every day someone I know is either on the verge of losing their job or knows somebody who was laid off. Simply put, these times are stressful. I think my brother put it best, “Everyday I wake up and worry about how I am going to take care of my family.”

After thinking about the current economic dilemma for a few days, I came to a conclusion: If we are going to have to tighten our belts, we may as well blow off some steam doing it. During the most stressful financial times it is important to remember that there are so many deals available from companies trying to drum up business. Frankly, we would be foolish not to take advantage of them.

Let’s start with food. There is nothing like a good meal to help us relax. There are a number of restaurants out there trying to push a new dish or get people through the door. As we all know, the internet tends to bring information to the masses. One site I have found helpful looking for great deals on restaurants was a blog called Money Saving Mom. The author, Crystal Paine, is a mother of two that knows a thing or two about stretching a dollar when it comes to going out to dinner with the family.

Getting places is another area that we could all use some savings advice. As a part time global warming preacher myself, I always recommend using Google Transit to navigate public transportation and make the most of your day-to-day traveling budget. If you do drive a car then you may have noticed the dropping price of gas. The one problem with price drops is that some locations tend to have stickier prices than others. To make the most out of your gas budget I always tell people to check out Gas Buddy.com to find the stations near you with the absolute best prices.

Taking a vacation is the next area where I pride myself on saving a buck or two. Generally speaking I try and go ‘somewhere’ every few weeks. Many times we end up staying near home, but at least we are out of the house. I am personally a big fan of camping. I think every family should go out camping a few times a year. One site I rely on for tips on great camping spots is GreatCampingSpots.com. The site has a ton of resources on finding and booking the best campgrounds around the country.

If you are looking for a more pampered vacation or just don’t feel like breaking out the tent then I have a few tips for you as well. Generally when I make the decision to reward myself with a real getaway I try as hard as I can not to break the bank in the process. While it may sound generic, Orbitz.com has some great deals on the Orbitz Deal Page. They do a great job of pulling together some interesting cost effective trips. I must confess, my family also owns timeshare. In the long run we feel like it ends up saving us money because we travel so much. There are quite a few sites on the web that offer Cheap Vacations in return for attending a resort presentation for timeshare. Many times these deals include extras such as free rounds of golf, dinner for two or even theme park tickets.

As a self professes rollercoaster junkie I can’t leave out great deals on theme parks. If you are looking for great ticket deals on major parks, check out this recent About.com article. The author tells you all sorts of tips and trick for scoring great deals to the top parks.

With all these great channels to blow off steam without blowing your wallet, make sure you take some time to smile. Life is too long and these times will eventually pass. Make sure you get your proper dose of rest and relaxation.

Finding Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa

Finding Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa

Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa can be difficult to find if you don’t know where to look. The choice between self-catering, bed and breakfast, guest house or hotel can be somewhat unnerving due to the differences in facilities and prices. I reside in St Lucia, South Africa, and currently know of a few of the best guest houses, lodges, and cottages, which provide bed and breakfast services to the public who may be looking for holiday accommodation.

When starting your search for accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa, your initial Google results will undoubtedly have accommodation listing websites, such as Where to Stay or SA Venues or Safari Now. Although these websites offer a relatively user-friendly way to browse for a place to stay, they do also require a commission from the guest house, cottage, or bed and breakfast for this service. Because nobody likes to be done out of 10 or 15 percent of their income, most accommodation or booking / reservation managers append the commission onto the top of the usual rate, making it more for you, the client, to pay.

While accommodation listing sites are nice and easy to browse for a place to stay, it is my personal recommendation that you find a place you like and then Google for the individual guest house or bed and breakfast’s web address. All personal accommodation websites have a booking enquiry form which will allow you to contact them directly, thus saving you time and money.

As with any article, I researched my topic “Finding Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa” before I set out to write this post. I came across a variety of different options that I will present to you, my readers, as choices if you ever decide to holiday or vacation in St Lucia, RSA.

The first choice I’m going to set out for your perusal is Parkers Cottages (www.parkerscottages.com). The two cottages are tastefully furnished in a true African style (Nguni Room) and an ocean theme (Fisherman’s Cottage). Fisherman’s Cottage has a separate, yet adjoined, room which can be used for children or for other members of your group. Nguni Room is spacious with a warm orange, yellow, and black theme native to an African sunset.

Parker’s Cottages is owned by a mature British couple who have lived in St Lucia, South Africa, for between 3 and 4 years. They give personal and friendly service to all of their guests. Each morning they serve a full Continental and English breakfast either inside or on the patio overlooking their large crystal clear swimming pool and garden.

The second choice I will put forward for my readers is Mangos Guesthouse. Mangos is a medium-sized open-plan guesthouse designed specifically for accommodation purposes. With five beautiful rooms, one of which being the Honeymoon Suite, Mangos has en-suite bathrooms, TVs in the rooms, a gorgeous wooden deck, and a rock swimming pool. Each morning breakfast is served on the covered deck overlooking the rock pool. Even though being relatively new in St Lucia, Mangos offers comfortable accommodation, professional service and very hospitable surroundings. (www.mangosbnb.com)

The third and final option I have to set out for my readers is Leopard Corner Guest House. Leopard Corner was recently opened in St Lucia, only since November 2008. Leopard Corner sports 3 wheelchair friendly rooms, 3 luxury honeymoon-type suites, a wheelchair accessible room and a tour guides’ room, ideal for the larger groups who bring a tour guide with.

The first three luxury suites are equipped with large spa baths, glass showers, and comfortable en-suite rooms furnished to the hilt in a traditional way mixed with its own crisp and clean feel. All rooms come fully stocked with built-in closets, tea & coffee trays, air conditioning units (which double as heaters for when it’s cold), ceiling fans, and hairdryers.

The newer three wheelchair friendly rooms are spacious suites opening onto a wooden deck overlooking our own section of the Wetland Park. All of the bathrooms are wet-room styled with handrails, shower chairs, and other wheelchair friendly necessities.

Leopard Corner as a whole is totally wheelchair accessible with ramps leading to any higher levels, i.e the deck. Leopard Corner’s deck is where the full English and Continental breakfast (hot and cold) is served. The deck overlooks the pool which is encircled in a beautiful garden area. Being a family-owned business, Leopard Corner puts the most professionalism together with friendly service to provide one of the most hospitable environments for you and your loved ones to sit back, relax, and enjoy your holiday or vacation comfortably. (www.leopardcorner.co.za)

In review, accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa, may seem to elude you, but fear not! There are many places to choose from as shown by the three lovely examples I have set out for you.

The Lost Art of Vacationing

The Lost Art of Vacationing

The stock markets are rocky, and the economy is in rough shape. Work is even more stressful then normal, and a pay raise seems like an idea of days gone by!

With today’s high stress work environment and challenging economy it is more important then ever to be able to get away from it all and relax. Yet with today’s economic uncertainty you hesitate to spend the money on a family vacation for fear that the money may be required later.

Any doctor or therapist will tell you that taking time away from the stress of work is a necessary way to recharge body and soul. It can improve health and restore the body’s ability to fight infection and withstand stress. The need for vacations and down time away from work is more essential than ever. Yet, with a declining economy and an uncertain job market fewer and fewer people can afford to vacation with their families.

This does not need to be the case. These last few years have seen massive changes in the vacation market. There are new options available for families that wish to vacation together that do not require huge infusions of cash. It’s a new market and it represents a complete shift in the way we think about our vacation time.

The timeshares, all inclusive resorts, and villa rentals now have to compete with destination clubs, exchange programs, points programs, a wholesale vacation market, and what is now a hugely competitive cottage rental real-estate market. Did you know you can actually rent a cottage and get it as an “all inclusive” package? This was not possible 10 years ago but it is now.

Do not let work, or a bad economy stop you from taking advantage of all these new and great family vacation alternatives. The risks are far too great, and the rewards are even greater. Quality family time improves health, and creates a solid, stable and healthy environment. It is one of the best and most effective methods for reducing stress, and in the end, it actually increases productivity.

Enjoy your time off. Enjoy spending it with your family and your friends and make sure that you get your well deserved break from work. Enjoy!