Grandeur Living

Traveling a little farther than you have originally planned might require you to be safer health-wise. There are many vaccines that your country’s health department recommends before you get somewhere else. However, Malaria is the most common especially traveling to destinations such as South America and Southeast Asia.

Malaria is often transmitted to humans through a bite by an infected mosquito, particularly the female Anopheles mosquito, known as a dusk-to-dawn biter. The infection is also transmitted through blood transfusion with an infected blood, or with a shared needle. A mother could also pass the infection to her unborn child.

Malaria is considered an endemic or constantly present throughout the sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, Oceania, Haiti, Central and South America, some parts of Dominican Republic, Mexico, and North Africa. Within these areas, Malaria cases can increase significantly depending on the epidemic level. The thing is that, most of the wonderful and new resorts are often prone to Malaria.

How to prevent Malaria during travel?

1. Get vaccinated before traveling to endemic areas. Antimalarial drugs are only prescribed; consult your health provider so you could get your vaccine base on your travel itinerary and medical history. Common antimalarial drugs include atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine.

2. Avoid mosquito bites. Malaria is always transmitted between dusk and dawn. Take precautions like staying inside as much as possible during those times. If staying outdoor, make sure that you wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants and even a hat. Always apply insect repellant to the exposed skin.

3. If you get sick during the travel, consult a medical professional immediately. Malaria can be very fatal. If you develop a fever or flu-like and professional help is impossible within 24 hours, take some self-treatment drugs. However, you still have to get to the doctor as soon as possible.

4. Traveling with kids to Malaria-risk places. Get your children vaccinated 4-6 weeks before the travel. Each age has a specific dosage, so take time to let the pharmacy fill your children’s prescription.

Take note that the symptoms of such an illness are non-specific. It requires a blood test to have an accurate diagnosis. When travelers with a fever are coming from a luxurious destination or not (within three months from their departure), they are considered a medical emergency. They should be investigated as soon as possible. Hence, the tests have to be repeated within 12 to 24 hours if the symptoms persist.

Want to getaway from it all? Going anywhere away from the stress, the hassle and the buzz? How about a week or two to the love-filled ambiance of Paris? Or a tanning session in Miami? Perhaps a cruise to an exotic island would do? Whatever you do, wherever you go, it’s best if you are with your special someone!

Just imagine surrendering to your partner’s warm embrace while staring at the sun slowly going down the horizon. Feeling your sweetheart’s masculine palm on yours while finding your way out of a vast and busy summer festival. Letting you know that you are secured when you are with him. Moments like these simply say that, you can never go wrong on a journey with your honey! Resulting to a happier and hotter relationship!

There are lots of things you can do if you are traveling to a new place. But there are far more activities you can share with your loved one making your expedition even worthy and unforgettable!

HAVE you ever dreamed about how the rest of the world is like? Would you like to see the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the magnificent ice-covered lake of Achensee or the grandeur of the snowy Swiss Alps?

Maybe you will be fascinated with the places of the ancient civilizations, such as the ruins of the Parthenon in Athens or the almost endless catacombs in Rome. These can your mind turn back the past.

The ones that are currently built are thrilling too. There is famed Paris with its Eiffel Tower and Champs Élysées, or Hong Kong with its colorful streets and shops. You could stare and feed the koala bear in Australia, or have a plate of sushi served by an almond-eyed kimono-clad lady in Japan.

You might also want to meet people and share the color, excitement, and sometimes the sadness, of those who has a distinctive life style from yours. You may also desire to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures who share the same beliefs and welfare that you appreciate.

I too, have longed to see some of these places, but sense that it is too complicated a procedure to arrange, for you are not sure how to go about it. So let’s plan your trip!

Budget the Cost

First and foremost, you have to make a decision how much you can afford to expend, the time available and the countries that you’d like to visit. Seldom does anyone enjoy a trip if he knows that, upon returning home, he will need to add extra burdens to his budget in order to pay back the money borrowed that he funded to the trip.

Check your Documents

All international travelers must have a passport. This is your identification and is an extremely important document. Visas are also necessary to enter certain countries. Vaccination certificates may be required for some countries too.

Pack your Clothes

The “Golden Rule” for travel is: Be casual, be comfortable and travel light. Tight clothes might make you uncomfortable and might even spoil your travel. Always remember that you are permitted to carry only limited luggage. Clothes that you can mix and match, that are drip-dry and wrinkle resistant, and that are washable and those that doesn’t require dry-cleaning, are perfect. A comfortable pair of walking shoes and one pair of dress shoes for evening wear should suffice. If the climate will be hot, a pair of sandals is most useful. Also, put aside a pair of soft, fold up slippers to take aboard the plane with you, as feet sometimes swell a little during a long flight.

Pack as tightly as possible.

Knowing the Places

Getting some information about the history, customs and traditions of the places that you will visit can make your traveling much more enjoyable. You will be able to understand more about the country and will find doubly interesting the sights, the people and the various forms of entertainment there.

You Are on Your Way

Now that you have proper documentation, your traveler’s checks, your few clothes properly packed in your suitcase and your head full of knowledge of the countries of your choice, you are ready to go. The great exciting day has arrived and you are boarding the aircraft. Fasten your seat belt! The big jet is moving down the runway, the engines are roaring and you are off!.

Now as you sink into the comfort of your seat after a meal, you may choose to listen to stereo music, enjoy a movie or just watch the clouds go by and meditate on how insignificant man and his works are as compared to the vastness of the earth below. You will be glad that you have planned your trip well, and that you have taken the opportunity to see new places, meet new people and make new friends.

Have a happy trip then!

The world’s most beautiful beaches are waiting for you. But what constitute these beaches worthy to be on the list of the world’s best? The beaches are clean and appealing. The water is pure and just the right temperature perfect for swimming, diving and other water activities. The wave height, if you are looking for waves, is just right. The marine birds are floating in the sky overhead. The stunning scenery and ideal environment are absolutely perfect for a vacation getaway for families and friends. And the pictures you will send home are definitely inspiring.

Clearly, the best beaches are those which have to pass a few more qualities than just having a spot of sand with water on it. They have to pass the requirements of a recognized beach authority. Below is the list of the ten beast beaches in the world. These beaches have been ranked by being the top ten beaches in some category.

1.      Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2.      Miami, Florida
3.      Cancun, Mexico
4.      Kaanapali, Hawaii
5.      Honolulu, Hawaii
6.      San Diego, California
7.      Boracay Island, Philippines
8.      Key West, Florida
9.      Sydney, Australia
10.    Santa Barbara, California

Planning the best beach vacation and choosing your destinations can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you have absolutely no idea where you want to go. This list would definitely give you the best options possible. Whether you’re getting ready for spring break, summer, your vacation or weekend, or just a day or two, there are plenty of beautiful scenic beaches to enjoy!

You’re of age and you got a job and most of all, you set your own curfew. But the thing is, you also still wake up to the smell of pancakes and eggs in the morning and find your newly dry-cleaned clothes in the closet.

Isn’t this the perfect life? Or is it, really.

I’m not against living with the parents and cohabitating with them actually has many benefits.  You get to eat perfectly cooked meals every evening and you don’t have to worry going to the dry-cleaners every week or every other day because your soiled clothes are being washed mostly every single day.

But there comes a certain age in life where you feel the need to live alone and make it on your own, even if it means leaving the old comforts of home behind.  But there are times that our beloved parents are hesitant to let us go or at least appear to be hesitant even though something in them whispers that they really want us to leave the house.

So, what can we do make a suave exit from the good, old house without appearing that we don’t like to live there anymore or without letting our parents feel that we don’t want to see them everyday or without making them feel that they are unconsciously pushing us away.

1.    Get a good-paying job

Surely, you can’t move out and live on your own if you don’t have a good-paying that will let you pay the rent and the other bills. Make sure to let your parents know that you have a decent job with a good pay.

2.    Start making your breakfast.

Or at least appear to make one.  Once they see that you can make it on your own, they might be satisfied and comforted to let you live by yourself. Or make them breakfast once in a while.  The focus here is to let them see that you can now do for yourself the things they used to do for you.

3.    Book them at a vacation spot.

Asking for their permission to let you move out is like courting a girl.  You have to make them feel valued and appreciated.  And one way of making them valued and appreciated is to book them a vacation at a luxurious destination.  But while you’re busy at work, trying to look for a prospective place and making meals by yourself, how can you look for the perfect spot? Google can help or try subscribing to luxury vacation newsletters so that you’ll have automatic updates and a number of destinations to choose from.

4.    Buy them something they want for so long.

This seems like an obvious bribery but the key is to give in small packages.  If it’s too grand, then the intentions are too glaring.  If your dad has been wishing for new lawn mower, then go and give him a new one.  Or if your mom has been wearing the same apron for the past 4 years, then, go ahead and buy her one.  Little things do count.

5.    Get a job miles away from home.

Now, this is the most effective part, I think.  If you’ll bag a job that’s oceans apart from your folks, then, they will really have no choice but to let you go.

6.    Sign them up to social clubs

Pushing them softly into the social circle will definitely make the transition better.  SIgn them for ballroom or cooking clubs or socio-economic organizations. Once they’re with other couples who also don’t live with their children anymore, then they’ll realize that it’s the time to regain the house to themselves again.

Not saying here that your folks will give you the hardest time when you show signs that you want to live independently but admit it,   it’s hard for both sides to flee home.  If they see that you’re capable and you feel you can spread your wings and you want to establish your life by your own, then moving out won’t be such stressing.  Lastly,  there’s nothing wrong in moving out nor staying with  them  for all your lifetime.  It all depends on what you prefer.  Family will always be family and you will always have a home with them.

You paid a lot for a few nights stay at a luxury hotel, make sure you get your money’s worth by making sure everything is working the way they should be.

There are tons of things you need to ask before making that reservation at a luxury hotel. The major ones include the rates and the amenities. But there are itsy-bitsy details we tend to overlook but are crucial to a safe and relaxing stay at the hotel.

When making a reservation at a luxury hotel, we also must ask if the following exists:

1. Functioning and sturdy fire exits – I know every hotel has one, but are they reliable to use?  Ask the concierge if  the steel stairways are functioning well and can be easily accessed when an undesirable situation such as a fire occurs.

2.  Working fire sprinkler systems – operative word, functioning.  Granted, you see them along the hallway but in reality they have glitches, so check them out first.

3.  Safeplace accredited – SafePlace accreditation is given to hotels who have passed the safety procedures fitted for high risk situations.

4.  Reliable smoke detectors -  Again, make sure they actually detect smoke.  You can verify this with the concierge beforehand so you don’t have to test the detectors by yourself for you might just cause an undesirable scene.

5.  Working pass-keys – make sure that the cards or keys for accessing your room are functioning.  You don’t want to get lockout in your own hotel room.

6.  Check the other appliances in the room -  click and check the lamps, the bulbs, the shower and the phone.  Better report them on an early time than being caught unguarded.

These are actually small and minor details but most of the time we tend to take them for granted and assume that they are working.  Not undermining the hotels here, but checking won’t hurt anyone.

Retreats in Australia’s outback let eco-adventurers and wine lovers alike – of all levels and abilities – get off the grid in style with these getaways that shout, Visit me!

This country isn’t just worth visiting only because of the kangaroos but because of it’s outback retreats and wine-producing towns.

For the adventure seekers

Trek the Flinders Ranges National Park which is north of Adelaide.  This 950 square kilometre park encompasses 1,118 meter-high peaks, craggy mudstone and shale, and wildlife  spotted plains.  You can also get an up-close view of  650-million-year-old fossils in Wilpena Pound, an 8,000-hectare amphitheatre.

For hiking beginners, this park is the best place to put those newly-purchased hiking boots into use as this park has a very accommodating staff armed with trail advice and detailed maps for your walk which would take from 30 minutes to 5 hours starting at the Rawnsley Park Station.  Your route will begin from the Pine Caves loop leading up  a moderately steep path, across the Kangaroo Creek then reaching up to the rocky hollow of the Ulowdna range.

If you’re feet gets tired, then the 20-minute plane ride over Lake Eyre, which is Australia’s largest salt lake is the next best option which Flinders range also offers.  Biking is also a luxury activity here with more than 8,000 kilometers of backroads and forest tracks along the Mawson trail which extends from Flinders Range to  the Baroosa wine valley.

For the wine-lovers

An outback environment such as Australia isn’t short of good wine.  Healsville, Yarra Valley’s unofficial capital,  is approximately 50 kilometers of Melbourne. This is that city where Hunter Valley is to Sydney, a wine collector’s  paradise. This place boasts of its Chardonnays and Pinot-Noirs.

You can sample local vintages at the Innocent Bystander Winery which is a new, modern wine-making operation complete with in-house bakery and restaurant. Surprising global dishes- tagine of whole chicken with pear barley and pomenegrate are paired with well-balanced wines produced with grapes grown on the surrounding 335-meter high slopes.

For filmmakers

Hollywood isn’t only the best place to make films nor that Bollywood is its closest rival.  Australia’s Shootout Geelong 24-hour fillmmaking festival takes the creative juices of budding filmmakers into the greatest test. As the name suggests, the contestants race against time to create the most sensible and thought-provoking 7-minute short films of any theme in exactly 24 hours, with editing included with no access to high-tech editing studios. Above is a clip from a short film during last year’s festival.

And what’s the thing that has been kept under wraps?  You can actually fly to Australia and spend 7 nights for free as well. Yes, it’s not going to be for the weekend but a week-long stay.  People view this country as quite an expensive place to stay, where you’ll only see hopping kangaroos but as what I have discovered and wrote above, this continent has more to offer than what most perceive it to give.

Australia can be a great escape from the smog and fast-paced lifestyle we endure every single day, if you know exactly where to go there.

A one night stay in a hotel labelled as a 5-star one or at a high-priced private resort will not make you an expert, but it is the first step.

It may seem ambitious to think and dream of staying at luxury vacation spots, but with a thousand bragging that they are luxurious, how will we know if they are telling the truth or just using over-the-top adjectives to have all the rooms filled?

Disclaimer: I am not a professional hotel consultant but I did stayed on QUITE  a few ones that I found and bid on this luxury travel site and with a few pointers from a  confidant who is on the hospitality business for 20 years.  He wants to remain anonymous so as not to appear subjective so let me just say, thanks for the tip, Michael.

When they have in-door premium facilities , when they have in-house food and beverage outlets, when they have a luxury spa, when, when they offer exclusivity and customized packages or when the rates are equal to a month’s salary, we thought those are what make up a luxury hotel. But a luxury hotel’s definition is becoming dynamic, and we have to bag the best deals ever to get the best accommodation worth of our hard-earned money.

So, how will we know if we are putting our money on the right goods? Have come up with a few ways.

1.    Read reviews. What better way to know than to get testimonials from the experts?  Tripadvisor and luxuryhotelreviews give pretty credible hotel reviews so they’re worth checking out.

2.    Participate in forums dedicated to luxury destinations.  Hearing a fellow luxury traveller’s views is a reliable way to know the good and the ugly stuff about luxury hotels because nothing beats experience.

3.    Join online luxury vacation destination contests. Through these contests, you’ll be assured that you’ll be getting the best because luxury travel sites offer the best of their best on contests to boost loyalty and attract more clients.

Even if we have the priciest luxury products around, if we still feel empty, then there’s something missing and luxury is not measured by money, it is defined by the most positive experience.

What if you’re a first-time luxury traveler or just planning to go away?  How will you know if the place is THE ONE?  When it comes to taking vacations and making the most out of it, you’ve got to make it right the very first time.  Well, at least  the most part of it. Have come up with the ways:

1.    Read travel books.

May sound geeky but it definitely helps. A trip to the library or purchasing a book or two at the bookstore will aid you in getting info.  The most commonly-read and relied on travel books are Timeout guides and Eyewitness guides.

2.    Ask real people on luxury travel forums

Yes, real people do actually participate in luxury travel forums and they have real experiences ( well, most of them). Plus, answers are so immediate you’ll be so overwhelmed at how much information you can digest

3.    Read travel blogs

Also, this is a practical way of getting an idea of where to go and how to get there. Blogs about traveling are so dynamic and have the most enticing visual and sometimes audio-visual ways of showing the good things about the destinations they’ve been to.  Vagabonding.com is a cool travel blog and it is so good that it has been included in Forbes’  top travel blogs.

Why should you make luxury traveling right the first time?  You’ll be spending a quite hefty sum of money and surely you don’t want it to go into waste.  I know, the hardest time is the first time and yu can’t make EVERYTHING right. But learning this skills makes it memorable in a positive way.

Getting on a cruise takes our imaginations to the most unimaginable levels.

But what could spoil these wishful thinkings? It’s when we forget the things we should had with us and we’re already at sea. Bummer.

Main point is to have a checklist before packing and rate them according to their necessity.  Have come up with my own as to aid you in your travel by sea either you’re a first-time cruiser or an experienced traveller.

1. Smart and stunning clothes

A cruise spells luxury.  So, don’t forget to pack casual and formal dresses. Cruises have formal parties EVERY night on board.  So, pack those stilletos together with your flipflops.  Fit into your luggage your most body-hugging swimwear and your devatatingly beautiful evening wear.
.  Medicine

Yes, cruise lines have first aid. But if you’re on a specific medication, make sure they are in your hand carry so that if you need them, you don’t have to wait for the hot on-board medic guys or nurses for relief. Though, seeing them will bring relief as well.

3.  Travel documentations

These are all-so important and you’d probably wonder why I still listed them here. I did so for the reason that this is one of the most forgotten stuff because we thought we had packed them because they are important when in reality, we haven’t.

4. Credit cards

Even if you have paid for the cruise itself, you will spend while on board. Nightly open bar parties  and telephone calls and internet connections will be charged to your cards.

There, these are the things you should always put first in your luggage.  Forgetting them can make you jump in the open sea or cry for the ship to go back to where you came from.