 |
| A View |
 |
| Enjoy the Sea |
 |
| Girls in Bikini Enjoying the beach |
More photos
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sicily Beach, Italy : Picture Update 11/18/2011
More photos
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Roads, Skies to be Stuffed with Thanksgiving Travelers
Travel gains push Arizona turkey day travel to a four-year high
PHOENIX, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the state and country, more people will enjoy theirThanksgiving feast at a table away from home this year, according to AAA's annual travel forecast.
Nearly 839,000 Arizonans will travel over Thanksgiving weekend, a 4.6 percent increase over last year, according to AAA. Nationwide, 42.5 million Americans will travel over the holiday, a 4 percent increase compared to 2010.
"The increase we're expecting tells us that consumers chose family over frugality when making theirThanksgiving travel decisions," said Amy Moreno, director of travel services for AAA Arizona.
The table below illustrates projected 2011 Thanksgiving travel compared to 2010:
Thanksgiving 2011
|
Overall Travelers
|
Auto Travelers
|
Air
Travelers | |
Arizona
|
838,898
|
747,338
|
55,325
| |
Change from Last Year (Ariz.)
|
+4.6 percent
|
+4.3 percent
|
+2.1 percent
| |
Total U.S.
|
42.5 million
|
38.2 million
|
3.4 million
| |
Change from Last Year (U.S.)
|
+4 percent
|
+4 percent
|
+1.8 percent
| |
Economic impact, or lack thereof, on travel plans revealed
Sixty percent of intended travelers state that the economy has either no impact on their travel plans or that things have improved for them since last year. The remaining 40 percent of travelers state that they will scale back as a result of current economic conditions.
Road trips aren't deterred by pump prices
Flexibility, affordability and convenience make road trips the preferred choice of travel this holiday. While the cost of fuel is nearly 20 percent higher compared to last year, nine out of 10 Arizonans are expected to take to the roadways this holiday weekend.
Hotel rates, airfares increase
Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond or mid-range lodgings are expected to increase 6 percent from last year, with travelers spending an average of $145 per night compared to $136 last year.
Fuel costs, steady demand and capacity cuts have resulted in airfares increasing 20 percent from 2010. Despite this price spike, more than 55,000 Arizonans will take to the skies this Thanksgiving holiday.
Togetherness is core of travel activities
For many, the Thanksgiving holiday is about reconnecting with friends and family. Therefore, it's no surprise that the top five travel activities include: dining (72 percent), visiting friends/relatives (67 percent), shopping (49 percent), touring/sightseeing (43 percent) and/or going to the beach/waterfront (27 percent).
Research for Thanksgiving travel projections is derived from IHS Global Insight, a Boston-based economic research and consulting firm. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as trips that include travel of 50 miles or more from Wednesday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 27. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance, vacation planning, discounts and financial services to more than 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA's Roadside Assistance responds to more than 450,000 calls across the state. In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 "socially responsible" brand by Landor's BrandAsset® Valuator. In 2010 and 2011, AAA Travel earned Lovin' Life After 50's favorite travel agency category in the publication's annual reader's choice awards. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers and the motoring public.
Stay connected with AAA Arizona on the web via:
SOURCE AAA Arizona
CONTACT: Linda Gorman, +1-602-650-2716, Cell: +1-602-527-7104, Michelle Donati, +1-602-650-2726, Cell: +1-520-419-2714, Stephanie Dembowski, +1-602-650-2736, Cell: +1-602-316-2982, or Mary Pekas, +1-520-258-0518, Cell: +1-520-419-2714 (Tucson)
Web Site: htttp://www.AAA.com
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Las Almendras Beach, Spain: Picture Update 11/16/2011
 |
| View to Kill, Spain, Las Almendras |
 |
| The Beach |
 |
| Sunbath abd Books |
 |
| View |
 |
| Sunbath |
Migeyskie Lake, Ukraine: boating and rowing-Picture Update 11/16/2011
Migiyskie (Мигея) rapids is situated
on the river Southern Bug ( Mykolaiv region , 330 km from Kiev ) chain
of rapids and shoals near the village of Migiya . This circuit includes
a threshold such as "Hart", "Integral" and "Red Gate".
Migiyskie rapids - one of the few places in the Ukraine, where in the summer you can organize a training technique for boating and rowing slalom. Each year, spring and summer, hundreds of tourists come here.
Around rapids organized a regional landscape park " Granite-Steppe Pobuzhzha (Regional Landscape Park) . " One of his most beautiful places - the threshold of Red Gate at the river Southern Bug, also called for the integral of the characteristic shape.
Migiyskie rapids - one of the few places in the Ukraine, where in the summer you can organize a training technique for boating and rowing slalom. Each year, spring and summer, hundreds of tourists come here.
Around rapids organized a regional landscape park " Granite-Steppe Pobuzhzha (Regional Landscape Park) . " One of his most beautiful places - the threshold of Red Gate at the river Southern Bug, also called for the integral of the characteristic shape.
 |
| Girl Posing on a rock - Migiyskie |
 |
| A View to Kill |
 |
| Rafting |
 |
| The River |
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ko Similan: Similan Island, Thailand Picture Update 11/15/2011
Koh Similan is the largest island among the Simian island chain. There
are a total of 9 islands. The sea in the area has an average depth of
60 feet. Underwater it is full of rock formations and coral reefs in
several shapes and forms, resembling such things as deer, leaves,
brains, and mushrooms. Above the water are found many diverse species
such as the Nicobar Pigeon, Mangrove Monitor Lizards and more.
 |
| Ko Similan Island |
 |
| What a Beach! |
 |
| Loved the scene |
Watch the Ko Similan Video
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Real Value of a Holiday
The Real Value of a Holiday
CHESTER, England, November 8, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
A quarter of Brits believe looking forward to a holiday is
just as important as the holiday itself
Half of all men rely on someone else to book their holiday
Women prioritise getting in shape and buying clothes for their
holiday before they book their travel insurance
It's long been thought that a regular holiday is the best way to re-charge your batteries. But new research from TravelSupermarket [http://www.travelsupermarket.com/holidays ] has revealed that one in four Brits (25 per cent) believe that having a holiday to look forward to is as important - and in some cases more important - than taking the holiday itself.
Half of Brits (47 per cent) said that booking a holiday before the end of 2011 would give them something to look forward to with a further one in six (17 per cent) saying it would make them feel more optimistic about the colder months ahead. Less than one in ten Brits (9 per cent) stated that they didn't think it was important to have a holiday to look forward to.
Many of us get in the holiday spirit as soon as we've booked - one in ten (10 per cent) British women begin buying their holiday wardrobe straight away, as do six per cent of men. In total, 86 per cent of women buy new clothes for their upcoming holiday compared to 67 per cent of men.
When it comes to the psychological importance of a getaway, it is women who emotionally invest more than men. A quarter of women (24 per cent) admitted to 'counting down the days' to their holiday as soon as they have booked it, compared to just 16 per cent of men.
British women also book their holidays further in advance than their male counterparts - 4.4 months compared to 4.1 months for men.
Women are also more concerned than men when it comes to getting the perfect 'beach body'. One in every two women (51 per cent) gets in shape for their holiday compared to just 30 per cent of men. However women could be getting their priorities wrong - on average women begin to diet and exercise two months (60 days) before they get away and start buying holiday clothes 38 days before. However, they leave it on average to just 26 days before they depart to arrange travel insurance.
It is also women who have a slightly harder time adjusting to normal life when they return from their holidays. Twenty-eight per cent said that they felt 'blue' upon returning with an additional 17 per cent saying they felt 'depressed'.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket [http://www.travelsupermarket.com ] commented: "We're not surprised to see that Brits feel a holiday is important - not just for the break itself, but to give you a real 'emotional boost'. That is why - in addition to helping you find a good deal - it's a smart move to book your holiday sooner rather than later so that you have something to look forward to.
"However our research did show that only 30 per cent of Brits book their travel insurance at the same time they book their holiday. There is a real misconception that insurance is just to cover you whilst you are away for things such as medical costs. Yet buying a policy at the same time that you make your booking not only costs you no extra, but it gives you protection should you need to cancel your holiday before you go for things such as medical reasons.
"It's completely normal that many of us suffer from 'post-holiday blues' after arriving home - it's only natural to feel this after enjoying a wonderful holiday away with friends or family then having to go back to reality.
"But our research has shown how having a holiday to look forward to can give you a real boost, helping you to get through the long winter months. And it doesn't have to be a main summer break. A quick city break, a week of winter sun or even a weekend away in the UK can help keep those mental batteries charged up without breaking the bank.
Notes to editors:
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2013 UK adults aged 18+ from 21 to 24 October 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
About TravelSupermarket
http://www.travelsupermarket.com is an online comparison service where customers can find the best value travel options for their needs and purchase over the internet. The website compares flights, car hire, hotels, cruise, package holidays plus dynamic packaging by searching hundreds of travel websites. The information supplied is unbiased and is designed to save the customer time and money.
The site thrives on offering its users accurate real time availability by taking information directly from suppliers such as Opodo, British Airways, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Radisson, Sol Melia, easyCar, Auto-Europe and many more, ensuring users are presented the best possible price at all times. It searches:
- Over 650 scheduled, low cost and charter airlines from 39
individual suppliers
- Over 200,000 individual hotels from over 42 individual hotel
suppliers
- Over 200 individual car hire providers from over 21 suppliers
- 1,000s of individual package holidays from over 34 suppliers
Additionally, TravelSupermarketalso compares prices on travel insurance and on airport car parking.
TravelSupermarket is part of the MoneySupermarket Group PLC.
http://www.moneysupermarket.com is a website where consumers can compare personal finance products, save money and apply online. The website has several service areas including personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, current accounts, savings accounts, motor insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, health insurance, mobile phones, broadband and shopping.
Source: Travelsupermarket.com
For further press information contact: Emma Morris, travelsupermarket.com, emma.morris@travelsupermarket.com, +44(0)1244-220-671
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)