A Guide to the Best Vancouver Vacation Attractions

 by: Greg Mattson

Vancouver is a great place for vacations, romantic getaways, or as a base for exploring southwestern B.C. Let me tell you some more about our hometown!

One of the most unique aspects about Vancouver is its location. The wilderness is only a hour drive away from downtown!

Getting close to nature is very easy here. The hiking, sailing, skiing and golfing opportunities are just awesome and available most of the year. You can travel to Whistler quite easily (1.5 hr drive from the city), and the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island is a short 30 km trip to the south.

When is the best time to plan your Vancouver vacation? Anytime between April to the end of September will give you a decent chance for some nice weather. We get the most rain and low clouds between November and February.

Here’s a brief look at some of the top Vancouver attractions:

Stanley Park: One of the jewels of Vancouver. An incredible 405 hectare park right beside the city center! Trails through the forest, excellent views of the city and north shore mountains, historic totem poles, and the Vancouver Aquarium are just a few reasons why this should be one of the first stops on your Vancouver vacation.

Robson Street: The main shopping artery in the city. Shops, restaurants, and hotels line each side of the street, which gets pretty busy from June to October. If you like Starbucks and love to people watch, there are 2 of them across from each other on the corner of Robson and Thurlow streets!

Canada Place: Originally built for Expo 86, Canada Place, which includes the convention center and Pan Pacific Hotel, is a signature building on the Vancouver waterfront, vaguely familiar to the Opera House in Sydney. A walk around the perimeter shows off the North Shore Mountains, harbor and any cruise ships that are docked during the summer season. If youre in the mood for a film of some type, the IMAX Theater at the north end has interesting films on a giant five story high screen with surround sound!

Granville Island: Just a great place to spend an afternoon or early evening wandering through the shops, checking out the Public Market, sipping an espresso and watching the buskers, or stopping by the Granville Island Brewery and sampling the latest pale ale! You can also catch the sea taxi, a small little craft that shuttles you around False Creek to different places like Science World and across the water to the downtown side.

Capilano Suspension Bridge: Its a long way down! (Over 200 ft). A rope-and-plank swinging bridge over the rushing waters of the Capilano River scary, but totally safe! Numbers of visitors wise, this is the biggest draw in the city, and the admission price has gotten a little steeper too. Try mornings or early evening for the fewest crowds.

Copyright © 2004 Excellent Romantic Vacations

About The Author Greg Mattson is the editor of Excellent Romantic Vacations A guide to great romantic vacations & getaways in Canada, the USA and around the world. Find out more about Vancouver and Vancouver hotels in our Pacific Northwest Vacation section. excellent-romantic-vacations.com info@excellent-romantic-vacations.com

At Home with Bakelite

 by: linda grossman and evelyn roth

Plastic objects are part of our history. These items represent a significant example of Americana. The Smithsonian, the Museum of Modern Art and the Philadelphia Museum all include plastics in their collections.

You do not have to go to a museum to enjoy seeing and collecting plastic items. The primary goal of the new movement, in the 1930s and 40s, was to provide less expensive, decorative, and useful items in the home, using machines to create and service the large population.

It created an enormous variety of both functional and decorative high and low cost objects for the home which are sought after by collectors today. Antique plastic is not a contradiction of terms plastics have been around in synthetic form for well over 100 years making them a true antique.

BAKELITE was developed by Dr. Leo Baekeland in 1907 and was originally intended as an insulator for electricity, and is not quite 100 years old. Besides Bakelite jewelry, Bakelite has brought us items such as radios, kitchenware, flatware, clocks, Bakelite handled utensils, telephones, salt and pepper shakers, etc. The list of items boggle the mind and keeps increasing the pleasure it brings to the collector of any or all of the above.

When to decide to collect Bakelite? Colors, design and style are no doubt what will attract you initially. The broad pallet of Bakelite enables todays collector to enjoy both nostalgia and utility. For example, your eye catches a set of red plastic canisters and it becomes a look in your kitchen, which can be followed for a search for a set of Bakelite Flatware for your dining experience. Above all, you are buying what you like and at the same time buying items of value. The value increases as authentic examples of an era diminish in supply. Collecting is a tangible, you had fun finding it and have the pleasure of the item in your home.

The term streamlined appeared in magazines and illustrations of the day, to describe the design that set this era apart. Cocktail shakers, some accentuated with Bakelite, Bakelite napkin rings, drink stirrers, fruit knives, etc., were all part of the scene - the streamlined Bakelite radio playing popular songs of the day. This is now what collectors seek to continue to enhance the look of the era that has now become an important part of their lives.

We advise collectors of Antique and Vintage Bakelite items for their home, to buy what gives them pleasure and dont be afraid to set an eclectic table utensils and flatware do not have to match nor do they have to be the same color. Buy orphaned pieces of Bakelite flatware to create a bright and colorful look all that matters is what appeals to you, the collector.

Be certain, that in order to assure the continuance of this search for Antique and Vintage Bakelite for the home, one has to always be certain of where and from whom these items are being purchased, and buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers.

At our shop Evelynnes Oldies But Goodies at Ruby Lane, we have been dealing in and have an expertise in the field of Antique and Vintage Bakelite for well over 20 years. Please stop by and enjoy our selection of all things bakelite, including Bakelite household items, which include utensils, flatware, etc.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/evelynnesoldiesbutgoodies

About The Author My mom and I have been vintage Bakelite dealers for over 20 years - with shop and show experience and now in an online shop for over 2 years - dealing in vintage Bakelite Jewelry, Bakelite Flatware and Kitchenware. stevestamp@aol.com

Timesharing Without Owning A Timeshare

 by: Dana Sanders

If youre dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but dont have a budget to cover outrageous hotel expenses, or to even purchase a timeshare yourself, there are ways to take advantage of the great deals offered by timeshare owners without actually becoming one yourself.

With timeshare locations found all over the globe from the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the tropical beaches of the Bahamas, the only thing limiting a destination is a persons own imagination. But, how does one afford these great vacation destinations without taking out a second mortgage? Its simple, shop around for timeshare opportunities online where you can look at what various resorts that handle timeshare condos have to offer and even get hooked up directly with a timeshare owner. A timeshare owner just might have a slot open in a location you want, but not have the time to take advantage of it him or herself.

Timeshare locations around the world basically work by having multiple owners for a single condo or unit within a resort destination. Each owner is given a set number of days or weeks to use that location for their own personal vacations. These owners can sometimes trade their time with an owner in another location, effectively increasing their ability to vacation around the world, but sometimes owners simply are looking for a return on their investment.

When a timeshare owner is either unable to take advantage of their time slot, or simply prefers to rent out or auction off their time at their resort, non-timeshare owners can get involved in the action for a fraction of ownership costs. This provides an advantage to the timeshare owner in that his or her slot can now earn them money on their timeshare investment as a rental or auction can cover their money invested, or even exceed it in some cases. For those looking to enjoy the amenities of a timeshare without actually becoming an owner, these situations are boons. Owners will often set a flat-rate fee for a rental or put up their time slot and destination as an auction on an Internet site or other location.

When looking to deal with a timeshare company directly, you can sometimes get fantastic incentive deals by agreeing to visit a resort location and listen to the companys sales pitch. Some destinations offer timeshare condos for as low as $50 a night and sometimes even free for those who will come and listen with an open mind.

The best places to start looking for timeshare opportunities without actually buying into one are on the Internet, auction sites and through newspapers and travel magazines. Anyone in the market for a vacation will quickly find these offers are available in almost every major vacation destination city around the globe. Orlando, Florida, for example, has literally dozens and dozens of timeshare resorts. Many even offer other discounts for those who come and listen, rent or buy. These discounts can include dining coupons and theme park and other attraction tickets.

If vacationing is on your mind, but spending a lot of money isnt, timesharing without owning a timeshare might be a great way to see a new part of the world without breaking your bank. To learn more about timeshare rentals and the unique vacation opportunities they provide, just log on to the Internet and visit locations such as http://www.atimesharesz.com/timesharecondorentals to do a thorough search and decide what is the best location for you and your family to enjoy.

© Copyright 2005 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.

About The Author Looking for information about timeshares? Go to http://www.atimesharesz.com. A Timeshares Z is a timeshares and vacation, resort and condo rentals and resales directory. webmaster@atimesharesz.com

Secret Resorts in Germany — A Checklist to Find Them — Part 3 of 4

 by: Marcus Hochstadt

Ready for the third part? Ookay, here we go

The Wellness Sector is one of the most important indicators for selecting the Secret Resorts of your dreams.

What do you have of it if the location is TOP and the facilities are new, but the Wellness Sector consists, lets say… only of a Sauna and a small pool? You might feel relaxed only superficially. The consequence: Grind is pre-programmed. A pool and a Sauna are not sufficient.

I for myself know by own experiences that some of those so called Secret Resorts only use their title, because they have installed a sauna recently, and outside you have the freshest air in whole Germany they write in their brochures.

So what?! Of course, fresh air outside is good. No doubt. You go out, take a deep breath and exhale. Do that a lot of times during your stay and it will give your inner cells and immune system a huge kick into recovery and health. And you know, I am not talking about fresh air in cities but about real fresh air in forests regions.

By the way, visit our Black Forest and you know what I am talking about.

But, however, what has fresh air to do with the Secret Resort itself? You do not sleep outside, do you? There might be days where you mostly stay inside and let yourself spoil like a Queen/King. And you might not be able to it if there is anything but a Wellness Sector at all.

And most of all, why do they call their shack a Secret Resort with just a Sauna inside? What a cheek! You book, arrive and expect to be spoiled for the next three weeks, but all you get is a sauna and maybe ‘fresh water’ in a pool and fresh air outside. You deserve much more than that. And believe me, there is good news: it is possible

Okay, what now comes is a checklist in a checklist

You should find the following in a Wellness Sector:

1. Sauna - yes, but at least two, better four; with different temperature ranges and smells. A plus: if besides that another external area is present (for cooling). A health-scientific description of correct application should be present additionally. You surely would not like to terminate the sauna with a cold, but healthier than before, would you?

2. Solarium just in case you want a tan additionally. I know people whose energy rose after an attendance in a Solarium. Its not a must, but good Secret Resorts have.

3. Massage here the chaff separates from the wheat. Relaxation starts with a good long intense massage. A hotel, which calls itself ‘Wellness’, MUST offer massage. Make sure the massage is held daily and in the house. It would be disturbing, if you would have to drive to another place. That way the relaxation of the massage treatment would get lost fast.

4. Pools good Secret Resorts have pools. Ensure that the pools are not old. If you find different pools besides that with e.g. different smells, that is a plus therefore very pleasant and relaxing.

Again, besides all that stuff, everything written here should be in-house! You dont want to have to drive to a next town or village, do you?

Allright. We have covered a lot.

Look forward to my last issue on how to find awesome German Secret Resorts.

In that you will get to know what another indicator of good Secret Resort is, in terms of our Hotel Classifications.

Finally you will get an overall checklist which you can keep handy. It will safe you a bunch of time, trust me.

Anyhow, enjoy your trip(s)! :o)

Marcus Hochstadt

© Copyright www.smart-travel-germany.com, All Rights Reserved

You may use this article in its entirety with the Author Bio and links.

About The Author Marcus Hochstadt travels extensively to countries, continents and Germany itself as a sales manager and entrepreneur since more than 14 years. He knows in almost each German city the points of real interest. In his free monthly Special Report at www.smart-travel-germany.com/smart-travel-guide.html he reveales more valuable insider tips and travel secrets.