Saturday, February 8, 2014
Don't be afraid to ask for something, especially help or guidance. Most people have a hard time asking for what they want, as if asking is a selfish act. In fact, it's often the opposite! Asking for advice, help, or even directions offers others a chance to give. And the selfless act of giving can make anyone feel great. Think of asking as an opportunity for you to help someone else feel good.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Cruising the Panama Canal
One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken celebrates its 100th anniversary this year: the Panama Canal. Created as a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, more than 12,000 vessels now pass through this 48-mile-long canal annually.
One of the most intriguing aspects of cruising the Panama Canal is standing on deck, witnessing the intricate system of locks - compartments with entrance and exit gates. The locks function as water lifts, raising ships from sea level up 85 feet to the level of Gatun Lake. Ships then sail the channel through the Continental Divide.
Along this route, there are plenty of ports of call to enjoy. Willemstad, the capital city of Curacao is a charming port of high-end retailers, restaurants, and nightlife spots with vivid, sherbet-colored buildings showcasing Dutch colonial architecture.
On Columbia's Caribbean coast is Cartagena, a walled city, known for its ancient forts, churches and palaces, white sand beaches, and world-class snorkeling and scuba-diving reefs. And Puerto Limon lies in the Costa Rican rain forest, providing opportunities to connect with nature on a tropical kayak adventure, while ziplining above the jungle canopy, or with a visit to a sloth sanctuary.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Travel Tips by Numbers
From family road trips to cross-continental treks, no two vacations are quite the same. In many cases, the number of people in your party will determine how you go about planning. Below are some tips specifically tailored to the number of travelers in your party.
The Solo Traveler
Double-occupancy dilemma. Consider tours, cruises, and hotels that offer roommate pairing as an option to eliminate single-supplement rates.
Stay safe. Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member before you depart, and check in with them via phone or email.
The Pair
Share the load. Eliminate duplicate items whenever possible - one camera, one phone charger, one laptop, one first-aid kit -- to save space in your luggage.
Agree to disagree. While planning an itinerary around common interests is ideal, be considerate of each other's likes and dislikes, budget, and even dietary restrictions. Plan for compromise as well as alone time, and discuss both in advance.
The Family (3 to 5)
Family Fun. Traveling to new places provides firsthand learning opportunities for children - teach them to say hello and thank you in the local language, take in some of the areas's history, and opt for cuisine you won't find at home.
Don't be afraid to split up. With proper adult supervision, dividing time can simultaneously accommodate interests of all travelers. For example, one might be able to take a surf lesson while the other builds sand castles.
The Small Group (6 to 10)
Make reservations. When traveling with a group, dining and attraction reservations are a must. Choose restaurants that can accommodate your party and look for group discounts on activities.
Have your own must-do or must-see. Strike out on your own or within a smaller subgroup to ensure you're able to check some specifics off your own bucket list.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Bundle Up
5 Advantages to combining your auto, home, and life insurance policies
It's easy to count your savings when you bundle your phone with your cable and Internet service or when you bundle your burger with fries and a drink. Did you know the same holds true for bundling your auto, home, and life insurance? Here are five important reasons to bundle.
1. Savings. Insurance companies are often able to give better deals when customers sign up for more than one type of insurance, such as auto, home, and life. And the more policies you add, the more you save.
2. Avoid the gap. By bundling your insurance through the same company, your agent can help identify redundancies or gaps in your coverage. This could be especially useful in situations such as a newlywed couple trying to merge under one provider or a widower who needs to reduce his coverage.
3. One deductible. Some carriers allow you to pay just one deductible (the higher of the two) if more than one item is damaged during the same event. An example would be if your home and car were both damaged by a monsoon.
4. Streamlined process. Working with one carrier helps streamline the management of your account for payments, claims, and changes. While you may still find yourself paying separately for certain policies, most carriers try to make it as convenient as possible, even offering online or automatic payment options.
5. More discounts. Before signing on the dotted line, don't forget to ask your agent if there are any other discounts you might qualify for. You never know!
Monday, February 3, 2014
5 Road-Trip Survival Tips
Before you hit the open road, try these simple tips to help make your drive a smooth one.
1. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained. If you're unsure whether your maintenance is up-to-date, schedule an appointment before departing.
2. Map your route in advance. Be prepared for busy roads, and allow time for delays. If possible, consider leaving earlier or later to avoid heavy traffic.
3. Keep your cellphone battery charged, in case of emergency. Also have a charger with you, as well as numbers of emergency contacts, friends, and family saved in your phone.
4. Track the weather. Stay informed of changing conditions along your route, and plan accordingly.
5. Pack an emergency kit. Include a flashlight, extra batteries, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, and extra water.
Animal Instincts
Take a walk on the wild side at Camp Verde's Out of Africa Wildlife Park
When was the last time you got to attend a tiger pool party, heft the weight of a giant python in your hands, or receive a sloppy smooch from a gentle-eyed giraffe? Expect this, and much more, at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona. This 104-acre wilderness property is a sanctuary to countless exotic animals, providing a sprawling desert environment similar to their native Serengeti.
Visitors will immediately see that only the greatest care and respect is shown to the animals in this park. Unlike a zoo, individual habitats haven't been built to certain specifications or given "authentic" touches.
The hot, dry landscape, with its rocky terrain, gently sloping hills, and great variety of desert vegetation feels just like home to these animals. So aside from building a shelter or two, all the park had to do was build some fences. Stroll past these areas - or hop onto one of the free trolleys that run every 15 minutes - and spy grizzly bears, hyenas, wolves, Bengal tigers, black leopards, and lions.
Up Close and Personal
Every ticket to the park includes a 30-minute narrated tour of the African Bush Safari aboard an open-air school bus painted to mimic some of nature's more colorfully patterned animals. This safari leads into a separate area of the park, where residents roam free. Zebras, antelope, ostriches, and a dozen other animals walk right up to the bus, curiously eyeing the two-legged visitors, and looking for treats. Everyone is given a carrot upon boarding the bus, so when that 14-foot-tall giraffe suddenly sticks her head in, she's rewarded by dozens of arms holding out crunchy snacks.
A variety of shows run throughout the day, including the Giant Snake Show, Creature Feature, and Tiger Splash, in which park employees entice a frisky tiger to frolic and play in the pool using a variety of large, inflatable toys and balloons. Also, be sure to visit the aviary and the Reptile Resort, and sink your teeth into lunch at the Jungle Hut Eatery. For the more adventurous types, try the thrilling new Predator Zip Line, the only zip-line tour on the planet where participants soar directly above wild animal habitats.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 Camp Verde Bridgeport Highway
Camp Verde, Arizona
928-567-2840
outofafricapark.com
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., seven days a week, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas
Admission: Adults, $29.95; seniors, $27.95; children ages 3-12, $14.95
www.paulpaich.com
paulpaichrealestate@gmail.com
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Arizona's First Distinctive Destination
Once known as "Queen of the Copper Camps," Bisbee, Arizona offers a rare blend of history, architecture, romance and adventure all wrapped up in the rugged splendor of an Old West mining town. Today, Bisbee has transformed itself into a quirky, artsy town that offers history lodging, fine dining, museums, art galleries and antique shops. Here you will find nearby hiking, biking, and birding opportunities. No visit would be complete without an underground tour of the Queen Mine. Abundant sunshine and mild year-round climate.
www.discoverbisbee.com
www.paulpaich.com
paulpaichrealestate@gmail.com
Doggone Good Advice
Help Fido have a pawsitive travel experience with tips from Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer
A balanced dog makes a better travel companion. So says Cesar Millan, the widely popular dog behaviorist and expert on four-legged patients. But if you ask him, Millan will say that it is usually those of the two-legged persuasion - the dog owners - who need the help, not their pets.
The best-selling author and TV personality, known to millions worldwide as the Dog Whisperer, partnered with Best Western hotels and its Travel With Pets program to share the do's and don'ts of traveling with the family pooch.
Before Departure
Before taking off on a lengthy car ride, take your dog for a walk, Millan says, "You want him to be in a super-tired resting state, so take him for a long, long walk."
Also, do not feed your dog or give him water before your trip, he says, as he will travel better on an empty stomach. Bringing along your pet's favorite toy, a blanket, or something else that is familiar is helpful.
Home Away from Home
After checking into a hotel, Millan says dog owners need to make sure that they go into the room first, before their dog, so their scent is present. "Check in and take care of the luggage and everything first," he says. "Then take your dog for a walk outside to show him his new environment before bringing him in the room and telling him where he is going to be."
www.paulpaich.com
paulpaichrealestate@gmail.com
www.paulpaich.com
paulpaichrealestate@gmail.com
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