Six Awesome Family Vacation Ideas

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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If you happen to be planning or want to plan a family vacation and have run out of ideas, you have come to the right place! 

While it may not be very exciting, advanced planning is necessary to ensure a great, stress-free vacation, and the first step in planning ahead is picking your perfect vacation spot! Here are six awesome family vacation ideas that you can consider.

1. The Grand Canyon

This might sound rote, but it can actually be a fun and inspiring experience to visit the Grand Canyon. While it is a popular location, you have to make advanced reservations. You cannot wait until the last minute, especially if you want to experience some interesting things like the mule trip.

The South Rim is opened all year round. However, you can only access it during the months of May through October. If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, this is a great experience for the entire family. Its scenic view and awe-inspiring geography will positively captivate you.

2. The Outer Banks

In the state of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is a great place to visit during your family vacation. It is a chain of barrier islands connected to bridges and ferries. The beaches are magnificent.

Throughout the year, weather is usually mild. However, in August and September, you can expect a change in weather because of the hurricane season. The off-season is between September and May. You may be able to get better rates then.

3. Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida, is a hot (literally!) vacation spot where you will find so many things to do as a family. You can go shopping or visit the museum, zoo, and parks. Miami has many street fairs, concerts and festivals, as well. There will never be a boring day on your Miami vacation.

For active, outdoor fun, you can go scuba diving, sailing, biking, snorkeling and fishing. You can also play golf or tennis. And be prepared to do a lot of walking if you are a shopaholic! On South Beach, there are fun night clubs to enjoy, as well as a diverse cultural cuisine at exotic restaurants.

4. Maine Coast

The Maine Coast is a long stretch of white, sandy beaches. There are many hotels, rentals and beautiful beach villas to choose from. There are also restaurants located along the ocean.

You will be able to do all of your shopping in Freeport. The peak season is during July and August, but the best to vacation on the Main Coast is after Labor Day in September.

5. Great Wolf Lodge

If you live in a cold climate and want to escape the snow without leaving the country, the Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park, is a great option (especially if you have young kids!).

These indoor water park resorts can be found all over the country, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas just to name a few. It’s also a great option if you live in a tropical climate (like Florida) and want to escape somewhere colder without being entirely at the mercy of snow!

6. Caribbean Cruise

To get away during the winter, you can opt for a Caribbean cruise. Places like the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados are ideal vacation spots all year round.

The climate is similar to Florida’s. A cruise offers fun and interesting things to do for the entire family!

Which one would you choose? 😍😎

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMORIES: 5 Top Picks for Christmas Holiday Like a Fairytale

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*by andreascy*

Have You Ever Heard Of Manufactured Real-Estate?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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A part of the world is banking on the success of artificially created real-estate, quite literally, since for some time now, developers have been smiling all the way to the bank. And artificial real-estate doesn’t refer to just buildings --- no, no --- we’re talking about man-made islands in the Persian Gulf where development incorporates natural habitat and ecosystems. This is referred to as terraforming; and the most outrageous whims can be developed and accommodated for those where money is no issue. 

Replicas of lost civilizations as well as breath-taking 5-star themed hotels, high-rise malls, a sea-world and exclusive retail outlets, jut outward, literally, over the Arabian Gulf waters, staking their unusual real-estate claims.

Tell Me More!

A world-class golf course lies among private homes, which are scattered throughout, flanked by fresh-water streams flowing alongside them. A myriad of architectural styles used for these homes reflect ancient designs from various areas of the world including the Orient, Middle-East, Mediterranean Africa, Europe or even quaint sea-village homes built on stilts. One has the option of designing one’s own home that would reflect a unique style indigenous to any culture of the world.

According to developers, the real-estate market is booming due to the Dubai government maintaining low interest rates and ‘low’ property costs to encourage foreign investment and residency. And supposedly, Dubai is having a difficult time keeping up with the demands from those who are financially able to take part in these outlandish real-estate projects.

‘The World’:

This is only one of many themed real-estate pieces; and it is located 2.5 miles off the coast of Dubai and is made up of 300 individual islands shaped like the earth’s continents - England, Shanghai, Tasmania and many more--with micro-versions of each continent’s unique offerings such as castles, an African game preserve, full-scale, replicated Caribbean ships, etc., created for private ownership. And if you have a yearning to possess your own island, have your checkbook handy since there are still some available for sale.

Official water patrols provide security; and posh water taxis continually ferry guests between each ‘water world’ environment day and night.

A Sinking Dream?

It needs to be stated, however, that financial experts maintain that development has slowed down due to the 2008 financial crisis. Local developers deny that assertion inspite of the fact that property values on Dubai’s mainland have fallen 58% from their peak in the fourth quarter of 2008. It is, also, being alleged the synthetic islands are slowly sinking into the sea. This has been confirmed by geological surveys and many homeowners, living in this once-unquestioned piece of paradise, are furious regarding this sinking revelation. And any sinking issues may or may not have anything to do with the unarguable fact that many investors have reconsidered and backed out and some have asked for, and have received, investment reimbursements. Some argue for the more familiar real estate investments as seen on Dunhill Homes.

Whether this manufactured real-estate is losing value or whether islands are truly sinking, as of mid-July 2012, properties have continued to open - but one has to wonder: For how long?

SEE ALSO: 3 Best Tools For Construction Project Management

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*by andreascy*

Is Technology a Correct Fit for Golf?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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In recent years, there has been plenty of debate in golfing circles about the plus and minus points of new technology, and how it can give certain advantages to players who choose to embrace it. It’s become apparent that there is no right or wrong answer on this issue, so the arguments are likely to continue for many years to come. 

Ask any grizzled old golf pro about technology and the chances are the reply will include the phrase ‘in my day’. Many old-timers have become increasingly disillusioned with the way the game is played, perhaps especially in terms of how far the current players are actually able to hit the ball down the fairway.

The changes in ball structure mean the modern golf ball offers not only greater distance but a lot more spin, thereby allowing the players to have more control around the green. And while this is good news for the contemporary golfer it’s not considered ideal for spectators at major tournaments, who will often prefer to see the players facing a tougher challenge.

Club technology has also had an effect on shot distance, and the major manufacturers make extravagant claims about the abilities of their products. The constant development of head, shaft and grip materials has proved to be good news for the average golfer, even if there are criticisms about the way they affect the professional game.

R&D is Everything

The big names in golf club manufacturing spend a small fortune of researching and developing new products, and on enlisting the world’s best players to endorse them. The golf equipment market is an extremely competitive one, so any technology that can give a particular item a head start on its rivals is likely to prove to be a commercial winner.

In the past few years, global positioning technology has allowed amateur golfers to gain an informed picture about the yardages that each shot entails. On most courses, there are yardage markers on each hole, often distanced 150 yards from the centre of the approaching green, but a GPS unit will allow players to ascertain exact figures at every point on the course.

To the outsider, it would appear that many golf fans are perhaps a little in two minds about technology. In other words, they would be happy to incorporate new gadgets and innovations into their own games, but are a little more reluctant to let it affect the professional sport.

SEE ALSO: 7 Reasons to Consider a Home Gym

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*by andreascy*