As you and your family can k? with the gr? NEN Ultimate Family Expedition ??????????????

as you and your family can k? with the gr? NEN Ultimate Family Expedition

How to be a volunteer family vacation experience nature, science and education

take, you and your family off on a scientific expedition, as the study of whales help manage in British Columbia or rain forest in Puerto Rico. Did you know this is f? R m? Possible? N? Next year instead of the resort, a Vergne? Supply park, or planning a cruise, to make your family on a voluntary leave. You will not only save money, have a great adventure and provides valuable manpower on projects that help the planet and all its inhabitants are. This w rde? An amazing connection between you and your family, while showing actions of the G-run and grattitude to the world. Nature is one of the most beautiful sweetest gifts, gift of all. Escape into nature is also very draining, and where we are usually the most creative.

Many volunteer vacations are a subset of a booming trend known as “? ecotourism. This means environmentally conscious travel to places where nature is the main focal point and attraction. ? Many of the places where the nature of their most dramatic change in less developed countries, it is ecotourism the local people will benefit – by using local services (for example hiring F Guide or eating in local restaurants?) And helps beautiful the place down your visit. While there are a growing number of high-end? There are also many resort co-g? Cheap opportunities to spectacular in comfort, surrounded by? Rer landscape remain, especially if your willing to volunteer your time.

In addition to the specific project you’re working, there is usually a lot more to enjoy en? the company and camaraderie fellow volunteers to travel down the spectacular Ren Schaupl, meetings, working and living with? local people, and your time out to explore the area k? can create memories to last a lifetime.

Here are some tips to research if it r something you find attractive f you and your family?

1 Sierra Club offers “Travel Service” Visit www.sierraclub.org and the search for “volunteer vacations.”
2 If you enjoy? En harvests in beautiful California wine country or nervous? About that? Ecological horticulture in the splendor of the s? Southern Colorado Rockies. Visit www.wwoofusa.org

I hope you find some of these valuable tips and k can? Also take advantage of a denkw? Rdiger travel f? R you and your family. Do you have a gl? Glad and healthy day!

By Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Ern? currency specialist, author, speaker & NSA

Technorati Tags: Expedition, family, Ultimate

Online Bingo Player Strikes Jackpot at Bingo Empire

Bingo Empire, a leading online bingo room, has proven yet again why bingo players choose this elite online bingo venue to enjoy top notch bingo action.

 The amazing cash specials, promotions, monthly tournaments, the Bingo World Championship and the free bonuses are some of the reasons why players gather at this trusted online bingo site.

 The Jackpots at Bingo Empire are also notorious for making bingo players wealthy at the drop of a ball.

 The latest jackpot winner is the player with the alias stardancer from Phenix City, Alabama who’s been a loyal member since August 2005 and scooped the ,500.00 Mid Day Mayhem Jackpot on the 6th October.

 For those players that think you need to be in front of your computer to win then think again as stardancer explains: “I had played earlier in the morning and had to go out for a while so I decided to prebook the Mid Day Mayhem hoping to keep my playing pot going with a win. I got home just in time to get on the 2:20pm free game and logged on to chat, not looking at my balance. Sammy, the Chat Companion congratulated me on my Jackpot, I glanced down and saw the huge balance in my account. I asked what JP did I hit and she told me.”

 The player who enjoys bingo online because she can play at her leisure and in her pajamas mentioned some of her favourite cash and chat games: “I like the Cash Climber hour, because someone will eventually win a nice pot. I like the Horse Races because it is like the real thing, you pick a horse you like and sometimes it lags in the back or just teases you to come in second, but if it does win it is a nice bonus to your balance.”

 As far as the prize money she was quick to point out: “We have two cruises planned, one in November and one in January so my winnings will subsidize my playing games on the ships in the casino and of course I will hit all the bingo sessions.”

 Stardancer was full of praise for Bingo Empire as she concluded her interview: “This was my first jackpot and I knew that people do win on Bingo Empire because of all the different colour “dresses” and actually being in rooms when they are won. I wish I would have been present to see my name in “lights”. I want the other roomies to know that the jackpots are available to be won, and as the saying goes if I could do it anyone can, you don’t have to play massive amount of cards or even be near your computer with the prebook option.”

 This is just a small taste of what awaits for you at Bingo Empire. Just visit www.bingoempire.com and enjoy this lively and fun bingo room and get a 200% Sign Up Bonus.

Technorati Tags: Bingo, Empire, Jackpot, online, Player, Strikes

At home travel agent – How to get started

Before you break out the sunscreen and pack your bags for that travel agent FAM trips, your going to have to take an important step first.

Namely: actually learning how to become a travel agent.

Becoming a a travel agent really isn’t that difficult, if you follow the same formula so many before you have tried and tested.  Once you are an official “at home travel agent”, all of the studying and the preparation will prove more than worth it.

Here’s what you need to do to get started:

Choose a discipline

The Burger King motto is quickly becoming a way of life in the U.S.  Everybody wants “it” their way, and when they want it.

This is killing traditional business models that were geared to serving everybody with a “one size fits all approach”.  But it is making a fortune for those that are willing to focus and specialize on a particular niche.

So, your first step is to decide what you want to pursue as a travel professional.  You can get decide by the travel method, such as a cruise planning specialist.  Or, you can work by demographic, such as working with Italian-Americans or Bostonians…. or whatever.

The key is to find a focused group of people you can cater to with highly specific travel packages and highly relevant marketing efforts.

What’s better: School or Home Study?

They both hold their own merits.  Schooling at an actual “brick and mortar” establishment gives you a chance to network with your instructors and fellow students.  You also get to ask your questions to somebody standing right in front of you… to get an immediate answer.

The downside is that it is expensive and that the course material tends to be a bit outdated.  The travel industry is one of the fastest changing industries, and what’s important to know often changes before the curriculum dries on the paper.

With home study courses, you get to tap into the latest developments in the industry.  They also give you a well rounded approach that is usually based on real world experience. You never have to unlearn any theory that only works in the classroom.  When you finish the course you hit the ground running, ready to start making travel agent commissions from day one.

The downside is if you don’t have much self-discipline you won’t learn a lick.  The books won’t open and read themselves.

By the way…

Getting your travel agent training out of the way doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  There are plenty of inexpensive options out there, if you know where to look.

Personally, I’m a fan of the course materials offered over at Amazon.com.  Not only are they less expensive, they are incredibly in depth… covering everything you’ll need to know from A to Z.

You can find my top three recommendations in the link below.

Technorati Tags: agent, cruises.com.at, Home, started, Travel

Boaters’ Update May 2009

This month we cover the results of BW’s strategic review and the Government’s decision on BW’s canalside property endowment. Find out what a photocopier, aeroplane propeller and fridge full of food have in common, plus there’s a reader offer to visit this year’s Crick Boat Show.

Changes at BW

BW has announced the results of a major strategic review which it believes will form the basis for the continued renaissance and long-term sustainability of the 2,200 miles of canals and rivers in its care.

The key proposals are to: increase efficiencies; open up new funding and partnership opportunities; create closer links with local communities and; start a gradual move over the next decade towards BW waterways achieving a ‘third sector’ trust or charitable status.

As a first step, BW is proposing an internal restructure of its operations in England and Wales with the creation of 11 smaller, ‘hands-on’ waterway units, the removal of a layer of management and, subject to consultation with BW staff and trade unions, approximately 100 redundancies from office staff. Together with other planned changes these proposals would enable approximately £10 million per annum to be redirected to waterways maintenance.

BW is seeking stakeholder views on the proposed new BW boundaries and welcomes suggestions for the naming of particular waterway groupings. For further information about the public consultation and for details about how to get involved see BW’s website www.britishwaterways.co.uk/ boundaryconsultationresponse. The deadline for responses is 6 July 2009 and BW will publish a short report following the consultation summarising the feedback received and any changes to the boundaries made as a result.

In the longer term, BW believes the time is right for some fresh thinking about what the waterways mean to Britain and how their sustainable future might be secured. This month BW will launch a public debate on the role of Britain’s former industrial canals and rivers, highlighting their considerable modern-day contribution to society and seeking views on its proposals for how they should be used, run and funded in the future.

Central to the debate will be BW’s view that the time is now right to consider the option of changing its structure to turn it, by 2020, into a third sector ‘public interest company’ or trust. BW believe such a change could: stimulate far greater participation in the waterways by volunteers and other individuals; enhance openness and accountability for communities and waterway users; create opportunities for new sources of income such as grants and donations and; ensure the historic network is held in trust for the nation.

BW directors seek customer views on nationwide tour this summer
BW’s marketing director, Simon Salem and operations director, Vince Moran, will be hosting a series of customer forums to meet with boaters, anglers, walkers, and other interested canal users. The series of regional meetings are an opportunity for BW to give a brief update on financing and management issues affecting the waterways before answering questions and gathering customer views and opinions about waterway priorities.

The 14 regional forums will take place between May and September and follow similar sessions held during 2008. The first meeting is scheduled to take place at Crick Boat Show on Sunday 24 May.

BW to keep canalside property

Following the Government’s review of BW’s waterside property as part of its Operational Efficiency Programme, BW welcomed the decision that it should retain its canalside property in single public ownership. BW’s chief executive, Robin Evans said: “This is the right decision. It recognises the importance of BW’s property endowment to the long-term sustainability of the waterway network, as well as the public value that we have unlocked from the estate.

“In the last decade canalside property has produced the largest source of commercial funding for our historic canals, rivers and docks, it has fuelled their recent renaissance, reinforced their importance to modern Britain, and helped to breathe new life into derelict watersides. This decision underlines the Government’s commitment to the long-term future of the waterways.”

The next step is for BW to work with governments on the practicalities of setting up a wholly-owned BW subsidiary to develop its property management further.

The show is bursting with fun for toddlers, teenagers and adults alike both on and off the water! Activities include face painting, a traditional funfair, over 200 stalls, African dance and drumming workshops, story-telling, a bouncy castle, canoeing, colourful characters and juggling workshops. If your kids love animals then the miniature farmyard is a great area for them to meet and touch their farmyard favourites, whilst more exotic animal visitors to this year’s festival include skunks, snakes, scorpions and even meerkats!

Your ticket also includes a free boat trip on one of the prettiest canals in the country – who knows you may even end up buying a bargain boat.

When batteries need recharging there is a delicious selection of quality food from traditional fish and trips to tasty Thai…not forgetting a choice of 40 different Real Ales to wash it all down. Alternatively bring a picnic and watch the narrow boats drift by as you listen to an amazing array of toe-tapping tunes including blues, jazz and soul!
Where else will you get all that on May Bank Holiday?

For more information on Crick Boat Show and Waterways Festival visit www.crickboatshow.co.uk or call 0871 700 0685

Volunteers work wonders on the waterways
What do a photocopier, an aeroplane propeller and a fridge full of food have in common?

They are all items of rubbish removed by the army of volunteers that took part in BW’s most successful Towpath Tidy event ever. More than 1,700 volunteers joined 635 members of BW’s staff in clearing 149 tonnes of litter.

The event was supported by Encams, the Inland Waterways Association and many other local support groups and backed by Bill Bryson – president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Many thousands of items of waste were removed by volunteers from towpaths and the navigation. They ranged from the mundane to the outright bizarre, and as well as said fridge full of (out of date) food, an ice axe and 192 shopping trolleys!

BW’s national volunteering manager, Edward Moss said: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part this year’s Towpath Tidy. Those volunteers involved have not only made an invaluable contribution to their local community, they have also helped BW to support wildlife and make the waterways more attractive to visitors.”

Read more about volunteers working wonders on the waterways

Tackling fly-tipping at BW customer bin sites
BW is taking action to tackle the ongoing problem of fly-tipping at customer waste facilities. As part of its customer service provision, BW currently provides boaters with waste collection sites intended for bagged domestic waste only, similar to a residential doorstep collection service. However, there appears to be some confusion surrounding what can and can’t be left at these sites with, in some cases, inappropriate waste (including large domestic items) left by boaters encouraging others in the community to also use the sites as a general waste facility.

BW is unable to dispose of waste through local authority waste disposal services and instead is obliged to pay business-rates for the removal of fly-tipped waste – money that would otherwise be spent on the maintenance and upkeep of the waterways.

To help combat the problem, a number of informative posters will be installed at customer waste facilities, clearly stating what can and cannot be deposited, and alerting users to the fact that it is a criminal offence to fly-tip. The posters will also display the locations of the nearest recycling facilities.

BW’s environmental advisor, Hannah Graves comments: “Fly-tipping is a real problem at some BW waste disposal sites and we are urging boaters to dispose of their bulky or hazardous waste through their local authority waste disposal service. Local authorities provide excellent recycling and waste facilities and most will come and collect larger items directly from their residents who don’t have cars for a small charge.

“If everyone took responsibility for their own waste disposal, BW could redirect valuable funds away from clearing up illegal fly-tipped waste and towards projects of real value to customers.”

Online boat checker submissions

BW has received over 110 sightings of unlicensed boats by members of the public logged up until the end of April. Of these reports 25% related to boats which had already re-licensed and a further 55% were already in our enforcement process, 8% resulted in new cases being opened for action, and the remaining 12% were boats which were not identifiable through a valid boat index number but the details have been passed to our enforcement teams for further investigation.

Winter stoppages 2009-10

Yes, it does seem early to start talking about this, but following feedback from boaters and discussion at a recent national user group meeting, BW has decided on a couple of changes to the way in which it communicates winter stoppage information. Now that access to the internet is so widespread, the plan is that the programme details will be maintained exclusively on waterscape.com/stoppages. This means that the risk of boaters making cruising plans on the basis of out of date information is greatly reduced. Anyone wanting a paper copy can still obtain it by contacting customer services who will print the latest information on the day the request is received.

Update on BW mooring vacancies – switching to open auction system
Following the public consultation last year, BW announced that it will replace the closed tender system with open auctions of vacancies at BW’s long term mooring sites. Work is well underway and BW’s web developer hopes the new system will be ready for testing during June. BW would like to recruit a few volunteers to help complete a series of specific test assignments to be emailed in mid June. If you’re interested, please keep an eye on BW’s mooring vacancies home page at www.bwmooringvacancies.co.uk for more information, or email siobhan.daglish@britishwaterways.co.uk.

You’re in good company

The number of people visiting the canals is on the up. Figures are measured recording numbers of visitors in a typical two week period, which during 2008, rose over 6% from 3.2 million to 3.4 million people. Waterways users are also visiting more often with the number of individual visits rising 7% from 245.3 million in 2007 to 262.6 million in 2008.

BW’s marketing director, Simon Salem comments: “Increased community involvement in projects such as Towpath Tidy and innovative marketing initiatives, such as the Yours to Enjoy campaign, help to encourage people to use the waterways as part of their everyday lives, whether that be to go boating, commute, socialise, fish, exercise, spot wildlife or simply take time out. These latest figures are particularly important when it is considered that the number of visits to inland waterways as a whole is in decline.

“Waterways are a valuable local resource for communities up and down the country to use and enjoy year round – making them a popular destination in these tough economic times. The continued increase in visitor numbers clearly shows how canals and rivers remain relevant to modern, local communities. More people enjoying the waterways helps us demonstrate to central and local government the need for the this country’s canals and rivers to be adequately funded for current and future generations to enjoy.”

Technorati Tags: 2009, Boaters', Diary, Update

Travel Insurance – A Must for all travelers r have ??????????????

An epidemic of any kind makes travel planning a nightmare, and worst of all, that nobody can say when normality will t be restored. Travel insurance are you down in front of the beautiful southern impact of such situations to be beautiful. While there is always a M? Possibility that cut your holiday k? Nnte short-or even to get canceled, there is always a policy to cover the risk of such. Directives with regard to the risks they cover different. To ensure value f? R money, check out your insurance company and z? Like to ask you do not represent specific questions? About what each policy covers. Knowing the facts is essential before you? To decide about the insurance. Travel Insurance in the United States is the norm in about 30 percent of U.S. travelers. A majority of them are headed to the luxury cruise, scheduled trips or international travel. Vacation packages with travel insurance in about 38 percent of R? Ll come. Travel insurance has gained importance over the last ten years or so. Natural disasters have taken medical and scared always scared in the K? Pfen of travelers and terrorism has only added to anxiety. When a negative event occurs, people will see that it has more gain on travel insurance as the travel industry. If a trip is affected by all the bad event, the circumstances? Nde decide the money you get. If you fall ill on a trip covered by travel insurance, k nnte? Your policy covers medical care, your R? Ckkehr home or quarantine necessary? Ne. Your insurance company can help you locate hospitals? Users and famous t also how easy it nnten k? To leave the area. If there is advance information? About something that is affecting a trip k? Is nnten, not applicable. Health risks f canceled travel? Leading was not part of any of the? Older Reisepl? Ne. These days, although some policies cover f? R terrorism, they do not cover epidemics such as the swine flu. If you want a part of R? Refund received on cancellation of your trip in advance m? Without having to give any reason, there are guidelines with an h? Higher Pr? Chemistry you just that. Any reason is a very good reason. Travel insurance is a good cover f? R many m? Matched scenarios such as terrorism, disease or natural disasters. If you lose your job and need to m? Cancel your itinerary, there are some strategies that provide protection against that, too. F? R m the details of such a policy? You need to with the insurance company? Berpr Fen?. Concerning travel insurance? Gt about 3.5 to 9 percent of the cost of the trip. Your age and select the policy you w? Will determine how much you pay. Of all the NEN Pl?, Agents will suggest that, you select SEL?, Is on where you go and the duration of your stay there surveilance nts. It’s a tough job trying to predict what you might take if. Flight cancellations and carry it always galvanized? Siege is not exactly rare. Man k nnte? Ask why, despite all precautions, you have zinc? Siege or the trip was canceled. This explained bother, why are travel insurance k? Nnte crucial.

Technorati Tags: Insurance, Must, Travel, travel insurance, travelers, what insurance is best for cruises?

Is a Work From Home Franchise Business Right for You?

If you’re interested in opening your own business, you should definitely consider the potential rewards of a business that would allow you to work from home. A home based business offers an amazing level of autonomy, and there are a surprising number of work at home franchise opportunities. In this article we will discuss some of the pros and cons of working from home as well as some of the available home based business franchises.

Pros and cons of a home business:

One major advantage of home based business franchises is that the initial investment required is typically much lower than a traditional franchise. Work from home franchises are usually in the ,000-,000 range. You can occasionally even find a work at home franchise for as little as ,000.

Another advantage is that a home based business has very few overhead expenses. Of course you will have to maintain a home office, but your chief operating tools will be things such as a computer, telephone or fax machine. If you choose to employ one or two people, there would, of course, be some payroll.

Home based business franchises require you to stock little to no inventory, which is advantageous because it alleviates the responsibility of keeping up with an inventory system.

Many prospective franchisees find the lifestyle associated with working from home to be the key advantage. There are a number of work at home franchise opportunities that only require a part-time commitment to be successful. This provides franchisees with a great deal of flexibility in their schedules and often affords them more time to spend with their families. This flexible schedule also allows business owners to conduct business at times that are most convenient for them as opposed to adhering to the traditional “retail-style” hours of operation.

However, working at home does have some disadvantages, too. There is staggered revenue potential associated with these types of businesses. Because there is no walk-by traffic, home based businesses are dependent upon a loyal client base for repeat business.

As the owner of a home business, you will have limited exposure due to municipal law, which prohibits home based franchises from maintaining “street signage” on residential properties. You can get around this restriction if your home has been zoned for commercial use, but for the most part your business’s exposure will depend on your ability to market it through various advertising media.

National advertising campaigns are not commonly associated with home based franchises. Normally, marketing the business is the sole responsibility of the franchisee, and this may limit the reach of your marketing campaign to your own town or city.

Finally, as a home-based franchisee, your business practice will be isolated. This can curtail the number of networking opportunities you will have. If you do not maintain an active and effective advertising campaign, you are likely to lose potential customers to any competitor who operates a street-front or retail business.

Available home based business franchises:

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided that a home based franchise is right for you, you might consider some these franchise opportunities:

PosiGrip is a turnkey, home based franchise that offers its customers protection from dangerous slip-and-fall accidents. PosiGrip is a process that creates a tread design on almost any hard surface including tubs and showers. The process does not discolor or change the look or feel of floors or showers. It simply makes them safer. For an initial investment of ,000-,000, you will receive training and support, national advertising and a complete marketing program. PosiGrip imposes no franchise or royalty fees on its franchisees.

Guard-A-Kid™ Child ID Systems is a franchise that allows the franchisee to choose working from home or from a mall kiosk. The services and products they provide their customers are essential for child safety. For example, a complete child ID and safety package that includes two wallet-size printed IDs, a large file-size ID and a CD-ROM containing all the child’s information in digital format is available to patrons. The initial investment for this franchise is ,900. Your start-up kit will include numerous technological tools to ensure your success including a state-of-the-art laptop PC and an FBI-quality digital fingerprint scanner. Guard-A-Kid was included in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® list and was also recently named one of the top 100 new franchises by Franchise Market Magazine.

You can even work from home in the travel industry. For example, Cruise Planners is a nationally recognized cruise planning agency, and they were ranked number one in their category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The initial investment required for this home based business franchise is ,000. Franchisees in this system enjoy training programs, marketing and advertising programs, exclusive lead and website programs as well as the highest commission levels in the industry.

Final thoughts concerning home based businesses:

The possibilities for entrepreneurs seeking a work at home franchise opportunity are virtually limitless. You can see the diversity in available franchises just from the short list above, and it is a short list. Many other opportunities exist.

If you’ve done your research and concluded that a home based franchise business is for you, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a franchise to meet both your personal and your professional needs.

Technorati Tags: Business, Franchise, From, Home, Right, Work

The Ins And Outs Of Wedding Invitations

Every bride and groom knows they need to pick out wedding invitations and mail them in ample time to ensure a good RSVP and turnout on the big day. The truth is there is more to the process than meets the eye. Of course, invitations should include the basic who, what, when, where and why type answers. But, what else should go into their creation?

The answer to that question can be a whole lot. Wedding invitations can serve as valuable tools to tell guests about several different things relevant to the ceremony, reception and even gift-giving suggestions. While this information won’t necessarily all go on the main invitation itself, you should consider extra cards or inclusions if you want the festivities to be a bit different.

For those planning a standard wedding and reception, wedding invitations should go out at least a month in advance. Also, they should include such things as th e bride and groom’s names, the location of the ceremony and reception, the date, time and who to RSVP to. Pre-stamped envelopes are a nice touch, too, for the RSVPs. In addition, the invitations might also include dinner order cards and other standard touches. It is acceptable to include special cards with the invitations that list gift registries and preferences. It can, however, seem rude to include them as part of the main invitation.

Special circumstances for wedding invitations arise when:

Theme weddings are planned. It’s no fun for guests to show up at a costume party reception in standard dress clothes. If the intent is to throw a beach party, a masquerade ball or even a Hawaiian luau, share that information in the invitation. Doing otherwise could leave guests out of the loop and feeling rather uncomfortable on your big day.

Destination weddings. When a wedding is planned for a remote location or even set to take place during a cruise, you should let guests know well in advance. It’s one thing to take a day off to fly in for a one-day event, it’s another to get a week off for a cruise. Planning and money saving will be required on the guests’ part, too, so share the intent as early as possible. Send invitations early and consider reminder cards as the big day approaches.

Black-tie affairs. As it is with theme weddings, so it goes for formal affairs. Most guests expect to dress up, but perhaps not this much. If you want tuxes and tails dress, make that clear in the invitation.

Other special circumstances. If you intend something special for the wedding or the ceremony that will need guest participation, it’s not a bad idea to share that in the invitation or on an add on card that goes with it. Examples here include such things as cash bars rather than open, a
reception that’s age 21 and up only and so on.

Wedding invitations are meant to do more than just herald the big day. They should also carry any information that guests will find important. From clues about proper dress to special theme announcements, the more information you share, the more likely it is guests will come prepared.

Technorati Tags: Invitations, Outs, wedding

removal on vacation? Nat? Of course! ???????????????

How many times have you a friend st hnen represent? Over, like a holiday “just ruined ‘their Di? T or dither? even over a holiday for fear of the consequences of calorie? You’ve probably done it a few times. Well, it’s time f? R one? Change in attitude, and m? Need never fear the “blues cruise” again

Technorati Tags: course, Holidays, Remove