Paradise Cruises

Paradise Cruises succeeds in delivering on its promise to "redefine luxury cruising" in Halong Bay. Using dark wood and cream throughout, the owners have re-created the atmosphere of a time gone by. The five-course dinner would grace any table in Vietnam.

One feature that sets Paradise Cruises out from the rest is that both Paradise I and II sail from Tuan Chau island. Closer to Ha Long Bay itself than the main Bai Chay Harbour, this allows customers to spend more time drifting among the rocks. The boat managers to maintain an intimacy that can be lacking on larger boats catering for groups. For passengers desiring greater seclusions, cabins on the second floor have their own balconies.

By running two boats, Paradise can offer personalised itineraries, such as a three-day tour that includes cycling in Cat Ba, without sacrificing passenger comfort. Replicas of the Paradise I & II, two new Paradise vessels will enter into service in December 2009. With only three sumptuous suites each, these will offer the perfect solution for those seeking a more exclusive and intimate cruising experience.

Plans are a-foot for Paradise to have its own overnight anchorage, ensuring your stay in paradise remains undisturbed by any party boat moored alongside.

The followings are included and excluded services:

INCLUDED

o Welcome Cocktail

o Cruise Itinerary and Program

o Entrance and Sightseeing Fees

o Tai Chi Session

o In-house English-speaking Tour Guide

o 1 Asian Lunch and Dinner Buffet

o Luxury Cabins and Suites with A/C

o Luxury en-suite Bathroom

o Snorkel Equipment (subject to availability)

o 1 International Breakfast Buffet

o Kayaking (subject to availability)

o Meeting Facilities and Equipment (charter only)

o Insurance, Taxes and Service Charges

EXCLUDED

o Airfares, Car Transfers and Hotel Accommodation

o Visa Arrangements

o Beauty Spa Services and Massage

o Beverages and Tobacco

o Tips and other Personal Expenses

o All other services

Pilates Equipment - A Basic Guide

The Pilates method of exercise is almost a century old, and it continues to gain followers all over the world. Created by German-born Joseph Pilates during the First World War, its main principle involves the use of one's mind to control his or her muscles; a synergistic combination of mind and body to achieve physical and mental fitness.

These mind-body exercises can be done at home or at the gym, and some of the Pilates equipment you can use depends on your location of choice.

Pilates Gear Found in the Gym:

The reformer is perhaps the most popular Pilates apparatus, of which there are several types. They can be made from wood or from metal; they can have straps or ropes; and several models have legs while others have none. Regardless of these design variations, the function of this machine remains essentially the same: which is to provide the user the opportunity to develop his or her core strength and enhance his or her flexibility.

Some of the other Pilates exercise machines used in gyms include the so-called Cadillac, the Ladder Barrel, and the Wunda Chair.

Pilates Devices for the Home:

The Pilates rebounder looks like a bulky machine, but many models have been designed for ease and convenience of use in the comfort of one's own home. It not only develops flexibility, it also provides a good cardiovascular workout.

Those who prefer to exercise at home may also opt to use several other Pilates accessories. One such accessory is the Pilates ring, which adds the resistance needed for better-toned arms and shoulders. Another device is the balance ball, the function of which is to engage all the muscles that are vital for the user's core strength.

These and other machines and devices usually come with an instructional DVD, where the proper use of the device is explained. These DVDs also usually show tips on maximizing the workout, and feature various exercises appropriate for the user's level of physical fitness.

Gearing Up with the Basics:

Whether you decide to work out at home or in a gym, here are the two most basic Pilates accessories you will need:

Exercise mat. There are so many Pilates exercises where you will have to sit or lie down, hence the necessity of mats. They should be soft enough to cushion your arms, bottom, legs, and back from the hard floor. Yet they should not be too soft that they do not provide the sufficiently firm support you will need to develop your alignment and balance.

Comfortable apparel. One of the great things about Pilates is that there is no need for specialized clothing. Just wear something that feels comfortable, and is light and flexible to accommodate the stretching you will be doing. Shoes are not even necessary. In fact, most practitioners of Pilates or its other methods such as Stott, do their workout on bare feet.

Shopping for Pilates equipment is made easier with the availability of information, especially online. There are companies that offer a wide range of exercise equipment and accessories which are featured on their website. And online retailers like Shop.com are convenient Internet resources for shoppers who like to compare among brands and prices before making their choice.

In order to maximize the effects of your Pilates workouts, you need to learn more about the equipment and accessories you need to use. The time and effort will be worth it.

How to Get Cheap Air Fare for Your Vacation to Europe

A visit to the "Old World" is something many people dream about. Not everyone gets to live that dream but for many a European vacation can become a reality. There is a lot of plans that have to be made but being patient and thorough will pay off in the long run. After all the accommodations and sight seeing tours have been planned the next step is finding a cheap air fare to get you there.

If you have a travel agent you use often this can be a good place to start the search for savings on your airline tickets. Travel agents have the inside information on all sorts of travel discounts and when the best time to travel is if you want to save money. What you are really looking for is a discount package that airlines offer from time to time. Travel agents are your best bet for finding these packages and if you can get one that coincides with your travel dates it is a good idea to go ahead and make the reservation because chances are you will not find a better deal.

Another way to hunt down cheap air fare to Europe if you are not using a travel agent is to contact the airlines themselves. By checking with several airlines you can compare prices for the dates you wish to travel. One thing that can help save money is being flexible with your travel dates because most airlines offer discounts for traveling during certain times of the month and even at certain times. When you do find a good price make that reservation because airlines are notorious for changing their prices the next day.

If you're lucky enough to have frequent flier miles either through the airline or with a rewards credit card then you can use these to get large discounts or even free plane tickets. You may also be able to accumulate additional miles during your trip depending on the terms of service of the airlines. If nothing else you can cash in what miles you do have and save several hundred dollars on your European trip.

Cheap air fare to Europe can be found but it may take some time and patience on your part. But if saving money on your plane ticket is an important part of your travel plans then a little time and patience is well worth the effort.

Hosting a Baby Shower - Make a Plan

Hosting a baby shower is truly an act of love. With all the to-dos needed to make this event happen it may be easy to forget the primary objective. Maintain a mindset that all your efforts will help the parents-to-be transition with their new babe. Keep this central to your planning, it's your new baby shower mantra - "what are mom and dad's needs for their babe?"

When hosting a baby shower find some time to secure the following info from your guests of honor. How you go about doing this is entirely up to you. Your objective at this meeting(s) should be to secure the following:

* date for the shower

* guest list

* preferences (i.e. favorite foods, colors, etc) to help formulate the shower theme

* registry info (if this is not set-up, help mom and dad get this done).

With the aforementioned info you'll find it helpful to continue essential planning for hosting a baby shower to include the following items. Your next steps can be done independently - you have creative license, that means "GO FOR IT!":

* budget, establish it

* location, determine and reserve it for the shower

* theme, conjure it up

* guest count, tentative head-count to help determine menu and supplies needs

* menu, plan and execute to coincide with guest(s) of honor preferences and theme

* itinerary, determine your time-line for the shower to incorporate games, gift-opening, etc

* invites, create and mail it.

While there is still much to do, don't be dismayed as careful planning helps avert disaster. Also, it's rare that everything is "smooth sailing". You'll find that when you've taken the time to execute your plans with the best precision possible, you'll be able to handle challenges when they arise with a bit more finesse. As a matter of fact, let's include that as well:

* challenges, know that they'll happen

* decorations, order or make items (including cake and favors)

* location staging, logistics to secure items (i.e. tables, chairs, entertainment, table settings, menu needs, etc)

* games, obtain needed supplies and prizes

* video and/or camera, designate someone to take photos or videos

* reception and gift-opening, designate someone to man reception and record who shared gifts

* thank yous, provide a listing for the parents to complete, or designate someone to assist

* set-up/clean-up, arrange for some help - you don't need to do it all by yourself

* MOST IMPORTANT, enjoy yourself during planning, preparation, and execution.

Everything You Needed to Know About Gas and Electricity Part 3

The most obvious, and free, way to use less energy around the home is simply to turn things off when not in use, or use them less. When you leave a room, turn the light off. Turn your TV/computer off at the socket instead of leaving it on standby. Only boil the amount of water you need in your kettle. Defrost your freezer regularly. Doing these things alone can knock several pounds off your bill.

Sometimes you may need to spend a little money in order to save it; energy saving lightbulbs are a good example of this. Replacing the regular light bulbs in your home with these energy efficient ones can save you more on your bill than what the new bulbs would cost in the first place. The same goes for your 'white goods' - oven, fridge and washing machine - and other appliances such as kettles and microwaves. These all now come with an energy efficiency rating, which indicates how much kWh that particular model uses. If your current appliances are old, they may be using a substantial amount; consider spending a little and investing in newer, less energy-hungry models.

To reduce heating costs in the colder months, invest in draught excluders. When you have the heating on, turn the thermostat down a few degrees and close your curtains, tucking them behind the radiators if possible - this can save a small fortune on your heating bill. If there are radiators in rooms you don't use much, turn them off. There's no point heating a room if there's nobody in it.

Chicago Condos - Now Four-Straight Months of Increased Sales

For the last four months, from September 2009 to December 2009, the number of Chicago condos and single-family homes sold has increased from over the same month in 2008. More simply, more Chicago condos and single-family homes were sold in December 2009 than in December 2008; in November 2009 than in November 2008; and so forth. The hope is that the four-straight months of increased sales might be signaling a much-welcomed stabilization of the local housing market.

The following information is provided by the Illinois Association of Realtors.

Year-Over-Year Sales Of Chicago Condos And Single-Family Homes

December 2009: 1,768 existing single-family homes and condos sold. December 2008: 1,265 sold. November 2009: 1,859 sold. November 2008: 1,094 sold. October 2009: 2,012 sold. October 2008: 1,566 sold. September 2009: 1,918 sold. September 2008: 1,813 sold.

Aside from the consistent sales growth in the city of Chicago, condo and single-family home sales have increased year-over-year for six months in the general Chicago area. In December 2009, 5,752 of these existing homes and condos were sold in the Chicago area compared to just 4,320 of these existing homes and condos sold in December 2008. That is a whopping 33 percent increase.

Chicago-Area Counties' Condo And Single-Family Home Sales

The eight counties in the Chicago area, much like the city of Chicago, have seen improvement in sales volume as well. Cook County, for instance, which houses Chicago, saw December '09 sales nearly 43 percent higher than December '08 sales. By county, here are the existing single-family home and condo sales volume increases in December '09 as compared to December '08:

Lake County: 21.5 percent increase of condo and single-family home sales in December '09 as compared to December '08. DuPage County: 19.1 percent increase in December '09 as compared to December '08. Kane County: 31.6 percent increase from December '09 as compared to '08. McHenry County: 46.3 percent increase from December '09 as compared to '08. Will County: 18.8 percent increase from December '09 as compared to '08. Grundy County: 12 percent increase from December '09 as compared to '08. Kendall County: 9.3 percent increase from December '09 as compared to '08. DeKalb County: The only county to not see an increase; just 15 homes sold in December '09 as compared to 56 in '08. Impact of First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension

Many real estate experts had believed that December '09 sales would have been less than the year prior due to the amount of those attempting to take advantage of the first-time home buyer tax credit. The credit deadline was originally November 30 before it was pushed back to the spring. Its extension has cleared the way for the possibility that sales of existing Chicago condos and single-family homes could continue to be on the upswing through the first quarter in 2010.