For decades, thousands of majestic Bald Eagles have been gathering on the riverbanks of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, feasting on the ample salmon that either did not quite make it to the spawning channels, or have accomplished their lifes goal, and thus have met their subsequent demise. Working to preserve their energy in the winter months, eagles will eat up to a two pounds of this high value protein every day.

The highlight of the eagle-viewing period is the annual Bald Eagle Count, which will take place on January 8th this year and is headquartered out of the Brackendale Art Gallery. Using consistent methodology, a count of the eagles in the area on this weekend every year has been kept since 1986. In 1994 a world record 3769 eagles were counted within a few kilometers of the Squamish area and its tributary rivers.

Bad weather can be good for eagle viewing as the eagles tend to stay closer to the riverbanks and closer to viewing areas. When the weather is great, they are more likely to be off for a little fly around the rivers, mountains and forests of the Squamish area.

One of the best ways to see the Bald Eagles in their spectacular surroundings right in their own habitat is on an Eagle Float tour, or Eagle Safari through Canadian Outback Adventures. A dream experience for adventure travelers, photographers, families, schools and educational groups, it is the best way to get up close to these raptors without disturbing them. While they usually run white water rafting trips in the summer, in winter, Canadian Outback takes vacationers, school and educational groups on float tours down the rivers in the area in order to see these spectacular birds in their natural habitat, all with stunning mountain and forest backdrops.

The closest Squamish Hotel to the prime eagle viewing area in Brackendale is the Sea to Sky Hotel & Conference Center on Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. Excellent eagle viewing areas are only about a kilometer away. The hotel also offers discount ski packages to those traveling to ski or board at Whistler Blackcomb.

There are other good viewing areas in town, particularly along the river dykes at the end of Judd Road, and around the spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.

Directions: To see the eagles from arguably the best viewing area, turn west from Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. This is a left hand turn if you are coming from Vancouver, or a right hand turn if you are coming from Whistler. Turn right again in about 20 metres at the T-junction with Government Road. Follow Government road for just under one kilometer, and you will be at the Eagle Viewing area. There is lots of parking on the right and an interpretive center on the dyke from which you can get a great view of dozens of Bald Eagles. If you are very lucky, there may also be a few seals around, as well as a variety of other bird species. On weekends from December to mid-February there are often volunteers from Squamishs Eagle Watch program on have to offer more information and a peek through higher powered telescopes. Other great viewing areas are near the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, The Squamish Estuary, and near the Spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country club.

Squamish is an outdoor recreation Mecca with thousands of rock climbing routes, hundreds of kilometers of Mountain Bike trails, a dozen excellent day hikes, some of the best windsurfing and kite-surfing on the west coast of North America, excellent white water rafting or kayaking, and scuba diving in Howe Sound. For the less adventurous, there is fishing, 3 scenic golf courses, walking trails, beaches and lakes, and sailing available. The new Squamish Adventure Center was recently opened on Highway 99.

This article is also printed with pictures at: www.seatoskyhotel.com/dyn.Squamish_BC_Eagles_Article.php

Bald Eagles arrive in Squamish BC is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

The hotel offers a $200 rate for an overnight stay in an ordinary room. But the ordinary things that are in Royal Palm are not ordinary at all. It is a 17-story affair of Art Deco design. The beachfront resort, like most Miami hotels and travel lodges, offers luxurious suites and rooms all with Atlantic Ocean views courtesy of the private balconies. All rooms have basic amenities which include hair dryers, coffee makers, mini bars, data ports, and voice mail. These may seem very basic, but these are essentials especially for an individual traveling for business. Rooms vary and range from guest rooms, suites, non-smoking, double-bedded, and single-bedded rooms. Families with pets need not worry about living their pooches and cats at home since the hotel allows guests to bring pets, provided that these pets have been checked and vaccinated. Located near the beach, the hotel even provides an outdoor pool and a whirlpool. People who are concerned about their fitness and bodies need not sweat the lack of exercise during their stay because the hotel has an on-site gym and fitness center.

Personal services are thoroughly provided at the hotel. Aside from the multilingual staff that speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, German, Greek, and Portuguese, the hotel also features accessible ATM machines, a laundry and dry cleaning service, baby-sitting, a laundry room, and safety deposit boxes. The hotel also has concierge services and the standard room services. Business travelers can also avail of copying services, courier, Internet, fax, computer use, printing services, and car rentals. Truly, in terms of personal services and world-class facilities, Royal Palm is indeed a gem among the many Miami hotels and travel lodges.

A Gem In Miami is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

The first step to putting together a great cruise vacation is to find yourself a travel agency that specializes in cruises, or to book directly through a cruise vacation Internet site.

Before you contact the travel agent though you need to determine when you’re going, where you’re going and from which port you’ll depart and to which you’ll return.

There are some seasonal rules of thumb about your destination. If you’re limited in the time of year you can get away then you’re also somewhat limited in your destination. You can’t, for instance, cruise the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska any time during the summer. Europe has about the same seasonal restriction as well. If you’re planning on heading out in the spring or fall you might want to consider an excursion up and down the Panama Canal. Just about any time of year, including the winter, you can cruise to Asia or the Caribbean.

Determine who is going to go with you. Knowing if children or seniors will be a part of your vacation group will effect which trip offers the best choices of entertainment for your party. In fact, it’s best to gather everyone together, or conduct a phone or e-mail discussion of what everyone wants to do. You need to know if crafts are important; how many are going to lounge by the pool; who wants to get off and explore at the first land stop; who prefers exotic locations and who’d rather just play shuffleboard.

The size of the ship can be important as well. Larger ships have a vast variety of entertainment options, such as dancing and stage shows, although smaller ships may provide a lower guest to staff ratio, and thus more personal attention to your needs.

Know how much you and the others can spend. If money is a critical factor look for discounts for booking early, or starting out on a different day or different week from your original request. Staying flexible can save you considerable money. Ask about port fees as well. These are not usually included in the quoted cruise cost and may cost you dearly. You’ll also be expected to tip room stewards and wait staff.

If you’re not going as a large group and you might be interested in getting to know your fellow passengers then be sure and inquire about the usual demographics of these travelers. If you’re 20 something and it’s a baby boomer cruise you’re apt to be bored. If you bring your grade schoolers and most of the other kids are in their teens they won’t have enough playmates and you’ll be their entertainment for the extent of the cruise.

One very important inquiry to make of your travel agent as well is the formality of the cruise that you’re considering. If you show up with a suitcase full of swimsuits, shorts and sunscreen only to find out formal dress is required at dinner you’re going to be embarrassed or hungry the entire excursion.

Booking A Cruise Vacation is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

First, look around the boat shows near you for a good selection of boat styles that fit your needs. Some want the right pontoon boat to carry more party gear. Others need a speed boat for boat racing that reflects their fast, sleek personalities. Whatever your chosen boat style, though, understanding what you need before you walk into any boat shows is essential.

Once you’ve narrowed things down by style, it’s time to start looking at the general size of the vessel. While vessel styles may actually help you determine the size, with boat styles like speed boats, you’ll have lots of choices. Keep in mind that you need to choose a boat size that fits both the trailer you currently own and your level of experience. Bigger boats take a lot more maneuvering than smaller ones do, and if your last lake boating experience was a dinghy with oars, you may need to start small or at least invest in some boating courses to get the job done right.

Accessories

Now that you’ve looked at styles and size, your next step is to start choosing the preferences that best fit your needs. Most people look at engine capacity first. The larger the engine, the faster your boat is going to go, and boat shows are a great way to look at the engine technology that is currently available. Talk with dealers about what is new in the world of boat engines, look at demonstrations, and if you’re interested, talk about alternative fuel technologies. After all, gas is getting expensive for every engine, including those you’ll be seeing at the boat shows you attend.

In addition to engine size, you need to consider other boating accessories. While you can do lots of accessorizing after the fact, choosing a model at the boat shows you visit that comes close to meeting your needs may help things out quite a bit. Look at the lights, seat covers, and furniture included to be sure that you’re getting the right boat. If you’re shopping for higher end accessories or boating apparel or you have special boating needs (fishing and so forth) be sure to ask boat show dealers what could be added to their current model to make your boating experience a bit smoother.

Not sure where to find boat shows in your area? Go online. With thousands of boat shows from coast to coast, you’re sure to find one within driving distance. It’s unquestionably the way to get a look at all of the hottest models of the season and help narrow down your boat purchase choices. Moreover, though, you can check out some of the awesome boating products boat makers have created for the market this year. It may just give you the fix you need to make it to the next season.

Finding the Right Vessel At Boat Shows is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

Naturally, when people first get excited about a trip, they start thinking about how they are going to get from here to there. They start looking to book airline reservations before it is time. All too often people rush into airline reservations and then wind up with plane tickets that they paid way too much for and they end up without any other details of the trip planned.

As a former travel agent, believe me when I say that I have seen these mistakes too often. One of my biggest warnings to potential travelers is to take their time and think through the details of their trip before booking airline reservations. many other details of a trip can be cancelled or changed, but airline reservations are often permanent once made or very costly to change.

Take time to look for potential places to stay and for activities to enjoy in a certain location before you make airline reservations. You never want to make airline reservations and then wind up in a boring location or in a spot without a hotel room. This just takes a little planning and a little patience.

Another huge reason why I caution people against jumping into airline reservations is that often novice travelers have no real idea where to look for good deals. Take your time and do a vast search of prices before making any airline reservations. Do not jump into the first offer that you see, but take your time and compare offers that are given. You can book airline reservations over the phone, through a travel agent, or online. So take time and do a search well.

I love nothing more than to see people enjoy a great vacation. But I also love it when they have taken time to plan or get help planning a great trip. I love it when they have been patient and then discovered great airline reservations. So take my advice! Be patient, ask around to other travelers, and then proceed to making airline reservations with caution.

Don’t Rush Into Airline Reservations is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

More and more travellers are booking their Las Vegas trips online. So should you book your next Las Vegas vacation online? Here are the top 5 reasons to consider booking your Vegas vacation online:

1) Save Money

You don’t have to pay travel agent commissions which can amount to significant savings of hundred of dollars. Plus there are direct-to-customer online travel services that give you special discounts just for booking online.

2) Convenience

Book your Vegas vacation from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to go out to pick up the tickets or haggle with travel agencies. You simply shop, click, book and print – easy as that. (and if you have questions, there’s usually a toll free number you can call for 24 hour support)

3) Larger Selection of Las Vegas Packages:

Instead of just choosing from the latest travel agent specials you can choose from EVERYTHING that’s available. You know what you want in a Las Vegas vacation better than anyone else – and you can easily browse everything that’s available to you online.

Many online travel agents upload new vacation packages weekly so you can monitor the new packages being offered and find an amazing deal.

4) Easy To Search & Book

With easy search functions and large travel package databases, you simply plug in your search parameters and get a listing of possible trips, prices and descriptions. The easy search functions make it simple and fun to find the Las Vegas vacation of your dreams

5) Research Hotels and Find Out What Other Travellers Think – BEFORE You Get There

Ever travelled some place, got there and thought – ‘I wish someone had told me what this place was really like before I spent all this money!’?

Now you can know what your Vegas hotel is like before you stay there. Many online travel agents have pictures, detailed descriptions and even downloadable brochures on each Las Vegas resort.

And some online travel agents are also introducing a Travellers’ Opinions section where people can leave feedback and rate their hotel vacation experience. They rate hotels and also leave comments on their experience. This is a great tool for you to not only find out which hotels are popular with other travellers but you can usually also pick up other Vegas travel tips that can save you money.

Considering all this, it’s no wonder that more and more people are booking their Las Vegas trip online, it’s easier, cheaper and you end up making a better choice (and thus having a more enjoyable vacation).

5 Reasons To Book Your Next Vegas Vacation Online is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

If your mathematical formula for fun on the beach is Water=Waves, then you should be heading for the northern coastline that takes in Famara (and neighbouring La Santa See article 13 Lanzarote beaches Tinajo).
Our first of six beaches being reviewed in this area is known as Famara, measuring 6 kilometres long by 100 m (the biggest beach in Lanzarote). Fine golden sand, a constant wind and ever present strong swells against a backdrop of mountains makes this worth visiting, but the strong currents in this area can be a problem, so keep small children well within your reach.

The surf in this part of the island is world famous (so its hardly surprising that Famara is often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe). Large waves crash into the beach, and roll up the fine white sand towards the beach road, making it a surfers paradise. Behind the road youll find a large area of sand dunes, a perfect sheltered base from which to view proceedings.

The village nearby has a few restaurants and cafe bars where you can enjoy a quiet drink but its all very laid back and has a UK/Sunday feel about the whole place.

Close to the village of La Caleta, it can be reached by guaguas (autobus).
Our second beach takes us to a semi-developed area known as Ensenada de la Calleta, 400m long by 12 m wide and fine white sand. This beach is located alongside Arrecife and the port area of Mrmoles. This beach is much visited, for its calm waters despite the wind that blows constantly. You can reach this beach by guaguas (autobus) and there are several services available including hammocks/parasols, restaurants/bars, parking and showers.

Our third beach is known as Las Cucharas and is in the main holiday resort of Costa Teguise. This sheltered beach is 640m long consisting of fine sand and placid waters., surrounded by big hotels and apartments where architecture and landscape have been harmoniously integrated. The beach is nevertheless ideal for windsurfing and offers a full range of services from hammocks/parasols to bars/restaurants along its promenade to telephones, parking, good wheelchair access, bus stop and rental of a wide range of sports equipment.

Our fourth beach, another Costa Teguise favourite, is known as Los Charcos. At 250 m long and 30m wide and consisting of fine white sand, clear water and cooling winds, its hardly surprising. This beach is is on the coastline alongside Puerto del Carmen (covered in another article of mine entitled 12 Lanzarote Beaches Tias). The tranquillity of the sea in this area is due to the breakwater which shelters it from the strong waves and currents. There is a docking area and seaside boardwalk, together with services including hammocks/parasols, parking, quaquas (autobus).

Our fifth beach is known as Bastin, 375m long, 15m wide, consisting of fine white sand mixed with gravel and clear water. This beach is situated in a semi-developed zone of Costa Teguise and offers a complete range of services that include hammocks/parasols, parking, guaguas (autobus) and finally, our sixth beach is El Jablillo, 350m.long, 20m wide, fine white sand mixed with gravel with quiet waters in a relatively windy area. Services include telephones, parking, guaguas (autobus) and a range of bars & restaurants.

16 Lanzarote Beaches – Teguise is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

A sixteen year old girl, with the help of her Mom and some friends, bought 200 backpacks and filled them with toiletries and other necessities for the victims of Huuricane Katrina. They did this with their own funds except for a wonderful donor who provided the money for shipping the backpacks to the affected area.

There are several church groups all over the country, that have programs which provide backpacks stuffed with all sorts of school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, glue and whatever other school supplies they can think of to include. Some scout and youth groups are picking up on and joining this effort.

One program run by couple in California, supplies the children of migrant workers with backpacks and school supplies. They run the program form their garage. They also help poor migrant workers with things like food, clothing, housing and job assistance. A 10 year-old boy in Boca Raton Florida, dreamed up a way to help children in his area.

He began to fill backpacks with school supplies for kids who needed them. By the time he was 11, he had a real organization, and had qualified as a charity under IRS rules. The group donates backpacks loaded with notebooks, paper, pencils, glue and other essentials, to schools and charities, all over the state of Florida, that ask for them.

The young man says that if they tell him kids need the packs, thats good enough for me. The word about this group spread quickly among corporations and non-profit organizations. Corporate foundations, local companies, his Dads clients and family and friends all donated cash and supplies. By the time this kid was sixteen he had managed to distribute over 8,000 loaded backpacks.

One of the nations leading office supply companies donated most of the backpacks they have donated about $257,000 in cash and supplies. The young man had enlisted 20 of his friends to help fill the packs, and to personalize them,, and by writing the names of recipients on the luggage tags attached to each pack. The boys mom dad, and half-brother all help, and are officers in the organization, however he writes all his own appeal letters.

The last we knew he was worried about finding a successor, since he was heading off to college. He was worrying that the organization would have to shutdown. This would be a great loss, not only to the kids in need, but also to the rest of us, who no matter what our age, can learn from his example. In cities and towns all over the U.S. churches, civic groups, and individuals have been donating backpack with school stuff to kids and packs with toiletries and other items to adults in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They have no idea what a sign of hope these things are to us.

Backpacks for Charity is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

This is hardly surprising if you take a moment to consider what Ibiza can offer to the discerning visitor, with fabulous white beaches adored by the rich and famous for decades, unspoilt pine forests, white-washed villages, a whole range of restaurants offering the best of world cuisine, world-famous nightlife and some of the friendliest locals you will ever meet.

Ibiza is again becoming the place to be seen, so for those after a piece of the limelight, strut your stuff through the old Ibiza institution Pacha, or have a long lunch on the beach at the Jockey Club, and you are guaranteed to be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.

If you are looking for a relaxing week away from it all, take my advice and go in early May; the weather is perfect, and the island is all but deserted compared to the madness of August. You will get beautiful beaches all to yourselves, and great service at all the restaurants.

The level of service has improved greatly as well, with activities such as water sports, hot air ballooning, mountain-biking, boat rental and yoga easy to find and well-priced. For the full rock-star service, I would recommend hiring a villa complete with chef, maid and chauffeur; some villa rental agents are even offering a concierge service through which you can book tables at exclusive restaurants, get VIP tickets to the best clubs or arrange other services such as masseurs in your villa.

If you are planning your summer holidays, think twice before rejecting the idea of Ibiza as your chosen destinationI think you will find yourselves as pleasantly surprised as I was.

A fresh look at Ibiza is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site

The cruise industry is growing faster than ever, and with this huge expansion comes more opportunities to save money on special cruise deals. With more vacationers taking to the seas cruise lines are growing larger and can afford to offer special discounts to customers to get more people hooked on this luxury style of vacationing. Those looking for a cruise vacation can make a few smart decisions and save themselves a lot of cash without much sacrifice.

The first step is to look into theme packages. Many cruises offer special discounts for certain lifestyles or age groups. There may be a family discount, a golden years discount, or a honeymoon discount available. Depending on what type of cruise you want and whos going with you, this can be a huge money-saver if youre willing to accept what is offered in the packaged deal.

When it comes time to book your cruise, believe it or not, dont be too hasty. Many cruise lines receive unexpected cancellations at the last minute, and are eager to fill the empty slots. A would-be vacationer can often get extremely good deals if their schedule allows them to wait until the last minute to book. Call a cruise line days before a ship sets sail, and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear regarding discount rates for last-minute trips.

If you find a cruise line that you like, consider booking any future cruise vacations with the same line. Many cruise lines give discounts to repeat customers and you will probably receive a good percentage off your rate if you book a cruise at the same time each year with the same company. Talk to a travel agent who specializes in cruises. Often these agents can get you deals as well, especially with cruise lines they book often. By booking through an experienced travel agent you may earn the instant right to be a preferred customer.

Finally, do your research! There are many sites online for discount cruise fares, just as there are for airfares and other types of travel. Some websites specialize in locating cheap cruises for those who wish to vacation on a budget. Make use of a search engine, and dont get discouraged your cheap cruise is out there somewhere. The trick is using resources and a little brain work to find it.

Book A Cruise For Less is a post from: Bagi Chany Travel Site