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, “that’s good enough for me.” The word about this group spread quickly among corporations and non-profit organizations. Corporate foundations, local companies, his Dad’s 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 boy’s 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: Griff On Today Travel Tips

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 destination…I think you will find yourselves as pleasantly surprised as I was.

A fresh look at Ibiza is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

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 who’s going with you, this can be a huge money-saver if you’re willing to accept what is offered in the packaged deal.

When it comes time to book your cruise, believe it or not, don’t 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 don’t 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: Griff On Today Travel Tips

An August news flash via one of our daily emails alerted me of a “situation” in Europe with the Windjammer vessels. Apparently they were being held in port for non-payment of various bills, and I diligently forwarded this press release to my client, who had been booked for a January 2008 cruise with Windjammer for some time. Not only had we deposited $1,500 for three cabins, but we had pre-paid the hotel stay as well! I was very concerned when my call to the company went unanswered.

As my client was concerned enough to decide to cancel his vacation, I went to work quickly attempting to rescue him, as he and his wife, an adult son and his wife, and another son had arranged flights into St. Martin and home from Tortola. NOW what?

Google to the rescue! I plugged in “yacht charters”, discovered there were several different brokers we could consider from Tortola, and I quickly emailed several of them. As is often the case (we should all make note of this in our OWN business!), the first responder got my attention that day. Lynne Campbell of Carefree Yacht Charters was going to be my “lifesaver!”

What fun! I asked my client, Steve, if he would consider a sailboat charter, and he hesitated. “My wife and daughter-in-law are both worried about seasickness,” he replied quickly. “Let me see what they say about that.”

While Lynne worked quickly on her end to see which yachts were available, the next email from Steve revealed that the girls were a “GO!” I was VERY excited, and let Lynne know immediately that the client was game.

We discussed the fact that perhaps a catamaran-style boat would suit this family’s needs best, but Lynne also explained that the classic sailing experience found aboard a mono hull-style yacht might be an excellent option as well. Not only did she discuss this with me, but she was more than happy to talk directly with my client in order to answer questions, address concerns, and help determine the best boat and crew for this particular vacation – which turned out to be a mono hull in this case!

Carefree Yacht Charters takes care of EVERY detail. I can’t tell you how many amazing amenities these boats have, right down to the great water toys. Of course, each yacht is unique, just as each crew is different. Some have just one crew member who acts as both captain and chef, while others have two or even more.

A yacht charter typically includes ALL alcoholic beverages and meals, and the course is often charted according to the clients preferences! A client preference request form is sent to the clients in advance of the charter so that all their requests and requirements are met. The price is NOT much more than the cost of a Windjammer or big-ship cruise. In fact, this family is bringing six people for just over $10,000, plus the customary 15 percent tip to the crew.

I need to share with you that Lynne and her husband owned and operated two successful yacht charters in the Virgin Islands for twelve years, so they are really well equipped to organize and book your clients vacations. And I can’t WAIT to hear the stories when my clients return from this adventure. And, to think it all came about because of a potential cancellation!

Find Your Client a Private Yacht Charter is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

Whenever you can find out how to get these cheap airfare ticket deals you will simply be surprised at how easy it actually is to purchase them. The internet offers numerous choices available to you, for these purposes. One matter to keep in mind is that you need to look at purchasing a return ticket. Several of the airline companies will offer you some discounts on your returning flights, and they’re just slightly different than the one way tickets would be. Whenever you know the precise date in which you should be coming back, then you should consider trying to purchase these tickets in good deal early. You should realizing that a few airfare ticket costs are substantially higher when they are in higher demand.

By discovering the correct websites to browse through, when you are researching on the internet for cheaper airfare ticket prices you are allowing yourself the ability of noticing some of the cheaper packaged discounted deals that are available to you, for your world traveling purposes. Be sure that you visit at any rate some of these discount ticket sites on the internet before you make your final pick, because if you spring into something too quick, you could find that you have for certain missed out on some better deal offers.

Bigger airline companies will have more pricey airfare tickets available to you since the tremendous amount of advertisements and marketing that comes in keeping them so fashionable. Attempt to avoid purchasing airfare tickets from several of these larger airline companies because you will be shocked by the expensive airfare costs. By selecting a smaller airline company, you will be seeing to it that you will get cheaper priced airfare tickets and at the same time be offered with all of their highest services.

If you are completely determined in getting some cheaper airfare tickets for your flying purposes, then all you have to do is maintain your choices open and always be really flexible on your flying schedules. Investigate all of your possibilities since you may notice that finding cheaper airfare tickets is easier done some of the times by just purchasing a packaged vacation deal or by deciding to purchase a last minute airfare ticket. A lot of folks don’t know of all of the savings that they could be enjoying because they have perhaps never checked out their options. It’s time to set out doing the researching essential in noticing cheaper, more affordable airfare tickets, because it is available to you, if you actually want it.

Discover Some Tricks To Getting Cheap Airfare is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

Navy Pier

While this attraction originally served the many freighters and water transportation on Lake Michigan in the mid-1910s, it is now recognized as one of the most well known of Chicago sights. On a daily basis, the pier features a wide range of entertainment options and interesting events. Before you even arrive at the pier, you may catch sight of the Ferris wheel, which stands 150 feet into the air. While an onsite 18-hole miniature golf course, musical carousel, and other indoor activities make a great distraction for children, adults also enjoy features of the site, such as the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, which provides access to a 500-seat courtyard theatre.

Sears Tower

Decorating the Chicago skyline, the Sears Tower is recognized as one of the tallest buildings in the United States. As a long-standing symbol of the city, tourists often flock to this attraction to enjoy one of the best views of Chicago. When visiting the tower on a clear day, the amazing view may include up to 40 to 50 miles of sightlines that reach parts of Michigan, Indiana, and even Wisconsin.

Shedd Aquarium

Many visitors to the city really enjoy a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, where the display of marine life provides an exceptional opportunity. While an aquarium may seem like a place where only children will find pleasure, adults also encounter a delightful outing when touring one of the most popular sights in Chicago. A variety of species that hail from all over the world can be found on the premises, which present a range of ordinary creatures to the truly exotic. Popular exhibits at Shedd include piranhas, anacondas, and the Caribbean reef display.

Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave)

If there was ever the perfect place to max out your credit cards, the Magnificent Mile, located along Michigan Avenue is situated in the great city of Chicago. Along this entertaining strip, you will find major hotels, such as the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, and the Conrad Hilton. The well-known Water Tower landmark is positioned on this same street, as well as a satisfying assortment of department stores and exclusive shops. Just to get an idea of the type of shopping awaiting your arrival includes the likes of retail giants such as Gucci, Coach, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Macy’s, and Tiffany & Co.

Chinatown

To explore an explosion of satisfying cultural finds, the Chicago Chinatown is the perfect place to enjoy a wide range of shops, restaurants, and neighborhood events. At any given moment, this section of the city may open to reveal exciting parades, entertaining festivals, and unique holiday celebrations. Many visitors enjoy a stop in Chinatown to get a good deal on a city-related souvenir or purchase an attractive Asian trinket. It is also the best place to savor the cuisine of the Orient.

5 Places To Visit When You’re In Chicago is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

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 it’s 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 you’ll 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 it’s 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 Mármoles. 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, it’s 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 Bastián, 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: Griff On Today Travel Tips

Beaver Ponds
One of Yellowstone’s shorter loop trails then wanders through both meadows and forest. Black bears and Wild Flowers usually dominate the flora and fauna of this part of the world.

Fairy Falls
197-foot Fairy Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone, The longest and most scenic route starts at the Fountain Flat Drive barricade.

Grebe Lake
A trail used mainly by fishermen and backpackers, the trail goes to Grebe Lake, which make up the headwaters of the Gibbon River system. Deer and moose are oftentimes spotted along the trail and at the Lake

Grizzly Lake
Starting out in a meadow, then climbing 250 feet up a ridge and traveling through burned forest, the route offers excellent views of Mount Holmes and the Gallatin Range.

Lost Lake
An easy trail, which starts behind Roosevelt Lodge (Tower Junction) then, goes into the forested hillside, coming to a fork, going westwards to the Lost Lake which is about quarter of a mile away.

Monument Geyser Basin
This is short but steep hike, where you can see the stunning view of Elk Park meadow and the wandering Gibbon River leading to Monument Geyser Basin, a small geyser basin.

Osprey Falls
Whether you start south of Bunsen Peak on the Bunsen Peak road or north of Bunsen Peak on the other end, you will be traveling about three miles along the road to reach the breathtaking Osprey Falls Trail

Specimen Ridge
This trail takes us to the lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at the one mile point, then to east reaching the top of 9614-feet Amethyst Mountain.

Storm Point
This trail offers a good view of Yellowstone Lake, off the beaten path.
Start from the Indian Pond parking area, then drops into the tree line until you reach Storm Point.

Yellowstone River
Starts at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area and rises up to the eastern lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. There are some spectacular views of the Canyon and River from this trail.

Backpacking in Yellowstone is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

Built on a sharp bend of the river which is crossed by the Roman bridge, the El Puente Romano, the city was once a port. When the Moors were replaced by the Christians, the city’s beauty was left untouched and the Christian cathedral was built within the mosque, the Mezquita. The Mezquita dates back to the 12 century and symbolises the power of the Moorish Islamic influence on this region of Andalucia. Built in 785AD by Abd al Rahman, the mosque has been added to over the generations by both Christian and Islamic faiths as they each controlled this area.

At the centre of Cordoba is the old Jewish quarter where little has changed in centuries, narrow streets and garden plazas, tapas bars and restaurants, an ideal area to explore and relax in the Spanish way. The bull fighting museum and the cool and refreshing fountains and gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos are well worth a visit both being open from Tuesday to Sunday.

Move outside of the city into the area of Cordoba, and you’ll find it quite unoccupied, most of the population live in the city itself while the remainder are spread out in this large unexploited region. Summers here are dry and hot, so the best time of the year to visit is during the cooler spring and autumn months, where you will find villages that still hold on to their Spanish values, something that has almost all but disappeared from the Costas to the south.

A day trip to Cordoba, Spain is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips

This ship, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009 by shipbuilder Aker Yards of Oslo, will be 220,000 gross register tons. A gross register ton, a standard measure of a ship’s size, is a unit of volume equal to about 100 cubic feet. It is to be built at a Finnish shipyard.

Aker is to be paid 900 million euros ($1 billion) to build the ship, making Project Genesis the most expensive ship ever ordered in the history of commercial shipbuilding. The $1.24 billion figure includes all expenses required for interior finishing of the ship. Royal Caribbean contract with Aker includes an option for a second ship.

Richard Fain, the chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean said of Project Genesis, “It is exhilarating to take such a giant step into the future. Project Genesis truly is a remarkable ship. Its bold design, daring innovation and technological advancements will delight our existing customers and help us draw in new ones.”

Aker Yards Finland currently builds Royal Caribbean’s “Freedom” class vessels. However, the Project Genesis ship will be 43 percent larger than the present recordholder, “Freedom of the Seas”, which is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished by April 2006.

The biggest ship currently in operation is the Queen Mary 2, at 151,400 gross register tons. It is owned by the Cunard Line, a unit of the Carnival Corporation, which is the world’s largest cruise ship company. The British-registered liner is 1,132 feet long, more than 236 feet high, and can hold 2,620 passengers. The QM2 is capable of crossing the North Atlantic at a speed of 30 knots. The 14-day 2004 maiden voyage from Southampton, in southern England, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 12, 2004, was completely sold out months before departure.

The QM2 has 17 decks which hold five swimming-pools, sweeping staircases, a grand ballroom, a 360-degree promenade deck and many luxury shops. Cunard Line built the ship in hope of reviving the glamour of ocean liners, whose mystique has largely been dispelled since jet travel made trips across the Atlantic routine.

A one-way passage from Southampton to New York ranges from $1,817 to $28,000 per person, depending on the type of cabin selected, as well as a daily service charge.

The original Queen Mary was launched in 1934 at Southampton by the queen’s grandmother — Queen Mary, wife of King George V. This ship was slightly more than half the size of the new model. In the second World War, both the Queen Mary and its sister ship, Queen Elizabeth, were painted grey and served as troopships, since they were fast enough to outrun German U-boats. Winston Churchill later stated that the military use of these two ships shortened the war by a year.

The ship was retired in 1967 and sold to private investors. It is now docked permanently as a seaside hotel in Long Beach, California.

The QM2 took the title of world’s largest cruise liner from Royal Caribbean’s 1,020 foot-long Liberia-registered “Voyager of the Seas,” launched in 1999.

As a sign of just how much passenger ships have increased in size during this century, the QM2 is three times the size of the Titanic, which at 46,300 tons and 800 feet was called the “largest movable object built by man” when launched in 1911. However, all the giant cruise ships are comparatively tiny compared to the largest of all ships – a 564,700-ton supertanker Seawise Giant built in 1979, and now called Jahre Viking.

A ship still in the planning stage would dwarf all current sea-going vessels : the Freedom Ship. It is essentially a plan for a floating city, a giant barge that would slowly circle the globe every 2-3 years. At 4,320 feet (1,317 meters) long, 725 feet (221 m) wide and 340 feet (103 m) tall, the ship is taller than the length of a football field and wider than two football fields put together.

It would hold 18,000 condominium units for full-time residents ranging from $180,000 to $2.5 million, including a small number of premium suites priced up to $44 million. 3,000 commercial units for vendors would also be offered in a similar price range. For part-time residents, there will be 2,400 time-share units and 10,000 hotel units. It will also hold a casino, a ferryboat transportation system, a medical facility offering both Western and Eastern medicine as well as preventive and anti-aging medicine. A landing strip for small jets will cover the top. An onboard school will give students a chance to take a field trip into a different country each week for academic purposes or to compete with local schools in sporting events. There will also be an International Trade Center to give on-board companies and shops the opportunity to show and sell their products in a different country every week. More than 100 acres of outdoor Park, Recreation, Exercise and Community space have also been planned.

Norman Nixon, who developed the idea for the massive ship, has estimated it will take approximately three years to complete once construction begins. So far, this ambitious project has not been able to attract sufficient investment funds to get off the drawing board.

Biggest Cruise Ship For 6400 Friends is a post from: Griff On Today Travel Tips