Camping experts at the YMCA of the USA offer tips to help parents choose the best camping experience for their child this summer:

A good place to start when looking for a camp is with the American Camp Association (ACA) or with the Y. The ACA accredits camps across the country to ensure they meet the highest standards. YMCA camps are accredited by the ACA.

Camp does not have to be expensive. There are camps available in every price range. YMCA camps even offer scholarship assistance.

On average, many 8-year-olds are ready for resident or “sleep-away camp” and age-appropriate day camps are available for preschool-aged children. Remember, however, each child is ready to leave the nest at his or her own pace.

Sleep-away camp shouldn’t be a child’s first time away from home. A sleepover at a friend’s or relative’s house is an important first step to a longer stay away.

Decide if you are looking to give your child a vacation from school or if you hope for some real growth in character and self-confidence. Some camps are highly structured, while others offer more time to allow kids to set their own schedules.

Quiz camp staff on the information described in their materials. Find out how the camp encourages positive behavior and teamwork and how problem behavior is handled. Ask how the camp works with children requiring special diets, medications or accommodations.

Get references from other families who have attended the camps you are considering.

Don’t forget to include your child in the process, and if possible, plan a visit before making a final decision. Most camps provide tours in the spring as well as once camp is in session. Some even offer family weekends where the family can experience camp together.

Help Finding The Right Camp is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

But all this is quite old, and even though it is interesting to know, when visiting Portugal ( http://www.lisbon-and-portugal.com/travel/portugal.html
)and its capital city Lisbon, many people are looking for actual entertainment and fun places to visit along with historical ones.

Lisbon, Portugals Proud Capital

In Lisbon, where the majority of the tourist start their visit after having arrived at the airport, there are various excursions to do around the city. There are museums of all kinds: – Museum do Chiado which is located in one of the most enchanting areas of Lisbon. Here you can find Portuguese and French Art. It is open on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and all other days except Mondays fom 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Science Museum which is located at the main entrance to the Science University has as its principal objective to be education with over 60 interactive themes using physics, chemistry and maths. It is open from monday to friday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 2 to 5 and not open on Sundays. – Museum do Carme which is installed in the ruins of the monastery and has an excellent archaeological collection from many different periods. – National Museum of Ancient Art which is found in the area called Belem near the river in the Palace of onde Alvor. It is the most important museum in Portugal having 65 halls taking in a lot of Portuguese painters and sculptors and all the combinations that the portuguese made when it had all its colonies. Extremely interesting and takes time to see. Open from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, and Tuesday from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Sundays are free.

And Lisbon is also known for its open air entertainment like: – Eduardo VII Park found right next to the Marques de Pombal Square. This park was created to commemorate the English King Eduardo VIIs visit to Lisbon in 1903. The Gym Pavillion Carlos Lopez is beautifully decorated on the outside with tiles. And the Estufa Fria ( greenhouse) where you can find all kinds of plants from all over the world which were brought to lisbon and have been adapted to the climate change there. – Tapada da Ajuda is a 200 acre park once used for hunting but now there are various activities like a childrens park, recreation area and an Astronomy Observatory . – Botanical Gardens which was founded in 1873 and considered one of the best in all Europe. There are over 2,500 species including palm and banana trees. Being as it is situated on a hill, the different level connected by steps makes its beauty even more enhancing and delightful for the eye to see. It is open in winter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and in summer from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Portugals nice lodging

Lisbon needs quite a few days to visit it so if you have need some ideas on hotels, here you go. The Four Seasons-Ritz is the tops with beauty gardens and agreat view of Eduard VII Park. Or maybe Carlton palace Hotel which is a 19th century palace with tropical gardens. Coming down a little the Comfort Principe with a panoramic view restaurant and good service and quality. On the busy Ave. Liberdade in a small neoclassical moorish palace called Veneza, nice pensions like As Janelas Verdes which is a 17 room restored old house from the 18th c. near the Museum of Ancient Art and for those just wanting to lay their heads down, some nicely kept campings or youth hostels.
But once you are in Portugal you have to take full advantage and see places like Sintra, Porto, Albufeira in the Algarve region and an extra special get away to Madeira or the Azores Islands. Its all lovely.

Amazing Portugal is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

One of the ships operated by Chandris was the beautiful Liner America previously owned by the United States Line and initially captained by Demitrios Challioris who had been in charge of a crude oil tanker in Southampton.

Chandris bought the largest passenger liner ever in Greece called the Australis. The Australis had served extensively as a troop ship during the second world war so underwent a major refit and became a one-class configuration geared to carry 2300 passengers. The aft promenade decks were extended, a swimming poolwas added, and air conditioning was installed. She made 3 month voyages around the world from Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Southampton, Casablanca, Las Palmas, Cape Town,(or through the Mediterranean via Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Piraeus, Port Said and Aden), Freemantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Port Everglades and return to Southampton.

Chandris Lines also had the Australian Government’s prized immigrant contract bringing tens of thousands of new immigrants out to major ports in Australia The ships were always sold out so that there were 3 sittings for dinner and special sittings for kids. P&O, a rival cruise line, had ceased the line voyage business to Australia so that the Australis was now known as “the world’s largest express liner” .

In 1977 Australis tried a new itinerary from the South Pacific to points in South America to Portugal.

Interest in Sea Travel at that time was low and Australis and became the sole remaining liner on the trade.

New Immigrants now traveled by jet.

In November of 1977 Australis was laid up.

In 1978 she was sold to US investors.

They mismanaged the ship and their company, Venture Cruises, was declared bankrupt.

Guess who bought the ship in bankruptcy court?

Chandris Lines.

For $4 million less than the amount for which they sold her four months earlier!

The ship was laid up and sold in 1992.

Celebrity Cruises was created by Chandris Lines as a separate luxury cruise line, initially using Chandris’s Galileo, which was renamed Meridian after she was rebuilt. She was joined by the new ships Horizon and Zenith in 1990 and 1992.

In 1989 there was a need in the Cruise Industry for a luxury product at a decent price.

Chandris wanted to establish a worldwide standard for cruising by The company was determined to set a new, worldwide standard for cruising.

Exceptional Cuisine and all its facets became the mainstay of the Celebrity Cruise experience.

Master Chefs serve as the line’s revered culinary and wine consultants since its founding.

In 1995 Celebrity introduced the so called Century Class Fleet with an Industry first:

Luxurious Spa Experiences.

In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean International, bringing together two extraordinary cruise brands within one corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Today Royal Caribbean uses 29 Cruise Liners.

Cruising has become so popular that from 2000 to 2002 Royal Caribbean doubled its passenger capacity.

Its newest ships use gas turbine engines reducing exhaust emissions by 95% and have become traveling art shows as well. They boast original paneling and artifacts from famous transatlantic luxury liners.

In 2001, building on the strengths of both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands,

Royal Celebrity Tours was started to offer truly unique vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe, combining outstanding cruises with exceptional pre- or post-cruise land tour packages now known as “cruisetours.”

From Chandris To Celebrity is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

Where exactly is Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula in the State of Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is approximately 20 miles southwest of the Los Cabos International Airport.

Average Temperature
This tropical desert paradise enjoys an average year-round temperature of 78? F, and from October through April, temperature cools to the 60?’s at night.

Private Jet Charter: Spotlight on…Cabo San Lucas is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

How Cyprus Has Evolved

Cyprus has always been a country full of love and war. According to a myth, the goddess Aphrodite was born within the country and she represented beauty and love. If you think of the word Aphrodisiac you will see that it closely matches the goddesses name and it is thought that was where the word actually came from.

Aphrodite is actually the reason why so many couples now flock to the island. They believe that the island is one of the most romantic of them all and it is a particular favourite when it comes to wedding destinations. The myth is that if you get married in Cyprus you will have a happy and everlasting marriage. Of course whether that is true or not remains to be seen but there is no denying that the setting is very romantic.

It has only been in the last twenty years that evidence has been found regarding ancient Cyprus and what might have gone on. According to research and finding, the earliest people to be in Cyprus were known as Aetokremnos and they lived mainly on the islands south coast. That was roughly in the year 10,000 BC. At the same sort of time there were findings that have suggested that there were two quite short lived populations on the east and the west coasts of the island too. However not much is known about the two or how they died out.

The most interesting thing about Cypruss history is that there seems to be a gap between the ancient population and the more settled population in 8200 BC. It is a mystery what happened to them and it is something that archaeologists would love to find out.

Generally the history of Cyprus involves people capturing the island, purchasing the island and fighting over the island. In 1192 Guy of Lusignan a French knight, purchased the island because he had recently lost his own kingdom to the Templars.

It wasnt until 1960 that Cyprus actually gained independent status. By this time there were two main populations living happily on the island and they were the Greeks and the Turks. The Cyprus flag was developed in the same year and it represents two olive branches under a picture of the island and that is to symbolise peace. Before the independence of the island it was packed full of violence and war.

However the peace did not last long and there was a Turkish invasion of the island in the 1970s. They were not happy living side by side with the Greeks and so they took the law into their own hands.

These days however Cyprus is a much more peaceful country. The days of war are long over and the culture and the history of Cyprus is now celebrated by its local people. The history is definitely an interesting one and it is worth knowing if you are planning on moving to the country.

A Brief History Of Cyprus And Understanding The Culture is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

Damage

If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it can’t be fixed, they will negotiate a settlement to pay you its depreciated value. The same holds true for belongings packed inside. Airlines may decline to pay for damage caused by the fragile nature of the broken item or inadequate packing, rather than the airline’s rough handling.

Carriers may also refuse to give you money for your damaged items inside the bag when there’s no evidence of external damage to the suitcase. But airlines generally don’t disclaim liability for fragile merchandise packed in its original factory sealed carton, a cardboard mailing tube, or other container designed for shipping and packed with protective padding material.

When you check in, airline personnel should let you know if they think your suitcase or package may not survive the trip intact. Before accepting a questionable item, they will ask you to sign a statement in which you agree to check it at your own risk. But even if you do sign this form, the airline might be liable for damage if it is caused by its own negligence shown by external injury to the suitcase or package.

Delayed bags

If you and your suitcase don’t connect at your destination, don’t panic. The airlines have very sophisticated systems that track down about 98% of the bags they misplace and return them to their owners within hours. In many cases they will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what’s reasonable, however, and the amount they will pay is subject to negotiation.

If your bags don’t come off the conveyor belt, report this to the airline before you leave the airport. Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. If the form doesn’t contain the name of the person who filled it out, ask for it. Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the Reservations number).

Don’t assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found; ask them about this. Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases.

The amount depends on whether or not you’re away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.

If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements. For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.)

When you’ve checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won’t reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won’t accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery.

Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit (see below) in connection with the delay. If you can’t resolve the claim with the airline’s airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It’s okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form and it notes that you gave up the tags.) Call or write the airline’s consumer office when you get home.

Lost luggage

Once your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a claim. This usually means you have to fill out a second, more detailed form. Check on this; failure to complete the second form when required could delay your claim. Missing the deadline for filing it could invalidate your claim altogether.

The airline will usually refer your claim form to a central office, and the negotiations between you and the airline will begin. If your flight was a connection involving two carriers, the final carrier is normally the one responsible for processing your claim even if it appears that the first airline lost the bag.

Airlines don’t automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. First, they will use the information on your form to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs. If you’re tempted to exaggerate your claim, don’t.

Airlines may completely deny claims they feel are inflated or fraudulent. They often ask for sales receipts and other documentation to back up claims, especially if a large amount of money is involved. If you don’t keep extensive records, you can expect to dicker with the airline over the value of your goods.

Generally, it takes an airline anywhere from six weeks to three months to pay you for your lost luggage. When they tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as “blackout” periods and how far before departure you are permitted to make a reservation.

Arrival and Claiming Your Bags is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

The Garden Hammock was developed in South America or the Caribbean. Hammocks are standard items in almost all yards and homes in the Yucatan. Hammocks were said to have arrived in Yucatan from the Caribbean less than two centuries before the Spanish Conquest. Hammocks are made of various materials. The quality depends greatly on the thread and the number of threads used to create them. Hammocks are made in villages surrounding the capital city Merida and are sold throughout the world as well as locally. Hammocks hold such a strong place in the hearts of the Yucatecans, that even the most humble of homes have hammock hooks in the walls. Mayan hammocks are made on a loom and are hand woven by men, women and children.

Currently, there are a wide variety of hammocks available. There are hammocks that are designed specifically for backpacking and include mosquito netting along with pockets for nighttime storage. There are hammocks made out of thin and lightweight material which makes them ideal for taking on trips such as camping. Other hammocks include self-standing metal or wood structures that support the hammock. Although many people today purchase their hammock pre-made, it is also possible to make your own specialty hammock.

Hammocks have also traditionally been used by sailors on ships and by astronauts in space. During the Apollo program, the Lunar Module was equipped with hammocks for the commander and pilot to sleep between moonwalks. Hammocks are also handy on a ship. Since a hammock moves in concert with the motion of the ship, the sleeper is not at a risk of being thrown onto the floor. Some people worry that it is easy to fall out of a hammock during sleep, but this is rarely true. The sides of a traditional hammock wraps around the sleeper like a cocoon which makes a fall from the hammock virtually impossible.

Hammocks- Relax in a Hammock Bed, Chair, or Swing. is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

Next day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were greeted by 3 top guides who remain with us for our 6 days in the jungle. They are truly pro’s on flora, fauna and having fun! All transport is by boat. 90 miles down river we arrive to Explonapo Lodge in the heart of Amazonia. No plumbing or electricity, feels like an episode out of “Survivor.” Rustic to the extreme yet therein lies the unique charm. I fell in love with the resident “pets”. There was Adrian the toucan who would poke his long beak into the dining room door for a treat, along with several tame parrots and scarlet macaws. Charlie was a Capybara that looked like a mutant 100lb. guinea pig. When I’d scratch under his chin he’d close his eyes and make cooing sounds.

The pitch black nights were spooky with a symphony of wild noises. Our rooms were connected with a privacy wall and an open thatched roof. Like a giant slumber party, we all shouted “goodnight Johnboy” from our mosquito netted beds. Suddenly Sharon screamed and the guys run to her room. She found a giant lizard tucked in with her in her bed. At 3am I head to the latrine with flashlight in hand. Inside a bat flutters near my head as I repeatedly whisper “bat’s are good.”

Enough roughing it. We board our boats for “luxury in the Amazon” at Ceiba Tops. With air conditioning, tropical gardens and a pool, it feels like the Ritz to us. I take the world’s longest shower as others enjoy Pisco Sours by the pool. We all gain weight with fresh food throughout that is both delicious and plentiful.

On daily boat tours we saw giant water lilies, sloths, countless birds and the elusive pink dolphins. We fished by cane poles for piranha to fry up for dinner. We visited a family with a pet anaconda snake. My brave clients drape it around themselves for a photo op. We delivered medical supplies to a remote clinic serving the poor river people. Here a tooth extraction costs $2 if they can afford it.

There were many highlights! We hiked the world’s longest canopy walk 100′ high in the trees. We visited Monkey Island, a research station for 8 species that room free. For one photo I held 3 at a time. There was a lecture by two resident shamans who taught us about medicinal plants and then blessed us individually as they removed our bad spirits. At the Yagua Indian Village we traded our western goods for masks and blowguns (several of these were later were confiscated by TSA.)

The best part of the trip for me was a surprise visit to a rural school. Inside were 50+ children barefoot and wide-eyed who never see tourists. Tears filled my eyes as they sang their national anthem to us. We sang our anthem to them and deposited a ton of school supplies to the two teachers. It was a glorious sight.

Back to Lima, we all scatter to shop the Indian markets. The dollar is so strong here that several in the group bought another suitcase to fill. I did my Xmas shopping in May. Our fabulous dinner was at a restaurant set in pre-Incan ruins. We toast each other goodbye with many hugs as I remiss a journey well done. This group was so prefect I’d like to clone them all for future AFS trips. I couldn’t hand pick better travelers for this adventure.

I have always loved the land of Peru. I am now designing a unique future trip to include Machu Piccu, boating Lake Titicaca, visits to natives on floating reed islands and crossing to La Paz Bolivia. For the moment, I have tired of Europe. There is a spirit of humility found in the hearts of these people that I am unable to adequately describe here. Nor can my photos justly convey Peru. It truly must be experienced.

Amazing Amazon Expedition is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

At 160,000 tons and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in May 2006, according to chairman and CEO Richard Fain. He noted that in choosing the name Freedom for the ship, the line was emphasizing how all-inclusive the vessel will be. Whatever you want to do, you have the freedom to choose he said.

In addition to the Voyager-class signature features such as an enhanced rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and Royal Promenade the 3,600 passenger ship, will feature a number of innovations: oversized sculptures spraying water in all directions, a circular current pool and a swimming pool fed by a waterfall; a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite to an eager American audience.

Freedom of the Seas combined pool area is 43% larger than on Voyager-class ships.

At night, the main pool area will be transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Passengers will have access to a water park, a promenade and a casino. She will generate 1,800,000 litres of fresh water and require 35 tonnes of ice cubes every day.

Freedom of the Seas will arrive at the Port of Miami on May 25, where she will make a series of short sailings until June 4, when she will begin her regular sailing schedule of 7-night Western Caribbean tour calling at Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Royal Caribbeans private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.

Freedom of the Seas wrest the biggest-ship-ever title from Cunards Queen Mary 2.

The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas launches in June 2006. While QM2′s passenger capacity is 2,620 passengers, Freedom of the Seas can carry 6,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. commissioned the world’s largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe’s biggest shipbuilder a record 900 million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers. Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009. At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel, codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, and 43 percent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas.

The world’s two largest cruise operators, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are commissioning larger ships as increasing numbers of customers buy on-board package vacations. The number of people taking cruises surged 5.7 percent to 8.35 million in the first nine months of 2005, according to the New York-based Cruise Lines International Association.

Book a Cruise Holiday at http://www.bookmeacruise.co.uk

Freedom of the Seas, the biggest-cruise-ship-ever is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips

Below is some general info to get you started:

Aspen Area Airports
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport; Aspen, CO (ASE)
Eagle County Airport; Eagle, CO (EGE)
Garfield County Regional Airport; Rifle, CO (RIL)

Aspen’s 4 Ski Resorts:
www.aspensnowmass.com
Snowmass – Aspen’s largest skiing resort with a vast range of terrain to suit all levels.
Aspen (Ajax) Mountain – the original ski area, catering to intermediate and advanced skiers.
Aspen Highlands – a favorite for locals; usually the least crowded of the 4 mountains.
Buttermilk – aimed at snowboarders and beginners, with 42 trails and one of the longest terrain parks in the world.

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
www.aspenchamber.org
Tel: 888.667.5666
Tourist and visitor center.

Naturalist-Guided Ski & Snowboard Tours
Explore the high-alpine environment as naturalists lead the 45-minute skiing explorations everyday at Snowmass.

First Tracks
Snowmass: call 970-923-0560 for reservations.
Aspen Mountain: call 925-1220 x3543 for reservations.
Join the staff for an early morning first run of the day on freshly groomed snow or powder.

Big Air Fridays
Jaw-dropping jumps and stunts at Snowmass.

Storytelling by the Campfire
Snowmass Village
Sip hot chocolate and toast marshmallows around a roaring campfire while local storytellers spin tales for families at this unique aprs-ski gathering.

Aspen Youth Center (AYC)
970.544.4130
Programs and activities for local and visiting youth ages 7-18, including a full kitchen, arts & crafts area, media and games rooms, teen lounge, study room with computers, and a large multi-purpose room to accommodate dances, parties, and a variety of classes.

Wheeler Opera House
Tel: 970.920.5770
The newly designed interior hosts various theater and concert performances throughout the year.

Silver Queen Gondola
A year-round attraction, whisking visitors from the center of Aspen up to the summit of Aspen Mountain.

Private Jet Charter: Spotlight On…Aspen, Colorado is a post from: Preserve Bethlehem Travel Tips