It goes without saying that many choose Tuscany as a travel holiday destination, also because it offers so many occasions to relax while discovering the land. Not many may know that one of the many characteristics of Tuscany is its underground. The strong geothermal activity in fact causes a great many thermal baths that were already known in Etruscan and Roman times. Many of these waters are sulfurous and have beneficial effects on the body. Many use these waters to heal skin problems and respiratory ailments. The majority just enjoys their great relaxation powers and the wonderful natural scenery they are located in.

Bagno Vignoni thermal bath

The great news is that many of these thermal baths are free! Anyone can access them at any time of the day and night, and many do everyday in any season. Since almost all of them are right at the hot spring source, their water is very hot, in some cases beyond 40 degrees Celsius (104 F). Therefore the best time to stay at the spas is from September until June, or during the nighttime. However, many enjoy them during hot summer days too. Bare in mind that there is absolutely no infrastructure associated with these pools, therefore all dressing and undressing will have to be managed by yourself in the open. The car is quite a good place to change your wet clothes during the cold winter season. Also remember to bring rubber slippers and warm robes. Summer nights make things much more manageable

The first and perhaps most popular thermal baths of all are to be found in Saturnia, in the province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany. It is a series of wonderful natural pools that degrade towards the river, all filled with hot sulfur water, each one large enough to accommodate four to five people. The water flows from the top pools into the lower ones, with a relaxing waterfall sound. There also is a splendid waterfall that massages your back. The cornice is all natural, in the open wild Maremma countryside.

Enjoying the bath in Petriolo

Moving north you will encounter the Siena province with the cool-water San Casciano dei Bagni roman pools. Here the mandatory is summer, especially during hot day hours. These waters are rich of beneficial salts, although when they arrive at the pools all the heat is lost.

On the same road, traveling towards Siena, is Bagni San Filippo. In order to get to these baths you will have to enter the road that brings to the Mount Amiata an ancient and now inactive volcano. A trail in the woods brings to a pool in a splendid natural environment. Here the water temperature is lower than the average, therefore these baths are best suited from March until November.

Further north still you will get to the splendid town of Bagno Vignoni. Thermal baths are the soul of this village that develops around the ancient Roman pool. The free baths are away from the center of the village, located on the side of the hill, these pools are mildly warm, therefore best suited for summer days. The natural environment here is splendid, located in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. After a visit of the town you can also integrate with the nearby Monticchiello and Pienza, two small Tuscan gems.

The thermal bath in San Filippo

Located on the Siena-Grosseto road near Siena, is Petriolo, the warmest and last free thermal bath spring. It is located between the road and the river Merse. The many natural calcareous pools and water falls make this a very special place. There are pools for one to two people, the hottest ones, and the largest pool at the bottom, sharing part of the riverbed, offering much more space. A small pile of rocks separates the cold water from the hot one. It is a wonderful feeling to jump in to the shallow cold river after a long warm bath. A hot water fall gently massages your body, while an absolute inner peace sets you in harmony with the completely natural surroundings.

When you travel to Tuscany remember these useful free tips. A day spent relaxing at one of these free thermal baths will be among your favorite lasting memories.


Have you ever enjoyed a thermal bath? Where? Would you recommend it? If you think this post can be useful for travelers or visitors of the area please “Like” it..and share it!

The Belfast murals are testimony of the happenings of the time which led to about 3000 deaths (all sides included), and reflect the feelings of hatred and hope of the people during those four decades. The Belfast wall is also known as the Belfast Peace Wall because of messages like the one you can see in this picture.


Have you seen the walls? How familiar are you with the “Troubles”? Please share this post if you liked it!

Value

Turkey offers reasonable prices when dining out and taking part in leisurely activities. Transportation is not expensive, and for example a meal at a café can cost you somewhere around lira 2.54/ which is around £1. A bottle of wine will cost you approximately 8.48/ lira which is the equivalent to £5.00

Cheap Hotels

Turkey offers a range of top quality accommodation at a very reasonable price. You can usually stay in 4*- 5* for half the price of a Spanish hotel. Cheap hotels in Turkey are most likely to be available in the winter, when there is minimal tourist activity to speak of.

Great Exchange Rate

The Lira’s high value has proved to be a big problem for trade in the Turkish export assembly but statistics have shown more British tourist have decided to visit the country. Figures show that from January to June 2010 tourists reached 11,571,427 with a 9.26% on last year. The number of tourists visiting Turkey has multiplied over the last few months making it a hotspot for summer holiday makers, and the good  dollar exchange rate has attracted visitors from afar.

Bargain Shopping
If shopping is your thing there are lots of reasonable products to buy in Turkey, especially amongst the markets set in Bodrum. Here you will find high quality designer copies for very low prices– some would say Asda Price. If you do not wish to shop then visit the famous Halicarnassus outdoor nightclub or take a trip to the glamorous gardens of Babylon.

Hot Climate
Turkey’s Mediterranean cost provides a constant scorcher of a climate and beautiful beaches surrounded by magnificent landscape. The land abounds in ruined castles, battlegrounds and palaces of the greatest empires. The Ottoman cuisine is ranked as one of the most sumptuous  in the world. Although a Muslim country, Turkey is very modern and has a touch of the west. It is also referred to as the west of the east.

Turkish, Cuisine.

Turkish cuisine is generally meat based with marinated pieces of lamb, chicken, steak, threaded on a skewer or grilled over hot coals. Meats are usually accompanied by yoghurt, garlic and tomato dips. Lamb Kofte is a stew like dish which is mixed with aromatic spices;  recommended by locals it is extremely tantalising.

FIBA World Championships 2010

Turkey will be holding the world’s best Basketball event of the year running from the 28th August to September 12 2010. Turkey has the privilege of holding this prestigious and exhilarating Basketball tournament bringing together basketball giants from all over the world. The unique pointer of this event is that it will be held in Europe after twelve years and it’s great chance for all sporting fans to get involved and visit  beautiful Turkey at the same time.


This article was mostly written by Emma Hoxton, experienced business travel consultant
[Top photo credit: Melanie’s Photo @ flickr]


Have you visited Turkey? What did you like best? What other reasons do you know of that make Turkey a great destination? If you liked this post please “Like” it…and share it!

Tips on Eating Cheap in Las Vegas

If you go to Vegas and you want to eat a lot at very good prices, here are some hints for you. One of the best options you will have are the buffets, where you can get variety and freshness at some very decent rates. The buffets are an affordable alternative to restaurants and they are the ideal places to eat cheap during your vacation. The high quality buffets in the city are the Mandalay Bay, the Mirage and the Bellagio and for the sushi lovers, there is Planet Hollywood. If you show up approximately fifteen minutes before breakfast ends, you can get lunch at breakfast prices, a great thing if you’re on a budget. The Palace Station is the place to go if you really want to eat a lot for little, and if you look in the local newspaper you will find coupons that will allow you to have lunch for just one dollar.

Top Things to Do on a Budget

Las Vegas is more than the perfect gambling city since it offers everybody plenty of fun. There are numerous things to see and do when in Vegas and if you think you need a cheap vacation, you should include visiting the city’s attractions: one of the most famous things you can see  is the Bellagio fountains, one of those places photographed over and over. You can also visit the Conservatory or the Botanical Gardens, where you can see rare flowers and different plants from all over the world. Watching one of the celebrity shows that are at all times available in the city is a must, and if you book in advance you can get great discounts.

For a free lounge show (minus the gambling and free alcohol) head over to Harrah’s on The Strip near Flamingo Road. By the south entrance you can find Carnaval Court which is something like a street fair. In addition to kiosks with souvenirs and food stands, there is a large stage (with enough space for 375 guests) featuring free music all day long, every day of the week. Different bands play in the afternoon than in the evening, and a DJ spins out the tunes after midnight.

If gambling is your idea of having fun, the least expensive way to play is to bet on sports. A $2 bet on a ballgame, a race, or any other event will get you about three hours of free drinks. And a long shot at the races can pay for the day. Try beating that!

Every top show had to start somewhere, and Las Vegas discovers many of them. If you’d like to see a great show, but don’t want to spend too much in the process, there are quite a few not as well known acts to see. Base price on these tickets usually runs between $29 and $49 per seat; and for some of these shows that standard price is a real bargain, while for others even that seem like too much. If you’re looking for some good entertainment, and don’t care if the show has won any awards, this may be the perfect type of Las Vegas show for you.

What to Know

Las Vegas is a city that has something for everybody: adults can enjoy gambling, fine dining and nightlife, while children can enjoy the museums, light shows and numerous family-friendly attractions. There are numerous possibilities for booking cheap vacations to Las Vegas and you should not have any trouble in finding them. Cheap flights to Las Vegas are readily found online, and many people don’t know that the hotels are not as expensive as it may seem, with rooms for less than $100 a night on the Strip, the place where most of the action occurs. Another option is to book a cheap vacation package and get all the accommodation, dining and airfare included. Before making the purchase you should evaluate the type of vacation you need and decide what will suit you best. Once that has been taken care of, get your tickets and visit Las Vegas!


Have you been to Las Vegas? What did you like most? Any tips you can share with us for future travelers? If you likes this post and found it useful please “Like” it…and share it!

Most people think that the contents of a suitcase are determined by the destination. And while this is true to some measure (bikinis go in the bag for Hawaii, ski boots go in the one for Aspen), there are certain items that families should be sure to have no matter where they’re going on vacation. As any mom will tell you, band-aids, tissues, and a variety of snacks are a must for a day out at the park, and although a little more thought is required for some of the items needed for an extended trip, the basic idea is the same. So here are a few things you shouldn’t leave home without whenever you plan to travel with the family.

1. Medications (including shots). Whether you’re visiting a foreign country or driving to Grandma’s house for a week, keep in mind that you will need to get shots or refill prescriptions before you go. To that end, check in with your doctor plenty early to get any boosters, prescriptions, or notes you might need for your hiatus. If you don’t plan ahead, you may find your vacations plans foiled by missing medications.

2. An organized travel bag. Kids will need entertainment and snacks for long flights or car rides. Keep everything handy in one central location with a small piece of luggage designed for carry-on. It should have plenty of pockets for iPods, books, travel games, and granola bars to keep everyone happy. And it couldn’t hurt to get a bag that is somewhat expandable, in case you have to throw in a blankie or bear at the last minute.

3. Jackets. Even if the weather is predicted to be sunny and mild, it never hurts to take along outerwear for the whole family. You probably don’t need to pack parkas for summer travel, but at least bring hoodies for all the kids. They could come in handy as a pillow or blanket on the plane and if you get caught in an unexpected summer thunderstorm, you’ll be glad you planned ahead.

4. Identifications. Even if you’re not travelling overseas just yet, it couldn’t hurt to obtain passports for the entire family. It pays to take care of it early since it could be several weeks from the time you file until you receive your documentation. And regardless of your current travel plans, you’ll be glad you have I.D. when you need it, like if you decide to extend your vacation on the spur of the moment and take a quick jaunt up to Canada. Furthermore, it is not unheard of for kids to go missing in airports and hotels, so secure them with I.D. bracelets (or badges) that include contact information. And make sure you have current photos of everyone tucked in with your travel papers just in case you have to put out an APB.

5. Earplugs. There’s nothing worse than settling in for an oceanic flight only to be tormented by the sounds of crying babies and coughing passengers across the aisle. Make bring enough earplugs for everyone so you can start relaxing the minute you leave the tarmac.

Sure, there are other things you might want to add to the list (food, drinks, etc…which can be found anywhere), but these are the must haves for any journey, big or small.  So choose your destination, pack wisely, and hit the road!


Sarah Danielson is a writer for Calgary Cheap Hotels, where you can find affordable hotels and great tourist attractions



Do you usually carry these items with you? Are there any others we might be missing? Please leave a comment with your thoughts, and remember to share and “Like” this post if you liked it!