Vacation Spots

Budget Destinations and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Budget Destinations

Number 10 – Austin, The Texas capital is perched on the edge of Hill Country, so hiking and mountain biking options are plentiful (and free of charge). The art scene ranges from funky to highbrow, with a multitude of galleries and shows to see. This city is billed as the "live music capital of the world," with shows for just about any musical taste. However, no visit to Austin is complete without the show put on by the Congress Bridge bats. Nope, that isn't a band; it's over a million Mexican Free-tailed Bats that emerge from under the bridge nightly.

Number 9 -- Las Vegas, In Vegas, you can be fed, transported and entertained for less than you'd imagine possible. If you're on a tight budget, don't expect to get a lot of comps (freebies) from the casinos. You have to spend some to get some back. Grab every coupon book you see and watch for daily or hourly specials for food, drinks, clubs, and shows. Many food specials are off-menu, so you'll need to ask your server for it.

Number 8 – Baltimore, Inner Harbor is a must-see even if you have only a passing appreciation for boats and sailing. Here you'll be impressed by the museums and the National Aquarium. Civil War buffs can visit Fort McHenry, the birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner." You can also take in an Orioles game for as little as $8. Little Italy is a vibrant area full of great, cheap dining places, and if you're lucky enough to schmooze your way into a crab boil, your life will never be the same again.

Number 7 -- California Wine Country, Touring California Wine Country is possible even on a canned-beer budget. Tasting-room visits and winery tours are usually inexpensive and are occasionally free. Don't be discouraged by some restaurants and hotels that don't fit in with your monetary plan: Bargain food and lodging is still reasonably easy to find. Along the way, make it a point to cruise along California's Highway 1, even if it means driving out of your way -- you simply can't put a price on the coastal views.

Number 6 – Charlotte, Uptown boasts great public art displays and hosts. The Taste of Charlotte food festival each June is worth checking out, but if you're traveling in the fall, Charlotte Shout is September's month-long celebration of art and culture. You can always immerse yourself in NASCAR too. Lowes Motor Speedway, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Hendrick Motorsports Museum, Richard Childress Racing Museum, and North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame should all be on a race fan's list.

Number 5 – Cleveland, Over at the lakefront, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a mandatory stop. (Adult admission is $22 for a one-day ticket.) Later, wander next door to the Great Lakes Science Center and experience Robots + Us: Where Humans Meet Machines exhibition. Throughout Cleveland, we found it to be inexpensive, yet more clean and more sophisticated than we'd ever imagined.

Number 4 – Denver, LoDo, the historic, culturally diverse downtown area, can also be "low-dough." For about the price of a bottle of Coors Light ($4), you can head over to Coors Field to see a Colorado Rockies game. Right field reserved tickets are just $9 a piece. Getting around Denver is not a problem, because the city offers decent public transportation, including a light rail system. Denver locals tend to be outdoorsy, so you'll easily find biking, camping, hiking, and skiing outlets.

Number 3 – Memphis, "The Birthplace of Rock and Roll," Sun Studio, asks just $8.50 for a tour. This is where the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King all began. W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum on Beale Street is a mere $2 to visit. Graceland (Elvis' home and final resting place) mansion tours are $28 (see all the attractions for $69). On a somber but important note, make a point to visit the National Civil Rights Museum ($12), located on the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

Number 2 – Portland, Portland is blessed with a temperate climate and everything is close by. Feel like a trip to the mountains? Mount Hood is about an hour east of the city. Would you rather head west and check out the Pacific? That's an easy day trip too. Portland is known as the City of Roses, with a month-long rose festival each June. If you find that agreeable, you may have a hard time leaving after your visit.

Number 1 -- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Dells is a small resort town in South Central Wisconsin, roughly halfway between Minneapolis, St. Paul and Chicago. For decades, visitors have come to this little oasis to relax, play in the theme parks and take in the beauty of the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton. Concentrate on the established attractions rather than the new ones. Not only will your dollar go further, you'll experience the last bit of Americana here before it's lost for good.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The home of the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites - art and monuments are everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its cuisine, its fashion, the luxury sports cars and motorcycles, as well as for its beautiful coasts, lakes, hills and mountains.

Two independent mini-states lie within Italy: San Marino and Vatican City.

According to TripAdvisor here a list of top 10 Italy destinations:

- Amalfi - The Amalfi Coast is a thing to behold. Stretched along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the province of Salermo, it covers the towns of Cetara, Vietri sul Mare, Ravello, Minori, Scala, Conca dei Marini, Praiano, Positano and of course, Amalfi. The Amalfi Coast has a rich historical connection with the sea full of legends of pirates and sea-faring people.

- Siena - Siena was once a Roman outpost during 30 AD. Legend has it that it was founded by the sons of Remus (the twin brother of Romulus- Rome's founders), Senio and Ascanio but there is no historical value for this. The Lombards governed the city in the 6th century and the Franks later on. Sienna grew to be a great economic and military power that disputes with Florence grew regarding territories and boundaries.

- Città del Vaticano- When many people think of Citta del Vaticano - also known as Vatican City - they think of the Pope and big churches. Yet there's actually a lot more to this beautiful, historical city than that. In fact, there are so many different attractions in the city, it can be a daunting task to pick where to visit. But if you know a thing or two about the top locations, you'll know where to go and where not to go.

- San Gimignano - San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) it began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it. Such prosperity lead to the flourishing of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries.

- Florence - in Italy, is known to be one of the world's best cities to study, with its reputable schools and courses. Many art students around the world travel to Florence to study or discover the real Italian way of living. Geographically, Florence is the capital of Tuscany, which is also the most populated city in Tuscany. Through the years, Florence has enjoyed being called the Athens of the Middle Ages. Its "Historic Centre of Florence" has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1982.

- Pompeii - is a ruined and partially buried Roman city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. It, along with Herculaneum (its sister city), was destroyed, and completely buried, during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days on 24 August 79 AD.

- Venice - Italy is definitely the country of love. Statistics show that public displays of affection are shown more in Italy than in most other countries. If you're planning on going to Venice, Italy, you might be planning a romantic vacation for your significant other. In which case, you're probably wondering how exactly do you do that? Well, it's not actually that difficult, provided you follow the tips found below. Do that and you're well on your way to a great trip.

- Assisi – Known as the birthplace of the father of the Franciscan order, St. Francis was born in the town of Assisi. It is located in the province of Perugia in the region of Umbria. It was originally inhabited by the Umbrians in 1000 BC and subsequently taken over by the Etruscans. It became a Christian settlement in 238 AD when the bishop Rufino converted the inhabitants of the town. It became independent in the 11th century and St. Francis came into the picture and renounced his wealth and position in society for a life as a beggar.

- Positano - is one of the most beautiful towns located along the Amalfi Coast. The Mediterranean, with its sparkling emerald waters is a perfect backdrop to your holiday if you plan to come to Positano. Rich in history, as well as natural sights and magnificent landmarks, Positano will surely become one of your favorite destinations.

- Rome - So you've chosen to go on a vacation to Rome. It's definitely an excellent vacation choice, and you should have a great time there. However, since it is such a big city, it can be a little hard to know what the best places to visit in Rome are. That's why we'll be going over all the places you should consider visiting while you're in the beautiful city of Rome.

References:

http://www.squidoo.com/10-Italy

http://www.catalogs.com/info/travel-vacations/top-10-vacation-destinations.html

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/galleries/budget-destinations

http://www.squidoo.com/US-roadtrip

http://www.squidoo.com/topics/travel

Lodging Accomodations

Classifications of Lodging Accommodations

Hotel

A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning or climate control. Additional common features found in hotel rooms are a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, and Internet connectivity; snack foods and drinks may be supplied in a mini-bar, and facilities for making hot drinks. Larger hotels may provide a number of additional guest facilities such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare, and have conference and social function services.

Motel

A Motel, a portmanteau of motor and hotel or motorists' hotel, referred initially to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms whose doors faced a parking lot and, in some circumstances, a common area; or a series of small cabins with common parking. As the United States highway system began to develop in the 1920s, long distance road journeys became more common and the need for inexpensive, easily accessible overnight accommodation sited close to the main routes, led to the growth of the motel concept.

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast, also known as B&B, is a term, originating in the United Kingdom, but now also used all over the world, for an establishment that offers accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with only one or two bedrooms available for commercial use. Generally, guests are accommodated in private bedrooms with private bathrooms, or in a suite of rooms including an en suite bathroom. Some homes have private bedrooms with a bathroom which is shared with other guests. Breakfast is served in the bedroom, a dining room, or the host's kitchen.

B&Bs and guest-houses may be operated either as a secondary source of income or a primary occupation. Usually the owners themselves prepare the breakfast and clean the room etc., but some bed and breakfasts hire staff for cleaning or cooking. A property which hires professional management is no longer a bed and breakfast, but enters the category of Inn, Guest House or Small Hotel.^{[citation needed]} B&B's are a form of a tertiary business.^{[citation needed]}

Some B&Bs operate in a niche market. Floating Bed and Breakfasts for example are a concept (originating in Seattle Washington) in which a boat or houseboat offers B&B style accommodation.

Resort

A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company. Such a self-contained resort attempts to provide for most of a vacationer's wants while remaining on the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping. The term "resort" sometimes is misused to identify a hotel that does not provide the other amenities required of a full resort. However, a hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort, such as the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island, Michigan. A resort is not merely a commercial establishment operated by a single company, although in the late twentieth century this sort of facility became more common.

Short term Rental Apartments or Suites

An apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building. Apartments may be owned (by an owner/occupier) or rented (by tenants).

A common alternative term for apartment is flat. The term apartment is favored in North America, whereas the term flat is commonly, but not exclusively, used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth nations. In Malaysian English, flat often denotes a housing block of lesser quality meant for lower-income groups, while apartment is more generic and may also include luxury condominiums.

The word unit is a more general term referring to both apartments and rental business suites. The word is generally used only in the context of a specific building. E.g., "This building has three units" or "I'm going to rent a unit in this building", but not "I'm going to rent a unit somewhere."

Apartments can be classified into several types. In the US the typical terms are a Studio, efficiency, bedsit, or bachelor style apartment. These all tend to be the smallest apartments with the cheapest rents in a given area. These kinds of apartment usually consist mainly of a large room which is the living, dining, and bedroom combined. There are usually kitchen facilities as part of this central room, but the bathroom is its own smaller separate room.

Moving up from the efficiencies are one-bedroom apartments, in which one bedroom is separate from the rest of the apartment. Then there are two-bedroom, three-bedroom, etc. apartments. Small apartments often have only one entrance.

Large apartments often have two entrances, perhaps a door in the front and another in the back. Depending on the building design, the entrance doors may be directly to the outside or to a common area inside, such as a hallway. Depending on location, apartments may be available for rent furnished with furniture or unfurnished into which a tenant usually moves in with their own furniture. A garden apartment has some characteristics of a townhouse: each apartment has its own entrance, and apartments are not placed vertically over one another. However, a garden apartment is usually only one story high and never more than two stories; they are often one-bedrooms and almost never more than two-bedrooms. Some garden apartment buildings place a one-car garage under each apartment, with pedestrian entrances from a common courtyard open at one end. The grounds are more landscaped than for other modestly scaled apartments. (Alternately, "garden apartment" can refer to a unit built half below grade, putting its windows at garden level.

Laundry facilities may be found in a common area accessible to all the tenants in the building, or each apartment may have its own facilities. Depending on when the building was built and the design of the building, utilities such as water, heating, and electricity may be common for all the apartments in the building or separate for each apartment and billed separately to each tenant (however, many areas in the US have ruled it illegal to split a water bill among all the tenants, especially if a pool is on the premises). Outlets for connection to telephones are typically included in apartments. Telephone service is optional and is practically always billed separately from the rent payments. Cable television and similar amenities are extra also. Parking space(s), air conditioner, and extra storage space may or may not be included with an apartment. Rental leases often limit the maximum number of people who can reside in each apartment. On or around the ground floor of the apartment building, a series of mailboxes are typically kept in a location accessible to the public and, thus, to the mailman too. Every unit typically gets its own mailbox with individual keys to it. Some very large apartment buildings with a full-time staff may take mail from the mailman and provide mail-sorting service. Near the mailboxes or some other location accessible by outsiders, there may be a buzzer (equivalent to a doorbell) for each individual unit. In smaller apartment buildings such as two- or three-flats, or even four-flats, garbage is often disposed of in trash containers similar to those used at houses. In larger buildings, garbage is often collected in a common trash bin or Dumpster. For cleanliness or minimizing noise, many lessors will place restrictions on tenants regarding keeping pets in an apartment.

In some parts of the world, the word apartment refers to a new purpose-built self-contained residential unit in a building, whereas the word flat means a converted self-contained unit in an older building. An industrial, warehouse, or commercial space converted to an apartment is commonly called a loft.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_and_Breakfast

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080710073607AAVSOuA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resorts

Food

Food Classifications

We are laying special stress on the mineral element and vitamins because these are the elements which have been overlooked and the absence of these elements in our foods has been the cause of much illness. But in order to avoid confusion it is really necessary that you should have a clear and condensed knowledge of all classes of food, food divisions and food values.

Food taken into the body serves two purposes:

1^st.) It repairs waste and builds tissue. 2^nd.) It supplies heat and energy.

The mineral element supplies material for bones and teeth and without it the blood and digestive organs cannot properly function. We may therefore consider the minerals as the tools which the blood must have in order to properly handle the other tissue-building, heat-producing foods.

Most of you are familiar with the old academic food division, viz., Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats. A few there may be who are not. Don't be disturbed by the high sounding names. They are in reality very simple.

PROTEIN is the element found in meats, etc. CARBOHYDRATE is the element in starches and sugars.

Protein is a tissue-building food.

Carbohydrates and fats are chiefly heat and energy foods.

Proteins are of two kinds—Vegetable and Animal. Animal Proteins are found in meat, fish, eggs, milk and cheese.

The principal sources of protein are:

1. Meats of all kinds (the lean part), such as beef, veal, mutton, lean pork, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, game, both feathered and furred, in fact, all lean flesh from animals and birds.

2. Fish of all kinds, such as trout, salmon, herring, pickerel, pike, cod, halibut, mackerel, sturgeon, and shad. Also shellfish, like oysters (which are mostly water), clamas, crabs and lobsters.

3. Legumes, the chief of which are all kinds of dried beans, dried peas, lentils and peanuts. Also green peas, and both the green and the dried lima beans.

4. Dairy products, including sweet milk, clabbered milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese and all other kinds of cheese. Cream contains but little protein, and butter practically none.

5. Nuts, especially almonds, Brazil nuts, filberts, hickory nuts, pecans, English walnuts, butternuts, pistachios and pignolias. (Peanuts are legumes, not true nuts. Chestnuts contain much starch and only a little protein.)

Vegetable Proteins are found in nuts, whole grains (wheat, corn, rye, oats, etc.), and in beans, peas, lentils, etc.

Opinions differ as to whether you should eat animal protein in the form of meat at all, but all scientists agree that at least one-half of your proteins should be of vegetable origin. Also it has been demonstrated that about three ounces of protein is all one person in normal health can take care of in a day. Any more than that overloads the kidneys. This means about one and one-half ounces animal proteins, which equals about six ounces of lean meat or fish. (The fat in the meat is estimated as fat.)

A great majority of you have been overeating on protein foods. The kidneys cannot take care of it. The overload is a slow poison. Cut down on the protein.

Carbohydrates being starches and sugars, your own intelligence will guide you in locating them. Starches are most abundant in potatoes, bread, cereals, beans, peas, etc. The tubers—turnips, car-rots, parsnips, etc.—contain very little. All starches are turned into sugar during the process of digestion.

All dietitians use the academic division and agree that a balanced diet should consist of

1st. Protein 10 to 15%
2nd. Fats 25 to 30%
3rd. Carbohydrates 60 to 65%
4th. Mineral Salts

Sometimes this fourth division is mentioned, sometimes not, but not much stress has ever been laid on it until very recently.

THIS 4TH DIVISION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL; WITHOUT IT THE BODY Cannot PROPERLY MAKE USE OF THE OTHER FOOD ELEMENTS.

In other words, the mineral element is necessary for proper functioning. Food must be digested and burned. Combustion cannot take place without the proper balance of mineral in the blood.

Furthermore a diet of Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats is purely acid-forming. The mineral element must be present in sufficient quantities to sweeten the blood and make it alkaline.

The vitamins are with the minerals—inseparable. The sailors on board the Kronprinz Wilhelm were fed on the perfectly balanced diet according to this old academic division, and we know what happened to them. They had no mineral balance and they suffered the consequences.'

Just remember that it is almost impossible to pre-pare an ordinary old-fashioned meal without its Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats (meat, potatoes, bread and butter) while in millions of American homes today the mineral element is almost totally absent.

The menus given in the following pages have a fair balance of all the food divisions.

One thing more—The Proteins found in the gluten of wheat are feeble, but the Proteins found in the germs are rich and health-giving. This precious germ is removed in the milling of white flour. Don't forget that. Not only the minerals but the Proteins are lost.

Food is anything which, when taken into the body under proper conditions, is broken down and taken into the blood and utilized for building, repairing or the production of heat or energy.

References:

http://www.nutrientrich.com/food-classification-chart.html

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/healthnutrition/food/

http://www.nutrientrich.com/foodclassificationchart_full.php?focus=vegetables

http://www.fao.org/infoods/nomenclature_en.stm

http://www.enotalone.com/article/12916.html