At first glace it seems that Palm Springs is a place for mature audiences to find much-needed rest and relaxation and that there is not much for the younger crowd to enjoy. But, on closer inspection, one will find that Palm Springs is extremely family friendly and a great place to take your family o...

One of the awesome services the Internet has brought to the consumer is the ability to book travel online. From hotels to car rentals to theme park tickets and more, you`ll find that there are dozens of opportunities as close as your keyboard. But before you take the steps to actually commit to thos...

It`s a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and harassed at the thought of having to organize a party or special dinner. We spend hours trying to make everything perfect, preparing the most elaborate dishes, struggling over fiddly, expensive decorations, spending more money than we can afford ...

Overflowing with history, art and culture, Florence is a city that?s very hard to do justice to in a single day. A visit to the Uffizi museum alone could easily eat a day or two into any itinerary. If you?re fortunate enough to visit Florence for the first time, but unfortunate enough to have only a...

August 1, 2003, after living my entire existence in the United States of America, I moved to Mexico with my wife of 20 years. We settled in Guanajuato, Mexico, for the simple reason that we could no longer afford to live in the United States. Afflicted with a chronic illness, we could no longer affo...

Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressive people. This is one of my favourite countries in all of Africa. The people of Uganda have survived the troubles of 1967-86 period and emerged standing upright and wearing a smile. In that short period, the country suffered under the caprice of two des...

Going away on vacation should be an enjoyable experience but everyone has a horror story to tell. Perhaps your hotel room was robbed, or perhaps a careless spouse accidentally gambled away more money than they realized, or perhaps you simply lost your wallets somewhere between the airport and hotel....

St Lucia would be just at home in the South Pacific, but it resides in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, and is part of the Windward Islands. Just north of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago lies a tropical paradise equal to the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Fiji. The calm waters of the Caribbean Sea which...

Thousands of people every year dream of going to live in Spain and a small percentage of them do it, what is the reason for the dream, and how does the reality live up to it? I came to Spain in 1991, 14 years ago at the time of writing, with my husband and three young children then aged 4,7 and ...

One of the most popular tourist destinations in both the United States and throughout the world is Hawaii. Hawaii is a state consisting of islands. These include Hawaii, known as the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. The attractions available on these six islands range from advent...

In the summer, the majority of indoor cinemas close and the open-air cinemas take over. Other cities occasionally dabble in open-air cinemas ? temporary ones are occasionally set up in London parks, for example ? but in Greece they are a well-established feature in the evening entertainment scene a...

Well it is that time of the year again and if your little ones are anything like mine, they are probably getting pretty excited about carving pumpkins. Pumpkin carving is a very entertaining hobby but as with most hobbies you need to take precautions so that you and your little ones have a fun and ...

Nearly everyone needs to rent a car at some point in his or her life. It could be while on vacation or when your current vehicle needs some work done or has been in an accident. Enterprise rental cars are a great option for someone who needs to rent a car. While they specialize in local and neighbor...

There does not seem to be a lack of home owners who seek out the services of a house sitter. Our modern age has drastically changed the lifestyle of many. With business travel, military assignments and even some families owning more than one home, house sitters never have to fear being without a ...

San Francisco is the USA spirit as much as it is the opposite = people who love the USA as a tourist destination will love San Francisco, people who dislike the USA as a tourist destination will, yes you guessed right, love San Francisco just the same and this is because San Francisco is surely a un...

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel & Bookpleasures is pleased to have as our guest, travel writer and author, Chelle Koster Walton. Chelle is an expert on Florida, particularly the West Coast of Florida, and she has contributed articles to the Miami Herald, National Geographic Traveler, ...

So you`ve decided to shun the neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts? After all, you`ve heard how much more personal and romantic the b&b experience is, right? Well....usually that`s the gospel truth. However, there a...

South Africa is a relatively large country. Its is five times the size of Britain, twice as big as France and about one eighth the size of the United States of America. Climate South Africa ranks high in the world as far as sunshine days are concerned and the climate is generally mild throughout the...

I had never heard of Lake Iseo before I visited the Bergamo area, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy in January 2004. I read about it in booklets I picked up at Bergamo airport tourist office on my return home. I resolved to visit soon as it sounded so lovely. In April 2004 I was on the ...

Prince Edward Island, the smallest province of Canada (both in size and populace) is surrounded by water bodies ? the Northumberland Strait on the south and west and the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the north and east. The marvelous scenic beauty of this crescent shaped marine province ? the sandy beach...

The Chagga people are mountain people, who live on and in the shadow of Kilimanjaro ? Northern Tanzania. They once believed in Sheuta and ancient creator god who formed the human race as a potter creates earthen vessels. Even to this day people talk of the process of pot making is comparable to the...

Are you ready to tackle a family vacation? These tips might help you to have a more enjoyable experience. I hope you find a few that you can put to use on your next getaway with the little ones. (1) - Include your family in the planning process. Find out what is important to all family members and...

To fully understand Normandy, one has to visit more than WWII sites and museums. To experience this region and understand its history and culture, one should visit these eight venues: 1. Honfleur- This picturesque little port village has been a magnet for artists for years, including the French imp...

There are many choices for aircraft detailing when it comes to aviation uses. One product we like after tying them all out was a product by Alcoa Corporation. The product is distributed by CLB Enterprises at Alcoa Corporation for aluminum polish in all aspects of detailing. We used this on some mus...

Are you working too much? If you are stressed out and in need of some rest and relaxation, consider a weekend getaway. A two day trip to somewhere close can be a great way to recoup and connect with your spouse or loved ones. If you are on a budget, have no fear, with a little bit of planning you ...

If you have ever been in Santiago, Chile and spent a week there you would have recognize the ?People of the Walk.? They are the ones that have a certain street by the Palace area, and I guess one would call it the merchant area and they start gathering there about 4:00 PM. Sometimes even earlier, ...

The Costa del Sol is blessed with several traditional Spanish white villages, or Pueblos Blancos, each with its own unique atmosphere. However there is something about the village of Casares that just makes you stand and stare. As you approach Casares up a steep winding slope it is difficult to prev...

A mountain biking vacation is a great way to unwind for a while and explore America. Several companies organize mountain biking tours that go through scenic areas, and often arrange accommodations for travelers. A mountain biking vacation can be perfect for an athletic couple looking to relax and ...

Cuernavaca is one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in Mexico, and it has a mild climate all year as well. Sounds nice, doesn`t it? Located only an hour`s drive from Mexico City but some 2500 feet lower in elevation, it`s a world apart... except maybe on weekends when thousands of people...

Australia, The Commonwealth of Australia, is a country located in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia comprises the world`s smallest continent as well as a number of islands in the Southern, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Neighboring Countries to Australia include: Indonesia, The Solomon Islands, East Ti...

Airport parking is not counted among the enjoyable parts of travel, whether for business or pleasure. When you are budgeting for travel, you may or may not even consider it in your costs. For those who are watching their money (and who aren`t) there are ways that you can save money on parking and ...

Romantic Getaways In Italy As Perceived By Maria Liberati, Author Of The Basic Art Of Italian Cooking Today, Bookpleasures.com and Sketchandtravel.com, are pleased to have as its guest, Maria Liberati, supermodel and author of the soon to be released cook- book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking. The ...

Hostels have been around in one form or another for a long time. They are oriented towards young travelers and anyone else seeking cheap accommodations. The United States version was originally more complicated, with guests helping with chores, etc. It is much simpler now: you rent a bed instead of ...

During the last decades, Netherlands also known as Holland has become the symbol of freedom due to its legalization of light drugs, euthanasia and marriages between gays and lesbians. Amsterdam, its capital, is the most visited city in the country but besides the access to the above-mentioned libert...

This past year with the travel budget a little light from the family ski trip we ditched the summer trip to Florida (sorry sis) to instead get to know some old familiar in the neighborhood activities. Well they familiar with me anyway, having grown up visiting these recreational areas several times ...

To start talking about this beautiful province, British Columbia (also known as BC) dates back to July, 20 1871, where it was the sixth province to join the Confederation. The people of the province settled in different cities. Vancouver, Vancouver island, Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond, Delt...

There are many great restaurants and eating establishments in Hawaii. Here?s a small sample of places to enjoy a good meal. Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant ? This is a bed and breakfast inn located in Volcano National Park. Meals span from traditional American/European to wild game. They have a good wi...

Are you tired of watching your friends, family members and coworkers go on vacation and return a week later with a beautiful tan? Well it could be you with that stunning tan if you plan your next vacation in the right place. By selecting one of our top ten places to get a tan as your next travel des...

Fishing in Jamaica is part of a dream vacation for many. There are many excellent fishing spots, as is evidenced by Jamaica?s international popularity as a fishing destination and tournament site. Deep-sea fishing trips are easily chartered, as are fishing tours of the region. As an island nation, f...

I admit it: Yesterday I was playing hooky, away for the whole day from my office, something that always makes me feel guilty. First thing in the morning I had a networking meeting of local female home-office business owners that I was invited to by my strategic consultants. In my jeans and hiking bo...

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn`t considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a s...

Anxiety in dogs can be caused by any number of things - illness, travel, thunderstorms, death in the family, separation, or they may develop unexplained phobic or neurotic behaviour, or barking or other antisocial behaviour. If you can identify the cause of the anxiety, then the best solution to t...

Situated in the northeastern portion of Florida, lies one of the gems of the state and a popular vacation destination: Jacksonville. Far from being just an urban destination, Jacksonville offers a unique vacationing experience complete with beaches, natural attraction, museums, wildlife exhibits and...

The travel industry has been going through some significant changes over the last few years. Mom and Pop travel agencies are quickly being replaced by online booking engines like Orbitz or Travelocity. But there is one problem: 80% of all vacations are taken at the recommendation of a friend. Now...

In my teens, I traveled to France with my mother, father and grandmother for a month of sightseeing with a rental car. Michael Schumacher and Formula 1 have nothing on my father and our Opel rental car. American fathers have an interesting if somewhat aggravating habit on trips. Yes, I am talking...

So there are destinations and destinations, each offering their distinct USPs. Hot attractions that draw tourists seeking an ?experience? to carry home ? a trophy to substantiate a battery of travel yarns. But in this craze for acquiring the best seller, our jetsetter often overlooks the finer det...

Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury cruises offering an opportunity to explore and discover three hundred ports on 6 continents, including Antarctica. All the luxury liners share the same style of accommodation, service, dining and amenities. Radisson Cruise has been twice ch...

Guidebooks and travel magazines are helpful when trying to choose hotels, excursions, or a destination for your next vacation. Travel agents are even better. But what could be less biased and more helpful than no-holds-barred, word-of-mouth comments and comparisons of trips made by other travelers ...

Bunbury is located approximately 172kms south of Perth. Bunbury is a water wonderland visited by day trippers and holiday makers alike all year round. The towns population is approximately 30,000 and continuing to grow. There is so much to see and do in and around Bunbury too. We have pristine bea...

It`s A Wonderful Life (1946) began as a short story called "The Greatest Gift". Writer Philip Van Doren Stern was unable to sell it to a publisher, so he sent the tale out as a long Christmas card to friends. His agent subsequently sold the fable to RKO pictures, where it went through several trans...