1. Your Vacation Should Be More Than A Holiday

2. 34 % OF AMERICAN WORKERS DO NOT USE ALL OF THEIR VACATION TIME People who take the fewest holidays are most likely to suffer a heart attack Those who take fewer holidays are 30 percent more likely to die of a heart attack Vacation time may even stave off old age. Stress has also been shown to exacerbate ailments from headaches to heart disease, colds to cancer.

3. Despite the clear benefits of getting away, Americans take less time off than citizens of any other country in the industrialized world. Finland and France employers are required to give six weeks off Almost any kind of holiday can benefit health to some degree However, the healthy effects of the vacation will be lost if it becomes a time to drink too much and eat unhealthy foods

4. Two vacations a year can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 % A sure way to increase the health quotient of a vacation is to make good plans for your vacation. 1. Find out what your family is looking for in a vacation. 2. Establish how far you want to travel. 3. Narrow down your choices. 4. Find out about hotels and resort choices in the area. 5. Plan your budget 6. Make the reservations. 7. Remember to book golf tee times, activities, etc. 8. It may be a good idea to purchase travel insurance 9. Make a list of items that you have to purchase before you go. 10. A check list can give you a peace of mind

5. Here is a check list of typical things to do before you go 1. Confirm your vacation reservations 2. Hold mail delivery and cancel newspaper delivery 3. Set your air conditioning thermostat 4. Organize your credit cards and traveler checks 5. Make a list of emergency numbers 6. Make copies of your identification documents 7. When visiting a foreign country, order a small amount of that currency 8. Pack as light as possible or consider shipping large bags 9. Before you leave, check the weather at your destination 10. If you are flying, call and confirm your airline flight time 11. Pack your video and camera equipment at least 24 hours before leaving 12. Pack a small carryon bag of essentials 13. Make a special note of any medications 14. If you are driving make sure that you have a road atlas handy

7. Be a Sport: Climb a rock wall, ice skate, basketball, volley ball or just jog.

8. Casino Action: Try your luck at elaborate onboard casinos

9. Put on your dancing shoes: Twirl , groove , and boogie the night away to live music.

10. Wake up to a new horizon: Your morning gaze from the deck might bring you a sight of a passing ship or maybe a wild untamed coastline.

11. Explore a new destination Shore excursions let you savor the local culture while you visit a multitude of exotic and historic spots on the same trip.

12. The live entertainment: Cruises’ stage shows rival Broadway or Las Vegas

13. The gourmet food: Ships’ chefs create incredible concoctions, using the most exquisite ingredients — artisan cheeses, seasonal greens, tender meats and exotic spices.

14. Fun for everyone in the family — children as well as adults: Most cruises cater to families with choices for kids of all ages, such as playgroup sessions, art and science activities, theater and games.

15. Never stop learning: Take advantage of your cruise’s classes, seminars and lectures to develop a new skill or pursue a passion.

16. See wildlife in its natural habitat: The water your ship plies is home sweet home to some of the world’s most magnificent creatures.

17. Dress to the nines at the Captain’s Dinner: Most cruises have at least one night on which passengers are invited to don formalwear to “see and be seen.”

18. Get waited on hand and foot: Is pampering your pleasure? You’ll be in your element here.

19. Everything’s included: This may be the best reason of all to cruise; the meals, the room service, the poolside pizza, the classes, the shows, the movies — they’re all part of your cruise fee.

20. The Basic Steps to having a great Cruise Number One – Select the right ship Sail with a like minded crowd. Vessels run from small intimate sailboats for 50 couples to ultra large carrying more than 4,000 passengers.

21. Number Two – Choose the right Itinerary Which itinerary will give me the most advantage for what I expect?

22. Number Three – Choose the right cabin Choosing the right room on a ship is more important than in a hotel.

23. GRAND VENTURES TRAVEL Travel Resources For information about your destinations hotels, weather, etc. -- Professionaltravelguide.com The latest information about what you can carry on the flight with you, wait times, etc. www.tsa.gov Up to date health information at your destination wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

24. The White Pass - Yukon Railway

25. Amazing Railway Routes GREAT PICTURES of The White Pass - Yukon Railway Music : Patsy Cline - Live is railway to heaven

26. If you have never seen this railway before , it runs from Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska . I t is a fantastic sight in real life . For those of you who have been there you will know what I am talking abou t.

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