Find the Proper Fitness Retreat for You and Your Goals

Over the years, the fitness retreat and fitness vacation have become great alternatives to the traditional vacation for many people. Feeling rejuvenated and revived after vacation is becoming something people are realizing leaves them healthier and happier. The days of needing a vacation after your vacation are not over but many seem to prefer de-stressing, relaxing, working out and feeling an overall sense of health and well being upon returning from a getaway. There are a few key factors when looking for a fitness retreat that you'll need to consider.

First of all, make sure you know exactly what it is you are looking for, what you want to get out of a fitness retreat and what your goals are. Whether you're interested in losing weight, learning and practicing yoga or hiking, there is a place for you. Assess each retreat that you find and perform a compare and contrast to distinguish the different programs offered, services provided and type of fitness and wellness activities you'll be participating in. Consider the amount of exercise you'll be doing each day, the trainers and their qualifications and how long the program or property has been in existence. In addition, are you looking for a group setting or one on one attention? All of these things matter and can truly impact your experience at a fitness retreat.

Next, you'll need to consider location and travel time. You'll need to check with the property of your choice to verify check in times and check out times. Also, how easy is this retreat to get to? Is it easily accessed by you via car, train or air? Factor in travel time as it could be important in terms of beginning and ending your program. In addition, is transportation to and from the airport provided or are there recommendations offered to make a smooth transition to life at the fitness retreat. Make sure to consider the terrain as well. Reserving a space in a program that is located in the mountains wouldn't make sense if you don't like the mountains. Pick a place in a location that inspires you as well. Feeling inspired by nature and your surroundings will truly put you at ease and comfort you as you embark on this adventure.

Lastly, it's time to focus on the extras and the details. Extras and details refer to those important factors that can enhance your retreat tremendously. If spa and spa treatments are important to you, you'll need to research whether there is a spa on property and what type of treatments it offers. The type of products the spa uses is also a factor as well as what types of other amenities are offered at the spa including steam rooms, saunas, cold plunge pools and more. Working out at a fitness retreat often times requires a good massage to soothe tired, achy muscles. In addition, consider food and food quality. Question the type of menu and whether the food theme is vegetarian, vegan or just a general well balanced menu. Your preferences with food could make or break your choosing a particular fitness retreat. You'll also need to consider the type of sleeping arrangements, amenities of the property including pools, fitness center, parking and other incidental items.

Finding a fitness retreat is a process that can be great fun. Researching different properties to find the perfect place for you requires time and effort but the search is part of the experience. Through your research you may find places and programs that peak your interest as a potential to try something new or at a later date. Focus on your goals, the location and all of the extras and details involved to pick the right place for you. It's your experience and therefore making sure the retreat is suitable for you is most important.

Great Family Adventures During Holidays in Dorset

If you plan to treat your whole family to a nice getaway, booking one of the luxurious Dorset holiday cottages will make this fantasy come to reality. These Dorset cottages are just perfect for those who are travelling within a group, big or small. Famous for wonderful self-catering accommodations, these holiday cottages provide excellent customer service and five star treatment. Each holiday cottage is equipped with amenities that will bring total comfort to guests. These include telephone, in-door safe, fully furnished kitchen, LCD television, bathroom with tub and centralized heating and air conditioning system. There are also pet-friendlyDorset holiday cottages if in case you want to tag along your adorable cats and dogs in your family hideaway. You may also occupy one of the private parking spaces exclusively allotted for guests of the cottages. Apart from these benefits, staying in one of the holiday cottages will bring you close to several stunning tourist destinations in the island. Here are some options.

The Farmer Palmer's Farm

Children love animals and this adoration is innate. To paint smiles in the hearts of your kids and young at hearts, head straight to the Farmers Palmer's Farm. A theme park located near your Dorset holiday cottages, the Farmers Palmer's Farm is one of the most visited in Dorset. Enjoy day-outs with the family in here and watch spectacular events unfold every hour. Here, your little ones can try tractor rides, climb straw mountains and play at the bouncy castles. If you get hungry and have no time to cook in your cottage, there are cafes nearby that serve lip-smacking snacks. The park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ticket reservations may be made prior to visit.

The Brownsea Island Cruise

If you love the unspoilt attractions that you have visited so far while staying in one of the upscale Dorset holiday cottages, wait until you try the Brownsea Island Cruise. This remarkable journey will bring you close to some of the nature's never-before seen wonders. While at sea, you will be astounded by the affluent marine ecosystem in Dorset. You will pass by the beautiful beaches at the Poole Island and you will have the chance to savour in the goodness of the place. When you get to Brownsea Island, your kids will definitely fall in love with the variety of rare animals they can see in here like deer, peacock, turtles and more. Inside the ferry, you will delighted by delectable dishes they will serve as a complement. It is also advised that you leave your cottages early if you want to join the cruise.

Gives you loads of information on spending the best of your holiday cottages and accommodations at Cornawall, Dorset, Isle of Wight, Devon, Newquay and Brixham.

Guidelines for Philippine Group Dive Trips

The world is mostly underwater. It is completely understandable why many people are fascinated by the wonders that oceans can bring us. One of the most popular destinations for group dive trips is the Philippines, an archipelago composed of more than 7,000 islands. Located in Southeast Asia, the Philippines has temperate waters full of coral reefs, making it an ideal diving site.

It is very easy to have scheduled dive trips in the Philippines because of the many resorts offering their services. You can choose from thousands of resorts open for divers enthusiastic to explore the waters of the Philippines. There are many places to go scuba diving with certified instructors making sure that your trip is safe and at the same time, enjoyable.

Most group dive trips happen in the Luzon islands. This is very convenient for travelers who would be coming from the country's capital city. You can travel by land, ferry and sometimes plane to reach some of the best sites for diving. Anilao in Batangas, Puerto Galera in Mindoro and Busuanga in Northern Palawan are some of the most favorite diving spots in the northern part of the Philippines.

If you are to go a little south, you can also see some other beautiful diving places. Malapascua in Cebu is a laid-back place just recently discovered for its beautiful diving spots. There are only a few resorts here compared to the other places. If you want to dive in the Philippines, you have to take into consideration the number of people travelling in your group and the kind of service that the resort can give you so you can enjoy your vacation more.

There are many certified scuba instructors around the country. If this is one of your first group dive trips, learn to dive first. Safety should always be your priority. Learn the hand signals that will come in handy underwater. Do not dive alone and always stay close to your instructor. The water is one of the most unpredictable elements, so you don't want to become its victim during an enjoyable trip.

If you have scheduled dive trips in the Philippines, make sure also that you are prepared to tackle the islands and its peoples. Convert your money into the local currency (peso) for easier travelling. You shouldn't have any problems looking for money changers because most resorts have local exchange services. Ensure that the diving site you intend to go to has ATMs and credit card services. If these are not present, make sure that you withdraw enough cash from the city before travelling to the outskirts for your diving trip. Most diving sites have cell phone signal and internet services but it will serve you well if you confirm with your resort first. Bring your own first aid and hygiene kits especially if you are going to a relatively new and undisturbed island for diving.

Discovering the amazing features of the underwater is a luxury that few of us can afford. There are many treasures and creatures waiting to be discovered underwater. By following these simple guidelines and tips, you will surely enjoy your Philippine group dive trips, taking pleasure from the blue waters and warm hospitality of the Filipino people.

Douglas, Castletown and Port St Mary

After pleasant journey from Pier Head in Liverpool to Douglas Harbour, I returned to the Isle of Man after an absence of approximately twenty years. I regularly visit old haunts to reminisce and am usually surprised at the pace of change but the Isle of Man seemed to be stuck in a time warp. I enjoyed revisiting some of the famous features and also discovered some hidden treasures

On the promenade in Douglas is a striking memorial to William Hillary who founded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I.) In 1830, at the age of 60, he took part in the rescue of the packet St George, which had foundered on Conister Rock at the entrance to Douglas Harbour. As a result, Hillary became a prominent member of the scheme to build the Tower of Refuge on Conister Rock which still stands there and is the subject of a poem by William Wordsworth.

The Isle of Man has long standing brewing regulations which forbids the use of additives in any beer brewed there. The island has become a Mecca for real ale enthusiasts who visit the many pubs to sample the excellent beers on sale. I recommend Okells Bitter and enjoyed a few pints myself in and around Douglas.

At the far end of Douglas promenade is a small village called Onchan which is home to a remarkable, recreation of St Bernadette's Grotto in Lourdes. It was built in 1951, near to St Anthony's Church as a replica of the natural cave in France where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858 and was the brainchild of Father James McGrath who sadly died in 1982.

Close to Douglas and Onchan is Groudle Glen which to my amazement was deserted during my Friday evening visit in high season during August. It consisted of an easily accessible stream complete with waterfalls and a waterwheel flowing through a picturesque wooded valley. I thoroughly recommend it.

Within easy reach of Douglas, past Ronaldsway Airport is the ancient capital of the Isle of Man called Castletown which was home to the government until it relocated to Douglas. The narrow streets and working harbour are dominated by Castle Rushen which used to provide a home both to the Kings and the government. I visited on the day of the Castletown Festival when the roads were closed to accommodate stalls, attractions and Bouncy Castles. A good time was had by all.

Further along from Castletown is Port St Mary which is the home of sailing on the Isle of Man and I have happy memories of childhood holidays spent there. I can say the same about many other places but Port St Mary, for once doesn't disappoint with it's the clear water in a quiet, tranquil bay, clean sand and a quaint harbour. On a summers day it's an idyllic spot and one of my favourite places on earth.

From Ngong With Tales of Silk And Silkworms

Our travels this April, it seems, will be accentuated by the visit recently to the small but vibrant town of Ngong which played host to a unique trade fair held at the community level where producers and processors can showcase their products to their clients - the Kenya Livestock Producers Association Trade Fair which was to be officially opened by Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Internal Security. The trade fair offers an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and producers to showcase their goods and services to the community.

The trade fair has traditionally targeted mostly crop and livestock farmers and hence most of the wares exhibited are of an agricultural nature ranging from improved seed varieties, new feed formulas guaranteed to improve yields, livestock insurance products and the like. But there is an occasional outlier that proves to be an eye open to all who attend.

The Ngong exhibition held on the 29th of April had one such outlier - a sericulture project showcased by the National Sericulture Station from Thika. Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk.

Silkworms, which are offspring of moths, produce their highly-desirable, silk by spewing out thread from tiny holes in their jaws, which they use to spin into their egg-bearing cocoons. This entire production takes a mere 72 hours, during which time they produce between 500-1,200 silken threads.

Once the silkworm completes its cocoon, the farmer takes it from the silkworm to prevent the shrunken pupa, carefully encased inside, from hatching into a moth in 12 days. The silk farmers ensure that this event does not transpire, and does not jeopardise this very labour-intensive moneymaking venture, by exposing the cocoons to heat, thereby executing the pupa.

The silk production process begins by bathing the now-empty cocoons in troughs of warm water, which serves to soften the gum binding the silken filaments together. The farmer then proceeds with the arduous task of unraveling several cocoons, and winding the filaments onto a reel that twists 10-12 filaments together into a 'single' thread of silk. The end product is a skein of raw silk. The value of the final product is graded according to the number of threads threaded together. A 3 threaded thread is more expensive than a 2 threaded thread and so on.

We gathered that with only a ¼ of an acre one can expect to generate up to Kshs 20,000.00 per year which can be improved with irrigation to Kshs 32,500.00. The Thika project is using the Mulberry plant (which, according to the exhibitor, can be as many as 4,000 plants in just an acre) to feed the worms which are housed in a 7x5x3m room which can accommodate about 40,000 silkworms.

We found the level of sanitization of these small creatures very intense - the whole room plus the floor are first disinfected with formalin (any other disinfectant can also be used) before lime is sprinkled around the house.

During good weather (adequate rainfall) one cycle of silkworm rearing can produce about 40kgs of cocoons. With good management up to four cycles can be possible in a year.

But the story of the silk worm though an outlier, did not start in Thika or Ngong. The ancient Chinese unearthed the silkworm's secret, and were the first to spin the silkworm's threads into cloth. They kept this clandestine, top-secret operation, from the rest of the world by imposing the death sentence upon those who smuggled the worm and/or its eggs out of China.

There has been a growing trend to change paradigms of agricultural production systems from the traditional farming enterprises to those that yield the most benefits while using the least cost. Sericulture alongside rabbit keeping is proving to be one such enterprise of the future.

Essence of Incredible India

India, the seventh largest country in the world by area, has become a lively place to visit because of its landscape, history, religion and archaeological wonders. Traveling to this country gives an insight into the rich cultural heritage, traditions and industrial & economic development. The tourism sector of India has also developed rapidly as the country has a number of attractions and interesting places of tourist interest. Moreover, emerging as a major tourist destination, tourists are also provided with excellent tourist facilities at various hotels, resorts and guest houses.

The cultural, religious and geographical diversities have made India a most visited tourist destination. As India is recognized as a fascinating land, various tours to India are organized. Every year, the country witnesses footfall of innumerable tourists from all across the globe. To make the trip memorable, there are a lot of tourist attractions, almost in every part of the country. Tours to India might include classical tours, regional tours, adventure tours, spiritual tours and many more.

For exploring the rich culture and heritage of the country, one can opt for classical tours to Rajasthan, Agra, Khajuraho or any state in South India. To explore the geographical richness of the country, tours are arranged to places like Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Leh, Darjeeling, Ladakh and Kashmir-the Paradise on the Earth. Besides, Goa-the land of sun, sand, surf & sea, is one of the most charming and captivating states. These are some of the places that are frequented by tourists from all over the world.

Tours to India are also arranged for pilgrimage centers as India has number of temples, churches, mosques and other religious places. Religious tours are arranged for Darjeeling, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Tibet and Nepal. In the midst of intriguing architecture and warm hospitality, Luxury Trains in India has also gained prominence. Tours are arranged for experiencing the royalty in these luxury trains that have all the facilities from luxurious room decorated with Mughal and Rajasthani style of art to small lounges. Moreover, all kinds of meals are served in these trains in dining place, and have a bar and television. These trains cover different areas of the country.

Some of the Luxury Trains in India are The Palace on Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey, The Golden Chariot, The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels and The Indian Maharaja. While traveling through these trains, one can witness the historical sites, varied landscapes and experience jungle safari and wildlife. Tours to India and traveling in Luxury Trains in India make the experience exhilarating.

Religious tours are arranged for Darjeeling, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Tibet and Nepal. In the midst of intriguing architecture and warm hospitality, Luxury Trains in India has also gained prominence.

Famous Kerala Wildlife Destinations

Kerala is a land of sheer fascination where tourists come from across the globe. Endowed with rich flora and gorgeous greenery, Kerala is not only known for its beaches and backwaters but also for its enchanting wildlife. The wonderful tropical forests of this state are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Kerala wildlife sanctuaries are among the major attractions of Kerala tourism.

Some of the famous wildlife destinations of Kerala are:

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

It is a Tiger Reserve and a National Park located in Thekkady in the beautiful Idukki district. Sprawling over an area of 778 km sq, the Park boasts of a variety of wildlife species such as 62 species of mammals, 320 bird species, 45 reptile species, 27 amphibian species and 160 insect species. You can enjoy a boat ride on Periyar lake inside the Park. The best time to visit this park is from September to March.

Idukki Wildlife sanctuary

This wonderful sanctuary is marked with thick forests, springs, rivulets and rich flora and fauna. Covering an area of 77 sq km, located at an altitude of 750 m above sea level, the sanctuary is famous among wildlife enthusiasts. Wildlife species like tigers, elephants, jungle cats, cobras, woodpeckers, kingfishers, cobras and deer are found here. This destination is famous for its elephant population. The best time to visit this place is from December to April.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

It is a bird paradise where bird lovers come from across the globe. It is ideally located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the Kottayam district in Kerala. It is exotic collection of birds and picturesque environment make it a must-visit destination of Kerala. Some of the other inhabitants of this sanctuary are leopards, tigers, Nilgiri Tahr and wild pigs. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to February.

Eravikulam National Park

This popular park is known for being the home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. It boasts of the highest population of Nilgiri Tahr in the world. The landscape of this park is very beautiful. It is also the home to the Atlas moth which is the largest moth in the world. Anamudi peak, the highest peak of South India, is also located inside this Park. It is also a perfect place for trekking. The perfect time to visit this park is from September to February.

There are several other wildlife destinations in Kerala such as Wayanad, Silent Valley National park, Chimmony and Chinnar.

Kerala wildlife attracts tourists from far and wide. Kerala wildlife sanctuaries are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Kerala wildlife Tour will take you to the enchanting wildlife destinations.