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Vacation Villas | FeWo-direct | Home and Away

Posted by Viola Wolcott

Founded in 1997, VacationVillas.net / FeWo-direkt.de is said to be the most popular and most visited vacation rental index on the German-speaking Internet.

No less than 660,000 potential holiday makers browse through the VacationVillas.net network, with the figures constantly rising every months.

Property owners are able to present their accommodations under fair conditions and to administer their presentation themselves. Every listing has a detailed description, which includes colour pictures, a map of the region and detailed descriptions as well as an availability calendar.

9,000 private holiday homes and vacation rentals are available worldwide.

For more information click here: Vacation Villas

Sleep Tight Don’t let the Bed Bugs Bite

By Viola Woolcott

Bed bugs hide and come out at night to suck your blood while you rest and sleep. They are creepy little buggers.

Bed bugs are found in hotels all over the world. They are not only confined to grotty and dodgy B&B’s. Researchers state that that we will see a 500- fold increase in these little parasites. And that especially in bigger, major cities.

The little blood suckers creep into the folds of the best, finest furniture. They colonise in the best hotels. They gorge on their ‘occupants’ blood beneath Egyptian cotton sheets and hide in the seems of our clothing. You also find them round the seems of mattresses and they love the seems of curtains. They hide in cavities. In crevices in beds… cracks in skirting boards… and if not there, try the light fittings. AND, if you think that’s it, NO, it isn’t. Bedbugs bury themselves in our luggage. We arrive home, unpack… and once the lights are off at night, they are after a midnight feast. And if you don’t have any, there is a good chance that your neighbour does… and they love marching over through the cracks of the walls.

Bedbugs usually feed between 5-10 days, but they can (without feeding) lie dormant for up to a whole year. The bug is visible to the human eye. They are flat and opaque brown and after a ‘snack’, they swell and grow darker.

The little parasite is 5mm in length and it can consume about 4 x their own bodyweight in less than 15 minutes. In eight weeks a female can lay up to 500 eggs. So if you just pick up 3 or 4 from somewhere, you could have an infestation of hundreds, NO thousands within two months.

The bites are very itchy and can also cause allergies. It does not matter how clean you are in your home, that’s immaterial as bed bugs feed on people and not on food.

Also, watch out for blood spotting, or those brown faecal smears on your sheets, as that is a real giveaway. And it doesn’t help JUST to treat the mattress. The whole bedroom has to be treated, or you store up trouble for later on.

Bed bugs are yet another unwelcome by-product of modern travel. The more mobile we get - so are they.

Maple Syrup Festivals in Canada - Spring is on its way!

By Viola Woolcott

Maple Syrup Festivals are a definite sign that spring is on its way.

March and April bring warmer weather. Maple syrup producers are starting to collect the sap from their maple trees. They start the process of converting the sap to the sweet sticky condiment.

It is a very popular festival and many visitors are drawn to these farms at this time of year to watch or take part in the maple syrup making process. On most farms and sugar shacks there is a fun range of activities for kids, which may include sleigh rides and snow taffy making, wagon rides and craft sessions, tours and demonstrations, and of course ’most important’ sampling of the maple syrup, maybe even with pancakes or other foods that feature the finished product.

Did you know that maple syrup is one of Canada’s most popular commodities? Did you know that it also accounts for 85% of the total world’s supply?

The biggest producer of maple syrup is Quebec, followed by Ontario. New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are also home to maple syrup farms. towns in these provinces celebrate this yummy, sticky condiment with festivals in March and April. Producers are to the public and allow visitors to observe and if they like to participate in the making of maple syrup.

Self-Catering Has Many Advantages

By Viola Woolcott

Self-catering has its advantages. You can do what you want and when you want it. It frees you from confines of package holidays. Therefore you have control over your location, which allows you to match your holiday plans, holiday type, accommodation as well as your budget and you can enjoy a greater degree of freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace.

You will never miss breakfast if you happen to get up after nine, neither do you have to share a bathroom, the kitchen or the lounge with strangers. You have privacy and can make yourself at home, which is near enough impossible in a hotel.

Drinks or snacks can be done at any time without incurring any additional cost. This may be especially important for families with children. Children have space to play without annoying guests. Sometimes toys and games are also provided. A safe enclosed garden is an extra bonus.

But on the contrary to popular opinions, self-catering property rental does not mean that you have to do it all yourself. Well, at least not when you select ‘Home Stays’ that come with an optional range of facilities, which may include private chefs, gourmet picnics, delivery of local produce and maybe even daily housekeeping. Some self-catering palaces are hot for spring, summer, autumn or even in winter. Whatever the weather.

Isn’t independence the key to the perfect holiday option if you want the freedom to explore at your own pace?

You can choose from:

Self-Catering Cottage Rental
Self-Catering Gite Rental
Self-Catering Apartment Rental
Self-Catering Studios
Self-Catering Flat Rental
Self-Catering Mobile Home Rental
Self-Catering Holiday Villages
Self-Catering Manor Houses
Self-Catering Villa Rental
… or how about renting a whole private Island?…
… and if camping is for you, go for it!

Molokai - The Most Hawaiian Island

By Viola Woolcott

Are you looking for the real Hawaii? Than this is it.

How about taking a journey back in time and visit “The Friendly Isle”? Find untouched, pristine beaches off the beaten path and see more farmers than you see tourists.

From Maui you can take a ferry to check out the migrating humpbacks, the towering sea cliffs, and the awesome cascading waterfalls. Take your board and ride the killer waves or for some underwater fun got to Bill Kapuni’s for a snorkel and dive.

Molokai is a place like NO other. No building is taller than a palm tree. Traffic is so little, that there isn’t even the need for traffic lights. Life is very slow, and relaxed, peaceful and rural. Aloha isn’t just another word. Here it is definitely a way of life. There are friendly businesses in the largest town of Kaunakakai or in the two villages Maunaloa and Kualapu’u. There are no shopping malls or elevators and there isn’t any neon light.

If you are seeking a secluded, authentic and tropical Hawaiian holiday, this may just be your spot.

Related websites:
www.molokai-hawaii.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com

Walks Worldwide | The Walking Holiday Specialist

By Viola Woolcott

Walks Worldwide is a unique specialist travel company. They are able to offer an unusually broad range of walking holidays to suit the needs of virtually anyone of any age through their guided group fixed departures, self-guided trips or tailor-made tours. Walks Worldwide can cater for old and young, individuals and groups, couples and charity organisations.

The Team has spent years travelling the world in search of exciting and new destinations - a passion they endeavour to share with their clients alongside of their knowledge of the world. The Team all turn their hands to all aspects of the job, they love to travel and research new destinations and they love chatting to clients about their destinations with first hand knowledge.

For more information, to sign up for a newsletter or to look at the new brochure click on the link below:
Walks Worldwide - Find Your Adventure

Common Circle Expedition | Energy in Motion Bike Tour

By Viola Woolcott

What are you doing to change the world this summer?

Fancy being part of an incredible traveling community of people who come from a great variety of backgrounds and ages with a shared longing for a better world?

Are you interested in observing local economics projects and grassroots democracy struggles in the communities you would visit?

Can you Imaginine to visit organic farms and intentional communities by bike?

How about meeting like-minded people committed to redefining our world?

And how would you feel taking part in hands-on service projects and absolutely amazing discussion circles?

What about the possibility to live with the land and camp under the stars?

Doesn’t this sound exciting?

Discover new ways to live and click on the website link below for more information:
Sustainable Energy in Motion Bike Tour

Unlikely Brighton & Hove tourism poster

photo credit: dezzography

Guide to Chumbe Island Coral Park | Zanzibar, Tanzania

By Viola Woolcott

Chumbe Island Coral Park is one of the most spectacular ‘Coral Gardens’ to be found anywhere in the world. The whole Island is a nature reserve and you must explore its beauties under the competent guidance of the park rangers or maybe at your own leisure.

Bring enough time with you, as there are lots of activities waiting for you. You can snorkel through the unique shallow water “Reef Sanctuary” or discover the “Forest Reserve” and if historical monuments interest you, this is definitely for you. Allow yourself to laze around watching the boats go round or how about an excursion and go Scuba diving the close by reefs.

The Reef Sanctuary has been recognised for its outstanding beauty, its pristine state as well as for its bio-diversity. Fishing or un-authorised anchoring in the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary only happens on very rare occasions.

The reef crest is surrounded by a spectacular array of hard corals and as it only measures between 1-3m (according to tides) it is perfect for snorkelers to see all those wonders of the underwater world which is usually only accessible to divers. There is no reason why you can’t swim up to the reef ridge. The view opens up to a world of breathtaking sights. And if you get a chance, you may even be lucky enough to see the playful dolphins cruising in and out of the abyss. Every snorkelling excursion offers new discoveries and with each visit you are very unlikely to be disappointed!

Provided that the tide is very low, you would be able to walk the nature trails all the way around the island. There are many rock pools to explore, where juvenile fish and a myriad of crabs, shellfish, starfish, oysters and other invertebrates exist in the ever-changing environment. When you reach the north point of the island at spring tide, make sure you take the time to bask on the exposed sandbar providing over a km of pristine beach, but don‘t forget to return before the tide changes when the sandbar is absorbed back into the ocean. Discover the amazing variety of starfish at the south point and explore the small islets. It is possible that you may be fortunate enough to find Roseate Terns nesting and Fish Eagles battling for their territory.

Don’t miss out on the footpath that leads down into a large intertidal pool which is overgrown with mangroves and shaded by huge baobab trees, where you will find that the seawater rises and falls with the tides and where you may get a chance to observe many creatures which have adapted to these conditions.

The Forest Reserve covers a network of nature trails crisscross through the southern part of the virgin coral rag forest that covers just about 90% of Chumbe Island. The bedrock of the island consists of an impressive substrate of fossilized coral. You will be able to see the skeletal structures of corals and giant clams, which is a reminder of the passage of time. Still, even more amazing is the coral-rag forest. What can I say? I would forgive you for thinking it is a rainforest, as when you look closer it reveals that on Chumbe a highly specialised plant community has developed. This unusual plant community survives without any groundwater at all. Some of these remarkably trees have changed to meet the requirements. They depend on capturing moisture from the humidity in the air. And than there are some others that are able to store away months’ supply of water during the rainy season. Maybe you will notice that the leaves are either fleshy and waxy, or fold up during the heat during the day to reduce transpiration, and spiky euphorbia thrusts forth wherever it can get a stronghold.

If you are interested in Historical Monuments, climb the 131 steps to the top of the Chumbe Lighthouse, which was built in 1904 by the Sultan of Zanzibar and the British. Once you get to the top you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the turquoise seas between Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, unchanged for a thousand years. For those who are early risers, climb to the top of the lighthouse at sunrise, as it is a spectacular way to start the day. The sun appears over the land mass of Zanzibar (Unguja) island. It turns the ocean to a deep orange and flecking the scenery with spectacular colours.

Wine and dine under the huge palm thatched roof stretching over the ruins of the historical lighthouse keeper’s house converted into a visitors’ centre after a day of exploration and discovery. This impressive structure has kept the enclosed ruins intact. Enjoy the tranquil, peaceful and amazing views across the ocean.

Accommodation on Chumbe Island:

www.chumbeisland.com/Accomodation/accomodation.html

Photo Gallery:

www.chumbeisland.com/Photo%20Gallery/gallarryframe.htm

Chumbe Island is what Robinson Crusoe could only have dreamt about!

You Stay In My House While I Stay In Yours

By Viola Woolcott

It wouldn’t really be for me, but if you don’t mind the “You stay in my house while I stay in yours”, this may be for you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Home Exchange is the vacation alternative where you stay in my house and I stay in yours.

HOW DO I MAKE AN EXCHANGE?
It’s as easy as 1-2-3

1. Click on a country or state where you want to go.

2. Click on an interesting Listing

3. Send a privacy protected email to that Listing directly from the site

Of course, with your own Listing posted, you will be getting inquiries from around the world.

IS IT SAFE?
In 14 years and tens of thousands of exchanges,we’ve never had a report of a theft, malicious vandalism, or a case of someone getting to their exchange home and finding a vacant lot.

Don’t be worried about “Having a Stranger in Your House” . Think of home exchange as Internet Dating for your home. Before you would actually go on a date with someone you met on the internet, you would exchange some emails, talk on the phone a few times, and swap recent photos. By the time you agreed to meet, it wouldn’t be with a “stranger”. You wouldn’t go on a date if you didn’t feel a connection, and the same goes for a home exchange.

Good Communication Minimizes Misplaced Expectations. Ask questions about the home and area, make sure you see photos.

Ask for referrals about prior exchanges.

Agree on the ground rules for your exchange, Sample Agreements are provided as guidelines www.homeexchange.com/gb_appendix.php#confirmation

WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT VALUABLES?
It is prudent to put away really valuable items and jewelry, but usually just leave things where they are (…read more)

For more information click on the link below:
Home Exchange

Whatever your own idea of a perfect home for a special holiday, stop dreaming! Check out the hundreds of exchange offers and discover your own special home swap vacation base. It would be nice to hear your stories!