|
|
|
About Formal Night on a Cruise
It's formal night, yes, but how "formal" is "formal" ...
Much excitement and mystery surrounds the “formal nights” on cruises. It’s customary to have one formal night on a 5-day cruise, more in proportion on longer cruises. On my first...
Adversity Gives You Strength
How can you stay motivated in the midst of turbulent times and a sluggish economy? How do you persevere when many companies are reducing spending and customers seem to be holding on to every last penny in fear of an economic downturn? Every...
Buying A Unique Wedding Gift
Your best friend’s wedding is coming up and you have to buy a gift. You don’t really want to get them a blender or a vacuum cleaner or a set of dishes. You could just give them money, but that seems so impersonal, albeit useful. What do you do to...
Imaginations Soar
Have you ever sat and watch a child struggle with a blank page? Have you ever wondered why some children just seem to detest anything to do with writing? Have you seem them just give up in frustration and walk away angry and distraught? Well you...
Learning How to Sail
When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of things to learn how to do. How you go about learning will depend on your particular style. For example, I am not patient enough to take classes, and have always relied more on the written word and...
Stress Relief During Pregnancy
If you truly want to ensure a great pregnancy, you should work on keeping a healthy and positive physical, mental and spiritual state. There is substantial evidence which suggests that a mother’s physical and mental wellness during pregnancy can...
Such Is Life, And It's Getting Sucher And Sucher
Problems, disappointments and trouble; the three skunks that sometimes think they are our children. At least they want to stay around long enough to give us a college education. But the education we get may be only half the story, See what you...
Tips for Making the Most of Your Summer Vacation
You’ve worked hard all year, and now that summer is here, you want to enjoy your time off with your friends and loved ones. You might not have the time nor the funds to travel to a faraway destination, but at the same time, the thought of more...
Verbal Self Defense – A Critical Factor in Self Defense for Women
Verbal self defense, the use of your voice in a threatening situation, is an extremely important tool in protecting yourself. How? Uncommon to popular belief, criminals do not pounce on an individual when the mood strikes them. They attack...
WHERE'S THERE'S SMOKE
As sure as May comes after April Showers, barbecue grills across the world are heating up and sending out their aromatic smoke signals. Grilling is a fun family activity except when something turns out to be a “burnt offering to the gods” of...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tips for Making the Most of Your Summer Vacation
You’ve worked hard all year, and now that summer is here, you want to enjoy your time off with your friends and loved ones. You might not have the time nor the funds to travel to a faraway destination, but at the same time, the thought of more barbeques and museum trips isn’t exactly taking your breath away!
The Internet offers an easy way to look for fun, local activities that don’t require loads of expensive gas, from the comfort of your own home. Private recreation vendors and civic organizations in your area provide everything from ocean kayaking and paintball to wine tasting and salsa lessons, and in many cases, you can purchase tickets or vouchers online. Here are a few questions to consider as you select that perfect summer activity:
*Is your goal knowledge accumulation, personal development, or purely fun? Do you want this activity to be a learning experience where you have to do a little bit of work, or are you content to just kick back and enjoy it? Don’t forget to survey the others in your group to see what they think!
*What size group are you planning to go with? Ask about the amount of personal attention each participant will receive. An activity like surfing or golf requires substantial instruction, especially if you’ve never done it before!
*Is the activity something everyone can enjoy? Consider the ages and characteristics of the people in your party. Will you be bringing children or someone with a medical condition or disability? Find out in advance if there are restrictions on the activity and make sure that everyone in the group will be willing and able to participate.
*When can you schedule the activity? Before you begin your search, coordinate a range of potential dates with your group. Keep in mind that you’re likely to have much more flexibility in your activity
choices (as well as lower prices) if you can get everyone together during the week.
*Is the weather likely to cooperate? Ask your vendor for advice. Thunderstorms are quite common in the summer, so if you choose an outdoor activity like sailing or rock climbing, you may run into a snag. Though most vendors will allow you to reschedule due to inclement weather, it might be difficult to coordinate another available date with the others in your party.
*Does the vendor have a good reputation? Research activity operators to find out how long they’ve been in business in the area, what type of customer feedback they’ve received, and if they have a secure method for processing payment. Make sure that they carry insurance, are certified for safety if appropriate, and have a satisfaction guarantee.
Once you’ve booked your activity, send your participants a confirmation as well as a checklist of things to keep in mind, such as appropriate dress, transportation details, and arrival time. If you’ve chosen a full-day activity that doesn’t involve food, consider arranging a potluck picnic.
Life in the 21st century is more hectic than ever. You may only have a few precious days off to spare, but don’t stay home and let the good stuff pass you by. Follow these guidelines to try something you’ve always wanted to do, and bring a few friends or family members along for the ride!
About the Author
Andrew Playford is the Founder and CEO of Signature Days, a Chicago-based online retailer that allows Americans to celebrate the luxury of life. Its Internet site, www.signaturedays.com is a centralized service where customers can choose from a wide range of unusual and exclusive experiences and encounters in categories such as action and adventure, gourmet and wine, body and soul, and self-improvement.
|
|
|
|
|
|