Fun-Travels.com

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