Today, we will be showcasing the Seahorse SE920 Waterproof Case.  Like any other great case, Seahorse cases offer its user a formidable level of strength that is unbreakable, watertight, dust proof, and corrosion and chemical resistant.  To corroborate its strength, today’s Seahorse case, along with any other Seahorse product, comes with an UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME GUARANTEE

Case Specifications

· Case is made from Polypropylene Copolymer

· Inside length ‘ 22.24 inches, outside length 23.96 inches

· Inside width ‘ 13.66 inches, outside width 16 inches

· Inside height ‘ 8.49 inches, outside height 10.10 inches

· Weight ‘ 11.89 lbs, weight with foam 14.23 lbs

· Watertight

· Crush resistant

· Automatic pressure relief system

· 2 style handles, 1 pull handle

· Built with military standards in mind

· Optional panel kits or cubed or custom foam interiors are available

For more information on this particular Seahorse case, visit Cases by Masco’s branch of Seahorse Cases Online today.  In addition, Cases by Masco will work closely with you to create a wide variety of custom foam inserts to help keep your important tools and valuables safe in one of the many Seahorse cases on hand.  Get in touch with Cases by Masco today for help designing a custom case using a Seahorse case.

Selecting my five favorites was not an easy task. I enjoy cruising so much and believe it is the only way to go on a vacation. You only unpack once and you get to see so many cool places. No driving miles and miles a day on one of those driving vacations where you have to stop at a different hotel every day. I find cruising very relaxing and am always ready to go on the next one.

My Fifth Favorite Cruise

Europe: This was a very interesting way to see several places I might have never gotten a chance to see. I would recommend this cruise to anyone who can afford to take the time. It was fifteen days long and well worth it.

On this cruise we went to Copenhagen Denmark, St. Petersburg Russia, Helsinki Finland, Stockholm Sweden, Oslo Norway, Tallinn Estonia, France where we took a bus ride to Paris.

Paris was breathtaking and it was great just to be there. There are so many things to see in Paris and a tour is probably your best bet if you have never been there.

St. Petersburg was a two-day stop and we could have stayed longer. We took a tour one day and got to visit the Hermitage Museum on the second day. Wow, you won’t want to miss The Hermitage if you are ever in St. Petersburg.

Basically, we took a tour at each port. Tours are great because you get to see the key points plus learn the history behind everything. You also learn about their lifestyle and how different it is from our own. This cruise was an experience I will always remember.

My Fourth Favorite Cruise

10 Night Caribbean: There are so many different itineraries when cruising the Caribbean that it can be difficult to determine which one to take. My favorite cruise of the Caribbean contained these three ports.

San Juan, Puerto Rico: Okay, this one was special to me because my father was born in Puerto Rico. As a Puerto Rican I always enjoy stopping here. If it is your first time in Puerto Rico, you may want to take a tour of San Juan. The fort is especially interesting.

Key West: I totally fell in love with this little island. I have even thought of staying here for a few days. My only complaint was that we only had about five hours here and the first two hours everything was closed. My suggestion for Key West is that you take a tour of the island as soon as you arrive. I have regretted not taking one and have not had the opportunity to go back to Key West. I will the first chance I get.

Bahamas: This was a great port. It seemed to have a little bit of everything. There is a large hotel that actually has an extensive aquarium. It runs the entire length of the building and is something you must see at this port. I also recommend that you take a tour if it is your first visit. A tour will give you an overview and then you can decide what you want to do with the rest of your time here. Again, make sure your tour includes a tour of the hotel on the other side of the bridge.

My Third Favorite Cruise

Mexico takes this spot. We have been to Mexico via a cruise ship several times. This is one of the most relaxing cruises I have been on. There are basically three ports on a Mexican Riviera cruise and each one shows a different side of life in Mexico. Most of the Mexican Riviera cruises go to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan. This is your typical seven day cruise of the Mexican Riviera. However, some cruise ships bypass Mazatlan and take you to Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. These cruises are usually ten or eleven days.

My Second Favorite Cruise

Alaska takes my number two spot. It was hard to decide between number one and number two, but I went with Alaska. My husband and I have taken this cruise about seven times and we never tire of it. Each port is a little different. The glaciers are awe-inspiring.

One of the things that fascinated me the first time I took the Alaskan cruise was the wildlife. There are eagles everywhere. If you see a white spot in a tree, get out your binoculars. You are likely to find out that the white spot is actually an eagle’s head.

We get to see several orcas on this cruise as well. There is nothing that compares to seeing wildlife in their own habitat. I used to go to zoos and places like Sea World regularly, but now that I have seen some of these animals in their natural surroundings, the confinement of zoos just doesn’t appeal to me.

My Number One Favorite Cruise

Hawaii was my all time favorite cruise. I have actually taken this cruise three times. I took it with Norwegian Cruise Lines each time. My husband and I boarded the ship in Honolulu and stopped at several ports.

Lahaina, Maui

We spent a couple of days here. On one of those days we rented a car and drove the road to Hana.

Kona

We take the Atlantis Submarine hear. The water is really clear and the fish are quite interesting. There are also some coffee plantations you can visit in Kona.

Kauai

We took a helicopter ride in Kauai. Several movies were filmed on this island and there are so many beautiful waterfalls. The helicopter ride was simply breathtaking.

Hilo

We took a tour in Hilo. There is a lot of volcanic activity here and it is very interesting to see all the hot spots and how the lava flows and continues to move.

FANNING ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI

It took two days at sea to get here and two days to get back. It was a very relaxing time at sea, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Island itself is rather primitive. It is a totally different way of life than we are accustomed to. The Cruise Line has added several amenities for the natives, but you still get a good view of a more laid back lifestyle. This is also a great place to get postage stamps. You can mail yourself a postcard and see who arrives first, you or your postcard. The stamps from Republic of Kiribati are a novelty for stamp collectors.

Well, I hope sharing my five favorite cruises helps when you are trying to determine where to go on your next cruise. I never tire of cruising. I have found that it is one of those things you either really love or really hate. You, of course, will have to decide for yourself.

Many people approach Car Rental as a lowest-price-possible contest rather than to concentrate on the value of the deal they eventually would get,in terms of what type of car, what’s included (air conditioning, automatic gear shift etc’) as well as what type of service they are buying.

The thing is, Car Rental market is very competitive one and rates differences for comparable quality and service are relatively small, sometimes as small as $10 to $20. These minuet price differences are going to vanish in the wind when you consider the long lines and lost time at the cheapest renter counter, drop charges for remote destinations, late return fines, and gasoline inflated rates as well as other service charges you didn’t think about when you shopped for the “best deal”.

Don’t get us wrong, we don’t like to pay higher prices more than you do. We do recommend to shop around and check the various rates available, especially when it’s so easy to do it via the Internet at comparison sites.

All we say here you need to consider other things beside the price and when you compare please make sure you compare apples to apples and not apples to pears.

Things to consider when ordering a rented a car

Who is using the car, are you by yourself on a business trip or you are traveling with the whole family? How much luggage are you going to have, does the car you are thinking about is big enough to have you all plus all your hand luggage and big suitcases? If not, consider to change to a mini van or a car with extra large trunk.

Do you need an Infant seat or a child booster? make sure it is mentioned clearly with your order, usually there is a shortage of these seats and they are provided for extra charge. Check the state laws for where you are traveling. A new law in Denver for instance, requires Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are not 55 inches tall.

Do you actually need the car in the town or city at the first few days? If not, consider to take a taxi, a bus, a train or the hotel shuttle into the city and when it’s time for you to go out of town and travel around, then, rent the car from the city location and by that save up to 15% on Air-Port charges as well as on city parking fees.

Are you going to a very warm and humid destination? If yes, it’s recommended to order a car with air conditioning, usually the price difference is negligible, the problem is that it’s not available in all destinations like in some European countries.

Most major rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but it’s a good idea to check their policy before confirming. Many smaller local independent companies charge mileage after 100-200 free miles per day.

As mentioned before price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a car rental company. If you choose a very small, no-name company, don’t expect them to provide you with service across all nation or continent, what would you do if the car is needed to be replaced or serviced for some reason?

Frequent or Preferred Renter Programs and affiliations

Frequent renter programs, Like airlines and hotels, major car rental companies track their customers’ rental histories and offer preferential service to loyal customers. Most of the major companies offer frequent renter programs that are similar to airline frequent-flyer programs and hotel frequent-guest programs.

Preferred renter clubs, Most major car rental companies also offer preferred renter programs or clubs (one example is the Hertz #1 Club). When you belong to one of these clubs, you get preferential treatment, including automatic upgrades when those cars are available. You can join these programs at any time, even if you are a first-time renter with that company.

While basic-level club memberships are often free, higher-level memberships (as in the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which allows you to bypass the rental counter) generally come with a price tag. What most people don’t realize is that it’s often possible to avoid the membership fee by simply writing or calling your car rental company and asking them to waive it. They will do it because the car rental industry is very competitive, and they want your business

If you’re still faced with a steep rate, try getting discounts based on your affiliations with organizations like AARP, AAA or others. These discounts are usually not great, but they are better than nothing.

In addition, always check for corporate rates if applicable to your situation.

Car Rental Insurance

Some of the Insurance terms seem to be confusing, let’s try to clear them out first.

CDW – Collision Damage Waiver.

LDW – Loss Damage Waiver.

PDW – Physical Damage Waiver.

PAI – Personal Accident Insurance.

PEC – Personal Effects Coverage.

ALI – Additional Liability Insurance.

Many of the Credit Cards have most of these coverage, therefore it’s not mandatory to purchase excessive coverage. It’s better to check this issue with your travel agent, insurance agent and your credit card company a head of time. Some Car rental companies require that you show proof of insurance.

Also be aware that your personal insurance probably doesn’t apply to your rental car when traveling overseas. All this is somewhat complicated and at times confusing because there are no industry standards for terminology and policies vary by locations.

Important things to check and do before leaving the Air-Port

After a long flight and the waiting in lines for your luggage and afterwards for your keys at the car rental counter, it is understandable you just want to take the rented car and drive away to your hotel, but wait! Here is a list of things you must check first.

Start by making a careful check around the car, look for any small dents or scratches, in case you find some, don’t be lazy, go back to the office and ask a representative of the rental company to write down all of these dents, ask for a copy of that report. Other wise you might be responsible for damages you didn’t perform.

Open the trunk, make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and set of tools, there is noting more irritating than to find out in the middle of nowhere that you don’t have a jack when you need to replace a flat tire.

Many car companies will provide you with an extra key if you ask for one. This can come in handy for some of us who are absent minded.

It is recommended to spend some time to get acquainted with the cars’ features and switches, make sure you know where the lights switches are, how to operate the windshield wipers, the air conditioner and even set your favorite radio stations as well as set your side mirrors. It might be quiet frustrating to fight with the new switches while driving, when all of a sudden it starts raining.

Make sure you have a map and it’s better to spend few more minutes and plan your driving route.

Last but certainly not least, If you have a lot of luggage, don’t park the car in the parking lot and go for lunch, in many countries, this is an easy target for the thieves, It’s better to buy some sandwiches and beverages in the air-port, or stop somewhere along the way for refreshing but never leave the car unattended.

In case you are involved in a Car Accident

These are the most important pieces of information to collect from the involved parties: full name, mailing address, telephone number, insurance details, and drivers’ license number.

Also try to get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Make a note of the vehicle’s make, color, brand and license plate number.

Try to pinpoint the exact time and location of the accident. If the police get involved, ensure that you receive a copy of their report. Don’t forget to inform your insurance agent immediately and notify the car rental company.
They will let you know about their accident procedure.

If you purchased insurance through the car rental company, they will have to make the claim. If there is damage to the rental car, there will be much paper work to complete

Make sure any involved parties are ok. Any injuries should be taken care of ASAP.

Call the police and/or ambulance (if necessary), and then call the car rental agency. Be as cooperative as possible. The car rental agency will have its own policies regarding accidents.

Exchange information with the affected parties. Try to record everything on the scene. Your notes should include details of the accident, identification of the autos and people involved, and the names and badge numbers of all emergency personnel.

Take pictures if possible. If you are on vacation, you will probably have a camera handy already.

File an accident report with the police, and report the claim to your own credit card company or insurance company.

When returning the Car

Make all necessary arrangements to return the car on time, that includes looking the location in the map especially if you return the car in a foreign city.

Late return charges are high and arbitrary, secondly, if you are late, you probably won’t have the time to fill the car with gasoline yourself and the rental company will charge you exorbitant inflated gasoline rates.

In case you return the car in a city location on Sunday, it might be that the station will be deserted, it will let you in via automated gate, make sure to take the card and leave it over the dashboard, this is your recorded time of arrival.

In addition, lock the car, take the keys plus your rental contract and insert them into the designated box.

Speaking of white, sandy beaches, a trip to Antigua, or its neighboring island Barbuda may be just what you need in order to restore feeling to your toes. Every water sport lover’s dream, the Caribbean nation boasts of at least 365 beaches surrounded by clear blue waters with an average temperature of 80 degrees. Trade your snow boots for fins, and snorkel through spectacular coral reefs, maybe even catching a glimpse of the wreck of the merchant ship Andes, which has rested on the bottom of Deep Bay since 1905. If you’d rather not get your feet wet, you can enjoy all that the charming capital St. John’s in the northern part of the island of Antigua has to offer. Purchase colorful local artwork while strolling down Market Street or fortify yourself with sweet black pineapple (which isn’t really black) and some local rum. Watch a spectacular sunset over English Harbour on the summit of Shirley Heights while tapping your feet to the rhythms of a steel band. If you would prefer to watch birds instead of people, then head north to the tiny island of Barbuda, which has only a single village of 1100 people but is famed for its frigate birds and huge rookery.

If Antigua’s cricket-playing and English-speaking ways bring up unpleasant memories of Britain’s colonial imperialism, perhaps its time to head to Rio de Janeiro for a little taste of the party-loving legacy of Portuguese imperialism in Brazil, the largest country in South America. Lying on the Bay of Guanabra, the city, which is most well-known for its pre-Lenten festival of wantonness, “Carnaval,” also prides itself on 75 miles of coastline. Do words like Ipanema or Copacabana ring a bell? Yep, they’re both in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilians in the city party hard and pray hard. After dancing all night at a samba club, look into the sky and enjoy the slightly surreal sight a 128 foot, 1,000 ton statue of Christ the Redeemer hovering over the city proudly at the top of Corcovado Peak.

If Rio’s religious version of the Statue of Liberty has you feeling faintly guilty for deserting your home country in the midst of winter, perhaps Perth, Australia will provide the English-speaking taste of home (with an exotic flair) that you need. Kick back and ride the waves in the Western Australia’s isolated capital, nestled between a blue, blue ocean and a dry, sandy desert. Getting there is half the adventure, consisting of a 4000 km car ride from Sydney or a long and winding train ride on the Indian Pacific. Explore the Swan River and the 400-hectare King’s Park in the south, magnificent nineteenth-century buildings constructed using convict labor in the city center, or perhaps travel north to swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia.

If Perth leaves you feeling a little isolated, perhaps a trip to the modern island city of Singapore, with a population of approximately 4.5 million, will help alleviate your winter doldrums. With not one but four official languages—Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English—the country offers a delightful blend of ethnic influences. Enjoy a bowl of hot noodles followed by your favorite curry. Buy a sari in Little India on a Sunday evening or sip on herbal tea in Chinatown. Or perhaps enjoy the sights on a cable-car ride to Sentosa Island, the sight of a thrilling amusement park.

If Sentosa Island puts you in mind of childhood yearnings for the Magic Kingdom, perhaps a trip to the sub-tropical Sunshine State may be just the cold remedy you are looking for. The Magic Kingdom isn’t the only amusement park in central Florida. Choose from the likes of Universal Studies, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, Sea World, Busch Gardens, or Cypress Gardens, all within a short drive of each other. Florida is all about the tourist industry, and travelers can find some great winter vacation destinantions travel deal if they shop around. Wherever you decide to go this winter, don’t forget to pack sunscreen, a bathing suit, and your favorite book. Warmth and relaxation wait just a few thousand miles away.

Fire Making

Imagine slipping into a stream and soaking everything with you, when you are more than a day from the nearest road and it’s below freezing out. What would you do? Start a fire, of course, but can you?

Always carry waterproof matches, and practice starting a fire in the cold BEFORE you go winter backpacking. Learn which tinders work even when wet. Birch bark, for example, will burn when wet, and so will sap from pines and spruces. You may have only minutes before your fingers get too cold to function, so speed is of the essence.

Winter Backpacking – Survival Shelters

You’ll probably have a tent with you, but you still may want to learn shelter building using snow blocks. Sometimes you can stomp out blocks without tools, using your feet, and then liff them from beneath. Just play around in your backyard until you get the hang of it. In an emergency, or if the weather turns extremely cold, you may want to put your tent behind a wall of snow blocks, to stop the wind.

If it isn’t raining, a quick survival shelter for warmth is a pile of dry leaves, grass, braken ferns or other plants. I once collected enough dried grass from a frozen swamp in thirty minutes to make a pile several feet thick. I slept warmly in the middle of it (half the insulating grass above, half below) with just a jacket, despite below freezing temperatures.

Staying Dry

You can be wet and warm when it far below freezing, as long as you are active. The moment you stop moving, however, you start to lose your body heat. Once you get chilled through, it is difficult to get warm again. Hypothermia (a lowered body temperature) kills many people every year.

If you get wet, try to get dry before you go to sleep. Put dry clothes on if you have them, and use a fire to dry any wet clothes. Earlier in the day, you may be able to hang damp clothes on your pack to dry in the sun. Often when it is coldest, the air is dryer.

Try not to sweat. Adjust your layers, removing and adding shirts, sweaters and jackets as necessary to keep from getting too hot or too cold. Sweat, and clothes damp with sweat, will cause you to lose body heat fast once you stop moving. Stay dry to stay warm.

There are many other cold weather survival skills that you may want to learn. (You can generate heat by eating fatty foods, for example.) You don’t need to know hundreds of skills and techniques, but why not learn a few basics, like the ones above, before your next winter backpacking trip?

There has been a drop in Tenerife holiday prices this season with many one-week package holidays to Tenerife coming in at under £300. Cheap holidays to Tenerife are clearly a big draw to those of us keen to escape the grim British weather, but could there be more to it than this? Christmas is getting bigger every year and the pressure to get it right is immense. A Tenerife Christmas can remove such hassles, and more. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of ten aspects of Christmas hell and how jetting off on a sunny holiday to Tenerife will turn them all around!

1) In the UK: Presents and shopping

Us Brits spend an average of £384 on 18 Christmas presents. Significantly more than you might be spending on your whole Tenerife holiday!

In Tenerife: Spanish souvenirs

It’s impossible to list all the Spanish souvenirs you could find for your loved ones, but here are five of the most popular items you could pick up whilst on holiday in Tenerife:

Abanico – hand held fans elaborately decorated or carved from wood make a great Tenerife Christmas present.
Football Souvenirs – items brandishing the Real Madrid crest or a miniature replica of the stadium are ideal gifts for footie fans!

Bullfighting Souvenirs – you can buy a representation of the three matadors or even a replica matador’s jacket.

Toro – these miniature Spanish bulls vary in quality from moulded plastic to elaborate pieces hand made in leather.

Art & Paintings – from the country that gave birth to Salvador Dali and Picasso there is a large selection of cheap scenes of everyday Spain.

2) In the UK: Enforced jollity

At Christmas there is no greater sin then appearing to be grumpy. Never mind if it’s raining again when it ought to be snowing. Never mind the awkward family tensions. If your mood isn’t up you’re in trouble – you’re ‘ruining Christmas’.

In Tenerife: Real jollity

Waking up to the bliss of no responsibilities and a day of sunbathing will put you in a naturally good mood, so there’s no need to fake it!

3) In the UK: Inappropriate outfits

Christmas seems to inspire the oddest outfits: fluorescent antlers, hair tinsel, ‘fun’ paper crowns, ridiculous knitted festively themed woolly jumpers – the list is endless and another example of that enforced jollity.

In Tenerife: A good tan

Developing a healthy glow on holiday in Tenerife will make you the envy of all your friends when the glitter of Christmas has died down to a dull fizzle and everyone’s feeling pale and miserable. Ha-ha!

4) In the UK: Guzzling excessive cheap alcohol

To get through the emotional rollercoaster of another family Christmas, many of us, despite our best intentions, will turn to the bottle to ease the pain. The following day’s hangover only makes it that much worse.

In Tenerife: Sipping cocktails by the pool

There are so many fabulous bars in Tenerife that you’ll be spoilt for choice, and there’s no need to overdo it when you’re already having so much fun!

5) In the UK: Office parties

You can already picture the scene: watching what you drink in case you say exactly what you think about your unbearable boss or colleague, whilst pretending not to be disgusted by the cringeworthy advances of the office letch. Finally, you end up dancing wildly with said letch in a mad drunken stupor. The Facebook photos won’t make it any easier to forget.

In Tenerife: Beach parties!

A beach party in Tenerife will really blow away the winter cobwebs. For daytime fun, the main beach of Playa de las Americas is where the party people go to recharge their batteries before the next clubland assault and when the sun goes down you can head to Enramada Beach near La Caleta, where Chiringuito Beach Club hosts parties at the weekend. Many revellers choose to camp on the beach at Las Galletas, bringing their own food and drinks and listening to music into the small hours. Christmas in Tenerife is such fun!

6) In the UK: Christmas lunch

First of all, whoever’s cooking is incredibly stressed, and claims you have no idea how much work there is to do (if you try and help then you’re inevitably doing it all wrong). This leads to petty arguments and numerous kitchen disasters. Meanwhile one member of the family has suddenly decided to become a vegan without telling anyone and refuses to eat a thing, glaring grumpily while everyone else tucks into their turkey.

In Tenerife: Tapas & fresh tropical fruit

Food in Tenerife is very tasty and a lot less stressful than Christmas dinner. Tapas are Spain’s appetizers, scrummy little dishes which are often flavoured with garlic, chillies or paprika, cumin, salt, pepper or saffron. It often comes with seafood such as anchovies, sardines or mackerel in olive oil with tomatoes and sometimes peppers or olives. On your Tenerife holiday you can also sample many delicious tropical fruits like mangoes, paw paw and ‘platanos fritos’ – fried bananas.

7) In the UK: Christmas television

Saccharine Coca Cola adverts, endless repeats of ‘Only Fools and Horses’, soap extravaganzas and ‘Celebrity’ Christmas specials.

In Tenerife: singles – Find a winter romance

For goodness sake, forget TV and get out there onto the lively Tenerife singles scene. If anything’s going to boost your sprits at Christmas it’s a sizzling holiday romance!

8) In the UK: Christmas number ones

Slade’s ‘So here it is Merry Christmas’, Band Aid’s ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ and Aled Jones’ ‘Walking in the air’. Haven’t you heard them all enough?

In Tenerife: iPod

Forget the naffness – when you set off for your holiday in Tenerife you make sure you’ve got all your favourite tunes at your fingertips so you can sunbathe in peace.

9) In the UK: Carol singers

Expecting you to give them money for one chorus of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ when half of them don’t know the words and the other half are miming.

In Tenerife: iPod

See above.

10) In the UK: Unrelentingly grim weather

Grrr. Grrr. Grrr.

In Tenerife: Sunshine

Mmm – what a relief!

Incoming search terms:

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This historical settlement dates back to 1812, when it was an important trading post that helped send vital food supplies to the pioneer communities in Alaska. Be sure to visit the chapel and the Rotchey House—one of the few surviving original structures. They’ve also reconstructed the blockhouses and stockades, to give visitors a chance to get a “feel” of life in early America.

2. Visit Lake Sonoma, Healdsburg

Lake Sonoma has something for everyone—families, couples, or even individuals seeking a few hours of serene solitude. You can hike, swim, ride a boat or a horse, hunt, and even set up camp.

There are nearly 17,700 acres to explore, full of trails and groves full of oak, madrone, alder, redwood and bay trees. These encircle the lake and the surrounding hills, and are full of amazing wildlife—deer, rabbits, birds, and one of America’s endangered species, the peregrine falcon. In early spring and summer, the forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers of every color.

Bring a picnic basket and a camera—this is one place you can’t miss.

3. Experience a Scenic Air Tour “Above California”

Experience California from a completely different perspective – from the air! These amazing aerial tours will take you through the famous Sonoma and Napa Wine Country— through vineyards and valleys, over the mountain peaks and the rippling waters of the Pacific Coast. You’ll even get to see places accessible only through plane (and imagine what kind of pictures you’ll be able to take!).

All pilots are FAA certified, and give an informed and interesting commentary on the region’s history, geography and ecosystems. Truly an “Experience of a Lifetime” you’ll remember forever.

4. Cruise Along America’s Famous Hwy. 1

They don’t call this American Road for nothing. California’s state route, Highway 1, takes visitors past one of the world’s longest stretches of coastlines. Enjoy mile after mile of ocean view, refreshing breeze, and clear, blue sky. Then, stretch your legs at any of the many golden beaches. Dive into the water, work on that tan, or lounge in the shade with a cold drink and a good nook.

5. “Ooh and Aah” at The Old Faithful Geyser

Think of geysers as natural recurring steam baths. These stone cones cast a scalding fountain of water up to 75 feet into the air. However, most breakouts are irregular and unpredictable—only three in the world actually have constant, predictable eruptions.

One of them is found in Calistoga. This Old Faithful erupts every 20 to 30 minutes, though rainfall can cause it to “blow” more frequently, but with less intensity. Visitors say it’s an “amazing experience” that draws oohs and aahs every time. Pack a picnic lunch and grab a table near the geyser.

6. Be a Farmer for a Day on “Sonoma County Farm Trails”

For one day, you can experience being farmer for day—go berry picking, feed the sheep and llamas, and bite into apples that had been picked off the branches just minutes before. You can get free trail maps that will lead you though different produce farms, breweries, cheese factories and wineries. You can also buy fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer.

You can also sign up for the Gravenstein Apple Fair held every year from August 11 to 12. For more information, visit www.farmtrails.org

7. Enjoy Ferrari Carano Winery

In just 2 decades the Ferrari-Carano winery had become one of America’s leading producers of world class wines. You can schedule a wine tasting tour from Monday to Saturday, and avail of any of the several fun but informative programs. Sample different vintages, paired with cheese, chocolate and dried fruit.

Test your “smell memory”. Find out how to pair wine with different dishes. Or, ask for a customized tour (by appointment only).

Schedule wine tours by emailing Mandy Cuthbert at mandy@fcwinery.com. You can also take your trip to “new heights” with an amazing aerial tour of the region’s vineyards.

8. Visit Ancient Redwood Trees at Petrified Forest, Calistoga

Geologists say that the Petrified Forest in Calistoga has one of the world’s best fossil forests. These ancient redwood trees were buried under tons of volcanic ash, freezing life as it was 3,000 years ago. So, when you walk through the woods, you literally walk back in time—seeing insects and animals (some of them now extinct), ancient leaves turned to stone, caught mid-furl.

The park is dotted with signposts that explain key fossils and geology. At the end of the 20 minute tour, visitors can relax in the picnic area.

9. Go on a Wild Safari at “Safari West Animals”

This unique 400 acre wildlife preserve is home to over 400 animals and birds, some of them endangered. There are zebras, giraffes, lemurs, several cats and much, much more. Great for families and all nature lovers, it’s the closest people can get to an “African reserve” while on American soil.

The tours last three hours each and are led by an experienced naturalist. Visitors are also free to explore the inner compound at leisure, where they can make friends with friendly animals like giraffes and moneys, and enjoy the music of the birds in the open-air aviary.

10. Come Say “Hi” to Snoopy at the Charles M Schulz Museum

The world owes much to Charles M. Schultz, the creator of the beloved comic strip, Peanuts. His lovable characters were not only funny, but often incredibly philosophical—from the existential angst of Charlie Brown, to the carefree spirit of Snoopy.

Charles Schultz’ closest friends and family established the Schultz museum in 2002, in the heart of his hometown, Sonoma County. Collections include over 6,000 drawings, samples of thematic work from 1950 to 2000, and priceless preliminary sketches for Peanuts.

Direct flights straight into the heart of the Wine Country are now available at none other than the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. The Airport was recently re-named to pay tribute to the local artist.

1.    Nun Watching in Piazza San Pietro

There is something serene about watching a line of Nuns on tour, especially on specific Saint’s days, taking photos of the façade of St Peter’s or trailing behind each other inside the huge basilica. They are only out numbered by the pigeons, which parents ,who hate their children, encourage to sit on their offspring’s head in hopes they will pick them up and fly away, perhaps dropping them somewhere over the Forum.

2.    Eating Gelati 3 times a day

This is mandatory for anyone travelling during the months of June, July and August. How the Italians get it so creamy, tasty and dribbly is beyond me but you never feel full. It’s the best thing after a long hot day queuing up for hours to see all those magnificent artworks. It is made with totally natural ingredients and everybody claims to have the best gelato shop in Italy, which is believable, but some even go further, experimenting in odd flavours like tomato and believe it or not basil.

3.    Holding up the leaning tower of Pisa

You’ve all seen it. The obligatory photo of someone and their mates holding up the Leaning tower, either with one finger or both hands. Probably the next best thing to climbing it, which is all anyone goes to Pisa to do. And holding it up is about the cheapest thing there.

4.    Dodging Cars in Rome

After sky diving in Switzerland and a taxi ride in the Czech republic this probably the most adrenaline packed activity you can do in Europe. To cross the road you must keep walking, make sure you keep eye contact with any oncoming driver like a bullfighter and keep moving. The cars and bikes will come very close, never actually touching you, so long as you keep going.

5.    Parking on a Kerb

Everyone else does it.

6.    Singing a Duet with a Gondolier

He may not be the next Pavarotti but your gondolier should have a pretty good voice. They know all the old favourites and it makes the experience all the more authentic. They usually ask for a bit extra for the service on top of the hire fee. The most favoured time is around dusk as the lights are coming on making the reflections in the water add to the atmosphere.

7.    Hanging out with the Pope on Wednesday

Tourists, Nuns, Priests, locals and pigeons flock to Piazza San Pietro for the weekly address from his holiness Pope Benedict XVI at around 10am. Afterwards you can check out the inside of the Basilica and the crypt where St Peter’s remains are kept.

8.    Checking out David’s A—e

You could line up and pay to see the original inside the Accademia, where it was shifted at the end of the 1800’s to protect it from vandals and the elements. Or you could examine his copy up close in Piazza Signoria for free, or you could climb the hill above the Ponte Vecchio to see the bronze version standing in Piazza Michelangelo. Or you could see all 3 and make a comparison.

9.    Drinking wine and watching the sunset in Cinque Terre

There is something quite unique about sitting on the rocks next to where the fishing boats pull up, lanterns bobbing along the wires around the cove in the sea breeze, listening to a guy practising his baritone opera through an open window, watching the sun sinking over the horizon sipping on a locally made red after eating home made pasta and pesto sauce. Perfect.

10.    Eating Pizza in Napoli

Home of the Margherita pizza. A famous local pizza maker Rafaelle Espositi heard the Queen of Naples was interested in trying a pizza so he made a patriotic one using basil, tomato and mozzarella for the colours of the Italian flag. She liked it so much she gave her name to it. To be enjoyed while observing the kamikaze scooters and cars going hell for leather down the narrow streets.

11.    Cliff Diving in Sorrento

Not for the faint hearted. Locals, generally boys, scramble up the steep cliffs to leap off dropping tens of metres into the big blue beneath. If that is way too over the top you could always take a mask and snorkel and wait around underneath.

12.    Calling your mum from the top of the Venice Campanile

Believe it or not there is a public pay phone at the top of the campanile so you can make that all important call to your mum, or maybe order a pizza for dinner.

13.    Wine Tasting in Chianti

There is a theory that the word Chianti comes from the old Etruscan word for water ‘Clante’, which is an obvious connection to make if you drink a lot of Chianti. The stringent production standards set by the Consortium means the quality of all types of the wine is consistent and it’s hard to find a bad one.

14.    Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain

But don’t go swimming unless you want to pay a huge fine. One coin means you return to Rome, two coins means you return and get kissed and three coins means you return and get married. All the money gets swept up regularly and given to charity. The authorities also don’t take kindly to anyone stealing from the fountain. Put the coin(s) in your right hand and throw over your left shoulder. It’s something fun to do with the change from your third gelato.

15.    Visiting the Sistine Chapel

If you survive the 3km walk through the rather opulent Papal Rooms of the Vatican Museum you will be rewarded with the sensational view of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Created in situ by Michelangelo, he often painted freehand straight onto the wet plaster, through belligerent Papal outbursts, financial difficulties, staffing problems, slipping foundations, wars and finally completed after 4 years in 1512. Take mini field glasses and some sort of key to each fresco. The noise of everyone whispering is only drowned out by the guard bellowing ‘silencio’ every so often. And don’t sit on the steps.

16.    Walking the planks in a flooded Venice

One of the more original experiences when visiting this watery city. Winter rains flood the lagoon and when the tide is in the level can rise to your knees. Practical locals have come up with the solution in the form of raised platforms so you can walk the planks around Piazza San Marco without getting your toes wet. Or you could invest in some stylish rubber booties.

17.    Getting Grappa-ed ( drink too much Grappa)

Every country has it’s fire water. In Russia and Poland it’s vodka, in Mexico it’s Tequila, in Czech it’s the Absinthe and in Italy it’s Grappa. Distilled from the leftovers from pressing the grapes for wine, all the pips, skins and stalks, it is usually drunk at the end of a meal after the espresso. The first shot takes care of any sensation in your throat and the second and third take care of the rest of the nervous system.

18.    Buying a Ferrari hat

After football, the Pope and their own mother comes the nation’s almost religious following of that little red car from Maranello. Most Italian drivers appear to fancy themselves as the next Schumacher along the autostrada, including the truck drivers, but you have to admit the car is cool.

19.    Riding a scooter in Tuscany

Winding country roads between rolling green hills, vine rows neatly slicing down the hillsides, wild flowers in the fields and those tall cypress trees lining the driveway to a mediaeval villa. All that fresh air and the chance to take life at the local pace while unpacking a tasty picnic in some farmer’s field.

20.    Finishing a Bistecca alla Fiorentina ( T bone Steak)

The resurrection of the Florentines favourite steak made national headlines. The local celebrity butcher from Panzano, Dario Cecchini had held a public funeral and memorial service when the EU banned the sale of beef on the bone products after the mad cow scare a few years back. Now it’s back and everyone is celebrating. Just make sure you’re really hungry for this one as it is huge.

The general consensus was that these were all the things that should be done during a trip to Italy, along with all the usual art and history things of course, in order that you get the most out of the trip.

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