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Brela is one of the most attractive tourist places in Dalmatia, situated 15 km from Makarska, between Biokovo mountain and the island of Brac. Brela is surrounded by the longest and most beatiful coastline in Croatia. The town of Brela consists of the older part Upper Brela, and the newer part located on the coast, Down Brela.
Brela is unique in its beauty with pine woods, great pebble and rocky beaches, crystal blue see and top quality service in many luxury hotels, apartments and cheap private accommodation. It is the winner of European ecological award “Blue flag” for years 1999-2002. Wherever you look you can enjoy in beautiful view, many times it is breathtaking. Many natural beauties and historic sights are on a reach of your hand. You have a great opportunity to visit attractive Croatian tourist destination like Trogir, Split, Dubrovnik, island of Brac, Biokovo mountain … Many tourist agencies offer these and other trips as well as car or yacht rentals. Oriented to non massive tourism, Brela have kept its natural values. For those in favour of a more private vacation with their family there is an wide offer of private Brela apartments and and villas. As elsewhere in Dalmatia, many apartment owners expect you to stay for at least 3-4 nights. In high season (July and August) due to high demand for accommodation you may be expected to stay for seven nights. Those who are looking for hotel vacation can choose from number of hotels with beatiful sea views: Hotel Maestar, Hotel Marina, Hotel Berulia

We’ve all become accustomed to using the interent to track airline fares, waiting for a great sale to book flights.  Well now, thanks to the ingenious folks at Yapta.com, you can track rates at your favorite hotel as well.

Let’s say that gorgeous Caribbean Island Resort you love so much has been calling your name.  Log into your account at Yapta, pick some dates and track the rates.  Whenever the rates go down, Yapta will send you an email.  A smart traveler will aslo track the hotel rates after you’ve book a reservation, if they go down again, you can jump all over it!!

I’ve left my treasured house plants for up to a month using this method.  Water your plants well and place them in a large rubber basin (or more depending on how many plants you have).  Make sure the pot bottoms have holes to let water in.  Place the basin on the floor below a window but not in the direct path of the sun.  Bring in a pitcher and fill the basin with several inches of water - about an inch of water for every week you’ll be gone.  Drape a dry cleaner bag loosly over the top to help keep the moisture in but leave sides loose to allow a bit of air circulation.  With any luck you’ll return home to healthy, happy plants!

If you’ve had enough of all the negative news, and the badgering of the ads screaming about great travel deals - How about grabbing one of those discounted airfares to Florida and escaping to a spa resort that promises to “Block out the world” for an hour or a day? The last thing on anyone’s mind is a day at the Spa. How can you justify a massage when you are watching every dollar? Well, here’s my plan…. forgo a restaurant dinner or two and instead take time to pamper yourself - get healthy in both body and mind; the glow of a spa day will last far longer than any meal! Even better, what if you could have a 20% discount on treatments? Read on!

A spa day is a luxury most of us have to stretch to afford, but I have found a true gem in Southwest Florida – at the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa that will be worth the splurge. It is located in Fort Myers, Florida (yes right near the spring training camps of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins – say goodbye to the guys!), - just on the right before you head over the bridge to Sanibel. Fresh from a multi-million dollar rebuild (thanks to Hurricane Charlie) this property is truly a little slice of heaven. The minute you arrive, you’ll know you are in a special place.

Recently the stress of today’s world put me in need of a short escape. I was willing to forgo a nice dinner out with friends, and cook every meal at home, just for an interlude of relaxation at the Sanibel Harbour Resort Spa. A big vacation was not on my radar, but I so needed a change of pace! I booked some treatments for my daughter as a birthday treat, and of course I needed to go along! Their website claims you will ‘restore balance to your life’. And I actually think it did just that for me. This Spa has been rated one of the Top 10 Spas in the USA by Conde Nast Traveler, and here it sits conveniently in Fort Myers Florida.

You can picture them now, stately grand dames of the seacoast welcoming visitors for decades - elegant, historic and pricey.  Well now, thanks to The Maine Innkeepers Association, you can indulge yourself with a coveted Maine getaway in May, for half price.  What’s even better, your stay will benefit Habitat for Humanity at the same time.

The Maine Innkeepers Assocation has announced its 6th Annual Hospitality for Habitat program, which raises funds for local chapters of Habitat for Humanity.  The program is simple, participating inns make a number of rooms available at half their usual rate in exchange for a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity.  Reservations need to be made in advance and your donation must be in the form of a check.  To find ‘a great room, at a great price, for a good cause’, visit the Maine Innkeepers Association website where you will find a full listing of participating inns.

If  the haunting call of a Scottish bagpipe has ever made you wistfully yearn to know more about Scotland’s indomitable spirit and proud heritage, this is the year to visit.

2009 marks the 250th birthday of favorite Son and poet Robert Burns, and Scotland is celebrating in a very big way.  Scotland is throwing it’s arms  open wide and inviting all Scots to a Homecoming (whether you’re a newcomer or a long lost Scots descendant).  Festivals and celebrations are planned from mid-January right through to St. Andrews Day at the end of November, so there’s plenty of time to gather your clan and make the journey.

Scotland leaves a lasting impression on it’s visitors, both in terms of scenic beauty and stalwart character (or is that characters!).  You have to love a country that adopts an illusive sea serpent as it’s mascot, proudly crafts the best sipping whisky in the world, and revels in the challenge of chasing a little white ball all over the countryside beating it with a stick.  Listen to the tales of the legendary rebels of the Highlands, follow the whisky trail, play a round of golf at St. Andrews and chase the exuberant white mountain sheep all over the countryside - that’s about the size of Maine.

The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow (about an hour apart) will be hosting grand celebrations all summer long.  Edinburgh welcomes all to The Gathering, projected to be the largest gathering of Scottish clans in history, from July 25-26, displaying pageantry along the Royal Mile and Highland Games in Holyrood Park.  From August 7-30 the heart thumping spectacle of The Military Tattoo and Fringe Festival will be in full swing.  August brings massed pipers to Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championships, and let’s not forget the Open Championship at Turnberry from July 16-19.

The whole country in fact will be toasting to your health during Whisky Month, May 1-31st and inviting you to follow the Whisky Trail.  In all, there will be more than 100 special events and celebrations scheduled throughout the year - don’t miss the fun!  Here are the best sites for finding all the celebration details and lining up the best tours to Scotland in 2009:

Visit Scotland.com
Come To Scotland.com
Homecoming Scotland 2009.com
Clan Gathering.org
Event Scotland.org
Ancestral Scotland.com
Scotster.com

Perhaps the most comprehensive directory of WiFi Hot Spots worldwide resides at JiWire.com.  Search with ease either by city name or by clicking on the map.  What I like most about the directory is that the hot spots are identified as free or not.

Learn the tricks of the wine trade by crafting your own signature blend and creating an exclusive  private label at Folio Enoteca’s ‘Winemaker For A Day’ program in the Napa Valley, California. Brought to you by the Michael Mondavi family, the ‘Winemaker For a Day’ program is designed to introduce wine enthusiasts to all levels of the art of wine making.  The hour long session covers the fundamentals of customer blending and helps consumers identify their own taste profile.  Participants sample a number of varietals directly from the barrel and then choose components that appeal to their individual taste buds.  Selections can be made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and Syrah, and from either new French oak or second-year French oak barrels.

Participants are able to create a style of wine distinctly for themselves, ranging from ‘big and opulent to subtle and elegant’ says Mondavi.  Following the wine blending process, participants select a bottle and closure type of their liking and then craft a custom wine label.  There is a two-case minimum purchase and the final pricing will depend on the type of base wines selected for the blend.

The ‘Winemaker For A Day’ program takes place at the Oxbow Public Market in the Folio Enoteca & Winery (family wine bar, cafe and micro-winery) in downtown Napa.  For more information contact Jemina Whitman at 707-256-3700 or jwhitman@foliowine.com

If you’re planning a camping trip out West, there are very few destinations as stunning as Big Sur.

Located along Scenic Highway One, about 150 miles south of San Francisco, Big Sur is one of Northern California’s most popular destinations for hiking, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities. Whether you choose to hike the many trails located in Big Sur backcountry, dance amongst the great Red Woods or attempt to reach the cool fog-covered beaches, you have a great many options to choose from!

When it comes to packing for your trip to Big Sur, what are the essentials and what can you leave behind? Where you plan to camp in Big Sur will make the difference. Streamside camping is available in the Big Sur Valley, while ocean view and bluff camping is available in the southern end of Big Sur.

Here’s a guide outlining the basics that you’ll need for your trip, from a sleeping bag and air mattress, to the right tent and backpack.

Backpacks & Tents:

While some campgrounds around Big Sur offer cabins, most do not. The type of backpack you bring depends on how long you intend to stay. A general rule of thumb is to at least bring a daypack to carry around your water, trail snacks, sun block and other trail necessities. If you plan to spend the entire day on the trail, you’ll need a bigger backpack. The more you have in your backpack, the more support you’re going to need. Having a backpack with a waist support strap is a good idea, taking some of the weight off your back and shoulders. It’s also essential that you have a little bit of space between the backpack and your back. This will eliminate discomfort when walking along the trails.

Before embarking on a Big Sur camping trip, you need to make sure first that there is availability at the camp ground you want to use. While some of the camp grounds do accept reservations, most of them are in fact first come, first serve, and have a maximum number of allowed campers. When it comes to choosing the right tent, its best that you choose a tent that will be roomy enough to be comfortable in, light enough to be portable, and a cinch to assemble.

Because of Big Sur’s very diverse topography, it’s impossible to generalize the weather, but Big Sur typically enjoys a mild climate year-round. Expect a sunny, dry summer and fall, and a cool, wet winter, with coastal temperatures ranging from the 50s at night to the 70s by day from June through October, and in the 40s to 60s from November through May. Make sure your tent is appropriate for whatever season you expect to be traveling in, and that it is water proof.

Sleeping Bags:

While the type of sleeping bag you choose should also be dependent on the season you are traveling, a versatile 3-season tent might be your best bet. Lightweight, yet comfortable, these tents are good all year round. Purchasing some sort of a sleeping pad or air mattress is a wise idea. While the terrain at any given campground should be a bit more even, you never know what to expect. You don’t want to wake up one morning for a hike with horrible back pain. A little extra layer of comfort under your sleeping bag is a smart move.

Clothes:

Whatever season you are traveling in, bringing both warm and lightweight clothes is an absolute must! Located so near to the Coast, Big Sur dips into the 50s in the summer and fall and the 40s during the winter and spring, so you need to be prepared. It’s a good idea to dress in layers for sleeping and for early morning hikes. Bringing shorts and swim trunks is also a smart idea, should you decide to wade in the rivers and ocean. A hat is also a must to protect you from the sun, and a good, sturdy pair of hiking boot are essential. Bring a rain jacket or poncho as well, especially if traveling in the winter and spring, as that is the park’s rainy season.

Favorite Big Sur Campgrounds:

While the natural beauty is all around you wherever you go in Big Sur, here are some of the best in terms of surrounding activities and natural wonders.

• Pfieffer Big Sur State Park: With 204 campsites, Pfeiffer offers a picturesque 1,006 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows plus an abundance of wildlife. Nearby hiking trails and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Valley make Pfieffer Big Sur State Park a must see destination. The park closes in the Fall and reopens in the Spring.
• Andrew Molera State Park: With 24 first come, first served campsites, this site is a third of a mile from where you park your car. Located in a beautiful meadow, the Andrew Molera State Park contains 4,800 beautiful acres, with the Big Sur River running right through the park. Miles of trails wind through the meadows, beaches and hilltops of this topographically diverse park.
• Ventana Campground: This gorgeous campground is set in a 40-acre redwood grove and features 80 private, secluded campsites located right on the canyon floor. Each site includes a picnic table and adjustable fire ring with drinking water available nearby.

Thanks go to Jamie Sward for sharing this terrific article with Wicked Good Travel Tips!

It’s been quite a while since I considered myself a coupon clipper, but times change, budgets tighten, and it’s time to sharpen up those clippers again!  There’s a whole new world online for finding your favorite products offered at a discount prices, and that includes travel as well.  Dozens of coupon sites populate the internet offering easy access to current sales and promotions.Here are some of my favorite sites for finding great discount travel coupons and codes:

Coupon Winner is my all around favorite for clear navigation, with a huge scope of offerings.  You’ll not only find current travel discount coupons on this site, but discounts for most every product that touches your life.  This is a good site to bookmark today!
Current Codes Listed alphabetically are companies offering discount codes and specials.  In addition to listing current promotions, they provide easy links to company ‘deals’ pages.
E Hotel Coupons offers discount coupons for hotels across the United States.  Just click on the states you’ll be visiting to find coupons for discounted stays.

Other good sites in offering hotels discount coupons by state are:  Road Trips, Interstate Travel Buddy and ATSI Coupons. These discounts tend to be at mid-market properties such as Holiday Inn, Ramada, Comfort Suites etc.

Finally for all you families doing the obligatory visit to Orlando, be sure to check out Orlando Saver.