Loire Valley 5 Great Venues East of Tours

Loire Valley - 5 Great Venues East of Tours
By Walt Ballenberger

The Loire Valley of France is famous for its many romantic chateaux and its wines. Here are five excellent venues to be found east of the city of Tours. They are in relatively close proximity and can be visited in a quick two days or a leisurely three by car. One can visit these sites in the order listed going in a generally easterly direction. These are all top-notch attractions, and a visit to the Loire Valley is not complete without seeing them all. Each of these chateaux have regularly scheduled guided tours.

AmboiseThe impressive chateau which overlooks the Loire river from the top of a cliff was a royal residence in the 15th and 16th centuries. Famous French kings and royalty were raised here, including Francois I, who later as king invited Leonardo da Vinci to live in Amboise. Leonardo spent the last few years of his life living and working close by at Clos Luce. He is buried in the small chapel of Saint-Hubert, just outside the chateau walls. At Clos Luce an interesting museum has been built. Using plans drawn by Leonardo da Vinci, a number of his machines and inventions have been constructed in modern times and are displayed. They attest to the genius of this man who was hundreds of years ahead of his time. In the 17th and 18th century the chateau fell upon hard times and was a prison at one point. Numerous restoration projects took place over time, and these continue today under the direction of a foundation managed by descendants of the former king Louis-Philippe, who also spent time in Amboise during his reign.

ChenonceauPerhaps the most famous of the Loire chateaux, Chenonceau spans the Cher river. It is an amazing sensation to be touring the chateau and see the rushing waters of the river pass underneath. The grounds boast two magnificent gardens, each one built by a famous lady in French history. One was Diane de Poitiers who was a mistress of king Henri II and was given the chateau by her admirer. The kings wife, Catherine de Medici, was not happy about this and took back the chateau after Henri II died accidentally in a tournament. Not to be outdone, Catherine had the de Medici gardens constructed, and these were of course larger than the garden of Diane de Poitiers. The property has a winery as well, and one can do some wine tasting as part of a visit.

Chateau de ChaumontThis was Catherine de Medicis residence during the time that Diane de Poitiers lived at Chenonceau. After Catherine used her power to claim Chenonceau upon the death of her husband, Henri II, Diane de Poitiers did live at Chaumont for a brief period. This chateau is smaller than some of the other famous Loire chateaux, but its architectural design makes it look as if it emetged from a fairy tale. This chateau is now the property of the French government.

Chateau de ChevernyA personal favorite of this author, the Chateau de Cheverny is unique in many ways. It is newer than some of the other famous properties, having been built in the early 17th century. Amazingly, the same family that built the chateau lives in it today. One sees many beautiful pieces of furniture, tapestries, and works of art in the magnificent rooms on the chateau tour. The property, unlike many others in the region, was not ransacked during the French revolution. According to our tour guide there, the nearby townspeople actually helped to protect the building from destruction since the family was always kind to the local inhabitants. Of course visitors are not allowed into the residential section of the chateau, but the grounds can be visited as well. There one will find the kennel which houses about 90 hunting dogs, and they are taken out on hunts twice per week in order to keep up the old deer hunting tradition in the region.

Chateau de ChinonThe Chateau de Chinon is the largest of the chateaux in the Loire region, and it contains more than 400 rooms. In contrast to the warmth of Cheverny, however, there is little furniture and most of the rooms are empty, as the building was ransacked during the French revolution. One does get a sense of the opulence that was here, however, since both king Louis XIII and his son, king Louis IV (the Sun King) stayed here on many occasions. Prior to that the chateau was the residence of Charles VII, the dauphin of France in the early 15th century. The legendary Joan of Arc came here to pledge her allegiance to him and urged him to declare himself king and fight to liberate France from the English. In recent years Chinon has become well known for its cabernet franc based wines and there are numerous opportunities nearby to sample some of these wines.

The Chateaux of the Loire are among the most popular destinations in France. Dont miss any of these great venues if you go there. If you have additional time to spend in the area, there are other smaller and less famous chateaux nearby which can be visited, and these are impressive as well.

Walt Ballenberger is founder of Beaux Voyages, which provides active tours in France including Tour de France bike tours. He has lived and worked in France and speaks the language fluently.

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South San Francisco Bay Charter's Handbook When to Plan a Cruise

South San Francisco Bay Charter's Handbook - When to Plan a Cruise
By Bob Diamond

When to Plan a Cruise

During most of the season, you can count on the afternoon northwest wind in the South Bay and wind coming more from the west in the North Bay. The other significant variable is the tidal current. The ideal plan is to have the current going with you in all directions but that's not always possible. If you can just plan to have the current in your favor at the critical times, you'll have a great advantage. There are places in the Bay where the current is stronger than elsewhere. These places can be seen in the current charts of San Francisco Bay. There are also days every month when the current is stronger than on other days. When the tides are the most extreme, it's called spring tides. The least extreme tides are called eap tides. The tidal current is of course strongest during the spring tides. Tide and current tables are available on the web and in booklet form at Spinnaker and many other marine facilities.

If possible, plan a cruise so the current is favorable or at least not too unfavorable when you're going to be passing through areas where the current is strongest. The tides and currents tend to be in opposite phase every week. If it turns out the current is going to be unfavorable for your passage one week; you can expect it to be favorable the following week. That's assuming you plan for approximately the same departure time. Modern cruising often involves a lot of motoring. Accept the necessity of motoring, especially if your going to start early in the morning before the wind comes up.

Fueling

The inboard Diesel powered boats carry enough fuel for just about any cruise of a few days duration. More fuel is available at the many fuel docks located north of Redwood City. The outboard powered boats normally only carry enough fuel for 3 or 4 hours of motoring. Spinnaker can provide an extra container of fuel upon request, and if necessary, cruisers can purchase more gasoline along the way. If 50:1 outboard mix is not available, outboard users will have to mix the new gas with outboard motor oil to make the proper mixture required by outboard engines. Charterers are given a full tank of gas upon departure from the charter base. Any additional fuel required is at the expenxe of the charter.

For more information please visit our website at http://www.spinnakersailing.com

Bob Diamond has been head instructor at Spinnaker Sailing since 1984

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Choosing the Right Travel Package

Choosing the Right Travel Package
By Anand Srinivasan

With international airfares falling with increasing competition, numerous travel agencies have sprung up to help you make your international visit easy and comfortable. But now there is a problem of plenty. Here are a few things you need to consider when choosing the travel package of your choice.

COST

Naturally this is the first thing to look out for. Prepare the budget you are ready to shell out. But remember that if you are too particular about the upper limit for your travel, you choose that package that falls well inside your budget. Most often, no matter how deeply you look into the costs involved, there are always instances when you feel there was a hidden cost involved which younever knew until you made the payment. Also, you might end up making more than the planned purchasing. So, this is one factor, you must carefully plan and decide.

COMFORT and PRIVACY

For economy budget travellers, travel agencies usually help make costs low by taking the tourists in groups so that the cumulative costs involved help in making the cost per tourist less.But, too many co-travellers might end up ruining your comfort and privacy levels. It is best to know in advance the number of tourists who accompany you. Some travel agencies make good planning to split this group into smaller groups when you walk out in the destination. The best way to know about such organizing is through reviews about the package that you can find on the internet blogs and forums.

FLEXIBILITY

Choose a package that offers you more flexibility in deciding your period of stay in individual locations. Each of your co-travellers have different tastes and it is simply not enough if everyone is offered the same periods of stay at individual locations. So, look for travel packages that offer you the freedom to choose to lengthen or shorten your stay at individual spots. This kind of flexibility might shoot up the costs a bit, but nevertheless makes your travel a much more relishing experience.MANAGEMENTFinally, choose from reviews the kind of travel agancy that takes on the leadership during the stay. The least thing you would want to do is keep finding your way in a foreign place, while the travel is simply doing only what he is paid for - ferrying you to and from the place.

Anand Srinivasan is the author of http://XooXonline.info a website of varied themes and topics for the internet surfer who wants to surf but does not know what to!

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Photo I.D. Cards For Summerlin Nevada

Photo I.D. Cards For Summerlin, Nevada
By Shirley Simmons

If you live in Summerlin, Nevada, you are one lucky person. This planned community is one that offers so much for its residents. There are music festivals, contests, movies, and much more open to the residents of this community. In addition, there are pools and many parks and walking trails to take advantage of. Because of the great activities always going on in Summerlin, Nevada, the residents chose to issue photo I.D. cards to the residents.

If you want to be admitted to many of the festivities, you often need to show proof that you are a Summerlin, Nevada resident. Many times visitors will be admitted for free or for a small fee, but if you want free access like all other Summerlin residents, you need to get your resident photo I.D. card right away.

The Summerlin I.D. cards can be created at several of the community centers. In fact, you can visit The Trails or The Willows through the week to pick yours up. These two locations are open for issuing cards Monday through Friday from 9 in the morning until Noon. In addition, they are also open from 1pm to 5pm. You can call the local Summerlin information line to get more information.

Although it might seem a little overboard, it is important that you get your Summerlin, Nevada photo I.D. card soon after you move to the area. If you dont, you really wont be able to enjoy the same benefits as the other Summerlin residents. So, take the time to get your I.D. card today!

There are many reasons to consider Summerlin Nevada Real Estate.

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Your First Cigar Humidor

Your First Cigar Humidor
By Jennifer Jordan

Many of you who have just joined the cigar revolution may wonder if you need to purchase a cigar humidor, quietly mumbling to yourself, I already had to buy a lighter, now this! While some people do believe that keeping cigars in a plastic bag with a damp towel is sufficient enough to keep them suitable, nine out of ten cigar lovers likely splurge on the humidor. And, of course, nine out of ten dentists would probably agree.

This is because cigars adapt to their surroundings, absorbing their environment like a sponge. If they are kept in an ill-suited environment, they will age to be ill-suited cigars, disappointing both their parents and the person who bought them. On the flip side, however, is the fact that if cigars are placed in a well-suited environment, they will age to become well-suited for even the most seasoned connoisseur.

For those who have yet to purchase a humidor for your cigars to call home, you might be confused as to what a humidor is and whether or not you should buy one. They may seem confusing, like there are a lot of types and brands, each one begging for a chance to age your cigar. However, they are really pretty simple; a humidor is what it sounds like: a box or a room that contains constant humidity. Basically, its the cigars version of Florida.

While many cigar shops have room sized humidors, a walk-in humidity closet where patrons can shop for cigars, when purchasing a humidor for personal use the size doesnt need to be comparable: you dont need to turn your spare bedroom into a humidor, replacing your bed set and angering your spouse. A small wooden or glass humidor box will suffice, holding a few dozen cigars, keeping them at the perfect temperature and helping them to grow old gracefully.

Humidors all contain hygrometers, a device used to monitor humidity levels. This helps cigar lovers to keep their humidors around the ideal humidity of 65 to 70 percent. When the humidity in the humidor falls above or below this level, the hygrometer will tell you, as if tapping you on the shoulder with its thermometer. Ideally, its best to fill the humidor as much as possible, packing in the cigars to the very top: the more empty space the more likely a drop in humidity. And, more importantly, the more empty space the less cigars in your collection.

Humidors are made with wood that is particularly good for aging cigars; its like wrinkle cream for the tobacco world. Constructed with Spanish-cedar, this wood holds in more moisture, sheds its magnetic aroma onto the cigars, and repels tobacco beetles, tiny bugs that eat the tobacco, potentially ruining cigar collections and providing an undeserved luxury to the insect world.

Once a humidor is purchased, it must be prepped prior to use, placing your cigars in too soon will result in a waste of time and a waste of tobacco. To prep the humidor, take a damp cloth or towel and remove any dust by wiping down the interior. Next, place a small bowl of water inside the humidor and allow it to remain there for 12 hours with the lid to the humidor closed. After 12 hours, if the majority of the water has evaporated, fill another bowl of water and keep it inside the humidor for 24 hours. Its when the water quits evaporating that your humidor is ready for use. In a nutshell, when your humidor is no longer thirsty, give it your cigars.

Every few days be sure to check your humidor to make sure its not in need of a refill. If you live in a particularly hot climate, you may need to check your humidor more frequently, making sure the water hasnt all evaporated or that your parched dog hasnt drank from it in an act of thirsty desperation. When filling it, only use distilled water or half distilled water and half Propylene Glycol.

Humidors are essential to a good cigar collection. Not only do they keep cigars fresh and preserved, but they keep them enhanced with the essence they are meant to showcase. Having a cigar collection and not a humidor can be compared to owning a classic car, and keeping it outside the garage where any element of weather can attack. Most true connoisseurs, and novices who hope to become connoisseurs, advocate the use of a humidor. If you dont use one, your cigars may spoil or, if they dont, you will only come close to true luxury. Close, but no cigar.

Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

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25 Lanzarote Attractions Teguise Golf

25 Lanzarote Attractions - Teguise Golf
By John Plumb

Before telling you about my particular day out at Teguise Golf, the more avid golfers amongst you will probably want to know what views they can expect to see and the technical stuff that goes with playing golf. For me it was simply a great opportunity to spend a morning with a former work colleague (Colin) and his son (David) as they were staying in a neighbouring villa on La Goleta, part of the wider Faro Park Development.

The course runs along the side of an old volcano (no surprise there given Lanzarotes landscape) and has inspirational views of volcanic lava, cacti and over includes over 3,000 palm trees and has superb views of the Atlantic Ocean throughout. A Golf course such as this one, is quite simply, in my opinion, nature at its best. Csar Manrique, the man who taught the people of Lanzarote to care for their natural habitat has clearly left his influence everywhere. If you are a Golf anorak, you might also want to read the next paragraph of technical data ? If youre not, simply skip over it.

The course measures 6041m (White) ; 5582m (Yellow) ; 5289m (Blue) ; and 4938m (Red). Generally, visitors play off the blue tees. The Slope Rating of the course is 127 (White) ; 127 (Yellow) ; 130 (Blue) ; and 124 (Red)

We played off Blue Tees. The course measures 5289 Metres (5791 Yards for the non converts) and is a Par 72 course.

Ive since found out that the course was designed by British landscape architect John Harris and built in 1978. It is a truly a fantastic course, not only because of its design but also thanks to the excellent condition in which it is kept all year round and at Easter (April 2006), it was in superb condition. Given its location, it benefits from a warm and pleasant climate all year round, tempered only by sea breezes from the islands almost constant trade winds. The course is designed to be smooth yet varied. It has more than your average number of doglegs, designed to test your ability (or lack of it) and allows you to bring all your clubs into play. It will test everyone from scratch players to those of us with more modest ability.

Address : Avenida del Golf, s/n. 35509 Costa Teguise (Lanzarote).
Telephone : (00 34) 928 59 05 12
Fax : (00 34) 928 59 23 37
Email info@lanzarote-golf.com
Webiste :www.lanzarote-golf.com

The Following services can be found at the Club - Club hire, trolleys, buggies, driving range, pro-shop and club storage. There are separate male and female changing rooms and you can hire lockers. There is a Bar and Restaurant. The restaurant offers a varied menu, based on Mediterranean cuisine. The prices vary according to season. In the Summer months (1st June to 30th September) it costs 53 Euros (for 18 Holes) and 36 Euros (for 9 Holes after 4pm). In the Winter (we played in Winter and it was scorching !), it costs 65 Euros (18 Holes) and 52 Euros (9 Holes after 3pm). The Course has discount agreements with most of the hotels on the island, so check at your hotel, or check out a nearby hotel if youre in private accommodation as you can often get a better deal than this by doing so.

And so, to our day out. We planned to set off at 7am from our home in Playa Blanca (the idea being not to spoil the day for others and Brownie Points for everyone !.

There was to be four of playing, but that quickly became three when Gary (The Rainman) decided he was on holiday and was not coming to Golf at 7am (given that he left the British Open on Faro Park at midnight the night before (to prepare for golf), I was very surprised to get the Dear John text first thing in the morning. Garys nickname is a long story, but basically when its cold he wants it hot and when its hot he prays for rain (and usually gets it, so Im not that keen on going on holiday with him !)The three of us (Colin, a work colleague, his son David and yours truly) set off around 7:30am and we drove along the LZ-2 and then headed towards San Bartholme and then into Costa Teguise (avoiding Arrecife !)

When we arrived we were told it was members day (Saturday !) and that they had no tee times for 3 hours. A quick bit of lateral thinking later, we asked if we could play 10-18 and then get a Tee time for 1-9 which they agreed to (something youd almost expect them to suggest in the UK, so ask if you need to).

We decided wed have a friendly game of singles (if there is such a thing) - Loser buys the beers at the 19th hole. We played stableford, off full handicaps (youll need them). To cut along story short (ish), Colin was flying, I was struggling to even stay in touch and David, well David was having a bad day (its just as well he hired his clubs !). Colin was five points in front with five to play before he decided to show us his impression of Devon Loch (hes the horse that collapsed of exhaustion 50 yards from the finishing line in the 1956 Grand National when leading by 20 lengths !) Going up the 18th Colin was one behind (but I did not rub it in, honest) !

Colin tells me his wife Jackie really enjoyed her first trip to the island and that they may return. Im sure if we ever go into combat again, David will have been the range beforehand to shake off the cobwebs and Colin will make sure that he does not sprint when its a marathon.

Me, well I had my day !

John Plumb, frequent visitor to Lanzarote, a place that is now my 'home from home' having taken the plunge into villa ownership on the island - See http://www.villa-rochelle.co.uk.John is also the administrator of the Lanzarote Villa Owners Club @ http://www.lanzvillaowners.com.

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Travel Maryland Unique and Amazing Tourist Attractions of Frederick Maryland

Travel -- Maryland -- Unique and Amazing Tourist Attractions of Frederick, Maryland
By Ugur Akinci

Every September, on the third week following the Labor Day holiday, the Great Frederick Fair welcomes all visitors with a program that is worthy of its name. The Fair was first held back in May 1822. How's that for some tradition? It first started as a Cattle Show and progressed to its current status as a 4-H agricultural educational fair and good old fashioned entertainment for the whole family. Local farmers compete to win the top prizes for their exhibited cattle and livestock.

If you like history and architecture you must not miss the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum in Frederick, MD. This is the oldest building in Frederick and a perfect example of the mid-18th Century German architecture (built in 1756).

Here is another attractions you might definitely want to include in your tour of Frederick, Maryland:

The fantastic Lilypons Water Gardens present one of the largest lilly ponds in the world. People from all over the world come to see this garden situated in historic Buckeystown, just outside south of Frederick. Founded in 1917, this is really the place to be if you'd like to rest your tired eyes with the gorgeous spectacle of all kinds of delicate lilies. Koi & Wine Festival, Ed Sander Memorial Bike Ride, and Family Festival at the Farm (in October) are just some of the events held at this unique tourist spot (http://www.lilypons.com/).

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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.

You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

Register at his web site to get your FREE Writing and Marketing Tips & Ideas.

He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), Member of Bethesda / Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce of Maryland, and a Member of the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

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