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Vacation Homes

What So Special About Cape Cod

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Not quite sure where to go for your family vacation? May we suggest you give Cape Cod a try? For a vacation filled with adventures for all ages, from beaches to whale watches, and harbor cruises to great seafood. With so much to do on Cape Cod one should not be bored with nothing to do. For the kids there are pirate and critter cruises. Then there is mini golf everywhere
for great family entertainment. There are also miles of bike trails to explore (bring your own bikes or rent them all over the cape) from the Cape Cod Canal to the Cape Rail Trail and more.

Whether you need a golf vacation or prefer taking in the many museums on the cape. Shopping in the quaint villages of the cape is a unique experience as well as taking in the many antique shops. The cape offers several state parks as well as the Cape Cod National Seashore which
consist of nearly forty miles of unspoiled coastline.

For the baseball lovers be sure to take in one or more of the Cape Cod Baseball League’s games as this is the premier amature league in the country
and offers a great evening of family entertainment as well, and it is free!

I believe that after you have been here once you will fall in love with Cape Cod and return season after season. If not for a complete family summer vacation, a romantic getaway for two at one of the cape’s fantastic resorts complete with whirlpool and spa treatment. Even a weekend drive along the Cape Cod Canal or along route 6A during fall foliage season can be very relaxing and melt away the everyday stress.

Myself I dream of the day I can move back nearer to Cape Cod, enjoy the best in fresh seafood, and go fishing for strippers. Did I forget to mention about the great fishing on Cape Cod? There is deep sea fishing, fly fishing, surf fishing, or charter a boat and go get a 100 pound Blue Fin Tuna. Now that’s what I call fishing!

Vacation Homes

Planning Natural Attractions Winter Attractions Nearby Beaches Water Activities Serene Water Front W

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Winter Getaways and Victoria Hotels

The city of Victoria is blessed with temperate climes all year round but its still a great destination if youre looking for some winter fun. Several Victoria Hotels offer the best areas for skiing and snowboarding. Vancouver Islands largest skiing and snowboarding site is Mount Washington. Accessed from both Courtenay and Campbell River, Mount Washington has some of the best alpine adventures waiting for you. You wont run out of things to do even after the snow melts, go hiking across breathtaking trails, hop on to a mountain bike, or simply take in the sights of the spectacular surrounds. Another great winter destination is Apex, Canada’s Top Small Destination Resort. The resort has a range of activities for families while featuring the challenge of 2000 vertical feet of dry Okanagan powder. Another great winter destination is Big White Ski Resort, the largest exclusively ski-in/ski-out resort village in Canada. Set amidst British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley near Kelowna, Big White features 15 lifts that lead you to 2,765 acres of 100% natural champagne powder. Other great options for winter Victoria hotels are Sun Peaks, an award-winning year-round destination mountain resort; and Fernie Alpine Resort, famous for its legendary powder and named one of the top 10 ski resorts in the world.

Romantic Victoria Hotels

Romance wafts in the air in the beautiful city of Victoria. Blessed with the mildest climate in Canada and the most annual sunshine in British Columbia, the “Garden City” is in bloom for most of the year. The ocean is never far away when youre in Victoria, and youll get to enjoy long leisurely afternoon walks by the beach while watching the sunset. Stay in some of the most romantic Victoria hotels such as the Norwegian Fjord Horses Bed and Breakfast. Nestled on an active Norwegian Fjord horse farm, amidst rural forested grounds just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, this is the perfect escape for couples. Another option is The Gazebo Bed and Breakfast; a country manor house a few yards away from world-famous Butchart Gardens. To put you close to the great harbor views and the Clipper, Victoria Express and Port Angeles Ferries, the ocean, stay at The Albion Manor Bed & Breakfast. This quiet retreat puts you near all the great attractions you would want to visit. Savor a full English breakfast on antique crystal and china at the Amethyst Inn at Regents Park, an expertly-restored historic mansion dating from 1890.

Victoria Hotels for Vancouver Island Vacations

Victoria and Vancouver Island are teeming with attractions and activities ready to provide you with the right blend of excitement and rejuvenation you need on your vacation. These destinations feature a plethora of museums, galleries, castles, landmarks, gardens, zoos and natural attractions; all telling the story of Victoria and its wondrous delights. The region is also one of the premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing. Start planning now to get the most out of your vacation and choose Victoria hotels in the harbor area, just a short walk away from the ferries that take you around the islands best attractions. Vogue Vacation Suites has beautifully appointed Downtown Victoria, just a few yards away from all the premiere shopping, restaurants, tourist attractions and give you easy access to the harbor where you can catch the ferry to Vancouver Island. The Albion Manor Bed and Breakfast in Downtown Victoria is a 1892 heritage manor house surrounded by a sprawling English country garden. Other Victoria hotels near the harbor are Abigail’s Hotel, Accent Inns Victoria, Days Inn Victoria On The Harbour, and Elite Vacation Home.

Heritage Attractions and Victoria Hotels

Western Canada’s oldest city, Victoria was named in honor of Queen Victoria and established in 1843. The city is filled with historic attractions to explore and unravel, such as the Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse, national historic sites that are unique examples of Canada’s military and maritime heritage. You can find these adjacent sites at the western entrance to Esquimalt Harbour; just 10 kilometers by road from the downtown area. Fort Rodd Hill is home to three 1890s coast artillery gun batteries, barracks and searchlight emplacements. Fisgard Lighthouse was built in 1860 and is Canadas oldest west coast lighthouse. Make time for Hatley Park, Canada’s largest and most diverse National Historic Site. Featuring a sprawling castle built in 1908, Hatley Park also has museums, Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens. Another must for your itinerary is the Emily Carr House, birthplace of one of Canada’s famous landscape painters and writers. Your itinerary should also cover the Abkhazi Garden, Craigdarroch Castle, and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.

Vacation Homes

My First Christmas Without My Dad

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My Father passed away in January of 2008 after a long struggle with respiratory issues which stemmed from years of smoking. He smoked when my sister and I were kids even when we begged him not to as we rode in the backseat of the car going on family vacations. He smoked when my Grandmother was in the hospital dying of breast cancer, from smoking. He smoked when he got up in the morning, when he cut the grass, after he ate dinner at night. It was hard to picture him at a time when he didn’t have a cigarette in his hand, up to his mouth or just lighting up another one – even though he had yet to finish the last.
My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1982. We were on a family vacation to Ireland and England when he first got sick. Five years later, and after a quarter of his right lung had been removed, my Dad was declared cancer free. But, the years of smoking had taken it’s toll and would linger with him and cause many medical problems for the rest of his life.

The months after my Father passed were some of the most difficult of my life. Not only had my Father died, I had left a job I’d had for a dozen years, I had recently gotten divorced, and two of my beloved golden retrievers had died. Like most things in my life, when things get tough, I jump in and fight.

I needed a project — something to keep me busy. I think better when I’m busy. Buying and renovating my home with my fianc was probably what kept me sane during those difficult months after my Father’s death. After six months of work, we finally were able to move in and planned to invite both families to celebrate Christmas day in our new home.

I knew the first Christmas without my Dad would be tough. But, I didn’t really know exactly how I would feel or what would happen. All I knew was I was that fifteen people were coming for dinner and I was cooking.

Thoughts ran through my head. Christmas Day. A home my Father never lived to see. The hours of labor I had put into it with him looking down on me were over. Now it was time to celebrate the holiday, with my family. In the back of my head I kept expecting to see him, for him to just show up, to tell me Merry Christmas, and to say what a great job we did with the house. But, at the same time, I knew different.

As we opened the presents, my Mother handed me a box. Just something for the tree, she said. I unwrapped and opened the box and felt the tears start burning down my face.

My fianc had been in the other room. Walking in, he was startled to see me so upset standing in front of the tree with my Mother. What’s wrong? All I could do was to hand him the box.

Inside was an ornament with the words: Dad, January 13, 1928 – January 3, 2008.

My Mom had found a poem and had carefully typed out part of it on a small card and enclosed it with the holiday ornament. The card read: Have a Merry Christmas and Wipe away that tear…Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

Vacation Homes

Template For The Child Custody Schedule In The Parenting Plan

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A parenting plan is a document that divorced and separated parents make to ensure that their children will be cared for when the parents are no longer together. The plan contains all of the information that the parents need for providing for and caring for he children. A big part of the plan is the schedule that shows when the child is with each parent. This schedule is called the custody schedule, and it is one of the most important parts of the plan. To help parents make this vital section, here is a template to follow to make the custody schedule.

The first part of the template requires that the parents decide who the child will live with. Parents can choose to have the child live primarily with one parent, or the parents can both have times when the child lives with them. This decision should be based on what is best for the child. Where the child lives determines how the custody schedule will be set up.

After the residence of the child is determined, the parents can make a repeating cycle of custody and visitation. Basically, the mother and father should make a schedule for a few weeks that outlines when the child will be with each parent. Then, the parents take this short schedule and repeat it throughout the year. This is the foundation for the custody schedule.

The next part of the template is the holiday schedule. The holiday schedule overrides the normal custody schedule and shows where the child will be on those special days. The mother and father can choose to include whatever holidays they want, and they can divide holiday time in whatever way works best for their situation. Some parents like to split the day of the holiday in half, while other parents like to alternate holidays. Again, this schedule should be made with the child’s benefit in mind.

Lastly, the parents should add vacation time and special events into the schedule. Parents can mark in time when the mother and father can take the child on vacation. The mother and father can also mark in special times when the normal custody schedule has to change.

By following this template, a mother and father can make a good custody schedule for their parenting plan. If parents take the time to make a good schedule from the start, it can save a lot of hassle later on. A good schedule can also help the child adjust to the new circumstances.

Vacation Homes

The Top 7 Reasons Celebrities Are Flocking To Private Vacation Homes

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From Brad and Angelina, to Madonna, President Barack Obama, movie, music and TV stars are spending their vacation time away from the crowds and the cameras, and hiding away in luxurious, private vacation homes. Heres the top 7 reasons why!
1. Privacy
A vacation isnt much of a vacation when youre surrounded by adoring fans screaming for your autograph, or ducking paparazzi around every corner. Which is why you dont see major movie and TV stars spending their vacation time at hotels. Instead, famous faces know that in order to really get away from it all, the key is to check in to a private vacation home. Unlike hotels that cater to the public, a vacation home offers guests a real escape from the outside world, with a level of total privacy a hotel just cant match. So they can bare all by the pool without worrying about winding up on the cover of a tabloid next week.
2. Space For Their Stuff
The rich and famous dont typically travel light. They may be heading out of town to get away from it all, but at the same time, they need to make sure theyre ready for anything from lunch with the big-name director who happens to be in town to a formal dinner party on a yacht. Thats why the stars tend to bring MORE than what they need, just in case. Which is why theyre bypassing the big hotels and settling in to roomy vacation homes – where they have plenty of space for the tuxedo, the ball gown AND the scuba gear.
3. Room For An Entourge
Just as they dont travel light, celebs also dont travel alone. Theres the personal assistant, the personal trainer, the hair and makeup guy (or gal), plus family, friends, acquaintances and hangers onin other words, more people than you can possibly fit in even the largest hotel suite. And thats why the stars are bringing the whole entourage to roomy vacation homes where everyone can spread out and enjoy their time together.
4. Exclusivity
Celebrities like to stay on the cutting edge of trends they dont follow the herd and do what everybody else is doing. Why should they, when they can afford to set the trends and set themselves apart from the crowd? So instead of following the masses to whatever resort is popular each season, the stars prefer to create a vacation that is uniquely, exclusively theirs by escaping to a luxury vacation home. After all, what could be more exclusive than your own, private paradise, reserved only for you and the people you want around you?
5. Peace and Quiet
Lets face it people are noisy. And people who have a lot of money to spend on fancy hotel rooms are no exception. Their kids fight and splash in the pool. They have parties at all hours of the night. They argue, they laugh, they basically live their lives. Which is fine for them. But if youre on vacation trying to get away from it all, its not necessarily fine for you. No wonder so many celebrities are skipping noisy hotels altogether and opting to stay in peaceful, private vacation homes. That way, if a wild party keeps them up all night, at least it will be their wild party!
6. Freedom
A vacation is the time to do what you want to do when you want to do it and no one knows that better than celebrities, who are used to getting their own way. But even the most luxurious hotel has limits. Hankering for a late-night swim after the pool has closed? No can do. Feel like spending the day in your bathrobe without getting dressed? Youll not want to leave the privacy of your room if you stay in a hotel but a vacation home gives you the freedom to spend your vacation the way you like. And if that means eating a grilled cheese sandwich in the pool at 2:30am, go for it!
7. Luxury
In travel, as in their day-to-day lives, celebrities demand the best. And theyre finding the best in luxurious, comfortable vacation homes. Dining rooms where they can entertain friends. Spacious living rooms where they can spread out and enjoy all the comforts of home. Their own, private swimming pools and Jacuzzis. With so many options, theres no longer any reason to settle for less than the best. Which probably explains why, when it comes to travel, vacation homes are topping the list of celebrity trends.
So now you see why the rich and famous are making vacation home rentals such a fast-growing travel trend. And the best part is, these advantages arent just for celebrities.
To learn more about how YOU can vacation like a star in your own private, luxurious vacation home, go to www.FloridaLeisure.com. And get ready for what promises to be the vacation of a lifetime.
2009
For more information about vacation homes, click here or call 407 870 1600
*** The articles on this website are made freely available to all members of the media and the press. The only condition is that credit be given to Nigel G. Worrall as author of the articles.
About Nigel G. Worrall:
Nigel Worrall is President / CEO of Florida Leisure Vacation Homes & Total Real Estate Solutions. He is regularly sought by the media as a vacation home and real estate expert and has featured on NBC, ABC, Fox, CBS. He has also featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Newsweek, Chicago Sun Times, Washington Post, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal and several other publications. Nigel is also the best selling author of Big Ideas For Your Business (Advantage Media)
Nigel serves many clients around the world as a Realtor, Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Investor, Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Trainer.

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