Travel Ideas

by: Jane Stokes (courtesy of News Canada)

(NC)-Ask those who do it. Most people say it is a very special kind of freedom to cruise this continent’s most beautiful inland water routes in their own private family houseboat.
The 386-kilometre Trent-Severn Waterway of Ontario for example is a National Historic Site illustrating an extraordinary engineering feat of 36 conventional locks, a boat railway, and two of the highest hydraulic lift locks in the world. Pine forests and parkland surround the quiet coves and sand beaches of 20 lakes and at least a dozen rivers. Landmarks include Pigeon, Balsam, Sturgeon, and Stoney Lakes, as well as the communities of Buckhorn, Bobcaygeon, Rosedale and Fenelon Falls.
Houseboat vacations combine the advantages of cottage living with the adventure of travel and exploration. You can explore a different Ontario town or village every day without the worry of accommodation. Prepare your own meals on board, or enjoy dining out at countless restaurants. Stop for shopping, lakeside golf, swimming or fishing anytime you please. Soak up the sun, enjoy the scenery, make new friends at the locks, or find a secluded wilderness bay for relaxation.
To find out about houseboat rentals, go to www.ontariotravelguides.com. One of the better-known outfitters on the Trent-Severn Waterway is Eagan Houseboat Rentals, a family operation for 30 years. Eagan houseboats accommodate from one to three couples, or one to two small families. Rates range from $939 midweek, to $1,339 and $1,639 per week, depending on the vessel size. More information can be found at www.houseboat.on.ca, or by calling toll-free 1-800-720-3426.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Television on Your Schedule with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

by: Becky Jacobs

The introduction of the VCR changed so much for the television viewer. Before the introduction of the VCR, you had to watch the show when it was broadcast by the network ? that was your only option. If you recorded your favorite show, you were able to watch it when you wanted to ? and as many times as you wanted to. All you needed was a blank video tape and a VCR. That has all changed with the DVR.
A DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, is technology that takes all the great features of a VCR and places it in the digital age. Instead of multiple tapes, you have a single hard drive. Instead of degrading tape quality issues, shows are now recorded digitally that can last forever. Instead of programming a VCR through a complicated interface of tiny buttons on a remote control, you can program your DVR through a simple point and click interface, possibly even from your home computer.
In addition to the ability to watch your shows whenever you want to, there is another benefit to the DVR that most people only mention quietly ? the ability to quickly forward through your commercials. With everything being digital, a 30 second skip can be done with the click of a button. Imagine getting back 10 minutes of your life back for every hour of television your watch!
DVRs come in many shapes and sizes. There are set-top boxes that go right on your television set. They don?t require any other products to work. Some brand names of these options include Tivo and ReplayTV. Many satellite companies (and digital cable companies) such as Dish Network and Direct TV have options as well. Microsoft Windows Media Center is an option for Windows users. There are also options for the Mac and/or Linux user.
Once you have a DVR record your shows, you can watch them whenever you want. Some systems even let you transfer the content to a DVD or your laptop.
The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) changes everything for the television viewer. I hope you can join the revolution.

About The Author

Copyright AKDVR.com
Becky Jacobs has been a fan of the DVR since she realized it would let her watch Seinfeld whenever she wanted to. Her site, http://www.AKDVR.com, is quickly becoming a hub for all things DVR.

by: News Canada

1. Embrace the place. Be sure to explore around the corners, go into the one of kind shops and meet the locals. Find out where the towns folk go for coffee and the newspaper in the morning and join them. DON’T have breakfast at the hotel.
2. Plan a trip with a theme and find an expert in that field to give you advise. For example an archeology trip, a wildlife safari, or a trip to discover local pottery and fabrics.
3. Read books written by authors from your destination. Go to a lecture on the country
4. Learn some language. Just knowing a greeting or two will endear you to the hearts of the people.
5. Pack lightly. Too much luggage will make or break your trip? and your back. Remember when you could get everything in a backpack? Check www.llbean for their travel clothes. Pack things that don’t need ironing and can be hand washed.
6. Take a small digital camera. It’s worth the investment. No film to buy or worry about and when you get home you can sort it all out on computer and make a great presentation for family and friends. Adobe and Fuji can help you get started.
7. www.hobotraveler.com has some fun ideas for the traveler who always wanders away from the tour group
8. Before you go, find a group or club with a similar dream ? and get some like-minded travelers to go with you. How about a group of white-water rafters who have always wanted to raft the Nile? A shared experience multiplies the joy.
For information on travel adventures of the heart, visit www.negstusa.com
- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

by: News Canada

(NC)?All skin types - normal, dry, and oily - needs to be moisturized in summer. Your face may appear to have a shine without a morning lotion, “but what you may be witnessing,” says Jacquie Hutchinson, national product trainer for Almay, “is a false sense of security.”
The skin, she says, has the life-sustaining role of protecting our veins, arteries, blood and organs from exposure to the environment. “It is such an important role that even with the first sign of dehydration, the oil glands immediately pump out more oil to protect from potential damage. Non-moisturized, dehydrated skin therefore can easily look oily and as a result it ruins that flawless, matte look you are trying to achieve.
“Instead, all skin types should be moisturized at least twice a day, but if you like, tuck-away the heavier cream for winter use and apply a lighter lotion in summer.”
Sunscreen Reminder
Skincare specialists virtually agree that daytime products for your face should include a sunscreen, all year-round.
“Our company’s hypo-allergenic line up recommends kinetin for youthful, regeneration of the skin,” Hutchinson said. “Kinetin is an anti-aging discovery found in green leafy plants and for daytime use, it is combined with UVA/UVB protection and offered in Almay’s line of moisturizers, foundations, concealers and lipsticks.
“Kinetin, has healing benefits too,” she said. “Clinical testing indicates an efficacious ability to help reverse and repair sun damaged skin and to protect from sunspots, lines, and dry patches. Unlike retinol-based formulas, Kinetin skincare requires no “sun-avoidance” program and recently, our two Kinetin products with SPF were awarded accreditation from the Canadian Dermatological Association.”
For those of us concerned about applying too much product on oily or normal skin during the humid days of summer, specialists do suggest “the easiest solution is to get skin protecting and enhancing benefits, all in one.”
- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

by: News Canada

(NC)-Foot care is essential, even for those vacationers relaxing at beaches and resorts. If taking the occasional walk on the beach or a leisurely swim in the ocean is the extent of your vacation activity, be sure to listen to your feet. Toby Saltzman is a freelance travel writer and editor and publisher of the travel website, www.travelterrific.com. The following footcare tips are Toby Saltzman’s “steps” to live by while vacationing in a tropical locale:

Always wear shoes or sandals while walking on sand, in order to prevent foot injuries from hot sand and objects that may be hidden beneath the sand
Be sure to apply sunscreen to feet while basking in the sun; the skin on the feet is very sensitive and needs to be protected against the sun’s harmful rays
When purchasing sandals, be sure to buy ones that are comfortable and have plenty of arch support to prevent common foot problems such as tired, achy feet and corns, calluses and blisters. If common foot problems do occur, be sure to relieve discomfort by using over-the-counter products, such as Dr. Scholl’s? Cushlin? UltraSlim Blister Treatment, to keep your feet healthy and happy
Be sure to wear protection on your feet. Fungus infections, which are responsible for Athlete’s Foot, thrive in warm, moist environments including pool decks. If you already suffer from Athlete’s Foot use an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream, such as Dr. Scholl’s? Athlete’s Foot Cream Once-A-Day Application, to eliminate the infection

For more information on footcare visit www.drscholls.ca.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

by: Jane Stokes (Courtesy of News Canada)

(NC)-Here are the answers to this season’s most frequently asked questions:
Internet Issues
Q: Am I missing something if I don’t use the Internet to research and book my vacation?
- Peter T., Winnipeg
A: Opinions on this vary widely, so let’s start with researching. The Internet is one of the easiest ways research destinations and it makes planning a breeze. Paying money over the Internet is the larger issue, although millions of people are doing it every day. Its main strength as a booking instrument is the ability to find unpublished accommodation at attractive prices. Buying from a Web site is not a guarantee however of the best price available. There are comparative deals with traditional channels too, including travel agents who can give you face-to-face advice and will be your advocate if something goes wrong. The middle ground is a Web site that offers the option of “live” personal assistance. If you do buy on-line, a general rule of thumb is to buy from a Canadian source, in Canadian dollars. If prices are quoted in a foreign currency, double check that your conversion mathematics is correct.
Cruising Comfort
Q: On cruise ships do we need to worry about a lot of second-hand smoke?
- Jane R., Barrie, Ont.
A: It depends on the cruise line and where you are sailing. Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Pacific cruises have more relaxed smoking rules, but if you choose any of the mainstream, American-based cruise lines, chances are you will not encounter second-hand smoke until evening in some of the clubs and bars. Restaurants are generally smoke-free but the casino is not. Cruise advocates will tell you that the ratio of non-smoking areas has been increasing with every new ship. If a non-smoking environment is a top priority however, choose one of the Caribbean cruises offered by the MS Paradise. It is the only totally non-smoking cruise ship in the world and this season passengers can book either an Eastern, or Western Caribbean itinerary. The luxury, US$300 million, 2,052-passenger MS Paradise delivers a commendable cruise experience and is one of the more recent additions to the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet.
- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.