2007 November | Travel And Leisure

November 2007
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
		Dec »
	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30

Archive for November, 2007

Cuba Is One Of Five Healthiest Countries in the World

Posted by admin on November 30th, 2007

“Healthy countries” is not the most popular information subject for mass media. Newspapers usually write about viruses, diseases or epidemics threatening the whole region at once. The American magazine “Foreign Policy” has published the rating of the five healthiest countries and explained its choice.

Japan

On the whole, the Japanese live longer than representatives of other nations - their average lifetime makes up 86 years. The secret of the Japanese health consists in bodily exercise and food products with a low content of cholesterol. The Japanese diet includes fish, rice and sea-weed which lower the risk of heart diseases and cancer.

Fitness clubs have come in fashion in Japan. Sound health of several generations of this nation is maintained and improved due to a special state program which provides exercising before and during the workday. This program is financed by the Government.

The biggest Japanese mobile operator already offers “Fitness Phone”, a service of measuring daily physical exercise, to lovers of the advanced technologies.

Nowadays, population health is threatened by the “western” food with its traditionally high content of fat: 7 million of the Japanese are suffering from diabetes, which spreads in Asia quicker that in other parts of the world.

France

France has the lowest rate of heart diseases which are considered the main reason of mortality. Specialists explain this fact by slow eating and daily consumption of a glass of wine. The French cuisine is traditionally rich in fats and carbohydrates, but it is eaten slowly, a little at a time and washed down with a moderate amount of wine.

It is worth mentioning that in 2002 the World Health Organization declared France the healthiest country of the European Union. Despite the fact that many of the French die of cancer and other severe diseases, the average lifetime in France makes up 75 years for men and 83 years for women, and goes on increasing.

Nowadays, obesity is declared a major problem, and a high rate of mortality caused by cancer and cardiovascular diseases is registered in France. The leadership of this country concerning the low rate of cardiovascular diseases is running the risk of becoming a negative leadership.

Iceland

Iceland has the lowest child mortality rate and the best antenatal care in the world. Figures speak for themselves: 2 deaths of children under five per one thousand of newborns. In the USA this rate makes up 7 children.

The Icelandic Government pays for a wide range of services of mother and child medical care. Besides, it assures maintenance of 80 per cent of the mother s salary during three months.

However, nowadays the Icelandic population also suffers from obesity. The country annually consumes an enormous amount of sugar per capita, mainly due to an exaggerated passion for carbonated beverages.

Sweden

Sweden may boast of the highest probability of survival in case of a cancer disease, as well as of an almost 100% rate of child immunization.

Almost 14% of the state expenses go to healthcare and make up 85% of expenses on medical care. Besides, the 9-million population is served in modern hospitals and clinics equipped with the latest medical equipment.

The Swedes believe that a comprehensive social assistance which provides everything from professional development support to street illumination lowers the population sickness rate.

There still is a problem of queuing: the Swedes have to wait for reception and operations. The attempts to transfer small medical institutions to private ownership do not result in any evident progress.

Cuba

The island of freedom may rightly be proud of a low child mortality rate and a medium lifetime. The rate of six doctors per one thousand of Cubans is the highest rate in the world.

According to the experts, a big number of doctors cannot guarantee the population health, however, in Cuba it contributes to efficiency of measures on disease prevention. Thousands of Cuban doctors annually go abroad on study tours. Due to professionalism and the state support of healthcare Cuba achieves results even Europe may be envious of.

On the other hand, the focus on prevention and early diagnosis leads to the lack of drugs in the country. Besides, it is expected that openness of the Cuban society and increase in purchasing capacity of big layers of population shall stimulate the “import” of European and American diseases connected with dieting and food.

It is also worth mentioning that according to the Public Organization “March of Dimes” the healthiest countries from the genetic point of view are France, Austria, Australia, Switzerland and Russia.

8 million children with severe genetic defects are born every year. It makes up 6% of the total number of newborns. The number of newborns with severe genetic effects in the most developed countries makes up from 397 to 425 per 10.000 children.

The Russian rate makes up 429 per 10.000 newborns. The USA with its rate of 478 per 10.000 children occupies the 20th place, right after Cuba. The list is enclosed by Benin, Saudi Arabia and Sudan (from 779 to 820 per 10.000 newborns respectively). Among the post-Soviet countries the worst indicators are registered in Tajikistan (752), Kyrgyzstan (735) and Azerbaijan (631).

We should remember that our health is influenced not only by environment, the level of medical and genetic consulting and the healthcare level on the whole. A great deal depends on every one of us: his/her culture, education and lifestyle.

How To Always Get Discounts On Hotels, Car Rentals, Flights, Etc. When Traveling

Posted by admin on November 29th, 2007

There are very few things that get better with age. Our brain sometimes slows down, our body cannot do the same things that we did in our youth and our earning potential is reduced too. But there is one silver lining to the clouds of getting older. DISCOUNTS!

Some things do get better with age

Older people, also called Senior citizens in some countries, can get more discounts as they get older. Our good times begin when we reach the half century mark. After we reach the age of fifty, make it a habit to ask for discounts at every place we go to.

Most countries have air fares that depend on age, with adults (usually ages between 20 - 50) having to shell out the most cash for every type of fare. As they say, we get to be more like children when we get older than fifty years. In the travel industry that condition translates to more discounts!

How can we find these discounts?

Discounts are everywhere. No one will tell you that you could get a discount because of worry that it may be offensive to mention your age. Some people do get offended and are afraid to ask for discounts because they don t want anyone to know their age.

Oh well, some of us don t care what age we look especially if we can hear the jingle of extra cash in our pockets. We cannot do much about the way we look, but we can do plenty go make ourselves richer!

If you ask around at the Chamber of Commerce or at local senior clubs, you will find that almost everything in your town can be had for a discount, from floor covering to airline tickets!

Join the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) or CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) at about $12.50 a year to save over 10 times that in an average year of travel. You can also travel with people your age and with interests similar to yours. There are many online and offline groups that cater only to senior people and offer them help on medicines, travel, help at home, food preparation, assisted living or just plain everyday living conditions.

Cruising the seas

The best prices on Cruises can be found at http://www.vacationstogo.com. Here, customers can find cruises at almost 70 - 85% off the published rates. When you book a cruise, either on this site or any of the other sites where you can get similar rates, remember to mention that you are over 50. Discounts are offered usually to people over 55 on selected sailings. The rule is that the passengers should have their 55th birthday before or on the day of sailing. By asking for a senior citizen discount, you can bring your prices down to just 20% off the published fares.

There are also other age related discounts that a cruise passenger can avail of, so be sure to mention your age when you book restaurants, exercise equipment, spas, shopping malls in the ship or outside around the ports, etc. There is no limit to your discounts when you ask for them. Do not hesitate to ask for discounts and always have your driver s license or passport as proof of your age. Even if only one person in the room is over 55, the remaining passenger can get the discount if they are traveling together.

Hotels and other Accommodations

Senior Hotel Discounts are available at Days Inns where customers who are 50 or older get various discounts. Also, at Howard Johnson s, Senior citizens get over 15 % off the regular rate.

Marriott Hotels give senior discounts at over 2600 locations. If you are 62 years or older, you can save at least 15 percent on your room rate. Ramada Inn is another hotel that gives a 15% discount to people over 60 years of age.

Radisson Hotels has the “Senior Breaks” program that allows people over 50 to get a discount in over 300 countries ranging from 15 - 40% off the rate!

Hyatt Hotels shave up to 50% off the rates (25% off the average rates)

In addition to the above discounts, AARP members may get even deeper discounts.

Air flights and Car rentals

Group Travel (http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/ ) Grand Circle Travel is an agency that specializes in arranging group tours for senior citizens. They offer large discounts at off peak seasons. Traveling as group is safer and much more enjoyable. Also, frequent traveler credits earned may be cashed in for free tickets!

Almost at any website or at a travel agency, if you mention the fact that you are an AARP member, you will immediately get a discount.

Overall, anything that senior citizens do, they are entitled to a discount as a small token of appreciation for their dedication for over half a century.

Even more discounts

Keep an eye out for coupons, flyers, deals, notices, advertisements, banners, etc that may include some type of service. Majority of the time, you will get a discount if you ask nicely! No one wants to refuse an older, wiser person. http://www.maturetraveler.com/ is a great site for finding discounts in special categories. You have to be a member to get the monthly newsletter from them.

Calling the businesses on the phone before you go may be smarter if you want to avoid the embarrassment of being told that there is no senior discount. Always smile and offer to show them your AARP card or drivers license, especially if they are nice enough to not believe that you are older than 50. Always smile and leave even if they refuse to give you any discount. As older, wiser people, we know who has just lost a good, loyal customer!

By using coupons, searching for the best deals on the internet and using your senior discounts on tickets, excursions, restaurants, malls, buses, car rentals, museums, attractions, national parks, taxis, shuttles, etc., you can save a lot of money whether you are at home or on the road.

Go forth and ask! I am sure that most business establishments will be honored to have you as a customer if you have been a productive citizen of your country for over half a century!

The British Restaurants Refused The Dress Code

Posted by admin on November 27th, 2007

The British restaurants refused from savage etiquette and changed over to liberal approaches to their guests clothing. It is mostly due to the rivalry reinforcement, and under its conditions, the public catering establishment prefer to take no notice of their clients clothes.

In the course of decade, many establishments like that required men to wear strict suits with tie or bow tie.

Jeans or any “casual trousers” were not allowed. As for women, there were definite restrictions regarding the trouser suits.

By the way, the name “dress code”, as the world goes, has appeared more than 100 years ago just in London for the first time.

On the safe side

Since “dress code” is going on to work in any other places after its cancellation in British public catering, here is the decryption of the more widespread terms, accepted, for example, for the invitation cards for public and business events.

White Tie - the modest formal code. Man should be dressed in a tailcoat with a white bow tie, jacket also in white for a woman - an evening dress “till floor”, gloves, heeled shoes and a tiny purse. Costume jewelry and naked arms are not allowed. Possible events: president s or ambassador s banquet, wedding reception, ball, prize presenting.

Black Tie or Formal - man in a jacket, woman in an evening dress “till floor” or in a cocktail dress. Jewelry is allowable. Possible events: official evening reception, for example, Christmas or New Year s banquet, wedding, opening night in a theater.

Black Tie Invited - man in a jacket, woman in a cocktail dress, a long dress or a stylish suit. Possible events: banquet in an elegant restaurant, corporate banquet, family occasion. The organizing and making such events and celebrations can require another dress code.

Black Tie Optional - man can substitute a jacket for a dark suit with a tie, woman in a cocktail dress or a stylish suit.

Creative Black Tie - this dress code plans the introduction of the fashion novelties and creative interpretation of formal suit - non-traditional accessories, gaudy colours.

Cocktail Attire - for a man - a dark suit, for a woman - a cocktail dress.

Semi-formal - a jacket or a dark suit with tie for a man, cocktail dress for a woman, if the event is after 18.00 (6 PM). Before this time - an ordinary suit with a tie for men and a stylish suit or a stylish daytime dress for women.