While kitchen facilities may be nightmarish economically, it cannot be denied that it is the focal point of the home. This common ground deserves all the attention and the expense. A wise investment, besides the style factor that is so important these days, the utilities play a significant role. Property values are going to increase significantly, if the occasion arises to sell and relocate, maybe to greener pastures.

Begin planning!

It is important to be clear about what is expected from the new kitchen. Perhaps the layout of the old kitchen was limited. Smart space utility would turn it around. Structural alterations may be needed. If needed, a window and door may need to be bricked up if they are getting in the way. Plan the locations of the cooking range, worktop and the floor storage units, the sink and the overhead shelves. Size matters for sure and the older homes traditionally have smaller kitchen spaces, maybe 4 m X 3 m. It would be a test of imagination to figure out what goes where.

Sketch a detailed floor plan to scale to visualize what the arrangements would look like. What design would be feasible? Ventilation is crucial and lighting too. By bricking up the windows and door, I now got two complete walls. French doors would lead to the back garden.

Budget reasons made us decide that the plumbing expense may be reduced by keeping the worktop and sink in the same position. The fridge would remain where it was and the possibility was of more cupboards and working space with the two walls. A breakfast bar would also serve as a working table. The sketch being ready, the work could commence.

Installing the cupboards

You can imagine the mess while the builders were at work. Along with the plumber, the electrician and plasterer did their work. I was busy planning the cupboard positions. I know carpentry and would save some expense with the IKEA kitchen units. DIY experience does help.

At the end of the sink would be the breakfast bar in an L shape with two stools. Extra space came from the washing machine that was now in the bathroom.

Cupboards went next to the cooking range on the wall and floor, under the sink and above the sink. Frying pans, sauce pans and oven dishes need to be conveniently near the cooking area.

A feel of the outdoors

Along with the French doors leading to the back garden, an awning would create greater space dimensions and fuse the inner and outer ambiances.

Source by Amy Brown

I enter the Mix Bar and Pub in the company of a sweet-looking girl, Jeannette and soon as we step into the well of the house, before we can adjust our eyes to the darkness inside, a pair of girls come rushing towards us. I am greeted by a pleasant ‘Hi Jack’ and I notice the girls are Susan and Penny.

Susan broke up with her boyfriend a few months ago and has been going through an identity crisis since. She has the beauty of some Xinjiang (in western China) women. She’s sweet, tall, angular-faced and always smiling. Smiles are a possession in China that women don’t share too easily, so that makes Susan a lot more attractive. She comes from a humble rural background. Her parents, from the old school, are quite strict and would rather lock her up in her room than see her cavorting with big bad boys. They’re ultra conservative. Susan has seen more of the world since she left the confines of her small town/village to come to study at a college in Huainan. The break-up with her apparently-nice bf has made her somewhat of a rebel.

She’s curled her straight hair and donned hot pants in contrast to her earlier staid looks and dress.

Her friend, Panpan (Penny, as I call her), in contrast, is a touch fat, less warm and perhaps a lot more manipulative. I know little about her though I have known her some time. She comes from a wealthier background and is apparently well-connected. Susan introduced me to Penny while she (Penny) was working in a bar that belongs to her ‘brother’ (gege) as a ‘manager’. She doesn’t work there any more.

Susan and Penny and another girl I am not familiar with are all in the company of a prosperous looking man who’s sitting at a high round table with bar stools. The table is stocked with beer and some sort of a rubyesque cocktail (a Campari or red wine, perhaps).

They (Susan and Penny) hug me while Jeannette looks on, perhaps wondering what sort of a guy she’s with. I introduce them and go on to sit at a table near Susan and Penny’s, perferring that to sharing their table where I would have to buy a round expensive drinks that I can’t afford and share a conversation that I won’t enjoy.

Jeannette and I are deep in conversation when Susan and Penny come by, glass in hand and toast us. We down our drinks together, chat for a while and they leave. Later Jeannettte and I dance and Susan and Penny come over again. They start playing the dice bar game that’s so popular in China’s bars and karaokes.

A medium-sized ‘cup’ with five dice are all that is required…in addition to a lot of guile and a poker face. Each player shakes the cup and turns the cup over to let the dice fall on the table while ensuring the other player cannot see what he/she has thrown. Then the game starts where each player takes turns guessing what the other has in addition to his own…Say, player one throws 3,5,5,5,6 and player two throws 2,2,2,4,5. Player one might start with, say, ‘two threes’. He has one 3 and assumes the other has one or more 3’s. Player two knows he has none, so he might respond with ‘three twos’ or ‘three threes’. The idea is to mislead each other while trying to guess the right number of dice. Player one might respond with ‘four fives’ since he has three 5’s on his throw. Player two can either raise the number or ask for a show. If he does and the number called by player one is right, player two loses and must empty his glass. If player two is right, player one must down his glass…I hope you get the basic idea…

Penny is too good (read, full of guile) for me and I toss one glass down after another, winning just a few rounds.

After a while we tire and turn to gaze at the bikini-clad dancers on stage. One does the pole trick. The sparse audience takes little notice while lasers shoot beams of blue light. Jeannette and I hit the floor. I do my pelvic shakes and notice women staring. I don’t bother, enjoying my dance while Jeannette tries to imitate the shake.

After some more dancing and dice games Jeannette indicates she must leave as it’s rather late for her. I escort her out and flag a taxi, paying the driver the fare to take her to her destination. I return and head to my table. Susan asks me to join them at theirs. I do and am forced to drink a few rounds of beer.

Later, Susan and I are on the floor and we are enjoying our ‘normal’ dance. Suddenly, Penny comes to where we are and without so much as a ‘please’ tears us apart. Susan walks demurely back to their table, following Penny like an obedient pet. I am offended by Penny’s unexplained action and my beer-washed brain decides it’s time to say ‘goodbye’ to my hosts. I look in Penny’s direction while she avoids avoids my gaze and wave a goodbye…

I walk straight out of the pub, past the half-a-dozen cute ushers at the door, into the arms of a beautiful moonlit night.

Source by Rajesh Kanoi

Ashiatsu massage with overhead bars has not been practiced on a widespread basis until recently. The roots and history of ashiatsu, or barefoot massage, go back further than one might think.

Barefoot Massage is Nothing New!

Before we had memory foam padded massage tables and portable massage bars, there were other massage practitioners using their feet to perform massage therapy all over the world.

Is it an Eastern or Western Technique?

In the Kerala region of India, home of Ayurveda, a practice called “Chavutti Thirumal” is believed to be the one of the earliest ancestors of ashiatsu. “Chavutti” means foot and leg, and “Thirumal” means massage. Chavutti Thirumal practitioners use generous amounts of oil on the body and a single rope hung from the ceiling for balance.

This region of India is the home of the ancient art of Kalaripayattu, a martial art ancestor to Kung Fu, and Kathakali, a classical style of dance. Students of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu have used foot massage techniques (e.g. Chavutti Thirumal) to make their bodies supple and flexible.

Although it is rare, there are a few massage professionals in the United States that practice this ancient form of barefoot massage.

Chavutti Thirumal spread to surrounding countries and continents of Asia. There, it was combined with the study of meridians and the ancient practice of shiatsu. (“Shiatsu” translates to “finger pressure” (“shi” meaning finger).

When broken down, the word “ashi” means foot and “atsu” means pressure.

Around this same time, there were also many forms of barefoot Thai massage that developed from Chavutti Thirumal. Barefoot techniques are still a common staple in most Thai massage sessions.

In the mid/late 1990’s Ruthie Piper developed a trademarked form of ashiatsu. This trademarked form is called Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy™, or AOBT. She began training practitioners in the United States. Although she was not the first barefoot massage therapist in the US, she is credited with the recent, widespread growth of ashiatsu techniques. She trained Michelle Mace-Lambert of Barefoot Masters, who also conducts Ahh… Shiatsu™ training.

Today, there are many other massage therapists practicing un-trademarked forms of ashiatsu, barefoot, or gravity assisted massage. These practitioners use this modality to protect their hands and bodies, as well as provide a fantastic massage for clients.

Ashiatsu massage, unlike most other barefoot methods, is performed on the western-friendly massage table instead of a floor mat. The massage table set up allows clients to put their face down comfortably in a face rest (not off to the side). Since ashiatsu is performed on the table, overhead bars are needed for balance. Other barefoot practitioners may utilize physical therapy walking bars, a staff, ropes from the ceiling, ropes across the ceiling, stools, or benches.

Source by Ivy Hultquist

Selecting a new theme for or redecorating your billiard or game room involves many steps. Many details are involved, from what style baseboards you want to where you hang that last mirror or neon clock. From an aesthetically pleasing aspect, perhaps the most important detail coming into play is choosing the most appropriate color combination or scheme for the billiard or game room being considered.

Of course, there is no standard, default color scheme for any given scenario. Even though you want your colors to match that does not mean that you have to use the same color, or even shades of the same color, to enjoy a complementary color scheme. To accomplish this feat successfully, certain general rules should be followed. The following eight “don’t” guidelines should be adhered to in order to maximize the aesthetic quality and overall mood of your billiard or game room when deciding on the best possible color combination to meet your individual needs.

1. Don’t Paint First

Paint can be bought in just about every color imaginable, and should usually be done last. It might seem easier to paint first since the room might still be bare, but as a general rule, make some other major choices first, such as carpet or tile design, major furniture fabric color schemes, and so forth. Painting, although sometimes tedious, is one of the easiest things to do when redecorating a room, and going with a different color scheme on your walls is much easier to change, not to mention way cheaper, than scraping up tiles or refelting a billiard table.

2. Don’t Make Your Color Choices at the Hardware Store

Although you will be excited, it is better to hold off purchasing items on your first store visit, despite your eagerness to get the ball rolling. On your first visit, obtain some sample swatches of paint colors, flooring and furniture fabric on your first visit. Take them home and check out how they will look. Be sure to examine them out in both natural light and in the evening with lamps. And, of course, examine them in the room you are redecorating. If you already own a billiard lamp, check your samples under that, as much of your billiard room’s light comes from this source.

3. Don’t Use a Paint Chip as a Sample

A tiny paint chip sample might look decent under fluorescent lighting in the store, but might be a bit darker or off-tone in your home. Once you have decided on a color (or color scheme), buy a quart of those colors and cover a small area of a game room wall to see how your color choices look in the room. If it turns out that you do not like the color, simply paint over it with your next choice, and problem solved. And if you’re a frequent mind changer, following this rule will save you a heap of money and frustration.

4. Don’t Make Your Favorite Color the Dominant Shade or Hue

Potentially, your favorite color will most likely be one of the first choices you think to redecorate with, unless you already have a particular theme in mind which contradicts your favorite colors. However, choosing your favorite color can, over time, become somewhat overbearing, making you feel tired of the same old same old. Just because you love blue does not mean you have to paint your walls that color. In fact, your favorite color might not be the most conducive color choice if you are trying to set a certain mood for your game room. For example, if your favorite color is red, but you want a calm and soothing atmosphere in your billiard room, then red would not work, as it gives people a sense of vivacity, eagerness, and excitement.

5. Don’t Settle for Dull If You Desire Dazzle

Usually you will end up paying the same price for all different paint colors, whether they are white or black, light or dark. A gallon is a gallon, so don’t settle for something bland if you want something vibrant. Even if you just opt for a little brightness or vivacity, using bright overtones in an otherwise dully-colored room will most assuredly add to an upbeat mood. And don’t be afraid to make color choices that express your personality and individuality.

6. Don’t Force a Certain Color Scheme or Choice

Don’t make things match. If you have green and black bar stools and a green-felted pool table, then you don’t want to go with a bright or dark green wall color. This will create color clashing, which is difficult on the eyes. First, choose your color family. Then, identify the major pieces of furniture in your game room containing that color scheme, and base your color choices around them. Also, do not hesitate to remove items from the room if they don’t match or fit into your scheme.

7. Don’t Forget About Color Scheme Undertones

The color spectrum is chocked full of colors. Offsetting your main color in your billiard room can be done easily by utilizing different hues or shades of the main color choice. Just remember that not all whites are the same white, not all yellows are the same yellow, etc. Look past the surface of each color you are considering by examining a hue’s brightness, crispness, etc. Deciding on a color combination that uses different variations of the same color may turn out better than you had initially thought.

8. Don’t Ignore the Psychology of Colors

Remember that different colors have different meanings. For example, brighter, hotter colors, such as red, orange, and yellow, boast excitement, intensity, and upbeatedness. However, cooler, darker greens and blues emit more feelings of calmness and euphoria with a laid back atmosphere. Choose a color scheme to help create the ambiance and mood you want to portray most in the room.

Following these easy pointers should help to guide you in the correct direction when making color choices for your home billiard room, game room, bar or activity area. If you already have a theme in place, then selecting a color scheme or color combination to match should be a little bit easier than starting with a bare room since you already have theme colors in mind. If you are starting from the beginning, or if you simply are having trouble deciding on a particular color scheme, these no-no’s should be helpful.

Source by Matt Warmann

It’s that time of year again where you need to start thinking about your Garden for the Summer. Here are a few useful ideas:

1. GARDENS ARE OUTDOOR SPACES

First and most importantly, a garden connected to a Pub, Bar or Restaurant should feel like a Garden and not in interior space. Many proprietors try to continue the interior finishes to outside which defeats the purpose of a Garden atmosphere. The Garden should have outdoor features like stone and brick and the furniture should look like outdoor furniture. On my travels I found many beer gardens with timber sheeting and fabric covered bar stools – these areas are trying to look like indoor spaces. Instead try to embrace the outdoor Garden atmosphere, work with the multitude of materials and finishes which are available to transform a bland space into an exciting alfresco experience.

2. STYLE

Decide on your style or theme and then do some research.

Look at the building and its walls – are there any existing characteristics that may dictate a style or that can be embellished?

Keep the theme running from the interior through to the outside – for example, if you have an Art Deco interior then try to incorporate Art Deco statues, tiles or lamps outside rather than it being a generic garden. Similarly, if it is a traditional Pub with lots of Bric-a-Brac then carry outdoor Bric-a-Brac through.

3. THE WEATHER

Weather considerations

The glare/heat factor: use canopies, planting or coloured glass to diffuse.

Wind: Use wind breakers. Anything can be designed to reduce the wind factor – Willow fencing, metal or timber frameworks with glass or canvas wind breakers. I recently designed a trellis planter and because it was on wheels, it was movable which worked really well for my client.

When deciding on the position for your seating consider which direction the wind comes from.

Rain: Provide adequate coverage for smokers in bad weather. In particularly wet climates, a permanent fixed solution like glass in a timber or glass framework will be much more maintainable than a canvas canopy. Glass means that daylight/sunlight can come through which is important on those warm summer days. If it gets too hot or bright then outdoor blinds can be fitted.

4. REGULATIONS

Before building anything it is important to know what your local regulations are. In Ireland the guideline for covering areas is described like a bus shelter where the roof covers an area that has walls that are 50% open and 50% closed.

5. SMOKERS

Divide smokers from non smokers if you have the space.

Opening windows may not be an option as the smoke can be pulled into the interior and customers do not like this.

Provide ashtrays on tables and a few sand buckets about the place from which cigarette butts can be taken from at cleaning time.

6. UGLY AREAS

Make sure the views are good and not facing bin/garbage areas or car-parks. Use screening with plants or timber fencing to hide ugly areas.

7. LIGHTING

Again use outdoor fittings which suit your style whether modern or traditional. Lights can be fitted into all kinds of things and places. Try outdoor led rope lights below skirtings at low level or above a wall for a nice warm glow. Often you can find a fitting which lights up and down thus getting the double benefit. Choose lighting that will create ambiance without giving your customers a headache from the glare. Candles always look fab in a garden setting set into simple glass jam jars, bird cages or antique sieves or metal objects. If you have an outdoor bar make it glow in the dark with candles and led strip lights.

8. OUTDOOR BARS

Check the local regulations on this – in many cases outdoor bars need to be located in a smoke free area otherwise the person serving at the bar will be subject to smoke inhalation. If using timber, use teak or a suitable outdoor timber with as little detail as possible so that water does not collect in its cracks. Using timber outdoors means you are going to have to commit to maintaining it. Being subject to all kinds of weather means that whatever finish you use will need to be topped up regularly. Stone counter-tops are great because the water runs off. Use lockable fridges and under counter units for security. Make sure there is permanent cover over the Bar and the customer so that the counter can be used in all weather.

9. PLANTING

Flowers make people smile so go mad with them! Use colours to suit your garden’s palette. Its always good to have a few varieties in a planter or pot just in case one of them fail. You can plant flowers in anything as long as there are holes for run off water – buckets, bicycles, beds… have a look at these ideas. Ask your plumber to install a piped watering system set to a timer with feeds running to all your plants and flowers. It can be set to water at night so that run off water will have disappeared by morning. Change your planters to ivy’s and small trees like box hedge in the winter for an evergreen look.

I recommend you hire a designer to guide you through all of this. A professionals advise is worth it and you can usually agree with a designer as to the level they get involved so as to suit your budget.

For more ideas on gardens check out the blog posts at http://www.pubdesigndoctor.com/category/beer-gardens/

Source by Fionuala Lennon

I was terrible at math, or as we called it in the sixties, arithmetic. That is, I thought I was until about the fifth grade. Then, I realized I couldn’t see the chalkboard without squinting. My seat was always on the back row. That’s ironic now because I’m only five feet tall. But I hit that towering height early and was taller than many of my classmates.

Mama and Daddy finally took me to the eye doctor after one of those school vision tests showed I was nearsighted. No wonder I couldn’t do arithmetic. I was happy to see better with my new glasses, but I hated those things. I wanted wire rims like the groovy kids. But Mama thought those were for hippies. I wasn’t allowed to wear hippy things, so I was stuck with square brown plastic frames. They definitely weren’t groovy. I only wore them when I had to.

Mercifully, those rims finally broke. But Mama still held her ground on the hippy look and insisted on getting those same frames fixed. So off we went to Eckerd’s drugstore, where they once had an eyeglass section.

What she didn’t know was that I had found Daddy’s old glasses, Harry Truman-style wire rims, pushed back in a dresser drawer. They were perfect and they were groovy. Daddy never missed them. I only wore the hated brown frames around Mama.

Feeling pretty smug, I sat on one of those swiveling bar stools at the drugstore while we waited for the repair. I pushed my luck when I stuck my legs out and started spinning around like a kid on a wound-up swing. Mama told me more than once to stop and act my age. I was in college by then. But I ignored her. That was a mistake.

I thought she had decided to leave me alone. I was home for Christmas, after all. But I was being undignified in public and that trumped Christmas visits.

There I sat, still spinning away when the girl at the counter said my glasses were ready. I didn’t care. Daddy’s wire rims were safely tucked away in my coat pocket.

Mama ruled. She didn’t even give me a glance as she walked over to pay the bill. I grinned like a cheeky five-year-old until Mama said sadly, but loudly, “We’re so glad we were able to get our daughter out for the holidays.”

I stopped spinning. Mama sucked all the smugness right out of me and wore it like a trophy. She headed to the door, smiling sweetly. “Come along now, honey,” she said.

Groovy had left the building.

Source by Jean S. Shumaker

With food ordering going online, it is a necessity for almost every catering or food business to make their presence felt on the internet. Although most websites are a complete failure and don’t provide patrons with what they are looking for, there are many websites which fulfill most prospects’ needs. We list here a couple of important points which a food business or restaurant website should definitely have. Without these features the website will just be incomplete. This article deals with the website content of the food and culinary industry and what essential points they should include.

Display The Menu

The most rudimentary function of a restaurant website should be to provide the menu and prices of the food served at the place. Customers more often than not, would like to take a look at the menu and even the prices, before making their way to dine. The food place may also want to display a live menu of items which are available and out of stock, based on live updates from the kitchen. Specialty food or made to order items could also be displayed on a real time basis so that patrons know whether their visit will be worth the while.

Promote Specialties

Food joints offering delicacies or specialty food which may be freshly or differently prepared, definitely can benefit by promoting their choice of the day or "Today’s Special" menus. Food Festivals, Exotic cuisines, special events, celebrity visits and other details like these can be posted on the website to attract visitors and ensure that there is constant communication with patrons.

Provide Online Reservations

With everything going online in a restaurant, it is hard to keep the reservation system out of such a connected world. Online reservations allow the restaurant to accommodate visitors in advance and to allow a reservation fee to be charged to them to keep their table.

List The Facilities

Many restaurants offer value added services which sometimes become essential to the needs of the customers. In downtown areas and in the heart of the city, car parking is most essential. Advertising your valet parking facilities or free parking or reserved parking for guests will bring in more patrons who come by car. Other amenities like Air Conditioning, Full Bar Facilities and even Vegetarian options, when highlighted can really help the decision making process of prospective patrons. Free WiFi is another incentive for tech savvy customers who are glued to their smart phones and devices. Similarly, advertising your accessible and wheel-chair friendly restaurant can definitely help you get families and larger groups coming in.

Get Online Orders

The most important function of having a website is to leverage the potential of online patrons. Offering online orders with home delivery is one of the most income generating option of the website. Not only does it help to save space and accommodate more patrons, it also enables you to cut costs and reduces the need for more manpower. This helps you to save washing and cleaning supplies and focus on providing excellent food.

Source by Alex H D

The world is now more accessible than ever before. Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. Many of these people feel traveling is out of their reach and only a dream. These people need to, want to, and can travel and it is getting easier everyday. If you’re part of that twenty percent or know someone who is, know this, a world of travel awaits you, your dreams can come true!

Many Travel agencies and agents are making an effort to help individuals who have special needs. Some are even becoming Certified Accessible Travel Advocates a new certification issued by the Special Needs Group (SNG), the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry.

This committed to learning about unique needs of Accessible Travel of travel. They receive specialized training & knowledge about how to help those individuals with disabilities enjoy a wonderful, hassle-free and memorable trip.

Not all countries have things such as the American With Disabilities Act so many agents are constantly compiling destinations, resorts, excursions,and ships that we know can handle special needs travelers. Agencies are also partnering different companies to be able to provide specialized medical equipment to clients. From Oxygen to wheel chairs, Power Chairs, scooters, even hospital beds can be arranged to be in your room or cruise ship cabin. There are even wheelchairs than can be easily be used on snow or sand and even go into the ocean or a pool. Specialized service can also be arranged including Dialysis.

If you have been dreaming of traveling, whether it is a dream vacation, or a trip to see family or friends and thought it wasn’t possible know that might not be true anymore. Contact a travel professional that knows about accessible travel and stop dreaming and start packing.

To get you started here are a few tips that when your next travel opportunity arises, you are ready to go.

Outline your travel needs

Take time to evaluate the logistics of your trip in relation to your ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will you be using? Airplane, motor coach, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make a list, referring to relevant brochures, your trip organizer or travel agent to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Now, make a list of your specific requirements. Be honest: what types of special needs equipment do you depend on at home? What do you use or need (or wish you had!) when shopping, sightseeing locally, dining out or going to the movies, attending concerts, the theater, street fairs or sporting events at home?

Can you hear and see clearly without special auditory equipment or visual aides? How far can you walk without a rest break? Are stairs difficult? Can you get in and out of the tub or shower at home without handgrips or other assistance?

Travel, whether solo or in a group, is no time for roughing it or trying to “tough it out.” If a wheelchair, scooter or portable oxygen will make your trip easier, place that item on your list. Many people who do not use wheelchairs or walkers at home feel more comfortable using these mobility aides for tour and excursions. In fact, most of Special Needs Group’s wheelchair and scooter rentals are to individuals who only use such aides when traveling.

Plan Ahead

If you already own a scooter or portable oxygen, it’s important to know the policy and procedures for bringing that equipment onboard all the transport vehicles included in your itinerary, from planes to taxis to ferry boats. Does that transport have a way to stow your scooter or wheelchair? Is oxygen allowed on board? Some airlines prohibit certain types of batteries, such as wet cell batteries, or oxygen cylinders. Airlines operate under strict rules, so there may be packing procedures to follow if they do allow the equipment. Keep in mind, most airlines need at least 48 hours’ notice to make special arrangements, and be prepared to fill out forms.

Your Travel professional should be able to help you with this, that is why you are using them, if they can’t find a better professional.

Overall, cruise ships are more lenient in allowing oxygen, but some disallow certain types of oxygen. All require that the oxygen be delivered to the ship, and that you have enough for the entire voyage. Oxygen may never be brought aboard in your luggage. Requirements vary, so check your cruise line for proper instructions. Again, documentation and paperwork are required.

Whether you are headed for a cruise ship, hotel or all-inclusive resort, double check for wheelchair access at that venue, plus any venues you will be visiting on the trip. Confirm that accessible hotel rooms, resort accommodations or ship staterooms are available for your travel dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing fully accessible accommodations. And early booking increases your chances of securing a ground floor hotel room or cruise stateroom near the elevator, if these issues are important.

Check on the access to public rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, the swimming pool, hot tub, beach area and other amenities. Are there TDD phone devices? How will you get in and out of the shower or bathtub? Are there flashing lights to accommodate hearing? Braille room numbers? Knowing in advance the scope of your needs gives you time to arrange advance rentals of any necessary equipment, scheduled to arrive when you do. Everything from scooters, lifts, ramps, TDD kits and special mattresses, including special needs cribs, is available for rental.

Will road travel or car excursions be part of the trip? Many car rental companies have vehicles that are modified for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations. Check ahead to make sure a suitable vehicle will be available for your travel dates. If you will be hiring a car or van, make sure the company is aware of your special needs.

When traveling with a limitation or disability, full travel insurance for medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation insurance are even more important and strongly advised.

Ask the Right Questions

• When making the final bookings, be sure you ask the right questions, even if the accommodations or cruise stateroom are categorized as “accessible.”
• For example, are doorways wide enough for the largest wheelchairs? Do the doors open outwards or into the room?
• Are all the public areas of the hotel, resort or ship accessible? Do you need to make special arrangements in the dining room to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter?
• Will the bathroom facilities truly fit your needs? Is the bathroom large enough for the wheelchair or scooter? Is there a roll-in shower? Grab-bars?
• Are there facilities for companion/assistance animals?
• Are there shopping and entertainment facilities close by if you are staying at a hotel or resort?
• On shore excursions or tours, does the van have a lift and method for transporting wheelchairs and scooters?

Simply stated, don’t take anything for granted. It’s easy to arrange for almost every situation, and the world is wonderfully accessible, once you know what’s needed, what’s available and how to find the necessary equipment.

A qualified competent travel professional isn’t hard to find and they are waiting to help you make your accessible travel dreams come true.

Source by Burton L Robertson

Taking care of hand hygiene is the first step to stay healthy. It helps to avoid getting sick due to spreading germs. Hygiene and sanitation help us in developing good living habits. These habits are beneficial for our health. We need to keep our homes, our surroundings, our city clean. It all begins with personal hygiene.

Self hygiene

Personal hygiene is essential for good health. Washing your hands is the first step to it. Most of the infections make way in our body through our hands only. From morning till evening our hands come in contact with a lot of things. We touch doors, knobs, buttons, faucets, washroom, brush, cups, mugs, utensils, drawers, car, bike, currency notes, coins, items kept in racks of malls, cutlery, accelerator, stairs, public places and a lot of similar things. Just think how many things you touch in one whole day. We are exposed to a lot of infections, in-house as well as outside.

Washing hands should be a continuous habit to stay away from infections. Germs are everywhere but you can’t see them. Keeping hands clean is the first step we can take to avoid getting sick.

When to wash hands

• After using a dishcloth or cleaning mop.
• After bringing vegetables and fruits from the market.
• Before, during and after cooking.
• When kids come back after playing.
• After playing with pets.
• After handling animals and animal waste.
• After using the toilets.
• After changing diapers.
• After handling wounds.
• After handling and touching dirty laundry.
• After dusting, broom and mopping the house.
• After sneezing and coughing.
• After touching insecticide sprays.
• After emptying or cleaning bins.
• After using public toilets.
• After handling currency notes and coins.
• After touching doors, chairs, tables, knobs, switches in restaurants, malls etc.
• After visiting hospitals, clinic.
• After attending sick members.
• After visiting a gym or sports club
• After using a swimming pool

Don’t underestimate or ignore this simple habit of washing hands. Kids generally skip this basic habit, it’s our duty to explain the importance of washing hands.

There is a popular English Nursery Rhyme on Wash Your Hands too. To wash our hands we should –

• use soap and water
• use liquid soaps
• use hand sanitizer

Hands should be scrubbed and rinsed properly using soap and water. Good hand hygiene is in our own hands.

Precaution is better than cure is a well known saying and washing our hands is one such precaution which can lead to better health and hygiene.

Source by Pragun Ahimai

Lloret de Mar has been a popular vacation spot on the Costa Brava during the summer months. Many British visitors choose Lloret de Mar villas for staying happily. Lloret de Mar is considered to be an important resort within the Costa Brava. The region is popular for its nightlife as there are many discos and casinos in the region that keep the local people and tourists busy throughout the night. There is so much to do in this beautiful resort that selecting one of the best villas would be an ideal choice for your vacations.

Alessa is a magnificent holiday castle near Lloret de Mar. the villa is located just 3 km from the beach. The villa has a private swimming pool, a spacious terrace, a seating area, a barbeque, and rooms for 16 people. The villa offers all the comforts and facilities for the visitors.

You can enjoy a refreshing morning breeze in your bedroom, open the balcony door and can enjoy a stunning view of the green surroundings and the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are impressive and everything inside the villa is well maintained. The villa Alessa appears to be a castle under the Spanish sun. Everyone can feel comfortable in the villa even if you are a group of people. You can enjoy a gorgeous view of the private swimming pool. There is enough space around the pool to relax and soak up the sun. There is a terrace next to the swimming pool that has a seating area with benches so that you can enjoy a beautiful view. There is a barbeque on the separate terrace where you can spend evenings with your family while enjoying a delicious piece of grilled meat and relishing Spanish wine.

The inside of the villa is also stunning. The villa gives a modern outlook and is beautifully decorated with different colors. The inner atmosphere is relaxing and cozy. The living room is quite spacious and is the best place to sit with your family. The kitchen is well equipped with all the modern commodities so that you can feel at peace.

The beautiful beach of Cala Canyelles is just 3 km from the villa. It is a beautiful sandy beach with a lovely rocky bay. There is a beach bar where you can enjoy a cocktail. On the beach lounge chairs and parasols are available for rent. The villa is situated at a distance of 4 km from the center of Lloret de Mar where you can find bars, restaurants, and shops to entertain yourself for the whole day. You can also have water fun at the water park with your family. You can enjoy the different slides all day. Marine land is also a beautiful place to visit with your family where you can enjoy swimming and other shows. This water park and Dolphinarium is combined into one park. If you want to enjoy the culture of the place, you can visit the castle Gala-Dali in Pubol. Tossa de Mar is also not situated at a far off distance where you can also look at the fortress walls and towers from the middle ages. The coastal route to Tossa de Mar is really beautiful and worth seeing.

Source by Paul Smith