Discover How to Restore the Balance in Your Life

A trip to Africa is one of the most rewarding experiences in a traveler’s life. Many would agree that the overall balance of energy emitted through Africa’s thriving wilderness, people, and various cultures is a feeling that changes something within every traveler who visits.

There is truly nothing more satisfying than the rich aromas of the African plains, the sounds of a crackling fire, the sights of a thriving wilderness, and the feeling of pure bliss. Every element of Africa seems to beat with life and an energy that is so powerful that it creates a new understanding of the world within all who visit.

If you want to experience this majestic energy and live a more fulfilled life, Africa is the place to go. And, if you want to ignite deep inspiration from within, you’ll want to embark on the Awakening Inspiration Safari to Africa.

As an introduction to this safari and as a way to begin restoring balance in your life, we invite you to join us on a free teleclass, “Restore the Balance: 3 Ways to End Inspiration Deficit,” happening Thursday, September 7, 2010, at 9 p.m. Eastern / 6 p.m. Pacific.

On this exciting call, I will be interviewing Dr. Jonathan Ellerby, Spiritual Program Director for the internationally acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resort and author of Return to the Sacred andYour Spiritual Personality. Drawing on wisdom found in his newly-released book, Inspiration Deficit Disorder: The No Pill Prescription to End High Stress, Low Energy and Bad Habits, Jonathan will be sharing insights into how we can all lead a more meaningful, stress-free, inspired life.

On this groundbreaking call, you’ll learn . . .

• How to end the cycle of stress and significantly reduce worry.
• How to revitalize relationships and reconnect on a deeper level with those you love.
• How to find and feed your passion.
• How to restore balance and vitality in your life.
• How to feel like yourself again and live the life you truly desire.

In addition to all the priceless information on this call, we’ll also be announcing itinerary and trip details about our upcoming group trip, Awakening Inspiration Safari. We’ll show you how you can join Jonathan for a journey to South Africa that will change your life.

Sign up today for this complimentary teleclass, and you’ll walk away with newfound knowledge you can implement immediately.

If you are ready to lead a more meaningful, stress-free, inspired life and learn from one of the leading experts on personal growth and balanced living, then you’ll want to make it a point to be on this call with Dr. Jonathan Ellerby.

101 Things To Do on a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing: Part 4

Now let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the cruise – so to speak. Today’s category covers Fine Dining and Divine Wining. There is an abundance of restaurants and lounges onboard for your dining and drinking enjoyment, and all served on the finest of china and glassware afloat! Celebrate the exciting choices to select from for your culinary pleasures onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Fine Dining and Divine Wining

32.  Welcome the morning with a cappuccino and pastry at Sir Samuel’s.

33.  Enjoy a jolly good pub lunch, perhaps fish & chips?  –  at the Golden Lion Pub.
34.  Live la dolce vita with Spaghetti Puttanesca and other Italian specialties at La Piazza.
35.  Sample the Pan Roasted Turbot Fillet at the trendy Todd English restaurant or try the extraordinary tapas.
36.  Indulge in five courses including snow crab soup, duck spring rolls and more at Lotus.
37.  Watch the bubbles rise in your Waterford flute at Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar.
38.  Join the chief sommelier to sample sangiovese, dolcetto, and other varietals as you taste your way across Northern Italy.
39.  Hone your culinary skills at a cooking demo and feast in Chef’s Galley.
40.  Start the day in a sinfully decadent way with a baked waffle, maple syrup, and whipped cream in King’s Court.
41.  Counting calories? Try Canyon Ranch Spa Selections, available at every meal.
42.  Burger lovers rejoice! Follow the crowd to the Boardwalk Café.
43.  Mais oiu! Celebrate with a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild from the largest wine cellar at sea.
44.  Is that the sound of a trolley? Why yes, it’s Afternoon Tea on the Promenade Deck.
45.  Fall in love with a signature truffle Love Letters appetizer in Todd English.
46.  Order in from room service. After all, it’s available 24 hours a day.
47.  Choose from the cheese trolley and enjoy some vintage ruby port at Sir Samuel’s.

Did we whet your appetite with the many cruise dining options? 

Next in our series is Fitness Fare for those who may overindulge in food and wine and Cordially Yours for those who want to keep on celebrating!

All images are courtesy of Cunard Cruise Lines

101 Things To Do on a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing: Part 2

Our continuation of the Cunard Line Queen Mary 2’s list of 101 things to do on a transatlantic crossing covers the Cultural Affairs category. If you missed part 1 of our series, you can view it here. Each new post, I’ll be adding to the list that was originally published in the Cunard Line 2010 Transatlantic Crossing. Thought provoking from the perspective that you are only limited by your own imagination as to what you can do on-board. We hope you find some inspiring cruise ideas.

Here is the next list of things to do under Cultural Affairs.

11.  Capture memories on your digital camera and have them printed in the onboard photo lab.
12.  Renew your wedding vows and enjoy a ceremony conducted by the Captain.
13.  Brush up on your Excel spreadsheet skills at a computer learning class in ConneXions.
14.  Sit in on a reading by mystery author P.D. James followed by a book signing.
15.  Have a body composition analysis with experts in the Fitness Centre.
16.  Be inspired to start your own epic tome at a workshop with a published novelist.
17.  Strap yourself into your seat and enjoy a virtual ride through space in Illuminations – the only Planetarium at sea.
18.  Head to Deck 2 to begin a Cunard history lesson with the Maritime Quest Exhibit. The 10 historical “pathways” located throughout the ship include A Great History, On the Bridge, Stars Aboard and more.
19.  Attend a lecture about Beethoven’s Fidelio and find out why it was his only opera.
20.  Enjoy the classic works of the great 20th Century masters such as Dali, Chagall, Erte, and Picasso in the Art Gallery.
21.  Take a third and final Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) workshop, “Speaking the Speech”. You’ll learn to perform a Shakespeare monolog.
22.  Listen to the dramatic reading of The Old Man and the Sea in Illuminations.
23.  Shiver me timbers. Sit in on a lecture about piracy with English diplomacy expert, Vincent Strudwick.
24.  Brush up on your Russian, French, Spanish, or even Mandarin. Parlez vous chinois?

Are you dreaming of a transatlantic crossing voyage yet? Share with us what cruise journey you have been deeply enriched on. 

Next, we will present Thoroughly British Moments.

All images are courtesy of Cunard Cruise Lines

Tulips, Castles & River Cruising: Part 1 of 4

This four part series will cover my experiences  on Tulips, Castles & River Cruising – small group luxury tour by Want To Go Travel. It is a 12 day journey that started today. We will spend several days in Amsterdam, then cruise down the Rhine River visiting various quaint towns and ending in Switzerland where we spend our last two days in Lucerne.

You know your trip is off to a great start when:

• Your main handle breaks off your suitcase thus forcing you to repack into another suitcase entirely
• The airline check-in person is “in training” and to enhance their learning curve, the computer is broken
• And finally the airplane in-flight entertainment system (yes with the movies, music and games) does not work on the 9 hour flight – good thing I can sleep

Honestly, the KLM equipment was in need of a refresh but the crew was of high quality.  The flight seemed to go by faster than the last time I made this trip, which was nice. Most of our bags were already to be picked up by time we cleared immigration.  Our driver Cedric, reminded me of Morgan Freeman in looks, was fantastic with the most positive spirit and in depth city knowledge you will find! I look forward to using his services again.

The Sofitel Grand is well located in the heart of Amsterdam, although it may be a bit close to the Red Light District for some people. This former Amsterdam City Hall is a lovely upscale hotel. Check in was prompt and thankfully they had our rooms ready and waiting. The rooms, recently renovated, are very spacious by european standards and feature a large wall of windows that have a nice view of the canal. The marble bathroom offered a huge soaking tub with a TV in the wall, a generous separate shower and dressing area.

Several of us took a cruise to see the sights and amazing architecture from the waterways. My only issue with this boat tour is the glass windows, which don’t open.  Any photos taken from inside the boat would have reflections of the all the passengers – several places will have to be revisited if we want quality pictures. It is nice that Amsterdam is very walkable that retracing our journey is easily doable.

The most colorful experience of the day was taking several wrong turns in the red light district. Oh how very special and exhilarating to my jet-lagged self. Thankfully, no one I was traveling with was too shocked, although the “ladies” in the windows were eagerly trying to get our attention.

As I write this, I have all the windows open to let the fresh air in,enjoying the sounds of seagulls, bicycles and church bells. Texas was 90 when I left, so this mild 50’s weather is very refreshing.

What do you love about Amsterdam in the spring?