Jen W. asked:




Every Memorial Day weekend, the summer season officially kicks off in the Hamptons and with it comes the droves of movie stars and city dwellers seeking to escape the heat and enjoy some of the most breathtaking beauty New York State has to offer. While largely known as the summer vacation spot for the rich and famous, rubbing elbows with your favorite director or movie star has never been easier when you spend your vacation getaway along the beaches of a stunning Hamptons town.

Offering some of the best beaches in the world, the Hamptons are definitely the place to be for exciting oceanfront adventures. While there are excellent sandy options up and down the South Fork, East Hampton’s Main Beach is consistently rated one of the top ten beaches in the country and is ideally located in the new-money capital of Long Island. The likes of Martha Stewart, Steven Spielberg, and Jerry Seinfeld own homes in this trendy town, and you can certainly spot a few other celebrities while you relax along the clean white sands of East Hampton beaches such as Wiborg Beach, Egypt Beach, and Georgica Beach.

Although the Westhampton area, including the incorporated villages of West Quogue, Westhampton Beach, and West Hampton Dunes, is considered a little more like Long Beach than the rest of the Hamptons, visitors can still enjoy all of their favorite activities, including swimming, jet skiing, boating, surfing, and sunbathing, at the entertaining Pike’s Beach. However, if you prefer an old money atmosphere and huge waterfront estates as the backdrop for your beach excursions, then Southampton and the Flying Point Beach may be more your style.

For a low-key getaway away from the hubbub and noise of the party scene, set your vacation compass for a town like Amagansett and Bridgehampton. In the quant Bridgehampton, you can enjoy the popular Mecox Beach before heading over to a nearby winery, while in Amagansett, shopping in fine boutiques and dining on exquisite cuisine are the order of the day. Nightlife is never dull here, either, as Amagansett is home to the famous Stephen Talkhouse, a small, standing-room only club where the likes of Paul McCartney and Paul Simon have been known to show up unexpectedly.

In addition to the popular Stephen Talkhouse, the Hamptons are home to numerous other forms of entertainment and nightlife. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center hosts professional musical, dance, and theater performances year-round, while the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor presents up-and-coming plays in addition to time-honored classics on its stage. Once the sun has set on the Hamptons, visitors can also enjoy a late night drink at the Cigar Bar in Sag Harbor or attempt to get into one of the super trendy bars such as the NV Resort in East Hampton or Jet East in Southampton.

When looking into popular Hampton attractions, there are two that always stand above the rest. Located in an 1845 mansion built by Benjamin Huntting, a whaling-ship magnate, the Whaling Museum in Sag Harbor pays homage to the industry that put this region on the map. Featuring samples of whale oil, century-old whale jawbones, and the tools and weapons of whalers, the museum is a must-see on any Hamptons trip. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, completed in 1796, was the first lighthouse to be built in New York State and is the home of numerous artifacts and historical documents. The best part of any visit, however, is the climb up the 110-foot tower for a breathtaking, panoramic view of the ocean, coastline, and stunning scenery.

When the crush of summer dawns upon the Hamptons, it is time to get out of the city and experience an atmosphere that is unlike anything you could have ever imagined. Forget the touristy feel of a hotel and live like a local with Hamptons vacation rentals in your favorite surfside destination. A Hamptons rental surrounds you with the glitz and the glamour of the area, along with the quant town feel, so you can enjoy a summer to remember in the most desirable accommodations along the Atlantic Ocean. For a fantasy getaway at one of the most picturesque, exciting destinations in the world, begin your search for the perfect vacation home rental today.



Make Home Solar Panels

Audrey J Robinson Ph.D asked:




It’s now time to start gearing up for that much-deserved summer vacation.  The kids will soon be out of school, and it’s really beginning to look like summer.  The economy is poor, and for some of us, money is tight.  However, we still want to and need to go.  Here are several tips on how to have a well-planned, stress free and enjoyable family summer vacation whether you have full resources or you’re traveling on a budget.

 

Make Early Plans

To get the best deals on lodging, rentals and air fare, plan your trip early.  Check out websites that reward early bookings (e.g. quickbook.com) to avoid missed opportunities. Planning your trip at least 3 months ahead would be ideal. According to Michael Sarka, executive director of the Vacation Rental and Management Association, “families looking for rental properties really need to get on the ball… and book early”.

 

Packing for your vacation

 Whether traveling by plane, car, train, bus or recreational vehicle, pack enough, but not too much.  Make a really good list of everything you’ll really need.

From clothes to toiletries and medication, lay everything out on the bed and check off the list.  You’ll have a record if your luggage is lost or stolen.  Don’t forget a sweater for cool nights and an umbrella for rain.  To avoid packing too much, pack clothes that can be used for several purposes and that can be coordinated.  Pack black, brown or white clothes with colorful scarves and colorful costume jewelry. To avoid wrinkled clothes, fold cloths softly and pack in “pack-it” folders (e.g.  www.eaglecreek.com). Pack “wrinkle release” by Downey, used for spraying away wrinkles. Pack plenty of sunscreen, sun hats and sunglasses.  In case of a sun burn, pack “Solarcaine Burn Relief Gel” or Solarcaine Medicated Spray for pain relief. Don’t forget the camera, camera batteries and memory card. If traveling by car, have jumper cables, flares, a first aid kit, a flashlight with new batteries and a cell phone handy.  Also carry bottled water and nutrious snacks. For air travel, carry a small travel case with face cream, make up, aspirin, lip balm, eye mask and ear plugs.  Always bring a snack.

 

Traveling

If traveling by car or recreational vehicle:

 

Have a written plan outling the intended route, stops and destination.  Leave copies of the plan along with a description of your vehicle and its license plate with family or friends. Refill the gas tank when it’s half full in case there’s a problem finding a service station on the roads. Don’t let thieves steal your vehicle.  As suggested by Dorothy Yamich in an article published in 111Travel Directory: triple 1.com. Keep your registration on your person at all times to prevent identity thief. When parking, close and lock all doors, even if for a short time. At no time leave the vehicle idling or leave the keys in the car. Don’t leave valuables in the car. If you have no choice, lock them in the trunk when no one is watching. When parking in public areas turn the wheels to the right or left and engage the emergency brake to lessen the chance of theft. Park in an attendant controlled lot, in a well lit area, with pedestrian traffic. Never park next to an obstruction (fence, hedge, anything large) that blocks a clear view of the vehicle. If entering a gated secure parking area, make sure the gate is closed behind you to prevent someone from entering after you. Look into anti-theft devices- steering wheel locks, break locks, pedal locks, hood locks.  The best protection is a passive electronic immobilizer that disables the motor when the ignition is off. Make sure to have adequate insurance that covers theft and damage.  Finally call the police if you see suspicious activity. Check tires for wear and pressure, even the spare. Check the refrigerant, coolant and batteries and replace dirty oil.

 

Vacation on a Budget

Try vacation rentals.  You can get an entire house and great discounts. Tony Lopes of www.ownerdirect.com , a company that pairs rentals to vacationers, says…”ask about a discount if you’re staying longer than 7 nights”.  In the high season discounts can range from 5-10 %, but in the low season from 15-20%.  You may be able to use your talents to barter a discount (taking photos or writing a description of the rental), or by referring your friends. When driving, stop for picnics instead of eating out. Take advantage of continental breakfasts. Avoid pricy gift shops.  Find natural gifts, such as sea shells. When traveling with children, watch for signs that say “kids eat free”. Vacation close to home to save on gas and airfare. Consider a camping trip, such as to a National park. Avoid vacationing at peak times (end of July to middle of August) for better pricing.

 

These tips are all worthwhile considering, to ensure that you have a great summer vacation. 

 

Also, for a great tip on how to build greatly improve your finances, visit www.successinmasteringwealth.com. 



Liliana

Phoenix Delray asked:




Where can you go on vacation to see the natural wonders and wide open spaces and see an entire continent? Australia!

From beaches to deserts, the Outback country is one of the most highly urbanized countries. Many cosmopolitan attractions of cities like Sidney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and more are major tourist attractions. The country, one of the wealthiest in the world, is renown for it is untouched landscape and very unique culture.

One of the must see Australia vacation stops is the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. Canberra, is a part of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), an international network of antennas that support interplanetary spacecraft missions, and radio astronomy observations for the exploration of the Solar System and beyond.

The DSN has three tracking stations around the world that are linked to NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Tidbinbilla has four giant antennae, the main antenna is over 70 meters in diameter and is the largest in the southern hemispheres. This antenna received some of Neil Armstrongs giant leap for mankind on the moon in 1969. While there you can see a 3.8 billion year old Moon rock, check out an astronaut suit and dine at the Moon Rock Cafe. Open 365 days a year and admission is FREE.

The National Museum of Australia covers the land, nation and people of Australia in Canberra. The museum contains social history and reveals the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Australians, and promotes the exploration of knowledge and ideas by providing a forum for discussion and reflection. The National Historical Collection contains almost 200,000 objects representing Australias history and cultural heritage. Through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cultures and histories, you can explore Australia through experiences, stories and images of Indigenous Australians.

You can also experience the Great Barrier Reef up close. The Reef is the only living thing that you can see from space. Feel free to explore shallow bays, exclusive islands, rainforests and remote reefs aboard the award-winning MV Reef Endeavour. Once there, you can stroll along white sand beaches and snorkel amongst a kaleidoscope of fish on the outer Ribbon and Hedley Reefs. Also discover Lizard Island’s giant clam gardens only meters from the shore. You can hear native birds call from the rainforest.

Ancient and diverse flora and fauna of Mount Field National Park, the pristine wilderness of the Franklin River and many other sites make Tasmania a must see. The diverse history of Port Arthur the spectacular forest backdrop of Wineglass Bay should not be missed.



Vanessa

Akhila Choudhary asked:




Namibia is an amazing country. It has the world’s oldest desert, bright sunshine all round the year, a coastline where you can see the Cape Fur Seal, the second largest canyon in the world, more than 60 different species of exotic birds and diverse animals from lions and elephants to hyenas and black rhinos. Namibia Safari would therefore be an ideal choice for your summer vacation. There are just two factors to be catered for besides the budget of course, your interest areas and the time available to you.

Safari Namibia could be a short 3-day affair and your trip could stretch to 20 days. A 3day Sossusvlei tour will take you past vivid landscapes as you leave Naukluft massif behind and head for the clay pan famous for its rich and diverse flora and fauna. You get to see the exquisite gorges in sandstone and the Marble Mountains during a stunning sunset.

An 18-day camping Namibia Safari will take you into the Game Reserve at the famous Kalahari Desert where you can view the famous Fish River Canyon and drive into Namib Desert. Namibia’s German history is evident as you leave Aus and reach Klein Aus Vista. If you are lucky you could see the famous Namib Desert horses in the wild. Luderitz is a coastal town next to Kolmanskop, which is now more of a ghost town. By the ninth day you are at Cape Cross seeing the beautiful Cape Fur seals in their breeding colony. The grand finale will be at the Etosha National Park where you will visit a number of waterholes and get to see zebras, lions, giraffes, elephants and maybe the near extinct Black Rhino.

For diehard fitness freaks there is the exhilarating 6 day Mountain Bike Namibia Safari during which your cycle tracks run through picturesque landscapes with a viewing opportunity of the elephant and the desert rhino as you whiz past old zinc mines, giant Acacia trees, the Ugab riverbed and extinct volcanoes. Then there are Dunes and Wildlife safaris, flying safaris and self-drive safaris. The ultimate choice is yours.



Stephen

brian ramsey asked:




Many people only consider a Caribbean vacation during the months of November to April. This period, known as the winter season, is traditionally the peak period for Caribbean vacations. For many individuals it is a chance to escape the snow and ice of the northern hemisphere with a holiday in sunny climates. The other months are often called the summer season or as known in Caribbean vacation circles, the low season because of the low occupancy at vacation properties. Yet the summer and fall months are a great time for a Caribbean vacation with several activities that are only available during the summer.

One of the reasons some persons do not consider a vacation in the Caribbean during the summer months is a fear of hurricanes. This concern over hurricanes is however somewhat misplaced. In fact only a few islands are ever affected by hurricanes in any one year. Some islands because of their geographic position, such as Trinidad, Aruba, Tobago, Curacao, are considered below the hurricane belt and so are not hit by any hurricanes.

The summer months in the Caribbean are filled with music festivals. You can listen to world renown international artists under sunny skies with an ocean view or against a backdrop of star filled skies with balmy breezes. Among the more popular music festivals are the St Lucia Jazz Festival, Barbados Gospelfest and the Aruba Music Festival in May, the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, the Bonaire Jazz Festival, St Kitts Music Festival and Grenada’s Spice Jazz Festival in June. If you are looking for music a little later in the year, there is Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica in July and Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival in October.

Summer is also the time for the pulsating rhythms and colorful costumes of Carnival on many islands. In July, it is Carnival time on St Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados, while Antigua’s carnival is in August. A summer holiday on any of these Caribbean islands gives you the chance to experience the splendor of the carnival costumes with the relaxation of a beautiful Caribbean beach.

The summer months are also ideal for Caribbean outdoor recreation adventure and each island offers a range of outdoor vacation adventure. Hiking is one of those outdoor adventures and in the Caribbean you can on the same hike alternate from untouched beaches to unspoiled forest. Within those lush untouched natural forests are tall cascading waterfalls, hidden fern grottoes, mountain lakes, boiling lakes, hot springs and mysterious regions of volcanic activity.

Summer is also the time of turtle nesting with May to September being the prime months. During these months thousands of giant marine turtles heave themselves out of the ocean and on to the sandy beaches to lay their eggs. Giant Leatherback turtles, some weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, along with Hawksbill and Green turtles visit these sandy shores. Viewing this rite of nature while on a summer vacation is an experience of a lifetime.

The waters of the Caribbean Sea are wonderful all year round but the warmest water temperature is during the summer, making it ideal for snorkeling. The sparkling blue water provides a world of adventure below its surface. The Caribbean is one of the top regions for scuba diving and snorkeling with breathtaking marine life, shallow coral reefs, new and old wrecks.

Probably the best reason of all for visiting the Caribbean during the summer months is that this is the time of the lowest prices at hotels and airlines have special reduced airfares, so you can have a vacation on a budget.

So if you are thinking of where to go for your summer vacation, consider the Caribbean, it’s great in the summer.



Aja

Sara Jones asked:




While being on summer vacation can be a fun time for kids when they get out of school, it is also important to encourage the learning process even outside of the classroom. Planning cool science experiments is a great way for parents and children to spend time together, while making it interesting and productive.

Taking field trips to local science museums can turn learning into an exciting field trip, and also a way to get out of the house! Girls and boys can be exposed to many different learning subjects, but often, girls lose interest in science while boys find it much more interesting. The key to involving girls is to make it fun for them, using the things they like or subjects they may be interested in.

Science can affect or explain many things that are used day-to-day, so showing how it works can be relevant and exciting for any child in school, especially those in the younger elementary levels. Encouraging your child’s interest in science, even if you, the parent, aren’t “good” in the subject, is important.

Planning trips to the park to do explorations or scavenger hunts can help girls and boys identify items in nature, or even serve as a potential source for many fun summer projects or science experiments. A great activity that can be done outside is creating a unique leaf collection. Even parents who are not “experts” can help with this one.

Together, parents and children can learn to identify each of them, using reference sources. Girls and boys can go exploring, finding leaves that interest them and then laying them between wax paper. They can then add heavy books on top of the paper, pressing them for about a week. Once the leaves have dried, they can glue them into a fun scrapbook with their common and scientific names.

Another great outdoors activity that many kids (and adults) would like would be creating their own fossils. Most kids are really interested in dinosaurs, so showing them how fossils are formed is not only interesting, but also informative. Make a fossil by shaping a sheet of aluminum foil into a bowl, and then fill it with plaster of Paris. Take rocks, shells or other hard objects and press them into the plaster, wait about 30 minutes to remove the item from the plaster and kids then have their very own fossil!

Taking a field trip to the local science center can also be a fun trip that incorporates learning with each exhibit. Many of these exhibits are hands-on, which can help a child put an idea into perspective. Activities about weather, astronomy, botany, and chemistry are all covered, with not only informational pictures and writing, but also their application in real life.

It is really important to keep children learning, even when they are out of school. It is up to the parents to keep children busy with educational activities, especially those ideas that may have not been covered in the classroom. Involving both girls and boys can make any subject fun, especially science. Encourage children to try their own experiments, which can teach valuable information as well as increase creativity in younger kids. Parents don’t have to be experts in science but like children, they should always be open and willing to learn.



Gary

ABetterStay asked:




Killington, Vermont situated in the Green Mountains is a wonderful place to plan your summer vacation. A couple of the best Killington vacation rentals in this area include the Inn of the Six Mountains and the Birch Ridge Inn. Many fun summer activities are available such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and golfing just to name a few.

Visiting Killington during the summer months will help you understand how the Green Mountains got their name. Vermont offers many scenic routes to discover many of the area’s historic sites and covered bridges. Antique hunting and exceptional dining is available in quaint shops and restaurants in nearby New England towns.

The Inn of the Six Mountains is the perfect place to explore Killington’s Green Mountain region. The accommodations are always warm and inviting with ninety-nine spacious guest rooms that offer modern comfort and a New England charm. The rooms reflect the rustic beauty of the area, decorated in Vermont-inspired furnishings. Guests have access to a putting green that is 58-feet in length, a private tennis court, and a game room for the children that contains the latest video games and old fashioned pinball machines.

The Birch Ridge Inn situated in the beautiful Green Mountains is within minutes from the Killington Ski and Golf Resort. The inn offers ten guest rooms each uniquely decorated. The beautiful gardens that surround the inn make it an ideal getaway for a romantic vacation. There is an excellent fine dining restaurant available to guests and large comfortable sitting rooms where you can sit beside a magnificent slate fireplace while enjoying the company of family and potential new friends.

During the summer months in the Killington region, you can enjoy mountain bike tours through 45 miles of trails spread across the five mountains areas. If you enjoy hiking, the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail both run through Killington. One-hour guided tours on horseback provide outstanding views of the Green Mountains as you stroll through open meadows and lush Birch, Maple, Oak and Pine forests. The award winning Green Mountain National Golf Course attracts many golfers to tee their way through breath-taking panoramas.

Killington vacation rentals offer beautiful scenery and opportunities for fun and exciting summer adventures while vacationing in Vermont. Although Killington is known for its excellent skiing location, the summer months also offer many fun-filled activities that will create lasting memories for you and your family.



Supriya

Jeff Seward asked:




There is no question that it is great to be on a beach vacation, outside in the warm and sunny weather. But are you protected from the sun? When planning to be outside for an extended period of time there are a number of precautions to take in order to prevent painful sunburns, sunstroke and protect yourself against the future risk of developing skin cancer. Here are 10 helpful hints to ensure your summer beach vacation doesn’t lead to something unexpected.

Choose and Use a Sunscreen! Sunscreen is a product that you apply to the skin, and once absorbed can protect you against the sun’s radiation. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Also ensure that you choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, especially for use on babies 6 months or older and children, who are more sensitive to the sun. Once sunscreen is applied it tends to wear off within 2-3 hours and should be reapplied for the duration of your sun exposure.

Between 10 and 4, stay indoors! Between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM the sun is at its most intense given its height in the sky and proximity to the earth. By limiting your exposure to ultraviolet radiation during these hours you can lower your risk of harmful sun exposure. If you simply love being outside, or your job requires you be outside your best protection is to choose and use a good sunscreen, or wear clothing that will keep your skin covered.

Cover up, don’t get sun struck! Wearing clothing that covers exposed skin can help to block the sun’s rays as well. Choosing to wear long sleeved shirts, long pants or long skirts can protect as much skin as possible. Dark colored, tightly woven fabrics may provide more protection than light colored loosely woven clothing. Ideally sun protective fabrics are lightweight, comfortable, and stylish as well.

Cover your lid! While wearing an ordinary baseball cap may protect your scalp and face from sun exposure and help to prevent sunstroke wearing a proper wide brimmed hat may offer the additional benefit of protecting all of your vulnerable skin from the sun. A hat with at least a 2-3 inch brim or a shade cap is ideal because it protects areas that are often exposed to the sun. The areas of your body that typically receive the most sun exposure include: the ears, neck, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. The back of the neck and the ears are the most common places skin cancers are found, so preventing burns and cumulative skin damage to these areas may help prevent skin cancers from forming.

Protect your eyes from what’s high in the sky! Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from the same harmful UV rays that sunscreen protects your skin from. Long hours spent outdoors over the course of your life without adequate eye protection may increase your likelihood of developing eye disease. UV protective sunglasses can help prevent sun damage from reaching your eyes. You don’t have to spend a mint to find sunglasses that will do the trick against UVA and UVB rays – just be sure that the label on the sunglasses identifies them as having 99- 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Avoid tanning beds! Although tanning beds do not emit light from the sun, they can be equally if not more dangerous than the sun. Many people suffer from the incorrect notion that tanning beds are harmless; this may not be the case as tanning beds emit high levels of UVA and UVB rays. Exposure to tanning beds is close up and self regulated and as such can cause serious skin damage which can eventually lead to the formation of skin cancers. Serious dangers are associated with overexposure for people with all skin types.

Following these simple sun related tips can help to ensure that you and your family are protected against the suns harmful rays. Protecting yourself is the best way to sit back and relax on your next beach vacation.



Melba

Marissa Smith asked:




Planning a vacation? Well Romania is ìtheî place to beÖit is the most diverse country in terms of climate, terrain, flora and fauna; snow capped mountains and a sultry coastline- you can ski on snow or on water!

It is located in southeastern Europe. Romania is surrounded by Ukraine to the north, Hungary to its north west, Moldova to the north east and Bulgaria in the south. The famous river Danube flows through Romania from the northwest to the east into the equally famous black sea after forming a picturesque delta- the famous Danube delta!

Romanians are known to be very friendly and hospitable people. The national language is Romanian and others include Hungarian and German. Most Romanians can also communicate fluently in English.

How to get to Romania?

If you are in Europe you can get to Romania by train, road or a sea cruise!

If you are in another part of the world then the most convenient airline is the AUSTRIAN. For the flight details, you can either visit an international travel agent in your area or book your tickets online the latter is preferable if you want to move about and discover the place on your own and of course if you have done it on previous vacations to other places. You can opt for a tour package if you are not too sure of going on your own.

Places to stay once you are there:  

Why not try the 4 Star Hotel Europa in Eforie Nord. Situated in a dramatic setting overlooking the bay in the scenic Efories Nord.

Or perhaps spend your holiday at the 3 Star Vox Maris Club Resort Hotel an ideal short haul summer destination. In Costinesti the Vox Maris is a self-contained club resort and is a perfect location to enjoy the Black Sea.

Or finally why not stay at the excellent value Raluca Hotel in the beautiful Black sea beach resort of Venus.

Places to Visit

Looking for leisure?

The beaches along the black sea coast of Romania are your best bet. Romania has a 225 miles stretch of the most beautiful pristine white sandy beaches dotted with hotels and natural spas. The lakes and rivers of the Danube delta are another place for leisure and for the romantic at heart!

For the history enthusiast

There are a number of ancient castles and fortresses and still intact medieval towns for the history buff to visit. The most famous castles are Peles castle, Bran castle, Corvinesti castle and the Royal Palace Bucharest. Among the best preserved medieval towns are Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara. One of Sighisoaraís most famous attractions is the Clock Tower also known as Council Tower built in the 14th Century; another famous attraction is Vlad the Impaler or Dracula House. The painted monasteries are another very interesting must see place in Romania!

Looking for Natural Therapeutic Remedies?

Spas are said to have been started by the Romans and Romania is home to a third of Europeís mineral and thermal springs. Romania’s main spas are located at Mangalia, Neptun, Eforie Nord, Covasna, Slanic Moldova, Vatra Dornei, Borsec, Sovata, Tusnad, Calimanesti, Govora, Herculane, Buzias and Baile Felix.

Activities:

Given Romaniaís diverse terrain, climate, flora, and fauna you can choose from a number of activities such as Bird watching, camping, cycling tours, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, skiing.



Howard

Dr Robin Rushlo asked:




Copyright (c) 2010 Soaring Eagle Companies LLC

When we were kids, the best part of summer was certainly the fact that there was no school. It was a time to relax, play with our friends, swim, and generally enjoy the fact that we were not on a schedule. As we get older, of course, we no longer get the summer off. If we are lucky, we might get two weeks off. It is important, however to take some time off. Not just pretend time off where you go with the family to a nice hotel and sit on the beach with your laptop and cell phone and continue to work.

There are many benefits to you and your business from taking some real time off. First, and probably the most important, is some time away from the stress. Just the act of functioning from day to day can be stressful-even if you leave the work part of it out of the equation. We need a change of scenery and break in the routine. We need to be “off schedule.” Doing things differently gives you a different perspective and ability to clear your head.

Being away from the routine also gives you the time to think and plan. Sometimes we are so busy working that we never have the time to think and reflect. We have a hard time finding the time to just quietly think and plan. Vacations can give you that needed time (as long as you don’t take a vacation that is so scheduled that, once again, you don’t have time to think!). Planning can be a very important part of your business. Relaxing and thinking can you some great insights.

Taking time off also gives you time to reconnect with yourself and your family members. When we are working so hard, often times into the evening, we can lose touch with our family and what is going on in their lives. If they are small, you may have even lost sight of who they are developing into as people. Vacations can be a time to get to know them again and actually have meaningful interactions while having some fun. No pressure, just hanging out. You will be surprised at what you learn in this relaxed environment.

Being rested and relaxed with a plan can make you much more effective in your business. You will be better prepared ad better able to handle the pressure if you take the time to rest. You will be less likely to suffer from burnout. Your downline will seem much smarter. You and your business will both prosper and your family will be a lot happier too.

“If a man insisted on always being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.”

Herodotus (Greek Historian)



Carla