Janet Cycles Cuba
February 1st, 2010
... where you will find ideas for active holidays, adventure or special interest travel, and opportunities for the discerning traveler, as well as Janet's commentaries on trips she has taken. We feature some of the most beautiful and remote vacation locations as well.
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Travel... because life is too short to stay home.

All Inclusive Vacation Travel – tips from Janet:
Thank you for making me a part of your vacation planning. Here are some tips and comments to make your vacation enjoyable. If you have purchased an all-inclusive package, you are looked after from the point of departure until you return to your home-city airport. Read the rest of this entry »
Here are some interesting facts about a destination many of us have not explored. Perhaps this is where your next vacation should be.
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Getting you there and back in the best shape possible.
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Dawn McNevin Joseph, of The Right Fit Fitness, offers these tips to help you feel good when traveling.
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Here are a few fitness tips to keep you feeling well (energized and pain free) throughout your flight and upon arrival at your destination. For those of you who fear doing arm circles and lunges down the aisles, these are for you. They are subtle but effective.
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DRINK WATER
Before – During – After your flight.
The recycled air on a plane is very dry with little humidity (10-20%). Dehydration can lead to discomforts (dry mouth, throat, eyes and skin), and fatigue.
Drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are onboard a plane.
When choosing a drink from the cart, keep in mind that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body.
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 WALK AROUND
Before. During. After. your flight.
Why sit in the waiting room when you know you will be sitting for an indefinite amount of time once you board. Walk around the airport terminals.
While flying, don’t feel guilty about asking someone to move so you can get up and walk around. Prolonged sitting in cramped quarters causes pooling of blood in deep veins of the lower limbs, resulting in leg swelling, so try to move once every hour to hour and a half.
*Remember to plan your walk around in-flight meal services.
Upon arrival, get your leg joints moving after the flight (more than just to your taxi!). Use the stairs, not the escalator and walk around the baggage claim area while you are waiting for your luggage.
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In Flight Exercises:
Bring a tennis ball. Roll it under your feet (shoes off).? This relaxes the fascia and increases circulation. You can also place it under your glute (butt cheek) to release glute tension.
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 Pectoral (chest) Stretch
Stand parallel to the corner of a wall. Place one arm at a 90 angle on the wall (at the rear of the plane there is usually room).?
Keep elbow and forearm supported. Step the same foot forward as arm that you are stretching. Lean your body gently forward as you rotate away from wall. The stretch should be felt across your chest and into the front of your shoulder.
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 Glute (butt) Stretch

Sit up straight in your seat and cross arms across shoulders. Rotate gently as far as you can to one side, side bend to that side, unbend and rotate a little further. Repeat 3 times each side. Your upper back rotation should improve.
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Keep in mind that some airports have gyms. Bring your gym clothes or at least a pair of running shoes and make the best of a layover or delayed flight.
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For a list of gyms in and near Canadian and US airports, check out:
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Don’t Just Do it, Do it Right.
From “Travel Industry Today”
Are travellers getting leery of Internet arrangements?
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12 AUG 2009: Just one in three US online travellers feel that travel websites do a good job presenting travel choices that’s down from 39% in 2008. Travellers believe they are taken for granted says a new study that suggests consumers aren�t pleased with the complicated process of planning and booking a trip online, and are exasperated to find they are expected to have the skills of travel agents.
A Forrester Research study, chronicled the dissatisfaction with do-it-yourself online travel in the US.? There are 15% fewer travellers who enjoy using the web in 2009 than there were in 2007, said the report.
“What we’ve seen is growing frustration,” said Henry Harteveldt, a Forrester travel analyst.
Consumers see other websites becoming easier to use retail websites, banking websites, media websites. But travel is treading water as a category. There are very few travel companies that are really looking to improve the planning and booking process.
Instead customers are forced to figure out extra fees, wade through fine print and understand industry terms like the difference between a deluxe and a standard room, in addition to educating themselves about destinations, flights and hotels.
“Travel companies expect the consumer to behave like a travel agent,” said Hartveldt. “The question I always ask these guys is, Could your mother-in-law use your Web site without having to call you for help? The answer is always no.”
Harteveldt said a growing number of consumers appeared to be interested in using an offline travel agency, if they could find one.
“The fact that there are more people now who would consider using a good offline travel agent is telling me people are saying, Enough already,” he said.
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Janet McKelvie adds… “So call your travel agent and avoid the frustration”.

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Day 1 – Depart Canada
Overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2 – Arrive Dublin
Welcome to Ireland! After check-in, time to relax. Later an included sightseeing tour with a local guide visits Trinity College, to admire the ancient Book of Kells, and views St. Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedral. Then on to Phoenix Park and the Wellington Memorial. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink.?
Hotel: Camden Court / Maldron
Day 3 – Dublin – Waterford
We have a walking tour of the Irish National Stud Farm and visit the Japanese Garden. Our Tour Director shows us a Hidden Treasure today! Next to Kilkenny to see the castle before an included visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory. ? (Full breakfast / Dinner)?
Hotel: The Belfry
Day 4 – Waterford – Kenmare (2 nights)
This morning we drive to the fishing village of Youghal where Moby Dick was filmed and on to Cork. Then to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Later via Macroom where we see the remains of its castle before travelling to Kenmare.? (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Kenmare Bay / Eviston House (2 nights)
Day 5 – Ring of Kerry
Enjoy a drive around the Ring of Kerry through Moll’s Gap and down over the Black Valley to Ladies View. Next is Killorglin to Cahirciveen with the memorial to St. Brendan, the Navigator, and views of Dingle Bay and the South Kerry Mountains. We see Charlie Chaplin’s hideaway, Waterville and Derrynane, home of Ireland’s liberator Daniel O’Connell. Later we return to our hotel in Kenmare.? (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 – Kenmare – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick
First across the Shannon by ferry and to County Clare to see the magical Cliffs of Moher where we visit the new Visitors’ Centre. Then we drive to our hotel in Limerick. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Radisson SAS
Day 7 – Limerick – Dublin
This morning we visit Bunratty Castle before we travel via Ennis and across County Clare to Galway Bay for panoramic views, stopping at Galway Cathedral before driving to Dublin. We also visit a whiskey distillery on our journey. We enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight with our Tour Director and new-found friends.? (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner)?
Hotel: Camden Court / Maldron
Day 8 – Dublin – Canada
Time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and fellow travelers as our tour comes to an end.? (Full breakfast)
Check back shortly for Janet’s report on her May 2009 trip to Ireland.?
3 days independently in Dublin and area, followed by a 7 day Irish Highlights First Class coach tour.
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| Description: | ||
| • Cycle through the evocative plains of the Camargue • Our route takes us to the very heart of Provence • Explore the region’s amazing heritage including Roman remains? ? Winelands of Provence |
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| Itinerary: | ||
| 1 Join Orange. 2 Cycle Chateauneuf du Pape for included winetasting; return to Orange via Caderouse. 3 Cycle to Cameret sur Aigues to Seguret; short detour to Gigondas for views of limestone pinnacles. 4 Free in Carpentras; optional trip to Avignon or various optional cycle rides. 5 Cycle to St Remy en Provence via Pernes le Fontaine. 6 Continue to Arles via Alpilles; option to visit Barbegal Mill Montmajour Abbey. 7 Optional ride into the Carmargue to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. 8 End Arles. | ||
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| Approx. 12 to 16. | ||
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| Comments: | ||
| Explore Tour Leader/driver to assist, advise and co-ordinate.Activities:
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Trip Dates
start:? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? end:? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? cost:
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23/05/2009 |
30/05/2009 |
$1,290.00 CAD |
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06/06/2009 |
13/06/2009 |
$1,290.00 CAD |
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05/09/2009 |
12/09/2009 |
$1,290.00 CAD |
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19/09/2009 |
26/09/2009 |
$1,290.00 CAD |
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26/09/2009 |
03/10/2009 |
$1,290.00 CAD? ? ? SOLD OUT |
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29/05/2010 |
05/06/2010 |
$1,340.00 CAD |
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12/06/2010 |
19/06/2010 |
$1,340.00 CAD |
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04/09/2010 |
11/09/2010 |
$1,340.00 CAD |
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11/09/2010 |
18/09/2010 |
$1,340.00 CAD |
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18/09/2010 |
25/09/2010 |
$1,340.00 CAD |
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contact Janet McKelvie for details
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Contact Janet McKelvie for details, availability and airfares.