Why A Down Sleeping Bag?

A down sleeping bag has its problems. They are usually more delicate than bags with synthetic fill, for example. They also lose almost all of their insulating ability when they are wet. Of course, you could just treat them gently. My own down bag is over ten years old now, and has no tears and no substantial loss of down. I have slept in some pretty rough conditions with it too. Pay attention to anything sharp or abrasive and even the most delicate bag can last for a decade or more.

I have also managed to keep my down sleeping bag dry during some nasty conditions. I once backpacked for seven days in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado when it was raining at some point during every day and every night. My bag never got wet, and I was sleeping under a tarp the whole time. So you can keep a bag dry if you try. That takes care of the negatives. Now for a look at the positives.

Down Sleeping Bags Are Still The Lightest

I don't really buy equipment that often now, so I had to look at what was out there to see if the above claim was still true. It is. The synthetics are getting closer and closer in terms of warmth for the weight of the fill, but they can't yet match down. It may not be a big difference, but for those like myself who like to backpack in the mountains with less than ten pounds in the pack, every ounce counts.

My own bag, by the way, weighs just 17 ounces. It is rated down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but I have used it comfortably below freezing many times. It is from Western Mountaineering.

Down Sleeping Bags - Other Advantages

Perhaps a bigger advantage than the weight savings (those synthetics are close, after all), is space savings. None of the synthetic-fill sleeping bags can pack down anywhere near as small as a down bag. Mine is the size of a loaf of bread when packed. This makes a difference when you have a small pack or a big trip. In fact, I take advantage of the space savings and do over-nighters with a day pack - something I couldn't do with a less compressible bag.

Finally, down sleeping bags last longer. The best synthetic fills seem to start losing loft after just a year or two, and they can't be reconditioned much. A down bag, on the other hand, can be fluffed up in the dryer and may have most of its loft even after ten years if stored properly (unstuffed).

There are certainly times and places for the synthetics. You might not want to backpack in the Olympic National Park's rain forest with down, for example. But if you have to choose just one bag for all-round use, and you like to go light, you should seriously consider a down sleeping bag.

How to Choose the Best Caribbean Cruise

There are various cruise lines that offer Caribbean cruises. To know what the best Caribbean cruise is to take can be hard to find out.  Each cruise line will have unique things to offer to make your cruise special and memorable. It depends upon what your interests are as to what Caribbean cruise will be best for you. May I tell you about one of my very favorite cruises? The Heart of the Caribbean from Royal Caribbean is one of my very favorite cruises of all time.I had so much fun for eight days and seven nights. There was so much to do and enjoy! In my opinion it is the best Caribbean cruise.

This cruise starts in San Juan, Puerto Rico and visits the islands of the Caribbean for eight days.Everyday is filled with exciting adventures and activities on and off the ship.

First you dock in Oranjestad, Aruba which is located on the southern coast. The very important city of Aruba, Oranjestad, is the Dutch capital and it means "Orangetown.". The colorful Dutch colonial architecture is delightful to see. Here you can explore the island and see many wonderful sights such as the California Lighthouse by caravan. Oranjestad also has beautiful beaches and snorkeling is a great adventure.

The next stop that the ship docks at is off the Venezuelan coast at Willemstad, Curacao. Of the three "ABC" Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), Curacao is the largest and most populated.In 1954 it separated from the Netherlands yet you will find that there is still a very strong Dutch influence in its architecture and its culture. You can explore the magnificent Hato Caves and underground lake here in Willemstad. What an awesome sight it was to see this underground world. There is also a trolley-train tour that is enjoyable.

The next stop will be on the northeastern coast of the Caribbean at Philipsburg, Saint Maarten. There are two sides to this island, the Dutch and French. On the Dutch side you can find beautiful jewelry, excellent beaches, and night festivities. The French side of the Caribbean is known for its nude beaches and clothing stores to shop in. Because of the many duty-free shops the island is known as a shopper's paradise. Jewelry, leather goods, tobacco, designer clothes are some of the things you find here.

Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands is the last stop for this fabualous cruise. Purchased by the United States, Saint Thomas has so much to offer. Here the shopping is excellent, the dining is magnificent, and the white sandy beaches are breathtaking. While you are in Saint Thomas you do not want to miss the spectacular view of Magens Bay from the very famous Drakes Seat.

I’m sure you can see why I think this is the best Caribbean cruise to take. You can enjoy the various onboard activities as well as the many breathtaking stops made which makes this trip truly memorable. Welcome to your dream vacation!

 

Using a Caribbean Cruise Review in Finding That Perfect Cruise

There is in truth nothing more enjoyable than going away on a cruise with that special someone, or even taking in a family cruise, but before you do this you're going to wish to make certain that you're selecting just the proper cruise for your tastes and to suit the purpose.

Depending on who you are planning to bring on the cruise with, you will want to assure that there are suitable activities and passengers onboard in order that you are able to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Cruises that cater to grownups differ greatly from family cruises for example, so be sure that you know who you're taking with you prior to selecting a cruise.

How to Best Use a Caribbean Cruise Review

Another measure that you're going to want to take is studying a Caribbean cruise review such as a Royal Caribbean cruise review, which will give you preceding riders’ reviews on the cruise line and what they had to say about it.

You should be able to find a Caribbean cruise review for any cruise offered, by any cruise line. This will really help you for several reasons.

One of the most important reasons for researching and studying Caribbean Cruise reviews, is to learn what packages the different cruise lines offer, and what possibilities there are for you. That way you will be able to choose the best cruise for you.

After all, if these reviews are not written by the cruise line themselves, you will be able to trust that they are not written with bias. They are presented by other passengers who have already experienced their cruises, and who are freely giving their honest opinion, and offering their thoughts about the cruise, and if it might be good for you.

If you're interested in finding a Caribbean cruise review the Net will be a great resource to you. It will provide you all the info and reviews that you need, and these will play a key function in the process of you selecting a cruise line and package to perfectly accommodate your needs.

Planning It Out

When you've read reviews and know which cruise line and package you wish to go with, you will be able to get down to the fun part of actually preparing for your cruise. Remember to take your time and the most effective plan is to make a list of all the things you need to take on your trip, and then check them off as you go along.

How to Find the Best Caribbean Cruise Ship for your Family

Finding a Caribbean Cruise Ship for your Family

Keywords: Caribbean Cruise Ship

Years ago cruises were primarily for couples and a few singles. Today you will find that there are more families cruising together than ever before. To accomodate families the cruise industry has changed quite a bit by providing programs and activites for all ages to enjoy aboard the ship and off the ship. Though there are some cruise lines that haven't quite come aboard in accomodating the family yet. Planning a Caribbean cruise for your family means finding the Caribbean cruise ship that will most closely meet the needs of each member of your family. Here are some tips in helping find a Caribbean cruise ship for your family vacation.

The first thing to do is look for a Caribbean cruise ship that is designed with families in mind. The cruise line should have a children's program available with various activities that accomodate children of all ages. This is especially important as your children will be aboard a ship with nowhere to go and will become easily bored.  Check into the number of activities the Caribbean cruise ship offers for children and families as this will give you an idea of how much the family is a priority to that particular cruise ship. Others things to check out is how they handle infants and toddlers on the ship and if there is babysitting provided.

Looking into the dining accomodations is our next tip. Taking their small children into a formal dining room every night which serves fancy gourmet meals is not always preferrable to many parents. Alternate dining arrangements with food that yound children will actually eat is a great sign that the cruise ship is geared for families. There are plenty of menu choices for every one to enjoy a great meal in the buffet restaurant. Some Caribbean cruise ships have programs that allow children to eat with their youth directors so mom and dad can enjoy the gourmet food in the formal dining hall a night or two.

It would be wise to do some research in order to find a family friendly Caribbean cruise ship so that the whole family will be able to enjoy their cruising vacation.

Wales Holiday Cottages and More...

Visit Wales Ad Campaign

So, we are officially in recession (like we hadn’t already noticed!and I haven't heard one definitive answer on when the economy will grow again.

It’s that time of year where I start to think about where I want to go on holiday, but I want to be a little bit more careful with my pennies this year. My money can't be spent to the same level abroad now and cheap flights aren't as available as they were before this credit mess. What if I book a flight and the company folds before my holiday or leaves me stranded on a tropical island (well, that wouldm't be so bad!)!).

I was chatting to a friend last night about my conundrum – explaining that I wanted a holiday full of FUN and laughter as I am fed up of hearing all about the credit crunch but at the same time I was living it so have to spend carefully. A holiday in Wales is what he suggested. Wales!! Really!? I thought the weather was crap there! And it’s full of sheep, leaks and daffodils and, and, and Wales holiday cottages and blokes named Dafydd!

Apparently, ‘it’s not unusual’, for people to stereotype Wales and the Welsh in this way - the weather is a little dodgy and there are blokes named Dafydd (but not all of them) but there is so much to do that the weather doesn’t spoil a thing. He kindly informed me that preparing for bad weather means that good weather is an added treat.

So, I decided to take a look for myself. I jumped onto my laptop, fired up the internet access and plunged into a world of Wales on the web. I love youtube.com. It's perfect for the lazy surfer.com – saves me reading stuff and I found the following video which is part of an advertising campaign for visitwales.co.uk suggesting things you can do in Wales.

Apparently you can go cycling, play at boats with kids, stay in a blue hotel (which looks like a toy – holiday cottages Wales stylie!) which is full of local stuff like the blankets, the art on the wall – even the beds. Rock climbing, and then throwing yourself off a cliff into water, drink welsh wine, eat crab and sausages (Welsh surf and turf – tee hee!), or Michelin star cuisine made with local produce. My god, the list is exhaustive.

So, yep – I’m sold – I’m going to give it a go, safely in the knowledge that I am helping our slowing economy by keeping British money in Britain.