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No matter what time of year it is when you visit

Aspen, there is always something going on –

even in the off season. The town is small, but

there are usually several types of entertainment

offered each evening in different parts of the

small town. Generally, you won’t have to search

too hard to find some entertainment – but it is

better to know exactly what is going on all over

town, so you can choose the Aspen nightlife

that best suits your interests.

First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen

a few months before your trip if possible. Ask

them what events are planned for the time

period that you will be there. Events are usually

scheduled well in advance, and finding out

about these events well in advance will not only

help you to better make your plans, but it will

also allow you to purchase needed tickets in

advance. Nothing will be more disappointing

than arriving in Aspen and finding out that your

favorite band is in town for a sold out show!

Events can come up at the last minute as well.

Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the

concierge about events that will be taking place

during your stay. If you have already contacted

the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most

of what is going on around town – but there may

be a few surprises in store for you.

Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of

Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages!

Snowmass is a village that almost seems to

be a part of Aspen – but it isn’t. Contact the

Snowmass town hall to find out what events

are scheduled in the village during your visit.

Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen. Use

Internet resources, as well as the information

that you learn from the various Chambers of

Commerce and your lodge to plan your daytime

and night time activities while you will be in

Aspen. Again, there is always something to do

in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will

waste a lot of time trying to decide what you

want to do.

While you want to go in with a plan, leave a

day or two open – with no plans. Use these

days for shopping expeditions or simply take a

quiet walk through the quiet Victorian

neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in

your plans, or spend some time in the Great

Room at your lodge. There is always

something to do…but sometimes, it is nice to

have nothing to do as well!

On my recent trip to Cambodia I was blessed to spend three days exploring the ruins collectively known as Angkor Wat. We experienced sunrise and sunset, as well as the noonday heat, in this magnificent complex of temples, many built more than 900 years ago.<p>

<b>Relics of Past Splendor</b><p>

These shrines were created with stones carried from far away; many were built without mortar, and all were built without modern technology. Yet the structures have withstood the ravages not only of time and weather, but also of mankind. Over the centuries temple figures sacred to one religion (Buddhism) have been removed or destroyed by followers of another religion (Hinduism), only to be replaced by the original worshipers (Buddhists). Just as destructive were souvenir hunters who have taken pieces from the carvings and sold them to collectors and museums. Lastly, bullet holes and bomb damage mar many of the temple walls — a legacy of the Khmer Rouge.<br><br>Like the pyramids in Egypt and the Mayan ruins in Central America, Angkor Wat is the relic of an ancient civilization that was far advanced for its time. Today many of the Angkor Wat temples are still in daily use. I saw monks and worshipers kneeling in the temples, burning incense and praying. Truly a profound experience.<p>

<b>Emblems of Today’s Squalor</b><p>

In contrast, on my last evening in Cambodia, I took a boat ride through Chong Khneas, a floating fishing village. This loose collection of more than 700 families of fishermen and a complete support community live on boats and travel Tonl? Sap Lake following the fish and the rainy season.

To reach the floating village we drove through the town of Siem Reap and several smaller villages. The further from Siem Reap we traveled, the more primitive living conditions became. Homes went from cinder-block and concrete structures to wooden houses to one-room bamboo shacks supported on spindly bamboo poles to protect them from flooding. I would have been afraid to roll over in my sleep in these houses, much less raise a family or ride out a monsoon in one. Electricity was nonexistent, and the only running water was the stream we were following to the lake. The only nod to the 21st century was televisions, running on car batteries and prominently displayed in the glassless windows.<p>

The floating village consisted of hundreds of boats, some no bigger than 20 feet by 6 feet. Entire families lived on each boat. Cages suspended underneath the boat served as impromptu fish farms. The back of the boat held a primitive outhouse. Children bathed in the lake while old women cleaned fish or cooked noodles in water dipped from the same source. The lake served not only a source of food and of cooking and drinking water, but as a bathtub and septic system as well. Here the ubiquitous televisions, and the outboard motors used to power the fishing boats onto the lake each evening, were the only lifestyle changes in the last 200 years.<p>

The floating village and the bamboo shacks were light years below the standard of living enjoyed by the Cambodians who designed and lived in the temple complex at Angor Wat 900 years ago. All of those past splendors seem lost today. <br><br><b>The Lessons of Forgetfulness</b><p>

What caused such an advanced civilization to revert to a shadow of its former self? And what lesson can we learn from this study in contrasts? To paraphrase George Santayana’s famous line, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to forget it.” Somehow the people of that floating village have forgotten the grandeur of Cambodia’s past. They have lost touch with the creativity and spirit that made Angkor Wat possible. Instead of moving forward, they either stayed the same or moved backwards — and perhaps that amounts to the same thing. Once we cease to learn, build, create and stretch, we not only stop gaining or growing, we allow the rest of the world to pass us by. This is the equivalent of moving backwards.<p>

We must ask ourselves each day, “Am I moving forward or simply standing still?” In our lives and at our work we all know people who refuse to change with the times. To our computer-savvy children watching us struggle to retrieve our email, we may look like slow-moving dinosaurs. We cannot afford the luxury of standing still. To do so allows the world to move past us. More importantly from a business standpoint, it allows our competition to move easily past us.<p>

Do you risk becoming a relic of the past or a dinosaur whose fate is extinction? If you have any amount of doubt coursing through your veins, commit today to education, growth and constant improvement, both personal and professional. And know that if up until now you’ve been a bit lax, you’re never too old or too young to make this commitment to yourself. The lesson I learned in Cambodia is that I want to be the one who builds monuments for the future — not the one who wonders how the monuments of the past were built.

A special celebration deserves a special location and a small, sophisticated hotel is often the perfect choice.

From a small private wedding to a birthday celebration or family get-together, the often idyllic locations occupied by boutique hotels provide the perfect backdrop for a special occasion.

Rural weddings

With romantic gardens, fine dining and stunning locations for photographs, small rural hotels are often ideal for a family wedding. The attention to detail that’s normally given to the hotel’s guests will ensure that your day runs smoothly, from the flowers at the ceremony to the strawberries in the dessert. Take the family to the South of France or Tuscany so that you can all celebrate in the warmth of the sun with the scent of olive groves or vineyards as a backdrop. Then spend your wedding night in one of the luxury rooms, with a specially-prepared breakfast hamper awaiting you the next morning, or a champagne breakfast on the terrace. Boutique hotels know how to do these things properly, so take advantage of their creativity and expertise to make your wedding day as special as possible.

Family parties

There’s nothing better than getting together with your extended family and enjoying a weekend where no-one has to shop, cook or keep the place tidy. The wonderful thing about many boutique hotels is that you can book them as a whole, effective hiring a weekend home for you and your family to enjoy, with excellent service and dining thrown in. Whether you’ve decided to meet up in a city, or you’re set on enjoying the countryside or lazing on the beach, there’s a cool hotel that can cater to your family’s requirements.

Celebration treats

Treat your parents to a stay in a boutique hotel for their wedding anniversary, or your partner for a special birthday. Staying in a boutique hotel is an experience in itself and it’s often one that many people wouldn’t think of doing as a matter of course. It may be as part of a city break, or it may be so that they can visit a part of the country or the world that they’ve always had on their wish list. An important part of a trip like that is the accommodation, so choosing an individual hotel will help to make the celebration particularly memorable.

Whatever celebration you’re planning, think of the possibilities offered by a boutique hotel. Attention to detail, excellent service and luxurious surroundings all combine to make it an occasion you won’t forget.

If you’re planning a trip to Vegas in the near future there are a few basic things you should know. First things first, walking shoes are a must for any trip to Vegas. You will probably be spending a lot of time on your feet and will need shoes that can handle standing in lines and walking quite nicely.

Second, the weather in Vegas is fairly predictable. You are likely to experience rather cool nights, particularly during the months between October and April so bring some warm clothes. You should also be prepared for a lot of sunshine and pack copious amounts of sunscreen in order to protect your skin.

Remember that the times around holidays are often the busiest times in Vegas if you want to avoid the higher prices and larger crowds you should avoid booking during these times. And if those are the times you absolutely wish to stay and play in Vegas you should make plans and book well ahead of time to make sure you have your first choice in accommodations.

It is important to remember that Vegas is indeed a desert town and that you will need to drink plenty of water and moisturize more than you might be accustomed to. This is a much drier climate than many people experience in their day-to-day lives and the heat and dryness can sneak up on you for a double whammy if you aren’t prepared.

If you’re a golfer, you’ve found heaven and should come prepared. This means you should bring your best clubs along with you and be prepared to play a few rounds. You should probably also bring a nice set of dress clothes in order to catch some of the great shows that are always playing in Vegas.

While Vegas is famous for big spenders, it is quite possible to spend thriftily and have a nice vacation for two at around $100 per day. At the other end of the spectrum, big spenders can drop thousands on one meal very easily. Pay attention to the places you are considering before you enter if you are on a limited budget.

If you’re planning to stray far from your hotel or resort, it’s a good idea if you plan to rent a car or drive your own. The distances here can be quite conceiving and you can easily loose track of time while enjoying yourself inside the many casinos.

Vegas is almost as famous for weddings as it is for Casinos. If you are hoping to get married Vegas style you have a lot of styles from which to choose and you are not by any means alone. More than 122,000 couples apply for marriage licenses in Vegas each year. The licensing fees for marriage in Vegas is around $55 (this is the current rate, keep in mind that this rate is subject to change) and then there are the fees involved for the chapel you use, the services offered, etc. You can choose to go as informal and small or as bold and lavish as you can afford.

One of the most important things to remember about Vegas is like the new commercials claim, “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas”. So let your hair down and have some fun during your time here and be sure to make plans for your return trip.

This can be a wonderful vacation experience for you whether you are planning marriage, a golf smorgasbord, a gambling festival, to see your favorite act, or just to spend time with the family hanging out around the pool. Your trip to Vegas is what you make of your trip to Vegas. I suggest you have as much fun as possible. Enjoy the sights, watch the shows, enjoy the many great buffets, and spend some time at the hotel spa relaxing and rejuvenating as you prepare to go back home and face the outside world yet again.

The beautiful island of Cyprus lies in the Mediterranean Sea, it basks in up to 300 days of sunshine a year making it an island for all seasons.

Every year Aphrodite’s island effortlessly attracts holiday makers and expatriates in their droves; they come in search of the stunning scenery, the incredible history, the fantastic weather, the warm and welcoming people and the idyllic Cypriot lifestyle.

If you’re looking for your next holiday hotspot or a perfect place to live in the sun here are five top reasons to consider Cyprus.

1) Cyprus has the perfect climate: in the short autumn and winter months the temperature never drops so low that the delicate fruit trees fail to deliver their burgeoning crop and in the summer the temperature never soars so high that the beautiful jasmine and bougainvillea blossoms wilt.

Because the weather in Cyprus is considered to be so healthy it has long been an island favoured by all the family, it’s not too hot for those looking for an idyllic retirement destination and it’s not too cold or wet for those looking to escape to the sun.

2) With cheap airlines now servicing the airports across Cyprus, Greece and Turkey the island is easily and cheaply accessible from mainland Europe and there are some direct and many connecting flights to North America, Australasia and the Middle East which makes it an easy destination to reach.

3) Cyprus has been inhabited for at least the last 9,000 years and as a result it is steeped in history, rich in culture and charm and boasts an abundance of interesting historical sites, castles, fortresses and ruins.

There is so much to do and see in Cyprus that holiday makers return frequently and many decide to settle permanently on this amazing island.

4) Aphrodite’s island is also rich in flora and fauna; it has many rare species of orchid for example as well as being home to rare birds of prey, owls, flamingos and butterflies.  In the spring and autumn walking tours are very popular with those wanting to experience Cyprus up close and personal and the Troodos and Kyrenia mountain ranges both have many paths to explore and views to experience.

5) The Cypriot lifestyle is laid back, warm, friendly and hospitable.  The Cypriot people enjoy a leisurely pace of life that we can all envy…coming to Cyprus on holiday or to live people find they quickly adapt to long lunches and evenings spent out under the stars enjoying a meze of local dishes, some fine Cypriot wine and the company of great friends.

As a destination for your next holiday or a country to consider living in for those seeking a more laid back and idyllic lifestyle, Cyprus truly has it all!

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, so here are my top suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday Myanmar formerly known as Burma.

1. Yangon is the capital city of Myanmar and is a typical Asian city with it’s beautiful green tropical trees and beautiful lakes. The wonderful thing about Yangon is that it has not been spoilt by modern development although it is progressing gently at it’s own pace. The city is the main entrance to the country and also houses the principle seaport.

Yangon is home to many stunning pagodas, one of the most stunning being The Shwedagon Pagoda which stands on Theingottara hill. This golden shrine is gilded from top to bottom which makes it glisten in the sun an absolutely awesome spectacle.

Not as ancient but of no less beauty is the 20 year young is Karaweik Hall stands in the Royal Lake (Kandawgyi Lake). A mythical creature known as the Karaweik bird is what this structure has been based on and as it too is gilded from top to bottom it is a beautiful sight to behold as it shimmers on the lake.

2. Located in Bagan and erected in the 1100’s is the Dhammayangyi Temple which is a Buddhist temple.The temple remains unfinished to this day. There are other temples in Bagan but the Dhammayangyi is the most popular because of its mass which makes it unique. It is shaped like a pyramid which features very fine brickwork. Some people believe that the temple was built by an evil king.

3. Mandalay is Burma’s second biggest capital and is also the  cultural and religious centre of Buddhism. This is displayed by more than 700 pagodas.

In Manadalay you will find over 700 stone slabs located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Together they are inscribed with the entire Buddhist scriptures which are better known as the Pali Canon. This has earned the reputation as the biggest book in the world and is known as the official “Buddhist Bible.

Mandalay Palace is a place not to be missed on a visit to Mandalay. There is an 8 meter high brick wall surrrounding the palace and a wide moat  which has plenty of goldfish. Considering that the palace was completely destroyed by fire in World War II and completely rebuilt it remains a popular attraction for many tourists every year.

4.In the Mon State you will find the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. What helps to make this pagoda very intriguing is the story that accompanies this amazing feat of nature. The pagoda is  7.3 and is perched atop a golden rock. The rock itself is right on top of the Kyaikhto mountain.

The story that accompanies the rocks precarious balance and how it can stay in this position is because of a Buddha hair which has been placed precisely inside the pagoda.

Apparently it is believed that a King who had received the Buddha’s hair from a hermit was told to hunt for a rock that looked like the hermits head. The hermit instructed the King to search for a boulder whose shape resembled the hermit’s head. Once the right rock was discovered the hair was placed into the pagoda on top of it.  Legend has it that the King had supernatural powers as his mother was a dragon princess and his father was an alchemist.

This is considered to be a highly sacred place and people come from all over to visit this unusual pagoda.