What Cruise Passengers Must Know About Duty-Free Shopping Onboard Ship!

One under-recognized benefit of going on a cruise is duty-free shopping. Even if you have no plans of going on anything remotely like a shopping expedition at your ports of call, you can still shop duty free on most cruise ships by just visiting some of the on-board shops.

Duty-free shopping is actually a bit of a misnomer. It ought to be called tax-free shopping. When you venture into international waters (50 miles off shore), merchandise can be sold without having to add on city, state, or national taxes. Duty-free stores are shops that sell the merchandise for exactly the price marked, with no taxes tacked on at the cash register. Read more »

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Great Las Vegas Freebies!

If you’re looking for some great free things to do in Vegas, there are some amazing treats for you and the family awaiting. Many casinos, in an effort to bring in more and more business are offering elaborate shows that are free for the family in an effort to bring more warm bodies into their casinos and out of their competitors’. This is a win-Wynn (ha) situation for tourists and locals alike who are seeking entertainment that will leave a little money in their pockets to spend at the casinos (which is exactly what the casinos were hoping for). Read more »

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We have been taking a fresh look at the cruise holiday options available recently and there is a pleasantly modern approach from some operators, in stark contrast to the stuffy offerings from some of the longer established lines, who want their clients to fit in with a rigid timetable. I know someone who is going on an old-style cruise this year and she is dreading the thought of having to dine with the same group of people every day for a fortnight. Suppose you do not get on with them or they tell long boring stories every night? The destinations and cruise itineraries from companies like Norwegian Cruise Line appeal to my individualist nature. There are no formal dress codes or fixed meal sitting times, which is far more appealing.

I think that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line also has a lot to offer. Their liners are true floating hotels, with the best entertainment, food and activities to keep you occupied all day and all night. And of course you wake up in a different place every morning. Royal Caribbean visit some of the best cruise destinations in the world, including duty free islands like Bermuda, which is on my list of places to see. If you thought cruises were just for superannuated ballroom dancers, think again – and check out the websites for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

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One of my favourite European cities to visit for a short break is Berlin. I first visited this historic city just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when Checkpoint Charlie was still in place and the border formalities continued to operate between the two halves of the city. Berlin has now put some of its sad history behind it and the seat of government is back there in its rightful place. Since reunification the city has undergone a renaissance and the attractions of Berlin are now restored to their best appearance. There is a wide range of accommodation in Berlin, from five star international hotels to friendly inns. I was lucky to get a great deal at the Schweizerhof, close to the famous Tiergarten which is a must-see. This was the first time I ever saw Vodka on the breakfast buffet! If you are interested in delving into Berlin’s history you can book for private tours in Berlin and your guide will give you a real insight into the soul of the city. Read more »

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Many of us dream of opening a restaurant in a favourite vacation spot, and here is some help to make that dream a reality. Restaurant Funding can be easily organised by a company called RF. They can help you find the money you need for setting up a restaurant or other small business. Talk to them now and you could become the latest celebrity chef very soon. Dodge Magnum accessories

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Today we will be taking a look at the Coastal Vacations business opportunity. As a professional internet marketer who has had the opportunity to evaluate hundreds of different programs I will begin by telling you that it is very important to do your homework before becoming involved in any of them.

Coastal Vacations is a discount vacation program that can save a person up to 75% off of regularly priced hotels, condos, travel costs, etc. without the need for purchasing time shares or paying expensive maintenance fees, etc. This is significant and a very nice feature of this program as travel costs have increased substantially over the last few years, and time share purchases are very expensive. The company offers three different levels of service starting with Level I which is priced at $1295.00. The company offers other packages that sell for as high as $11,000.00! For this price you can purchase a “Platinum Package which consists of a combination of Level I, II, and III packages. Read more »

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There are many exciting cities around the world that are perfect to visit for a sightseeing break. Stunning monuments, unique architecture and wonderful natural sights help define many cities. Read below for a comprehensive round-up of the top 10 sightseeing breaks.

1. St Petersburg
Known as the Venice of the north, St Petersburg’s elegance rivals more familiar destinations like Paris and Amsterdam, although very few destinations can match St Petersburg city breaks in terms of splendour and grandeur. The interiors of St Petersburg’s palaces, churches and cathedrals are simply awe-inspiring.

2. Paris
A traditional favourite and perfect for romantic breaks. Being only 6 miles in diameter, Paris is a fairly compact city which allows you to take in all of the sights in one trip. The Eiffel tower, the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and the Musée du Louvre are just some of the sights on offer.
Read more »

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I have always wanted to try skiing, but was afraid of all the extra costs, like lift passes, ski hire and all the clothes – not to mention getting all the way to somewhere cold enough to try it. However this time was different.

I had a friend from the UK who had always wanted to have a go at it too, so we decided that next time we went away together, it would be somewhere cold enough for snow! Scotland in January fitted the bill, so we got it all booked – and I was quite surprised at how little it cost us….

I’d called the ski centre after finding their contact details on the mountain’s own website (?) to find a very helpful man on the other end of the line. He told me that the tuition price included all the essentials including free travel on the mountain railway, ski passes and of course a full days tuition and you could hire any extras if you needed them. Read more »

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Wealthy Cash In On Holiday Flat Loophole

Savvy investors are still putting overseas property in their pensions despite Labour’s attempts to stop them

LAWYERS for some of Britain’s wealthiest residents have uncovered a loophole in the pension rules that allows people to buy holiday properties with their retirement funds. Scores of investors, including senior directors at some of the City’s top firms, have been quietly taking advantage of the perk to purchase holiday apartments in French ski resorts, coastal towns and even Paris with their self-invested personal pensions (Sipps). It had been thought Gordon Brown had stamped out the practice in December when he reneged on an earlier promise to allow Sipps to invest in residential property from April 6, including buy-to-let flats and overseas holiday homes.

However, lawyers have found a way to circumvent the rules by purchasing tourist apartments under the French “leaseback” scheme. These are usually classed as commercial properties and so qualify for Sipps. Sykes Anderson, a firm of solicitors, has purchased scores of French leaseback properties for its well-heeled clients in the past few weeks, and hopes to branch into Spain, and possibly other European countries that also offer leaseback. Another firm is touting property in Cyprus for your Sipp. However, Sykes Anderson has asked all professionals involved in its scheme to sign confidentiality agreements to prevent precise details leaking out to the wider market. There are fears the chancellor could clamp down on the practice if ordinary investors start to pile into the plans, as he did with residential property.

It emerged last year that investors were preparing to stockpile up to £10 billion in their Sipps to purchase buy-to-lets and holiday homes from April 6, which would have cost the government £4 billion in tax relief on the contributions. When the scale of interest became clear it was forced to backtrack on the rules. David Anderson, chairman of Sykes Anderson, said: “Brown’s u-turn may appear to have ruled out using a pension to buy French property, but it is still possible. However, we do not see this as a mass-market product and we would certainly not want the man in the street to think about buying a leaseback property with his Sipp. With a pension of less than £300,000 to £400,000, fees will take a big portion of your fund.”

Mark Nathan, 48, works for a well-known IT firm, and is one of the investors who has used Sykes Anderson to buy a leaseback property with his Sipp. He recently completed the purchase of a self-contained apartment within a chalet in Les Gets, a French ski resort. Nathan said: “One of the main attractions is that I have control over my pension and the underlying asset. I also think there is potential for good capital growth — demand for apartments in the Alps is strong and it is difficult to get permission for new builds.” However, he said prospective investors should not be under any illusions. “I have to point out that the process was complex, expensive in terms of the fees and very hard work,” he said. “However, I am confident that the investment will provide a far higher pension income that I would obtain by investing the funds in the usual way.” Under the French “leaseback” scheme, you buy a self-contained tourist apartment in a development and lease it back to a management company, which then lets it to holidaymakers on your behalf.
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The developments are particularly common in French ski resorts, where firms such as Pierre & Vacances manage the properties on behalf of their owners, and are also typically found in Paris and coastal towns such as Nice and Cannes.

They are classed as hotels, which are still eligible for Sipps — as long as you do not have any accommodation rights over the property. Most standard French leaseback schemes allow owners to stay in the property free for two to four weeks a year, so you would have to revoke this right before buying the flat with your Sipp. You would be able to stay if you paid an open market rent, but Sipp providers discourage it. Revenue & Customs confirmed last week that leaseback properties qualify for Sipps. “Provided it is classed as a hotel and there are no rights to accommodation, it is not taxable and can be held in a Sipp,” a spokesman said.

You do not have to invest through the leaseback scheme: you could always source a hotel or tourist apartment yourself and hire a management firm. But the leaseback scheme cuts out the hassle of finding a property and attracts generous tax breaks in France. Leaseback properties are exempt from French Vat of 19.6% inside or outside a Sipp — as long as you own them for at least 20 years. If you sell before then, you will have to pay back the Vat. Leaseback Sipps also attract generous tax breaks in Britain. When you contribute to a UK pension, the government offers tax relief of 22p for every 78p invested. A higher-rate taxpayer can claim a further 18p through their tax return. So it would cost just £60,000 to get a fund of £100,000.

Your Sipp can also borrow 50% of the value of its assets to buy property, so you could buy a leaseback apartment worth £150,000 with a fund of £100,000 and an outlay of only £60,000. French leasebacks generally guarantee a rental income of 4% or 5% after expenses for a fixed term, usually rolling periods of nine years. This would be paid into your Sipp and used to pay off any mortgage. Anderson admits a rental income of 4% or 5% is little better than the return on a deposit account. The real reason why investors are buying leasebacks, he said, is for capital growth.

However, other professionals question the growth potential of leasebacks, which have to be new or totally rebuilt properties. Peter Esders of John Howell & Co, a firm of international solicitors, said: “As with any new-build development, there could be a glut of supply if a lot of people decide to sell up at the same time.” Anderson recommends that you buy only in the most desirable parts of France to maximise your returns. “Don’t think about Normandy, Brittany and Languedoc because you are just not going to get the returns.”

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Written by Nick Dowlatshahi Managing Director of Leapfrog Properties who are French Property agents that specialise in Property for sale in France. http://www.leapfrog-properties.com

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Columbia, Missouri
The City of Columbia was founded in 1818 and is an
economical and recreational core for Mid-Missouri. Columbia
is located along Hwy 70 and Hwy 63 and is 90 minutes west
of St. Louis, Missouri and two hours east of Kansas City,
Missouri. As of 2006, Columbia’s population was 91,877 and
the combined population, which includes the surrounding
area, was 153,283. The city has been ranked as high as the
#2 best place to live in the US by Money Magazine and is
regularly listed in the top 100.

Making Columbia, Missouri a major educational center are
many colleges and universities including the University of
Missouri, Stephen’s College, Moberly Area Community College
and Columbia College. Also nearby are Lincoln University,
Westminster College, Central Methodist College, William
Woods University and Kemper Military School. The city’s
nationally recognized public school system and educational
institutes make Columbia one of the most well-educated
cities in America.

Columbia, Missouri maintains a consistently low cost of
living and has endless employment opportunities. The
largest employers to Columbia and the city’s surrounding
area are University of Missouri- Columbia, University
Hospitals & Clinics, Columbia Public Schools, Boone
Hospital Center, City of Columbia, State Farm Insurance
Companies, Shelter Insurance Companies, MBS Textbook
Exchange, Columbia Foods Inc, 3M, Boone County Government,
Dana Corporation, Columbia College, Square D, Boone County
National Bank, Tribune Publishing Company, Collins &
Aikman, MFA, Summit Polymers, ABC Laboratories Inc., and
CenturyTel.

The city offers a rich exploration of culture,
entertainment, recreation, dining, and shopping. The
District is Columbia’s most sought after venue, boasting
110 unique shops, 70 bars and restaurants, 40 live
performances a week as well as its beautiful historical
architecture, sidewalk cafes and street musicians.

Residents and visitors alike enjoy the cultural experiences
given by the Missouri Symphony at The Missouri Theatre, the
Columbia Civic Orchestra and the University of Missouri
Concert Series, which has a broad selection of opera,
ballet, orchestra, chamber, jazz, popular, modern dance,
Broadway and more. The city’s famous Maplewood Barn Theatre
is a delightful outdoor theatre set under the stars at
Nifong Park near HWY 63 and AC.

Entertainment can be found in The District at the Déjà Vu
Comedy Club. Columbia’s nationally acclaimed comedy club
has seen the likes of Tim Allen, Tommy Davidson, Dennis
Leary, Bobcat Goldthwait, George Lopez and Drew Carry. The
Blue Note is Mid-Missouri’s finest and most popular live
entertainment venue. Columbia is also home to local artists
and various live bands.

Columbia has a full schedule of year round festivals
including the True/False Film Festival, Twilight Festival,
Hot Summer Nights, Central Missouri Renaissance Festival,
Concert Series with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Art in
the Park, Columbia Earth Day Celebration, Ninth Street
Summerfest, The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz
Festival, First Night Columbia, Living Windows Festival,
Columbia Festival of Arts and the Boone County Heritage
Festival.

The plentiful scenery of Columbia and Mid-Missouri is
emphasized with a bounty of parks such as Oakland Park,
Cosmopolitan Park (Cosmo), Grindstone Nature Area, Finger
Lakes State Park, Nifong Park, Capen Park, Rockbridge
Memorial State Park and the Missouri Katy Trail. The Bear
Creek Trail runs east and west through Columbia and is
accessible from Oakland Park and Cosmo. The Hinkson Creek
Trail can be accessed from Capen Park and the MKT Trail.
The coolest place to hang out is “The Devil’s Icebox” which
brings relief to the hot summer months. Shelter Gardens is
Columbia’s award-winning five acre garden featuring over
300 varieties of trees and shrubs as well as over 15,000
annuals and perennials.

The Activity and Recreation Center, locally known as the
ARC, gives residents a chance to splash in the pool,
exercise and enjoy many other activities. A fun way to take
advantage of the outdoors is at Shyrocks Callaway Farms
corn maze, an outdoor maze cut into more than 12 acres of
corn. The Perche Creek Golf Club has mini-golf and nearby
public golf courses are Gustin Golf Course, LA Nickell Golf
Course, Columbia Public Golf, Lake of the Woods Golf Course
and Eagle Knoll Golf Club.

Columbia’s dining experience is a diverse cuisine, offering
nearly every type of food the world has to offer. Some of
the most popular and well-known restaurants, bistros, bars
and cafés are 63 Diner, Addison’s, Applebee’s, Bennigan’s,
Booche’s, Boone Tavern, Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q,
Buffalo Wild Wings, Chuck E. Cheese’s, CJ’s Restaurant,
Cold Stone, Cracker Barrel, Dairy Queen, El Maguey, Felini
Restaurant, Flat Branch Pub & Brewery, Formosa Chinese
Restaurant, G&D Steak House, Grand Cru, Hardee’s, Harpo’s,
Heavenly Ham, Imo’s Pizza, Jack’s Gourmet, Jimmy John’s,
Longhorn Steakhouse, Main Squeeze Natural Foods Café &
Juice Bar, McDonald’s, Murry’s, Ninth Street Deli, Old
Chicago, Olive Garden, Panera, Red Lobster, Sake` Japanese
Bistro, Shake’s Frozen Custard, Shakespeare’s Pizza,
Sophia’s, T.P.’s Bar & Grill, Truman’s Bar & Grill, and
more.

Columbia, Missouri is a focal point of shopping opportunity
with stores like Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Old Navy,
Macy’s, Wal-Mart, Pier 1 Imports, Circuit City, Kohl’s,
Tuesday Morning, Hobby Lobby, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and
more. The local Columbia Farmer’s Market is a great place
to purchase locally made and grown goods. The Root Cellar
and Clover’s Market also sell organic foods and other
products.

The District, located in downtown Columbia, has unique gift
boutiques, jewelry stores and retail shops such as 9th
Street Bookstore, Aardvarx, A La Campagne, Allen’s Flowers,
Alpine Shop, American Shoe, Bermuda Gold, Binghams,
Britches Clothing, Buchroeder’s Jewelers, Butterfly Tattoo,
Calhoun’s Accent Furnishings, Candy Factory, Cool Stuff,
Dryer’s Shoe Store, Gotcha, Makes Scents, Merle Norman
Cosmetics, Mud Room, My Secret Garden, Slackers CD’s &
Games, Top Ten Wines, Tucker’s Fine Jewelry, Villager on
Broadway and Wren’s Birkentstock.

The Columbia Mall is a hub of stores ranging from
Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle
Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body
Works, Buckle, Champ Sports, Christopher Banks, Claire’s
Boutique, Coldwater Creek, Deb, Deck the Walls, Dillard’s,
EB Games, Eddie Bauer, Express, f.y.e., Finish Line, Gap,
Gymboree, Helzberg Diamonds, Hollister, Hot Topic, Hurst
Diamond Shop, JCPenney, Kay Jewelers, Hallmark, Limited
Too, Motherhood Maternity, New York & Company, Payless
ShoeSource, Sears, The Shoe Department, Spencer Gifts,
Talbots, Target, The Children’s Place, Things Remembered,
Vanity, Victoria’s Secret, Yankee Candle Co. and Zales
Jewelers.

Columbia, Missouri is a well-rounded city and is second
only to Rochester, Minnesota, in patient capacity per
capita. The city facilitates hospitals and clinics
including Boone Hospital, University of Missouri Hospital
and Clinics, Columbia Regional Hospital, Harry S Truman
Veterans Hospital, University of Missouri Children’s
Hospital, Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center, Rusk
Rehabilitation Center, and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.

The City of Columbia provides affordable and enjoyable
living for its many residents and visitors. In 2004, Forbes
magazine named Columbia a “Porch Swing Community” deeming
it a great place for individuals in search of that Norman
Rockwell hometown feeling-vintage Americana infused with
parades, country fairs and other family activities.

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by Kamyar Shah
Learn about Columbia Missouri
http://www.royaltyuniverse.com/Columbia_Missouri.html

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