Travel and Leisure

In west-end Toronto's funky Roncesvalles hood, a new contemporary condo building called "Roncesvalles Lofts" located at 25 Ritchie Avenue near Dundas Street west and Roncesvalles Avenue is attracting attention.

This European neighbourhood is known for its wonderful ethnic eateries, bistros, food markets, pubs, bakeries and fabulous coffee shops, as well as its own Revue Theatre. Walking down Roncesvalles Avenue has an organic feel that both delights area residents and visitors alike, who leisurely stroll along the streets for outings with the family or just an excuse to walk the dog.

Urban buyers are looking for interesting condo options, and Roncesvalles Lofts has the clean architectural lines and avant-garde design that is drawing interest. Named in Toronto Life Magazine as one of the Best Resale condos for 2012, this mid-rise live-work development, houses 37 lofts ranging in size from 685 to 1,950 square feet and have been selling from the $280,000 to $580,000 range. The styles vary from one to two levels with some suites having terraces or patios. The contemporary interior suites are bright and airy with windows galore, allowing for an open and spacious feel. The bathrooms are luxurious with rainfall showers and deep soaker tubs to relax in. The building's only amenities are a party room and an outdoor garden courtyard and water fountain, which should help keep the maintenance fees low, down the road. It's comforting to know you aren't paying for the extras that often are never used.

This edgy urban location offers fast and easy access to downtown Toronto with the Dundas streetcar or Dundas Street West subway station along with the Bloor GO Train Station. Metrolinx plans incude this stop to connect to Pearson International Airport, making it a breeze for air travel without having to find parking for your car or an expensive limo! The West Toronto Railpath runs along the eastern side of the tracks and has been developed as a trail for pedestrians and cyclists to connect to the north, south and eastern neighbourhoods.

Everything you'd desire from Loblaw's Grocery to bistros, cafes, markets and quaint restaurants are steps away. Within the area is High Park and at the foot of Roncesvalles Avenue and King Street you'll find Lake Ontario. Urbanites that love water recreation often choose the Argonaut Rowing Club, which caters to Toronto's west-end rowing enthusiasts. Being able to row along Lake Ontario's shoreline is a dream come true! Local residents that are downsizing and first-time condo buyers are both finding themselves attracted to the contemporary Roncesvalles Lofts, that offers space with an interesting twist away from the ordinary.

It was one of those crazy weeks where you wonder how on earth you are going to get everything done.

I had just returned from my grandson's graduation in Saskatoon, which was lovely, but this also meant that I had been out of the office for several days. I knew that the mail would be piled up at the door and my inbox would have several hundred new emails demanding attention.

My youngest son, who has been accepted in the Social Work program at the College, had agreed to begin working as part-time administrator in my office for the fall. He knew that I was feeling a little overwhelmed and offered to travel back with me and spend a week learning and helping with the catch up in between looking for accommodations for his family.

We knew that our time together was precious and that we had to take advantage of every snippet between clients as well as waking hours after they were all gone. It was late night after late night.

When my daughter-in-law arrived, she pitched right in by buying groceries and preparing meals while Mark and I worked steadily on the "to do" list.

By the end of the week there had been both good progress at work which was satisfying but I was absolutely exhausted! Even though it was early afternoon when Mark and family left for Saskatoon to begin packing for the move, I crawled right into bed and slept for hours. When I woke up, I did feel more like myself but decided to commit the rest of the weekend to self-care.

My home was instantly converted in my mind into a day spa. The "to do" lists" were not allowed to have any priority. What is normally a hasty morning showers were replaced by long, leisurely soaks in the tub with bath salts that had been received as a Christmas gift. Simple but nutritious meals were prepared quickly and enjoyed slowly. New but previously neglected magazines became a pleasant alternative to reading books and journals on heavier topics.

And talk about rest - I didn't use or need an alarm but instead allowed my body to determine when it was time to wake up.

We all talk about the importance of balance in our lives and yet we seldom practice what we preach. Imagine what would happen if you always drove your vehicle at full throttle without doing any maintenance? It wouldn't take long until it would break down.

It's time to re-evaluate your choices again. Are you working too hard without healthy breaks? Or perhaps you are taking too many breaks without doing any work?

Good health comes from a combination of hard work and self-care.

The goal for this week is to plan and consciously practice "balance" in your life.

If you and your family are getting fed up of going to the same family resort year in year out and you and want to try something different and exciting with your kids this summer then why not try an exciting family holiday in Italy? Some people are fine with going to the same place but for others they need a good change!

There are many fun and enjoyable family activity holidays based in Italy and there are many places to visit and see. Some of the most popular include: Horse Riding in the Tuscan countryside, Quad Biking in spectacular Tuscan sunny surroundings, fun-filled watersports holidays in Sardinia, great city sight-seeing breaks in Rome or Milan, skiing in the Italian Alps and much, much more!

Family holidays in Italy are perfect for families who love nothing more than being outdoors and having lots of activities to take part in. Young people and children need something to keep them entertained while they are away and with family holidays in Italy you definitely won't hear the words "I'm bored"!

Many travel companies offer family holidays in Italy and choosing one to book with really depends on exactly what you want. For example, you maybe want a hotel with a pool, with sight-seeing and shopping, or perhaps a campsite near the beach with lots of exciting watersports activities to try, the choice is endless and entirely up to you and your needs. The price range varies too, from luxury to budget, but make sure to browse around as some companies offer much more for your money than others!

For example, you and your family could spend time in a 3* hotel with an abundance of activities on offer, such as horse trekking, swimming in the pools or at the nearby beach, excursions and picnics, walks, mountain biking, hiking, quad tours and lots, lots more! If all that seems a bit too much there is also time to relax and enjoy a hydro massage in the heated mini spa pool and indulge in some spa treatments.

If you and your family like active holidays, family holidays in Italy are ideal for you! Sounds like fun doesn't it? Don't take my word for it, get online and do some exploring of your own and maybe even book your own fun-filled family holidays in Italy and see if you can handle all the excitement! You won't be disappointed.

Some people dream of a vacation at a land of balmy beaches, crystal clear water and rusting palm fronds. Some prefer a quiet retreat in the mountains or the untainted corners of woods, while others want to explore cultural festivity and historical treasures.

Whatever type of holiday you covet, planning it in advance enhances your experience. Deciding where to go, how to go and preparing itinerary in advance help you get most out of it. Today planning a holiday is not a hassle, as countless of travel companies provide professional assistance in this matter. However, you should know what to ask the tour planner when designing your vacation. Here are some important questions to ask before finalizing a vacation deal.

How much do I need to spend?

Most probably, you already know your budget or your capability to spend on this vacation. But you should still ask how much you need to pay to have a worthy vacation. Sometime, a little acceleration in budget enhances travel pleasure many fold. Say your travel planner the maximum limit of your spending and ask a vacation to fit it. However, you need to determine the type of trip before you even start planning. Ask your vacation budget in detail - know each and every expense in advance so that you can make quicker and less-stressful decision en route.

Where would we go?

Once you have set your destination, ask about your itinerary. Get a list of attractions you will explore during the vacation. Consider each one in your group, and see if the itinerary matches their interest or not. Of course, it should have something inviting for everyone. You can suggest the planner about the places you want to visit.

Which facilities would be availed during the stay?

Vacation is a source of fun & pleasure, and your accommodation has a big impact on how delightful it is going to be. What you get depends upon what you pay, but you should ask about the amenities you have in the package. Make sure you get facilities to match your specific needs, if any. Ask if the hotel has swimming pool, especially if you're going with kids. Business facilities like Internet connectivity would be required for business travelers. Honeymooners should ask about special arrangements for couples.

Which travel documents do I require?

One of the most important questions, especially if you plan an overseas trip is about travel documents you need to carry. Ask about Visa policy, duration of passport validation and other special permits needed for that particular country. If you don't have the documents ready, ask if they can help you in this matter. Many travel companies help travelers in preparing their travel documents.

Apart from that you should ask about the payment mode, special discounts and other terms & conditions before finalizing a travel deal. Take well informed decisions to ensure you get the best deal anywhere.

The state of health in America is not very positive. As of today, according to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 65% of adult Americans are considered overweight and 30% of those are considered obese. Cancer - much of it preventable -- has now surpassed heart disease as the number one cause of death and the number of people who know they have diabetes is now up to 14.6 million.

But what are the causes of increased weight gain, what is science telling us about this 'condition', and most importantly, what can people do about it?

It's no surprise that most Americans are eating more than they need and are less active than they were meant to be. According to recent findings by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average daily caloric intake of Americans is 2,757. Compared to 1970, this is an increase of 523 calories per day. It takes roughly 3500 calories to gain or lose a pound of weight. If a person increased or decreased their daily intake by 500 calories a day, there is the difference in weight - you can gain or lose in a week with that difference. It's very easy to add an extra 500 calories a day to a person's diet. Just a large order of French fries will do it! The same is true with NOT eating that extra order of French fries, however.

Although some statistics show that there is a slight increase in leisure time activity across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), physical activity drops in children from 69% at ages 12 and 13 to 38% for young people between 18 and 21. Between 1991 and 1997, the CDC reports that the percentage of students who attended a daily physical education class dropped from 42% to 27%. If adults are not staying physically active, and children are not getting physical exercise in school, the message they receive is that exercise is not important. Studies show that if children do not learn healthy eating habits and exercise habits when young, they will likely struggle with healthy habits as adults. Could we be killing our kids by not taking care of our own health, setting healthy examples for them, today?

But not all people struggling with weight are just sitting around, not exercising and eating ice cream and French fries. Could there be something more going on? Researchers are now looking at what genetics can tell us about weight gain. Some people suffer from the need to eat large amounts of food, no matter how full they feel. Researchers are looking at a substance in our body called Leptin. Studying mice, they find that those mice who have very little Leptin in their bodies tend to eat more, thus they gain more weight, suffering from obesity.

But there still is no real solution available for people suffering with large amounts of weight. Although supplement companies have quickly jumped on the bandwagon to capitalize on what preliminary research is telling us about Leptin, these supplements are still false promises that just guarantee emptying the pocketbooks of the hopeful who feel there is no other help for them.

What about the claim that some people just can't lose weight, no matter what they do? I have a program that requires clients to document their intake of everything they eat for 30 days, sending me their daily report. What consistently has developed from this is a new awareness to the client of 'hidden' times they eat. It's common for a client to say, 'I had no idea I grabbed ice cream when I was mad at my husband', or, 'I had no idea I was eating that bag of chips while working at the computer!' As a consequence, every client who goes on this program loses weight. Many people state, as a matter of fact, that they just can't lose weight anymore. Many claim it's their age, menopause, you name it. However, when real changes are made, the body does still respond, no matter what the age.

In every case that a person's intake is closely monitored, and the calories are decreased, people have lost weight. Even in the case of a 1000 pound man. At home, all he did was gain and gain. By the time he was over 1000 pounds, unable to breathe or move, he was hospitalized. In the hospital, he was put on a strict 1200 calorie diet. While there for six months, on this diet, he lost 600 pounds. Although in later interviews he claimed he never ate much at home and didn't know why he couldn't lose weight at home, the facts speak for themselves. It still is just a matter of calories in versus calories out.

So what does a person do? According to the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), there are three keys to permanent success to weight loss. The NWCR was established in 1994 by two university professors and is the largest prospective investigation of long-term successful weight loss maintenance in the country. Currently the NWCR has over 5,000 people who have lost at least 30 pounds of weight and kept it off for at least a year who are eligible to join the ongoing research study. What researchers have discovered is, regardless of how people have lost the weight, keeping it off has included several necessary consistent steps: Success for these people have included following a low-fat, low-calorie diet and regular exercise. However, let's look at a few more details; many successful NWCR participants exercise for a total of 60-90 minutes a day, regularly. Many break it up through the day, and almost all claim they hated it to begin with, but now it's just a part of their lives. They made a choice to avoid regaining their weight and love their lean and active lifestyles. Another consistent aspect of participants is they all eat breakfast. This is another habit that many had to get used to, but realize how important it is to eat a good meal at the beginning of the day in order to avoid cravings and high calorie snack foods later in the day. Three-quarters of all participants weigh themselves on a weekly basis, just so they can catch any increases that may slowly be developing, and take corrective action before it's out of hand.

Support is critical to success. Many people who struggle with weight already know that they just can't do it, themselves. They have proven this. However, often they are unwilling to admit they need help, thus they struggle for their entire lives. First of all, when someone has emotional eating issues, it's critical that they seek the help of a qualified therapist they can work well with. Someone they can share their feelings with, who they feel they can confide in and trust. Next, it's important to also find a Registered Dietitian (RD) to help them learn how to apply the wealth of nutrition knowledge they already know to their own lives. There are many people who call themselves 'nutritionists' and many 'food coaches', but these people are not educated in all aspects of nutrition the way an RD is. The third important piece of the support team is to find someone who can help them learn how to become more active. If a person is very overweight, it's important to find someone experienced in this population, not a 'hunk' who now likes to train others to look like 'hunks' or competitive body builders. Most people are not interested in looking like they just won the Mr/Ms America pageant; they just want to lose weight, feel great and feel they can enjoy shopping for clothes again.

The ultimate key is to eat fewer calories than the body needs. However, with exercise, the need for decreased calories will be less than if a person tried to lose weight by dieting alone. The topic of TOO few calories is beyond the scope of this article, but if a person ate too few calories, they then will burn their own body muscle tissue for the needed fuel, thus defeating the purpose of exercise, which is to increase lean body mass so the body will burn more calories at rest. However, once a person learns to listen to their own body cues, they can learn how to tell when they are eating too little, as well as too much. So, first they control their calorie intake. Then they do some type of physical activity. As we have seen above, this must be consistent. It could be as simple as taking a walk, but it should be every day, every month, for the rest of their life. Most of the participants in the NWCR site walking as their primary exercise. Not a day here and there, then skip a week; it has to be consistent. Once the walking gets easy, then there should be some type of activity that increases muscle endurance or strength. Weight training isn't the only activity that can do this, although it's the most common. I challenge everyone who is reading this article to think of what activity you would like to do if your weight was not an issue; it may be wall climbing, it may be hiking a mountain, it may be snow skiing, maybe Pilates or Yoga.

It's a hard road to travel when a person has a large amount of weight to lose. They feel like there is just no hope and it's too hard to even attempt it. Most in this position have tried more times than they'd like to admit. Or, they have allowed life to get away from them, and they now look in the mirror with disgust, but just feel overwhelmed and don't understand how to get their old body back. They feel they have no control over their life. It is possible! Read through some of the success stories from participants in the NWCR, http://www.nwcr.ws/stories.htm. Just as with anything else in life, though, if you want to make it happen, you have to work through the struggles to achieve the rewards.

They say taking an expedition to the Far East always proves to be a stimulating one. Do you agree with what's stated? Some may have a different notion altogether with respect to the statement as there can be a contradiction that have captured the minds of the people. There are quite a few nations in the Far East that are really worthy of your visit and worth every penny. There is one such nation that is jam-packed with interesting attractions and is steeped in history. Now, that's what we call pampering yourself.

Before we proceed with this article, let us pose a question at you, shall we?

When you ponder about Asia, which is the country that normally strikes your mind? Is it China? Is it Indonesia? Did we hear no? Voila! It is Japan. And, why wouldn't it? Japan is one of the exceptionally popular nations of the world that have made unique contributions to culture, cuisine and science. If we talk about massive conglomerates, you may be amazed to know that most of the organizations are Japanese.

We are sure that you must have heard about Osaka, which is the third largest city in Japan. It is deemed to be the second most vital city of the country and is located in the Kansai region. As a matter of fact, it is one of the oldest Japanese cities that have a huge population of 2.6 million people. This Japanese city is packed with rivers, parks, mountains and shops as well that make up for the fact why Osaka is one of the most visited cities of Japan. You can take cheap flights to Osaka from Birmingham if you want to know more about the city.

Osaka is also known as the culinary capital of the country. The tourism in the city has been witnessing a major chunk of the tourists going up in the air to this city as it bestows the travellers with hot spring resorts, ancient castles, amusement parks and the list doesn't come to a halt.

What if we make your journey to Osaka a pleasurable one?

There are various modes of transport that you can avail in order to reach the city. There are two airports in the city from which the international flights operate: Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport. You can book cheap Osaka flights for a memorable tour.

When you touch down in the city, you can visit the attractions such as Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Minami Market City Center, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and many more.

You can opt for an accommodation considering your budget as there are a number of hotels in Osaka serving your needs. So, what are you waiting for? Just grab flights to Osaka with a travel agency of repute that can provide you some of the unparalleled deals on cheap air tickets that are simply beyond compare.

Northern Cyprus. Miles of rugged natural coastline, secluded sandy coves and beautiful un-spoilt beaches, lapped by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Framed by the peaks of the magnificent 'Five Finger' mountain range, down into the central plains stretching between Famagusta and Nicosia, it is truly one of the last un-spoilt destinations in the Mediterranean. A haven of natural beauty, with pine clad hillsides and miles of sandy beaches making it the unique destination most people believe no longer exists. The coastline of North Cyprus offers some of the finest and safest bathing in the Mediterranean. The crystal clear waters are wonderful for swimming, snorkeling, sailing and skiing.

An ancient island, inhabited since the Stone Age, it is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. Past inhabitants have included Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Venetians, Ottomans and British. The heritage and culture from these civilizations are evident all over the island, but none more so than in the North, where sites of historical interest abound. The castle of St Hilarion and the Abbey ruins at Bellapais are just two of the wonderful relics of these past times, and still exude atmosphere.

The identity of the island is very Cypriot however. The warm and welcoming nature of the people is one of the first things you notice when visiting for the first time. Go into any of the local towns and tavernas you will experience firsthand the friendly atmosphere that makes you feel immediately at ease. Many of the local people speak and understand English and encourage visitors in their attempts at the language. There are several places where you can learn to speak Turkish in a relaxed atmosphere, something to keep you busy through the cooler winter months perhaps!

A food lover's paradise, you don't have to wander far to sample delicious fare freshly prepared with the abundant local vegetables and locally caught fish. With over 300 restaurants and tavernas to choose from, it would be impossible not to find somewhere that wouldn't satisfy the most diverse of palates. The local Cypriot food is of course influenced by Turkish culinary art, although there are many excellent restaurants specializing in European and international cuisine. An evening stroll down to the harbour in Kyrenia will find visitors spoilt for choice between numerous bars and restaurants where you can sit and while away the hours whilst enjoying a leisurely meal. Eating out is still relatively inexpensive, and always a great pleasure! There are several nightclubs in and around Girne (Kyrenia) for those who wish to have a more active nightlife!

The cost of living in Northern Cyprus is notably less that in the UK, but standards are on a par, with the added bonuses of fantastic scenery and weather! The number of permanent British residents is growing every year, and integrating with the local communities, rather than outside them as has been the case in other countries favoured by ex-pats. A legacy from the British colonial days means that traffic drives on the left and since car hire is cheap and easy, travelling around is no problem.

In the past two years, Northern Cyprus has experienced a true property boom. Property prices have doubled in the last year, with still more potential for capital growth. There are many different types of property to be found, from large and small villas to town centre apartments. Popular choices amongst these are the gated complexes of apartments being built by SeaTerra, one of the largest developers in North Cyprus. Out towards the East side of Girne, their projects are set next to the village of Esentepe and further along the coast road towards Tatlisu.

The fact that so many people are now becoming aware of Northern Cyprus shows there is huge potential for more tourists to start visiting the area. This seems to be a European and even worldwide awareness. With around 215,000 people living there permanently, this figure more than doubles in the summer months. With both a new golf course due to be opened shortly, and plans for a 400 berth yacht Marina just along from Esentepe, this will no doubt prove to be a big draw for those who have not as yet discovered this wonderful place. At the moment there are about 60 hotels in the region, with another 11,000 beds planned and in the process of being built. More than 60 flights per week arrive at Ercan Airport during the summer, this grows steadily and countless other flights bring people to Northern Cyprus via Larnaca in the South. The winter tourist is also increasing in numbers hugely proving that the secret of Northern Cyprus is well and truly out.

This article has been provided by Karen Arter, marketing manager for Cyprus SeaTerra a specialist Northern Cyprus property developer. For further information visit north-cyprus-properties-sale.co.uk or cyprus-seaterra.com.