Amb Films|Travel & Photography Blog

How would like adventure travel to Kenya, to learn some of Kenya’s best kept secrets? How about checking into Hemingway’s, a luxury hotel on the Indian Ocean, or spending some time in the same area that Elsa was released into the wild by Joy Adamson? You can enjoy these, and more, with luxury adventure travel to Kenya, land of the Luo, Kalenjin, Turkana and the famous Maasai warrior race, as the name is correctly spelled although we shall use the more popular western spelling of Masai.

The capital is Nairobi, and that would be a good place to start. There are many types of hotel in Nairobi, but if you can, try to book into one of the few boutique hotels that accommodate only a few guests, twelve being a good number. For that you will have to book yourself a luxury adventure vacation, with personal service offering vacation planning from just yourself and your partner.

That is a better way to enjoy Kenya’s secrets, rather than traveling in a large group of 40 or more as most people do. If you can find a tour company that offers this level of personal service, then your vacation can be tailored to suit your own timetable and needs, and not those of the majority, or even in some cases the minority!

Nairobi has a lot offer somebody seeking adventure travel to Kenya, and you don’t have to travel to unknown places to discover some of Kenya’s best kept secrets. Take Karen Blixen’s house, for example, the author of ‘Out of Africa’, made into an Oscar winning movie, or the Carnivore restaurant, where you can dine on some exotic game. You should also check out Masai crafts at the Utamanduni Craft center and visit the giraffes at the Giraffe Center.

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However, it is the game reserves that most people visit Kenya to see, and that adventure travelers to Kenya are particularly interested in, so take a plane ride over the Meru National Park and land near Elsa’s Kopje – a rocky outcrop on Mughwangi Hill in the Meru Park, where Elsa was released by Joy and George Adamson back in 1958.

Why not spend some time in the park and check out the elephants, leopards and cheetahs, and of course the lions. Unfortunately the big game, the lions in particular, are in grave danger in Nairobi Park due to the action of humans, so take advantage of the opportunity to see them in the wild while you can. Although most people prefer to go on guided safaris, others prefer fishing and nature walks, or even just to lie by the pool. It’s your vacation so indulge yourself.

You must then visit the Masai Mara Nature Reserve, where the big game animals are less under threat from human activity. Try to head for the Cottar 1920 Mari Safari Camp, where the 22,000 acre private concession houses only 12 guests, but it’s well worth it, and no luxury adventure travel to Kenya should miss a visit to Cottars. Calvin Cottar is one of the best guides in the country, and will take you on a game drive in a 4WD or even a more traditional ox cart. It is an advantage that the camp is not part of the reserve, because you can go on night drives and guided walking tours, which would not otherwise be permitted.

Malinda is another part of Kenya you must not miss: situated on the Indian Ocean Malinda offers Hemingway’s a luxury hotel that offers the very best personal service. Use it as a base for a trip to Lamu Island, which used to be a base for the slave trade, and on which the only means of travel other than foot is by donkey. Try a dip in the ocean or simply relax by the pool, contemplating what you have seen

The type of luxury you can experience on these trips is unbelievably high, and adventure travel to Kenya is not all safaris and living rough. You can also do it in style, but make sure that your price is all-inclusive since the extras for the flights and safari trips can be high. A good luxury vacation company will offer you all-inclusive deals that will work out cheaper in the long run than trying to keep your initial costs low and pay your own way. You will either end up paying more, or missing out on a lot, which would be a shame after traveling so far.

Try to get a personal deal, with just the two of you traveling, rather than being part of a large group, and make sure that your travel is commensurate with the luxury you are seeking: a minimum of business class flights, and first class rail and road travel where it is involved. Your accommodation should be the best available, and the small personal hotels are often the best.

Achieve all that, and there are no reasons why your luxury adventure travel to Kenya should not provide you with the vacation of your dreams, the memories of which will last you a lifetime.

Introduction

The death of Osama Bin Laden does not conclude the global threat of terrorism but in many instances it will trigger a new wave or business travel threats. If you want to know more on how the killing of Osama Bin Laden will affect business travel then you need to read this article. This article will identify the major delays, disruptions, risks and threats to business travel as a result of this high profile leader’s death. By the end of the article you will know the key issues affecting business travel as a result and be able to identify the primary areas for travel planning and risk management focus.

Bin Laden’s Death

The death of Osama will no more signal the collapse and conclusion of global terrorist events than if the CEO or chairman of a major multi-national were to die also. Global and local terrorism threats are made up of networks, many redundant and independent of any one single point of leadership. Standing Armies, Air Forces and Navies are also constructed along such lines. Would the death of a General bring an Army to a halt? Not likely. Therefore, while being a major news and emotional event for many it will have little to no effect on the command and control of sympathetic terrorist groups. It will embolden some to act, rally to the cause and even further elevate Bin Laden as an icon for their actions, much the same as Che Guevara has evolved as the face of freedom fighters the world over.

Terrorism

Terrorism remains a minor threat to business travel based on the volume of travel and those affected. The responsibility and duty to combat such a threat still remains within the government realm and not that of corporate entities although they do need to be aware of developments and capabilities for local governments to combat or prevent attacks to ensure their travellers do not become targets or affected. Business travellers will still be more likely to be affected by delays, disruptions and threats from more routine and frequent issues such as motor vehicle accidents, illness, airline disputes and bad weather.

The Real Threat to Business Travel

The real threat to business travellers in the wake of the death of Bin Laden will be the subsequent response by the global aviation security and government intelligence agencies. Most will view this result as a success but also be immediately focused on the potential for reprisal. Many individuals and groups are already in the advanced stages of planned attacks but others may rush to action and attack in support of Al Qaeda or Islamic extremists. Their single-minded attention on these issues will result in greater inconsistencies, delays and threats to business travellers.

Airport Security

Airports will become even more unpredictable as to what and how security measures are implemented and changes are all but guaranteed. These changes will further disrupt the efficiency and flow of check-in, boarding, screening, arrivals and departures. However, the effects and approach will not be universal nor predictable to the average traveller and delays, disruptions and missed flights will results and further impact the effectiveness and efficiency of business travel. Company risk and security managers may also be on a hair-trigger and cease, suspend or defer business travel until they get “more information” on the situation, further compounding the issue. If history is any indication, any minor or major incident in the coming weeks and months will result in knee-jerk security treatment solutions that impact more travellers than it prevents terrorists.

Affected Demographics

Profiling and heightened security measures will be applied to specific ethnic groups, nationalities and those traveling through identified travel corridors. Once again this will be inaccurate, inconsistent and opaque to the majority of travellers who will suffer the wider effects and possibly even personal effects of such changes. Those traveling from the Middle East, of Pakistani ethnicity, Muslims, single males, those with beards, women in burkas, travellers with no check-in luggage, those paying by cash or even those that “act funny” at the airport will all draw the attention of someone who is looking at reasons why someone poses a threat or could jeopardize air safety and security, therefore requires interception.

Conclusion

The world is no safer or riskier than it was the day before Osama Bin Laden was killed. The subsequent actions and reactions following his death however will impact the landscape in which business travellers journey through. Hopefully it will be short-term but should we see the slightest hint of threat or reports from the government agencies then we are all likely to be subjected to greater delay, disruption and risk due to this relatively low level threat. Osama’s death will not signify the end of terrorism, business travellers need to remember there is continued and greater threat from the more routine, airport security will have it’s ups and down in the coming weeks/months and the color of your skin, accent, religion and point of origin will all play a role on how you are viewed by the various security agencies.

While this event should not have had any major impact upon business travel, in reality it will. Now you know what the real threats are, you should prepare yourself and your travellers for the road ahead to ensure they continue to remain productive, efficient and safe during the course of their various business travel demands.

“Food” has a special meaning to the Chinese people.  The ‘waste not, want not’s ethos means that a surprising range and variety of plants and animals, and every part of a plant or animal is used.  This has given rise to a remarkable diversity in the regional cuisine, but to Westerners it can be overwhelming – surprising, fantastic, delicious, horrifying or disgusting-and above all, different.  Travelers are often surprised that it is not like the Chinese take-away in their home town.

However, China is also a gourmet’s paradise, and the food can be outstanding, if you know what to order. It includes a lot of fresh vegetables, meat, noodles, rice, fish, dumplings and regional specialties, with an amazing number of ways to prepare, spice, serve, pickle or preserve the food. Chinese Food

Most restaurants provide tea free of charge.  This is normally green tea, or similar.
Cutlery can be ordered if wished.
Tipping is not expected, although service charges may be included in the more expensive restaurants.
Street food can be excellent – and cooked as you wait.  However, you should be aware that sometimes that noodle broth may include horse meat or other creatures that are not usually eaten where you come from.
Chinese Drink

Bottled water: Bottled water for drinking is available for purchase everywhere.  It is not advisable to drink tap water, as you will not be used to the local flora. 

Soft drinks and beer: Soft drinks and beer along with tea and rice wine, are the most common drinks in local restaurants.  There are many local and imported beers available. 

wine: The Chinese have been making wine for 4000 years, and the grape wine industry is currently expanding, with “Great Wall” and “‘Dynasty” being two of the more successful local brands.  Imported spirits, wine or beer will cost more than local products.  Some of the local spirits are extremely alcoholic, and bottles of wine which contain snakes, scorpions or other animals may startle you.

Tea: Chinese Tea is usually green tea, often scented with jasmine.  Black teas may also have a stronger flavor than you are used to.  Some China hotels may provide tea bags, but be prepared for tea to taste different to you.  Chinese Tea

Coffee: Coffee is becoming more popular, and chains such as Starbucks are opening up in major cities (along with Kentucky Fried Chicken and MacDonalds).  

Milk: Milk is more often soymilk than cow’s milk, but the latter is served in hotels which cater to westerners, and fresh, dry or long-life milk is available from convenience stores, as is yoghurt, and delicious yoghurt drinks.

Indian Adventure Tour is a Delhi based preeminent travel agency, extending almost all kinds of travel related services, hotel reservation to well-paying travel packages. We are dedicated towards providing you with the best services at prices you would love to pay. We work with a lot of passion in ushering new facets of India every time you set out on a trip to the hauntingly beautiful land of India.
Indian Adventure Tour is one of India’s leading Tour operator based in New Delhi, The Capital and one of most important city in India. We are providing services like- air ticket bookings, hotels bookings, adventure travel package, wildlife adventures and camel safari tours etc. Our staff is always attentive and active for requirements from the clients and do best to solve their problems at earliest possible.

Indian Adventure Tour, a leading India travel agency based in New Delhi can offer you the best service to experience the treasures of India and its unique quality of life. During your India travel, we assure you high classes stay in various heritage and deluxe hotels in India. You can choose the travel service according your budget. Indian Adventure Tour is a destination specialist and its main specialty is tailored theme based itineraries and tours for tourists of all age group and interests.  
Visiting with travel agent Indian Adventure Tour you can experience the legendary Indian hospitality and comforts of modern life. To fit the needs of the tourists we arrange hotels, car rentals, tour guide, rail passes, transfer from airport, etc. Read the main attractions of India here, trekking and river rafting in India. You will find lots of authentic travel information and attractions of each place with things to do activities on our website. Whether your interest are the Himalayan wonders, luxury train tour feeling the mediaeval regalia as well  enjoying the aesthetics and cuisine, exploration of the backwaters of Kerala, forts and palaces of Rajasthan, safari tour, shopping zones of India, exploring the Indian mysticism of the primitive existence, we will assist you a perfect tour providing quality service and support.
For more details visit us: www.indianadventuretour.com

Are you tired of your nine to five job? Your typical work day begins by getting up at seven in the morning just to face the perils of morning traffic, working eight hours at a job you don’t really like and then climbing back into your car at the end of the day to face the rush hour traffic on your way home?  Do you want to do something to change that? It is the dream of many people all over the world to work from home. Never actually having to get out of their pajamas and head to the office is entirely possible in this time and age. Due to the internet and the many different avenues it presents, people are able to start their own businesses right from the comforts of their own home.  It made life much simpler and easier. The types of businesses you can start up are basically infinite. You can become a writer, you can become an entrepreneur or you can even be a home based travel agent.

With a home based travel business, there are many benefits available to you besides the obvious ones:  the ability to stay at home, sleep in and work at your leisure. Another benefit is the fact that this business has very little startup capital.  It can run all year long, meaning that you can literally be making money every second of the day.  After all, everyone likes to travel at some point and when they’re ready, you’ll be there to accommodate all of their travel needs. You’ll be able to send them to just about any destination, whether it’s the Bahamas, England, Canada, or even Japan.  You are their gateway to the entire world!

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You’ll get your own website which you can either build for very little money if you know your way around webpage designer.  If not, you can have someone build for you a site that displays all for the services that you offer, including discounts, locations, etc. This makes it much easier for the public to find you. Maximum exposure means maximum income.  This is exactly what your website will be about.

Another amazing benefit is the fact that you get discounted ticket prices. You read it right.  Because you’re a travel agent, both you and your family will receive discounts to fly just about anywhere in the world. On top of that, you get paid every single time you travel whether it’s a cruise, plane ride, bus ride, etc.

You will also receive major tax breaks for owning your own business, which include food, gas, travel, clothes and just about everything else.  To top it all off, you can even deduct your startup costs. With these kinds of breaks, you’ll save all sorts of money, set up your business for free and guarantee that you and your family live in the lap of luxury for a very long time.   Live a life that most people can only dream of.

At this point, the only thing stopping you from becoming a home based travel agent and getting everything you want, including the steady income, the decent house, that new car you’ve been looking at…well…the only thing really stopping you is you. So start doing your research and figure out the best way to start a travel business.

Whether you are camel riding in the Sahara desert, ice climbing in Alaska, diving with great white sharks in Mexico, trekking in Nepal, or doing any other adventure at some other place, you will have to make sure that you are thoroughly covered under a good adventure travel insurance plan. Misfortunes don’t come knocking at your doors. Mishaps and accidents are very much likely in these extreme forms of travel. Such adventure activities are usually not covered under the conventional insurance policies. Following is a step-by-step guide on how to buy a special policy to get coverage for your travel adventures.

The first thing that you have to do is to look into the terms and conditions of your at-home medical insurance policy. You should particularly check the exclusions section. Most traditional policies include adventurous activities, such as scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and other such things under exclusions. It means if you get injured because of such activities, you will not be covered. But, at the same time, most insurers also offer special provision where you can buy supplementary adventure travel insurance especially for your trip. If you don’t find all the details in your policy document, you should give a call to your insurance provider and know the options available to you.

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If your adventure travel is an organized by a tour company, you should ask the company if insurance is covered within the price of the traveling package. Even if the package does not include the cost of insurance, you can still buy it additionally from the same tour company. Many make it mandatory – you can’t join the tour team if you don’t purchase adventure travel insurance for the trip. Make sure that the amount of coverage is neither too high nor too low. It must be sufficient enough to protect you against the possible misfortunes during your trip.

If your trip is not organized and you are going on your own, you can ask the tour company to recommend some good insurance companies and plans. It is worth going with their recommendations because they are in this industry and they very well know which insurers offers the best plans and services for such adventure trips. When they make recommendations, their reputation is at stake. So, it is very unlikely that they will offer you bad suggestions.

However, if you are one of those adventure addict travelers who frequently go for such trips, you had better consider obtaining a permanent adventure travel insurance plan. A good plan from a reputed insurance company will not cost you more than – per month, but you will be covered for injuries and related medical expenses – no matter which part of the world you are traveling in. Overall, if you keep in mind the above things, you can easily provide optimum protection to the money you paid for travel adventures.

During International Travel, whenever we travel to any new country for the first time, then commuting expenses can be a big drain on our personal finances. Here we discuss some of the ways to save money while travelling abroad for the first time.

During international Travel, If you have to travel throughout the country / through different countries, then one of the ways to save money is to try to get a rail pass, for example- a Euro Rail pass – if you are travelling in Europe. This allows you discounted travels in Europe Railway network. (In fact, the Euro Rail Pass is a very convenient way of travelling by rail through Europe ). Also, Euro Rail pass can be used in different rail networks. It is not confined to any one network. This helps you to save money by not having to buy separate tickets each and every time you board a different train, and thus it is easy on your personal finances.

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Once you come out of the airport, then try to take the metro / shuttle bus / ordinary bus / shared taxis, while going to your hotel. Believe me, they can help you save a lot of money

Also, to cut down on your travel expenses and to save money, try to book a hotel which is in the city center / close to the city center and is in your reach. The benefit is that when you are located close to the city centre, you have easy access to shopping malls, food courts / shops / hospitals, travel agencies. So this basically saves money and time while avoiding to commute unnecessarily.

Among the easiest ways to save money during International Travel is – Try to avoid Taxis, for taxi fares can be enormous. Take a Bus / Tram instead. For example, in European cities, there is a good network of Trams which run throughout the city. They cost less and thus will help you save money while enjoying the beautiful city.

Also, if possible and wherever available, take the underground metro. This is also one of the ways to save money and time. If you go by a taxi, then you might be stuck up in a traffic jam, which means that you will have to pay extra fare to the taxi driver and also lose valuable time. It would be an unnecessary strain on your personal finances.

Furthermore, during international travel, If you know someone in that city, (where you are travelling for the first time), just request them to pick you up from your hotel. This will again save money for you in travelling expenses.

I Hope you have enjoyed reading this article. As always, comments are Welcome and Encouraged. Cheers…

Whatever the season, fireworks have always been used to mark big events. Photographing these fireworks can be tricky but in this article are some tips to get the best pictures possible.

A skyrocket takes time from the moment it’s launched until the last burst of its color fades. As the rocket sails skyward, the crowd has time to exclaim “Ooh!” Then as it explodes in a burst of trails of color, the crowd has time to exclaim, “Ahh!” From launch to fadeout takes a few seconds perhaps ending with a stirring “bang.” Your exposure, therefore, should be long enough to capture part, or all, of this time-consuming progression.

Shooting with a digital camera is somewhat like shooting slide film. If you’re not careful, you can overexpose and lose detail and color in the highlights. Since fireworks are, by definition, highlights, using a digital camera to capture them can be tricky.

How long should your exposures for fireworks photos be? At least one second, sometimes two seconds, and some even longer. Shorter exposures don’t always capture the full burst and longer exposures tend to produce washed-out results. For example, if you were to set your exposure for, say, 1/500th, not only will the lens be open for only a fraction of the rocket’s progression, but the exposure may also be too brief to record any image at all! If you have a B (Bulb) shutter speed setting you can use it to control exactly how long your shutter is open. This is a great option. The trick is to open the shutter right at the beginning of the burst and close it when it reaches its peak. Anticipating the explosion can be difficult, but not impossible. If you don’t have a B setting you can choose a fixed setting, such as 1 second.

The best way to tackle a long exposure will depend primarily on what kind of camera you’re using. Let’s examine how this works with different types of cameras.

It’s easy for you to select a long exposure time using a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. If you’re using a manual mode, you can select a long exposure time by setting the shutter for one-to-thirty seconds or by using the B (or bulb) setting. You can also use the shutter priority mode to control the shutter speed. For the bulb setting you will need a cable release.

You’ve got to hand it to camera designers — they’ve dreamed up a number of exotic modes that appear on some camera models. What exactly is “party mode?” That’s outside the scope of this article, but there are a few cameras which feature a “fireworks mode” that will give a long exposure. Don’t worry if your camera doesn’t feature a whole host of “modes.” Most of them are baby steps for inexperienced photographers. If your camera has manual settings — which most digital point-and-shoot models have, just figure it out using the manual or trial-and-error going through the menus.

What aperture should you use? Your f-stop will be based on the ISO you select.

You might think that because the sky is so dark you need a wide aperture. Just the opposite is true. Remember, your objective is not to record the dark sky except as background. You want to record the intensely bright streaks of color. Were you to use a wide open aperture during your time-exposure, you would probably overexpose the colors. Result: They would “burn out” and lose coloration. To intensify the color, therefore, use a smaller aperture like f/8, or f/11, or even f/16. As with your choice of shutter speed, you will have to set your aperture manually. Which you should use depends upon your digital camera’s ISO setting (or the speed of your film), and the intensity of the color bursts. We suggest you bracket your shots, using different apertures.

Using one of the suggested apertures listed below, you can use your preview to test and then compensate the aperture accordingly.

ISO SETTING APERTURE RANGE

ISO 100          ƒ/8 to 16

ISO 200          ƒ/11 to 22

ISO 400          ƒ/16 to 22

This chart will work with most digital cameras that allow you to set shutter speed and aperture. Most of the sophisticated digital point-and-shoot models permit the photographer to set these controls. If you’ve never done this before, you’ll have to figure out how to use these controls by looking at your camera’s instruction book. If you’re using a digital SLR, then try these settings too. Naturally, you’ll check your results by reviewing your initial photos on your camera’s LCD panel, until you get the exposure that looks best.

Typically, noise/grain is not a problem in this type of image. We recommend that you use ISO 200, or 400. The important point is that you don’t need a very fast ISO; in fact super-fast ISOs may overexpose the firework display. Very slow ISOs – for example, ISO 100 – may not be sensitive enough to capture the display. (Remember, while your shutter will be open for a second or two or more, the actual appearance of the “rockets red glare” will last only a fraction of a second in any one place.)

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Since many of today’s digital SLRs offer good results at high ISOs such as 800, 1600 and 3200, why not use a faster ISO? The answer is simple – you don’t need to. You want a long exposure time, and as we’ve mentioned elsewhere, the bursts of the exploding fireworks are bright enough to etch themselves onto low ISO sensor settings such as 200 or 400, even with a medium-size aperture setting. A higher ISO would just run the risk of overexposed washed out colors. We also suggest, because of the brightness of the fireworks vs. the dark night sky, that you avoid using the “Auto ISO” setting, one that we don’t use much anyway.

Regardless of your camera, once you’ve worked out the shutter speed/aperture/ISO combination, the key to success is a solid platform to hold the camera motionless during the time the shutter is open. This is pretty much a requirement for all time-exposures or shutter speeds slower than 1/30 of a second. Obviously, the best platform of all is a tripod. It provides a solid, easy-to-carry base on which to hold the camera motionless during the exposure. It also allows you to easily position the camera at the proper elevation. All DSLRs and almost all point-and-shoots have a threaded opening on the bottom that permits you to attach the camera to a tripod.

A tripod is just the beginning. You also want the camera to be as vibrationless as possible during the time-exposure. Since pressing the shutter button can cause the camera to vibrate, you can avoid this by also using a cable release. The cable release enables you to press the shutter button without touching the camera directly. Result: It helps minimize camera shake.

Advanced Hint: For the ultimate in steadiness, on some professional DSLRs you can lock the mirror in an up position. Why do this for fireworks photos? Because when you take a normal picture with an DSLR, the mirror snaps up during the moment of exposure, then snaps back so you can set up the next shot in the viewfinder. When the mirror snaps up, it causes the camera to vibrate for a moment. While this vibration is usually tiny, if you’re a purist and want the steadiest possible time-exposure, you can eliminate this vibration totally by locking the mirror in its “up” position. Of course, you can’t frame the next shot in the viewfinder if the mirror is locked up. But this may not be so big a problem as it seems. After all, typically, fireworks appear in only one specific segment of the sky, so once you’ve aimed your camera-on-tripod in that direction and framed the shooting area, you can lock the mirror up unless you have to reframe for different shots.

Back to basics:If you don’t have a tripod handy (or you’re using a camera that doesn’t have a tripod thread), don’t give up. Try placing your camera on a makeshift solid platform, such as a fence post, a railing, or a wall. None of them is as steady or convenient as a tripod, but they’re infinitely better than hand-holding.

A word of warning: If, by any chance, you are on a rocking boat when trying to capture fireworks photos, your tripod or the ship’s rail or whatever you use as a “platform” will rock along with the boat. Result: In your time-exposure the firework color-streaks will come out rocking and wavy instead of straight. This may be interesting modern art – though we doubt it! – but it’s definitely not good firework photography. It won’t look right! Our advice: If you are on a rocking boat, don’t bother to photograph the fireworks. It’s a waste of time.

Which way should you hold the camera? Typically, you’ll be better off with a vertical format rather than horizontal. After all, the trail of a skyrocket is usually upward and not very wide. However, a final decision about the frame you use will also depend on the size of the crowd viewing the event, your position in that crowd, and the number of spots from which the fireworks will be deployed. For example, in New York City, Macy’s Department Store has sponsored the Fourth of July fireworks display. The shells are launched from a string of barges in either the East River or Hudson River that’s almost a mile long. That means you might be able to fill a horizontal frame with six or more bursts at one time, so it would probably be a better choice than a vertical one.

Take a little time before the show to scout the location. If it’s a smaller show, you may be able to chat with the pyrotechnic crew beforehand. To get the best fireworks photos with a digital camera, point-and-shoot or DSLR, try to determine where the fireworks will be launched and then try to find a clear, unobstructed view that meets your compositional requirements based on the terrain, the

Nashville, Tennessee, the state capital, is located in the north central part of the state, nearly equidistant from Knoxville to the east and Memphis to the west. I-65 runs north to south through the city; I-40 crosses it east to west; I-24 slices through it on the diagonal from northwest to southeast; Briley Parkway circles the north side of town; and I-440 loops around south side of the metropolitan area, connecting with all three of these interstates.

In addition, U.S. Highway 265 branches off from I-40 just west of Lebanon and swings south almost to Murfreesboro before turning back north to connect with I-40 between Fairview and Pomona. Nashville International Airport is immediately south of I-40 on the east side of town; the downtown area can easily be reached from there via the interstates.

Nashville is with justice called “Music City, U.S.A.” It is home to the thriving country music industry, the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a lively after-hours music scene in many lounges and saloons all over town.

There are two visitor information centers, one at Fifth Avenue South and Broadway and a second at Fourth Avenue North and Commerce, where visitors can get maps, brochures, directions, and more information about things to do and see in Nashville.

A visitor with even a passing interest in country music should not miss the opportunity to investigate the Nashville music scene. The Ryman Auditorium in downtown originally was a church, and became the home of the Grand Ole Opry in 1943, when it was christened “The Mother Church of Country Music.” The Opry has since moved to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, but the Ryman has been reopened as a music venue.

Regular concerts are held there, and tours, both self-guided and backstage, are on offer.

Also downtown, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the perfect place to immerse yourself in all the history of this distinctively American style of music.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, off the Briley Parkway north of the airport, is a world unto itself, with a big hotel, stores, a spa, restaurants from pubs to steakhouses to fine dining establishments, and lounges and nightclubs, all under one roof. The resort is immediately adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry, where visitors can take in the famous country music extravaganza.

If music isn’t your main interest, Nashville has many other experiences to offer, from a zoo and aquariums to amusement parks and rides on paddle-wheelers on the river. If you’d like to sample a little Southern history, visit Belle Meade Plantation or take a tour of The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson. You can tour the historic battlefield of the Civil War battle of Franklin and visit the cemetery where fallen soldiers were laid to rest. A little more than an hour east of Nashville, Loretta Lynn’s Hurricane Mills has a restored Southern mansion, a camp ground and RV park, a museum, and shops. Horseback riding and fishing are popular pastimes there, as well.

Families used to count on going on vacation once a year, but many are finding it too costly to travel on holiday these days. Even if you can’t afford a get-away this year, there are still many exciting activities you can indulge in for fun. Vacations might not be an option this year, so try a staycation. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite.

Give one room of your house a whole new look by updating it during your staycation. Get daring with color, polishing fixtures and reconfiguring the furniture layout. Turn your bedroom into an oasis and add romantic touches, like red velvet pillows and fresh flowers in a gem-studded vase. You’ll be amazed at the difference a few accessories can make in your room.

Set off on a cultural journey by heading to the museum, local art venues, and your town’s library. Get in touch with the history of the area in which you live, and find out the back story of your town or state. For example, New Jersey is called the “Garden State” and Missouri is the “Show me State.” Find out why at a bookstore you love, and not only will you get some culture, you’ll learn something new as well.

Schedule a day of you-time by going to a day spa, perhaps even getting a manicure and pedicure. Make time for a massage, and get your hair done in a different, dramatic style. You might consider changing the color of your hair or adding highlights. If you’re open to the idea, you may want to try out a henna tattoo.

Each night of the week of your vacation can have a theme, such as “picture day.” This could be a day for you to see a film at the theater, then rent a movie for later on at home. Get out your camera and take a picture of the sunset, nature, or some other beautiful scene to complete this themed day. Another theme could be “animal day,” and, on that day, you can take your family to the zoo, then watch “Animal Planet” at home later on. “Sports day” could involve going to a local sports game, and then renting “Rocky” later on that night.

Try to get outside if the weather allows, perhaps hiking or camping. These are great ways to soak up the beauty of nature while also getting in some exercise time. If you can convince your friends to camp out with you without all of their usual electronic devices, such as cell phones, portable games, and PDAs, you can enjoy a night under the stars like they did in the old days.

So don’t let a lack of funds stop you from having a great time during your vacation. There’s always a way to find interesting and exciting places in your town without spending a fortune. With a little bit of ingenuity and a willing spirit, you can find fun wherever you go, and enjoy a staycation instead.