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You see the description, Holistic Retreat, more and more these days. You know that the term holistic when applied to complementary therapies means - that the whole person, mind, body and spirit, is targeted. But what exactly does this mean when it is describing a retreat?

As ever, there will be a million right answers to this question - or at least as many right answers as there are holistic retreats available. Because each retreat is going to be slightly different from the others, enhanced by the experience and personalities of the people who run it.

Holistic Retreats, like any other kind of retreat, can be large or small, basic or exclusive, group oriented or targetted at individuals. The size and nature, and the background of any retreat will influence the experience.

What all holistic retreats will have in common is the knowledge that human beings cannot be seen as one dimensional. Any activities that people engage in will, inevitably, impact on them at many levels. This is how we are, and accepting this can help immensely when providing suitable therapies, courses and workshop topics. This approach should also ensure that the environment of the place is one where people are encouraged and inspired to recognise and realise their own potential.

This brings us to the need for holistic retreats. At any such retreat the focus is going to be on helping you to regain a balance between all aspects of yourself.

- To do this you will be offered a selection of exercises and therapies that will help you release tension from your body.

- You will be offered relaxation techniques, and self discovery workshops to help you re-balance the mental and emotional aspects of yourself.

- Of course both these alternatives will work to enable the other - a relaxed body more easily maintains inner balance between logic and heart, and a balanced mental emotional connection helps you release stress and the tension it creates physically. So a single course or topic can be holistic.

This takes us to the spiritual side - and I am not talking about religion! I mean that part of us that we all think of when we think of our potential, our dreams. That self that is influenced by and reflects our body mind and emotions, but is something else, something more. An Holistic Retreat will offer you the opportunity to explore this side of yourself.

- There are many ways to do this. Experiencially through art, writing, meditation, yoga, reiki, and many other techniques of healing, balance or self actualization.

- There are dozens of subjects that help you focus on a particular aspect of your whole self, that will help you develop your recognition of, your interaction with, and the strength of your connection to your spirit or higher self. These will include any creative topics, any subjects that are about self worth, self acceptance, self love or personal growth.

In fact it is quite impossible to separate out what aspects of yourself that workshops, courses, therapies and counselling methods address - and that is the nature of working holistically. Each thing experienced effects us on all levels, and that at some point we come to realise this.

So an Holistic Retreat is simply a place that offers a safe, comfortable and supportive place for you to take special time for reconnecting with yourself.

Finding the perfect retreat for you

The very essence of the holistic retreat, and whether it will work for you at this time, is how the prospect makes you feel.

In our busy lives we so often listen only to our heads, I must do this, I have to hurry so I can attend to that. On a practical level this is important, however if you listen only to your head, then eventually your inner balance will be negatively effected.

So, remember, if you are thinking of going on an holistic retreat yourself, to find a place where you really like the sound of the people, and what they say about themselves. Their personalities and attitudes may deeply effect your experience.

Another important influence on the retreat experience will be the nature of the place itself. Here are a few questions you may find helpful to answer when looking for the perfect retreat:-

Do you long for privacy and anonymity or would you like to have the chance to meet new people who share your interests?

Do you want the opportunity of working calmly at your own pace, or are you stimulated and informed by the challenge and discussion in group development?

If you enjoy being in a group, what is the optimum size for you in terms of comfort?

Would you choose to combine group work and privacy - perhaps study in a group, but have a private room?

How much personal space do you need right now?

Do you want to combine your retreat activities with other holiday pursuits like touring or dining out?

After you have read the web pages or leaflets from a holiday retreat, pause and ask yourself how you feel about the place. Does this retreat answer your needs and desires at this time - only you can decide!

And finanlly, on a personal level, there are as many reasons for going on a retreat as there are people - over 6 billion last I looked. Here are a few that seem to be shared by many of my visitors:-

- Couples may choose a retreat when they are having challenges to their relationship, or just want to celebrate their time together.

- Individuals might want rejuvenation, help in adjusting to major changes in their lives, or a chance for deep reflection.

- Or anyone may simply wish to step out of time for a moment - to allow the world to spin without them for just a little while - to achieve a magical moment of inner stillness, calm and joy.

About The Author

Derby Stewart-Amsden runs her own business, Ashwhin, where she offers complementary therapies, holistic retreats, training and resources for individuals, groups and for the workplace. http://www.ashwhin.com. Derby also works with her partner, Peter Amsden, to bring this holistic and people centred approach into small business support. ASAT Productions - http://www.ASAT.biz

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Spanish property experts International Mortgage Solutions based in Marbella Spain have over 7 years experience in dealing with property purchases in Spain. Here are their tips to avoid problems.

Many Europeans now embrace the concept of buying land in a different country. With a drop in the cost of air fare, interest rates in Europe becoming lower, and the property itself offering capital growth, countries like Spain have become more enticing to potential buyers. You will enjoy lots of sunshine, plenty of growth, and it’s just a short trip to Spain. It may not have been a good idea to buy in Spain in the past, but it can be done more safely if you understand some general guidelines. If you are considering purchasing real estate in the country of Spain, you should first look to arrange your finances.

• Seek out legal advice before signing any legal documents.
• To save yourself from becoming financially strapped, you should spend wisely and frugally.
• You should expect that time deadlines will be stretched.
• Until you have the required funding, do not sign a contract to purchase anything.
• Be aware that the procedure for buying in Spain has its own idiosyncrasies and don’t assume that it will be the same as it is in other markets.
• Completely comprehend how taxes are incurred depending on the type of ownership status you select.
• Be careful not to let yourself be persuaded to do anything you wouldn’t normally do.
• Hire an attorney that is not involved with the sales agent you are using. In order to keep your best interests a priority a neutral third party is needed.

Before making any purchases in Spain, it would be advisable to first approach your lawyer with a series of questions to be answered. There have been many instances where international buyers have been unable to get the results they seek because they didn’t know what questions to ask or when to ask them. Before signing on the dotted line you should get answers to some of the following questions and another others regarding where the entire sum of this Spanish purchase is legally register?

• Is the property’s land rustic or urban? What might happen when purchasing pastoral land?
• What costs will need to be taken into account, such as typical attorney’s fees and taxes?
• Are licenses already in place, for instance property contracts or first liens of residency?
• Do less than decade old buildings have decade long warranties?
• Is this transaction being made with a direct purchase or is it part of a termination of deed? On the basis of the structure of the purchase,what are the entailments?
• When completing this purchase, will there be any need for a declaration?
• Are you responsible for any additional costs such as, capital gains, inheritance, wealth or income taxes?
• Are any deposits required now? When is the nonrefundable point of the process?
• What will have to be paid to an attorney, along with other legal charges?

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Romantic Honeymoon Destinations To Discover Each Other

Once you’ve mortgaged the rest of your life for the dress and the ceremony, made all sorts of promises in front of everyone you know and danced with your long-lost fifth cousin twice removed, you deserve a little time off to recuperate. It’s called a honeymoon.

Your honeymoon is that wonderful period of grace between the fantasy of your wedding and the reality of simply being an old married couple. It’s a time for the two of you to get to know each other as well as two people who are going to spend the next couple of days alone with only each other for company can. But not so alone that you can’t ring for room service when you need it.

According to a recent survey by Modern Bride magazine, newlyweds are certainly not loathe to shell out when it comes to spending up on their honeymoon - on average, newlyweds spend $3,700 on their honeymoon. For the average wage earner, that’s almost 10% of their annual income.

Honeymoon spending is high for a number of reasons. Firstly, for most of us it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live it up, favoring luxurious resorts and exotic cruises over a two-star just-off-the-highway motel. And the honeymoon is generally not the time for going to stay with mad old Aunty Gladys who you haven’t seen since you were five.

No, honeymooners want their day in the sun, a time to luxuriate in the newness of coupledom and they are usually looking for something special. So if that means ordering that second bottle of champagne, or deciding on the lobster for dinner, most honeymooners don’t give it a second thought.

To compile their list of Top 10 honeymoon destinations, the Modern Bride survey factored in romance, ambience, affordability, seclusion, culture and adventure amongst its list of important qualities. Here are the results for overall excellence:

1.Hawaii
2. Jamaica
3. Mexico
4.Tahiti
5. St Lucia
6. Italy
7. US Virgin Islands
8. Aruba
9. Las Vegas
10. Bermuda

While there are no real surprises on the list, the surprise is that there are not more distant, out-of-the-way places in the Top 10. Which only goes to prove that even honeymooners want value for money and the chance to explore new territory - but not too far from home. Of course, Italy is the one exception, but who couldn’t imagine romantic visions of strolling through vineyards in Tuscany, or sipping grappa in a trattoria in Venice?

If your honeymoon is still in the planning phase, or even if you’ve already got your heart set on an exotic honeymoon destination, it’s worth visiting Romantic Honeymoon Destinations. Although most of the destinations we’ve included are in the “let’s max out the Amex card” type honeymoon, we’ve also included plenty of useful information for the more budget conscious “we smashed open the piggy bank to pay for this” honeymoon traveller in our Honeymoon Tips guide.

Just don’t forget, it’s YOUR honeymoon and one of the few chances most of us get to indulge a little. So whether that’s the little village down the road you always wanted to visit or some exotic location, the most important honeymoon tip I can give you is HAVE FUN!

Bon voyage!
About the Author

Alexis Miller has been involved in the wedding and jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She has turned her passion for all things bridal into a website, http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. Visit her website for interesting articles on weddings, jewelry,honeymoons and much more.

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If you want to know how to be a successful writer, by the world’s methods and standards, I don’t know the answer. However, if you have a passion to use writing as a tool to reach people for the Lord, have I got Good News for you!

“A Scriptural ‘How to’ for Writing…”

Once I discovered that scripture provides ‘How to’s’ to be successful at whatever the Lord calls us to; the Bible became so exciting! For example, pay close attention to this verse.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing, John 15:5.

The key word is ‘abide’. All we have to do, to reach MANY for the Lord, is to abide. Now, abide doesn’t mean to be good enough or to do anything good enough. It’s about having a close knit, moment by moment, relationship with the Lord. And, it doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to have another thought.

Though, when busy with daily chores or driving in the car, consider listening to music that ministers to you ~ or a sermon on tape … just whatever that works for you, directing your thoughts toward Him. Begin to consider TV and radio preferences, not for legalism’s sake ~ but to protect your mind toward better things.

Envision God standing right beside you wherever you go and, whenever you have a thought, share it with Him as you would a friend … and be sure to listen, too. Now, that would make His day, as His greatest desire is to dwell with you!

And, soon, you will begin to discover things that matter to your heart and His. As those feelings begin to surface, the Spirit begins to move, and the words begin to flow, write them down. Then, with just a few touch ups, you’ll have a guaranteed Masterpiece!

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

© 2003 by Joyce C. Lock

http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/
http://www.aspecialplace.net/ChristianityMadeSimple/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations-originalwritings/
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/heavenlyinspirations-intro.htm
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, “Christianity Made Simple” for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.

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(ARA) - When someone mentions all terrain vehicles (ATVs), what images come to mind? Maybe it’s riding a designated trail in a local forest or finding a remote campsite for the weekend. And then there’s lawncare. Lawncare?

Sure, ATVs are fun. They’re great for trail riding, camping, hunting and exploring hard-to-reach back country areas. ATVs have always had a practical side, but now they are more useful than ever.

With the introduction in 2003 of its MultiRack Platform (MRP), Arctic Cat changed the way people use their ATVs for work and play. The MRP system consists of slide-on accessory racks or attachments which easily slide into the open channels on both the front and rear racks of most Arctic Cat ATVs. All it takes is a pin to attach a wide assortment of slide-in specialty items designed for work and fun.

Now the Thief River Falls, Minn.-based company has expanded this award-winning concept by engineering more accessory attachments. The Lawncare/Landscape package is a good example of how the system lets ATV owners put their machines to work. The rear rack holds a sprayer system that features a wide 120-inch boom and is ideal for fertilizing or weed control. A hand sprayer makes it easy to reach spots the ATV can’t get into. In the front, there’s room for rakes, shovels, hand tools and more, including room for a jug of water to help you stay cool.

The lawn care MRP package makes quick work of yard chores, no matter how large the yard. And once the work is done, the fun begins. With the MRP removed, the ATV is ready for adventure in places wilder than the back yard.

And it’s just one of the many MRPs available to make Arctic Cat ATVs more multi-tasking. “We found that our ATV owners were very creative about how they used their vehicles,” says Ron Solberg, ATV product manager. “But attaching things like guns, fishing rods and shovels with bungee cords or other makeshift carriers wasn’t very safe or efficient. The MRP gives owners more options and more ways to use their ATV.”

Other MRP packages include ice fishing, big game, waterfowl, fishing, camping, construction and ranching, each with its own unique attachments. For more information, visit www.arcticcat.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

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You’re sitting at home thinking about tomorrow’s plane journey. Remember last time ? Remember how you felt when you arrived ? Aggravated, stressed, hot, tired, needing a couple of days to recover ? Did you make these mistakes ?

* Packed your luggage just before you left home.

Don’t pack your bags a half hour before leaving. You know those vital papers, that book you wanted to read, or even your passport will mysteriously disappear at the last minute. Always pack the night before, and you’ll find everything right there waiting !

* Arrived at the airport late.

There’s no worse way to start your journey than sitting in traffic a couple of miles from the airport, watching the minutes tick by. Leave early. Expect a lot of traffic and your journey will take extra time. Then you’ll arrive at the airport relaxed and near the front of the check-in line. If you get your first choice of seat you’ll feel even better !

* Didn’t prepare for the plane journey.

* Dehydrated - the air you breathe on a plane is very dry. If you want to avoid dehydration bring a bottle of water with you and sip on it during the journey.

* Air Sick - if you suffer from motion sickness, and many people do, you can take precautions before you get on the plane. It’s too late when you’ve already started to feel sick. Take a motion sickness drug before you get on the plane. Some can make you drowsy, but that’s good on a long flight !

* Teeshirt - airplanes can get quite cold, so always keep a jacket or sweatshirt nearby if you need them. Some airlines provide blankets, but don’t count on it.

* Arrive lost at your destination.

Okay, you’ve just landed at your destination airport, and got your luggage back. What do you do now ? No idea. Feel those stress levels rising again ! Before you travel, check out your destination on the internet. Airport 50 miles out of town ? In that case, you don’t want to use a taxi if you can avoid it. You should pre-plan your bus or train journey before you leave home.

Follow the above tips and you’ll arrive relaxed and stress free, ready to enjoy your vacation or business trip.

by Neil Stelling B.Sc, MBA

Marketing Manager, DigiLectual Inc.

==> http://www.cheap–airline–tickets.com

© DigiLectual Inc. 2004

Do you want to find cheap airline tickets ? Search over 500 airlines for the best flight deals on the internet. Go ==> http://www.cheap–airline–tickets.com/default.htm

** Attention eZine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look.. mailto:articles@digilectual.com

Neil Stelling is Marketing Manager of New York based, DigiLectual Inc. He travels extensively, and shares his travel experiences in a series of helpful air travel articles.

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The Costa del Sol is blessed with several traditional Spanish white villages,
or Pueblos Blancos, each with its own unique atmosphere. However there
is something about the village of Casares that just makes you stand and stare.

As you approach Casares up a steep winding slope it is difficult to prevent
yourself from taking a sharp intake of breath and saying outload: “wow!”
Stop the car, climb out and admire the vista from a fantastic viewing point just on
the edge of the village, looking down across the entire valley.

Hundreds of white -washed homes perch precariously across the hillside,
below the battlements of an old Arabic castle. Hold onto your sunhat
though because the viewing point can sometimes be a real wind trap!

From here take one of the many paths leading down into the village and
experience a perfect day exploring the multitude of steep, winding streets and footpaths
that make up the delightful village of Casares.For the most part it is
traffic free, having been built in the days long before the motorcar when
the only form of transport was the donkey.

Head first for the Plaza de Espaa- the main square. Here you will discover
the statue of Blas Infante, the Andlucian Nationalist leader who was born in
Casares in 1885. There is also a fountain where you can refresh
yourself with a drink of cold, clear, fresh mountain water. Blas Infante’s
birthplace has now been turned into a museum and tourist information
centre.

From the centre take one of the roads leading onwards and upwards until
you reach the old monastry and ruined church. The views from here towards
the coast are spectacular and you look down a gully where it is
reputed that Franco dispossed of his enemies during the time of the
civil war, there is a poignant iron cross commemorating those who perished.
The base of the walls date back to the Moors as does one of
the arches you may have passed through depending on your route up.
Everything above shoulder height though is more likely to have been built
after 1500. Just below the monastry you will find a museum with many
old artifacts depicting life in and around Casares through the ages.
Be sure to descend via a different route in order to see as much as possible.

Casares, as with any Spanish village, has its fair share of bars and
restaurants so be sure to partake of some local tapas. The people are very
friendly and welcoming and I am sure you will spend a memorable day in the
town.

The 2 annual ferias are held on the first weekend in August and on the
weekend closest to September 15th. They also celebrate a procession
of the Three Kings on the evening of January 5th.

After exploring the village you may like to head up the Sierra Crestillina,
which is a parque natural just on the outskirts of the village. You will
find a signpost to it near to bar/restaurante Laura.A circular
footpath has been put in right round the mountain and it is approximately a
four hour walk. The scenary and views are fantastic but be sure to take
some water with you as it can get quite hot. Good footware is also
essential as the descent towards the end of the trail can be quite trickey.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of http://www.costadelsol-
vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and
apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also
find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

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The property market in Spain can provide excellent investment returns and the opportunities are considerable. The purchase of investment property in Spain by foreigners is simple as it is regulated by relatively liberal laws, and mortgages can be obtained up to 60 %, sometimes up to 80% at low interest rates.

Successful Spanish property speculation is no longer the privilege of wealthy invdividuals or businesses and over the past few years, buying ‘Off plan’ investment property Spain has seen some incredible returns for hundreds of foreigners.

New developments in up-and-coming as well as established locations along the Costas which are primarily ‘off-plan’ investment opportunities are many. Property speculation requires careful judgement and knowledge of the property market to find the best new developement for your investment property in Spain.

Whatever your reasons for buying investment property Spain there is a huge choice of new developments all along the coasts to suit every budget, but even experienced investors will still need practical and legal advice. You need to make sure you are buying the right type of property to suit your individual requirements, whether it be ‘buy to sell’ or for ‘buy to let’ rental purposes.

The most rewarding opportunities are from buying ‘off plan’ before building work even begins. You are then able to reserve (normally 10% of the purchase price is put down at this time) the best plots or apartments, which can be sold on at any stage of the development for a profit. Most banks and developers offer a bank guarantee against non-completion of the project, which will protect any money put down as a deposit payment. Some developements make take 2 to 3 years to complete, which means that they are constantly increasing in value, so the longer you hold on to your Spanish investment property, the more profit you can make. Most buyers will pay more for a finished or nearly finished property than they would for an ‘off plan’ property.

Developers normally fund their projects by offering Off-plan investments and buy-to-sell properties, from which they use the deposit payments to continue building. This saves them paying high interest rates to the bank as it reduces the amount they may have to borrow. These properties are normally competitively priced and if you sell the property before completion you will not have to pay any capital gains tax. As your property gets nearer to completion, its value rises and you are able to sell at a good profit.

If you’re planning to buy investment property for rental purposes, get local advice on the best locations, furnishings and property types for maximum rental income and therefore a better return for your money.

One of the hottest tips in Spanish property at the moment is for golf property. Investing in golf property is not purely for the golfers. The majority of golf resorts offer many more facilities for the whole family than is normally found on new urbanisations throughout Spain. Often these resorts are built with hotels, health spa’s, shops, gymnasiums, etc. - something for everyone.

There are some fantastic off plan properties on the new Polaris World Golf and Leisure resorts in the Costa Calida, in the region of Murcia. These resorts will offer a standard of living unrivalled by others are are perfect for ‘buy to sell’ investments, buy to let or permanent living.

Another excellent investment proposal is rural or country property. Due to the forthcoming Americas Cup in Valencia in 2007, it is estimated that property in country areas in the Valencian region will make a fresh batch of Spanish property millionaires as other areas of Spain have done in the past for those who get the timing right.

About the Author

I have worked in rentals and sales now for 6 years, and run Citrus Iberia Ltd, a British holiday rentals and sales business on the Costa Blanca.

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Analyze to see if the bank who is tending to give you a bank loan is proficient. A lot of the merchant banks wil show you a rate that is looking equitable but feels severely or so after a while. Be impertinent today to check up if you have a nice special offer or if you don’t with the merchant bank that offers you a loan. A moneylender in Diamond Bar California or so may have a total different actual rate of interest for a 25000 dollar credit loan then a bank in Norwalk California and that makes a vast clear difference in your weekly pay offs. This is why now you really need to inquire and jut out if you can have a credit loan at a just percent loan rate. At present you can check out rates quickly at websites and look if there are other possible traps you should be aware of. It makes no difference if you live in Milpitas California or in Longview Texas a dependable online investigation will save you often lots of disorder.

Translated it says: Woon je in Bergen op Zoom of Goes en heb je BKR registratie. Lenen met een BKR registratie is nog nooit zo gemakkelijk geweest. Verwen jezelf met een nieuwe caravan met bkr toetsing zonder lenen, 109691 euro is geen probleem om te lenen. Van De Marne tot Barendrecht, geld lenen met BKR gaat hier altijd.

11.1 percent rate may look so just but will it stay constant after you’re going to retort your deferred payment.

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Advice about the most up-to-date opinion regarding contemporary art.
When you’re trying to find superior advice about contemporary art, it will be hard sorting out the best information from amateurish contemporary art submissions or guidance so it’s astute to know how to judge the information you are presented with.

Grand Light - Contemporary Chandeliers
Find a contemporary chandelier to bring a unique ceiling light to your kitchen, dining room, living room, or foyer.

Here’s several guidelines which we advise you to use when you are trying to find information about contemporary art. Please be aware that the advice we are giving you is only pertinent to internet based information concerning contemporary art. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any tips or guidance when you are also conducting research in books or magazines.

Find contemporary art
Your relevant result is a click away!

A great tip to follow when you’re presented with information or advice on a contemporary art web site is to research who is behind the website. This may show you the people behind the site contemporary art authorizations The easiest way to work out who is at the back of the contemporary art website is to look on the ‘about’ page or ‘contact’ page.

All highly regarded sites providing information about contemporary art, will nearly always have a ‘contact’, or an ‘about’, page which will record the owner’s details. The details should tell you some specifications about the owner’s necessary expertise. You can then decide for yourself about the site owner’s knowledge and skill, to offer recommendations concerning contemporary art.

About the author:

Jim Bollen is the webmaster for http://www.contemporary-art-online.info

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