Learn how to Bargain on Everything from Luxury Watches to Dishwashers

Get ready to bargain now because believe it or not sales on “hard luxury goods”, which includes luxury women’s and men’s watches, are expected to go back up in 2010.

Learn how to get these goods and more at lower than ever prices, before they rise up.

Richemont, the world’s second largest luxury group in terms of sales, makes more than half its profit from sales of goods like Cartier watches and jewelry, IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre watches and from other companies that it owns, like Baume Mericer.

The economic slump has hurt groups like Richemont and if what they predict is true, that the U.S.’s appetite for “hard luxury” goods is coming back, then get your buying on now.

2009 has been a bad year for luxury sales in the U.S. Demand for watches in the mid-price range (such as those by Baume Mercier) dropped 11%, while more expensive watches (costing around $10,000) fell about 25%. Luxury watch sales remained slow and low throughout the summer as well in the U.S. but jumped 20% in China. China will soon house more Cartier boutiques than anywhere else in the world.

Now, the part about how to learn how to bargain on everything from a luxury watch to a hotel stay, before the prices go back up!

Think about it, you have no problem wheeling and dealing at a flea market or even when buying a car. Who’s to say you shouldn’t do this when booking a hotel room or buying yourself a nice, new men’s watch or women’s watch?

Susan Spencer, executive editor for All You magazine says “Everything is negotiable. In this economy, it’s definitely a buyer’s market.”

The “where and how” approach to getting what you want for less:

Clothing store: if you’re going to buy more than one of the same item -eye creams for example, ask for a discount. Tell the owner that you shop there all the time and you’re willing to spread the word to others.

Cellphone carrier: No one can live without their cell phone / Blackberry but this doesn’t mean you have to pay their prices, which can add up if you go over your plan. If you’re up for a renewal ask for a new phone or tell them they need to offer you a better deal than the competition, otherwise you’re “outta there.”

Appliances: TV’s, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc. May not be the first thing you want to spend your money on, but these are necessities and you can definitely find some room for price negotiation here, especially if you’re willing to buy the floor model.

Hotels: People are not traveling as much so hotels are not as booked. If you plan on staying three nights, ask for the third one free. Can’t hurt to ask and saves you money to spend on your vacation.

Luxury watches: Whether you walk into a store or are looking online you can ask for additional discounts, but not by asking, but by stating what you are willing to pay. Make sure you speak to a manager or the owner, likelihood is they rather make a reduced sale than no sale.

You can even try something like the “buy one get one half off” approach. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your wife or husband, watches are a great gift and it’s very possible that you can get two luxury watches for the price of one by bargaining. An added plus: your wife / husband will love you more and won’t be upset that you bought a luxury goodie for yourself and not her / him!

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For information about sales on luxury watches, check out http://www.varietywatches.com .

Bed & Breakfast An Increasingly Popular Form of Lodgings for Travellers

More and more travelers and those on the road are finding the personal service and comfort of Bed and Breakfasts “B & B’s” as a very enjoyable and often moneysaving way to travel within their travel or corporate expense account budgets.

The choices of this form of lodgings t may be for any of a number of reasons In the case of a commercial traveler; often away from home, its conveniences and intimacies have just had enough of impersonal large hotel chains. You might even think that you have never even traveled away from your family home and abode. It has often been said that “if you have seen one hotel room you have seen them all” and that “there is no place lonelier than a hotel room”. Yet a bed and breakfast with individual owners can offer a respite of service. Even more so if the nomad (so to speak), is a on a regular route, and thus is a frequent guest at the operation.

The choice of a Bed and Breakfast may be for simple reasons of economy. It is often, though not always less costly and inexpensive to stay at a private facility. The family hosting and running a chosen operation may simply do this , for the fun of it all; it may be a means for them of reducing and sharing their overhead and costs of running as well as maintaining their home and personal residence. On top of that their costs of running the operation, as an add-on, are usually a lot less than a commercial venture as a hotel or motel. Costs are less to run a Bed and Breakfast operation than a commercial hotel or motel venture . Hence accommodation rates are usually less. On top of that you might also include the saved cost of your breakfasts – well , and no certainly no expensive hotel or motel chain franchising costs , nor expensive online or toll free phone booking services. At the most the Bed and Breakfast B & B may have a simple website – often home made in appearance.

Many of the families and friends involved in the day to day operations of any Bed and Breakfast really enjoy the activities as well as the people and personalities they meet from around the globe – whether they are from the US , Canada or overseas.

Your first experience with a B & b may be the result of intentional over bookings in the hotel and hospitality trades , leaving the B & B inn setup as the only option to you. You may not a Pan Am size swimming pool; however the lodgings, the accommodations and the genuine high service levels, with genuine friendship and concern will flow through.

There is not just one single type of Bed and Breakfast type of operation or system. There are many different types of setups that all fall under the same terms and description – whether in terms of costs, accommodations and levels of service so ask before booking. Simply phone ,fax or email. It is generally thought that B and B’s are private homes with rooms being rented out. Usually this is the case. However the full range of variations in the field may range from regular anticipated overnight rooms, to RVs and even boats and barges. It is best to ask.

Bed and Breakfast – what type of breakfast is included in the room accommodations package. Ask what the breakfast entails. In a Swiss B & B it may include a full Swiss breakfast with unending cups of Swiss hot chocolate and a meal meant to fill the day of hiking. In other operations it means a standard airline size “Continental Breakfast “which may satisfy your hunger for a lot less time.

Enjoy your travels. Enjoy your stay at a B & B “Bed and Breakfast”

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Terry S. Voster, Hotels Winnipeg Forks. Polo Park

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Destinations For The Best Christmas Vacations Ever!

Christmas is that time of year when the whole family gets to come together and spend some quality time together. But even with the whole family there, it’s so easy to forget a vacation if you spend it at a blah or cliché venue. Here are some great destinations where your family will definitely have a great time and spend what’ll be one of the best Christmas vacations yet.

Keeping the Winter Blues Away in Mexico

For most people, winter isn’t exactly the happiest time of the year. It’s bleak for most of every day, and the snow makes it hard to move around. You’ll have to keep shoveling it to boot! If you and your family prefer to be active even during the holiday season, the best Christmas vacation might be one in the tropics or in a warmer region.

The beaches of Mexico would be a good place to start looking. Exchange rates would be slightly in your favor, and the short distance keeps travel expenses from becoming too high. Many celebrities actually go to Mexico and nearby regions for peace and quiet. Your family will have a lot of space and privacy there.

Orient Ahoy!

Mexico and other vacation destinations, however, might still prove to be too close to the hustle and bustle you’re trying to escape. If that’s the case, the best Christmas vacation destination might be lying someplace a little farther away. Asia would be a great – not to mention affordable – place to consider.

One of the most interesting things about Asia is that most of the countries there preserve traditional beliefs and practices, so you’ll be surrounded by a very different culture. It’s going to be difficult to find all the novel sites and sounds anywhere near ‘boring.’ Don’t forget to bring your camera when you go to Asia. You’re bound to see a lot of unique things you can show off back home.

The weather will be on your side in much of the region, as most Asian countries have either winters without snow or no winters at all. Even better, nations that have great year-round weather also have fantastic beaches that rank among the world’s best. Christmas vacations in countries like Malaysia and the Philippines will involve a lot of frolicking in the sun and sand.

A Holiday in the Sun in the Caribbean

Getting some comfort and pampering is only natural when you go on vacation. But if you’re looking for more than the usual, the fun-and-comfort combination offered by the Caribbean might be the kind of vacation you’re looking for.

The Caribbean might sound like an overcrowded, overhyped and overpriced destination, considering how often you hear it mentioned as a vacation venue. Although some of it is just hype, most of it is justified. The Caribbean, for all intents and purposes, is a fantastic place to go for several reasons.

Pampering is something you’re sure to get at the Caribbean – also remember that the sun is the most effective acne cleanser around. Most of the local economy is supported by tourism, and it shows with the number of resorts, hotels and other companies that exist simple for tourists. Accommodations there are fully equipped for anything you might want, from a simple beach holiday to a luxurious retreat complete with wine and the huge suite.

The whole idea of the ‘best’ Christmas vacation will vary from family to family, so the destination for your own family might not even be among the ones above. The important point is that the destination will be a critical factor in just how memorable the whole trip could be for your family.

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Huzaili Aris loves to travel and reveals more tips on how to get cheap airline flights at his website. Get travel destination tips and fun vacation ideas by visiting http://funvacationideas.com/

The Brighton Ramada is perfect for a cheap romantic break

There are over 40 hotels in great locations around the UK, and over 20 have Sebastian Coe Health Clubs on-site, so you may opt for a round of golf, a dash down the dry ski slope, a splash in the pool or a session in the spa or sauna at selected hotels.

Kids stay for FREE when sharing with two adults, and the offer is running any day of the week as well as over the October half term break.

Ramada Brighton hotel
Brighton has loads to offer for the ideal weekend break, and the Ramada hotel is located in a perfect spot on the seafront. This listed Victorian building with the classic stucco front lives up to the image of a luxury seaside hotel.  You will never run out of things to do in the vibrant seaside town of Brighton, but hurry as this offer is only for a limited number of rooms each night – Book Now.

http://ramadabookings.at/brilliant4?CTY=55&CID=135&DURL=http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/autumnafc.aspx

Cheap Christmas Vacations For The Whole Family

If you are planning to take your family to a Christmas vacation but are hesitating at the thought of the expenses involved, here’s some good news for you: there are several cheap Christmas vacations you can consider. With a little bit of imagination and planning you can enjoy the holidays with your family and spend a memorable, relaxing and meaningful Christmas vacation without having to go overboard with expenses.

Here are just some options you can explore that make for exciting but cheap Christmas vacations:

Explore your own Backyard

The word “vacation,” typically conjures up images of traveling to faraway places in another country or perhaps even another continent. But your vacation need not be too far. Instead of packing and setting off to check out the tourist attractions in another country why not spend time this vacation visiting attractions in your very locality, city or state.

You may be surprised to discover that there are a lot of vacation places you can take your family to without going that far. This will not only help you spend less for a Christmas family adventure, but it will also help you appreciate your locality more.

Visit Historical Landmarks

Historical landmarks are excellent places to take your family during the holidays. Do some research on the nearest historical landmarks in your area or in the neighboring areas so you can plan your trip ahead. You and your family can start gathering information about the place a few weeks before you leave; this will heighten the excitement of the trip.

Most of the time, there are more historical landmarks around you than you know. These great places are just waiting to be discovered. And because these places have a historical significance, there are usually many cheap but presentable hotels or inns where your family can check in.

Visit Theme Parks
Theme parks are always a sure hit during the Christmas season. Children and adults alike enjoy spending time at theme parks. Although some people may consider a trip to such a place quite a predictable activity for the season, theme parks never really go out of style. A good activity holiday can act as the best weight loss pill available. These destinations are timeless and never fail to entertain people of all ages. Your family will certainly enjoy going to a theme park for Christmas vacation.

Head for the Beach
The beach is another destination you can have for the holidays. This is perfect for cheap Christmas vacations as the rates of cottages are almost always discounted during this season. The rates of seaside cottages, which usually double up during the summer, are more affordable during the Christmas season.

The beach is a perfect getaway for the holidays. It will give you and your family a relaxing place to stay in. If you are a little tight on the budget, you can choose beach cottages that have facilities for cooking. You can save a lot more if you cook your meals than when you eat out. The children can help with the cooking and other chores, and this will be great way to have family bonding.

So what are you waiting for? As Christmas fast approaches, start planning for your family’s holiday vacation. You can choose destinations from your own locality. You can also opt to visit historical landmarks or theme parks. And lastly, your family can spend the holiday at the beach. You can also use these suggestions each year when you plan for cheap Christmas vacations for your family.

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Huzaili Aris loves to travel and reveals more tips on how to get cheap airline flights at his website. Get travel destination tips and fun vacation ideas by visiting http://funvacationideas.com/

Holidays in Greece – In and Out of the Mainstream

There are many quieter, traditional areas of Greece which repay investigation and can provide an idyllic holiday, away from the more bustling tourist centres. The power of Greece is very much contained in its diversity – many different kinds of holiday are on offer in this ancient country with a traditional heart.

Without doubt, those looking for hedonistic holiday pleasures will never be disappointed – the sun, sea and sand; the warm, lazy days and nights; the waterside wining and dining – it is all here in abundance.

Greece has the second highest number of Blue Flag beaches of any country in the world – an award which confirms and demonstrates the quality and cleanliness of its beaches and sea.

But of course, Greece also has 4000-years of culture and history. Western civilization had its birthplace here, as attested by archaeological sites which include Olympia and Delphi as well as many hundreds of lesser-known location, representing cultures from the early Bronze Age to the sumptuous Byzantine era.

Meanwhile, anyone who has been to Greece will come back with many stories of the Greeks themselves, a friendly, lively and inquisitive people who will always go out of their way to make holidaymakers welcome.

Another great attraction is Greece’s nature and environment. The country has fantastic mountain ranges – especially on the mainland, and so Greece becomes a magnet for walkers and hikers; springtime is an excellent time to go for those interested in flowers – Greece has over 6000 flowering plant species, a third of Europe’s total.

Identifying Greece as a country for the adventurous, the country has literally hundreds of islands which range from little more than a tiny rocky outcrops, to an island as large as Crete, which is almost 180 miles long and has its own unique identity and spirit.

An example group, ideal for island-hopping and finding peace and tranquility as well as holiday hotspots, are the Cyclades. Located in the central Aegean sea, these are most the archetypal Greek islands, with bright, white villages to explore, quaint working harbours, fine secluded beaches, and small chapels all added in the mix. Each island in the Cyclades has its own atmosphere, giving wonderful contrasts with just a few short cruising miles in between.

An example island to discover is Andros, which is just 2 hours by boat from Athens and is the second largest of the Cyclades group, after Naxos. Andros is great for walkers, with mountains and over 70 villages to explore.

All this is so much more accessible than in the past. These days, access to Greek Islands is becoming easier, with more flights arriving from Europe direct to such locations as Kefalonia, Mykonos, Santorini and Kalamata amongst others, a holiday in Greece does not have to start at the main international airport in Athens with its xenon lights.

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Jimi St.Pierre in association with travel correspondent Penny Church, has worked with Sunvil – the “real Greece” – to produce elements of this article. Find Greece holiday brochures online with map-based holiday brochure finder Travelwhere. At http://www.travelwhere.co.uk where you will also find a wide range of holiday brochures featuring Greece and other major holiday destinations.

Finding Bargain Ski Holidays Online

The internet is a great place to find budget ski holidays. You can find some good deals on bargain ski holidays that include everything from your flight to accommodation and even ski-gear rental if you shop around. You should remember however, to not book the first holiday package that you find. Instead, check lots of places first and be sure you are getting a good deal.

Check Several Sites

Compare prices from several companies. Ideally, you should use a few different sites that compare prices from lots of major operators, and, if you can think of any companies that the price comparison sites do not cover, check those yourself too. Since you don’t even have to leave your desk to check, there is no reason to rush or cut corners. You could save hundreds of dollars just by spending a few extra minutes checking several different companies.

The Lowest Price Is Not Always The Best

The cheapest quote may not be the best value. Make sure you know what you are getting in the package. You may find that paying a little extra will get you shuttle to and from the airport, and include equipment rental, which would more than make up for the slightly higher price.

You should not be afraid to contact these online travel companies’ support centers, either. Comparison shopping may work wonders at getting you the best possible deal. Also, if you can get a better deal on airfare from one company, but prefer to fly the airline offered by another, you can try giving them a call, or sending them an email, and asking them if they can offer you the same price on airfare as “company b”. You may be surprised to know that many of these online travel companies are more than willing to try to get you a better deal on bargain ski holidays ‘ especially if it prevents you from using a competitor. That’s a true “win-win” situation.

Book Well In Advance

Unless you are willing to hold out for a last minute deal and accept the disappointment if one is not available, you should book as early as you can since prices tend to go up before they come down, so the sooner you can book the better. If you can be flexible about when you take your holiday, try plugging a few different dates in to the booking system to see how far ahead, and what time of year, will get you the best prices at your chosen destination.

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Discover great budget ski holidays and other exciting ski vacation online at http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com

The Pamplona Bull Run in July

To find the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday you have to look at the type of festival you want to see. There are hundreds of Festivals all year round and choosing just ten may be a hard thing to do but here are some you might want to consider.

San Fermin and Oktoberfest are on the list due to their variety of events and of course popularity, with their nomad marriage festivals, and camel wrestling. Next is the San Fermin, in Pamplona, Spain, this is where the yearly bull running takes place in July. Then we have the Cannes film festival, in France this festival is held in May and filled with stars and wannabes, better-dressed tourists, photographers and yacht owners. There are plenty of free movies, aperitifs, and more for all to enjoy.

On the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday is Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil if you want to be with the King of Carnival then this is where you have to be. It is a four-day celebration of Lent and a great place to dance, sing, and enjoy plenty of fun activities. If you want to be a part of this celebration then just grab a samba costume, and dance away.

We of course have the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage celebration, in the United States in the months of May and June on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday. Here there is a gathering of bands from New Orleans that all play in the same location. Whilst listening to music, there is food and flavous of the Deep South to enjoy.

Another location on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday is Calgary Stampede, Canada. Here you will live and experience the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” which is held every July. This 10-day event includes concerts, rodeos, chuck wagon races, agricultural competitions, and pancake breakfasts.

There is also the Cure Salée festival, in Ingal, Niger. Here you will see the marriage festival among the Tuareg and Wodaabe nomads. This allows the young women to choose the man they would want. The men on the other hand line dance and roll their eyes at the ladies. This September event has camel riders, music, races, songs, dances and storytelling.

It is impossible to ignore the Abu Simbel festival, in Egypt; this had made it on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday due to the unique meaning and start-up behind it. This marks the anniversary of Ramses II rise to the throne on his birthday. You will find that crowds of people have come to this event twice a year on February 22 and October 22. This event also made it into an Indiana Jones rv movie.

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directline-holidays.co.uk provides you with the latest holiday offers, essential holiday information & reviews on destinations worldwide.

Types of Holiday Reps

Overseas/Holiday Reps are also known as Customer Services Rep, Resort Rep and Overseas Rep depending on the tour operator you work for but they all basically have the same role. To be a successful overseas rep, you must be outgoing, enjoy meeting and interacting with new people and embrace new experiences and cultures. It is also important that you have excellent sales skills as well as an energetic approach as it can be a very busy but very rewarding job.

The role will often include meeting customers at the airport, presenting them with information that is useful and accurate, holding welcome meetings, visiting hotels on a regular basis to offer guidance and support, displaying high levels of customer service and resolving any problems in a calm and collective manner. Other aspects of the job include guiding excursions, carrying out health and safety checks on the hotel/s and completion of paperwork.

Club Reps

There are many different names for this type of rep, young person’s rep, Club 18-30, Escapades Rep, 2wenty’s Rep, Club Freestyle Rep However, they are all essentially the same. A young person’s rep is a person that ensures that groups of men and women aged between 18 to 35 have the time of their life on holiday. By applying to become this type of rep you will be sent to the liveliest and busiest resorts. The main responsibilities of a club rep are almost identical to that of a holiday rep.

However, in addition to these daily esponsibilities they must also organise the evening entertainment such as pool parties, bar/pub crawls, party nights and beach parties. And while you guests are sleeping you will need to be up early to perform your daily responsibilities such as holding welcome events and dealing with customer complaints.

Entertainment Reps

An entertainment rep is a very demanding role and you will also be expected to join in a wide range of other activities to assist the overseas reps. During the day, you will be making yourself known to the customers, helping everyone join in the fun and presenting a full and varied programme of family focused activities. During the night, you will be on centre stage performing a wide variety of shows to provide the evenings entertainment. From performing in West End style productions such as Frankenstein and variety shows to hosting TV game shows to keep the children entertained.

For this role you will ideally have a talent or keen interest in dancing, singing or performing and a stock of wholesale clothes, although it is not essential.

Children’s Reps

These will often perform a similar role to that of the entertainment rep with their focus mainly one the younger children. They are often in charge of kids clubs providing a welcomed break for parents while at the same time, organising games, challenges and activities for young children to ensure they enjoy every minute of their holiday. This role requires a number of key skills. For example you must enjoy working with children and have the patience to deal with children. Their parents will only want to leave their children in your hands if they feel you are confident and capable in your role.

As this role specifically deals with young children there are often stricter requirements when applying for this role. You should ensure that you check with the operator as to what these requirements are. Many will often require at least 6 months experience of professional childcare and/or a childcare qualification at NVQ 2. Alternatively, you may be eligible if you hold qualifications such as BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies. You will need to check the requirements of the tour company you want to join.

A transfer rep is somebody who mainly accompanies holiday makers to and from the airport and hotels. A transfer rep is normally the first person the holiday maker sees to represent the tour company so must always be friendly and approachable as they are the face of the company. During the coach trips to the resorts you will be responsible for conducting a welcome talk that includes details of basic information about the resort, which drop offs you will be going to and how long the trip will last plus most importantly about when their welcome meeting will be conducted.

Transfer reps must also ensure that the guests are booked into their accommodation and that they are dropped off and the correct resort. In the event that the departure flight is delayed it is the responsibility of the transfer rep to keep the customers informed of any developments. As with the role of overseas rep the transfer rep may also act as a guide on excursions.

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To find out more about becoming a holiday rep please visit www.becomeaholidayrep.co.uk

Does Timeshare Work?

I am not going to be one that simply knocks timeshare for the sake of doing so. I am sure it has some advantages; but I worry when I read “when you buy timeshare on the resale market, you are already ahead of the game, as used properties are significantly less expensive than new ones.” (Consider a Timeshare for your family Vacations, by David Chandler).

Writers on timeshare seem to agree that one is lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar with a resale. Some, very cynical about the benefits, say that the chances of timeshare sales-personnel buying into their own product is almost nil. Most categorically claim it is 0%. Not sure if this is quite the case, but people are becoming very disillusioned; no mistake about that. It has become expensive and there is no guarantee of being able to just take off at your specified week; and trust me swapping doesn’t always work. School holidays in various countries are different, and annual fees are on the increase.

Visiting Youtube was also an eye-opener; people who were once in the timeshare industry, and selling this product, openly speak against it. I am sure that if you can afford around $50 000 for a top week, you will have all the advantage and will be able to book and swap weeks.

But remember that you will then be paying very high monthly maintenance fees to cover overheads and office furniture, probably also a booking fee, and you are locked into one only week of the year. Of course if you are enormously wealthy and end up buying four or five or more weeks, that’s okay. But who’s got $100 000 for a couple of weeks?

Also, you will be locking into the resorts that particular company promotes; and only those. What if you wanted to visit a country not on their list? What if you wanted to send friends or family on a guest week somewhere? What if you simply could not afford the monthly maintenance fees or the annual fees? What if you didn’t have the money up front, and were offered the finance option that comes with every single timeshare purchase, but then realised you would have to pay around 17 percent finance charges?

All of these are major obstacles. I remember going to a timeshare presentation in Cape Town, South Africa, some years ago. I was shocked at their hard-sell tactics; they got our backs up against the wall, and simply could not take no for an answer. Now I realise why they were so desperate. The product simply does not give people what they want.

What if you found an option that did away with all the above disadvantages. Would you take a look? A company offering a lifetime membership at a fraction of the cost, with unlimited access fifty-two weeks of the year to thousands of resorts in 55 countries around the world. With no monthly maintenance fees or levies.

I know there is an alternative. Check it out, and think twice before selecting the timeshare option: a simple search will give you lots of evidence that people are looking for something far more flexible.

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Michael Klerck is a writer and winner of the Mondi Paper Magazine Writer’s Award for work in Men’s Health. He is also an avid promoter of the best luxury resorts membership in the world today. Visit his luxuryresortsVIP.biz and see the excellent movie.