Tips for a great winter-sun tan
Time for some beautiful winter sun and all you need is the perfect tan formula. Not the splotchy burns or tan lines of last year, but an even, healthy golden glow all over your body. Tanning salon? Spray on lotions? Those are definitely options, but if you love the feeling of a natural tan at the beach, and the ambiance of lying outside near the surf, read on.
Yes, it’s a fact the sun’s natural rays can be harmful. Skin cancer is rising, and sunburns are a constant threat. Does this mean the end of feeling the sand beneath your toes and listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean? No, of course not! You can tan more safely. There are a few easy steps to take beforehand to prepare yourself:
- Smooth yourself – A few days or weeks before you head to the beach, before you shower every morning, buff your skin with a body brush in gentle, circular motions to ensure smooth skin and better circulation. During your shower, exfoliate with a soft body scrub to brush away dead and dry skin. This will give your skin a soft, even surface for your tan.
- Moisten – After your shower, take the time to apply a rich body cream to seal in moisture and keep your skin feeling smooth. A daily moisturizer is essential to minimize damage to your skin from UV rays. After tanning, it doesn’t hurt to apply a cream to your skin again. If you’re on vacation, you’ll probably shower before heading out for a night on the town, so this would be the perfect time for a moisturizer.
Once you’re in the sun, limit yourself to a few hours a day, and try to avoid sun tanning during the peak hours of 11 AM and 2 PM. Always use sunscreen, as a full sun on unprotected skin is bad no matter what. A lotion with SPF 6 to 15 will still allow you to tan, based on your skin type. A good tan should take a few days. Tanning too fast is dangerous and could lead to burning and long term damage. The idea is to tan slowly. Because the act of tanning is your body’s defensive response to the sun’s rays, you don’t want to overdo it. Gradually, as you get darker, your skin will raise its natural SPF to about 3 or 4. Certainly not enough to protect you for prolonged periods, but enough for your body to know it’s hot out there. The idea is to look like you’re enjoying your summer. Keep practicing step 1 and 2 every morning before you go out.
The perfect tan means minimizing tan lines. One method is to wear a bikini and periodically adjust your straps. Another idea is a tan through swimsuit, which allows part of the sun’s rays to penetrate the fabric. The straps will still need periodic adjusting due to the knitted seams, but you have the ability to tan your entire body, even while wearing a 1-piece bathing suit, should you so desire.
Practise this daily regime, and you’ll have a great tan by the end of the week. If you treat your skin right, the sun will again be your friend. Have fun at the beach.
Check out some of the winter sun villas at Bargain Villas. You'll find great deals from private owners and major rental companies like Interhome and Hoseasons.
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Arrrgh! I lost my luggage!…but dont panic – here are 10 great tips to help.
1. Take heart: 85 per cent of all lost luggage is found within 48 hours.
2. If your case has not appeared by the time the carousel stops, check the tag of any unclaimed case similar to yours. Someone may have mistaken your case for theirs.
3. If your luggage is missing – even if you are told it is on the next flight – you must fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before you leave the airport.
4. Find out how much the airline will compensate you for immediate supplies. Some airlines will hand out cash; others will offer a refund for purchases, so keep the receipts.
5. Limit your purchases to essentials. If your bag turns up, you may not be able to claim the full amount of compensation, even if you have already spent it.
6. If your bag is not found, you must make your claim for compensation from an airline in writing within seven days.
7. The maximum you can hope to receive from an airline for your lost suitcase is about £300: compensation is based on weight and is about £15 per kg, regardless of the value of the contents.
8. You may do better claiming on your travel insurance, but check the small print: some companies do not cover checked luggage and you will still need to produce a PIR.
9. Not all insurance companies offer new-for-old replacements when it comes to clothing, even if it promises “up to £1,500” for lost luggage. Again, check the small print.
10. In Britain, luggage not reunited with its owner within 100 days is auctioned for charity. You can attend the auctions at Greasbys in Tooting, London (020 8672 2972; www.greasbys.co.uk).
5 tips to keep your luggage safe when travelling
1. Airlines mislaid 42.4 million suitcases last year, reason enough never to put anything you would hate to lose in your checked luggage.
2. A suitcase is easily parted from its luggage label. Always put a second one, with details of your flight and destination, inside.
3. If two or more people are travelling, split belongings between checked luggage so if one case goes missing, each of you will still have a change of clothes.
4. Try not to check in late: even if you make it on to the flight, your luggage might not.
5. Always lock your checked bags: an unlocked suitcase could invalidate your insurance.
Driving directions to Port Canaveral in Florida
Port Canaveral is located on the East Coast of Florida, easily reachable by major highways. Please note that segments of some of the highways are toll roads.
To print directions to fifteen locations within the Port, please click here.
If You're Driving From Home...
For driving directions from your location, visit MapQuest and use the following street addresses in Cape Canaveral, FL 32920:
Cruise Terminal #2 - 180 Christopher Columbus Drive
Cruise Terminal #3 - 220 Christopher Columbus Drive
Cruise Terminal #4 - 240 Christopher Columbus Drive
Cruise Terminal #5 - 9245 Charles Rowland Drive
Cruise Terminal #8 - 9155 Charles Rowland Drive
Cruise Terminal #10 - 9005 Charles Rowland Drive
If You're Driving From the Airport...
From Orlando International Airport (MCO) This airport is approximately 45 minutes west of Port Canaveral. Take the North Exit from the Airport, staying to the right, to S.R. 528 (Beachline Expressway) East. Take S.R. 528 directly to Port Canaveral.
From Melbourne International Airport (MLB)
Melbourne International Airport (MLB) is located approximately 25 miles (40 minutes) south of Port Canaveral. Exit east (left) out of the airport onto NASA Blvd. and follow to U.S. Highway 1. Turn left (north) onto U.S Highway 1. Travel approximately 20 minutes on U.S. Highway 1 past the intersection of S.R. 520 in Cocoa about one mile to the S.R. 528 exit. Exit and travel east on S.R. 528 (BeachLine Expressway) for approximately 10 miles, crossing the Indian River, Merritt Island and the Banana River to reach Port Canaveral.
From Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
The airport is approximately 1 hour northwest of Port Canaveral. Exit the airport south to the Central Florida Greenway (Toll Road 417). Go south 23 miles to S.R. 528's (the Beachline Expressway) eastbound exit. Go east (37 miles) to the Port.
From Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX)
This airport is located about 20 minutes from the Port in Titusville FL. Exit and drive east for three blocks; turn south onto U.S. Highway 1 to the Beachline Expressway (S.R. 528) and follow this east to the Port.
From Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
Daytona Beach International Airport is about 75 miles north of Port Canaveral. Take I-95 south to S.R. 528 East (Beachline Expressway) and follow to the Port.
Click here to find your way around.
Don't forget you can also find information on Cape Canaveral car hire and further information about the port by click here.