DENVER AREA REGION
The Denver Area has a lot to offer someone looking to buy here – whether it’s a vacation home, second home or your primary luxury residence. The town boasts thriving neighborhoods and an ethnically diverse population. Downtown Denver has an excellent mix of restaurants, clubs, boutiques, galleries and more that keep the area vibrant and fun. The city made a commitment to maintain open space and they’ve done a great job with their impressive park system.

Denver is the capital and most populated city in Colorado. It’s named the Mile High City because it sits one mile above sea level in view of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains. As in all of Colorado, outdoor recreation is big in Denver, too. There are miles of bike trails and the city parks have everything from hiking to water sports. Denver’s neighborhoods are varied and mostly because of the history of the area. Neighborhoods closest to the city are denser, older and have more brick buildings. Away from the city, you’ll see neighborhoods developed after World War II. Some neighborhoods even farther from the city, and some redeveloped parcels in the city have very suburban characteristics or are new urbanist developments. Denver is all about the lavish lifestyle. The downtown area has several high-rise luxury condominium complexes that cater to a sophisticated crowd and have the price tags to prove it. These complexes offer everything from fingerprint technology to limousine service to security – even an indoor dog park. Contemporary design with floor to ceiling windows and balconies off most rooms provide views you can only get in a high-rise. You and your guests will experience breathtaking, postcard views of the Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak and downtown Denver. Style and sophistication isn’t relegated to condominiums alone. The homes here are pretty awe-inspiring as well. Choose a contemporary style home with modern angles located in a tranquil setting yet close to town. Bright with lots of windows yet provides much needed privacy. Indoor heated pools allow you to swim all year round. Renovated historic homes offer gracious living rarely seen in today’s architecture with ornate iron gates that open to a circular driveway. Lush gardens with fountain and carriage house over the garage work seamlessly with modern amenities like an updated kitchen. An open floor plan makes it a pleasure to entertain.

Littleton is a suburb south of Denver although you’d never know it to look at it. The historic downtown looks nothing like Denver’s high-rise skyline. But Littleton’s so close to Denver that you can hike or bike the trail along the Platte River to get there. The light rail will get you there in no time or you can drive of course, but how passé. Littleton has great shopping and dining. The housing prices are less than in Denver proper with the majority being $1 million and over. There’s no proliferation of high-rise condos either. In Littleton residents usually have more acreage to spread out and many homes have horse stalls and tack rooms. The luxury is still here too with peaceful lake and mountain views, gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, home theater and separate guest quarters. Patios and decks create outdoor living and entertaining spaces. There are some ranches and historic residences here too. Land is still available if you have plans for building your own dream home.

Cherry Hills Village is one of metro Denver’s most exclusive communities. Its neighborhoods are filled with charming luxury homes. Only six miles south of Denver it’s an easy commute. This is one of the most affluent areas in Colorado. The grounds of these magnificent homes are always very impressive since that’s the first thing you see. Professional landscaping, gardens, ponds, and sometimes waterfalls or fountains make it that much more dramatic. Interiors use only the finest woods, stone, glass and tiles to create open flowing spaces for sumptuous living and easy entertaining. The magnificent mountain views are the backdrop for your picturesque home. Library, home theater, guest wing, multi-car garage, pool and wet bar are just some of the amenities included to add to the enjoyment your new luxury home. Several multi-million dollar lots are for sale so you can purchase your favorite view and build your dream home right on that spot.

Centennial is a new city, incorporated in February 2001. It’s so new in fact that many people who live in the area don’t even call it Centennial. They usually refer to the area using names of neighboring cities, like Littleton or Aurora. But it is a real city with about 100,000 residents. If you have horses, and many people in Colorado do, an equestrian estate with 30+ acres could be your definition of luxury living. The views from almost anywhere are absolutely stunning and homes will have lots of windows, many floor to ceiling, to show off the picture-perfect views. Often the interior spaces of these homes are open and airy lending themselves perfectly to entertaining guests. A separate guesthouse or wing comes in handy for friends and family. For more security, a gated community with mature landscaping and views for miles may be the ideal place for you. Amenities in many homes often include media room, wine cellar, stone patios, terraces, a pool and more. Land is available here too in case your plan for a luxury home includes starting from scratch.

Larkspur is a small town located south of Denver on the northern slope of Pike National Forest. This quiet little city has only about 300 residents who live either in neighborhoods or on ranches. Because of its location, Larkspur provides dramatic views of the Front Range foothills. If you enjoy golfing there’s a public 18-hole golf course with a pro shop, a well-appointed clubhouse, lounge and restaurant. There’s quite a bit to choose from in the way of luxury homes in Larkspur. Some are gated estates, some are ranches, some sit on multiple acres and some have professionally manicured courtyards with fountains. But rest assured, all opulent homes in Larkspur are going to have a drop dead gorgeous view no matter which room you’re in. The amenities are awesome as well. Some homes are equipped with a heated airplane hanger with runway or helipad when you’re ready to get out of town. Pool, indoor spa, hot tub, wine cellar, home theater, separate guesthouses, barns and horse jumping course are just scratching the surface of what these homes can offer you. Multiple acres and a private lakefront location with dock are also possible. Buying a luxury home in Larkspur is almost like buying a piece of heaven.

Sedalia is a census-designated place (CDP) south of Denver that has about 300 residents. An interesting fact about Sedalia is that there are more horses here than there are people. This tiny community has been able to maintain its quaint appeal despite other communities being developed on either side of it. Sedalia is an old crossroads town and its heart is on the old rail line. There are several older buildings and homes in the area plus a few craft shops and restaurants. Cherokee Ranch is an interesting place. It’s a Scottish-style castle filled with art and collections from all over the world. Fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European paintings and original drawings by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London are housed here. It’s a bit odd to find these treasures in this tiny town especially since Cherokee Ranch is a working cattle ranch. But these eccentricities are what make Sedalia a great place to own a luxury home. When you and your family crave outdoor adventure there’s fly-fishing, hiking and biking trails or camp out in the Rampart Range of Pike National Forest. If you’re feeling the spirit of the Old West you may want to buy a working cattle and horse ranch. There are several available, often private and gated. Even if you don’t buy a ranch, many of the homes in Sedalia are zoned for horses. The home styles are varied and all are awe-inspiring. Luxury log cabins built with real stone embellishments, French chateau styles, country estates, European villas – they’re all here. Multiple acreage with incredible views surrounds you and changes with every season. Ponds, trees, meadows and gardens lend privacy and beauty to your days. Extras include caretaker’s quarters, guest quarters, pool, gourmet kitchen, game room, gym, solarium, patio and outdoor lighting. Reap the rewards of your efforts with an opulent home in Sedalia.

Sambals are Balinese relishes made from red chilli, which are served with coconut rice. The food you’ll enjoy on Bali holidays is a regional take on Indonesian cuisine, with simple and tasty dishes like fried rice (nasi goreng) or fried chicken, Indonesian style. Look out for the rosy glaze of Balinese roast pork during your meals.

Called Babi Guling, this is probably the most popular dish of the Balinese people. It is prepared with chilli, coriander, garlic and lime leaves or lemon grass, and it’s spit-roasted until the meat is tender. Sometimes in Bali, pork is steamed in banana leaves; in either recipe and you are likely to see the see the pork presented on the table as a whole, shiny red pig. Green Bali Bali is a lush green island of rich forests and tropical gardens. In the forests around Ubud you can spot the playful monkeys, and there are elephants on the island too. One green haven often visited on Bali holidays are the waterfalls at Gitgit. Here, you can see clear water falling between the trees, hammering down from a height of forty metres as you float in the deep plunge pool below.

Taman Burung is another attraction; the gardens are home to hundreds of bird species, including the rare and endangered Mynah bird. There are also magnificent colours to see at the Bali butterfly park, the largest butterfly sanctuary in Asia. But you won’t have to travel far from your sun lounger to appreciate the verdant natural character of the island because the hotels in Bali have sophisticated, tropical and well-tended gardens, many with lively with hot pink and purple blossoms.

Yellow Bali As well as the hot equatorial sun and the golden sandy beaches, yellow is the shade of the intricate decorative costumes worn by Bali’s dancers during graceful oriental performances of fan and butterfly dances. The island has a number of diverse traditional performances: some are graceful ceremonial dances; others tell stories with masked characters representing mythical demons. Some shows are slapstick and comical, where the characters interact with the audience.

You can enjoy dance shows daily on Bali holidays, and the town of Ubud is especially famous for this. Blue Bali The colour that brings most pleasure on Bali holidays is the beautiful blue of the ocean. Looking out from the beach, the clear water takes on a bright turquoise colour under the clear blue skies. Exploring the ocean will introduce you to an array of tropical fish with the variety of colours of a rainbow. You can take PADI Scuba diving courses in the warm ocean waters, made available by hotels in Bali such as the Legian Beach Hotel or The Oberoi Bali. All these colours combine to make a Bali holiday a vivid and rich experience.

This gives the music a distinctly soulful feel, as the very heart of the melody lies in religious worship. If you want to experience the interesting, traditional music of Bali, a holiday there offers the opportunity to be entertained by the village orchestras, or ‘gamelan,’ as they are locally called. A gamelan is made up of a number of band members, ranging from only a few to several dozen.

The central focus of the gamelan is on percussion, and most of the instrumentalists play instruments such as the xylophone, glockenspiel, metallophones and gongs. But the gamelan is made up of other instruments too, with woodwind and strings incorporated into the compositions. Bela Bartok and Balinese Music The famous composer Bela Bartok took an interest in collecting folk music from around Europe, and he was interested in incorporating other musical traditions into western compositions.

On hearing a gamelan perform, he was inspired to incorporate Balinese music into his own works, and he wanted to bring this musical form to western audiences. His Bali holiday inspired the composition of his piece No. 109, which was entitled ‘From the Island of Bali.’ Through Bartok, Balinese music became better known throughout Western Europe, and an interest was sparked in western music lovers. This has inspired many to take holidays to Bali, where the combination of staying in a Bali luxury hotel, and enjoying the spiritual performances of the gamelans, results in an exceptional experience.

Colin McPhee and Bali’s Tabuh-Tabuhan: Toccata Colin McPhee’s chance encounter with a Balinese gamelan in New York sparked his interest in Bali, and his subsequent Bali holiday led him to dedicate a significant amount of time to exploring Balinese music. He lived there for a long period of time and even wrote a book detailing his life in Bali. He has also compiled a Bali holiday guide, detailing everything from hotels in Bali to its vibrant traditional music. While living in Bali, McPhee conducted an ethno-musicological study of the local music, and went on to complete his Tabuh-tabuhan: Toccata, a composition for which he received the Pulitzer Prize.

This unique Balinese work is divided into three movements: Ostinatos, Nocturne and Finale. To perform this work McPhee assembled his own gamelan, which was made up of two pianos and percussion instruments. The work is unique in that it fuses Balinese and western music together, with Balinese motifs in a typically western symphonic work. You will likely recognise these tunes at some point on your Bali holiday, in the music resounding from the temples and in the local village gamelan performances

Countries of destination and the nearest golf course and visit there will give you the opportunity to enjoy the many fine courses long before the ARfD golfers can fall in the next few years. As the number of holidays Bali focusing on golf, many companies offer specialist golf packages that allow you to sample the best rates with a discount as part of your journey.

Listed below are a few of the top golf courses you must play on and some of the luxury hotels in Bali that will provide a perfect base for your trip. Where to Play Golfers on Bali holidays have several championship quality courses to choose from. The Bali Golf and Country Club designed by Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright, has been voted as one of the top five golf courses in Asia by Fortune magazine. The course begins in amidst lakes and coconut trees, concluding with several holes on Nusa Beach itself. The mixture of tropical vegetation, hilly landscapes and stunning views of the Indian Ocean make it a joy to play on. The Bali Golf and Country Club is perhaps bettered only by the Nirwana Bali Golf Club. Established in 1997, it is rated by some as the best course in Indonesia.

The course is strikingly beautiful, with the three cliff top holes overlooking the ocean being particular highlights. If you are taking a Bali holiday and are a golf fan, this is the course you really don’t want to miss out on. Built into a volcanic crater, the Bali Handara Kosaido golf course is one of the oldest courses on the island. The intricate green offers a interesting challenge to even the keenest golfer, and the surrounding mountains provide the perfect backdrop for a fine day’s golf. Where to Stay There are a number of excellent golf hotels in Bali.

Le Meridien Nirwana Golf Resort and Spa is a tough one to beat, featuring the outstanding Nirwana Bali Golf Club on its grounds. For a combination of luxury accommodation and convenient access to a course, it is probably the best choice. The superb Four Seasons Ubud is another great choice, located less than an hour from Nirwana and widely regarded as one of the best hotels in Bali. Finally, the Nikko Bali Resort and Spa is located in Nusa Dua, very close to the Bali Golf and Country Club. With excellent courses, five star hotels and some truly unforgettable scenery, Bali is an ideal choice for golfers looking to explore somewhere a little different on their next golf holiday abroad

People say it’s a small world, and these days traveling to Africa is much easier than when Livingstone got himself lost up the Zambezi! Flights are frequent from most parts of the world and getting around inside Africa might be a constant adventure but mostly now it’s in comfortable four wheel drive vehicles. Trekking is, of course, open to those who want it, but it’s entirely up to you.

But why volunteering in Africa for your gap year abroad?

For many it’s the huge range of choices. If you are a keen photographer then photographing African wildlife will appeal to you. Far from being just a safari holiday, this is important conservation work and you will have the help of highly skilled professional photographers and specialist African guides with you in the bush.

What about walking with the African lion? I don’t mean looking at one through bars, I mean actually walking with young rescued and captive-bred lions as they learn to hunt before being re-introduced to the wild.

The African people need your help too. There are teaching opportunities, chances to help with African orphans, medical assistance in a variety of situations, the chance to help with infrastructure in African townships, building schools for African children. If gardening is your thing then you can help with establishing crops. Whatever your particular skill or passion African volunteer organizations will find a way for you to make the biggest impact in the shortest time.

Let’s not forget the adventure part of volunteering in Africa though. Yes, there’s work to do, but there are also the opportunities to go bungee jumping near Victoria Falls, white water rafting on the Zambezi, big game fishing of the Cape, elephant riding through the bush, surfing, snorkeling and horse riding, not forgetting the fabulous food and sampling the world-renowned South African wines. Your gap year abroad could find you sleeping on a beach somewhere, and we’re not suggesting there’s anything wrong with that some of the time, but you might want to add an adventure in Africa while you are at it!

If you are taking nice long trips and travels you might want to get an expedition backpack, something large that can last you a long time. If you are going for a walk in the park or for a night or two on a camping trip you might want to consider looking into something smaller such as daypacks or general backpacks that are very light on the shoulders and waist. These are some of the aspects you should also be looking when you are buying a backpack it is important because it allows you to continue your journey for a lot longer, the more comfortable it is the better it will be in the long run.

Next you want to check the most sensitive areas in a backpack, which can be the shoulder straps, check to see these are really cushioned. After that you want to check the back in general and see if that is comfortable, also make sure to check the waist area. There are many different types of brands as well; each brand has its own ups and downs when it comes to backpacks. The more brands you look into the more deals you will find. So make sure you do all the research and ask people around at the same time, this can be very important because this is exactly how you start your way to saving money when you are shopping.

In addition, this national park is considered as one of the biggest reserves of the Bengali Tiger. Moreover, the park is also the home of a large variety of reptiles, birds and invertebrate species like the salt-water crocodiles. Flora and Fauna of the Sundarbans National Park The coastal delta of the Sundarbans which lies on India’s Bay of Bengal mouth has a large area of mangrove forests, different flora and fauna in its unique ecosystem.

It also has a complex hydrological and geomorphologic character with climatic risks. The coastal ecosystem and natural environment of this World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is under constant threat of physical disaster because of the excessive and unscientific human interferences. Environmental and management planning for protecting as well as guarding this unique coastal ecosystem and ecology is immediately required.

Flora There are more than 60 plant species here that have the ability to withstand saline inundation and estuarine conditions on account of the tidal effects. During the month of April up to May, the Genwa’s flaming red leaves, the Kankara’s crab-like flowers as well as the Khalsi’s yellow flowers can be seen in full bloom. These are all the main attractions and add beauty to its surroundings. Commonly found trees and plants in the area include the Dhundal, Passur, Sundari, Goran, Genwa and Kankra. Fauna The Sundarbans National Park is the habitat of over 200 species of tigers. Royal Bengali Tigers developed an exceptional characteristic of bathing in saline waters.

These tigers are also famous all over the world because of its fierceness. Aside from the Royal Bengali Tiger, there are also some animals present in the area including fishing cats, wild boars, macaques, foxes and jungle cats as well as common grey mongoose, chital and flying foxes as well as pangolins. Lodgings near Sundarbans National Park Sunder Chital Tourist Lodge This lodge is located at Sajnekhali. It belongs to the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation.

The lodge has a total of 30 double bed suites, everything with complete standard amenities. There is a room package for 700 Rupees which includes a free continental breakfast and a meal. For room dormitories, the initial payment is 250 Rupees per night which includes a free continental breakfast and one full meal. The rooms are not air-conditioned though it has a great jungle ambience.

The rooms face the jungle which makes it exciting and scary all at the same time. This hotel is the only place near the Sajnekhali Forest. Sundarbans Jungle Camp This is situated along the Bali Island within the Sudarbans National Park. For inquiries and reservations, call the camp’s head office at +91-3218-214940. You can also fax them at +91-33-24854584. In addition, you can contact India’s Department of Tourism for assistance and help in their hotline +91-33-24550917. Sunderban Tiger Camp This is located along the Dayapur Island of the Sudarbans National Park. It is the only resort approved by the government and recognized in West Bengal. Visitors will have a grand time feeling very close to nature. The surroundings are very pleasant and inviting.

Where I live, right after the Thanksgiving long weekend, I get myself ready to winterize my trailer. First I take out all the food, clean it up, put things in their proper place and just basically tidey it up. I give the trailer a good washing on the outside, also don’t forget the awning as well. I open it up, prop the support arms underneath the trailer so the awning top is flat to the side of the trailer. A good power wash will clean whatever has gathered on the top of the awning. I then clean the wheels with Armoral to protect the sidewalls and then cover them with wheel covers.

Now I’m ready to flush the all the tanks. I always do this every fall to make sure the tanks are in good condition for when I open the camper up for the new season. Now once everything is cleaned out, I drain all the lines inside but running all the taps so alittle as possible of water is not left inside the lines. Now I have already bought my RV anti-freeze so I’m ready to run it through all the lines. I usually use about 4 gallons of anti-freeze so I always have some onhand in the garage. I drain the hot water tank and make sure I have the by-pass value turned on. Some RV’s have the by-pass kit already installed on the pump but I didn’t so I had to installed my own.

Now that the hot water tank is drained, I re-place the plug, flip the by-pass valve on the hot water tank and now turn the by-pass valve on at the pump. Now I place the suction line on the pump, place it in a jug of anti-freeze and turn on the pump to prime the pump with it. Now I go to the farthest tap which is my bathroom and start 1 tap to get anti-freeze through it. Once you see the pink color, stop. Go to the next tap and repeat. Then do the bath tub and shower. Once you see the anti-freeze come out, stop as the line is full now. When the jug run’s out, just replace with a full one. Now do the taps in the sinks as well. Also don’t forget to do your toilet to! On my camper the lines are clear so I see that all the lines are full of anti-freeze underneath my sink.

Once all the lines and taps are full, I pour some anti-freeze down all the traps, in the black and grey tanks and the fresh water tank. I also go outside to the city water connection, pull the mesh screen off and push on the little plug to get anti-freeze through that as well. Now my camper is winterized and good to go for the new season when I open it up and flush all the anti-freeze out!