Man’s build

The compelling spectacle of young, sunburned Brits trawling and trashing bars in Ibiza, egged on by boorish tour reps, has been well documented in the media. In the cold light of day, it is a bit embarrassing, although the subjects of these studies, one feels, are unlikely to see it that way. A recent communication from the Foreign Office indicates that this general shamelessness can be attributed to their parent’s tendency to conduct themselves in a like manner.

Drink fueled aggression is nothing new, but when this stems from the excesses of people in their fifties it really does lend credence to the adage, “a leopard doesn’t change its spots”. Another problem outlined by the FO relates to the recent vogue for adventure sports. Obviously when the patently unfit try something like bungee jumping there is health risk associated with this. But set against the background of holiday revels, people often blithely disregard this risk. Government surveys indicate that a fifth of British holidaymakers in the over 55 range try out these activities for the first time on holiday when they would normally not be tempted to at home.

It’s not just alcohol that causes problems. Overeating, combined with too much of the southern sun, is a combination that often results in sickness or, worse still, death. There are a number of incidences of tourists drowning after going swimming too soon after leaving the buffet.

The kernel of FO advice for older people contemplating holidays in the sun is to consider the consequences of excess, have a good time and take out insurance should the worst come to the worst. Many taking cheap holidays neglect to do this: a decision that can easily prove a false economy.

Mark Lauterwein is a UK based writer currently writing on holidays and cheap holidays

Okay, seriously, we are not suggesting that somebody from London or New York or anywhere really is going to drop everything and plan a vacation to Atlanta. But it is a city on the rise with a ton to offer. So, if you’re coming down here for business or to see friends and family, you now have a lot more upscale options. Actually it makes for a great road trip or weekend getaway if you are in the Southeast. To some people Atlanta is their New York when it comes to shopping and nightlife. I mean, we do have the only IKEA for miles and miles…

So what’s new in Atlanta? For starters nobody down here ever says Hotlanta. So please check that phrase at the city limits. Head downtown to the new trendy Glenn Hotel and you’ll discover b.e.d. b.e.d. is a restaurant/lounge combo great for people watching and sipping cocktails with friends. Other b.e.d.s are in NY and Miami, but somehow Atlanta is lucky enough to get the third one. Not sure who we bribed to jump ahead of Vegas and other cities, but we are damn glad your’re here. The VIP rooftop bar has the best views in town.

Checkout the largest aquarium in the world only a few blocks down the road. Waste the afternoon away in Piedmont Park and then grab a drink at the Park Tavern. Hike up Stone Mountain if you need to get away from it all.

Here are our journeyPod picks to give you some ideas:

Restaurants

Antica Posta: the best Italian in the city offering authentic upscale Tuscan dishes in a romantic redone house in Buckhead.

Haven : everything on the menu will tempt you…walk down to their sister lounge, Mix, for a drink afterwards….located in Brookhaven.

b.e.d.: food fit for a king - dine like royalty in your own private bed in Downtown…what to do after dinner? two words- VIP rooftop.

Rathbun’s: remember how hot Bluepointe was when it opened back in 1999? Well the magician has done it again with his own place in Inman Park. Chef Kevin Rathbun will blow you away with his innovative cuisine that is as tasty as it is eccentric. From the eggplant fries to Elvis’ favorite Banana Peanut Butter Cream Pie, you’ll have to show some serious indulgence control to even leave your table.

MidCity Cuisine: consistently dishes out fabulous plates in Midtown.

Nuevo Laredo: yes you can drink your margarita pitcher in the parking lot while you wait for your table…authentic Mexican with the best carne asada in the city and located on the West Side.

Apres Diem: cosmopoliton eatery and people watching with a great vibe in Midtown…perfect Sunday brunch to cure that hangover…the only place that is good every night of the week.

the globe : fusion food meets euro cafe in Midtown. Great little plates like tuna and tempura frites will hold your attention all night long.

Nan: rumor has it that Gwenyth fancies their trendy Thai treats in Midtown.

Aiko: sushi hits the dance floor at this hip Buckhead eatery.

journeyPod.com is the only place you need to visit for information on the trendiest bars and restaurants, the most luxurious hotels, and the most exclusive parties and shops for discriminating travelers. Visit journeyPod.com for the lowdown on where to go in Atlanta, New York, Miami, LA and other major cities around the world, and listing to our monthly travel podcast for the best in upscale travel and entertainment. If you like the finer things in life, journey to journeyPod.com!

We’ve discussed one of our favorite pastimes frequently here - scuba diving, but there is a further dimension to diving - freediving. Free diving has become an extreme sport where competitors attempt to attain great depths on a single breath - without the assistance of underwater breathing apparatus. However, this is not only a competitive sport. A simple definition of freediving is “an inch and a breath” - or otherwise … an inch underwater on a breath of air. You needn’t be an athlete to enjoy freediving because the sport is more about mindset, technique and correct weighting than strength.

Snorkelers do qualify, but there is one important element separating freedivers from snorkelers (and this is heresay) - apparently you achieve a feeling of true ease and relaxation under the water. You live in the moment, so absorbed that an hour under water (obviously not all in one go if you’re free diving!) erases a week of worries…

Wikipedia’s definition of freediving is: any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-holding underwater diving. Examples include breathhold spear fishing, free-dive photography, apnea competitions and, to a degree, snorkeling. The activity that garners the most public attention is competitive apnea, an extreme sport, in which competitors attempt to attain great depths, times or distances on a single breath without direct assistance of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba).

The record holder for freediving, an incredibly dangerous sport, is Patrick Musimi who dived an incredible 687 feet on one breath. He was under water for close to three minutes.

Patrick’s record is incredible. Ok - 3 incredibles… but that’s how amazing his record is! His decision to step out of the freediving competitions and go for the ‘no limit’ catagory marked him out as an extroadinary human being. According to him, this category should not be considered nor used as a sport!

His quest led him to achieve ‘the ultimate dive’.

In June 2005, within 3 weeks and only 10 dives in the Red Sea, Patrick Musimu marked history by diving consecutively to 100, 136, 151, 170, 185 metres, and on the 26 th of June, he finally reached the mythical mark of 200 metres.

On 30th June 2005, his body, exhausted, forced him to stop after a dive of 209,6 metres, shattering the deepest human performance registered by almost 40 meters. His record was finally broken by Herbert Nitsch on 14th June 2007 with a dive of 214m. See more in the next article…

Musimu is a very focused man. Listen to his thoughts on how he achieves his dives: “During a free dive I feel my mind detached from my body. As I merge into the maritime world, I separate from the predetermined idea I have of myself. Nothing is absolute and barriers are mere mental hypotheses. Little by little, my mind gains the conviction that there are no limits. In this quest, free diving becomes my instrument, which I play like a virtuoso in the silent world of great depths.”

It is not necessary to dive to 200m. After all, it’s dark down there… A 45 second dive to about 30ft is generally quite deep enough. Most of the ocean’s colour and animal life resides within 30ft of the surface so there’s little reason to go deeper. 45 seconds is generally enough time to take a few photographs, chill out with the fish, or even shoot your supper. Best of all the average person can master these sort of dives in about 2 weeks without spending valuable cash on expensive kit. Your essentials - mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and weightbelt pack easily into a duffel bag.

If you have any romantic views on achieving, or attempting to achieve, depths similar to Patrick Musimu’s - please first watch the 1988 film “The Big Blue”. Nothing but tragedy will be your reward so for heavens’ sake admire others and stick to where there is light in the ocean! - unless of course you do it properly, take instruction, etc etc etc.

To learn more about this and other extreme sports go to http://www.xtremesport4u.wordpress.com

Here we discuss such varying sports as kite surfing to wingsuit flying.

author: Lola Jones

Javea

Javea is equidistant from Valencia and Alicante, around 100 kilometres away from both. This town is the eastern most tip of Spain and is known as amanecer de espana or the dawn of Spain.

Dominating the skyline and guarding the town is Montgo, affectionately called “Elephant Mountain”. The more adventurous can explore the cave, which forms the eye of the “elephant”.

Places to Visit

Javea has three distinct areas: Old Town, Port and Arenal Beach. Massive construction activity is blurring these distinct zones and it is becoming increasingly difficult to accurately identify where one area ends and the other begins.

The Old Town retains its Spanish ambience since there is a strict control over new construction. Its narrow streets and lovely wrought iron balconies lend an old world charm which is hard to find anywhere else.

Port

It is a busy fisherman’s port where unique fish auctions are held every afternoon when the boats unload their catches. It is a very unusual sight, especially for city bred tourists and you may drop by just to soak in the ambience.

The fishermen’s church, as it is known, is barely recognisable as a church from the outside, looking like some kind of a concrete crown. Inside, the wooden ceiling is in the shape of the hull of a boat.

Arenal Beach

This is the hottest spot in Javea, with lots of shops, bars & restaurants. The road follows the coastline past seafront properties, ending in a cul-de-sac beside a very pretty cove.

Other Beaches
There are numerous beaches, including a nudist beach, all along the picturesque coastline; from the most northerly beach below San Antonio lighthouse right round to the Granadella beach, which is a favourite with divers.

Lighthouses

There are three lighthouses in Javea. The San Antonio lighthouse, above the port, Cabo La Nao, beyond Costa Nova and Balcon al Mar, all of them provide fabulous views of the sea and the bay.

History

The old town hasn’t changed much over last few centuries and has retained some traditionally built houses, around typical Spanish squares. Way back in 1871 the port was a throbbing hub. But now it has been reduced to a small fishing harbour.

Where to Go

To get a taste of the Moorish culture, visit Vall d’Ebo, Vall d’Alcala, Vall de Gallinera, and Vail de Laguart. You simply can’t miss out on a trip to Gata de Gorgos to witness the intricacies of wicker craft.

For art lovers a veritable feast of abstract art awaits them at Eusebio Sempere Museum in Alicante. They must also visit the Museum of Modern Art in Valencia.

Types of Properties

You can buy villas, apartments and houses within the town or even pick up large tracts of land in the rolling countryside.

Maybe because of its popularity among tourists real estate in Javea is more expensive then its neighbours.

Conclusion

Real estate rates in Moraira, a small town just south of Javea, are substantially lower. It has a beautiful sandy beach and several excellent golf courses.

Josh Taylor writes regularly on real estate and business topics.

Find further regional information and details on Javea Property at ValuVillas, a family business with some 20 years experience in living and working in Spain, offering simple honest advice in plain English.