Check out the amazing K8000 portable speaker – it’s LOUD!

Give your iPods, CD’s, MP3’s, Movies, and Games the sound quality they deserve with this three way solid aluminium speaker system. The compact design houses a base mounted subwoofer and midrange / treble units at each end, delivering powerful bass and perfect stereo sound. (more…)

‘Country Boy’ (album)
‘At Home In Ireland’ (DVD)
Released on 27th October (album – DMG TV) and 17th November ‘08 (DVD - demonVision)

Not many recording artists can lay claim to having sold more than 2.5 MILLION copies in the UK this millennium… but Daniel O’Donnell is one of those who can do so. (more…)

Bonhams to host Prince’s Trust / Quo 40th anniversary Art auction

To mark the fortieth anniversary of their first hit single, ‘Pictures Of Matchstick Men’, and raise money for youth charity The Prince’s Trust, Status Quo host a star-studded auction/album launch at 6pm on the 5 November 2008 at Bonhams, supported by Coutts.  (more…)

The legendary Andrea Bocelli returns this November with Incanto.

Andrea has just recently turned 50 and in the past 50 years he has enjoyed an incredible life that has already seen him perform at the Oscars, Grammys, Olympic Games opening ceremonies, the Princess Diana Concert at Wembley and Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Andrea has met most of the world leaders and heads of state and also won a number of awards including several Classical Brit Awards and ITV National Music Awards. (more…)

Katherine Jenkins is the alternative opera star and rightly referred to as ‘Britains favourite singer’. For her eagerly awaited new album, the sensational young singer Katherine Jenkins has found inspiration from the music of her childhood in the valleys of South Wales. The result, Sacred Arias is an intensely moving and heartfelt collection of pieces with a broadly spiritual theme, ranging from her favourite hymn Abide With Me to Leonard Cohen’s magnificent anthem, Hallelujah. (more…)

In December 2007 Hayley Westenra was declared the biggest selling Classical artist of the 21st Century. Her albums have sold more than four million copies worldwide to date and she is now set to release a Best Of album at the age of 21. She has performed for Her Majesty the Queen on a number occasions, President Bush, Tony Blair and Prince Charles amongst a host of others. (more…)

Looking for a record deal? Well, you’ve just found one.

That’s the message to unsigned musicians from groundbreaking new social networking site Kerchoonz.com – designed by industry insiders to keep music free for the fans whilst paying the artist. This weekend thousands of musicians are expected to sign up to Kerchoonz.com as the site opens to an expectant industry. (more…)

Minister for Pensions and Ageing Society Rosie Winterton has today welcomed the publication of a review of how the Government currently engages with older people. (more…)

Many over 60s are not prepared to sacrifice holidays despite credit crunch

Not all older people are cutting back on holidays despite the credit crunch according to a new study out today. According to a poll by Intune*, the financial products and services provider set up and owned by Help the Aged, 80% of respondents aged over 60 now take at least two foreign holidays a year, while nearly one in six enjoy more than four trips abroad. The findings show that while much of the population tightens its belt as the economy clouds over, a significant proportion of older people surveyed are not prepared to stint on their weeks in the sun and want to live a more jetset lifestyle in retirement. Less than 1% of those polled now holiday in the UK each year. (more…)

Traveling abroad to escape the cold and dreary winter months in the UK is something a lot of people do, but in the excitement of getting into your swimwear again and lounging in the sun, it’s easy to forget the message that CORGI is pushing to holiday makers, to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. (more…)

Great fares to Germany and Austria by Train from European Rail

Famous for its Christmas markets, culture and history, Germany is a great place to visit in this winter. Why not visit friends and relations in Cologne or Berlin and combine the experience? The night train now calls at Austrian ski resorts in the Tirol and Innsbruck on Fridays back Saturdays in the season. All these places are accessible with just one change in Paris or Brussels. (more…)

If New York is the coolest, hippest city on the planet, then The Bryant Park Hotel is definitely its most fashionable address, so why not think about taking a trip there soon to experience these pleasures first hand. Rising 25 stories above mid-town Manhattan and housed inside a stunning 1920’s Art Deco building, it blends drop dead gorgeous looks with 5 star attention to detail. (more…)

In the run up to the US presidential election, interest in the Democrat candidate Barack Obama has never been more fervent. People have been trying to find out about his family background and in particular his paternal family that originates from Kenya. The media interest has resulted in the number of tourists wanting to find out about the region has increased. (more…)

RADISSON SAS, part of one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, has entered into a partnership with the country’s leading green accreditation scheme to ensure all its UK venues are environmentally friendly within 12 months. The chain of upmarket hotels with prime sites across the country - including Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Stansted – has signed a deal with the Green Tourism Business Scheme to achieve environmental certification for all its establishments. (more…)

More ..

New ..

New …

Gift! Celebrations! Walks Galore!

This Christmas the Ramblers’ Association is urging people to wrap up warm, step and join thousands of merrymakers up and down the country in celebrating the 20th anniversary of their annual free Festival of Winter Walks with its biggest ever walking festival. It is sponsored by Nature Valley Snack Bars. (more…)

B&Bs in Powburn, Harbottle and Simonburn have achieved Northumberland National Park B&Bs for Bumblebees 2008 Awards for their friendliness to the natural environment and their welcome to six native bumblebee species in particular.

This years’ winners, who will receive their awards at the Elm Tree Tea Room in Rothbury at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th November, are: (more…)

The Ramblers’ Association has welcomed Natural England’s decision to scrap the ill-fated ‘Discovering Lost Ways Project’, and to make a fresh start to the process of mapping and recording of historic rights of way. Janet Davis, RA rights of way policy coordinator, looks at the background to the scheme and explains why now is the time for the Government to repeal its 2026 cut-off date for recording historic rights of way. (more…)

Leading overseas development agency CARE International have created a new and innovative brand of outdoor challenge. (more…)

THOUSANDS of foodie’s delved in to the full bodied flavour of Cheshire when it came to life for a celebration of everything that’s tasty about the county. Visitors flocked to The Hollies Farm Shop, at Little Budworth in the heart of Cheshire, for the Vale Royal Food and Garden Festival with Vale Royal Borough Council to celebrate the ‘Taste of Cheshire’. (more…)

Something a little different

Fancy a light, bright, Asti-type sparkling wine? The Prosecco grape, grown about 40 miles north of Venice, produces a somewhat bitter and acidic white wine, but the real magic is that when it is made in a sparkling, or more accurately ‘’spumante” style, the wine’’s tartness is softened into a slightly sweet, lightly frizzante bubble, and the result is quite simply a refreshing, light, ”fun” sparkling wine. (more…)

ORGANIC PHARMACY by Margo Marrone publishing January 09

THE ORGANIC PHARMACY is the definitive guide to natural health and beauty for everyone seeking to optimize the way they and their whole family look and feel. Designed with stunning photography throughout, it is packed full of information on herbal remedies, homeopathy and nutrition. It also shows how these approaches to healing can work with your own body’s systems to enhance your health and beauty. This complete handy reference book features organic treatment plans for more than 30 ailments including sore throats, arthritis, infertility and acne. Margo draws upon her considerable years of experience and offers guidance on creating your own personal skincare regime, to keep you looking and feeling younger and more vibrant. Featuring organic treatment plans for over 30 ailments including sore throats, arthritis, infertility and acne, you will discover why so many celebrities including Kylie, Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker, swear by Margo’s remedies. (more…)

Lowri Turner reveals why her mother’s AMD diagnosis has changed her outlook, she doesn’t mince her words. The London born and bred fashion journalist come TV presenter, 42, is as well known for her controversial newspaper columns and says that she is still coming to terms with her mother’s diagnosis of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). 

AMD affects the central part of the retina in one or more usually both eyes, causing progressive loss of central and detailed vision and is the most common reason for people in the UK to be registered blind. Estimates suggest that as many as 2.5 million people in the UK unknowingly have the disease. The condition can be easily identified by having regular eye tests, with early treatment helping to combat its effects. (more…)

Bausch & Lomb, the eye health company dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life, has unveiled a groundbreaking range of vitamin and mineral supplements developed to help preserve eye health. 

PreserVision Soft Gels by Bausch & Lomb are high potency antioxidant supplements developed from the only formulation tested in a 10-year eye health study1. Conducted by the US National Eye Institute, the study monitored health in over 4,000 50-80 year-old participants, and found that the supplements could be effective in preserving eye health in those susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (more…)

It’s well-known that some of the best gifts come in the smallest of packages. Those gorgeous pearl drop earrings you’ve been eyeing for instance, or perhaps a thin paper voucher worth an unrivalled, relaxing trip to one of the UK’s most renowned and holistic retreats – Grayshott Spa, Surrey. Gift vouchers of £100, £150 and £250 denominations are the perfect way to show your friends and family that you care - a thoughtful gesture and always appreciated especially when they lead to some much-needed, pampering ‘me’ time. (more…)

Let’s face it; shopping for Christmas gifts is stressful enough and fighting the crowds can be daunting, even for the most seasoned shopaholic. Instead of resorting to that ‘perfect-for-your-sister-in-law’ pair of pink earmuffs you know will be returned, opt for a luxurious gift from cult-beauty brand ila – both stressed out office execs and natural beauty junkies on your gift list will thank you. Made from only natural ingredients and chemical free, ila’s glow-generating goodies will calm and purify both body and mind and are sure to remain tub-side rather than be re-gifted. The entire range is designed to balance, purify and energise the whole body for a feeling of total wellbeing. (more…)

Normally, if you make a claim on your Buildings or Contents insurance, your home insurance provider will charge you an excess. This is the first part of each claim that you will have to pay and will include the compulsory excess set out by your insurer and any voluntary excesses that you have opted to pay on top of that.

(more…)

Online directory and authority on travelling in style, Travel Notebook, is giving snow sports fans the inside track on the best boutique hotels and chic chalets available at renowned resorts around the world. From contemporary cabins in Chamonix to designer digs in Aspen, the site presents its top ten on and off-piste properties - guaranteed to delight the most demanding snow queens and kings. Site founder and travel connoisseur, Lisa Corcoran, says: “Winter sports fans tired of traditional ‘Heidi’ hotels may not know how to find high style, design-led alternatives, and a random search on the internet will only result in information overload. With ski season just around the corner, why not delegate your decision making to Travel Notebook. We’ve already done the hard work researching scores of stylish spaces to give you the edited highlights.” (more…)

Head to Nevada this winter for some truly great skiing! The ski season opens in November and runs through to April and with more than 33 feet of snow annually at some ski resorts, unlimited nightlife and the stunning scenery of Lake Tahoe, it’s no wonder that hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Nevada each year. 

The best skiing in the state is at Lake Tahoe where many Olympic athletes train on the snowy slopes surrounding the lake, and many holidaymakers flock to each year to try their hand at skiing and snowboarding. The most famous Tahoe ski resorts are Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and Heavenly Mountain Resort, which straddles the Nevada-California state line, but there are actually nearly 20 ski resorts surrounding the lake, and all within a quick drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Read on to find out what’s happening this winter in Nevada. (more…)

and Enjoy A Holiday At Samui Beach Village With Villas For Group Travel In Koh Samui 

If you’re tired of hearing about the credit crunch and wonder how a lack of funds will affect your travel plans, the luxurious Samui Beach Village resort has a great selection of luxury villas in Koh Samui for you and a group of friends that won’t break the bank. (more…)

Winter sports prove rather nifty for the adventurous over fifties

Proving that age is nothing but a number, this year has seen a sharp increase in the number of over fifties taking up skiing and other winter sports, and the trend isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. According to a survey done for the National Ski Areas Association, almost one in three skiers last season was age 45 or older. More and more older people are trading in the traditional coach tours for ski holidays and hitting the slopes in a bid to stay fit and active. (more…)

Everest Sherpa village

On 24th September 1975, Mount Everest’s southwest face was successfully scaled for the first time by British climbers Dougal Haston and Doug Scott. 33 years on and the world’s highest peak remains an ambitious calling for climbers of all levels. Walks Worldwide offers a 13-day Everest in Style guided tour along the trail to Everest Base Camp, climbing as far as Tengboche Monastery (3,867m). Sample all the excitement the route offers whilst staying at lower (and safer) altitudes – without the need for crampons and oxygen tanks! Seasonal daily UK departures are available NOW! (New season begins September 2008 till April 2009). (more…)

DK Eyewitness Travel continues to expand its range of South America guides with the new DK Eyewitness Travel Argentina bringing its breathtaking landscapes and enchanting cities alive. With some of the world’s tallest mountains, most impressive waterfalls and famous national parks, as well as the cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina has something for everyone. (more…)

The charming and relaxed city of Amsterdam is one of Europe’s top short break destinations, and DFDS is now offering autumn mini breaks to Amsterdam from just £49 per person. Taking a wonderful DFDS cruise to the picturesque city of Amsterdam is a wonderful way to relax and take time out. Once you arrive in Amsterdam, you can take advantage of its wealth of exciting museums and parks, take a stroll through the beautiful Vondel Park, and enjoy the sights on the canals and outdoor cafes. (more…)

DFDS SEAWAYS CONTINUES TO PROVIDE FERRY SERVICE FOR SCOTTISH TRAVELLERS

DFDS Seaways (http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/) provides an alternative for Scottish travellers after the closure of the super fast ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge this September. DFDS Seaways gives Scottish travellers a quick and easy alternative to the super fast service with daily sailing from Newcastle and Holland, allowing passengers with easy access to continental Europe. (more…)

All it takes is a sudden pull or twist, or a bend or a stretch too far. The result can so easily be a sprain or strain - leading to aches, pains, twinges, stiffness and the kind of discomfort that makes it hard for you to move the joint normally.

(more…)

Most Home insurance policies offer the option to cover your personal possessions when you take them outside of your home, whether you are just travelling locally or going on a holiday to distant shores.

(more…)

The festive season may seem a long way away but book early and you can enjoy DFDS Seaways’ six night River Cruise Break to Germany’s Rhine Valley. Celebrate Christmas and New Year onboard with carols, gifts and food. With limited availability the break includes two nights onboard sailing between Newcastle and Holland and four nights cruising the Rhine. With DFDS Seaways your holiday truly starts the moment you step on board. Simply check in to your cabin and relax. With shops, restaurants and bars, and live entertainment on routes from Newcastle there’s fun for all the family. And while you relax we’ll take you over to Europe so you arrive refreshed and ready to enjoy your holiday. (more…)