Highest-Paid Actresses 2011

Make no mistake, this list isn’t necessarily a top 10 of the best in the country but more of a list that complies with our image as a company. Listed here are just really desirable hotel and spa breaks we think you would enjoy. Some of these we already have on site and some that we would absolutely die for.

10 - The Savoy - London

Standing since 1889, The Savoy is a true London icon. Synonymous with the capitals heritage and style and situated on the banks of the Thames with The London Eye for a view, this place just screams London. It has recently been the recipient of a £100 Million revamp, the hotel seamlessly blends its original decor with the upgrade of fabulous art deco where all 268 of its rooms just state elegance.

9 - The Langdale – Windermere, Cumbria

The Langdale in the ‘Lakes’ is a resort comprising luxury hotel accommodation, self-catering lodges and cottages, all of which are marked at least 4*with almost every review it gets. An absoloutely brilliant venue that has some fabulous spa days available. Set in the heart of Cumbrian woodland with exclusive streams and rivers, this idyllic location also has top notch spa and 2 AA rosette restaurant, you really will NOT want to leave.

8 - St. Brides – Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

St. Brides Spa and Hotel comes in at number 8 on our least purely because its destination. With its contemporary design and magical views overlooking the harbour with elevated views over the beautiful Carmarthen Bay, this place is a real treasure. Look out for the outdoor hydrotherapy pool on the cliff top.

7 - The Feversham Arms & Verbena Spa hotel – Helmsley, North Yorkshire

Situated on the very edge of North Yorkshire Moors in the picturesque market village of Helmsley, this lovely quaint hotel is perfect base to explore the local towns shops or galleries or even the moors and further along is the coast. You can also make use of their spa that was recently given a 5 bubble award by the good spa guide.

6 - Ragdale Hall – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Spa breaks at Ragdale Hall offer the perfect antidote to the stresses of working and family life. One of the finest locations we have on site, it has one a Health Spa of the Year award year by year for the last 10 years. A Luscious place with an excellent range of spa breaks. Definitely worth a go.

5 - Cliveden House – Taplow, Berkshire

Cliveden House is unique in many ways. One of the more regal on our list, it has an absolutely brethtaking spa and is surrounding by 376 acres of wondrous gardens and parkland. Notable guest of the hotel have included the likes of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.

4 - Sheraton Grand – Edinburgh

The Sheraton Grand, the only location on the list from Scotland but what it makes up for the lack of numbers make up in quality and then some! It is one of Scotlands most famous spas. Situated just beneath Edinburgh Castle, this 5* star hotel boasts 269 rooms, each more beautifully designed than the last, an a world class spa on the roof.

3 - W London – London

Situated on Leicester Square, this little delight is the envy of all local Hotels. It boasts 192 rooms, 21 suites including 3 spa suites, on site speciality spa and world class restaurant. This place has got everyone talking.

2 - The Club – Jersey

Described as Jersey's most exciting luxury boutique hotel, this stunning hotel partnered with its Michelin star restaurant ‘Bohemia’ and magnificent spa is a real treat. Just a stones throw away from the beautiful Jersey beaches too. Stylish yet comfortable.

1 - The Scarlet – Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Gazing upon the Atlantic Ocean, is The Scarlet Hotel famed for its beauty and ethic of being an Eco-Hotel . Boasting local produce for its fabulous food, the restaurant is an absolute joy. Having just the 37 rooms here only serves to emphasise that feeling of intimacy, which is a good thing. The spa is also outrageously beautiful with its own signature of interior design and just adds to the feeling that this place is just lovely.

• Reference/Source: ineedpampering.com by Angelika Adviento

About I Need Pampering Established in early 2005, I Need Pampering was created to cater for those that demand the very best in gift experience shopping. All our gift experiences have all been carefully selected from some of the top UK suppliers in the industry, most of them being award winning and innovative, known for their professionalism and expertise. We are continually growing year on year and have thousands of you coming back for more great gifts, so we must be doing something right. Our mission statement is a simple one, to deliver the best customer service to accompany the best packages and products the industry has to offer. We know that if you are impressed with your certificate, first of all you are going to remain a regular customer, and secondly, there is no greater tool than word of mouth advertising. Everything about our website has been carefully researched, thought-out and crafted to the tiniest detail to provide you with a pleasant, easy and exciting shopping experience. Spa days and spa breaks are our speciality with a host of the finest Spa Hotels and resorts in the UK. We also specialise in luxurious boutique hotel breaks and glamorous photoshoot makeovers. We are pleased to say that we are not just bound by the pampering experiences (exquisite as they may be) I Need Pampering has something for everyone. All of us here at I Need Pampering are constantly scouting the country for new and exciting locations for fabulous spa days and hotel breaks for not only you to enjoy but for us too, as we love a bit of pampering as well. Its tiring work providing you guys with the best experiences around. Customer feedback is also paramount to us. Whether you are buying this gift for yourself or a corporate gift you are guaranteed a fabulous time just remember to tell us about your day. Writing a customer review will earn you I Need Pampering reward points in the same that way that you would when making a purchase. I need pampering are now also featured with Ideal World Shopping and Ideal World Vitality channels, so look out for even more great gift experiences on the TV. Luxury online shopping has never been easier!

In terms of crazy stuff, I always got a thing from Oddee.com who usually showcased weird stuff articles. I gotta say thanks to that!

A toilet is a plumbing fixture primarily intended for the disposal of human excreta: urine and fecal matter. Additionally, vomit and menstrual waste are sometimes disposed of in toilets in some societies. The word toilet describes the fixture and, especially in British English, the room containing the fixture.

In American English, the latter is euphemistically called a restroom or bathroom. The latter term often describes a room that also contains a bath tub. A room with only a toilet and a sink is sometimes called a half-bathroom, a half bath, or a powder room.

Yeah, so much for the definition. I present to you 10 of the world's weird toilets:

1 - MP3 Toilet

Besides including gizmos like a seat heater, automatic washer, and electronic controlled seat, this toilet includes a full fledged MP3 player with a SD card slot. The control panel with the MP3 player can be attached on the wall. 16 classic tunes are included with the SD card. The MP3 player can Random playback, One Tune playback and so on. It conserves power by studying the time patterns of usage and thus not heating the seat when the toilet is least used. The fully loaded N5A seat costs $1750.

2 - Aquarium toilet

Add a little life to your bathroom with this live aquarium. The fully functioning tank fits American Standard bowls. Custom bowl installation is available. It was designed by Oliver Beckert and it features a 3/8" acrylic tank, 1.6 gpf., and 22" x 14" x 9" deep.

3 - Waterless Toilet

This toilet is ingenious. Although it looks like a UFO, the main purpose of this toilet is to provide a fully-functioning, hygienic toilet that contains all pollution and sterilizes all the harmful bacteria without the use of chemicals, running water, or electricity. The container is portable, compact, easy to assemble, and is great for rural, developing areas.

4 - Public Semi-Transparent Toilet

It is impossible to see into the toilet, which is free to use, but the person inside can see passers-by. An artist has created this usable public toilet in a glass cube to challenge the curiosity -and bravery- of people passing London's Tate Britain gallery. Visitors have to "defy their own embarrassment" to use the minimalist cubicle, made from one-way mirrored glass.

5 - Portable Toilet

The Insipod is a portable Toilet that works like a tent. When not in use, it fits in a small wrapped package. But when deployed, the nylon shell spreads out like a balloon to not only provide privacy but also to contain all the smells that come with using the restroom.

6 - Dagobert Throne Toilet

Take your bathroom back a few years with this pull chain antique style toilet that perfectly accents a clawfoot bathtub in your vintage bathroom. The toilet comes with an ashtray, candle holder, and hand painted toilet bowl and plaque. It includes a song when lid is raised, and features a solid ash throne with 3 layers of polyurethane coating, a pull chain flush with bell, ashtray in arm, and a candle.

7 - Hands-Free Toilet

A company called "Bottoms Up LLC" claims to have ushered in the dawning of a new age, with its hands-free toilet seat. It's essentially a toilet set with a motor that lifts it up and down without having to touch it. Probably a good thing for public restrooms. No more having to lift the seat with the sole of my shoe.

8 - Incinerating Toilet

You first press a button to start the heating system and then put a special purpose coated paper bowl liner (coffee filters just won't do) down between two sloping pieces of steel. This is the gateway to Hades. You then poo or pee into the paper filter, step onto a lever, and wave goodbye to your human by-products and any toilet paper! It is manufactured by Incinolet.

9 - Massaging Toilet

The Royalet super seats installs onto your standard toilet, and gives you all the functions you could imagine: washing, heating, deodorising, massaging, drying... you even set the water and seat temp!

10 - Disappearing Urinal

The Urilift system is a two-meter high stainless steel cylinder with three alcoves, each with a urinal, and no doors. By day, the Urilift is lowered below street level for a nice clean look. Then at night, an operator comes by with a remote and the Urilift hydraulically lifts to sidewalk level in about two minutes. Then the unit is ready to serve all the nighttime party animals who don't mind peeing in a very exposed public urinal. The $75,000 system has been installed across the Netherlands, and have spread to London and Belfast, but Victoria will be the first North American city to try them out.

• Reference/Source: Oddee.com [5/28/2007]

I found this great post from Allure.com by Daisy Shaw about these new makeup looks. Looks like it's trending for women. Take a peek.

Sexing up your look takes more than a red lip stain and tousled hair (but that's a good place to start). It also takes restraint, grace, and the ineffable ability to make it look like you didn't fuss for hours over every last detail. In that spirit, we offer you our favorite sexy new looks that actually only take about 30 seconds to create.

Natural Moisturized Lips

Sex kittens the world over swear by this one: Apply a lipstick that matches your natural lip color, then make your mouth superglossy by coating it in clear balm or gloss.

Glowing Skin

If you're wearing anything cut up to here or down to there, you can't neglect your arms, decolleté, and legs. A good body lube, like Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil, will make the skin look smooth, dewy, and that most tantalizing of adjectives, supple.

Orange-Red Lips

Every woman is a mere two lipstick swipes away from sexpot. The key is getting the shade right—too red spells harlot, too orange is plain ugs. Try mixing shades, like makeup artists did to create the perfect shade at the spring 2010 Prada show: a little bit of Make Up For Ever Lacquered Lipstick in Fluorescent Orange blended with Laura Mercier Crème Lip Colour in Truly Red. (Or M.A.C. Lipstick in Lady Danger will get you there in a single swipe.)

Metallic Lids

It takes a certain kind of woman—specifically, the smoking hot kind—to get away with eyelids dripping in rich gold shadow. Don't wimp out with safe bronze or pale copper—try pure gold, like Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Busy Signal, smeared on from the lashes to the crease.

Warm Cheeks

Nothing says corn-fed, golly-gee sweetness like naturally blushing cheeks. And since you can absolutely fake that kind of Lolita glow, there's rosy cream blush. Rub it on the apples of your cheeks and let the hair twirling begin.

Light Pink Lips

You can keep biting your lips for hours, or you can do it the easy way. Apply a light—almost peony—pink lipstick and blot it slightly so it looks more natural. L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Pink Lady is the perfect demure shade.

Lived-in Eyeliner

Smoky eyeliner always makes the sexy list for two reasons: 1) It makes people think of sex and 2) we forget the second one. The trick is to take a black pencil, cream liner, and powder shadow and go to town around the eyes—trace the lashes with the pencil and cream liner, smudge the lines gently with a brush or cotton swab, and then swipe black cream and powder shadows from the lids to the crease, brusquely blending as you go.

Warm Skin

To gives skin a warm, sunny glow, try St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse—it doesn't streak, and thanks to its Aromaguard technology, it doesn't stink, either.

Dramatic Winged Liner

In the interest of full disclosure, this does take more than 30 seconds, but not much. And once you have winged eyeliner in place, no one will notice your other makeup anyway. Line the top and bottom lashes with black liquid liner, then flip the upper line out slightly at the outer corners (a credit card is good for making the wing straight). Try Shiseido The Makeup Fine Eyeliner.

Violet Eyes

Your neutral greige shadow will not exactly leave the opposite sex panting. Kick up the intrigue level with a shimmery purple shade applied from the lash line to the crease, then line the upper lid with deep violet liquid liner—a look inspired by one of the sexiest shows we've seen to date, Versace spring 2010. (We love Sonia Kashuk Enhance Eye Shadow in Purple Velvet and Almay Intense i-Color Liquid Liner in Purple Amethyst.)

• Reference/Source: Allure.com by Daisy Shaw

If your aim is to be lively and robust in your 80s and 90s, you'll need to learn some anti-aging secrets. Forget praying for younger-looking skin. These rules—handed down by the top dermatologists in the country—are guaranteed to deliver brighter skin and fewer lines.

1. Wear sunscreen—and not just at the beach.

Rain or shine, "liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection every day is the single most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage and skin cancer," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day. We love Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunblock SPF 50 (for normal skin), Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen (for oily skin), and Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40 (for sensitive skin).

2. Quit smoking.

In addition to causing cancer and bad breath, smoking cigarettes "destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm," says New York City dermatologist Fredric Brandt.

3. Use a retinoid.

It's the best way to slow down the clock with a cream. "Retinoids minimize the appearance of existing age spots and fine lines and prevent new ones from forming," says New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf. Try Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol.

4. Stay hydrated.

No, Diet Coke doesn't count. "The more hydrated your skin, the better your wrinkles will look," says Montclair, New Jersey, dermatologist Jeanine Downie. "Drink lots of water, cut back on coffee and soda, and moisturize regularly." Try L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Day/Night Cream (for normal to dry skin) or Philosophy On a Clear Day Oil-Free Moisturizer (for oily skin).

5. Sleep well.

The expression "beauty rest" actually has some science behind it. "Not only does your skin require downtime to repair itself, but sagging skin and puffiness around the eyes make wrinkles look much worse," says Great Neck, New York, dermatologist Jeanette Graf.

6. Maintain a healthy weight.

Not surprisingly, yo-yo dieting isn't great for your skin. "Skin loses elasticity over time," Waldorf says. "The more your weight fluctuates, the harder it is to snap back into shape."

7. Eat right.

"Your skin receives nutrients not only from creams and treatments, but also from the food you eat," Waldorf says. "The more balanced your diet, the younger you'll look. And if you're not taking a multivitamin, start now." To keep skin happy, eat more fatty fish (such as salmon), dark green vegetables (like broccoli and spinach), almonds, and walnuts. Drink lots of antioxidant green tea. And lay off the refined sugar and booze—both cause aging inflammatory reactions in the skin.

8. Get moving.

"Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and promotes a glowing, healthy-looking complexion," Downie says. "Working out for just 30 minutes four or five days a week can make a huge difference."

9. Try to relax.

The mind-body connection is a powerful one. "Do whatever you need to do to decompress," Waldorf says. "Stress causes cells to age faster, which absolutely shows on the skin."

10. Don't pick.

You got the same advice when you were a teenager. "Sun damage causes dark spots as you age, but so does picking at your blemishes," Waldorf says. "And since the skin takes a lot longer to repair itself as you age, the spots won't disappear right away." To clear up an outbreak, try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, which contains benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria, and lipo-hydroxy-acid to help keep pores clear. If—against doctors' advice—you did pop that zit, use Clean & Clear Advantage Popped Pimple Relief Drying Paste, an overnight treatment that will help it heal.

• Reference/Source: Allure.com
• Reference/Source: shopping at yahoo.com by Kristin Perrota(Allure.com)

Most of us have simple demands when it comes to travel lodging– a bed, a bathroom, a TV and wi-fi. There are others, however, whose demands far eclipse the simple convenience of your basic hotel room. When the world’s most wealthy travelers take a vacation for their own, they are treated to suites that cover entire floors of a hotel building, rooms that include a personal butler, hell– some even come with their own private helicopter. Take a peek into the experience of the world’s most wealthy travelers.

Thanks to Nachocelebrity for writing this Top10 article.

1 – Royal Villa at Grand Resort Lagonissi
Athens, Greece ($50,000 a night)

The Grand Resort’s Royal Villa gives the world’s most exclusive guests a private version of everything imaginable. The only other people lucky guests have to see while secluded in their heated pool, steam room or private beach is the suite’s dedicated butler, chef and pianist.

2 – Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms Casino Resort
Las Vegas ($40,000 a night)

Hugh Hefner’s Playboy-themed suite at the Palms Casino resort has a $700,000 jacuzzi that cantilevers out above the Las Vegas strip. The 10,000 square-foot, two-story suite comes with around-the-clock butler service and a rotating bed set beneath a mirrored ceiling.

3 – Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons
New York ($34,000 a night)

The Ty Warner Penthouse practically floats in Manhattan. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround all sides of the massive suite, surrounding guests in 360-degree views of the city skyline from atop Manhattan’s tallest hotel. The nine-room suite has walls inlayed with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics, and the room itself includes a private butler, unlimited global calling and TVs programmed to receive every channel in the entire world.

4 – Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel
Geneva, Switzerland ($33,000 a night)

President Woodrow Wilson reportedly suffered from high blood pressure, so it’s safe to assume he would have appreciated a stress-free stay at President Wilson Hotel’s Royal Penthouse Suite. Consuming the entire top floor of the hotel, the four-bedroom suite can hold up to 40 guests in its cocktail lounge and is said to be the best digs for heads of state wanting to make an impression when they’re in town on United Nations business.

5 – Bridge Suite at The Atlantis
Paradise Island, Bahamas ($25,000 a night)

The 10-room Bridge Suite at Bahamian resort The Atlantis fills the entire space linking the hotel complex’s two flagship towers. Forbes reports the suite has hosted guests including Oprah and Michael Jackson.

6 – Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton
Moscow, Russia ($18,200)

Floor-to-ceiling windows outline the Ritz-Carlton Suite at the hotel chain’s Moscow location. Imperial furniture fills the 2,500 square-foot suite, which comes with a heated floor, a grand piano and a library. The suite has views of the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral and visitors get to enjoy five meals a day and their very own KGB-approved autonomous energy supply system and secure telecommunications array.

7 – Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab
Dubai, United Arab Emirates ($18,000 a night)

A two-story suite that centers around an epic staircase, Burj Al Arab’s Royal Suite has Carrara marble floors, mahogany furniture and a master bedroom with a rotating four-post canopy bed. Guests enjoy Hermes bathroom products, Faubourg fragrances, their own private elevator and cinema and for a bit extra– a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce or helicopter.

8 – Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond
Geneva, Switzerland ($17,500 a night)

Le Richemond’s Royal Armleder Suite reopened in 2007 after an extensive restoration of the hotel’s seventh floor, which the luxury suite occupies the entirety of. The suite is bedecked in gold, mosaics and parquet floors and has a 300 square-foot terrace with stunning views of Geneva and the nearby Alps.

9 – Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V
Paris, France ($16,000 a night)

The George V in Paris boasts a pair of “sumptuous” Royal Suites that each come with private terraces and rooms filled with antique furniture. Each suite has a marble entrance, a full kitchen, a sauna and a separate bathroom for guests. The expensive 2,600 square-foot suites are split into separate spaces for sleeping and entertaining, both of which also have a private office.

10 – Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt-Vendôme
Paris, France ($15,500 a night)

Situated on the second floor of the Park Hyatt-Vendôme’s Haussmanian building is the hotel’s 750 square-foot Imperial Suite. Thise pricey suite has high ceilings, a dining room, kitchenette and bar. When visitors tire of toiling, they relax with an “In Suite Spa” that comes outfitted with a steam room, Whirlpool and built-in massage table.

• Reference/Source: Nachocelebrity [Tuesday, January 18, 2011]

10 - Make Daily Lists/Updates Of Short-Term And Long-Term Goals

In 1932, an Austrian psychiatrist named W. Beran Wolfe summed up his life philosophy by saying, “If you observe a really happy man, you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden, or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert.” Turns out, Wolfe was right. This idea of keeping busy, setting goals and committing to them does improve happiness. Find a happy man, and you will find a project.

9 - Plan Out Your Meals For The Week

While it’s fairly well known that certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can bring you down, your food and mood do share a complex relationship. Unfortunately, scientists haven’t quite identified exactly which are directly correlated with which, especially over the long term. That being said, planning your meals is still an important way to ensure that you’re getting the right mix of micro and macro nutrients to avoid any ill-advised deficiencies.

8 - Schedule Your Vacations Two Months In Advance

Vacations are a great way to kick back, relax and let all the troubles of the world fade away -- at least that’s the idea, right? According to a 2010 study that followed 974 Dutch vacationers, going on a vacation doesn’t improve your happiness at all, at least not after you’ve returned. But the benefit lies in the weeks leading up to your vacation. In the study, the effect of vacation anticipation boosted happiness for a full eight weeks. So by scheduling vacations -- even minor trips -- often and well in advance, you’ll always be looking forward to your next adventure.

7 - Plan Out Your Social Activities Four Days In Advance

Okay, it may sound like a bit of a stretch, but planning your social activities in advance will let you better target specific factors that influence happiness. Allow us to explain. Aside from just socializing and nurturing your relationships, you may choose to spend some time with some of your more positive friends or you could plan an activity where you help a friend in need. Nurturing relationships, cultivating optimism and performing acts of kindness have all been linked to improving happiness.

6 - Try One New Hobby Every Three Months

Hobbies are a great way to lift your spirits. Not only does a new hobby give you a chance to set and commit to goals (a key determinant of happiness), but hobbies also offer the opportunity to make new friends and socialize (another important determinant of happiness). By diversifying your hobbies to include larger social activities and more personal, intimate projects, you’ll be able to address both the external and internal factors that determine happiness.

5 - Take A Nap

We all need a little time to unwind, but for many of us, that time doesn’t come until the very end of our day. Unfortunately, that’s just not good enough. Research continues to grow in support of short naps, whether to sharpen the mind or improve your mood. Although timing will always be an issue and napping isn’t always an option, trying to squeeze a short nap into your day, even every other day, will make you a happier man -- unless you're caught sleeping on the job.

4 - Unplug To Relax

If a quick nap isn’t possible, your next best bet is a mental break. “Unplug” and go for a walk, listen to music, meditate, or try some deep breathing exercises -- anything to give your mind a chance to unwind. Meditation, for example, has been shown in a number of studies to reduce stress. By including some method of relaxation into your daily routine, you’ll be sure to stay refreshed, rejuvenated and revitalized.

3 - Get Sunlight Every Day

Even just a few generations ago, our ancestors were outside much of the day, soaking up the sun as they worked the fields. Nowadays, however, the typical working man or woman may see less than 30 minutes of sunlight each day (in the winter). Unfortunately for all of us, there are piles of evidence that point to how the weather affects your mood. In fact, there is an entire disorder relating to the lack of sunlight during the winter, seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The good news is that any bright light, not necessarily sunlight, can help to break the spell. Although there’s no definitive rule of thumb, many experts recommend at least 30 minutes of direct sunlight or bright light to help break out of the funk.

2 - Have Regular Sex

As if we needed to tell you, sex makes you happy. But what you may not know is it’s more valuable than, of all things, money in that regard. Back in 2004, after analyzing survey data on 16,000 people, Dartmouth researchers studying the health benefits of sex found that increasing intercourse from once a month to once a week led to an increase in happiness equivalent to that generated by an additional $50,000 in income to the average American. If only there was a way to successfully communicate this information to wives everywhere, huh? It may not be exactly clear whether more sex directly equals more happiness or if happier people just tend to have more sex. Either way, though, it’s hard to imagine many people frowning during the dirty deed.

1 - Treat Exercise As A Non-Negotiable
Whether you’re trying to lose weight, fight disease or simply boost happiness, exercise should almost always be on the table. In fact, it might just be the single most important activity to improve your health. It therefore follows that you should treat it as a non-negotiable. Sure, you might skip the gym from time to time, but generally speaking, you should be including both structured (e.g. cardio training) and non-structured (e.g. taking the stairs) activities into your daily routine. In the long run, no pun intended, you’ll thank us -- with a large smile upon your face.

• Reference/Source: askmen.com by Jacob Franek(a Toronto-based health writer and epidemiologist with experience in all facets of health care.)

Adventure tourism is becoming popular day by day. And of these the most common form is hiking. So there is always a lookout for the best hiking trails that one can go on.
Here is a list of the top ten popular trails.

But these are not all and everybody has their personal favorites.

1. Inca Trail, Peru

Undoubtedly, the most talked after trail in the adventure tourism world is the Inca Trail of Peru. In fact there are many trails in the Andes which are called Inca Trails. But the most famous of all these is the trail that leads one to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city. The trail, the ‘Classic’ version of the many, starts from Cuzco. The trail wanders through the ruins of Patallacta, Runkuraqay and gives a view of Sayaqmarka. The trail is lined with rivers, lakes and thick jungle at some places. It will lead one through an Inca tunnel and there are number of drop offs all along. The longest of the trails takes several days and there is also a single day trek.

2. Monte Fitzroy, Argentina

Monte Fitzroy trail is a trail in Patagonia, the unique geographical region of South America where the flat plains rises in steps till the Andes rises abruptly. The trail is located in the Los Glaciares National Park of Argentina. The distance traveled in the trek may vary because one has the choice of various different trek routes. But on an average any of the trails is around 40 miles long and can take about a week to complete. Apart from having a look at the jagged ice-capped peaks of the Andes one may have glimpses of the condor, guanaco or the rhea.

3. Torres del Paine, Chile

Torres Del Paine is the most popular and famous hiking trail in Chile and one of the best routes to trek along in the whole of South America. The most famous sight is the view of the iconic Torres Del Paine, the monumental granite spires rising dramatically like towers over the Patagonian steppe. All along the trail one will be served with beautiful panoramas of mountains, valleys and glaciers. There are also a number of lakes and reflection of the glowing ice capped mountains on the lakes at the sunset is a view to die for.

4. John Muir Trail, USA

The John Muir Trail, named after John Muir, the naturalist and author who was instrumental in saving the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, is one the most popular trails of USA. This 215 mile trail begins from the Yosemite National Park and ends at Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in continental United States. The trail takes one through the breathtaking landscapes of Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park and the King’s Canyon National Park. Covering the whole trail in one go will take about a week.

5. The Appalachian Trail, USA

If anyone is interested in the longest trail, the Appalachian Trail can easily compete for the top spot. The trail is 3505 km long and covers 14 states of the United States. So if one has the time and energy to take over 5 million steps over a period of half a year then one should hike the Appalachian Trail. The trail covers 8 national forest and 8 national parks and covers one the most picturesque part of the United States. The southernmost part of the trail is in Georgia and climbs to an altitude of about 6,600 feet before going down near the Pennsylvania to New York region before ending at Maine in the north. The whole trail is full of wildlife from snakes to moose.

6. West Coast Trail, Canada

Staying on in North America, one can travel further north to another of the top rated trails in the world, the West Cost trail in Vancouver, Canada. The trail is about 121 km long and is part of the Pacific Rim National Park. This hiking trail starts from Bamfield and ends at Port Renfrew. The trail will take one through different ecosystems ranging from bogs and beaches to waterfall and forests. Interestingly, one will have to cross various points of the trail on boats apart from regular or log bridges. The lucky ones may catch a glimpse of the sea lions or the orca along the route.

7. Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland

Tour du Mont Blanc takes one around the Mont Blanc Massif and is about 170 km long. This tour is considered a classic long distance hiking trail and is covered in around 7 to 10 days. Normally the tour is made in an anti-clockwise direction and can be started from Les Houches or Les Contamines in France, Courmayeur in Italy or Cahampex in Switzerland. One will pass seven valleys around the massif. To get to the better viewpoints one may have to make some short diversions but that can take greater physical ability.

8. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free standing mountain in the world and is an inactive volcano. This snow capped mountain can be accessed from Shira, Unbwe, Lemosho, Rongai, Marangu and Machame. Each of these routes varies in distance and level of difficulty. The most scenic of these 6 routes is the one from Machame but it is also a bit difficult than the others. But the most adventurous is the Lemosho route where one may encounter elephants and other big game animals.

9. Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal

One of the best ways to go nearest to the highest peak in the world is to visit the base camp. The trek to the Mount Everst base camp starts at Lukla and can take a couple of weeks to complete. The highest point of the hiking trail is around 18500 feet or 5640 meters at Lobuche. However one can go not further than the Everest base Camp at 17650 feet. The area offers some breathtaking views of the highest mountain in the world on a clear day.

10. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Annapurna is the 10th highest peak in the world and the trail takes one along four regions, Lamjung, Manag, Mustang and Myagdi. Of these the Manang and Mustang regions are high altitude, cold climate regions while the other two are subtropical valleys. The trail will also take one along the deepest gorge of the world and a number of Buddhist and Hindu villages and holy sites. The complete journey can take almost 3 weeks.

HUMOR Me...
One day in the forest, 3 guys were just hiking along a trail when all of a sudden, a huge pack of indians attaked them and knocked them out.

When they woke up, they were at the leader of the tribe’s throne.

The chief then said “All of your lives may be spared if you can find ten of one fruit and bring them back to me.”

So after a while the first man returned with 10 apples. The cheif then ordered him to stick all ten of them up his butt without making any expression at all on his face. He had a little bit of trouble with the first one and started crying while trying to put the next one in. He was soon killed.

Later, the next guy came in with 10 grapes. The cheif soon ordered him to do the same as the first guy. After to the 9th grape, the man started laughing so hard for no apperant reason, and was killed.

The first two guys soon met in heaven and the first guy ask the second, “Why did you start laughing? You only needed one more grape and you’d have gotten away!”

The second guy answered while still laughing, “I couldn’t help it. I saw the third guy walking in with pineapples.”

• Reference/Source: ayushveda.com by aditi(April 22, 2011)