Posts Tagged ‘Amp’

The Great Escapes – Reality of Most Prison Breaks

As the US population is growing the number of prison breaks is dropping. Is this a sign of the times as technological advancements are helping prison guards out?

Did you know that on average there are 11.2 prisoners for two guards? I bet you didn’t and I guess that you wouldn’t know that most people who broke out of prison were being punished for theft?

Well the security and technology may be good enough but then there are advancements in how people are trying to escape.

Why not check out this infographic and see how quickly the US justice department re-capture them? You may be surprised by some of the old stories that have been dug up about Ted Bundy, Anglin Bros. & Morris as well as Frank W. Abagnale Jr and more unlucky convicts.

See what methods are used to try and escape and which would pay off if you were in jail.

Infographic produced by eLocalLawyers who specialise in helping you to find the best local lawyers for you

Planning & Traveling On a Budget

Are you in the need of a vacation? Do you need a few days (or weeks) for a break to just get away but don’t have a really high budget for doing so? Here are some tips for traveling on a budget that will help you get through your vacation without overspending so that you can come home with a little extra cash in your pocket for your daily lifestyle needs.

The “Dont’s”

Here is a list of things NOT to do while on your vacation or on the days leading up to it. These practices will usually get you in trouble and have you spending money which you usually don’t even have.

  1. Don’t be spontaneous. Yes we all need to be spontaneous at some point in our lives, especially when we are on a much needed vacation. But if you are trying to come out on top of things in terms of you checking accounts balance, then you want to make sure that you are limiting your spontaneity. If you are going to participate in a little adventure here and there, make sure that you have money set aside for it so that you can pony up when the time comes.
  2. Don’t bring your credit card . If you are going to go on vacation, a good way to save money (especially in the long run) is to make sure that you aren’t going to be paying any interest on the all of the activities and items you purchased while you were away on vacation.
  3. Don’t take a taxi everywhere. If you are in a tourist type area, there is usually some sort of public transportation method that you can take full advantage of. Whether it’s the subway, the bus, or the metro be sure to take full advantage. Make sure you know the routes and times of these systems.

The “Do’s”

For every “don’t” there are many more “do’s.” Traveling on a budget can be fun and easy. With a little bit of discipline and planning ahead, you can follow these “do” tips to make sure you stay within your budget on your vacation.

  1. Travel off-peak. Thinking about traveling during the holidays or even during the weekend? Try instead to travel midweek or at periods of time during the holidays where the airways and roadways aren’t as busy. Plane tickets as well as gas prices will be a lot lower – as well as hotel prices as many hotel management companies will tell you.
  2. Consider capitalizing on weak exchange rates.

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Your Guide To Portugal

Portugal is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and one of the most popular holiday destinations for tourists looking for a relaxing holiday. Here’s a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your holiday.

Driving in Portugal

Hiring a car can be one of the best ways to really get to see what Portugal has to offer. Their road network is sophisticated and you can easily get from one end of the country to the other in a few hours. It is worth noting that some Portuguese motorways do require a toll fee and you’ll notice most motorways offer a ‘via verde’ lane which is just for motorists who have paid a subscription to drive there. The attitude towards driving in Portugal is one of put your foot down and hope for the best so if you’re more of a nervous driver Portuguese roads may not be for you and always make sure you’ve got a very comprehensive insurance policy.

Eating in Portugal

Like most southern European countries, Portugal loves its food and it’s not hard to see why. Sitting down to dinner isn’t just a human requirement to refuel the body it’s a social event and a real Portuguese mean can last hours. It’s common place in Portuguese restaurants to have a dish of entrées brought to the table, where as these would usually be free in most other countries, in Portugal they will usually appear on the bill, if you’re in doubt always check with your server. In a typical Portuguese restaurant the food will be fresh and generally very healthy, fishes and meat will usually be locally sourced and things like olives and berries are everywhere.

Where to stay

Like most holiday destinations you’ll have the usual choice of B&B’s, hotels, villas and apartments when it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Portugal. If you want a spot of luxury in your holiday then consider staying in a Pousadas which is a Portuguese hotel that was once a building of historic interest like a castle or a fort. If you want to take in some beautiful sites and surround yourself with Portuguese history and culture a Pousadas is the place for you. If you want something a little more rustic and something that’s going to give you the experience of really being in Portugal then a local B&B will be for you but be careful as there are some Portuguese business owners that would be happy to take advantage of a naive tourist.

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Avenue Forsyth: Jazz in the Park Tonight

THE AVENUE®
Forsyth
Jazz in the Park
Tonight


JULY 16 | 6 PM – 9 PM

Enjoy complimentary Jazz in the Park featuring The Nick Longo Trio every other Thursday at The Avenue Forsyth.

Pair Jazz in the Park with dinner and a movie for the perfect date night. Or, bring a blanket to enjoy lawn seating for a fun family outing. Arrive ready to answer random trivia for the chance to win fabulous giveaways!

Congratulations to Janet U, winner of the Best Seats in the House drawing sponsored by Relax the Back. Visit Relax the Back for your chance to win Best Seats in the House for the July 30 Jazz in the Park event. Best Seats in the House includes reserved LaFuma zero-gravity recliner seating for two, complimentary refreshments plus a gift bag for you and your guest.

In the event of inclement weather, Jazz in the Park will be canceled.

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JAZZ IN THE PARK
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Thursdays | 6 PM – 9 PM
JULY 16 & 30 | AUG 13 & 27

THE AVENUE FORSYTH, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 4165,  Cumming, GA, 30041 770.781.0333
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Ready Mady Itinerary in Sicily

I have to say I was awfully excited about heading to Sicily in September… we would finally visit a part of Italy neither of us had seen and we would be going without relatives. A good plan! We booked our reward tickets, came up with a whole itinerary and made all of our reservations.

Ai Lumi – 5 nigts at Ai Lumi in Trapani. Now, some might ask, why Trapani? Simple… the ferries run very frequently from Trapani to Favignana. If you catch the hydrofoil, you’re there in 20 minutes and the hotels cost 1/2 of what they would on the island. Trapani is know for excellent cuisine and it’s also close to places like Erice. But Favignana… that’s what we were looking forward to visiting. A gorgeous island know by few Italians and pretty much no Americans. It would’ve been a dream.

Casale Corcella – 2 nights in Scopello. Now, this simple farmhouse not only had an amazing view of the Golfo di Castellamare, it was a nice property, had beautiful rooms and was near the very charming town of Scopello. Everything I had heard about this area was fantastic – beautiful bays in which to swim, small trattorie and the nearby Riserva Dello Zingaro. Scopello is well known for a famous tonnara where one can swim in a gorgeous setting. The town, while tiny, is supposed to be a perfect little place. I was excited about the two days we would spend in this town. Segesta was just around the corner, too.

Casa Ruffino – 1 night in Balestrate at a very highly reviewed B&B. We thought… why stay at a mediocre hotel near the airport when we could stay in another seaside town in a B&B that sounds simply charming. Ahh… another tough one to pass.

Well, conflicts are conflicts and we just won’t be able to go in September. In the future, we do have ready-made itinerary all in place. The hotels are selected, the towns are picked out… all we need are new tickets.

Now… that doesn’t mean we’re out of luck. We will get to go somewhere else…


Prepping for a trip to the Middle East

Given that I will probably be traveling to Dubai on business in the coming months, I thought I would pick up a copy of Customs & Etiquette of Arabia and Gulf States from my local Barnes & Noble. Fascinating little book. I really found it interesting to read about the protocols and etiquette when visiting someone’s home, insight on hospitality, Bedouin culture, etc. Since Saudi Arabia may be on the itinerary, as well, I want to make sure I’ve brushed up on the proper way to behave and interact with my business colleagues. Oh, and speaking of Dubai, rumor has it that a new hotel, Palazzo Versace, will soon open… the hotel, owned by that Versace, will likely have, get this, an air conditioned beach. Is this any surprise in the resort town that brought us the world’s first seven star hotel or the world’s largest indoor ski resort?