Travel and Leisure

**What is the World of Warcraft?**

World of Warcraft is the single most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) on the Internet today. It all started on September 2, 2001, when software giant Blizzard Entertainment released World of Warcraft. It was one of the first role-playing video games to allow players to connect to the Internet to join an entire virtual world of gameplay with other gamers. The concept took the world of gaming by storm, and by 2008 the World of Warcraft now holds the lion's share of the MMOG market with 10 million subscribers.

**The World of Pets on Warcraft**

The World of Warcraft has become such a realistic virtual world for many people that they've started searching for virtual luxuries for their online character to enjoy. Now pet lovers who play WoW are able to choose from an entire world of pets to select their own unique animal.

While you can have a small pet and a "combat" pet. Small pets are only there for companionship for your character. These are luxury items that people enjoy having, but really serve no real purpose. On the other hand, you can also have combat pets which serve a very useful purpose depending on the animal that you choose. And if your character is a hunter you have the potential to choose a non-combat pet that may compliment your combat pet.

**Categories of World of Warcraft Pets**

In this virtual world of pets, there are more than enough choices to select the animal that suits your needs. If you are selecting a combat pet, you'll want to choose very carefully because the pet's abilities will serve you well if you are very selective. There are various families of pets with particular abilities. These are mostly considered "hunter pets" which fight, level up, and have special skills alongside the hunter.

- Ferocity Pets: These pets cause damage more quickly. This category has several families, including the carrion bird, hyena, tall strider, cat, raptor, and wolf.

- Tenacity Pets: These animals will strike harder and with more protection, but a little more slowly than the ferocity pets. These are considered the "defensive" pets. These families include the bear, boar, crab, crocolisk, gorilla, scorpid, turtle, and the warpstalker.

- Cunning Pets: These animals are considered more "balanced", with the same hitpoints and a little less armor than ferocity pets, but with a little more speed than tenacity pets. The families in this category include the bat, dragon hawk, ravager, spider, wind serpent, bird of prey, nether ray, serpent, or the sporebat.

**Collecting Pets**

While many people spend hours on WoW completing quests, gaining experience, and leveling, another segment of the player population is there for the social experience. There are so many people playing WoW that it's near impossible not to strike up a conversation with fellow players, or to meet new people you come across during your travels.

One of the important things people like to do when they taking part in such social environments is to make a unique impression on other people they meet. Nothing makes quite an impression as a large pet collection. You can typically only have one pet out at a time, however they can switch, or "summon" whichever pet they like.

Some of the creatures or truly a work of art on the part of the game creators, and other animals are perfect attack animals that aid a hunter in all aspects of their quests. With the introduction of leisure pets and hunter pets, the World of Warcraft creators introduce a whole new aspect to the gaming experience, a unique connection between person and animal, between the avatar and the beast.

**Top World of Warcraft Pets**

In a place where there is a world of pets to choose from, it's important that new players can recognize which pets are actually useful. According to some of the top WoW players, the following are the top best hunter pets of Warcraft.

1. The Cat: By far the most popular Hunter pets on WoW are cats. Preferable qualities of the cat include its multitude of skills and variety.

2. Ravager: The Ravager is preferred by many players because they achieve very high damage and have good armor in a fight. Some skills Ravagers can learn can give them a 50% chance to achieve double damage.

3. The Bat: While it is an unlikely choice for one of the top pets, Bats are actually very popular among players because they have good health and armor, and can achieve high damage in a fight. Secondly, many players love the look of a vicious bat on the attack.

4. The Owl: On WoW, just as in real life, Owls can achieve high damage against foes, and they also have good health and armor. Targeting can be somewhat difficult with owls, however they have so many skills that hunters love to use them often.

5. Spider: An unlikely pet, spiders are actually one of the more popular pets the World of Warcraft. They achieve a very high damage rating, and also have one of the highest net bonus totals of the entire world of pets on Warcraft.

6. Wind Serpent: This bird is essentially a snake with wings. It has high damage and average health and armor. This serpent has the unique skill of lightning breath and offers the highest damage of any pets against unshielded enemies.

7. Gorilla: Who would want to fight alongside a gorilla? While they can be difficult to feed, have a low health bonus and average health, the gorilla is not always a very common pick among WoW players.

8. Crocolisk: This creature is a strange green lizard with yellow fangs and six short legs. They have no unique skills and have very low health. They do offer high armor however.

9. Wolf: While most people would consider the wolf to be one of the most vicious fighters in combat, in this world of pets, the wolf actually achieves only average damage and has average health. The also have very few skills.

10 Nether Ray: Probably one of the strangest pets on Wow, this pet has stingray body with feathers and brightly colored stripes along the body. They do achieve large health bonus and small damage bonus, they have very low armor. They look cool, but they aren't good for much else.

Would you like to plan a holiday around your love of wine? But wait, you really want to be on the water as well? No problem. All over the world, wine enthusiasts are cottoning on to the idea of indulging in their wine tasting hobby whilst cruising the world's most spectacular canals on barge holidays. France is an idyllic location for one of these wine inspired holidays, with many opportunities to visit world-renowned vineyards and partake in wine tastings.

Wine Inspired Cruises

In order to have a well-rounded experience, specialised wine cruises should include a professional wine guide and wine itinerary. The vessels can be booked by groups looking to charter the entire barge or simply by the cabin.

The 300-year-old sun-drenched Canal du Midi is the perfect backdrop for a wine holiday. Two of the best vessels used to cruise the historic canal include the Anjodi and the Enchanté, used frequently for these kinds of barge holidays. France is known worldwide for its delectable wines, and operators of these cruises ensure that the vessel and the service live up to even the toughest expectations.

Anjodi

The Anjodi was specifically designed to navigate the waters of the Canal du Midi and was constructed following a classic Dutch design. The stunning vessel has been completely re-furbished and can fit up to eight passengers comfortably.

Whilst aboard the Anjodi, typical cruises include travelling to the Château Gasparets, where you will have the privilege of enjoying a private tasting of Corbières and Minervois wine. From there, you will also see the magnificent Pyrenees mountains across the vineyards and a guide will speak to you about Cathar history.

Other highlights of your cruise on the Anjodi will include touring Carcassone (the most complete medieval fortified city in existence), experiencing Lezignan's colourful market, and visiting Béziers cathedral. Seeing some of France's most spectacular sights is another wonderful aspect of barge holidays. France is certainly the best place for a wine inspired tour and your cruise will include a great deal of wine tastings, however stopping off to enjoy the country's breath-taking monuments and historical sites is an added bonus.

For the true aficionados, you will be impressed to know that aboard the vessel the inclusive wine cellar will be stocked with Domain de Guéry, Château de Nouvelles, La Clape and Château la Condamine Bertrand for your drinking pleasure.

Enchanté

The Enchanté is a double-decker hotel-barge that provides luxurious accommodation for up to eight guests. It has a welcoming contemporary interior, providing guests with a bright art deco atmosphere.

If you decide to take a cruise on the Enchanté along the Canal du Midi your itinerary will include travelling to the beautiful city of Corbières to visit the Minervois winery. Here, you will enjoy a winery tour and private tastings.

Enchanté's wine cellar includes an impressive variety of wines such as Domaine de Nalys, Châteauneuf du Pape, Château Haut Gléon, Corbières, Domaine Corsin, Pouilly Fuissé, Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre, Château Les Ollieux Romanis, Corbières, Domaine Alquier, Faugères, Château de Gourgazaud and Minervois La Livinière. If that's not enough to make your tastebuds tingle you don't know your wines!

When planning barge holidays, France is one of the top choices for wine enthusiasts. With vineyards spread throughout the country, picturesque canals and waterways, and fabulous historical sites at every turn, this country is a wine and water lovers paradise.

Get ready for your trip to Ukraine to adopt! Lots to plan and prepare to make your trip less stressful and your stay more comfortable:

• Go online and familiarize yourself with Ukrainian currency. The look of the different denominations and exchange rate. (Currently $1 USD is about 8 Ukrainian Hryvnia) Practice converting prices to dollars.

• Make a list of places you want to see in Kyiv while you are there. You want to make it memorable. This can be before you meet your child, or fun things you can do together. Kyiv has lots of cultural activities and things to do. Where your child's orphanage will determine where you will spend most of your time, but you will not know that until after your referral meeting!

• Your clothing needs will vary depending on when you travel to Ukraine. Make sure you break in all your footwear and plan to travel light. You will be traveling around the country!

• Start pricing flights to Ukraine and determine the best routes and time options for flying to and from Kyiv. Remember you will need to have an open ticket as you don't know your exact return date. Speak to agents of the airlines and discuss if it is best to buy a closed ticket and pay a change fee or buy and open date ticket. There can be a big difference in price. Remember you will have a child flying back with you so you will also need a one way ticket! If you are considering using frequent flyer points or miles, find out what you need to do so there are no surprises.

• Go over your travel budget with your adoption agency or adoption facilitator. Think about what type of accommodation you want: hotel or apartment for example, and what your budget will be. Will you eat out or prepare your meals? Depending where you will be staying in Ukraine, less options may be available.

• Bring 2 cameras you know how to use well. I suggest one for each spouse. You want to document everything. This is a once in a lifetime experience, just like the birth of a child. You will always look back on it and wish you took more photos of your adoption journey. Each spouse should have a camera so there are photos of both adoptive parents with your newly adopted child.

• Consider bringing a camera for your newly adopted child so she or he can take photos and capture the adoption experience through their eyes.

• Go over and over the adoption process, steps and timeline with your adoption agency or adoption facilitator. Traveling and adopting will be stressful and very emotional, the more you can understand and better prepared you are, the better.

• Check that your health insurance will cover medical emergencies if you are outside the US. Consider buying supplemental travel medical insurance. Book with an insurance company that offers policies on a per-trip basis. Premiums are generally nominal for coverage up to $50,000. Cost depends on the age of the traveler and length and cost of the trip. If you are an American Express cardholder, call them first.

• Work on your Russian for traveling!

As of June 1st, 2010 the landscape of the Medicare Supplement market changed significantly with the advent of Medicare Plan N (and M). At that time, the US Government required all companies who were marketing and selling Medicare Supplement plans to abide by the newly modernized and upgraded Medigap chart. Supplement Plans M and N were a part of this modernization process and promised to be better choices for both existing and new Medicare beneficiaries. Now the only question was, are these plans right for you?"

What Medicare Supplement Plan N Covers

Although it is similar to Medicare Plans D and F, Medicare Plan N utilizes a system for sharing costs in order to keep a person's premiums down. Unlike Plans D and F, it will cover all or a portion of the deductibles incurred in Medicare Parts A and B. A new co-pay structure was implemented in exchange for insurance premiums that could be up to 30% lower than what they were. Under Plan N, doctor visit co-pays are $20 and emergency room visit co-pays are $50.

In addition to the change in the co-pay structure, if a hospital admission is required because of the visit to the ER, the $50 co-pay will be waived. In addition to the above, Medicare supplement Plan N provides 100% coverage for deductibles under Part A but no coverage for Part B deductibles. The Medicare basic core benefits are not covered under Plan N including:

• all expenses after Medicare benefits run out for in-patient hospital care
• coverage for in-patient hospitalization charges under Part A
• emergency benefits when traveling internationally
• initial 3 pints of blood
• Part A co-insurance for palliative medication in hospice care
• Part B co-insurance expenses

It is estimated that the premiums incurred under Medicare Plan N will cost about 77% of Plan D and 70% of Plan F premiums. For individuals with budget concerns, Plan N will most likely be better than any of the Medicare Part C Advantage plans.

Additional Considerations

Many individuals claim that Medicare supplement Plan N was the better option for them because the out-of-pocket expenses are considerably lower and there are no restrictions where networks are concerned. Additionally, not every healthcare insurance provider offers Plan N so you will need to search for those companies who do offer it should you want this coverage. Be sure that you spend time researching to this before committing to any insurance provider.

"If you like it put a ring on it... " Beyonce certainly knew what she was singing about, seeing as how she now wears the most expensive engagement ring known to man. Getting engaged is one of the major events in a woman's life and it is no surprise that she looks forward to it very much like a soldier looks forward to crushing the enemy at battle, intensity-wise at least.

Engagement rings go back a long way, which means women have practically been lusting after diamond engagement rings for so long it's become part of our makeup. We all know the story of how Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to his lady love Mary of Burgundy with a ring set with flat pieces of diamond in the shape of an "M" in the 1800s but engagement rings actually go further back.

During the pre-historic era, a caveman got engaged when he tied cords made of braided grass around his chosen mate's wrists, ankles and waist to be able to control her spirit. While it may not be true that he hit her over the head with a club, bondage was certainly something they were big on those days.

Fast forward to circa 2800 BC at which time Egyptians wore engagement rings of solid gold and silver wires on the third finger of their left hand, believing it to contain a vein connected directly to the heart, known as the vena amoris. During the 1st Century BC, puzzle rings were invented and started circulating around Asia, quite popular with sultans and sheiks who used them to tag their multiple spouses. During the 2nd Century BC, men gave their wives two rings - a golden one to wear during the wedding ceremony and special events and an iron ring to wear at home to signify her binding agreement to his ownership of her.

While the engagement ring certainly seemed to be more of a symbol of binding commitment than a loving one in the beginning, it has certainly evolved to something better as time passed, particularly with the advent of the many engagement ring trends that often did away with what was traditional and instead, encouraged individuality in styles and designs. To be able to choose the ideal betrothal bauble for your beloved, you must first familiarize yourself with the different cuts and shapes as the little details on each one is what makes your ring a cut above the rest, no pun intended.

First off you have the marquise cut, which is oval, with pointed ends. Then there's the cushion cut, which is also known as the "antique cut" because of its vintage quality and one that is easily distinguished by its pillow shape. There's also the emerald cut with its rectangular corners and long, stair-like facets and its cousin the asscher cut and so square it looks almost octagonal.

Of course, let's not forget the most popular of them all, the princess cut which is a brilliant square stone and the second most popular, the round cut which has 58 facets, making it the most sparkling of the bunch. For the ultra-romantic at heart, there is the heart-shaped that is literally a diamond in the shape of a heart and last and certainly not the least, the pear cut, which has the added bonus of making your finger look long and slender when you wear it with the point facing away from your body.

The next thing to consider when choosing your diamond rings is the four Cs - cut, clarity, color and carat. Contrary to popular belief, a diamond's cut doesn't just refer to the shape of the stone, but to the diamond's reflective qualities. Ideally, the light that travels through the diamond should be reflected upwards to create the most brilliant sparkle. Deep-cut diamonds are not what you should choose if sparkle is what you want because these cuts don't allow the light to reach back and up to the top and reflect back to the eye which means it has the least sparkle.

Clarity on the other hand, refers to the blemishes (flaws on the stone) and inclusions (flaws within the stone). Each diamond is given a clarity grade by the GIA, from FL (Flawless) to Imperfect Included (I1, I2 and I3). While you can opt for flawless diamonds, they are incredibly rare and small inclusions can actually be a good thing because it helps identify your stone and makes it unique. Stones in the I range, however, should be avoided altogether.

Carat is of course, the diamond's weight and not its size. This is only a minor consideration as there are other more important attributes of the diamond that you should consider like color. Color is the actually the absence of tints in the diamonds, enabling more light to pass through the stone, making it sparkle more. It is important to remember that carat weight, along with a low color grade is not a direct reflection of cost. If you are shopping on a budget, you can opt to downgrade in quality especially if size is a concern. Buying a 95-point diamond will cost you less than buying a full carat but when the stone is set, you won't be able to tell the difference. The same goes for when you buy a large stone with a low color grade. It's all basically just a matter of personal preference.

And last but not the least, you will need to choose the perfect setting for your ring. Traditionally, many go for the classic solitaire, which is a single diamond set in plain mounting, usually with four or six prongs. Most women prefer this setting because it shows off the diamond prominently, without too much distractions. In addition, there is the bezel setting, where gemstones are surrounded by a thin metal band, the pave setting, which is where a central stone is surrounded by smaller gems set very close to each other and the prong setting which raises the stone to allow more light in.

Other newer settings include the cluster setting, where the central diamond is flanked by smaller ones, the gypsy setting where the stones are sunk into holes so they are flush with the ring's surface, the bar setting, where each stone is separated by metal bars and the shared prong, where the adjacent diamonds share prongs.

The most important things to remember when choosing your engagement rings is that one, you don't have to limit yourself to brick and mortar jewelry stores, you can opt to design your own ring and third, your major consideration should be what your lady love likes. The good news is that you can do all these online, which not only offers you the widest range of options to choose from, it also encourages your creativity the point that you will be able to create unique, engagement rings that not only promise to give you the best memories, but will also last a lifetime and more.

The whole point after all, is to give her something that will make her remember you and how much you love her and want to spend the rest of your life with her.

Weddings can take place indoors or outdoors, but the important thing is that the couple feels as though it is an expression of what they'd imagined and the experience that they want to share with their loved ones. The wedding venue that a couple selects is one of the most important places they will ever be together. That day will be emblazoned in their memories and photographs for the rest of their lives. They want and deserve for it to be exactly as they see it and long for it to be.

First, the church of the couple's faith usually makes the short list of places they would like to say I do. Regardless of whether someone has to convert or not or whether both are particularly religious, this is still an option for many couples. The beauty and sanctity of the space is indicative of the vows they are making and the covenant they enter on that special day.

Second, there are still those unconventional couples who still idolize the beach setting, the forest, the barn, and all of the taste-specific locations that allow them to be barefoot, in cowboy boots, or wading in a stream at sunrise or sunset with a small group of onlookers when they finally say I do. Third, there are the destination wedding venues that can be as simple as someone's home out of the country, a rented mansion, castle, museum, or beautiful library that has some significance to the couple.

Fourth, wedding venues will always include the coveted hotel with the grand rooms and outdoor patios made for nuptials. These spaces are so sought after that they are the subjects and settings of movies. And, in reality, they take place every week of the year all around the world. Most of the five and four star popular chains are booked within an inch of their spread sheets and annual calendars with receptions of one kind or another.

And lastly, there are also banquet halls that are built to accommodate large crowds, live music, dancing, dining, and yes, the ceremony itself. A bride and groom can choose to exchange vows and have the reception all in one space or they can have them in separate rooms if they'd like. Just shy of running to Las Vegas or having the nuptials take place at their home, the banquet hall option is one of the most cost-effective options for budget conscious brides and grooms out there.

People considering Cala Galdana villas on Menorca as their holiday choice for the first time understandably tend to raise a few questions. If you are thinking about giving this delightful location a try, these answers may help you confirm that Cala Galdana villas are, indeed, all they're cracked up to be!

Is Menorca like Mallorca and Ibiza?

No. Apart from the fact they are all part of the same island group, Menorca shares little in common with the two other islands. It is smaller, less developed, and more intimate and has always set out to attract more discerning holidaymakers. That tends to make it popular with younger couples, families and more mature visitors. It is typically regarded as being less popular with groups of young people looking for mass partying and a disco culture.

What is Cala Galdana like?

This is a modestly sized resort by the standards of Mallorca or Ibiza, though most resorts on Menorca could easily make the same claim! There are a few larger hotels, but much accommodation is small in size and set around a horseshoe-shaped, beautifully sandy beach and cliffs. The bathing is normally regarded as being safe due to shallow and sheltered waters, though it is imperative to check local safety information and advice on the day itself.

Cala Galdana villas are popular with people looking for a quiet, relaxing and natural type of holiday. Nightlife in the town is relaxed rather than electric and there are some quality dining establishments and numerous small and intimate bars.

Where is the nearest major shopping and entertainment?

Ciutadella - the ancient capital and a fascinating town of old buildings, shops and a more extensive nightlife if you're seeking it. By road, it's about 30 minutes away.

How far is the resort from the airport?

Transfer times by coach to the Cala Galdana villas are around 30-45 minutes and perhaps a little less by taxi or hire car.

What are the main local activities?

The stunning beach and beautiful sea obviously play a key role providing things such as fishing, swimming, water sports, boating and so on. Locally, horse riding is available and there are numerous ancient villages and towns to explore such as Ciutadella and Mahon (the capital). There are plenty of local shops and markets to try local delicacies, and walking around the coast on a specially prepared trail is also very popular, as it will allow you to find untouched beaches and unspoilt flora and fauna. People rarely, if ever, complain of being bored!

How crowded does it get?

For more than half a century, the island's authorities have strictly controlled and regulated development, and they in fact opted for 'sustainable tourism' long before it became a widely known and fashionable concept elsewhere. As a result, the island always maintains a feeling of space to breathe in, even during the high season, compared to many other Mediterranean destinations.

Of course, inevitably some popular beaches may get busy at peak times during the high season but if you have a hire car or are prepared to walk a little way, you'll typically be able to escape and find some quiet coastal spots. In terms of exploring other parts of the island and entirely undeveloped beaches, Cala Galdana villas are superbly located.