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Discover some of the continent's best-kept secrets on this river cruise through Eastern and Central Europe, from Bucharest to Prague. Your vacation begins with three overnights in Bucharest that include a guided tour of the city's main sights and plenty of free time to make your own discoveries. A full day excursion to Transylvania will take you to visit notorious Dracula's Bran Castle and into the Carpathians to Sinaia. Then, travel to Oltenita and board your river cruise ship for your journey. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits of Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, and Melk's splendid Benedictine Abbey. Also cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge and Main Danube Canal, visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site on the banks of the Danube in Serbia and the diverse rock formations of Belogradchik, and Melk's awe-inspiring Benedictine Abbey. There's wine tasting in the Wachau Valley, beer tasting in Regensburg, and visits to Hungary's vibrant capital Budapest, Austria's Vienna and delightful Dürnstein and many more. Conclude your incredible vacation with three overnights in the Czech capital. Visit Prague with a Certified Local Guide, and enjoy plenty of time at leisure to wander through the Jewish Quarter, shop for hand-cut crystal, savor authentic Czech dumplings, stand in Wenceslaus Square, where protestors demonstrated against Communism, or visit one of the many churches. What a way to end this fabulous vacation filled with historic sights, delicious cuisine, scenic beauty, quaint towns, and more.
Cruise: deluxe 13-night cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon's exclusive Comfort Collection BedsSMDay 1 Bucharest: welcome to BucharestDay 2 Bucharest: guided full-day excursion to Transylvania, visit Dracula's Bran Castle and Sinaia MonasteryDay 3 Bucharest: full day at leisureDay 4 Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome receptionDay 5 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Svistov: guided sightseeing, visit Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, and the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi; or guided sightseeing of RousseDay 6 Vidin–Belogradchik: guided sightseeing to Vidin's fortress; excursion to Belogradchik to see the rock formationsDay 7 Iron Gates: cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, see the Trajan Table; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological siteDay 8 Belgrade: guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan FortressDay 9 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: guided sightseeing; organ concertDay 10 Budapest: guided sightseeing, see Fishermen's Bastion and Heroes' SquareDay 11 Budapest–Vienna: cruisingDay 12 Vienna: guided sightseeingDay 13 Dürnstein–Melk: guided walk in Dürnstein, see the Stiftskirche; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; wine tastingDay 14 Passau: guided walkDay 15 Regensburg: guided walk; enjoy a snack at the Historische Wurstküche; beer tastingDay 16 Roth–Nuremberg: choice of guided sightseeing in Roth with visit to the Industrial Museum or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tourDay 17 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague: travel to PragueDays 18 & 19 Prague: guided sightseeing on Day 18, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds; free timeDay 20 Prague: your vacation ends this morning
Special onboard and onshore experiences presented by entertainers, artisans, and experts, designed to enrich your cruise.Enjoy a local treat of sausage, sauerkraut & beer, and attend an onboard performance of Bulgarian Folk dances.
Included excursions with Certified Local Guides.
Personalized room options.
Space to relax & unwind.
A lounge serving premium spirits.
Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
Alternate lunch option - Sky Bistro.
Chef-inspired regional recipes.
Four-course dinners with open seating.
Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with every onboard dinner.
Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
Panoramic windows throughout every ship.
Elegant, contemporary design throughout.
Nightly choice of appetizers, entrées, desserts or cheese.
Premium L'Occitane bath products.
Friendly, English speaking crew.
Light lunch alternative.
Headsets for shore excursions.
You see life differently. While others chase what's popular, you follow your own path. At Avalon, we share your unique point of view. That's why we've used our 85-plus years to design a cruise experience that's just a bit different. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
Welcome to Bucharest! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this intriguing city.
Head out of the city to your first stop, BRAN CASTLE of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and assumed to be the home of Romanian vampires. Then, into the Carpathians to SINAIA to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head slowly back to Bucharest. (Breakfast, Lunch)NOTE:The full day Transylvania excursion may take place on Day 2 or Day 3, depending on access to Bran Castle.
A free day to browse the shops and visit many of the attractions this city has to offer. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)
Much recent history has taken place in Romania's capital city, and its wide, tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—built in 1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI—have gained it the name "Paris of the East." During your INCLUDED TOUR this morning, see the main sights including Royal Palace Square, the scene of riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. Later, a motorcoach ride takes you to Oltenita, where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)
In Rousse this morning, you may choose to join a Certified Local Guide for an included CITY TOUR, rejoining your ship in time for lunch and enjoying a pleasant afternoon of cruising to Svistov. Alternatively, you may take a full day excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the ROYAL FORTRESS, and the Patriarch's Church. Then, journey to Arbanassi. Founded in the 15th century, the historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its examples of Bulgarian Revival architecture and its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM, a 400-year-old house preserved as a museum. Visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, one of the oldest churches in Arbanassi, and see its outstanding collection of frescoes. Rejoin your ship in Svistov. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast today a Local Guide shows you Vidin, an important Danube port in northwestern Bulgaria. Its medieval FORTRESS, known as "Baba Vidin," served as Vidin's main defensive installation during the Middle Ages and is the only entirely preserved medieval fortress in the country. It is the town's primary landmark and now a fortress museum that has been restored to its former appearance. In nearby Belogradchik view the eclectic group of ROCK FORMATIONS on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. Sculpted by natural elements for more than 200 million years and with a variety of sizes and shapes, the Belogradchik Rocks are spectacular! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The TRAJAN TABLE marking the Roman conquest of Dacia and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe's Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. In the afternoon dock at Donji Milanovac from where a short drive takes you to the impressive LEPENSKI VIR EXHIBITION CENTER housing archaeological artifacts found in this area and from where you have unique views of the Danube Gorge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A Local Guide will be proud to show you its main sights, which include St. Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church; and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. Also visit the city's principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, which showcases the history of Belgrade. Built in stages between the 1st and 18th centuries, the fortress witnessed many battles and observed the courage of those trying to defend the city from conquerors. The surrounding park is the most beautiful and largest park in Belgrade. In your free time, be sure to check out the city's lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. Depart Belgrade during lunchtime, and this afternoon head for Hungary. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning, a GUIDED EXCURSION takes you to Pécs, Hungary's fifth-largest city. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century. Pécs is also rich in terms of Turkish architecture and offers Turkish mosques, attractive churches, and an enjoyable atmosphere around its restaurants and cafés. Enjoy an ORGAN CONCERT before returning to your ship for lunch and heading to Budapest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Whether you're seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café, Budapest's unique energy is positively palatable. On your GUIDED TOUR of the city, see Heroes Square as well as the massive hilltop castle complex, a major sight with its remarkable Fishermen's Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church, the coronation spot of several Hungarian monarchs. Be sure to take note of the city's eight bridges—many famous sights in and of themselves—which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The afternoon is free—stroll along Váci utca, the main shopping street or visit the Great Market Hall and purchase paprika or embroidery at one of its 180 vendor stalls. This evening, sail out of Budapest heading for Vienna. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy a day of relaxation on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. This evening, arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital. Known as the "City of Music," it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria's magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boy's Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral—plus, countless other sights shown to you by your Local Guide during your included CITY TOUR. Shop in the delightful pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic Viennese coffee houses, historic institutions that helped shape Viennese culture! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque, blue Stiftskirche built in the 1700s, is situated right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. The main street of this small town—with a population of less than 1,000 people—is lined with 16th-century residences and charming cobblestone streets. This morning a Local Guide will take you on an included WALKING TOUR and tell you the tale of England's King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned in the castle whose ruins still stand above the town. During lunchtime, sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk in the early afternoon. Here, enjoy a GUIDED VISIT of the magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Words cannot describe the splendor of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola. The view from the terrace of the abbey over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you'll be able to sample some of the Wachau Valley's FAMOUS WINES. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, you can choose from several full-day optional excursions such as to Salzburg taking in some of the Sound of Music sights, or to medieval Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you may choose to stay on the ship and relax as you cruise to Passau, uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge. Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world's largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Take in the highlights on the included GUIDED WALK. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of "historic interest." Architectural highlights of your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Wander through the city's lanes and alleys to discover the many mansions with high towers. Wealthy families built these towers to emphasize their status and wealth during the Middle Ages, and many still remain today. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy a SNACK at the 17th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany's oldest restaurants. Here—where the locals congregate—feel the vibrant atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river. After dinner, we'll introduce you to some of Germany's FAMOUS BEERS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, spend a relaxing morning of cruising before arriving in Roth, located just 25 Kms (15.5 miles) south of Nuremberg. Here you may choose a GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR of Roth, a delightful town, with half-timbered houses and market square, which is also an industrial center for textile manufacturing. Visit the interesting INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM and then in contrast, take pictures of Schloss Ratibor, an ancient hunting lodge, built in 1535, with a most picturesque inner courtyard.Alternatively, join a more specialized "NUREMBERG RALLY GROUNDS" tour. Tonight dock in Nuremberg. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew and travel by motorcoach to Prague, the "Golden City." (Breakfast)
Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time, and, unlike other Central European capitals, it was not bombed during the 20th-century wars. A Local Guide shows you its best-known treasures such as the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 and once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square, an important meeting point and where people demonstrated against the communist regime; or watch performers on Charles Bridge. (Breakfast)
Enjoy a free day to explore the city at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Communist Museum or take an optional excursion around the Jewish Quarter. Sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; stroll along the Vltava River; or wander around Prague's medieval Old Town, dating from the 10th century. Your Cruise Director will have other suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Yet another beautiful Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2016. The Avalon Passion welcomes passengers to their home-away-from-home with two full decks of Panorama Suites, featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than industry standard and ideal for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access, complimentary computer use in public areas, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, a hair salon, elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.
1-3 EpiscopieiBucharest, Romania
Free Wifi
Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions.
Parizska 30Prague, Czech Republic
Contemporary 9-story Hotel situated in old Jewish Quarter, across the road from the Vltava River.
The following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These optional excursions might or might not be offered. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
We know that many times travelers celebrate special occasions on vacation and you
can now pre-purchase celebration packages before your cruise departure. We offer
special birthday, anniversary and wedding vow packages. These packages include all
the elements you need to celebrate with family & friends.
Availability of optional excursions is subject to sufficient participation, weather
conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general
feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general
idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some
information provided might be in a foreign currency; to get an estimated price, use a currency converter for exchange rate information (pricing may vary at the time of booking).
Once you have booked your vacation, Avalon Waterways provides the ability to pre-purchase
excursions and packages, register for your cruise and provide emergency contact
information online.
Enjoy a relaxed morning visit to one of the most interesting and largest open-air and ethnographical museums in Europe. See traditional Romanian homes from the inside and learn about the regional differences and an amazing variety of architectural styles typical of this interesting country. Inside visit, guided tour and photo permits are all included.
Approximate value: 35 EUR per person
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon visit to one of the most interesting museum collections showing various aspects of Romanian tradition and its most intricate way of life. The Cotroceni Palace was the seat of the Romanian Kings who assiduously collected artifacts, furniture, rugs, costumes and uniforms as well as very fine china and glass. An amazing collection - it is Romania's finest, housed in the official seat of the President.
Approximate value: 44 EUR per person
The ultimate dream of former Communist Leader of Romania Ceaucescu, this Palace of Superlatives is a breath-taking example of communist dictatorship's omnipotence, rarely seen anywhere else. Admire countless halls, hundreds of crystal chandeliers, amazing carpets and learn on the spot about man's latest effort to create something that would last for more than a thousand years. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the modern world and this inside visit remains an absolute must for every Bucharest visitor.
Step back in time into the lifestyle and traditions of old Europe, as you visit the scenic rural region of northern Serbia, in an area called Vojvodina. Start your countryside tour by visiting the private Honey Museum. The region is also one of the oldest viticulture areas in Europe where grapevine has sprouted on Mt. Fruska Gora's fertile hills for over 1,700 years, ever since it was first planted by Roman Emperor Probus. Enjoy a wine-tasting in a local wine cellar. Sremski Karlovci is located where the wooded slopes of the Fruska Gora meet the Danube. A guided tour will reveal the beauty of this once important town, where for the last hundred years history seems to have passed it by. Enjoy a 4 course lunch in a local restaurant with included wine and soft drinks, before admiring the idyllic views of rolling green pastures, typical European farmland scenery and golden haystacks along the way to Belgrade, Serbia's energetic capital city.
Approximate value: 66 EUR per person
Do not miss this unique opportunity to visit the Hungarian countryside and its authentic ways, an experience out of the ordinary. A short coach ride takes us deep into the Hungarian countryside, where we can admire the unsurpassed qualities of the Hungarian Equestrian virtue at an active stud farm. Enjoy the sight of the proud horses as they lead the festive procession. Take a typical country wagon ride and learn about life on a typical Hungarian farm. The Hungarians have been inseparable from their horses for more than a thousand years. Experience the well-known Hungarian hospitality in the most natural environment of the Puszta Farm as we provide you with an authentic lunch. The excursion is fully hosted by one of our guides. An excursion with impressions to last a long time.
Approximate value: 69 EUR per person
Schonbrunn, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here for the better part of the year in numerous rooms to house the large Imperial family. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sissi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO's cultural heritage due to its historic importance, unique grounds and splendid furnishings. Follow our local expert and visit Empress Sissi's former summer residence, afterwards take your time to stroll through the park and enjoy the impressive gardens.
Approximate value: 52 EUR per person
Don't miss a truly magical evening in Vienna, featuring the most famous opera Arias by Mozart, Strauss Waltzes, polkas and operetta excerpts from "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss, "The Merry Widow" by Franz Lehar, the Blue Danube waltz, the Radetzky March and many others, performed by a brilliant cast of top European singers, beautifully costumed dancers and the Original Wiener Salon Orchestra. A true celebration of joy and optimism featuring familiar music, combined with dance and storytelling that recalls happy memories of a time when music helped to shape the city of Vienna: a city of world-class artistry and a true flair for celebration.
Approximate value: 62 EUR per person
Only a few major cities can count themselves fortunate enough to have a paradise like the Vienna Woods right at their gates. Lush hilly landscapes and craggy cliffs, water-drenched ravines and peaceful vineyards, deep forests, dreamy meadows and mysterious wetlands offer a variety of breath-taking experiences in nature. We will visit the 900-year-old Klosterneuburg Abbey an impressive example of baroque style, with its sacred art treasures, including the "Verdun Altar".
The abbey is home to the oldest wine-growing estate, which has a 900-year history of wine production. We will complete our tour by visiting the production facility and tasting some of the famous monastery wines.
Approximate value: 57 EUR per person
Biking along the Danube is becoming a popular pastime. So if you are fit and ready for some exercise grab a bike, a helmet and cycle along the waters of the mighty river, passing the lovely vineyards and romantic villages of the Wachau Valley. A light picnic en route will restore some of your energy.
(Minimum physical condition necessary - not allowed for hearing impaired - weather dependent)
Approximate value: 50 EUR per person
Take a scenic route across the rolling hills of Upper Austria and Bohemia to one of the most beautiful, charming and romantic little towns that is to be found in Europe. For centuries, this small town has enjoyed the reputation of being the "Pearl of the Bohemian Forest", an extraordinary fortified town built by princes and bishops on the most beautiful bend of the Vltava River. This hidden gem of European history remains as it was centuries ago, a colorful place with over 300 historic buildings, small lanes, art galleries, charming shops and medieval inns; a truly stunning experience. When after WW II the Iron Curtain descended across eastern Europe, Cesky Krumlov found itself even more off the beaten track, with hardly a visitor finding his way there. Our local experts will guide you back in time. Pass by the Vltava (Moldau) River, which was immortalized by Friedrich Smetana's composition of the same name, before you return to your ship with happy memories from this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Approximate value: 73 EUR per person
The picturesque mountain lakes, the luscious green of the hills and fields, striking mountain cliffs and romantic villages - these are just a few reasons that for centuries attracted countless writers, composers and creative artists to find inspiration in the magnificent landscape of the Salzkammergut region, shared between the provinces of Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria - the famous Austrian Lake District. The literal translation of the Salzkammergut is "salt chamber estate" and refers to an area where salt was mined and which was formerly under the control of the Imperial Chamber in Vienna. Today, the term has developed into a brand name for one of the loveliest holiday regions of Central Europe with over 70 lakes, which are of drinking water quality and range in color from turquoise to emerald green. Let us reveal to you the unspoiled beauty of Gmunden and St. Wolgang region and some of the most panoramic routes in Austria.
Picturesquely located at the foothills of the Alps the city is known as the birth-place of Mozart. Salzburg is also the setting for the Sound of Music movie, which has shaped the city's perception in the minds of generations. But Salzburg is much more. It is a wealthy city with history based on the salt trade from the nearby Alpine Mountains-a city full of beautiful baroque buildings, nestled between the mountains and green waters of the Salzach River. In your free time strolling through the small but busy lanes with their wrought iron signs, using a cable car to ride up to the castle on the hill for views, or just passing time by relaxing on one of the many terraces makes you feel part of the scenery. On our scenic ride by coach you will admire the beauty of the region. Our dedicated local experts will talk about and show you the city, and relive scenes from the Sound of Music. After free time we shall also visit the church at Mondsee where the "von Trapps" were married.
The Danube Gorge has both a gentle and a strange beauty. In a magnificent show of force, the Danube has carved its way through the Swabian Alb to create a stunning landscape - a wild, romantic stretch of river with sheer cliffs rising over 300 feet out of the water. At its upper end Weltenburg Abbey is located on a peninsula directly below the cliffs of the gorge. It was founded by Irish or Scottish monks in 620 and is one of the oldest abbeys in Bavaria. The present Benedictine abbey dates back to the 18th century when it was extensively rebuilt in baroque style. Their ceiling frescoes of the Heavenly Jerusalem blend seamlessly with the abbey interior and are particularly noteworthy. Important is also that Weltenburg Abbey houses the oldest abbey brewery in the world, as the monks have been brewing beer since 1050. A beer and a "pretzel" are a welcome refreshment.
Approximate value: 47 EUR per person
The Czech have their way of fun where food, drinks and traditions come together. At long rows of tables you will be served the traditional hearty Czech cuisine where the drinks and the laughter flow. On the small stage musicians will play on the hammer-dulcimer, the fujara (shepherd's flute) and the bag-pipe, all part of their musical heritage. The performers in their traditional costumes will treat you to local dances and their folk songs from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia, which will impress you. Experience excellent dancers, vibrant music and take away wonderful memories of your trip to Prague. Join in for an evening of food and fun in one of Prague's typical restaurants - a Czech traditional 3-course dinner with drinks; guide services and transportation are all included.
Approximate value: 64 EUR per person
Enjoy a great classical concert in the beautiful setting of the baroque Mirror Chapel of Clementinum. The large complex of the Clementinum was founded by the Jesuits after their arrival in Bohemia in 1556. With more than 2 hectares it is also one of the largest building complexes in Europe. The Mirror Chapel, built in 1725 and was originally dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, is a unique sanctuary and one of the churches of the former Jesuit college, Prague Clementinum. Classical concerts in Clementinum are among the most popular concert events. The impressive installations of Baroque mirrors on the ceiling make the chapel unparalleled worldwide. Together with gilded stuccos of Bernardo Spinetti, marble paneling and ceiling frescoes by Jan Hiebl, these mirrors create great artistic value of the interior. The chapel had been repeatedly desecrated and consecrated until it became a Prague classical concert hall in 1936. Join our local guides who will take you to this gem of downtown Prague for an unforgettable experience with the music of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Dvorak, Puccini and Verdi, performed by leading soloists, members of Czech Opera Houses and top orchestras. (Baroque organ, violin, flute, soprano and baritone soloists)
Approximate value: 54 EUR per person
A specially designed tour to complement our included sightseeing tour of Prague. Walk through the famous Ghetto with a certified Specialist Guide and learn on the spot more about the great Jewish traditions of Prague, once one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, with a rich and varied history dating back to the 10th century. Today, whilst only 1500 or so Orthodox Jews live in what remains of the traditional Jewish Quarter, it has once again become a thriving 8211 and fascinating - part of Prague. Transportation, inside visits to the Jewish Museum, one of the Synagogues as well as to the world famous Jewish cemetery is all included. A genuine must for every Prague visitor.
This tour will add to the included city tour as it is quite possible to escape the touristy side of Prague and just as before, it requires knowing just which street to turn down or even which unsigned walkway to pass. Knowing where to turn from the Old Town Square, you can leave all the crowds behind and find yourself shockingly alone in a twisting medieval street, quiet as can be - with only the sound of your shoes clicking on the cobblestones or a tram swooshing by a few streets away. And in this street, it's also still possible to find the most interesting places when you least expect them. The houses and doors often look the same from the outside. To the naked eye, the street may even seem residential. There are no big flashing lights pointing out the history that lies behind these facades of Prague. It needs a local expert, who shows you these secrets and tell you the stories of what happened here and there. Prague Secrets Tour leads us to the Charles Bridge and Mala Strana, which according to the locals is Prague`s most romantic and picturesque part of the protected city center.
Approximate value: 31 EUR per person
Venture into the beautiful Bohemian countryside this morning and discover Castle Melnik, a genuine Jewel of Bohemia. The Castle was the residence of the queen widows of Bohemia and Melnik became a royal city. In 1542 the castle was transformed into a Renaissance Jewel. This is a unique opportunity to have an inside visit of a medieval castle and see how the aristocracy lived in previous centuries. The surrounding vineyards of Melnik form part of the Czech wine region, one of the northern-most viticultural areas of Europe, and are the largest in Bohemia. The castle is still a partly lived-in property and you are invited to a special Bohemian wine- tasting with local cheese. This tour gives you a wonderful insight into the traditional values of the Bohemian upper class.
Approximate value: 59 EUR per person
Terezín was established at the end of the 18th century as a fortress; it is still surrounded by its massive ramparts. Only in the relatively recent past has Terezín entered the world's public consciousness as a tragic symbol of the suffering of tens of thousands during the Nazi regime. Visit the Fortress with its infamous Gestapo Prison and learn more about the saddest chapter of European history in the "Ghetto Museum" of Terezin with its moving collection of drawings and artifacts made by the children who were growing up under the worst of conditions. Detailed commentary is given by your local guide to supply the essential background stories. A genuine, true educational must, an eye-opener to European history.
Want to celebrate your anniversary during your cruise? Avalon can help. Our crew can surprise your loved one with a special anniversary cake presented during dinner. Make this a cruise like no other.
Approximate value: 60 EUR per group
Want to celebrate your anniversary during your cruise? Avalon can help. Our crew can surprise your loved one with a special anniversary package that includes the following in your stateroom on your anniversary day: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, small floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and anniversary card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 4 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for you, your spouse and 4 other guests of your choice, and an anniversary cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner. Let your spouse know how much they still mean to you.
Approximate value: 161.50 EUR per group
Want to celebrate your anniversary during your cruise? Avalon can help. Our crew can surprise your loved one with a special anniversary package that includes the following in your stateroom on your anniversary day: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, a floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and anniversary card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 4 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later on, enjoy a 30 minute cocktail party with wine, beer and soft drinks on the Sky Deck/Club Lounge or in the lounge to celebrate the special day. Our crew will be on hand to take pictures with your camera, which later will be downloaded onto a special memory stick for you to keep. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for you, your spouse and 4 other guests of your choice, and an anniversary cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner. Sparkling wine will top off the evening. Let your spouse know how much they still mean to you.
Approximate value: 362.50 EUR per group
Let Avalon help you celebrate a birthday on your cruise. Our special birthday package includes the following presented in your stateroom on your birthday: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, small floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and birthday card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 5 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for 6 (you and 5 other guests of your choice), and a birthday cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner.
Approximate value: 142 EUR per group
Let Avalon help you celebrate a birthday on your cruise. Our special birthday package includes the following presented in your stateroom on your birthday: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, a floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and birthday card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 5 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later on, enjoy a 30 minute cocktail party with wine, beer and soft drinks on the Sky Deck/Club Lounge or in the lounge to celebrate the special day. Our crew will be on hand to take pictures with your camera, which later will be downloaded onto a special memory stick for you to keep. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for 6 (you and 5 other guests of your choice), and a birthday cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner. Sparkling wine will top off the evening.
Approximate value: 344 EUR per group
Avalon wants to help you celebrate your wedding vow renewals. Let your spouse know how much they still mean to you. Our crew will prepare a special cake and present it to you during dinner. Make this a cruise that you will never forget.
Avalon wants to help you celebrate your wedding vow renewals. Let your spouse know how much they still mean to you. Our crew will prepare a special anniversary package that includes the following in your stateroom on your wedding day: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, small floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and wedding card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 4 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for you, your spouse and 4 other guests of your choice, and a wedding cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner. Make this a cruise you will never forget.
Approximate value: 207 EUR per group
Avalon wants to help you celebrate your wedding vow renewals. Let your spouse know how much they still mean to you. Our crew will prepare a special anniversary package that includes the following in your stateroom on your wedding day: decoration of stateroom, bottle of sparkling wine, a floral bouquet, chocolates, fruit plate and wedding card. Personalized invitations will also be delivered to the staterooms of 4 other guests with whom you wish to celebrate. Later on, enjoy a 30 minute cocktail party with house wine, beer and soft drinks on the Sky Deck/Club Lounge or in the lounge to celebrate the special day. Our crew will be on hand to take pictures with your camera, which later will be downloaded onto a special memory stick for you to keep. Later that evening in the ship dining room you will find a specially decorated table reserved for you, your spouse and 4 other guests of your choice, and an wedding cake presented by the ship's crew during dinner. Make this a cruise you will never forget.
18 Day River Cruise from Bucharest to Prague
per person without air*
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text:
The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the beginning of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite's voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.
"As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we're looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made," said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. "This seemed like the appropriate time since Walter's passing to make the move."
Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said.
CBS has replaced Cronkite with a generic voice over the past few months when it wanted to highlight something special. The change also gives the network more consistency, McManus said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Get inspired to design a fiesta table using fiestaware from Shindigz! Your guests will want to take a trip south of the border when they take in the festive flavors of the fiesta tableware set out just for them! Customers love the inflatable sombrero cooler.
Serve your delicious party foods on fiesta tableware for an authentic cantina feel. Serve chips and salsa in style with our festive tableware and decorative . Sprinkle confetti around the fiesta tableware for a fun, colorful touch. Create fun fiesta table decorations when you fill latex balloons with confetti. Don't forget to add a chili pepper mylar balloon as an accent.
Fiesta tableware plates and cups will come in handy when your favorite pinata, stuffed with fiesta favors, busts open. Have guests win their fiesta tableware favor, such as a cactus stem glass, by playing the limbo game. Fill the margarita glasses with Mexican candies and festive cactus mint tins.


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North & South editor Viriginia Larson pitched this story to me in September of 2012, and I couldn't have been happier. For whatever reason, I'm a little obsessed with broadcast funding body NZ On Air. Not because I think it does a particularly bad job – on the contrary, given its remit, and the myriad forces acting on it, they do surprisingly well. But I always think about the opportunity cost – what else the organisation could be doing with that money? Whether it could provide more infrastructure, or work with a broader outlook, across a variety of disciplines. Why no one questions the glaring logical inconsistencies it embodies. And about whether an approach essentially unchanged in 24 years remains relevant today.
For once, they were all in agreement. "An accident of history," said the economist. "A historical accident," said the politician. "It probably comes down to historical reasons," said the lawyer. What they agreed on was this: New Zealand's central government funds the production of content for broadcasters, and not print media publishers, because we have always done so.
And why not? Doesn't public radio provide "exciting and independent" programming? And NZ on Air a "colourful range of cost-effective local content"? Each for free, to anyone with a radio or television? Without the $133 million doled out last year, wouldn't our national voice be lost amongst the foreign cacophony? And besides, can't print publishers pay their own way?
Well, yes, yes, yes, yes. And, increasingly, no. New Zealand, like most other developed countries, has decided locally produced television and radio are so important to our national identity that they must be publicly funded. But although in many other countries around the world print media benefits from generous direct and indirect subsidies, it has never done so here.
Why would it need them? The market has taken care of that since long before radio and television were invented. The first newspaper printed in New Zealand arrived the same year as the Treaty of Waitangi, our first magazine a decade later. Ever since, they have reproduced with startling frequency – at its height the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) served 74 newspapers the length of the country. It wasn't altruism that generated all those publishers, either. As Gavin Ellis, media commentator and former editor of the New Zealand Herald, puts it: "The only thing more profitable than newspapers was heroin trafficking."
Not any more. In fact, just making a profit from the written word has become a fiendishly difficult exercise. Last year the Herald's publisher, APN, cut 100 jobs and wrote down the value of its New Zealand mastheads – including iconic titles like the Listener and the New Zealand Woman's Weekly – by just shy of half a billion dollars.
Its main rival, Fairfax – publisher of the Sunday Star-Times, the Dominion-Post and a raft of smaller regional newspapers – could hardly crow over its rival's misfortune. It was forced to sell a large stake in its profit machine Trade Me, while writing down the value of its New Zealand publications by an astonishing 80 per cent. And NZPA? That closed in 2012 after 130 years in operation.
(ACP – publisher of this magazine, along with Metro, Next and a slate of other titles in New Zealand and Australia – was sold to privately owned German media conglomerate Bauer in September last year, following five years under the ownership of debt-burdened, cost-cutting private equity firm CVC Capital Partners.)
Which is to say the profitability of print media publishers in this country – as around the world – has gone from heroin trafficker to crack addict in a few short years. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the force behind this industry-shaking realignment is the internet, which has siphoned off many of the revenue streams that used to sustain print media, newspapers especially.
One argument sees it as simply the "creative destruction" inherent in capitalism and the inevitable price we pay for progress. But the extent to which this is a fair fight is being debated internationally, and various moves are being deployed to counteract the new global internet giants' dominance.
Brazil's news organisations have combined to opt out of Google's search results in favour of a communal paywall. France is just this side of declaring war on the search giant.
Many countries are also questioning the murky tax structures which meant that last year Google and Facebook combined paid
less than $130,000 in corporate tax in New Zealand.
While this is a vast, structural battle over which New Zealand has little control, through all this global media chaos one constant remains in our corner of the world: New Zealand On Air, through which we currently fully fund Radio New Zealand, a commercial-free news and culture radio station (and, inexplicably, a classical music sister channel, Radio New Zealand Concert).
Uniquely, though, we also dispense a contestable fund of over $87 million a year to create local content for various television and radio stations – including those owned by multinationals – and to invest in music and digital media. Not only are print publishers excluded from eligibility for this largesse, they are in direct competition with the broadcast media for both advertising revenue and consumer attention.
When there was a broadcasting fee, you could see the justification – it was user pays. That was abolished in 1999. When there was plenty of profit to go around, who was counting? But that finished years ago. When you had to pay to read a publication, it wasn't accessible to all. But now most newspapers are available free on the internet.
This bias toward certain forms of media is not because anyone in government has studied the issue and decided that radio and television are better, more important mediums of cultural communication than the written word. It's because the relevant legislation was largely drafted in the 80s.
So now, because of a "historical accident", the large media companies which entertain and inform us via our television screens and car radios get tens of millions of dollars a year in taxpayer subsidies, while those which perform the same function with the written word get nothing.
This quixotic situation has its roots in the fourth Labour government, 1984-1990. Richard Prebble was only broadcasting minister for little over a year before the Douglas cabal's ideological divide with Lange grew too vast and he was removed from the portfolio. But in that time he managed to radically alter the foundations of New Zealand's media.
Prebble today admits to being oblivious to the local broadcasting environment upon being handed the portfolio. He gleefully recalls horrifying the personnel at National Radio by not knowing who they were when they called to request an interview regarding his new post. Not long after his appointment, in order to immerse himself in his new portfolio, he took the recent report of a Royal Commission into Broadcasting on a trip to a "hideaway [he] had in Fiji".
The Royal Commission's report – assembled over years, and at a cost of more than $1 million – essentially proposed a continuation of the status quo. That was state-owned and funded television and radio, via the New Zealand Broadcasting Commission, with a limited and highly regulated role for the private sector. The report's main recommendation was a large rise in the broadcasting fee. Prebble, unsurprisingly, "quickly decided it was rubbish". He returned to New Zealand and began what he would subsequently call "the most far-reaching restructuring and deregulation of broadcasting, not only in this country but anywhere in the world".
To judge how you were likely to feel about the reforms, just try saying the words "public broadcasting".
To broadcasters, a fairly innocuous pair of words have become exceedingly pejorative. Public broadcasting's advocates, who generally adore the BBC like no other institution, revere the idea as media and programming unencumbered by the destructive populist forces of advertising and ratings.
Those of a more laissez-faire mindset view "public broadcasting" as the state and its organs deciding what "quality" means, both in relation to general programming, and to the news teams at the state-run media organisations. They believe the private sector, ratings, and the public's eyes and ears are the best determinants of quality.
As they tended to in the late 80s, the free-market advocates won this battle.
Prebble and his gang didn't want to abandon all broadcasting to market dictates, however – they believed there was merit in arguments about the way national and cultural identity was fed and watered through local productions. They just didn't believe in bulk funding one state organ, à la the BBC. Instead they proposed a brand-new approach to state funding of broadcasting.
TVNZ would remain under state ownership, but be run on an explicitly commercial basis, and expected to turn a profit. The market for television was to be deregulated, to avoid a repeat of the long-running fiasco whereby the successful bidder for TV3's "warrant" – the licence to broadcast – bankrupted itself due to the expense involved. Maori and community radio was to be funded separately, while the remainder of the vast available radio spectrum was to be auctioned to the highest bidder – a pioneering innovation since adopted around the world, notes Prebble approvingly.
Instead of funding being given directly to the channels, individual production houses would be funded on a programme-by-programme basis to produce local content, provided they could get a broadcaster to back their idea. It was as audacious a reform as any performed by that boldest of governments, and the arguments it started continue to rage today.
To those who enacted the reforms, and NZ on Air itself, it has been a model of success. Jim Stevenson is a lawyer and former deputy chair of the NZ on Air board who drafted much of the Broadcasting Act, and has been described as "the architect of the reforms". He's proud of what the organisation has achieved, and the way he sees NZ on Air as putting the viewer's preferences front and centre.
"It was based on consumer choice being promoted – what the public wanted to watch was very important. Some quite patronising objectives went out the window."
Even Prebble, after leading the free-market ideologues at Act, remains an advocate.
NZ on Air chair Miriam Dean notes in its 2012 annual report that "NZ on Air's vision, forged 20 years ago, has not deviated from an unwavering focus on creating great content."
Those views aren't shared by all. A New York University study of 14 publicly funded media models acidly notes, "New Zealand's recent history in some ways offers a cautionary tale of how not to structure and fund public media." In 2006, a group of prominent New Zealanders, including Maurice Gee, Margaret Mahy and no fewer than nine knights and dames, signed an open letter seeking some more "radical change" to our broadcast environment.
"We believe," they wrote, "that everyone who expects public television to make a better contribution to national life (remember Close to Home? McPhail and Gadsby? Gallery? and scores of other New Zealand programmes) will join us in urging that you reinstate a public television system comparable with those which are still the pride of citizens in Australia, Britain and Canada."
It's not just the upper crust who are disappointed in the status quo. NZ on Air has weathered a series of media storms over the past few years. There was controversy over the $80,000 released to fund the recording career of Annabel Fay, daughter of Sir Michael, and a subsequent junket to Great Mercury Island. A $50,000 21st birthday party for NZ on Air – with Shihad flown in for the occasion – was judged unseemly. And programming decisions have drawn consistent flak. There was funding for the Jersey Shore-style reality TV drama The GC, which was presented as an exploration of "how tikanga Maori supports [the show's participants] as they adapt to life in a new country". And the renewal of pricey, low-rating drama The Almighty Johnsons, despite its earlier cancellation by the show's network, drew very pointed commentary.
Much of the criticism is perhaps overblown. There is no statute in the Broadcasting Act to assess parental means before making a grant, and, Annabel Fay aside, no real demand for one. The 21st celebration is hard to defend, but NZ on Air's general operational efficiency is remarkable – it has lower personnel costs than the Film Commission, despite a budget four times as large.
The GC ended up looking very different on screen to the proposal initially presented to NZ on Air, but the funding decisions it makes are very much in line with its mandate, "a sustained commitment by… television and radio broadcasters to programming reflecting New Zealand identity and culture".
The agency has evolved with the times, in the slightly creaky way that government bodies do. Its ratio of radio to television has leaned heavily in television's favour, reflecting the costs and popularity of the medium. It has nudged the limits of its remit to fund talent shows, at one end, and pointy-headed political debate at the other. The latter is a bigger change than it might appear on the surface, as news and current affairs were never funded in the past, and were always assumed to be self-sustaining.
"It simply did not seem necessary [to fund news and current affairs], since the broadcasters in the 90s were willing to pay for those genres," says Roger Horrocks, emeritus professor at Auckland University.
It does seem necessary now. Current affairs is subsidised under the "Platinum Fund" – set up five years ago to "support quality content, which may be currently difficult to find on our screens", according to a NZ on Air spokesperson. The implication that NZ On Air's other programming is not "quality content" was surely unintentional. But the agency's acceptance of the need for subsidy to counter the dwindling public appetite for "hard" current affairs – hello, Seven Sharp – means they are now funding programmes in head-to-head competition with the core business of the print news media.
The other major change in recent years has been NZ on Air's tentative foray onto the internet. The funding body has spent $11 million on "digital media" over the past five years. The various websites and experimental online shows are an explicit acknowledgment that the broadcast audience has increasingly headed toward the net. In so doing, it should be commended for attempting to keep pace with changing times – they would rightly be damned if they didn't. But it also tacitly adds the suffix "and Online" to New Zealand On Air – placing the internet alongside free-to-air television and radio as venues which are accessible to all.
Obviously you can't subsidise your way out of all the internet's many challenges. But if the "digital media" subsidy makes it clear that the audience is migrating onto the net, then how can NZ on Air continue to justify the vast funding bias toward television and radio's sound and vision and against publishers of the written word?
One of the internet's greatest achievements is its bringing all media companies face to face, on a brand new field, for the first time. In early February, for instance, you could read tributes to Sir Paul Holmes on 3news.co.nz, tvnz.co.nz, radionz.co.nz,nzherald.co.nz and stuff.co.nz, to name only the most prominent online media outlets. Increasingly, all are deploying video, words and images to convey both news and what you might politely term "lifestyle" content.
The first three sites mentioned are run by broadcasters, who back them up with hefty, expanding selections of video or audio on demand – that might be termed their competitive advantage against the print publishers' much bigger newsrooms. Large chunks of that audio and video are, of course, funded by NZ on Air, allowing their audience to meet their product on their own schedule and on a device of their choosing. Every few months, the media companies seem to get closer. TVNZ now describes itself as "New Zealand's leading television and digital media company", while Fairfax claims to be an "innovative, integrated multi-media business".
There's a name for all this: convergence. Gavin Ellis defines it as "the way in which the digital environment is blurring, if not eliminating the gaps between television, radio and print". Ellis' background in print might make you suspect a bias – but a recently released review by the Law Commission puts it in equally stark terms.
"The bright line distinctions between traditional broadcast and print media are becoming increasingly blurred as commercial media companies converge online, producing a rich mix of text and video accessed via a variety of different channels and devices."
They go on to suggest a single voluntary regulator for all media, to replace the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the Press Council and the just-launched, broadcast-media only Online Media Standards Authority.
There are many positive elements to convergence. Consumer choice explodes, the ability to efficiently serve minority audiences is vastly expanded and shift workers aren't forced to endure late-night television, to name but three.
The internet has brought the news print media to its knees. But it has also brought it onto screens, where it sits side by side with its long-time competitors for advertising dollars and consumer attention. In the vast majority of cases, newspapers (and a few magazines, but not this one) offer some or all of their content online, for free – and you can bet more would if their content costs were subsidised in an equivalent manner to their broadcast competitors. It all comes down to the unintended consequence of the Broadcasting Act's far-reaching reforms. Because if we had done as the academics and BBC enthusiasts had suggested and state funded only non-commercial "public broadcasting" stations, one set of directly competing media companies wouldn't be subsidised at the expense of another.
But we did, and continue to. So, how do we justify funding the production of content – call it storytelling, journalism, cultural criticism or light entertainment – for some media companies and not others, based increasingly on the historical origins of the company?
This is obviously a self-serving question to pose, for both a freelance print journalist, and a magazine like North & South. To see whether there was any substance to it, I spent a few hours putting variations on this question to the broadcasting voices of our three main political parties.
First was Craig Foss – MP for TukiTuki – who inherited the broadcasting portfolio from Jonathan Coleman after the last election. Foss is, like his boss, a former banker whose bio lists "family, friends, rugby and the beach" as his favourite activities, but he says his lack of a prior background in broadcasting hasn't proved a barrier to his embrace of what he characterises as the "very exciting times" facing media companies.
"They're all converging on their own, essentially responding to the demands of those who are looking to view or read their product."
Very true. In light of that, is it fair to be funding content for certain media companies, and not others?
"The world is changing," says Foss blandly. "On your computer screen, on your laptop or iPad or whatever it may be – you can now watch TV, live or recorded, watch a movie, listen to the radio or read the latest newspaper, or click on video content within that newspaper. Content, content, content is what it's all about.
"I don't think it's a question of fairness or otherwise," he adds.
The minister is bizarrely enthusiastic about the immense changes to audience behaviour and revenue streams that are devastating media companies large and small in New Zealand, and says he has no plans to reassess the funding philosophies or targets.
"We've had about four different governments since 1989, and [the Broadcasting Act is] relatively unchanged, which says that actually no party sees it as a major priority to change the Broadcasting Act or New Zealand on Air."
That last statement will come as some surprise to Clare Curran and Julie Ann Genter, broadcasting spokespersons for Labour and the Green party respectively. Curran says she sees "this attitude that it's okay to spend taxpayers' money on content that is of dubious value, and is providing profits to commercial interests. I think that's wrong. I think it's absolutely wrong," – while Genter believes "probably the whole thing needs to be re-evaluated".
Foss' point about the absence of major change to the Broadcasting Act is correct, while glossing the fact that the job losses and real financial turmoil at the major publishers has come since 2008 – an era in which only his party has been in the position to effect change. The need for reassessment of broadcast funding policy is, in fact, an area of common ground in the increasingly fractious relationship between the Greens and Labour.
Genter admits her party lacks concrete policy on the subject but acknowledges, "There is a case for public funding of journalism, no matter what the particular media is. I think there's a case for that. And I think it's probably an accident of history that there is a funding for broadcast media, and not for print journalism."
Labour's Curran is herself a former print journalist, and mourns what she describes as "the demise of the medium". It is perhaps unsurprising then that her party has the most sophisticated and nuanced policy toward the current situation.
"I'm not saying, 'Let's provide state funding to print media because they're in a difficult situation,'" she says. "That's not how I would be approaching it. I would say, 'What sort of media are you providing, and what's your business model, and what's your case for justifying public money being spent on you?'"
It's not just the Left's politicians who are pondering the implications of this new era. Right-leaning blogger David Farrar recently wrote, "There is arguably a case that one differentiates media on the basis of their reach, ie number of listeners, readers or subscribers. That's more logical than the medium used."
He was writing in support of the Law Commission's single regulator proposal, but the same elegant argument applies equally well to public funding.
Former Herald editor Gavin Ellis puts it still more bluntly. "Convergence means you can't legitimately continue to fund only two [mediums]. But in order to fund all of them, you need to fundamentally change the structures under which that funding takes place."
When I asked Richard Prebble for his thoughts on such an arrangement – how you might fund the production of such content – he laughed it off as impossibly difficult to administer. "That's like saying the taxpayer should fund the May issue of North & South!"
Only, it's not. In fact it's very simple to transpose broadcast funding to publishing. For a broadcaster, like TV One, TV3 or Mai FM, read a publisher, like the New Zealand Herald, interest.co.nz or North & South. The publisher would tally up the costs incurred in producing a feature or running a column – writers, researchers, sub-editors, photographers – and submit them to an NZ On Air-esque body for approval. To ensure its accessibility to all, you could require it to be available on a free, permanent online archive – where it would likely outlive broadcast content, thanks to the written word's ability to be more easily indexed and searched. It would also begin to undo the medium bias which allows for Bryan Bruce to make a loud, pointed, taxpayer-funded documentary about child poverty, but not for an equally skilled print journalist to file a series on the same subject for, say, stuff.co.nz's millions of weekly viewers.
It is, to be sure, a big change. And one print publishers have yet to publicly agitate for – though they have no doubt noted the discrepancy. Perhaps that's because the print media traditionally kept itself as far away from government as possible, from a desire to avoid regulation, and to be seen as better able to hold power to account. If they took money from the government, how could they be trusted to keep criticising it when it mis-stepped? Ellis suggests such an organisation would need the equivalent of "a thousand Berlin walls" around it to guard against political interference.
But he also points out that we already trust plenty of organisations to operate independently of their funding mechanism. The police and judiciary, for starters. Similarly, state-funded universities employ academics who blaze at government policies, and ministers dutifully front up to maulings on Morning Report and The Nation without threatening to cut the purse strings.
There is, of course, a print precedent,
in the formerly state-owned Listener, which owed its success to an exclusive right
to publish TV and radio listings, and existed in competition with privately owned publications. But apart from that notable example, which the government sold in the early 90s, publishers and the Crown have largely stayed away from one another.
A look around the world, however, suggests that is not necessarily inevitable. In fact, this country is near unique in not offering some state assistance to its print media. Most European nations provide reductions or exemptions from sales tax for newspapers and magazines, while even that bastion of the free market, the United States, provides heavily discounted access to its postal service for the delivery of subscriptions. Hence those jaw-droppingly priced subscription offer cards that fall out of their magazines.
Traditional media companies are only part of the problem though. If New Zealand's journalistic tradition, written and photographic, is to thrive in the new medium, it needs to encourage the growth of new start-ups – likely entirely web-based – as much as it does support the transition of its old players. Among the dross, some blogs have proven reliable sources of quality journalism and writing, but they're mostly done for love, not money, and therefore very vulnerable to changing personal circumstances. Hardly a sound foundation upon which to build a culture.
The likes of Public Address and finance site interest.co.nz are proving that a large, engaged audience can be generated in the new environment. But it should be noted that the difficulties interest.co.nz's Bernard Hickey faced with his much-anticipated, now-aborted journalism.org.nz site point to how tricky the contemporary environment for new media ventures remains.
Of the three main parties, it is Labour (and Curran) which has put the most thought into the promotion of growth within this new area. An unpublished policy proposal supplied to North & South shows the shape of their thinking.
"Labour will encourage a competitive environment in digital commercial media, and investigate the merits of providing special tax status to low-profit, limited-liability content development companies which are New Zealand-owned and who commit to a defined programme of reinvestment in their business."
It's an area Ellis sees as of real merit, and one that's the subject of increasing attention in the US. To New Zealanders used to commendably simple tax structures, it might sound like leading to the bewildering muddle of loopholes and deductions which makes the US tax code so byzantine. It does, though, have the advantage of not simply adding another media form to the subsidies list – while unfortunately not doing away with the inequalities and anachronisms embedded in the current system.
Given the range of potential solutions to this tangled mess, it seemed pertinent to put them to someone more qualified to judge their advantages. Shamubeel Eaqub is principal economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, and unsurprisingly says his "starting point would be to not subsidise if possible".
But given that we already are?
"If you were constructing the perfect system, you'd say that you would be agnostic of mode of delivery. You would pick the mode of delivery that reached the most people."
As of today, that's not what we do. We instead pick the modes of delivery which we have always picked. The question is, how much longer will we continue with this course of action, and what will the consequences be?
In its most recent survey, conducted with the 2006 census, the New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation found that a formidable 87 per cent of New Zealand's journalists were employed in the print media. For all the surveys which suggest trust in journalists as sitting marginally above that for politicians, not many advocate doing away with them altogether – or think a massive, sustained reduction in their number would be positive. And as that percentage suggests, the cliché about print breaking stories which are then followed up by broadcast media would seem to be borne out by the overwhelming strength in numbers.
For Gavin Ellis, the stakes are already high. "We're not yet at a stage where serious journalism is in peril of vanishing from the face of New Zealand," he says. "Or private enterprise. But there is absolutely no doubt the resources available to it have been severely eroded. Severely eroded.
"I believe we're at the stage now, and have been for some time, where we're below a credible minimum. And this year we may see structural changes that further erode it."
He is referring there to the potential for a merger between APN and Fairfax, a possibility he pondered recently, tellingly on Radio New Zealand's Nine to Noon.
"Is it a good thing to have all our newspapers under one foreign owner? Of course not. But beggars can't be choosers."
The media is often referred to as the fourth plank of democracy, and right now its largest section is rotting away. Viewed from some angles, it already resembles a vicious circle – newspapers shrinking, leading to lower sales and revenues, leading to further cuts which reduce the quality of the product and drive yet more consumers away from subscribing, or reducing their inclination to venture over a paywall should one arrive.
Many magazine titles have shed staff writers, quietly disappeared or gone to online models only, with particular attrition at the minority-interest end – the very non-mainstream audience for which governments have so often expressed concern.
A doomy Auckland University lecture series in 2011 was titled "The End(s) of Journalism", and that mordant pun becomes more acutely observed with each round of writedowns and layoffs. But while Foss talks up the "exciting times" in media, its oldest segment is suffering mightily.
Unfortunately for those who enjoy and rely on print journalism – regardless of whether they find it on paper or screen – this government is content for the unfair fight against its broadcast-based competition, and its spiralling consequences, to continue unabated.
– North & South, May 2013


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Look at the earnings reports for ITIC, FNF,and FAF, all reported today 10-23-02. All reported dramatic increases and enthusiasm for the near future and the stocks all went down. They are all selling at very low p/e ratios already. My conclusion is the market is flat out nuts. They all want to know if now is a good time to buy AMZN and AOL. They are all idiots!!!!!!
You just had to wait a day!I sold out. Markets continue to make me nervous and I am more inclined to keep my cash stash on the larger side.This is now near historic highs, so I sorta sold on the good earnings news, hoping to buy back in later on a pullback.good luck


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Notable Features
- Grille streamlined for 2008
- Premium stereo standard on Limited
- 250-hp V-6 engine
- Five-speed automatic
- Side-impact and curtain airbags
- All-disc antilock brakes
- Available Engines:
- 250-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 (regular gas)
- Transmissions:
- 5-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
Expert Snapshot
What We Like
- Top crash-test rating
- Standard stability system
- Standard seat-height adjustment
- Interior quality
- Estimated fuel economy
- Long-lasting warranty
What We Don't Like
- Wide turning circle
- Velour-style standard upholstery
- Cargo space trails class leaders
- Second row seats weigh 60 lbs. apiece
- Cargo opening narrows at bottom
2 Styles: View, Compare & Price
Standard Engine
See specs for optional engines
GLS Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van
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250-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 (regular gas)
Limited Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van
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250-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 (regular gas)
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August 11, 2010By: Mary Winston Nicklin
On-the-Farm Organic Lunch with the Chefs from Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego
San Diego's Loews Coronado Bay Resort gets props for its extensive facilities (private 80-slip marina, tennis courts, pools) and top-notch eats. One of our favorite dining spots is Mistral, which serves modern French cuisine with the finest, responsibly grown ingredients (including fresh herbs from the resort's own garden). The views at Mistral are just as spectacular as the grub: sunsets over the Pacific, vistas of Coronado Bay, and the glittering San Diego skyline stretch out beyond floor-to-ceiling windows. Buzzworthy: Master Chef Marc Ehrler and Mistral Chef de Cuisine Chef Patrick Ponsaty are launching an "On the Farm" series of events where guests get a hands-on farm encounter and enjoy a three-course lunch freshly made from organic farm ingredients. The first such event will take place at Suzie's Farm on Saturday, August 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a Cocktail Reception & Mixology Lesson, Three-Course Lunch with Organic Bonterra Wine Pairings and Interactive Farm Exploration. $75 per person, plus tax & gratuity. Reservations are required at 619-424-4476 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Space is limited.
firstname.lastname@example.com. Space is limited."/>
Posted in: Articles, Featured Luxury Hotels, Food and Wine, Beach and Island, North America, The Practical Traveler, Events, Green and Eco-Friendly Hotels
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Local Women Who Care hoping to increase ranks
FAIRLAWN — The Summit County group of 100+ Women Who Care started the same way many other chapters have, with one woman.
In terms of numbers, the local group doesn't quite yet live up to its name. A year since it started, about a dozen women have conducted four meetings, resulting in almost $4,000 in donations to local charities.
What the women have done so far is good, according to organizers, but their goal is to expand — hopefully tenfold.
"We would love to be able to get 100 women doing it," according to one of the group's founders, Lisa Berardinelli, who added it would be great if the group could present $10,000 to a local charity following one of its quarterly meetings.
The purpose of 100+ Women Who Care, which started in Jackson, Mich., in 2008, is simple but effective, according to local organizers. Members show up at quarterly meetings to pool their resources, each writing a check for $100 to one local charity they choose together. They can make the biggest impact that way, according to local organizers, by handing over a large donation on behalf of the whole group.
Around four years ago, the initial group of 100 women at their first meeting in Jackson raised $10,000 to buy 300 new baby cribs for an organization in that city, according to local organizers. Since then, groups have sprung up in communities as far away as London, with several already established in Ohio, according to local organizers.
Berardinelli remembers seeing an article in an area newspaper touting the organization, the first of which appeared in the summer of 2010, as the Cleveland Metro group was getting started.
"It sounded really cool, and I filed it in the back of my head," Berardinelli said.
Later, she learned a Medina County group was forming closer to home and made a mental note to attend one of their meetings.
Berardinelli and Gabrielle Nuzzi, co-founders of the Summit County chapter, launched the local group while attending yoga teacher training at Yoga Bliss last year, to fulfill the course's Seva requirement. Seva is Sanskrit for "selfless service to others," according to Yoga Bliss officials.
Berardinelli said the pair's Seva project, which benefited from guidance from the Medina County organizers, resulted in a $1,100 donation to local shelter ACCESS Inc. from the April 2013 inaugural meeting of 100+ Women Who Care Summit County.
Since then, they've given $700 or $800 each to three other local nonprofits, including the International Institute of Akron, Whitehawk Ranch and, most recently, Rahab Ministries, she said.
The next meeting of 100+ Women Who Care Summit County is set for April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Yoga Bliss, located at 3045 Smith Road in Suite 300. The yoga center donates use of the space for the meetings, which last less than an hour, Berardinelli said. There is no need to make a reservation to attend a meeting, she said. Women can just show up — and are welcome to bring friends, she added.
There are more than 660 eligible organizations, which are nonprofits that are located in and provide help to people in Summit County, with donations being 100 percent tax-deductible, according to Berardinelli.
Each member commits to donating $100 four times a year. If $100 a quarter seems a bit steep, teams are also welcome to join, Berardinelli said, noting that the Summit County group does not yet have any teams registered.
"If you can't afford $100, you can afford $25 with three friends," Berardinelli said.
Groups get one collective vote.
"You're still making a huge difference," she said,
If a member is unable to attend a meeting, she may give her check to another member to deliver on her behalf or she may mail it in after the meeting.
To decide where the donation goes, the names of three charities are drawn from those nominated during the meeting. Any member can nominate a charity, even at their first meeting, said Berardinelli. The three chosen are each the subject of a five-minute, informal presentation by the individual who threw their name in.
After the presentations and questions and answers, members cast their votes to select the winner. Majority rules, and every member is expected to write a check to the winning organization, she said.
Later, some of the women get together to deliver the checks to the selected organization, said Berardinelli.
Also, a representative from the selected charity is invited to speak to the group at their next meeting to report on how the money was spent.
Charities can be nominated more than once, but they can only win once, she said.
The meetings are very informal, Berardinelli added. Woman who are unsure if they want to make the commitment to join are welcome to come and observe a meeting, with no pressure to join, she said. If someone does decide to join, she can fill out a commitment form during the meeting.
Even as 100+ Women Who Care makes strides to live up to its name by increasing its membership, group members are already making a mark.
"You really are making a difference," said Berardinelli. "It has an impact."
For more information, visit the website 100womenwhocaresummit.weebly.com or email email@example.com.
More Community News
- City reports sewer savings after plan altered
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- Norton citizens mount referendum campaign on sewer transfer
- Council OKs Woodridge, Portage Crossing construction plans
- Copley trustees increase cemetery capacity with columbarium
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- Trustees hear update on recycling program
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Calendar of Events
- Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market - 9/30/2016
- Glass and Found Object Sculpture - 9/30/2016
- The Babys - 9/30/2016
- Dueling Pianos to benefit the Battered Womens Shelter - 9/30/2016
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...More Events


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Colorful and Fun
Active within 307 Days
Name: TropicalFish
Size/Category 10-Gallon Freshwater
Type: Glass
Shape: Standard
List of Fish:
2 - Molly1 - Algae Eater1 - Dwarf Gourami2 - Guppy5 - Neon Tetra2 - Platy
Lighting: coming sometime
Filtration: coming sometime
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Other Accessories: Colorful "house", Glow in the dark plant, pink fuzzy looking plant, leafy plant (all artifical) Frog statue, Coral statue, and colorful rocks on the bottom
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text: Gilt, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise, culinary offerings, and experiences every day, many at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion for women, men, and children; home décor; artisanal ingredients; and unique activities in a growing list of cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.


text:
This miniature illustrates David's canticle of confidence and humility:
"If I was not humbly minded,
but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is
towards his mother, so reward in my soul."
We can see that the artist's imagination seeins to have failed him for several of these psalms, for he contented himself with depicting the King of Israel kneeling before his Creator in various settings: here, in front of the open door of a Gothic chapel.
small image (20KB) --- large image (190KB) --- David kneels in prayer (large) (193KB)


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Blogging Your Way to Happiness
The internet is a beautiful thing. Essentially, a person can do anything in the world on the internet, and more. You can shop, you can plan a vacation, you can learn everything there is to know, and you can keep in touch with anyone in the world. An estimate suggests that around 12 million American adults blog. It is one of the internet's favorite pass times. Not only is it fun to write them, but it is fun to read them. About 37% of blogs are about people's personal lives. It is much easier than writing a book, so easy in fact, that it is almost like keeping a journal. Many people become seemingly addicted to blogging, writing every day, for hours and hours and hours. There are blogs about politics, food, cats, places, people, and even everyday activities. If you love to experience the world through other people's eyes, reading a blog is perfect. On the flip side, if you believe you have an amazing life, then you would benefit from starting a blog.
What Blogging can do for You?
Aside from giving and getting personal enjoyment, blogging opens up an entire world of other opportunities. More and more businesses are utilizing blogs to keep their customers informed about their current products and services, as well as about new and coming ones. It is an Ria money order amazing marketing tool for anyone. If you want to promote yourself, a blog can help you to get your name out. Many freelancing artists and writers alike use blogs to show others their work. Of course, sometimes there are people in life that just… rub you the wrong way. Good news! You can rant and rave all about the people in your life that you hate, and all of the ways that you would like to see misfortune fall upon them. Of course, it is best to be careful, and if you create a blog such as this, it is highly recommended to use a pen name or remain anonymous.
A few things to keep in Mind about Blogging:
One of the main things to keep in mind is that if your blog is horrible, no one will read it. Do not provide content that is grammatically terrible, misspelled, and barely legible. Even though it is like a diary, it is not. Many people forget the amazing tool that was invented: spell-check. Another important thing to keep in mind is to figure out a way to create an archive for your blog. Many blogs are organized by date, and are part of a searchable database. Not only is this important to keep track of them, but some people would be interested in reading some of your other material. Most people have a goal of what they want to achieve through their blog. Not all blogs are aimless ranting. As with any goal, it is best to write it out, and develop a strategy to get there. A final, very, very important thing to keep in mind about your blog: Not everyone will like your blog. Whatever you put out on the internet is subject to criticism. If you allow comments on your blog, you need to moderate them carefully. Of course, blogging is an amazing opportunity, and you can even make money off of it. Happy blogging!


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Special Valentine's Day Offers in Asia
Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year. We've got some of our favorite offers and activities for love day stays in Asia. Book soon and be sure to check the rates carefully to avoid disappointment!
Grand Hyatt Tokyo (pictured left)
Romance Package
Take the time to reconnect. Enjoy time for just the two of you during your stay at Grand Hyatt Tokyo. You only need each other. The offer includes Club King or Grand Deluxe Twin, Grand King, Grand Twin, or Grand Deluxe King. Breakfast, Bottle of Red Wine, and 1pm Late Checkout.
Rates start at $564 per night >>
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Romance Package
Take the time to reconnect. Enjoy time for just the two of you during your stay at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. You'll enjoy daily breakfast, a bottle of sparkling wine, a box of heart-shaped chocolates, a dinner at Erawan Tea Roo, and a 4pm late checkout.
Rates start at $335 per night >>
J.W. Marriott Hong Kong
Sweet Deals for Two
Whether it is a weekend escape, anniversary, honeymoon or birthday celebration, the Sweet Deal for Two offers a classic choice to pamper your special someone in style. Celebrate over a bottle of Moet & Chandon, nine-piece chocolate box and daily breakfast for two persons. 1 King or 2 Double-bedded room with Harbor View.
Rates start at $657 per night >>
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Winter at the Park
Park Hyatt Tokyo with its modernist interiors, panoramic views and museum quality artworks, offers a perfect place to respite from the winter for some rest and relaxation. This special offer is available through the end of February. You get accommodation in a Park Deluxe Room, in a Park View Room or in a Park Suite, 10,000 yen Food & Beverage credit per room per night available for use at New York Grill, Girandole, Kozue and Room Service, and a late check-out up until 1pm.
Rates start at $593 per night >>
Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives (pictured right)
Villingili Escape
For stays of 3 nights or less. Guests receive buffet breakfast, and complimentary daily dinner, and wireless internet. Accomodations are a 133 square meter Pool Villa with one King bed, an ocean view, and a private pool.
Rates start at $1260 per night >>
Enjoy your stay!
All rates are based on double occupancy and extra charges may apply. Please be advised that the rates, availability, as well as any extra person charges are subject to change depending on the hotel's policies.
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Hi! My name is Sassy
I am a Siamese from Henry, IL
Nicknames: sassyfrass
Age: 9 years old
Gender: F
Coat: short haired
My favorite tricks and treats are: none and roast beef and tuna and anything else I can mooch off my mom and dad's plates
Where I hang out: on the couch or on my mom's lap
My favorite grubs: cat chow and any kind of moist cat food
My pet peeves: my dad(I love only mom),when my doggy sisters try to give me kisses, and bath time
What I love about my owners: she gives me wonderful massages
My cat hobbies: playing with my buddy, Simba and my little red mouse toy
Pet motto: Never miss a chance to take a nap in a sunny spot.
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At 01:06 PM 10/26/99 , Mark S. Miller wrote:
>You got my drift exactly. I, perhaps, misunderstood the history. I thought
>we were deprecating the definition of Trace objects by classes outside the
>trace subsystem. I thought non-legacy code was supposed to instead use only
>Trace objects exported by the trace subsystem.
>>I'm on the road, so I can't look at the code right now. But I think that's
>>how it worked.
>That is how the code works. Both styles are fully supported. The question
>is one of intent. If you didn't intend to deprecate decentralized
>Trace-object definition, then I evolved the code towards the wrong
>consistency. Instead, as I think I prefer anyway, we should migrate each
>Trace-object definitions that is not *about* the trace subsystem into the
>subsystem it is about.
I didn't intend to deprecate decentralized Trace object definition. I think I'd prefer Trace objects to be defined in the subsystems that use them. They were only centrally defined to encourage people to move from class-specific Trace objects to subsystem-specific Trace objects.
-- Brian Marick, Reliable Software Technologies, http://www.rstcorp.com Testing essays and FAQs at http://www.rstcorp.com/marick/ Technical Editor of Software Testing and Quality Engineering, http://www.stqemagazine.com "Let every student of nature take this as his rule, that whatever the mind seizes upon with particular satisfaction is to be held in suspicion." -- Francis Bacon, Novum Organum, 1620.


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The pain for Spain will mainly be McShane
Carl O'Malley
The news that Paul McShane has been included as #13 in the Rep of Ireland squad for Euro 2012 has furrowed a few brows.
The defender was included this morning at the expense of Kevin Foley.
Now, the Wicklow man has been criticised for being a touch agricultural, at times, but look at it this way, yisser Xavis and Iniestas can't keep it on the deck if the bleedin' thing is in row Z.


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Part Three – Work in Short, Focused Bursts
This is Part Three of a three-part series about leaning into simple practices and disciplines that allow you to move steadily toward making money in fresh, new ways. This series showcases the principles and practices we use in the Monetize Your Message Action Circle.
When you are smart and complicated, you have a tendency to value the big, the grand, the elaborate, over the small, the simple, and the humble.
In terms of work productivity, that can look like minimizing the value of taking small steps or making incremental shifts, and looking down on setting the bar low for what you accomplish each day.
The prevailing thought is: If I can't spend three hours on this today, it's not worth spending ten minutes. And then too many days go by without that big investment of time, and your commitment to your important-but-easy-to-put-off project gets postponed so long you begin to lose the drive to make it happen.
That's why in the action circle, we encourage the discipline of working on your projects in short, focused bursts.
A work burst means spending 5-45 minutes working on a specific, and important, project without interruption.
When you master the work burst, you start to realize that doing 5-10-15 minutes a day on a big, important project actually adds up quickly.
If you have the luxury of a full work day to do what you want, you can do several longer work bursts. But if you have a more typical day full of other commitments, you also realize that you can squeeze in a short burst here and there between things and move forward without the luxury of a lot of time.
In fact, I wrote everything in this article up to this point in the 7 minutes I had between taking my son to school in the morning and going to ballet class, which pretty much took care of my whole morning.
My favorite way to use this technique is to commit to using the first, and best, part of my day to work on a that vitally-important-but-easy-to-put-off project. That project I might be tempted to say I don't have time for.
What that could look like for you is beginning the day doing whatever puts you in a positive frame of mind. Prayer, meditation, running, or re-reading your inspiring vision.
And then, before checking your email, or launching into anything else time-consuming or energy-draining, working on what you've chosen as your priority project for the week or for the month – whether it's creating the marketing for a new program, reaching out to establish key business relationships, working on your message development, or rewriting the web copy you've been meaning to update for years.
Working on that without interruption for whatever time frame you choose: whether it's five minutes or 45 minutes.
And then, you take a break. You celebrate that you put your most important work first.
If you have a busy day, you can move into your calls and appointments knowing that you are not letting things slide. If you have a more open day, you have the option to do another focused work burst on that project or move on to another one.
Doing this consistently takes practice and lots of reminders. Doing this consistently keeps you focused, strong, and moving forward even when life is throwing you curve balls.