(NewsUSA) - Retirees seeking comfortable climates, relaxed lifestyles, and affordable, quality medical care might find a hidden gem in Costa Rica.<br /> <br /> In fact, International Living magazine named Costa Rica number three, ahead of Spain, France, and Mexico, on its 2020 list of top places to retire. Other appealing features include the low cost of living and ease of buying real estate.<br /> <br /> One of the reasons for capturing the top spot is that Costa Rica offers a diverse history and culture that make it an enriching location for travel, as well as retirement. Many retirees from the United States who are interested in living abroad have discovered the elements that make Costa Rica unique and special.<br /> <br /> Anyone contemplating retirement either sooner or farther down the road can become familiar with Costa Rica through a fully escorted tour. Many time-share organizations will target tourists and can be scams, so it is important to make informed decisions about how to travel and explore. Companies such as Caravan Tours provide immersive experiences that include meals, transportation, and excursions across more than 750 miles of the country.<br /> <br /> The Caravan Costa Rica Natural Paradise tour offers nine days of carefully chosen hotels, delicious meals, and entertaining excursions for an all-inclusive price. The relaxed, yet engaging, itinerary is designed to balance single- night and two-night stays for an unhurried pace, and each day includes scenic and rest stops. Comprehensive sightseeing with local guides provides an ideal opportunity for retirees and future retirees to become familiar with the country.<br /> <br /> The Natural Paradise tour kicks off in San Jose, where Caravan tours provides easy transportation from the airport to the hotel. Day trips from San Jose include visits to a coffee plantation and an artists' village in the Central Mountain Range.<br /> <br /> Other highlights of the tour include the Cano Negro Cruise, which passes through a wildlife refuge that is home to a variety of animals, including whistling ducks, howler monkeys, and water-walking lizards, followed by an evening soak in volcanic hot springs. In addition, travelers have opportunities to hike the suspension bridges of Guanacaste with a naturalist guide, and visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park with its spectacular rain forest and beach cove, as well as enjoy the amenities of a world class beach resort.<br /> <br /> Caravan Tours is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), NTA (National Tour Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and an allied member of ACTA (Alliance of Canadian Travel Agencies).<br /> <br /> For more information about fully escorted tours to Costa Rica, visit caravan.com.<br /> <br /> Ref: History - in Blogs

Follow me as I explain a different way to view the mundane of everyday life. Sometimes it's better to take a good look around you and discover the beauty that is right infront of you.<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Motivation - in Blogs</span>

You ever notice how everyone's got a morning routine? "I'm a morning person," they say. "I'm a night owl," they claim. But let's be real, most of us are just trying to survive until our first cup of coffee.<br /><br />I was talking to my friend George the other day, and he told me his morning routine involves hitting the snooze button 12 times. I'm pretty sure that's not what the wellness experts had in mind.<br /><br />So, what's your morning routine? Are you a zen master or a caffeine junkie? Do you meditate, journal, or hit the gym? Or do you just roll out of bed and stumble into the kitchen?<br /><br />Let's get real about our morning habits. What's working for you? What's not? Share your morning struggles and triumphs with us! 🤣☕️ #MorningRoutine #Lifestyle #ComedyOfErrors

(NewsUSA) - If you're reading this story, that probably means you're a concerned parent who wouldn't dream of buying your 8-year-old the new "Battlefield 4" video game for the holidays, no matter how many hissy fits are thrown. But let's face it, you've also got a zillion other things on your mind right now -- how's that work deadline coming? -- and not every title is so obviously age-inappropriate.<br /> <br /> What to do?<br /> <br /> Well, first, remember the reason most kids enjoy playing video games is a positive one. "When kids are asked, in focus groups and surveys, what they like about video games, they generally talk about freedom, self-direction and competence," Peter Gray, a research professor at Boston College, wrote in Psychology Today. And second, know that you're not without helpful resources.<br /> <br /> Here's how to ensure you make a smart choice:<br /> <br /> * Check the box. Not only does each one include a letter on the front indicating the maturity level assigned by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) -- i.e., "EC" for early childhood, "E10+" for those 10 and over, and "T" for teen -- but the cover's flip side provides the basis for the grade. Meaning, if you're unsure whether a video game rated "E" for everyone (or even "M" for mature, 17 or older) is right for your child, content descriptors like "fantasy violence" could be the clincher.<br /> <br /> And while producers aren't required to submit games for review, retail partners of the ESRB like GameStop (www.gamestop.com) say they make a point of only carrying ESRB-rated games. "Each child has a unique personality, and we believe in helping parents protect younger players from overly mature content," says Jason Cochran, vice president of store operations and strategic initiatives at the company, which is the world's largest multichannel retailer of video games.<br /> <br /> * Understand the gaming lingo. You know that clueless feeling you get when your child drops gamer terms like "FPS" around the house? The website RespectTheRatings.com explains their meaning -- in this case, "first person shooter," signifying a game where the player sees the action through the eyes of its main character -- and also offers such other handy tips as the availability of built-in parental controls on consoles and handheld devices.<br /> <br /> * Ask the experts. About 73 percent of all video games are rated "E" through "T," and GameStop actually has "Game Advisors" in every store who can tell you which ones harness creativity ("Disney Infinity"), say, and which are delightful fantasies ("Angry Birds: Star Wars").<br /> <br /> One last tip: When in doubt, try the games in stores yourself.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ref: Gaming - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Sponsored News - As we head into summer, it's important to find accessories that show off your style, while brightening up your wardrobe. Since summer brings an explosion of bold colors and vibrant patterns, this season's trends are no different.<br /> <br /> So pack away your dreary duds, your winter boots and clean out that closet to get yourself ready for some fun in the sun.<br /> <br /> Unsure of where to start? The following summer accessories are a must:<br /> <br /> * Slip into a dress. A slip dress is a simple, elegant base layer that can be dressed up with accessories and is a trend worth paying attention to. To get a high-fashion look, layer them with frilly undershirts and jumpers.<br /> <br /> * Fancy your footwear. If you're anything like Carrie Bradshaw, the best way to dress up an outfit is with a pair of wedge sandals. The right pair of wedges can glam up your look, make your legs look long, yet still allow you to move comfortably. If, however, you prefer shoes with little to no heel, you'll be happy to know that flat-flats are in (think ballet slippers and gladiator sandals.)<br /> <br /> * Go glam with glasses. Choosing eyewear that's not only stylish but functional can be difficult. Transitions lenses are great because they block 100 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays and are available in nearly all prescriptions. They also come in a variety of colors that complement your personal style and frame choice. With one pair of lenses, your eyes will feel comfortable indoors or out, in bright light, low light and everything in between.<br /> <br /> * Choose a hat. As important as it is to get some natural vitamin D, too much sun is bad for the skin. A floppy hat is a great accessory that lets you flaunt a style that fits your personality, get a little sun, but still protect yourself from harmful UV rays.<br /> <br /> * Grab a bag. A statement bag is the perfect way to enhance your look. When choosing the right purse for your outfit, think luxe fabrics, contrasting textures, and bright patterns. Pair with a great pair of glasses to pull off a celebrity look.<br /> <br /> For more information, please visit www.transitions.com. <br /> <br /> Ref: Fashion Women - in Blogs

<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Blogs</span>

(NewsUSA) - In the age of nonstop news and often limited fact-checking, a new digital news publication, Rantt, is moving in the other direction, focusing on slowing the story down, and getting the facts right, even if it means not being the first to publish a seemingly hot story.<br /> <br /> "We're taking an episodic approach to covering stories, and pride ourselves on slowing down the news," Rantt CEO and co-founder Zak Ali says in a feature in The Huffington Post on March 6, 2017.<br /> <br /> "We want to be the opposite of everything we see wrong with the news media: sensationalism, misleading clickbait, false equivalency, etc.," Ali says. "Also, we feel like we are a voice for the disenfranchised population who feel let down by the mainstream media. Rantt will be the first episodic news source that people turn towards to get the full truth the first time," he emphasizes.<br /> <br /> Rantt launched online in November 2016, in the wake of the controversial presidential election. The Washington, D.C.-based startup reports more than 100,000 unique visitors as of March 2017. Data from the company suggests that visitors to the site encompass a range of demographics, but most of its readers are millennials. Rantt's growing popularity also supports the idea that there is still an audience for unrushed, well-documented news stories.<br /> <br /> The company was initially funded by Tricent Capital, a Silicon Valley investment firm, but their success is prompting them to expand and raise additional funds. The site's popularity reflects the public's desire for and interest in accuracy in the news, according to Ali.<br /> <br /> Public interest in politics and current events surged at the time of the election and remain high, opening the door for alternative media options to serve a news-hungry readership. The founders cite the Drudge Report, Politico, and Talking Points Memo as examples of independent online news organizations that are able to fill a niche and serve as an alternative to the traditional mainstream media sources.<br /> <br /> Rantt.com, includes a news section, an opinion section (known as Rantts), a section devoted to news related to President Donald Trump (known as Unpresidented) and a section called Underreported that provides a weekly summary of top news stories.<br /> <br /> Check out rantt.com to read the latest stories, explore contributors' profiles, and follow stories on the company's Twitter feed.<br /> <br /> Ref: Events - in Blogs

<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Blogs</span>