(NewsUSA) - A century ago, it was common for the affluent to take a months-long Grand Tour to see the sights of Europe.     

Today, a typical vacation averages two weeks or less -- not long enough to experience the highlights of Europe-- or is it?     

On a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, you can visit theTrevi Fountain in Rome, the lavender fields of Provence and Barcelona’s famous cathedrals, with side trips to the Italian riviera and a Spanish vineyard.     

With international airfares decreasing, parity between the dollar and euro for the first time in decades and a new generation of cruise ships plying its waters, a Mediterranean cruise vacation has never been more attractive, accessible or affordable.

Convenient and Inclusive     

On a cruise, you unpack once and you’re done. No lugging baggage from hotel to hotel or bus to train. Plus, your meals, on-board activities and entertainment are included in the cruise fare.

A Different Country (Almost) Every Day     

A typical seven-day Mediterranean cruise will have five or six port calls in several countries. Cruise lines design shore excursions to maximize time in port, getting you to the sites you want to see efficiently and safely, and ensuring your timely return to the ship. Amazing Value     

With the euro on par with the dollar for the first time in 20 years, your vacation budget can go farther than ever. For example, for North American consumers, Costa cruises are sold in dollars, but shipboard spending is in euros. Parity means your dollar buys as much as a euro, which can mean up to 30% in savings.     

Also, Costa makes it easy to recoup the value-added tax, or VAT, charged in European Union countries on-board, skipping long lines at the airport.     

In terms of value, Costa’s offers are unparalleled in the Med. Savvy shoppers can find cruise fares of about $100 to $150 per person per day -- and some as low as $65 --with other deals in which kids sail free or amenities and add-ons such as drink packages and on-board credits are included in the fare.     

Sailing the Mediterranean for more than 70 years, Costa Cruises is the undisputed leader in the region, offering more new ships and more itineraries than any other cruise line.       

For an immersive, European experience of the Mediterranean on an authentically Italian-style cruise, contact your travel professional, visit costacruises.com or call Costa Cruises North America at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782).

(NewsUSA) - As the sun rises in middle America, nature comes to life. Ducks, geese and other birds emerge from a marsh, taking flight into a golden sky, while prairie grasses whisper in the morning breeze and insects begin to hum.     

The growing cacophony of honks, quacks, chirps and splashes is music to Jason Black’s ears. As public land manager of the McPherson Valley Wetlands in central Kansas, they are proof that this habitat is thriving.     

“This is a special place,” says Black. “I get to watch it grow through the seasons, watch the birds come and go. Everything from our state bird, the meadowlark, to whooping cranes to a number of species of ducks and geese and shorebirds when water conditions and migration are lined up just right.”     

These public wetlands were recently improved through a public-private partnership thanks in big part to one of the nation’s largest clean energy infrastructure companies, Williams. The company’s generous contribution allowed Ducks Unlimited to seek matching funds to restore several areas that are critical to waterfowl during spring and fall migrations.     

The wetlands project included restoration of approximately 160 acres of previously drained and cropped agricultural fields. New water-control infrastructure was installed and prairie seeds planted to improve wildlife habitat for quail, pheasants and other grassland birds, along with pollinators.     

The marsh is the first of a series of connected wetlands in the complex and will help improve water downstream. The wetlands in the area provide critical resources for migrating waterfowl and other birds along the Central Flyway, along with outdoor recreation for residents and visitors.     

“We take great pride in being responsible environmental stewards and are honored to support Ducks Unlimited,” says Matthew Baker, manager of engineering at Williams. “Doing what is right for our local communities is part of who we are at Williams, and this collaboration is one of the many ways we aim to preserve resources for future generations while making a positive impact today.”     

The wetland restoration is one of many environmental stewardship and sustainability projects that Williams is supporting along its nationwide footprint. Others include planting seedlings, building hiking trails, developing wildlife crossings and funding intercity marine education programs.     

For more information, visit www.williams.com/sustainability.

(NewsUSA) -  

"Where the Sky Begins”
by Rhys Bowen       

A woman’s future is determined by fate and choice in a gripping WWII novel about danger, triumph, and second chances by the NYT bestselling author of “The Venice Sketchbook” and “The Tuscan Child.”  

London, 1940. Bombs fall and Josie Banks’s world crumbles. Evacuated to the English countryside, Josie ends up at the estate of Miss Harcourt, a reluctant host to survivors of the Blitz. Josie convinces Miss Harcourt to let her open a humble tea shop. But when Josie meets Mike Johnson, a handsome Canadian pilot, a growing intimacy brings her an inner peace. Then her husband suddenly returns from the war.  

A dangerous secret is about to upend Josie’s life, and her newfound courage will be put to the test.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3M8GFZ2.

“The Kitchen Is Closed and Other Benefits of Being Old”
by Sandra Butler  

In this funny and intensely personal collection of essays, Butler chronicles her experience moving from aging to old, remembering and forgetting all the wrong things, feeling frustrated with technology, keeping up with the avalanche of cultural and political news, mothering two middle-aged daughters, surveying her old body and ultimately, preparing for her death.  

With its sharp humor and refreshing honesty, this is a must-read for aging women, eldercare workers and adult children who want to gain a fuller sense of their mother’s life. Old women are cast aside in white American culture, Butler argues, and it’s both disheartening and disrespectful. Butler is not a senior -- she’s a mother, a lesbian, a Jew, a feminist, and at times, a “rabble-rousing hectorer.”

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3yeJuCg.

“On Full Automatic: Surviving 13 Months in Vietnam”
by William V. Taylor Jr.  

Vietnam 1967-68. Eighteen-year-old Marine recruit William V.Taylor Jr. and his brother are Marines assembled into a new reaction force that is immediately tested in the fire of a bloody conflict known as Operation Beaver Cage. After a traumatic first fight, they push through back-to-back operations with little time to rest or reflect. Those who survive will return home with everlasting memories of a nightmare.  

Fifty years later, Taylor shares his experience in explicit and often horrific detail and with a reverent honor for those who did not live to tell the tale. Taylor reveals what it means to walk the path of a warrior, to sacrifice, and live with the memories of a war.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3LySfMa.

“Mindful Beauty”
by Dr. Debbie Palmer  

Relax, Let Go, and Become Your Most Beautiful Self.

Mindfulness is a simple change we can all make for better health -- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. New York-based dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer unveils her secrets to helping her patients develop more mindfulness and cultivate inner peace and outer radiance.   Today, mindfulness -- the act of being more present and focused in everything we do -- is important to our well-being. This book is a practical, hands-on guide to looking and feeling more beautiful in the modern-day world. It provides simple self-care tips and shows how to work with essential oils, crystals, chakras, nutrition and more as you make positive changes in body, mind and spirit. Purchase at https://qvc.co/3MIiQrI. NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(NewsUSA) -  For young adults starting out, money management can be a challenge. You may be navigating rent, car payments, monthly bills, food and also student loans. Many young adults are looking to refinance student loans to combine multiple debts, maximize interest rates, bring down monthly payments, or pay off faster. There are many benefits to refinancing and many options for lenders that offer refinancing.     

Refinancing your student loans lets you take advantage of the best prices as rates change. Lantern, a loan comparison platform operated by digital personal finance company SoFi, lets you compare rates and find a plan that works for you. When looking to refinance student loans, borrowers should compare lenders and rates to find the best option for their situation. A few tips for anyone looking to refinance this year:     

- Use filters when comparing online. Make a smart decision on refinancing your student loans by comparing multiple options side- by-side using filter on financing options based on lowest or highest payment, lowest or highest APR, and lowest or highest term. The right refinancing strategy can help young adults save thousands of dollars over time.     

- Find advice, useful tips and information through curated financial articles and calculators, comparisons of lenders and products by expert journalists and reviews from others who have used these services to refinance student loans. You’ll also find financial recommendations based on your financial interests and current financial situation.     

Financially savvy young adults also are leading the way in adopting cryptocurrency as a way to generate income streams and invest in the future. The NFT marketplace is a growing opportunity, and those who are early adopters are exploring, collecting, and minting NFTs for profit. NFTs are bought in sold in trading platforms much like you would buy and trade crypto or stocks.     

Some bonus features of the NFT marketplace that appeal to young adults include the convenience of not have to connect to, or withdraw from, a bank account. The NFT marketplace allows users to pay for products via cryptocurrency without additional fees. The FTX exchange is connected to multiple cryptocurrency markets including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana.     

Keep these smart strategies in mind to make the most of your money now and to enjoy greater savings and profits in the future.

(NewsUSA) - Small business owners have special financial needs and opportunities. You must navigate unique tax benefits and responsibilities, cash flow analyses, business credit and debt management, succession planning and insurance needs, among other issues.     

It can be difficult to find the time -- and energy -- to research and make decisions about these financial issues on your own when you are already busy managing your business’s day-to-day operations. Working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can allow you to focus on your small business needs, while your trusted professional works for you to help you reach your financial goals. CFP® professionals are trained on many key financial topics that impact your personal success, business success and overall financial success.     

Here are four examples of how your small business can benefit from working with a financial planner.     

1. Protect yourself and your business. Financial risks multiply when you become a business owner. Operations could be interrupted because of a disaster, a key person on your team dies or becomes disabled, or property is lost. You could also face costly legal liabilities due to negligence or defective products. CFP® professionals can provide guidance on how to structure your business to mitigate some of these risks, as well as advice on specialized insurance coverage that provides extra protection.     

2. Create a tax plan that maximizes cash flow and minimizes your tax bill. CFP® professionals are trained and experienced in the nuances of tax law. They can help you take advantage of business structure, expense categories and tax credits to reduce your overall income tax.     

3. Establish a succession plan to guide the future sale or transfer of your business to the next generation of management. A CFP® professional can help you develop a strategic plan that covers the mechanics of an ownership change -- such as company valuation, tax implications and insurance issues -- and supports the transition’s long-term success.     

4. Achieve your retirement goals. A CFP® professional can help you determine which qualified or nonqualified retirement planning strategy best fits your needs and long-term goals. They can also help you confirm that your revenues and expenses are correctly recorded and benchmarked in accordance with the retirement plan you choose.     

Find a CFP® professional near you at LetsMakeAPlan.org. You can use the Small Business Planning and Business Succession Planning filters to locate professionals who offer planning services in these areas.     

A sound financial plan, developed with professional expertise, will help you lay the path to a successful future for you and your small business.

(NewsUSA) - Once upon a time, many people proposed to their significant other with grandma’s engagement ring. There’s something to be said for family tradition. However, whether or not you inherit a piece of heirloom jewelry, there’s something unique and personal about a modern, hand-made, custom engagement ring.     

“Bold and beautiful; modern and contemporary,” says the website of award-winning jewelry designer Cornelis Hollander.     The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company has four decades of awards and testimonials for its dramatic engagement ring designs inspired by the eye-catching geometry and clean lines of Art Deco style.       

“Our diamond rings are exceptional because they are made uniquely for the wearer, making them exclusive, memorable and personal. Your ring is the ultimate storyteller of your style and commitment,” according to Cornelis Hollander’s son, Walter Hollander, who inherited the company from his father.     The signature design collection of Cornelis Hollander includes styles for every taste.     

- Strong but sweet: The Burcht setting features an arc of pave diamonds that sits beneath a precious metal bridge holding a stunning center stone.     

- Clean and classic: The Een is a best-seller with its clean setting and timeless appeal.  Four elongated prongs showcase a center stone, with two additional diamonds on each side, plus a row of bead-set diamonds along the band.     

- Ultramodern and edgy: The Kader pushes the envelope of boldness in jewelry, perfect for those who embrace the unexpected. The ring features a thick channel that holds an off-center stone in a way that maximizes its brilliance.     

- Perfect fit: The Zwaar is “our boldest and most beautiful setting,” according to the company website. The square design can accommodate most gemstone shapes, and a center stone between two walls that allows the matching wedding band to slide through the middle for a unique piece that catches eyes and turns heads.     

For a truly personal touch, the Cornelis Hollander team can help you design your own unique engagement ring, and turn any vision into a reality. Any Cornelis Hollander designs can feature moissanite or diamond as the center stone. The company remains in the hands of the Hollander family, and all designs are manufactured by skilled craftsmen in their Scottsdale, Arizona, studio.     

Visit cornelishollander.com for more details and to explore a distinctive collection of handcrafted engagement ring designs.