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For those who do a lot of entertaining, it’s hard to come up with new party themes. But the recent popularity of cigars offers a great creative party idea for stressed-out would-be party hosts.

Putting together a good party is hard – and gets harder as you grow older. In college, it’s easy enough to satisfy your guests with, say, a bowlful of pretzels and a keg of beer, but friends burdened with adult responsibilities – a job to get up for, a child to raise – may not want to drive out to your place just for some stale salt-heavy snacks and a can or two of average quality beer. So you’ve got to come up with fun new ideas. But this gets stressful, complex, and sometimes expensive as well. After you’ve tried out your first two or three great inspirations, you may begin to burn out on entertaining all together.

But there’s hope. Try throwing a cigar-sampler party.

Cigars aren’t just your grandfather’s chosen indulgence anymore – they’ve grown increasingly popular during the past fifteen years or so. After bottoming out during the 1980s, cigars became the break of choice for a well-educated, younger demographic, even as other forms of smoking went into decline. They’re just luxurious enough to feel like the break you deserve, but, since they’re designed to be smoked slowly, one at a time, and in moderation (unlike cigarettes), they won’t break the bank. Their infinite differences in taste offer the pleasures of connoisseurship as well: experienced smokers learn to enjoy the differences between double claro cigars (light and generally dry-tasting, with very tan outer wrappers) and maduros (dark brown in color and sweetish), between the great cigars of Nicaragua and those of the Dominican Republic or Turkey. A cigar-themed party makes sense if your friends are smokers, and it also makes sense for those who aren’t (as long as, you make sure not to invite anybody who’s passionately anti-smoking or allergic to tobacco).

Here are some tips on throwing a cigar-themed party:

1) Buy a sampler or two of premium cigars, until you have enough to cover the number of planned guests. (Keep the guest list small – you’ll have better-quality interactions, and you’ll keep the party affordable.)

2) Cigar samplers are easy to buy online, but be careful. Some cigar stores “lead off” with a too-good-to-be-true deal – an inexpensive sampler labeled “premium.” Usually these cheap “premium” platters actually contain only a few top cigars, and are then rounded out with cigar pawns – cheaply-made knockoff cigars. Make sure that your sampler comes from a high-quality cigar shop or online store, and that you know what you’re getting.

3) Once you have your premium-cigar sampler, assign one cigar to each guest.

4) On the night of the party, serve simple snacks before you serve the cigars. (Cigars tend not to go well with ultra-creamy or rich foods.) Hard cheeses, dark chocolates, fruit, coffee, and fine red wines or beers are recommended. Remember – avoid anything too rich!

5) After folks have eaten and had a few drinks, bring out the cigars. Have everyone head outside with his or her assigned cigar and a drink; light everyone’s cigar, and tell them to smoke up. You’ll have given all your guests something new to talk about.

6) If desired, encourage your guests to bring their own cigars, which can be collected and served as part of a “second round” later. Guests could compare the tastes of their two assigned cigars. You could even encourage one of your guests to bring some non-premium cigars, even off-brand gas-station cigars, as a gaga – though only if you’re going for a second round of smoking!

Experienced cigar smokers will enjoy the chance to share their enthusiasm with others. New smokers and nonsmokers will be trying and enjoying something new.

Remember when lighting to cut the cap of the cigar, then, using a wooden match or a zippo lighter or other full flame (not a paper match), turn the end of the cigar in the flame a full 360 degrees until every part of it is lit. Remind your guests who haven’t smoked cigars before that they shouldn’t inhale – this isn’t a cigarette! Pull the smoke into your mouth and taste it thoroughly without allowing it into your lungs. Remember, it’s about the taste.

Car Rental Dubai Airport

Dubai has a fantastic assortment of international-standard restaurants catering to all budgets and tastes. With a large expatriate community from the Sub Continent, it’s little wonder there are some truly world-class Indian restaurants among the top-billings.

As Dubai is a Muslim city, many restaurants, especially at the cheaper end of the market, are not licensed to serve alcohol. In contrast, restaurants in tourist and business hotels almost always serve alcohol.

The restaurants below have been classified into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over Dh500)
Moderate (Dh150 to Dh500)
Cheap (under Dh150)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a bottle of house wine or equivalent, including tax.

Sales tax at 10% is added to all bills. Service charges at 10 to 15% are also frequently added but, if they are not, a 10% tip is expected.
Expensive
Al Mahara
Making a fair stab at being the most expensive restaurant in Dubai, the Al Mahara often divides local opinion. Some say it is overpriced for what you get, but others swear by it, especially if someone else is paying. The experience begins with a three-minute mock submarine ride to the restaurant, located alongside a giant aquarium. This puts diners in the mood for savouring the high-quality seafood that has won the restaurant numerous awards, including the What’s On category for Best Seafood Restaurant in 2008.

Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 301 7600.
Website: www.burj-al-arab.com
Al Muntaha
Al Muntaha, meaning ‘The Ultimate’ or ‘The Top’, in Arabic, has the best location in Dubai, suspended 200m (656ft) above the Arabian Gulf, at the top of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Service is immaculate and the slanted glass windows give the restaurant the feel of a great ocean liner heading out to sea. Al Muntaha also delivers on the plate: try the roasted prime beef rib with mustard crust. Reaching the restaurant in one of the world’s fastest panoramic elevators is almost – but not quite – enough to put you off your dinner.

Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 301 7600.
Website: www.burj-al-arab.com
La Baie
This fine dining restaurant would not be out of place in a major European capital, with its mellow piano music, unfaltering service and elegant table settings. One of the most exotic starters is the marinated sturgeon carpaccio with caviar and yoghurt sauce, while a highlight among the mains (and rumoured to be the chef’s favourite) is the grilled hammour fish on a bed of green lentils.

Ritz Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 399 4000.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Verre
Gordon Ramsay’s Dubai venture has proved a resounding success and is firmly established as the best place to eat in Dubai. The minimalist décor might not suit all tastes but the simple surrounds and the well thought-out lighting help focus deserved attention on the food. A nice touch is the chef’s specialities – tasty morsels of food that come between the impressive courses. Mains include ravioli of lobster, salmon with a fricassee of peas and horseradish or poached chicken on a bed of tagliatelle. The desserts are divine. The three-course lunch specials offer excellent value.

Hilton Dubai Creek, Beniyas Road
Tel: (04) 212 7551.
Website: www.gordonramsay.com/dubai
Moderate
Café Chic
Top quality ingredients, smooth service and a menu that cuts deftly between the classics and some daring variations make this is a top dining choice. Relax afterwards in the cigar bar for supreme decadence.

Le Méridien Hotel, Garhoud
Tel: (04) 217 0000.
Website: www.dubai.lemeridien.com
India Palace
The emphasis at this popular restaurant is on Rajasthani cooking backed up by themed décor and artefacts shipped in from the region. The open kitchen is a nice touch, as are the family booths upstairs, with privacy available at no extra charge. The excellent-value menu features starters such as lentil soup and prawn bisque with fresh vegetables, while mains include chicken and vegetarian kebabs and a range of delicately spiced curries. Alcohol is not available but the lassis (yogurt-based drink) are excellent, especially the unusual lassi seasoned with salt.

Opposite Dubai Marine Hotel, Bur Dubai
Tel: (04) 286 9600.
Pierchic
Seafood-loving trendies are flocking to Pierchic, in the glamorous Madinat Jumeirah development, the place to be in Dubai at the moment. Located on a wooden pier, with views of the expansive Arabian Gulf, the venue is perfect for trying some local and international seafood dishes. Mains include the likes of poached Atlantic lobster with snow peas, enoki mushrooms and passion fruit dressing, or Arabian chilled seafood platter laced with Iranian caviar.

Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
Tel: (04) 366 6730.
Website: www.madinatjumeirah.com
Cheap
Cactus Jacks
It may never win any culinary awards but Cactus Jacks seldom disappoints a hungry stomach. A Mexican theme for the décor includes Aztec fabrics and bright designs, as well as multicolour tiled pillars. The restaurant has a live DJ at weekends and things can turn quite wild after 2300, when the spicy Tex Mex food and the tequila kick in. Parties of eight diners or more receive a 30% discount on their bill.

Millennium Airport Hotel, Al Garhoud
Tel: (04) 282 3464.
Website: www.millenniumhotels.com
Deira City Centre Food Court
Of the many food courts that are dotted all around Dubai, this is one of the most popular. On sale is the full smorgasbord of international foods, with the only unifying feature being that all the stands are cheap. The most popular stands serve up simple Chinese and Indian specialities accompanied by boiled rice. They also have a play area for kids.

Deira City Centre Mall, Deira
Tel: (04) 295 1010.
Thattukada
The excellent South Indian restaurant at the Palm Beach Rotana Inn serves great-value food. Diners sit on long, wooden benches and are surrounded by film posters on the walls. The Kerala-influenced dishes include kappa erachi (tapioca and chicken curry) and karimeem porichathu (fish fry) and are guaranteed to fill diners up without breaking the bank.

Palm Beach Rotana Inn
Tel: (04) 393 1999.

Car Rental In The UAE

In your quest for the perfect smoke, you’ve likely encountered the problem posed by many cigar lighters. Standard lighters, with just a traditional flame, might not offer enough coverage to ensure your cigar is fully lit. As you know, it is imperative that your cigar be fully lit (and lit in the correct manner), in order to avoid partial burns, runs, uneven burns and other problems. Therefore, you should understand the benefits offered by dual flame lighters.

What are these types of lighter? Dual flame models offer dual flame ports, but they come in more than one configuration. Of course, not every configuration is right for every smoker. It will take a bit of understanding to find the right option for your needs. What choices do you have on the market? Here’s a rundown on what is offered by the two types of dual flame lighter.

The most common type of dual flame lighter has two jet ports at the top of the lighter. These are ideal solutions for cigar smokers, as dual ports help to ensure that you enjoy an even light every time. No matter how large those stogies might be, dual jet ports can help provide a clean light, and help you avoid problems like uneven burns or runs caused by other types of lighters or improper lighting procedures.

However, those who do not prefer cigars will find that this type of dual flame lighter is not the right choice for them. Instead, you will find dual flame lighters that incorporate a single jet port with a traditional flame, as well. The traditional flame might be set on top of the lighter, but is often located on the side, at a 90-degree angle. The jet port is located on top of the lighter.

The type of dual flame lighter that is best for your needs will be determined by your preferred smoke. For instance, if you enjoy cigars, you will opt for a jet lighter, while pipe lovers and those who smoke a mix of tobacco products will find value with a dual flame lighter that features a traditional flame and a jet port. However, it is essential that you find a lighter that works with your needs. Taking your time and researching the various styles available will help ensure that you make the best possible purchase decision and will also help ensure that you can smoke when and where you want.

Author: Ali Zanjani

Article Source: MiNeeds.com, where consumers get competitive bids from Chauffeur & Limousine service providers. Read reviews, compare offers & save. It’s free!

Article Link: http://www.mineeds.com/san-diego/san-diego-limousine/Articles/Here-are-a-few-tips-for-renting-a-limo-wisely

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Limo Rental Tips

1. It’s always best to have the limousine service co. provide proof of insurance before you rent a limo.

2. What credit cards are accepted?

3. After booking of the limousine is complete, ask the limousine service co. send you a confirmation letter with all the details via email or fax.

4. Ask the limousine service co. about their late change or cancellations policies.

5. Are there any discounts for weekday limousine rental rates?

6. Are there any special rates available for renting a limo from the airport to your hotel and back? Many hotels have special arrangements made with the local limousine service providers.

7. Does the limousine service co. offer corporate discounts?

8. Does the limo service co. have a deferred payment plan at %0 interest for 30 days?

9. Does the limo service co. have any discount coupons or promotional rates to offer?

10. What make and model is the limousine? Make sure you’re not renting a limousine from an old fleet.

11. Ask about the seating capacity of the limousine, In some cases, it would be more cost effective and more enjoyable to rent one high-capacity limousine, instead of two standard-size stretched limousines..

12. Ask about free champagne in the limos.

13. Is smoking allowed or prohibited in the limousine? Will there be residual odors of cigars or cigarette in the limo?

14. Is the limousine driver’s uniform formal or casual?

15. Where will the limousine driver meet you?

16. If you rent a limo will the driver assist you with your luggage?

17. Can you rent a limo with special packages for weddings, bachelor(ette) party, birthdays, etc?

18. If the airplane does not arrive on time, how long will the limousine driver wait for you and how will you be charged for the extra time?

To learn more or if looking for limo service coupons please visit us at

www.urroyalty.com

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Here Are A Few Tips For Renting A Limo Wisely!

Cuban cigars originate from the Caribbean, which has a tropical climate very different to Europe. As a natural product, your Havana cigars need to be kept carefully. They are used to being in a warm climate with a relatively high humidity.

Therefore they will need to be protected from extremes of temperature and humidity (particularly low humidity). This is particularly difficult to achieve in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings, where the air tends to get de-humidified and cigars can dry out very quickly. Some cigars come in aluminum tubes which can help preserve them in dry climates, however they tend to mature at a much slower rate than ‘naked’ boxed cigars.

Maintain a temperature of 16 C to 20 C and a relative humidity of 65% – 70%.

In the UK you will need a humidor to maintain the humidity of your cigars at various times of the year:

Humidity

At the least, keep your cigars in a tight fitting cupboard, drawer or box, away from radiators and other sources of heat. Pick the coolest indoor spot in your house. Leave the cigars in their original boxes as this will help preserve them, stop them from being damaged, and prevent any cross-tainting of flavours between different varieties of cigars stored in the same area. If the humidity in your make-shift humidor is low, a damp sponge in a cup will serve as a basic provider of humidity.

When you purchase your cigars from Tomtom, they will be packed in an airtight zip-loc bag, which will maintain the humidity of your cigars while you transport them from the shop to your humidor. These bags are a very efficient short term humidor, however we would not recommend that you leave your cigars sealed in these bags for more than one month. Although humidity will be maintained, cigars also need to be exposed to some fresh air to allow them to ‘breathe’ and age correctly.

A variety of desk-top and travel humidors can be purchased (see ‘Accessories’) and are an essential item for the dedicated cigar smoker (more information below).

Temperature

The danger of excessive temperature (combined with too much humidity) is that the cigars can either go moldy or be damaged by weavil attack. If cigars go moldy, this is generally not a problem, as long as it is spotted reasonably soon and the mould (or bloom) only appears on the wrapper leaf. The mould can be removed with a soft brush (e.g. a badger shaving brush) and then the cigar can be returned to store in the correct conditions. If mould gets into the end of the cigar, we recommend that you do not smoke it. Weavil, or tobacco beetle, is a more serious problem. If you see any small holes in your cigar, you should take immediate action. Please call Tomtom for further advice. Never store cigars near direct sunlight or for long periods exposed to sea breezes (salt will not enhance your smoke). The lower the temperature, the higher the humidity required to compensate.

Desk-Top Humidors

There is a very wide selection of these humidors on the market. The basic design requirements are that they are sealable (and generally lockable!), but allow the cigars to breathe. This is normally achieved by leaving the base of the box unvarnished: and no portion of the inner cedar box should be laminated. The box contains a fitting, which provides the humidity: this is normally a pad containing a sponge or chalk, which can be dampened. The box may also contain a dial showing humidity and temperature.

As a rule of thumb, the smaller the box, the harder it is to maintain a steady level of humidity within its confines. These humidors do not regulate temperature. The price range starts from about 125 for a plexi glass humidor, which will hold approximately 50 cigars to 2000 and above. A comprehensive selection is shown on our accessory page. Fabulous humidors can also be created out of antique boxes which many families have inherited as writing slopes or medal cases and which have since become redundant. This is a very cost-effective way of storing your cigars in a unique and personal humidor.

Travel Humidors

Ranging in price from 100 upwards. These are not suitable for long-term storage of cigars, however they are essential if you are moving about: the wrapper leaf on a handmade cigar is very thin and delicate and will easily damage. The safest way to prevent this is to keep the cigars in their original box, in tubes or in a purpose-built travel humidor.

Cigar Cases

Generally these do not offer humidification systems built in, but will protect your cigars if you take them in your pocket for the day. There are some metal tubes with hermetically sealed screw tops that will act in the same way as a cigar tube and seal in moisture. The majority are made from leather and offer protection from damage as well as limited protection from fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

Reviving Dried-Out Cigars

This is not an exact science and not always successful. Dry cigars need to be rehumidified very slowly and with care. We suggest you speak to us

Footnote

We do NOT recommend that cigars are kept in a refrigerator for storage. It is likely that the cigars will be dried out by this process and irretrievably damaged.

Overcoming objections is not hard. It is a simple matter of assuming the customer is going to buy and then solving their problem. In this article, I am going to give a true example of how a salesperson walked right past a sale they could have easily gotten using a some simple techniques for overcoming objections.

First, let’s set the scene for the true life example for overcoming objections.

Last Monday, which was the 31st day of August (I mention the date for a reason you will see) my wife and I decided to buy a new car and went to a dealership. The salesperson showed us three vehicles that would have been acceptable. One was the most luxurious model and we really liked it but said it was we couldn’t afford it. That left two vehicles. One of them had a bad order and we rejected it. But then…out of the blue…came the final crushing objection. My wife said that she doesn’t like the color of either of them. The salesperson tried to find other inventory in his computer and kind of lost our interest while he was lost in working the computer for a long time. Then, he brought his manager to see us. The manager was nice but also made no attempt to close us. When we left, my wife said she was disappointed that they didn’t try to sell us as she would have bought any of the three vehicles if they had made it easy for us to make the purchase. Let’s look at some of the approaches they could have taken that could have easily turned a disappointed hand shake into a sale.

It’s The Last Day Of The Month

As I mentioned, it happened to be the last day of the month. What if the salesperson had asked if we really liked the luxury model we thought was out of our budget? If we said yes, he could have said. “Look, today is the last day of the month. Our expenses for the month are all paid. Any money we make now is just gravy. Now is the time to make an offer and see if you can get the luxury model to fit in your budget. Pick a number in your heart that will make you happy and I’ll get the paperwork started.” You can also adapt this to the beginning of the month and the middle of the month, to Saturdays, evenings and mornings.

Let’s Talk About The Color

My wife didn’t like the color, but what if the salesperson had said, “I know you don’t like the color but let me ask. Is there a price that would make the color acceptable? I mean if you saved enough would you accept a color that is different than the one you were hoping for? How much would you have to save? I doubt it but let’s see if we can get it in that range. I’ll get the paperwork started.”

Let’s Talk About The Odor

One vehicle was rejected due to a string cigar odor. The salesperson just agreed with us that it was overpowering. What if he had said, “Carl, we have a great reconditioning department and we are great at odor control. In fact, we do all the police cars for the city. I am confident we can get that odor to completely disappear. I am going to write on the order that this purchase is subject to us getting the odor to you satisfaction or the purchase is null and void. I’ll’ get the paperwork started.”

The Loyalty Bonus

“Carl, normally you couldn’t get that luxury model in your price range but I see you bought your current vehicle here. I am going to try to get you a loyalty bonus that will make this vehicle affordable. I’ll get the paperwork started.”

Let’s Talk Paint

Carl, I understand that you wife dislikes the color, so I’m going to write here that the vehicle if to be repainted in the color of your choice at no additional charge. I’ll get the paperwork started”. Now this may or may not be possible but it will get the buyers to sign a contract and get the negotiations rolling.

The Coin Flip

A last ditch “Hail Mary” approach is to find out which one they are “leaning towards” and then say, “Tell you what, I’ll flip you for it. Heads you buy it, tails you walk away”. You flip a coin and you have a 50% chance.

If Your Daughter….?

“Carl, let me ask you, if your daughter was looking for a good vehicle from a good dealer and she saw the ones you saw today, what would you advise her to do?” Many customer will say, “I’d advise here to take the XXXX”

Would These Methods Work?

We have discussed seven ideas to get the sale. Would they work? They will work on some people and not on others. But we know for sure that they won’t work if they are not tried. In our true example, the salesperson and the manager failed to try and lost the sale. Be sure you have lots of ways to solve the customers’ problems and always assume that they are buying. It is easy to overcome objections if you just don’t give up and if you try to solve the customer’s problem.

Are electronic cigarettes on your wish list?

Electronic cigarettes offer a healthier and cleaner substitute for tobacco-based cigarettes and cigars. You won’t regret switching to e-cigarettes!

You may notice that there are tons of choices when it comes to e-cigarettes. Depending on how you smoke, you might want assistance figuring out which one among the many electronic cigarettes to go with. Let’s take a closer look at electronic cigarettes …

Check out the pros and cons of some of the most popular e-cigarettes available on the market.

Super e-Cigarette You will notice how much this looks like a regular cigarette, though it is a bit bigger.

Pro: it most closely resembles an actual cigarette. It comes with a long lasting battery and produces a good vapor. Con: The smaller cartridge size may need more frequent replacing or refilling.

The Mini e-Cigarette. The Mini and the Super have the same diameter, but the Mini is longer. You will notice the tapered mouthpiece, though.

Pro: Strong vapor and long lasting battery. Con: Many users think its strange shape resembles a small cigar instead of a cigarette.

The Super Mini You won’t be able to find a tinier e-cigarette than the Super Mini model.

Advantage: It’s extremely compact and portable. Con: Small size means small cartridge, battery and atomizer. Subsequently, its vapor is thin and the battery needs frequent replacing.

4. e-Cigarettes that are disposable This one is all one unit. It never needs a new cartridge or battery.

Advantage: It’s a lot easier to handle these. Con: Single use means higher cost and increased waste.

For me, I feel that the Super Cigarette is the best. It most closely resembles a tobacco cigarette in size, feel and vapor.

But sit tight and don’t buy one just yet!

The quality of e-cigarettes varies widely. In fact, some have documented design flaws. Clogged atomizers cause most of the problems in electronic cigarettes. This results in the volume and quality of the vapor to suffer. Battery issues also seem to plague users.

You can prevent these glitches by doing your homework before you buy. Most manufacturers out there, however, are cutting costs by diminishing product quality. However, you can still find great companies that have the customer’s satisfaction in mind, so you can get the best quality electronic cigarettes from them, giving you the best smoking experience you’ve ever had.

To learn more, read ecigarette consumer feedback, find discount coupons, or find out where to buy ecigarettes, visit www.BestBuyeCigarette.com

Perhaps the movies are to blame. All those scenes where the powerful businessman or politician says to the ingenuous hero, “May I offer you a cigar,” then-without missing a beat-brandishes a gold-embossed cigar case. A case with no humidity controls. A case that is not a humidor.

Whatever the reason, many casual cigar smokers-and even fairly committed lovers of premium cigars-don’t realize how important it is to store your cigars in a humidor.

In fact, if you’re like many smokers, you’re asking yourself what a humidor is, and why you should use one. A humidor is, basically, a box that’s designed to maintain your cigars at a certain level of humidity (near seventy percent) and a proper temperature (seventy degrees or below) when you’re not, you know, smoking them.

Why exactly is that near-seventy-percent humidity figure so important? To answer this question, we have to remember what a cigar is-a set of cut, dried, cured, fermented, rolled-together leaves. When the cigar maker picked these leaves, allowed them to dry, and cured them, etc., it put those leaves on a process that ends in the death of the leaves, and the death of their flavor. In the open air, these leaves can easily dry out completely, and the cigar loses its taste. In a too-humid environment, on the other hand, they get moldy. Basically, the moment you purchase a cigar, you are in a war with the elements; your job is to keep the cigar’s flavor alive, while the elements (air, bacteria, etc.) want your cigar to be spoiled.

Humidity is your ally in that battle. The tobacco plant has evolved to thrive in an environment near seventy percent humidity-the condition in which you’ll most often find it in nature-and if you can replicate that humidity, your cigars are in good shape. The best humidors use Spanish cedar or Honduran mahogany to trap that moisture, and they have a hygrometer-a device that controls and allows you to monitor moisture levels.

Now that you know why you need one, here are some tips on the care and feeding of humidors. First of all, new humidors need to be “seasoned.” When you buy your humidor, before using it, wipe the interior wood with a moist cloth, then leave a small, closed container of water inside the humidor for 12 hours. After those twelve hours are up, check to see how much of the closed vial of water the humidor has “drank.” If it’s nearly empty, then repeat the process for another twenty-four hours. Repeat this process until the water stops evaporating; now the humidor is ready for your cigars!

You’ll also need to fill the hygrometer (the device controls humidity levels). Use distilled water-or a humidifying solution (the humidor should come with instructions regarding this choice). Let the excess water drip from the hygrometer into a sink, and wipe off the outside of the device. Put it in the humidor. Another option should you choose not to use a hygrometer, is a new product that many veteran keepers of the stick have turned to: Bóveda Packs. Bóveda Packs are an amazing invention. Each pack is rated for a certain humidity level, either 72%, 69% or 65%.

Simply place the correct number of Bóveda packets inside your humidor to maintain a precise relative humidity. Each Bóveda packet consists of a specially prepared saturated solution of pure water and natural salt. This saturated solution is contained within a water-vapor permeable reverse osmosis membrane. Within a closed desktop humidor Bóveda maintains a predetermined level of (RH) by releasing or absorbing purified water-vapor-as needed-through the membrane. Boveda Packs are only to be used once, they are not refillable. They become very stiff when the contents are spent. These amazing packs last around 2 months in an average humidor.

Another recommendation: don’t keep your humidor near any home appliances that tend to affect home humidity, or any places in the home where these appliances tend to be stored. These might include heaters, air conditioners, vents, fans, and windows. Keep it away, also, from sustained direct sunlight; pay attention to the way that sunlight exposure changes throughout the seasons, too, because some “safe places” in your home might be less safe during the summer, when the sun’s rays creep further in and stay longer.

And lastly, know what to do if, in spite of all your preparations, your cigars suffer an attack of tobacco beetles. This irritating species preys on tobacco and, in some cases, can bore through a humidor. First of all, remember not to let the temperature in your humidor go too high-tobacco beetles flourish at temperatures over 75 degrees. (So a tobacco-beetle infestation means you haven’t monitored that humidor carefully enough!) Take out the cigars that have been infested and keep them in your freezer for 48 hours. Refrigerate them for another day after that. Now they should be safely returnable to the humidor-which, in the meantime, should be thoroughly cleaned, checked for structural integrity, and if necessary, replaced. Spanish-cedar humidors, by the way, are slightly better for keeping these nasty beetles out in the first place.

A few years ago, in 2006, the Nevada legislature imposed a public smoking ban.

The new rule doesn’t apply – as yet – to the storied casinos of Las Vegas, where smoking is still allowed on gaming floors. And of course Nevada is hardly the only recent state to impose restrictions on public smoking. Indeed, it joins over thirty states (at this writing) with such laws on the books. If you are reading this from the United States, it is likely that a similar law applies to your area: half the country’s population is currently under the jurisdiction of a public-smoking regulation of some kind.

But the idea of a smoking ban passing the Nevada legislature seems almost like a kind of spiritual defeat for cigar smokers: after all, what could more epitomize “cigar cool” than the mental image of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, cigars and drinks in hand, finger-popping their ways through the floor of a Vegas casino?

It just symbolizes a fact that’s made passionate smokers’ lives a little more difficult over the past decade: in the interest of public health (and out of consideration for asthmatics and others), more and more city councils and state legislatures are choosing to ban public smoking outright, or are limiting it to certain licensed facilities.

Arguments about the effectiveness or appropriateness of these bans to one side, we can all agree that they mean that smokers have to put a little more energy into planning vacations. For a person who loves the taste of a good cigar, for whom relaxation doesn’t become meaningful until there’s a stogie involved, there’s no point in a vacation where you can’t even smoke in your hotel room. With smoking bans underway in Atlantic City (and this ban extends to casinos) and similar one-time bastions of cigar culture, frustrated cigar smokers are turning to a new option: the cruise ship.

And why not? Cruise ship vacations offer the ultimate chance to “get away from it all,” a continuous expanse of blue water, and the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the country (and world). Few cruises are completely smoke-free, with most offering, at the very least, designated smoking areas that might include cigar bars or lounges. So it’s hard to go completely wrong – wherever you book your passage, you’ll almost always have at least some chance to smoke.

More and more luxury cruise lines don’t allow smoking in living quarters – that’s one downfall. After all, the next person using your room might be a nonsmoker, and it doesn’t make economic sense for cruise ship directors to designate permanent “smoking” and “nonsmoking” rooms; such a move would involve logistical nightmares during booking. But luxury quarters often include balconies, where smoking is sometimes still allowed.

The recent case of a cruise line headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida gives smokers an indication of what they can expect. The cruise line, according to some reports, lost millions in bookings after instituting a partial smoking ban in 2007. But compared to those bans that have caused smokers such dismay in Atlantic City and Ottawa, the Florida-based cruise line’s smoking ban doesn’t even apply to the on-ship bars and casinos.

Indeed, the cruise ship industry seems to be following the opposite track of most US states and municipalities – as they grow more restrictive toward smoking, cruise lines are growing more permissive. One completely smoke-free cruise ship line went out of business awhile ago; another once-smokeless line changed its policies to allow some smoking on the boat.

Smokers will likely want to evaluate cruise line policies prior to booking as there are has examples of ships with almost smoke-free policies. Smoking on such lines may only be permitted in two designated areas – and if you light up anywhere else, you could be kicked off the boat! (That presumably doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to walk the plank, but it’s probably not worth finding out.)

Another rule of thumb mentioned by several travel writers: if you’re looking for company as you smoke, go for a cruise line with a high number of European and Asian clientele. Citizens of many of these countries often still smoke in higher numbers than do contemporary Americans, and there is a Spain-based cruise line that currently sports the least restrictive smoking policy out there.