The snow has melted and the sun is shining again. It’s time to pack up your bags and exchange ski lodges to beach vacation resorts. It’s time to leave those winter worries (and calories!) behind and bask in the warm sunlight. It’s that season once again for shedding those bulky winter clothes, bringing out those colorful swimwear, donning on sunscreen and shades and sipping pina coladas by the side of the pool. You can almost taste it in the air: that bright, salty air of summer. You can almost see it, can’t you? You tanning happily on a towel by the shore, while your children play around in the water? Or perhaps you see yourself sailing blissfully over the rigorous ocean waves, leaving all your troubles behind.
Thinking about spending some few precious days out basking in the sun? Looking for the perfect beach vacation resorts that will satisfy your thirst for the sparkling, blue waves of the ocean? Want to bury your feet in fine white sand and build sandcastles on the shore with your kids? There are more than a few places that you can decide to go.
Within the United States area, there’s are quite a number of places where you can bask in the sun this summer. One of them is California, where the surf is always “up” and where beach boys and girls party in the sunlight. Another option is Florida, where the popular Palm Beach is. And the nice thing about Florida is that if ever you get tired of the beach (which is next to impossible!), you can always opt to take your family for an adventure in Orlando’s Disney World or Universal Studios. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone! Finally, when talking about beaches in the United States, there’s always Hawaii. Hawaii with its pristine beaches, luaus and friendly people. Hawaii with the floral shirts and leis. Hawaii with the hoola dancers with grass-skirts and the scrumptious food. There are a lot of resorts to choose from there, like the famous Waikiki Beach Resort and many, many others.
If you’re thinking about going farther off the map than the continental United States, Asia might be the best option when looking for beach resorts. First on the list is Thailand, of course, with their well-known Phuket. And there is also Indonesia’s Bali beaches, which tourists love to visit. But the a lot of the most beautiful beaches are actually found in the Philippines. If you really want to experience the ultimate in beach resorts, head on to Palawan or Boracay, where the sand is white and as fine as flour. There are also a lot of high-class beach vacation resorts in these places in the Philippines that will give you the best treatment for not a lot of money. If you’re looking for adventure, there are also dive spots in the Philippines that will take your breath away. There’s Apo Island, off the coast of Dumaguete, which is known to be one of the top seven dive spots in the whole world.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Beach Vacation Resorts
Exploring the Caribbean on a Yacht
The Canouan Island is an idyllic Caribbean Island complete with white sandy beaches, lush tropical forests, mountainous topography and world class holiday resorts. Being a tiny island in the Grenadines belonging to St. Vincent, the Canouan Island is an unspoilt tropical paradise. Being a tiny island measuring only 3 miles across, its capital Charlestown is actually more like a village.
The barrier reef which runs along the Atlantic Ocean side of the island is popular among tourists as a great place to go scuba diving. The coral reef is teeming with marine life and the crystal clear water allows great visibility for divers. Just off the coast of Canouan Island on the Atlantic Ocean are five uninhabited islands known as the Tobago Cays. These islands are world renowned for snorkeling and diving and since there is almost no human activity here, the marine eco system is largely undisturbed.
Another interesting place to visit is the Canouan -The Moorings. It’s a romantic little marina that is placed right in the heart of the Grenadines in the Caribbean. Known as a favorite destination among yachtsmen all over the world the aquamarine waters of the sea off Canouan is far too tempting to pass by. All most all the anchorages of the Caribbean are within range and a diverse array of locations are available for avid sea explorers to choose from. Among the choices are the isles of Bequia and Mystique, Bequia which are home to the villas of a number of famous celebrities while the enchanted beauty of Mystique’s deserted beaches is simply breathtaking.
The tropical weather, the warm temperature experienced in the Caribbean and the steady north east to south east winds ensure that your sailing adventures go smoothly. Also for those who wish to explore lands that lie a bit further away, chartered trips can be arranged to St. Lucia and Grenada islands.
For tourists that wish to indulge in an idyllic Caribbean sailing vacation booking in to a Caribbean resort on Canouan Island would be a great way to start off the proceedings.
Luxury Destinations For Honeymoons
When you plan your honeymoon, you will see there are an almost infinite number of destinations to choose from. Even so, an increasing amount of newlywed couples are opting for particular locations for their honeymoons. So, which are the most popular places to honeymoon at the moment?
Beautiful scenery, peaceful secluded beaches and turquoise blue seas await you on the island country of Aruba. Situated in the southern Caribbean off the coast of South America, Aruba is genuinely a place at which you can get away from it all. Couples who wish to spend lazy days on the beach and romantic nights at restaurants and bars will be delighted with a honeymoon in Aruba.
St. Lucia is undoubtedly a tropical paradise. Rich vegetation, white sandy beaches and buzzing nightlife characterize this small Caribbean island. Whether you prefer to sit on the beach all day or partake in activities, a large selection of all-inclusive hotels and resorts make it simple to plan a honeymoon there.
Riviera beaches, a colorful culture, an amazing cuisine and friendly locals are rapidly resulting in Italy being one of the top destinations for honeymoons. An Italian honeymoon can be the trip of your life and, even though it can be more expensive than other choices, many couples feel it is well worth it.
If you take your honeymoon in Hawaii, you will find plenty of white sand beaches, dramatic scenery and opportunities for adventure waiting for you. It provides honeymooners with more more than simply the find to unwind on picturesque beaches; after you are done sunning yourself, you can trek up the side of a volcano or spend time driving along the rocky seaside cliffs.
By choosing one of these popular locations for your romantic time away, you will be guaranteed that your first trip as a married couple will be nothing less than sensational.
A Review of Popular Punta Cana Resorts
Punta Cana is made up of over a dozen beautifully situated resorts spread over 20 miles of white sand beaches. Many of the resorts are all-inclusive — offering travelers everything from food, drinks accommodations and activities in one set price.
Club Med established the first resort in Punta Cana in 1981. It was once known for being a popular haunt of singles but in recent times it has become a sought after resort for families. This beachfront resort is situated just ten minutes from the airport and offers all kinds of activities like windsurfing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, water polo, beach volleyball, tennis, flying trapeze, archery, kayaking, basketball, rollerblading and soccer. Visitors can enjoy the daily regatta, get down to some deep-sea fishing, play a game of golf and go horse riding. The resort has wonderful rooms with breathtaking views of the ocean or the lovely tropical gardens. Typically priced at an average of $295 per night, each room has air conditioning, cable or satellite TV and a mini-refrigerator.
The Punta Cana Resort and Club is situated on the largely undeveloped eastern tip of the island. This 432-room resort is set a away from the beach. The resort uses a variety of environmentally sensitive features like water- and energy-efficient buildings, gray water recycling, organic gardens and the use of native plants. The resort maintains at least 30 percent of the original vegetation on every plot. The open-air common spaces are made of local coral stone, wood and the
cana leaves that gave the area its name. The resort offers ample opportunities to ride horses on the beach, play tennis, windsurf, kayak, dance at the nightclub and enjoy fresh local fish.
Accommodations range from $80 per person per night to $1,950 per villa per night. The RIU hotel chain has an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana situated on prime property that runs from the beach back to the lush tropical interior, where the accommodations are located. Visitors can use the shuttle facilities to commute between the restaurants, room and beach. The chain has five hotels in Punta Cana, each having both family-sized and other suites. The suites have air conditioning and satellite TV and are situated so that each has a stunning view of the lush tropical gardens.
The Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort is located 13 kilometers away from the Punta Cana International Airport. Situated on Bavaro beach in the midst of a coconut grove, it is part of a complex of five different hotels, with a full range of features including a casino, activities and various forms of entertainment. The all-inclusive plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, at different restaurants. There are facilities such as free non-motorized water sports, tennis, and two discotheques.
The guest rooms at the Barcelo Bavaro are spacious and equipped with a balcony or terrace, each offering a brilliant view of the ocean. There is also an oceanfront swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. The accommodation prices vary from $260 to $346 per night.
St Lucia Weddings Benefit From Multiple and Easily Accessible Destinations
St Lucia is becoming increasingly popular as a choice for destination weddings. This small Windward Isle in the Caribbean is the perfect location for exchanging vows, as it offers a lot of variety for newlyweds and their guests should they choose to explore their surroundings.
Here are several prominent settlements and attractions that can be visited before or after your wedding.
Castries
As the capital of St Lucia, Castries offers a full-fledged shopping experience in a relaxed environment, and, as its motto “A Safe Harbour for Ships,” is also a stepping-off point for other regions in the Caribbean, including the island of Martinique to the north. Cruises leave the waterfront, and flights can be chartered from Vigie Airport.
Soufriere
Residing in the shadow of the Twin Piton Peaks, Soufriere on the placid west coast of the island is considered to be as close to paradise as one get in the Caribbean; it’s no wonder St Lucia weddings are often planned here. The town is close to the volcanic Sulphur Springs hotspring resort, and offers easy access to towering Mt Gimie, the highest peak on the island, and is famous for its nature hikes.
Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort, legendary of haunt Blackbeard, history’s most infamous pirate, is considered to be St Lucia’s second city, and is also the location of Hewanorra International Airport at the southern tip of the island.
Maria Islands Nature Reserve
Administered by the St Lucia National Trust, this nature reserve is composed of two islands lying off the coast of the island, due south from Vieux Fort. The islands are home to rare species of lizard, as well as frigates, terns and other seabirds.
Micoud
Lying on the wilder east coast of the island, facing the open Atlantic, Micoud is a small village that is close to nature. Of special interest are the Liverpool Rocks, which features both marine and terrestrial protected areas.
Frigate Islands Nature Reserve
This protected region on the Atlantic Coast of the island is home to large numbers of seabirds as well as mangrove swamps. It’s possible to traverse the reserve on foot, or view isolated coastal rookeries by charter boat.
Exploring the Island of St Thomas
St. Thomas is a beautiful island located in the Caribbean Sea. St. Thomas is part of the United States Virgin Islands and is an unincorporated territory to the U.S. Although the island itself is only about thirty-one square miles, this magical island has plenty to offer any tourist.
During your all inclusive family vacation to St. Thomas you could turn your attention towards pirates. Located on the island of St. Thomas is Blackbeard’s castle. This castle is one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The castle was built in 1679 as a watchtower to protect the harbor. The tower was strategically built on the highest point of the island. It is said that in the early 1700s Blackbeard sailed the Caribbean waters and used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of piracy. Children of all ages will enjoy exploring a little taste of what a real pirate experienced hundreds of years ago.
If you like learning more about local histories, then St. Thomas has that to offer as well. Fort Christian is a designated U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1977. This fort was built by the Danish government in the 1600s. Fort Christian is the oldest standing structure in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The fort has formerly served as the town center, a jail and as a government building. The St. Thomas Museum is being held at the fort today. If you would like to visit the fort while on your all inclusive Caribbean vacation, you might consider waiting for a while yet. The fort has been under renovation for several years and is not yet completed.
Another sight to see while at St. Thomas is the Grand Hotel. The hotel was built between 1839 and 1840. The Grand Hotel originally occupied an entire city block and was three stories high. The top floor was destroyed sometime around 1896 due to a hurricane. The second floor holds a large ballroom with a balcony that overlooks Emancipation Park. This park is another sight that you should visit while staying at your all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Emancipation Park was named for the emancipation of slaves in the Danish West Indies in 1848. Official ceremonies are held in the park. It is little know that each U.S. State and territory each has their own copy of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell for the Virgin Islands is located in Emancipation Park. No matter what you choose to do while on the island, you will see that it is full of beauty and wonder. St. Thomas is a place where anything can happen.
St Lucia Hotels
St. Lucia has something to offer everyone whether you fancy a bit of romance, a family holiday or even somewhere to disembark to from your day to day reality; St. Lucia is a divine and unique location. Choosing a hotel is a very important factor as it could be the dividing aspect of how good a holiday you may actually have. 2 hotels that stand out from the rest are the Almond Morgan Bay and St. Lucian by Rex Resorts.
ALMOND MORGAN BAY
If you think there’s no escape from reality, just think again. There are 22-acres of elegant, beautiful hill sides and beaches. only 3 miles from the capital city, Castries, and to make your ride from the airport short and sweet, it is only 25 miles to the hotel from the airport. While there are plenty of hotels to choose from here, this one has 340 rooms with all the accommodations to fit your family size. Room for two, three or a family of 6, you’ll find it all here.
In 2005, Almond Morgan Bay was totally renovated. The grounds have lighted paths that wander through the gardens. In the recreational area there are lagoon pools and even a tennis court. Inside you’ll find columns in the lobby and a view that is open to the air coming from outside.
No need to worry about being bored while you stay here. As a guest you have full access to the kayaks, snorkeling gear, windsurfing and sailboats. Even the water skiing and banana boat rides are at your beck and call. At night, you can enjoy yourself in one of four different bars after you have diner at one of the 4 gourmet restaurants in the hotel. Still not relaxed, how about pampering yourself at the spa?
ST LUCIAN BY REX RESORTS
This is a very well established hotel contained by it’s own landscaped gardens located on St. Lucia’s Rediut Beach. This hotel has its own arcade of shops so you can get your shopping therapy done. After a hard day of shopping, take a stroll over the covered walkway to the Royal Spa where you relax with a variety of treatments and therapies surrounded by elegance and beauty.
After all that therapy you can enjoy a nice diner at one of two dining options. International cuisine or an a-la-carte selection. When diner is over and it is time to enjoy the night life, stroll on over to the Admirals Lounge for some realistically St. Lucian entertainment that includes steel bands and limbo dancing.
Which ever one is your choice, my guess is that you won’t have any regrets. Room for two or everybody. Either one of these beautiful hotels can make your stay a memorable one. The ocean is just a view away and the only requirement for this place is a bathing suit and sun tan lotion.