Posts Tagged ‘Vacation spots’

Five Remote Tropical Vacation Destinations

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Are you looking for a quiet tropical vacation spot which isn’t popular among tourists? If so, keep reading this article. Here I share with you five tranquil tropical places perfect for vacation.

1. The Caribbean: Saint Bartholomew

Saint Bartholomew is a remote overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean. Since there’s no big airport and no big harbor there, you can only get there in a small plane or in a yacht. As a result, the place is one of the most undeveloped Caribbean islands. Moreover, it’s very popular with the rich and famous, especially in the winter. If you’re looking for a luxurious destination in the Caribbean, Saint Bartholomew is one of the best choices.

2. French Polynesia

French Polynesia lie in the midst of South Pacific Ocean. It’s an overseas country of the French Republic and is a part of the European Union. The most famous islands are Tahiti and Bora Bora in the Society Islands group. French Polynesia is one of the most expensive destinations in this region. However, it offers breathtaking natural scenery, beautiful lagoons and picture-perfect beaches. It’s a perfect place for honeymooners and unforgettable family vacation.

3. Maldives

Republic of Maldives is one of the most beautiful tropical destinations in the world. It offers the best of the tropics: pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, swaying palm trees, world-class diving spots and picturesque islets. It’s a perfect destination for luxurious vacation and for people who are looking for privacy (each resort is located on its own private island).

4. South Pacific Ocean: The Cook Islands

Cook Islands are known for their beautiful tropical atolls such as Aitutaki and Pukapuka (which is one of the most untouched and secluded places in the Cook Islands). The country is located about about half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand and is a more affordable alternative to expensive French Polynesia. It’s one of the least populous countries in the world (it has a population of about 20 000 people) and the number of visitors is still relatively low.

5. Republic of the Philippines

Philippines is a country which consists of about 7000 islands. A few places in the Philippines are very popular with tourists (such as Boracay, Cebu or Davao). However, there are hundreds of very remote off the beaten path places where you can be sure you won’t find any signs of mass tourism.

Keep in mind that although remote countries are very tranquil and beautiful, they are usually also more expensive than more popular and easier to get to vacation spots. Most locations off the beaten path aren’t budget-friendly. However, if you can afford them, then definitely enjoy them!

If you’d like to visit tropical destinations with beautiful tropical scenery which are close to the United States, check out this article: tropical vacation spots.

5 Luxurious Tropical Vacation Destinations

Friday, January 20th, 2012

If you’re interested in luxurious vacation in the tropics, this article is definitely for you. Here you’ll find five incredible luxurious tropical vacation destinations which provide world-class attractions and standard of service.

1. Maldives

Maldives is one of the most popular places for luxurious vacation. Every resort has its own private island meaning that you most definitely won’t struggle to find your own private beach. Overwater bungalows are one of the most common choices. Many people also choose overwater villas which are reachable only by rowboat. If you’re looking for privacy and world-class standard, this is the place for you.

2. French Polynesia

French Polynesia is located in the South Pacific Ocean about half of the way between South America and Australia. The place is known for beautiful pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise lagoons, lush jungles, rugged mountain scenery, interesting Polynesian culture and international class hotels. Bora Bora and Tahiti, both of which are in French Polynesia, are constantly ranked as one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

3. Islands of the Seychelles

Seychelles lie in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. The country is well known for its laws that protect local biodiversity and wilderness. Since the country is the world’s leader in sustainable tourism, mass tourism in the Seychelles is almost non-existent and most hotels are expensive and luxurious. If you’re looking for something more original and less crowded, Republic of Seychelles is the country for you.

4. Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the few places in the world where mass tourism isn’t endorsed. The country prefers high-end tourism and most accommodation options (luxury hotels, 4 and 5 stars beach resorts) cater to more affluent visitors. Mauritius is known for high standard of service, beautiful beaches, outstanding natural scenery and world-class diving spots.

5. Remote Saint Barthelemy

Saint Barthelemy is one of the richest and safest places in the Caribbean. It’s a very small island (8.1 sq. miles) very popular with rich and famous people. Moreover, unlike many Caribbean islands, it’s undeveloped and there no massive resorts there so mass tourism isn’t existent. If you’re looking for a more remote tropical vacation spot which is still close to the United States or Canada, Saint Barthelemy may be a great choice. It’s famous for pristine beaches, beautiful natural scenery and great luxurious accommodation options.

Bear in mind that if you want to choose the best place for luxurious vacation, you should choose a destination that specializes in this type of tourism (such as Mauritius, Seychelles or Saint Barthelemy). Countries which are popular with different segments of tourists may not meet all your requirements.

If you’d like to discover more tropical vacation spots, check out this article about interesting tropical vacation spots.

Five Tropical Places Perfect For Vacation

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Tropics are one of the best places in the world to go on vacation. If you’re looking for ideas on where to go, in this article you’ll find the best tropical vacation spots in the world which cater to different tastes and different types of tourism. Here they are:

1. Maldives

Republic of Maldives is one of the most expensive countries in the Indian Ocean. However, it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The place is perfect for honeymooners, family vacation and people who are looking for a tranquil and remote vacation spot. Since most hotels in the Maldives have their own private islands, you can be sure that you won’t see overcrowded beaches.

2. French Polynesia

French Polynesia lies in the South Pacific Ocean and it consists of about 130 paradise islands with Tahiti and Bora Bora being the most popular ones. It’s worldwide famous for its outstanding natural scenery (it’s a great place for hikers) and great diving spots (you’ll definitely want to scuba dive or snorkel there!). Since the country is quite expensive, the number of visitors is relatively low.

3. Hawaii

If you want to take short vacation to an English-speaking place, go to Hawaii. Since it’s the 50th state of the United States, it’s very easy to get there from the mainland US. The place is known for amazing biodiversity, many different accommodation options and many interesting tourist activities to choose from. Hawaii is also known for great hiking, so if you aren’t a beach type of person, you’ll still find there something for you.

4. Mexico

Mexico is one of the best choices for vacation if you want to take short vacation or simply don’t spend hours getting to your destination. Mexican Caribbean coast offers one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and many other attractions such as Mayan ruins or cenotes. Mexican Pacific Coast offers tranquility, lush jungles and great surfing. No matter where you’ll go, you’ll definitely have a great time.

5. Affordable Thailand

Thailand is one of the most affordable, yet still well developed countries in South East Asia. If you’re seeking a more exotic destination for budget vacation, Thailand will be a perfect choice. You’ll find there beautiful beaches, lush jungles, green mountains, wats (ancient temples) and friendly locals.

Don’t forget to do research on your potential destination before you go there! Read Wikipedia articles about it, read travel blogs or travel websites and ask people who were there if they recommend it or not. Thanks to this, you’ll avoid regrets and hopefully make the right decision.

Make sure to read this article about tropical vacation tips before you read about the best tropical vacation spots.

Five Tropical Vacation Destinations With The Best Beaches

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Are you looking for the best beach vacation spots? In this article I share with you five great tropical vacation spots with the best beaches in the world. Here they are:

1. The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands offer the best of tropics: beautiful paradise tropical beaches, perfect weather all year round, amazing diving spots, lush jungles and swaying green palm trees. It’s also one of the cheapest countries in the South Pacific Ocean which makes it a great place for people who are looking for something remote and quiet, yet still affordable and authentic (unlike many resort islands and overdeveloped tourist areas).

2. Mexico: Caribbean Coast or Pacific Coast

Mexican Caribbean coast is famous for well developed tourism infrastructure. If you’re looking for a place for short tropical vacation, Mexico may be a great choice. Places like Cancun or Playa del Carmen are very famous because of their beautiful beaches. However, for some people these places are overcrowded. If you want to get away from it all, choose Mexican Pacific Coast which is more tranquil and less popular among tourists.

3. Islands of Fiji

Fiji is home to one of the most outstanding diving spots in the world. It’s an inexpensive country which is popular with different segments of tourists: backpackers, honeymooners, families, divers and surfers. Since there’s a very wide variety of accommodation options, you’ll easily find something for you, whether you’re looking for a luxurious resort, local guest house or over-water bungalows. What about beaches? Well, they are definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Fiji is also perfect for nature lovers – there are a few picturesque national parks there.

4. Maldives and its numerous islands

Republic of Maldives is your typical tropical paradise – you’ll find there small tropical islets, great diving spots, beautiful turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, hammocks and overwater bungalows. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most expensive tropical destinations. However, if you’re looking for a quiet and luxurious place (each resort has its own private island), this country is exactly what you’re looking for.

5. Green Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the world’s leader in eco-tourism and eco-friendliness. If you’re interested in sustainable tourism or eco-tourism, Costa Rica is one of the best places you can visit. You won’t find there clean white sandy beaches or turquoise lagoons, but you’ll find untouched wilderness, biodiversity and beautiful natural scenery. That’s why so many people say that Costa Rica has the best beaches in the world – because there’s no development near them.

There are dozens of picture-perfect tropical vacation spots which have outstanding beaches. In this article I shared with you only a few of them. If you’re looking for a potential destination for your vacation, do more research to find the best place for you!

If you’re searching for more information about the best tropical vacation spots, check this article about inexpensive tropical vacation spots.

5 Inexpensive Tropical Vacation Spots

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Are you looking for a wallet-friendly tropical vacation spot? In this article I share with you five affordable tropical destinations which are perfect for vacation.

1. Thailand

Thailand is one of the most developed South East Asian countries. Even though it’s well developed, it’s still very inexpensive which makes it a perfect place for vacation. Flights to South East Asia are cheap and local prices of food, accommodation and different tourist attractions are also very low. Thailand is a great place for people who want to experience something more exotic – not only relax on the beautiful tropical beaches, but also explore local villages, see ancient temples or hike in the mountains.

2. Thailand’s neighbor: Malaysia

Malaysia is another well developed, but still very affordable South East Asian country. It’s famous for its beautiful tropical islands such as Perhentian Islands and for its dazzling capital Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a great alternative to Thailand which is definitely way more popular with tourists. Moreover, many people in Malaysia speak fluent English which is another good advantage of this place. And as mentioned before, flights to South East Asia are cheap so it’s a perfect place for budget vacation.

3. Cook Islands – a paradise in the South Pacific Ocean

Cook Islands are located near French Polynesia and American Samoa, about half of the way from New Zealand to Hawaii, which makes them a very remote country. The country’s population is only about 20 000 people and the place is still relatively free of mass tourism. It’s a tropical paradise famous for endless stretches of white sand beaches surrounded by beautiful turquoise lagoons.

4. Perfect for short vacation: Mexico

Mexico is definitely one of the most affordable tropical locations for Americans or Canadians. There are two reasons. Firstly, it’s a relatively inexpensive country and even popular with tourists Caribbean coast region is still affordable. Secondly, since it’s so close to the US or Canada, the flights there are very cheap. If you’re looking for a place for short tropical vacation, Mexico is one of the best choices. Beautiful beaches – check, turquoise water – check, great accommodation options – check.

5. Fiji

Fiji is politically unstable, which deters many tourists from going there. However, thanks to this, you can save a lot of money if you decide to go there. The country has one of the most beautiful diving spots in the world, there are many accommodation options to choose from and it’s a great place for adventure travel (rafting, exploring jungles, hiking the mountains and hills).

Keep in mind that before you make a decision, you should always spend at least a few hours reading about your potential destination. Make sure that your chosen destination meets all your requirements so that you can make your vacation unforgettable!

To check out more about cheap tropical vacation spots, click tropical vacation spots and check out my other article about them.

Quality Time With Family And Friends In One Of Florida’s All Inclusive Resorts

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

These days, it is very important to devote some quality time with your family and close friends. After all, with the extremely hectic life that everyone is certainly living in currently, it is important to make certain that we get to take a vacation one or more times each year. The wonderful thing is that there are several all inclusive trips or vacations to one of the very well-known vacation spots in the United States: Florida.

Florida stands out as the one state where the selection of things you can do plus the places for you to go are in such abundance and variety. So much in fact that you will be challenged to find no passion, need or wish not dealt with at the soonest possible time. The whole region is also so vast that if you walk one mile of Florida’s beaches every day, it would take you more than two years to walk around the whole state. Oh, and the state also happens to be where you will find many different foods that will satisfy an array of dietary choices.

And there are also self guided driving tours which are mainly designed to uncover the state’s natural beauty to the tourists. From highly fashionable boutiques and delectable eateries, you will find that Florida won’t ever disappoint. While you’re in an adventurous mind-set while in the general area of Florida, remember to take into account that you will find many choices for places to stay, which include hotels, B&B’s, romantic travel inns and also amazing Bluegreen resort options.

Even though all-inclusive vacations are not something which many people appreciate, no one can doubt the substantial savings that it might provide vacationers. And there are many resorts that offer these types of vacation holidays and every one is drastically different from the other so it is vital that you have a good concept of which kind of resort you want to spend your vacation in.

And, these all inclusive packages are typically inclusive of air travel, meals, hotel accommodations, excursions, fees, etc. While it is true that packages can vary in one aspect from the other, the overall idea used in such all inclusive vacations is always to put as many of the expenses in a single bundle as you possibly can to keep the expenses at a minimum.

In order to be able to get even more savings for the vacation that you are going to take, be sure you make arrangements ahead of time. This way, you’ll be able to set a specific plan for the holiday and you could reserve sufficient funds to cover any added expenses. And you also will not need to worry because there are numerous websites which you can assemble information from and make the necessary plans.

All inclusive vacations are not necessarily for everybody. Regardless of the many savings that it may provide, there will still be a few people who prefer to choose other kinds of holiday packages. But, If you are planning to take a Florida trip, it would be best to have a look at websites where you can make arrangements for all inclusive packages so that you can also benefit from quite a bit of savings.

Lillian McDonald is an adventure and entertainment writer focusing in Bluegreen resorts at splendid Bluegreen resort places throughout the globe. You can connect with Bluegreen without delay for data regarding the top vacation accommodations in the western hemisphere at www.bluegreenonline.com.

Whale Watching in Washington

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

The San Juan Islands, a group of islands in the Pacific Northwest off the coast of Washington state, are home to many whale watching excursions. This popular vacation spot boasts sightings of Killer whales, as well as, Orca whales who frequent the area. Whale watching continues to grow in popularity and Washington state is a hot bed of reputable tours and whale sighting opportunities.

Located more than 20 miles from Washington’s mainland, the San Juan Islands are accessible only by ferry, private boats and small planes. With more than 170 islands making up the San Juan Islands area, the ferry service only stops at the four largest: Shaw, Lopez, Orcas and San Juan. Eighty of the islands are part of the San Juan Islands Refuge that is home to many amazing creatures and plants. Some of the animals include a pod of about 100 Orca whales that maintain a year-round residency in the area. The San Juan Islands are protected from the rough Pacific Ocean by the Olympic Penninsula and Vancouver Island which makes them a perfect haven. Vancouver Island and Washington state were once connected by a mountain range that is known today as the San Juan Islands.

What better way to experience the beauty of the San Juan Islands than by whale watching from a small boat. This whale watcher’s paradise off the coast of Washington state boasts a year round presence of whales and other curious sea creatures. Small boat tours are able to offer their personalized, three to four hour expeditions to only a handful of guests at a time. Equal opportunity to see and photograph the whales, an opportunity to interact with the boat’s captain and an intimate setting aboard the small boat are all added perks. This makes them vastly different from the larger whale watching boats with tens of guests who must maneuver their way to the railing to see the whales.

April to September is considered high-season on the San Juan Islands. Visitors will typically find whale watching expeditions available during these times, so be sure to plan a vacation accordingly. Sometimes the smaller whale watching operations who are able to search farther out will offer tours from late-March up until the end of October. For days when the whales are just not in the area, most tour companies will offer enjoyable and informative excursions throughout the San Juan Islands Refuge to see its other inhabitants like the sea birds, sea lions and seals. Kayaks can also be taken out to get in even closer proximity to the wildlife.

Whale watchers will find that the San Juan Islands offer an unparalleled experience for seeing Killer whales and Orca whales in the wild. With careful preparation and research, a trip to these islands gems in the Pacific Northwest very well may be the highlight of a lifetime. The natural beauty and unspoiled of the San Juan Islands Refuge is truly a sight to behold.

Bill Carli lives and conducts Whale Watching Tours in the San Juan Islands where the beauty of nature abounds.