Archive for the ‘Beach’ Category
Monday, October 9th, 2006
The first time I ever saw a coral reef in person was on a trip to Fiji. It was actually just an extended layover; I was traveling from Auckland to Los Angeles and I was able to add a layover in Fiji for $20. I figured that I probably wouldn’t have another chance to go to Fiji for $20, so I took it. I started sweating the minute I got off the plane; after spending six months in rainy, temperate New Zealand I wasn’t prepared for eighty degree weather and ninety percent humidity.
After my first night in Nadi I caught a bus and then a boat to one of the outlying islands, where I was to spend four days doing essentially nothing. I brought a couple of books and my pack-able hammock, but when I made it to the island I found that the hammocks were already set up for me. The island was small, but gorgeous. It only housed two resorts, which were essentially right next to each other, and it took three or four hours to walk all the way around the island. Fresh water was somewhat scarce, and rain water collectors made up for the majority of it. The whole island ran on a large generator, so the lights went off at 10pm and didn’t turn on again until morning.
I had heard about Fiji’s great diving, but since I was there for such a short period of time and didn’t have a dive license, I opted to snorkel instead. On my second day on the island I hired a snorkel and a set of fins and set off to explore the coral reef right in front of our resort.
When I plunged into the warm water I felt like I was in a different world. My doctor used to have this big elaborate fish tank filled with fish of all different colors, large and small. Gliding over the coral reef made me feel like I was in a life-sized mock-up of the same tank. Big fish patrolled the shelf of the coral reef while little neon-colored ones flitted in and out of the coral heads. Sea cucumbers loafed about the bottom, while parrot fish nibbled and ground at the coral. I snorkeled all day, checking out the coral reef all around the island. By the end of the day I had a terribly sunburned back and salty hair, but I knew that I was going back in the water the next morning.
Posted in Adventure Travel, Advice, Beach, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Holiday, Information, Island, Resorts, Short Vacation, Spring Break, Summer Trip, Travel, Vacation, Vacation Destination, Vacation Review | No Comments »
Friday, September 1st, 2006
I will never forget all the beach vacations my family took when I was growing up. I live in the northeast, in New England, and the beach has always been less than an hour drive away from where I’ve lived. Even though I’ve always lived near the beach, and spent a lot of time there during the summer, I still love to go away on beach vacations to other places. You’d think I’d be sick of the beach by now but I find myself still as drawn to it as I’ve always been.
Probably the best of all the beach vacations I’ve ever taken was on my honeymoon when we went on a cruise to Bermuda. The beaches in Bermuda are absolutely beautiful, with white sand and sparkling clear water, it looks like something straight off the front of a postcard. Another of the beach vacations I am fond of is the trip I took to the Florida Keys, way down south where there are no giant singing mice who live in castles. Pretty much the only things to do in southern Florida are playing bingo or relaxing on the beach. I hate bingo so you can probably figure out how I spent my vacation.
For one of my next beach vacations I would like to stay at a resort in Jamaica, the kind where it is all couples and they don’t allow children on the premises. I love children, don’t get me wrong, but they do not belong on the beach with me while I sip rum drinks during my vacation. It’s too distracting and I’m sure it would make me feel guilty about my own child that I’d left at home so I could run away with my husband to a beautiful land far, far away. Also up high on my list of future beach vacations I would like to take are returning to Bermuda and a nice long trip to Australia during our winter. Since winter in the United States is summer in Australia, every time I imagine exotic beach vacations to the land down under, I picture catching a plane during a snowstorm and landing on a sun drenched airstrip.
It’s a bit absurd of me to be thinking about my next vacation when I just returned from a lovely beach vacation just a few days ago. But that’s the problem I have with the beach. Every time I go it only makes me want more. I am sure many people feel the same as me. Beach vacations always leave me feeling refreshed and relaxed.
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Friday, August 18th, 2006
Everyone likes going on vacations. There are so many fun and exciting destinations to go on vacations. For me a great part of going on vacation is planning the trip. I love to plan where we are going, where to stay and what to see once we have arrived. With all the planning and sight seeing I usually return from vacation in need of a rest. I did not realize how relaxing vacation time can be until we started taking beach vacations.
We had been married several years before we considered beach vacations. We had been to the beach during vacation, but this is different. We had also been to Mexico and had stayed on the water front, but we had included deep sea fishing, horse back riding and sight seeing in our trip. One day our nephew called and asked if we would be interested in sharing a rental home on the Outer Banks. The house could accommodate 5 couples. Each couple would have their own bathroom and deck area and the house was located one block off the beach. We thought that this sounded like fun so we agreed to go. When we started our week we realized that this is how beach vacations are suppose to be.
The house was beautiful and the beach was great. At low tide you could walk for miles and miles and pick up shells. My husband rented equipment and learned how to surf fish. This involved throwing out a line and sitting in a chair to see if you caught anything. We bought some groceries so we could cook if we felt like it and there were close restaurants that we could go to if we did not feel like cooking. In the evenings we played cards, walked the beach and sat out on the decks and listened to music. This was the most relaxing week I had ever spent. On our last night I mentioned that this was the first of many beach vacations that we would be taking. One of the other couples mentioned that they used to do all the sight seeing and other activities on their vacations, but they found that they needed to have time when they just sat and rejuvenated also.
Since this time we have taken many beach vacations as well as sightseeing vacations. We found that if we can plan two weeks a year to do something special we are more apt to allow ourselves to relax one of the weeks. I am hoping that as time and money allows we will be able to increase the amount of time that we spend on our beach vacations. I would love to spend a month each year resting and walking on the beach. Nothing can be more relaxing then walking along the beach with your partner.
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Wednesday, August 16th, 2006
How is your summer? Many of us want to strive for that tone body and tan. We want to look great in our bathing suits. The destination of choice is usually the beach. Although a weekend of fun in the sun can be a relaxing experience, many of us prefer a longer stay. Those crashing waves and warm sand are hard to turn away from. The sun calls to us whether we like it or not. Luckily there are options other than the standard hotel room. Beach vacation rentals are an ideal place to spend your summer.
If you’ve ever took that family vacation to the coast, you probably have memories of a basic hotel room, which if you’re lucky, was ocean front. You stared out at the serene waterfront from your balcony. It was an experience that probably lasted for a couple days. This is likely due to funding. You may have the vacation time, but the hotel rooms can get pricey. With beach vacation rentals, you can plan your entire summer at the beach. It’s actually like having a home away from home. No more renting a hotel room far in advance to ensure you’re close to the shore. Check into beach vacation rentals for a more reasonable stay.
The Internet provides us with a wide selection of websites, which offer many great deals on beach vacation rentals. No matter what your price range is, you can certainly find something that’s right for you. Surf the packages and locate that ideal place to lodge. It beats finding that last minute hotel room. You can reserve beach vacation rentals in advance so you know it’s waiting for you when the sun creeps out and the temperature rises.
When I was a kid, we always took that family vacation to the beach. I recall one summer when I met a couple of kids while roaming the shops. They were dark tan and certainly seemed in their element. After getting to know them a little, I discovered that they had been staying there for weeks. I was a little baffled by this, especially when they claimed that they didn’t live there. It turned out they were there for the entire summer and living in a beach vacation rental.
Wow, I was jealous. Why didn’t my parents ever consider this? We sure liked coming to the beach, and always wanted to stay longer. Beach vacation rentals were the answer to our problem. These days with the Internet on your side, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a fun, and affordable summer at the beach. It doesn’t need to cost alot and you get to enjoy long holiday under the sun at the beach. Why not?
Posted in Advice, Beach, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Children, Family Vacation, Holiday, Information, Rental, Short Vacation, Summer Trip, Vacation, Vacation Destination, Vacation Packages, Vacation Rental, Vacation Review, Vacation Suggestion | No Comments »
Sunday, August 6th, 2006
On a dreary Saturday in February I was feeling quite depressed due to the cold, wet weather. We had decided not to take a winter vacation and waiting for our June vacation seemed like a long time. I thought maybe it would help my mood to do some planning for the summer trip. We had not made any solid plans of where we wanted to go so I started looking into beach vacation rentals.
My husband had been working very hard so his only criteria for a destination was that it be away from his office. As I started looking at beach vacation rentals I found that there were many possibilities to choose from. We had done a beach home rental in the past with a group of friends and found that it was an inexpensive way to spend time on the beach. By going with beach vacation rentals you usually rent an entire home, apartment or condo so you can cook your meals; which decreases the cost of eating out for every meal. You can also share the rental fees with others if you rent accommodations that have multiple bedrooms.
In looking at the possibilities with the beach vacation rentals I discovered that there were a wide range of prices depending on the geographical location as well as the size of the accommodations. The beach vacation rentals that were the most expensive were the ones that were located directly on the beach. If you are willing to be located within walking distance the price drops considerably. The main thing to consider when locating beach vacation rentals that are off the water is where the public access is to the beach area. For many resort areas this is not an issue, however if you are renting in an area of private homes it may be difficult to access the beach.
Several of the beach vacation rentals I was considering were private homes. One was available for two weeks for a very reasonable rate. I contacted the owner and found out that they were going to be out of town for the two weeks that they were renting their home. The home was located directly on the beach and included full access to two bedrooms, two bathrooms an outdoor hot tub and the kitchen and living room areas of the home. The catch was they were leaving their dog so the renters would be responsible for feeding and exercising the dog daily. We like dogs so this seemed like a great way to have a longer vacation for a reasonable rate.
It is important to be clear when doing beach vacation rentals with private owners on what areas of the home are accessible and what the expectations are for cleaning. This couple had a written contract that was very detailed and provided contact information in case of emergencies. We are looking forward to our two weeks on the beach. Learning how to find cheap and excellent home to rent isn’t difficult. Just do your research online.
Posted in Advice, Beach, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Children, Family Vacation, Holiday, Information, Rental, Spring Break, Summer Trip, Travel, Vacation, Vacation Destination, Vacation Homes, Vacation Rental, Vacation Suggestion | No Comments »
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
One of the ways I get to see the world–as one who doesn’t travel all that much or doesn’t have the money to do so–is to watch really well-done films, check out TV shows, or even listen to superbly depicting songs. When I was younger and sequestered in a solemn community in Puritan New England, I used songs and old Elvis movies to do the same thing. For example, I discovered the Hawaii shores and the Huntington Beach, California, and other, neighboring beaches by way of Blue Hawaii. I. Blues, the Beach Boys, and better, Patti Smith and other rockers.
Do you ever see a potential vacation spot, a viable plot of real estate, or a school or hotel or home by way of movies or TV shows? Hey, in effect, they are 3-D, 2-hour brochures. Check out Huntington Beach, California, this way, for example. First, you likely know that like most of the popular and/or secluded beaches, Huntington Beach, California offers premier surfing off eight miles of accessible beach/shore. This means, of course, numerous world-renowned competitions and events are hosted in Huntington Beach in California including the AVP for Pro Beach Volleyball and the U. S. Surfing Opens, as well as Van’s World Championship of Skateboarding. So you can watch the sports events, and catch sight of the oceans, the sands, the weather or you can watch the psychological thriller, Dementia: An Experiment in Terror, an independent film shot totally in Huntington Beach, California, so you can get the dimensions and dynamics, as well as a general idea of some of the people (though be sure not to confuse characters with residents’ ahem).
Or, you might intentionally look for Huntington Beach, California landscape, politics, and society in focused films such as The Ten Best Beaches in California or the KQED special, Coastal Clash, wherein the coverage includes discussion of who owns what part of which beach, but also features images that are alluring and enlightening. Or, you can watch HBTV3 or catch clips of the sights and sites on the official Huntington Beach, California web pages.
I haven’t had the chance to visit Huntington Beach, California, yet, though I did years after listening to Patti Smith Redondo Beach hitchhike down the coast to see what all the lyrics portrayals were about. You may want to try the movies, the shows, and the clips whether they are fictional and set in Hunting Beach or factual and about such areas that are sunny, surfable, and most welcoming and visit-worthy.
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Thursday, July 20th, 2006
If you are looking to spending time under the sun, doing nothing, Florida beach resorts can be a perfect location for a fun and surprisingly affordable vacation. Every year I go to Florida beach resorts, I am surprised at the quality of the experience I have there. I’ve never been much of a fan of Florida until recently. It is hot and muggy, inescapably so, with sudden downpours in the afternoon which leave you feeling drenched and feverish. Nevertheless, staying in a Florida beach resort, I quickly changed my tune. It was so pleasant to have a nice cool air conditioned room, only minutes from the sultry heat of the beach that I just couldn’t help enjoying the whole experience. And on top of it all, there was a jacuzzi downstairs where I could stay until late, just soaking my troubles away. Now that is luxury.
Of course, every one of the Florida beach resorts is different, and your experience won’t necessarily be just like mine. It is important to know what you are looking for in your vacation before you just run out and rent beach front property. Some people prefer a smaller beach resort, or one more isolated, because they find the crowds and the imposing buildings to be somewhat alienating, and really crave solitude.
I, however, much prefer to go to the biggest Florida beach resorts possible. I love the glamor of it, and I’ve always felt that the bigger the business, the higher the quality of service they can provide for me. This is certainly true in my beach resort as every morning a delicious breakfast, either eggs and bacon and pancakes or continental as you prefer. Every evening, the most lavishly stuffed buffet table which you’ve ever seen. Why, it could bring you back from the edge of starvation to a healthy round physiognomy inside of a week, easy.
And not only that, but the Florida beach resorts I stay at have, well, some of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Something about sunshine and water, just makes them look a little better, and it’s so easy to approach people on the beach I mean the beaches are so completely crowded, you’ve practically no choice but to approach them. And the beach resort, of course, has its own night club in addition, where you can dance, dance, dance the night away. There is no better spot in the world for fun, sun, and romance than the Florida coast, and that’s a fact.
Posted in Advice, Beach, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Family Vacation, Florida, Holiday, Information, Resorts, Short Vacation, Spring Break, Summer Trip, Travel, Vacation, Vacation Destination, Vacation Packages, Vacation Rental, Vacation Suggestion | No Comments »
Monday, July 17th, 2006
If you are wondering where to go for spring break, check out florida. Florida is the spring break capital of the United States and has something for everyone, families and party-crazy college students alike. There are many types of vacations to choose from, depending on your personal tastes, with many locations to visit, both coastal and inland. You can even combine excursions, depending on how much time and money you have to spend. From the northern to the southern part of the state, popular attractions, national forests, and state nature conservancies abound. The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean are both only a short drive away if you want to be near the water and you can visit more than one of those great Florida beaches for fun, sun, and surf!
If you’re planning on taking the kids on your Florida spring break, Disney World in Orlando would be an excellent choice, with its outstanding theme parks and attractions, including the popular Epcot Center and Magic Kingdom. For the space enthusiast, there is Cape Canaveral, NASA, and the Kennedy Space Center close by, with many onsite tours, museums, and gift shops that offer a great selection of must have souvenirs. If a family vacation is not what you had in mind, you might want to brave the hoards of crazy partying college students at some of the most popular Florida spring break destinations, Daytona Beach, Panama City, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, or Miami Beach. The Florida Keys and Key West may offer a quiet stretch of beach, but rest assured, that this will be a rarity during this time of the year.
There are many websites you can check out to find a Florida spring break vacation that is right for you. Also, you can request information ahead of time from the State of Florida regarding tourism information, weather, events, and activities. Most resorts and hotels cater to travelers at this time of year as well, and it is possible to find some great discounts with many freebies included. Since many students are traveling on a budget, these offers are very attractive and hotels book up quickly. So if you find something that looks attractive at the right price, you better grab it. Online travel tips are also available for students regarding some of the darker aspects of spring break, such as date, rape, drugs, a sure way to spoil spring break. Whatever you decide to do, stay on the right side of law and ou’ll have a great time in Florida, the sun capital of the country!
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2006
My friend was telling me there’s nothing to do in San Diego. Nothing? You can be sure I set him right! If you’re visiting San Diego (or even if you live in San Diego and haven’t done it already), a La Jolla kayak tour may be one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in the San Diego area. Kayaking from La Jolla beach has been a popular pastime for years, and for good reason.
Imagine, you head down to the beach with your kayak, your life jacket, and your paddle. You sit on your boat and slide it into the water; since it’s a sit-on-top your feet aren’t trapped in the boat and if you want you can just swim off of it. You charge out into the surf and you’re soon off of the breakers. Heading away from the beach, the sounds of the waves breaking over the beach are replaced by a deeper boom up the coast. Soon you see the sea caves as well as hear them. Showing up as big openings in the side of the cliff, huge sea caves have been eaten into the cliff wall by years of pounding surf. Depending on the size of the waves that day, the character of the sea caves can range from quiet, echoing churches to thundering maelstroms (though if it’s a big surf day you’ll probably be advised not to go anywhere near the caves. Though they’re completely safe on a calmer day, big waves can make the caves extremely dangerous).
These gorgeous caves are only a ten or fifteen minute paddle from the beach, and if you’re lucky you’ll see seals and sea lions lounging about on the warm rocks or going for a playful swim around your kayak. You can even paddle through some of the arches and around the caves if you’re comfortable with it. If you’re not a very strong paddler, you can always rent a tandem kayak with a friend, as these are more stable and easier to paddle than the singles. It’s also possible to hire a guide for the afternoon to show you around the caves.
La Jolla kayak tours aren’t only limited to the caves. Though most La Jolla kayak rental companies run trips or rentals to the caves, another option is to hire a kayak, either with or without a guide, to go kayaking fishing off of La Jolla beach. La Jolla kayak fishing can get you into places you could never reach with a conventional fishing boat, and since you’re quieter and less conspicuous in a kayak than you are in a big fishing boat, kayak fishing usually translates to better fishing. Which ever route you go, kayaking La Jolla is a great way to spend time in the San Diego area. I always enjoy my regular kayaking session at San Diego.
Posted in Adventure Travel, Advice, Beach, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Family Vacation, Holiday, Information, San Diego, Short Vacation, Spring Break, Summer Trip, Travel, Vacation, Vacation Destination, Vacation Packages, Vacation Rental, Vacation Suggestion | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006
Have you thought of visiting Australia for a vacation? The Land Down Under has everything, absolutely everything the traveler could desire. The country is very diverse so that you can actually have many vacations when you take an Australia vacation.
Are you the kind of person that wants to be surrounded by a big city when you get away from it all? In Sydney, your trip would include cultural events at the world famous Sydney Opera House.
An Australia vacation could include an outing at their exquisite horse racing facilities. If a casino is more to you liking, the city of Perth combines a world class gambling resort with a small town atmosphere.
An Australia vacation can also mean getting totally away from the hustle and bustle of the city and going to the unspoiled landscape of the outback. Care to try your hand at looking for rare gemstones while on your vacation? You can actually mine for opals and perhaps make a fortune. Do other cultures appeal to you? On your Australia vacation, you can visit and see the lifestyle of the Aborigines, showing you art and craft forms handed down for thousands of years.
If the wide-open spaces is more to your liking, travel across the continent and watch kangaroos frolicking along the road as you travel to the famous Ayer’s Rock in Alice Springs.
One other thing that visitors particularly like about an Australia vacation is the people. Aussies are some of the most open and friendly people on the planet. Their hospitality makes you feel like one of their own almost from the moment you get off the plane.
If water sports are what you are interested in, the Gold Coast adjoins the Great Barrier Reef. No trip to Australia is complete without going to Cairns for boating, diving, and sailing. You will think you have returned to a nature before man ever set foot on those beaches.
In the north, near Darwin, the unspoiled beauty of the seacoast is unlike anything you probably have ever experienced before you took your vacation.
Having traveled there a number of times, I can personally tell you that an Australia vacation means going to a place where people share nature and not dominate it. Every location in Australia reminds a person that they are a part of nature. Even in a large metropolis like Sydney, the beauty of the ocean is always a part of your experience.
An Australia vacation should also include a trip to Hobart on the island of Tasmania in the south of the country. You will think that you had turned back the clock a hundred years and have been transported to another country. And while on your Australia vacation, do not miss Adelaide. You could be standing in an 18th century whaling town.
You will want to spend plenty of time exploring Australia. One trip will never do. There are endless new sights and experience waiting for you in Australia.
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