the best places to travel

Flores island

2010-05-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

springs

Flores island

Learn more - Flores island:

The island of Flores is the westernmost point of the Archipelago and of Europe. Flores is about 15 miles from Corvo. These two islands make up the western group of the archipelago. The area is about 55 sq miles (143Km2). The island has more or less 4000 inhabitants. The main municipalities are Santa Cruz and Lajes.

Rock formations

The island of Flores has deep valleys and high peaks, lakes bordered by hydrangeas, cliffs carved with grottoes, hot springs and the remains of old volcanoes. The fields are divided by hydrangea hedges.

There is a great profusion of wild flowers and small sized botanical species, many of which have come from the original flora. Permanent pastures and farm areas, including vineyards, complete the vegetal landscape of the islands.

The melodious sound produced by water-mills next to crystal-clear streams of Flores. The long, dense clumps of hydrangeas winding over hills and dales. The basalt petrified in eternal threads. The refreshing tranquillity of the lagoons. The musical creaking of an ox drawn cart. Picturesque old customs. White houses perched on green slopes. The harmony of Flores, a garden floating on the foam of the sea.

2 mi

5 km

Enlarge Map

Flores Highlights

The Rochad dos Bordoes - solidification of basalt into vertical fluting.

Aguas Quentes - Small hot springs of boiling sulphurous water.

The peaks of Sete Pes, Burrinha, Marcel and Morro Alto (which at 3000 feet (914 m) is the highest point of the island).

The seven lakes in the central part of the island make for a magnificent landscape, especially the Fundalake ("Lagoa Funda").

The Waterfall of Ribeira Grande at Fajazinha drops hundreds of meters, and has at least twenty waterfalls many of which drop into the sea.

The Groto de Enxareus is an enormous cavern, about 164 feet (50 m) long and 82 feet (25 m) wide.

The Bay of Alagoa - A group of islets and peninsulas.

Fajazinha - A characteristic village by the sea with picturesque ruins of water mills.

Some of the Festivals

Festivities of San Joao in Santa Cruz - last week of June

"Festa do Emigrante" in Lajes (cultural and musical) - middle of July

Gabon, Central Africa

2010-05-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Gabon is an unlikely Eden where relentless predators stalk prey in lush forests and primates, who have not yet learned to fear man, live right alongside forest elephants. Against all odds, one visionary African leader and a group of dedicated scientists defied the conventional wisdom that insists oil and logging are the only way to bring prosperity to an impoverished land. Out of the wild they created 13 new national parks—and are now developing an eco-tourism industry to sustain them. Gabon: The Last Eden tells this amazing story with stunning footage— silverback gorillas defending territory, mandrill baboons’ faces splashed with day-glow color, and hippos wallowing in the ocean—exploring one of the planet’s last true wildernesses and what is being done to save it.

Jost van Dyke, BVI

2009-01-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

You have no doubt heard friends and acquaintances refer to Jost van dyke BVI as a dream place for a vacation. But what makes it so great? Well, for one its location makes it an ideal place for a holiday. Its attractions are world renown and get visitors from the furthest reaches of the globe. Jost van dyke hotels are known for their comfortable lodging and great services and offer accommodations for visitors of every kind.

Jost van dyke BVI nightlife offers entertainment from evening to the early hours of the morning and during the day you can spend your time shopping in any of the many fine stores.

Jost Van Dyke is a tiny island located in the British Virgin Islands. With a population of about 350 residents, Jost Van Dyke is a unique island only four miles long. If you are fortunate enough to sail to Jost Van Dyke vacations, you must make a trip to Foxy's. Foxy's is the most famous hangout to experience on Jost Van Dyke vacations, boasting hammocks on the beach, refreshing beverages, (try Foxy's Painkiller Punch... yeow!), and also offers casual island music. You may also get the opportunity to hear Foxy himself perform as he creates impromptu calypso.

In Jost van dyke the weather is always the way you like it, and you and your family can enjoy a relaxing holiday away from the worries of everyday life.

There is an old traveler saying that Jost van dyke BVI has something for everybody.

You may enjoy its natural beauty, join cruises or sample it culinary delights that may not be found anywhere else in the world.

The choice of what to do is yours. What is certain that it will be a vacation you will never forget. But you don't have to take our word for it. Just check what other people say about Jost van dyke BVI all inclusive, resorts, hotels, cruises, villas, Jost van dyke tours, diving and more.

Cayman Islands

2009-01-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Cayman Islands are a Western Caribbean nation famous for banking (as in the scene in The Firm with Tom Cruise), but it is also a great destination for scuba diving, searching for the indigenous blue iguana and laying around on pristine Seven Mile Beach. The British territory is comprised of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Language

The official language of the Cayman Islands is English.

Money

The Cayman Island Dollar, which is tied to the U.S. dollar, is the official currency of the Cayman Islands. To find out about the conversion rates, visit our currency converter.

Accommodations

The Cayman Islands enjoy one of the highest per capita income levels in the world, and the prices on the island are reflected in that. A three star hotel will set you back upwards of $200 a night in the busy season. If there are budget accommodations available, I wasn’t able to find them.

Food and Drinks

The islands boast 150 restaurants, so you’ll surely not go hungry on your trip. There are supermarkets available for the do-it-yourselfers and for packing a picnic for the beach.

Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

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Bonaire, the "paradise" for divers, snorkelers, wind surfers and natural lovers, has dream beaches and healthy coral reefs.

Bonaire is "for divers "The seventh heaven"! The multitude of coral species and exotic fish make the island one of THE destinations in the world, especially among divers. Only on Bonaire is it possible to enter directly from the shore and enjoy the warm, calm and clear water.
The waters around Bonaire belong to the "Bonaire Marine Park". In these waters, there are, of course, definite regulations which are designed to preserve the life on the reef. With "Little Bonaire" and the lee side of Bonaire, there are more than 80 dive sites that are waiting for you.

With a rented car you can dive 365 days in the year and explore the exotic diving spots. Bonaire has a fringing reef system, this is unique in the caribbean.

Culebra, Puerto Rico

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Originally called Passage Island, this 7-mile by 4-mile island was first inhabited by the Taíno and Caribe Indians. They gave way to the pirates that used these waters as a refuge. The Spaniards ousted the pirates when the land was colonized in 1879. This is the last portion of Puerto Rico colonized by the Spaniards.

Culebra is still a refuge, but instead of protecting pirates, it is now part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses part of Culebra and 23 adjacent islands (like Isla Culebrita and Cayo Luis Peña). The refuge, one of the oldest under the US Fishing and Wildlife Service, is well known as a nesting site for a variety of seabirds, and preserves important habitat for endangered sea turtles and the Culebra anole. Two last words about Culebra: Flamenco Beach. One of the best beaches in the world.

St. Barts

2009-01-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

It is widely believed that St. Barts was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and he named it in honor of his brother Bartolomeo. In the mid-1600s, the French arrived, took control from the indigenous indians, and built small settlements.

In 1784 it was sold (traded) to Sweden, and even though the French bought it back in 1878, some Swedish influences remain, including the name of the its capital, Gustavia.

The island is part of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, and the French influence and style are everywhere.

It is considered by many to be the Caribbean's most beautiful island, with dozens of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and a green, hilly landscape punctuated by numerous lagoons.

St. Barts is definitely upscale, and a favorite of the rich and famous. The island is chic and simply stunning. Gustavia, a duty-free port, is a picturesque place of red-roofed buildings, boutiques, a yacht-filled harbor, and a very relaxed lifestyle.

The St. Bart's pages and maps are currently being revised, however you can read a bit more about it

Aruba

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One of the most beautiful things about Aruba is its beaches. The hotels are located on a beautiful white sand beach that stretches over 7 miles from the edge of Oranjestead to the western most point of the island. Virtually any kind of water sports can be enjoyed, but Aruba is known for its wind surfing. Aruba hosts a major international wind surfing competition annually which draws contestants from around the world.

Naturally, when you put a beautiful beach under a magnificent setting Sun you get an unforgettable picture. Aruba's sunsets are wonderful. Mind you, not all are as perfect as the one at right, but you won't be disappointed. One of our annual activities is to buy several kilos of prawns, steam them and head off to the beach with a couple bottles of wine to enjoy the setting Sun. Tell me ... what could be better than sitting on the beach with your honey, enjoying a wonderful shrimp cocktail, a cool glass of wine and watching the Sun disappear below the horizon

South Beach Florida

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weather. During the busy winter months you will go weeks with warm sun. South Beach, Miami is a popular Spring Break destination as well. Even so, the beach is very big so there's room for everyone.

You'll fit right in as the locals make you feel special. And the city rolls out the carpet as well, caring for the beach and surrounding area. Just note the strange, but curious lifeguard huts. Each one is more interesting than the next. Here you'll find that even the lifeguard stands are in style.

But you won't be alone. Native Floridians flock to Ocean Boulevard as well as tourists. Yes, there are crazy street parties, and picturesque neon-lit buildings. Cruising in luxury cars up and down "The Strip" is where it's at.

Famous for winter vacations from the 1930's into the '50's, many of the "Art Deco" buildings are still standing. Not only that, you will find that they make up the soul of South Beach. When you see that style, you'll know you're here. Hotels that went for $18 a night are now $280. But bargains can still be found in the Florida haven on the sea.

Even today, many Americans and foreigners alike call South Beach home during the winter months. What brings them back is the wonderful hospitality, the gracious hotels, the beachwalk, and of course the beautiful beach.

Now, the beach in South Beach-Miami, Florida is man-made. But don't let that stop you. (So is Cancun!) It's huge and the sand is nice and soft. It hugs the Atlantic for miles and is the perfect place for joggers and walkers each morning, and afternoon. From the beach you can see the whole "South Beach Scene" at night; neon lit buildings that have a warm glow taking you back to the 30's.

You will find tons of culture; many tourists come to South Beach simply to get a taste of the world. The city is a melting pot of nationalities. The Latin-American population has inspired affected the area, and the diversity of the people is apparent in the various ethnic neighborhoods, food and music. Each meal can be a new adventure. The restaurants along the strip are top notch. State Hwy A1A, behind Ocean Drive, has fair food as well. It's worth the walk to check it out. Many places stay open late to cater to the party crowd. And don't worry - there's a Starbucks at the end of Ocean Drive.

Pack your shades and cut-offs and get ready for a break from the stress. Book your South Beach hotel soon and come bake in the Southern Florida sun.

Watch the cruise ships pull out through the channel as you relax on the beach. At night, if you're the partying type, just walk down Ocean Drive and take your pick.

If you're more reserved, there are a few places to choose as well. Plus, you can walk over to A1A and shop or dine the night away. Then to the hotel so you can re-energize for another day at this fantastic beach.

Negril Jamaica

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7 miles of uninterrupted, white sand beach. With hotels, restaurants, and bars along its stretch.
- It is all very laid-back - some say anything goes.
- It has nightly Reggae Concerts every night of the week. This cannot be found anywhere else in Jamaica.
- It has very friendly people that are willing to help and offer directions and information.
- It has a lot of Rasta. Rastas are people of local religion that has become very popular internationally. Bob Marley is their most popular. He is the undisputed King of Reggae Music. The Rastas are unique to most tourists as they wear their hair very long in the "Dreadlocks Style".
- To the west of the 7-miles white sand beach are Cliffs. As you travel along the West End Road, the Cliffs rise and continue to rise. The most famous place on The Cliffs is Ricks Cafe. It is said it is located at the furthest point west. The Cliffs has many caves and skydiving points. There are centers for big concerts. Many great Restaurants and bars are there too.
- Other Fun stuff: Horseback Riding , Picnicking on nearby islands, Fishing, Glass bottom boat rides, Scuba diving, golfing, Bird watching, Cycle Racing, Wonderful Craft Works to view, Night Clubs, Nude Section on the Beach, Hair braiding, massage etc.

Malta Island

2009-01-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Malta.. Beautiful island in the middle of mediterenean !! Fusion of different cultures and languages, steeped in history, clear blue and sandy beaches, heaven for tourists, good spot for scuba diving and water sports and a big harbour... Smack in the center of Mediterenean it has always been a strategic location for all the powers of Europe, Africa and Persia in olden times.
Since I had very litle time, I explored the historic places of Malta, old chappels, factories from the last century fully preserved, catacombs from the Roman times etc. I went and checked out the night life in St. John's bay and St. Julian's bay which are known for the trendy bars and night clubs. These places thrive with huge crowd of college crowd hitting the bars late at night. Wish I had more time to explore this beautiful island..

Aspen, Colorado, USA

2009-01-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

It is neither the highest nor the most dramatic winter sports arena in the United States, but Aspen always attracts an ambitious, attractive crowd. St Moritz and Gstaad, Kitzbühel and Zürs, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Megève have always been among the top resorts on the international ski circuit. Now Aspen has joined them. Aspen on the Roaring Fork became a boom town again after half a century in the doldrums following the end of the Colorado Silver Age. There is a holiday feeling in the air which has made the town the winter crossroads of a star-studded élite, from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Jack Nicholson.

Layout and Highlights
There are four mountains to ski around Aspen. Ajax is Aspen’s own; the slopes are the steepest and the company the best, whereas Aspen Highlands is for novices and intermediates. Buttermilk Mountain is ideal for beginners and big-city kids used to chic jogging paths only. Snowmass is the largest of the slopes and the most distant. It’s really a separate resort with two excellent runs: the Big Burn and the death-defying Cabin Jump

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

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The jewel of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas has something for everyone. Whatever your price range, whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here.The heart of Cabo is the hospitality, found everywhere from the hotels and even intimate beachfront, perfect for a honeymoon couple looking for the ultimate romantic getaway.

Speaking of honeymoons, is one "destination" wedding that both the guests and the wedding party will be talking about for years to come. Plan it yourself or let one of the hotels or resorts do the wedding planning for you. Either way, you'll get your life together off to a wonderful start.

Like to golf? Several world-class courses will provide fun, challenge and breathtaking scenery for the novice duffer or the scratch golfer alike. The desert mountain terrain combined with the ocean vistas and course designers like Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones II guarantee a links experience you won't forget.

Anglers of all skill levels will find some of the greatest sport fishing in the world off the Pacific coast, with everything from private charters to huge party boats that stay out several days. Whether you like pulling out game fish for the table or big sport fish for the mantel, you'll find plenty to wet a hook for. Cabo San Lucas is famous for its marlin sportfishing,.

For family vacations, Cabo San Lucas is a fantastic choice. Build a sand castle, go parasailing, swim, surf or just relax and catch some warm Baja rays. The sports enthusiasts in the family will find plenty to do, too, with scuba diving, snorkeling, rock climbing and many other ways to work up an appetite before enjoying some of the many gourmet dining options available.

Whatever you're looking for, from an adrenaline-packed "extreme" vacation to a relaxing sojourn under the sun, you'll find what you want in Cabo San Lucas!

Larvotto Beach, Monaco

2008-12-31T22:13:00.000-08:00

One of the most glamorous beaches in the world, Larvotto is renowned the world over for its topless sunbathing amongst the who’s who of the European elite. It is in the center of everything that Morocco is known for.

Grace Bay Turks and Caicos

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Revered as one of the last frontiers of the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is an oasis for those seeking to do little more than lounge on the beach, as there are few diversions other than surf, sun, and sand. And when the sand in question is as superb as gorgeous Grace Bay, it’s no wonder the focus is on the beach. Edging 12 miles along the northern coast of Providenciales (the chain’s main island), the fine white sand here is easily one of the finest swaths of beach we’ve ever seen in the Caribbean.

Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

2008-12-31T21:46:00.000-08:00

That Lanikai is considered the best swimming beach even by local Hawaiians should come as no surprise – after all, its name does mean “heavenly sea.” An offshore coral reef protects the deep turquoise lagoon, making the surf relatively mild and ideal for splashing around as well as kayaking, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. The mile-long beach itself, on Oahu’s windward side, is also quite scenic and has served as a backdrop in countless fashion shoots; imagine a wide swath dotted by tall swaying palms that cast shadows on the soft, sugary sand.

Clifton Beach, South Africa

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The highlight of Cape Town's glamour spots, Clifton lies between Sea Point and Camps Bay. Clifton's famous four beaches are the ideal hangout for beach lovers.

The four small and beautiful beaches of Clifton are interlinked, with giant granite boulders dividing one from the next. Each individual sandy enclave has its own peculiar identity.

4th Beach is the busiest, with the young and the beautiful playing volleyball, throwing frisbees and sunbathing - but mostly trying to look cool. 3rd Beach is frequented by the gay population of Cape Town, while 2nd Beach is the sunning spot of the young bohemians and university students of the city. 1st Beach is the least popular (but no less beautiful) than the other three.

Clifton is wonderfully sheltered from summer's south-easterly wind, but not many people actually brave the cold water. Yachts, speed boats and jet skis come and play in the bay and it has the atmosphere, if not the warm water, of a Mediterranean resort. Some of the most expensive property in South Africa and some of the finest beaches to be found anywhere, are right here at Clifton.

The Clifton Beaches are great for a day with the kids, and superb for sundowners and evening picnics. But go prepared. Take warm clothes, candles for after sunset and lots of goodies to snack on. Alcohol is not allowed on the beaches so stock up on the cold-drinks and fruit juices.

Anse Source Beach, Seychelles

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Anse Source D'Argent is located on La Digue, one of the principal islands. La Digue manages to be tropical, homey, understated and classy all at once, without sprawling resort hotels, grand casinos and bustling sport activity centers.

If you find it hard to tear yourself away, don't say we didn't warn you. However, you can explore the coastline for hours and hours.

In fact, we believe the food here in the Seychelles is the best of any Indian Ocean destination. Though most islanders here eat basic meals of fish and rice, several dishes incorporate fruit, exotic herbs and spices from several regions of the world. The two-mile stretch of golden sand is no slouch either, as it's edged by a walk and anchored by twin mountain peaks at its western end.

La Digue island represents the quintessential Seychelles postcard images - turquoise seas laced with pink-hued beaches and the occasional giant granite boulders adding an artistic contrast to the powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters. Turtles nest on various islands e.g. Cousin, Aldabra, Silhouette, as do large colonies of birds. Some islanders went back to Mauritius it was mostly the families of the original deportees that migrated north to this island that is paradise. Until recently working with copra and vanilla extraction were the mainstays of the local economy, nowadays it is firmly geared to looking after its visitors.

The Seychelles was once thought to be the location of the Garden of Eden, and Anse Source D'Argent almost leaves no doubt — you just may be tempted to cancel your return home.

Biarritz, France

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Biarritz is a large town with several quartiers and is one of the principal resorts on the Côte Basque, and probably the most famous part of the Pays Basque. Biarritz came to fame in the mid 19th Century, when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at Biarritz (which is now the world class Hotel du Palais) and a centre with natural springs at Eugenie les Bains in the Landes. Eugenie invited foreign royalty to stay with their entourages and courtiers; Queen Victoria of Britain, who came regularly over a period of 30 years, and sundry Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, German, Russian nobility. The Russians built their own magnificent Orthodox Church next to the Palace.
The principle architecture in Biarritz was not typically Basque, but rather a blend of 19th century city residences, large and expansive, made of local stone bricks. If you bought one of these houses now, you would probably find titles such as the Prince, Duke, Baron, Marquee etc. on the title deeds.

Biarritz has a lot more than beautiful buildings to offer today. It's a vibrant cosmopolitan town with magnificent beaches, golf courses and numerous sporting facilities, not forgetting the surf. Surfing started in France here in Biarritz and surfers come from all over the world to ride the waves. The Biarritz Surf Festival brought together surfers from Hawaii, California and Australia every year to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz.

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

2008-12-31T20:54:00.000-08:00

It's located on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, just 50 miles east of Nassau. So close to mainland USA that to miss this beauty would be unforgivable. So, we didn't. And others make it a point to visit this wonder of nature as well. This is Pink Sands Beach.

Harbour Island is a tiny speck, only 3 1/2 miles long and so narrow, you can easily see the other "coast". Whoever first set foot here truly found paradise. It has one of the oldest Bahamian communities. Know the pictures of pastel colored houses? They're here! From the 1800's right on the shoreline, what a memory. If you're here for the beaches, make sure you take in the culture. Walking is best, followed by a nice ride on a golf cart. We were thinking that stocks in the local golf cart mechanic might be a winner. A real treat and "winner" as well is the food here. Don't let "conch" scare you. Yes, it's related to the snail, but tastes totally different. Especially if you've never tried snail. OK, you're in for nice meal and they make it with everything - just like Bubba on Forest Gump and his shrimp that goes with everything.

The people here are special, too. Everyone we ran into was super-hospitable. They seem to go out of their way to make you feel welcome. And somehow that translates to the whole tip of Harbour Island. You come by air or water-taxi from North Eleuthera.

Here's what we found:

Pink Sands is a resort. The resort was named after the beautiful pink sandy beach. The resort is an 18 acre hideaway of luxury, natural beauty, and most importantly - privacy. 21 cottages around 1000 sq ft and four two-bedroom cottages around 2000 sq ft line the beach. Make your reservation in advance because this wonderful place fills up and you don't want to stay anywhere else. One thing we liked about Pink Sands and the whole deal about staying on Harbour Island is that we felt close to the U.S. People here are downright friendly and accommodating and not just because they are employees. We found locals just as nice and open.
The beach is pink because of the red coral in the area. Mixed with the white sand it appears pink. What was striking to us is the contrast with the deep blue sky and the green vegetation. Opportunities for pictures abound. Best times are early morning before you get too many harsh shadows messing up your shot, and late in the afternoon. Don't worry about not having enough light. The sun is almost always shining here. Rain showers occur mid afternoon.

The shore slopes slowly and the sandy bottom goes for quite a ways out. Some coral remnants and rocks are clustered about, but no need for shoes. Try walking as far as you can on the beach. If you're not thinking of going in the water, take a set of good walkie-talkies from home and keep in touch as you both explore this side of the island.

Poipu Beach, Hawaii

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The Hawaiian royalty spent lots of time at Poipu. The furthest south point on the Garden island of Kauai, Poipu is comprised of private homes, condos and a few larger resorts like Sheraton and Hyatt. It is a family kind of place. But there is activity too as new resorts are built and many multi-million homes are under construction.

BEACHPARK:
Poipu Beach park has been regularly named the top beach in America and one of the top in the world. If you want all night entertainment and lot of tourist hubbub you may be disappointed at Poipu. It is, first of all, a community park that surrounds a series of small crescent shaped beaches. There are green fields, sheltered pavilions for free use, keiki (kid) play areas and a daytime life guard. It can be busy and fun place.

In recent years Poipu Beach has become a frequent stopping ground for one or more of the highly endangered Monk seals who haul ashore among bathers and sleep away the day. In the water you'll find humhumnukanukaapuaa fish (Hawaiian Queen Trigger fish) as well as hundreds of other varieties in waters from two to six feet in depth. Its easy snorkeling even for beginner. Experts can venture further out to find huge green sea turtles.

December through March giant humpback whales parade back and forth just off shore. Binoculars are a help but you'll be able to see the spouts with the naked eye.

POIPU WEATHER:
Temperatures at the beach hover around 80 degrees year round. The weather is so sublime it’s difficult to tell the time of year by the temperature. Constant easy trade windows blow most of the time keeping the air balmy and fragrant. Many accommodations are within a block or two from the park. For others there is easy free parking.

Visit Nukumoi surf shop to buy or rent surf boards and other essential gear. Or book your sunset cruise, whale watching boat trip or dinner reservations.

Poipu Beach is about fun and sun and an easy going atmosphere that most guests fall in love with.

Maroma Beach, Mexico

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Quite possibly the most exquisite secret in Mexico, Maroma Beach is a resort hideaway intent on preserving the ecology of its 500-plus acres of beach and rain forest, all the while bringing individual service and luxury to unprecedented heights. Maroma is nestled into the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and lies a mere 30 miles south of Cancun, but thankfully, remains worlds away from this spring break hot spot's pace and lifestyle. Maroma's guests are immersed in a quiet world of warm azure waters, pure white sands and rich tropical foliage. This miniature Eden of stucco huts and thatched roofs, beachside serenades and sunset cruises, will rejuvenate both body and spirit.

"Handmade Hospitality" is the philosophy the resort operates under, referring both to the passion to meet guests' every need and the machine-free method of construction used in creating the resort. Eco-travelers will delight in learning that every building on the property was made by hand, without any machinery or electricity, and only one-tenth of Maroma's property will be developed in order to preserve the ecological balance.

Entering the world of Maroma is like wandering into the warmth and pleasure of your best friend's "casa." Whether indulging in a private four-hand massage by the ocean, or dinner by torchlight on the beach, this extraordinary retreat will make dreams you never knew existed come true.

Ipanema, Rio De Janeiro

2008-12-31T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ipanema is a neighborhood that summarizes the best Rio de Janeiro has to offer. There's a legendary beach, a bustling nightlife, restaurants to write home about, the most sophisticated street shopping in town, cultural centers, museums, excellent hotels in all price ranges...

Better yet, everything is in a walking distance, and it's easy to find your way around. Streets are lined up in a grid, and you have the beach and Lagoa as your references. If you had only one day in Rio, and you want to experience the city like a local instead of a tourist, this is the place you would be heading to.

Most of what is known as Ipanema today belonged to aristocrat José Antonio Moreira Filho, the Barão de Ipanema. Ipanema means bad water in Brazilian Indian dialect, but since the name was inherited from the baron, it has nothing to do with our beautiful blue sea. Once the tunnel connecting Copacabana to Botafogo was opened, Ipanema was finally integrated to the rest of the city.

In 1894 Vila Ipanema was founded, with 19 streets and 2 parks. The neighborhood started to grow faster with the arrival of streetcars in 1902. Ipanema became a household name in the 1950's and 60's - it is the birthplace of Bossa Nova. The whole world learned about it with hit song The Girl from Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Morais, both Ipanema residents.

Since then Ipanema is always setting new trends, and what happens here reverberates throughout the country. Take Banda de Ipanema, for instance. What started as a celebration among a few dozen friends ended up bringing a new life to Rio de Janeiro's Street Carnival festivities. Today the parades attract as many as fifteen thousand, and many other neighborhoods have street bands of their own.

The first pregnant woman in a bikini was actress Leila Diniz in the 70's, she lived on Rua Aníbal de Mendonça. The first men sunbathing in a bikini bottom was Fernando Gabeira at Posto 9 in the early 80's. The first topless woman (who bothered asking? - 80's), and the dental floss bikini (late 80's) are among fashion statements that were made here first.

Ipanema has played an important cultural role in the city since its early days. There are major art galleries, universities, several schools, avant-garde theaters, art movie theaters, cyber-cafés... Do not be surprised to discover a cozy café with a web connection inside a bookshop or clothing store.

Fitness is also a big thing. Expect to run into juice shops every other block. People going into and coming out of the many state-of-the-art gyms. Activities offered sometimes include capoeira, you could well walk in and give it a shot. Keep your sunglasses on to better watch the sun-kissed girls and boys of Ipanema go by.

Cartagena, Colombia

2008-12-31T15:46:00.001-08:00

Cartagena (population 1 million) is well located about midway on Columbia’s Caribbean Coast, it is a unique city filled with sun, sea and history. It is also Columbia’s premier tourist attraction. The city is connected by a series of bridges and divided by 17th century walls into an “historic old city” and a cosmopolitan “modern city”. The City was founded in 1533 by the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia and thanks to its strategic position had achieved considerable importance by the mid 16th Century. It soon became one of the few South American ports to export the wealth of gold and silver in particular to back to Spain.
Inevitably it attracted the attention of pirates and the Dutch, French and English all attacked the City. Sir Francis Drake, as much a pirate as anyone else, captured the town in 1586 with the aid of a thousand desperadoes and indulged in an orgy of looting and destruction in which much of the city was burnt down. Drake finally left when there was nothing else left to loot for Queen Elizabeth 1st of England. Cartagena had become the main port for the infamous slave trade and the first slave ship arrived in 1564 to send thousands of slaves all over South America.

Cartagena is one of Colombia's most visited destinations with tourists who come to enjoy the history, the sights, the weather and nightlife. Plan to stay several days, to enjoy the colonial period, the modern city and the fashionable seaside resort of Colombia's second port. Choose one of the these hotels to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.

Plan to spend several days in Cartagena, also known as Cartagena de Indias, Colombia's fascinating Caribbean resort and most popular attraction. History and nightlife, beaches and churches, a walled city and colonial architecture make it a living museum, perfect for honeymoons, family vacations and adult adventures.

Cartagena is a musical city. In the late evening, a sea breeze freshens the air and the rhythm of trotting horses blends with the laughter and singing of friends gathered in bars, clubs and public squares. Take a table outside Donde Fidel (Plaza de los Coches 32-09) and order a Club Colombia beer. Then again, to hear live music, there’s no reason to leave La Vitrola, where on most nights a talented combo performs merengue, salsa and Cuban music. Sit at the bar and sip an aguardiente, the anise-flavored drink that’s a national favorite.

Cayo Herradura, La Tortuga, Venezuela

2008-12-31T14:23:00.000-08:00

Cayo Herradura o también llamada por algunos "Isla Palomino", es una isla del Mar Caribe, que pertenece administrativamente a las Dependencias Federales de Venezuela y que está integrada o forma parte de la Dependencia Federal Isla de La Tortuga.

Se encuentra en el Caribe venezolano cerca de la costa del Estado Miranda, al norte de la isla principal (Isla La Tortuga) y entre otros 2 cayos cercanos Los Tortuguillos al oeste y Los Palanquines al este.

Es uno de los tres cayos o islas separados de la isla principal (Isla La Tortuga) por un canal de unos 2,5 km de anchura y 4 a 5 m de profundidad, este cayo está situado más al norte y tiene apariencia de una lengua de arena conocida por su forma como La Herradura. De unos 1600 m de longitud, su ancho varía entre 60 y 400 m, posee algunas zonas pobladas por arbustos bajos, y su hermosa y tranquila playa interna forma una bahía donde suelen llegar visitantes a bordo de veleros y lanchas con fines de esparcimiento. También llegan grupos de buceo que desde este punto realizan pequeñas incursiones a las barreras de coral y a los taludes del sur de la isla principal. Otra de sus atracciones son las Estrellas marinas que abundan por el lugar, solo esta habitada por pescadores que se ubican en unas pequeñas rancherias.

Es uno de los cayos más conocidos cercanos a la isla La Tortuga. Todos los años es visitado por decenas de veleros, lanchas y yates atraídos por la belleza de sus playas y la tranquilidad de sus aguas, es posible acampar en esta isla, es posible acceder a ella tomando botes en la ciudad costera cercana de Higuerote.

Los Roques, Venezuela

2008-12-31T14:09:00.001-08:00

Los Roques

Located 176 km off-shore Caracas, the national archipelago park of Los Roques is the largest marine park in the Caribbean. This amazing coral archipelago of Los Roques consists of over 50 virgin atolls and small islands, each different from each other. These coral reefs are host to the most beautiful underwater fauna and flora. Gran Roque is located on the north ridge of this heavenly archipelago and this is where Posada Movida is located.

Los Roques Vacation Rental: Posada Movida

You can stay at Los Roques archipelago and enjoy the spectacular sights and beaches at our inn accommodation in Los Roques. Navigate through our links on the left-side to learn more about our services and accommodation.

Malibu Beach, California

2008-12-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

Malibu is the home of numerous movie and television stars. You can scan all the gossip regarding the local celebrities or even unpretentious Malibuites in the weekly edition of the Malibu Times . Many celebrities stop by to visit the ocean view dining room of the famous Malibu Chart House restaurant, or sojourn to the "in crowd" Quido's Malibu where the stars meet the sand. Malibu is the home to many of the rich and famous. They live here. They die here- Graves of the rich and famous.

The Malibu Lagoon is where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. Malibu's Surfrider Beach has a long standing as a premier surfing beach.

On the east side of Malibu Creek Bridge, the famous Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing. On the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge, visitors will find picnic tables and a nature area, excellent for bird watching and a the study of a greatly diminished eco-system a Southern California saltwater marsh.

The Adamson House, a National Historic Site located in Malibu Lagoon State Park, is a showplace of Malibu historical artifacts. Completed in 1929 by the Rindge's daughter, Rhoda Adamson, the Spanish-Moor revival residence features tile from the renowned Malibu Potteries and sits on a spectacular overlook of the Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach.

The adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum allows visitors to walk through the history of the area from the days of the California Indian "Chumash" tribe, to the gentlemen ranchers, and finally to the birth of the surfing era. Museum docents give delightful tours filled with local legends and anecdotes.

Guided tours of the wetlands and other natural elements such as grunion, the monarch butterfly, tidepools, and the gray whale are scheduled seasonally. The Malibu Lagoon beach features wetlands, flower gardens and a sandy beach.

Location-Directions
From Santa Monica, follow the Pacific Coast Highway 13 miles west. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Las Virgenes Road, proceed 10-miles west through Malibu Canyon, turn left at Pacific Coast Highway, travel 1.5-miles east. Entrance for parking and the nature area is at Cross Creek Road.

Fiji

2008-12-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

Fiji has always been one of the world's great escapes.

Just a quick three hours flight from Auckland or Sydney, and now with direct flights from Los Angeles, Fiji offers a unique opportunity to own your own piece of Pacific Paradise.

Fiji has become increasingly popular. This is in large part due to Fiji’s proximity and comparatively, inexpensively priced land vs. destinations such as Tahiti and Hawaii.

Fiji has more than 322 islands each fringed with coral reefs and lapped by year round warm blue waters – creating a haven for relaxation and recreation - fishing, diving and snorkelling to name a few.

Amid its wealth of natural beauty, Fiji true magic lies in its people and the fascinating blend of their diverse cultures.

FIJI CLIMATE

Fiji enjoys a tropical climate, with year round warmth, making it popular escape from the winters in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Fiji has only two major seasons:

The Wet & Warm Season, “Fiji Summer” - December to April with temperatures averaging 88F (31C), higher rainfall and humidity.

The Dry Season, “Fiji Winter” - May to November with temperatures averaging 84F (29C), less rainfall and humidity.

Temperatures vary due to each islands topography and cooling trade winds.

Fiji has pronounced dry and wet zones on its major islands especially Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The smaller islands and coral atolls on the other hand receive little rain and a lot more sunshine.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

2008-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

Because of its fame and extraordinary beauty, little Bora Bora is a playground for the well-to-do, occasionally the famous, and honeymooners blowing a wad. French Polynesia's tourist magnet, it has seen an explosion of hotel construction in recent years, with piers reaching out like tentacles to multitudinous bungalows standing over its gorgeous lagoon. Some of the piers are so long that The Moorings has added them to its sailing charts as hazards to navigation!

Those of us who remember the island in its more natural state often bemoan that development has ruined it. But when I meet someone who is here for the first time, they invariably are as blown away by Bora Bora as I was when I spent a week camping here a few eons ago. If you look beyond the tourists hanging under parasails over the lagoon, you will appreciate why James A. Michener wrote that this is the world's most beautiful island.

Of course, there are more tourists here than on any other French Polynesian island. Thus, some lovers now like to finish their honeymoons on the more peaceful Tahaa or Huahine after the mile-a-minute pace here.

Lying 230km (143 miles) northwest of Tahiti, Bora Bora is a middle-aged island consisting of a high center completely surrounded by a lagoon that's enclosed by coral reef. It has a gorgeous combination of sand-fringed motus (small islets) sitting on the outer reef enclosing the multihued lagoon, which cuts deep bays into the high central island. Towering over it all is Bora Bora's trademark, the basaltic tombstone known as Mount Otemanu (725m/2,379 ft.). Standing next to it is the more normally rounded Mount Pahia (660m/2,165 ft.).

One of the best beaches in French Polynesia stretches for more than 3km (2 miles) around the flat, coconut-studded peninsula known as Point Matira, which juts out from the island's southern end.

Bora Bora is so small that the road around it covers only 32km (19 miles) from start to finish. All the 7,000 or so Bora Borans live on a flat coastal strip that quickly gives way to the mountainous interior.

Cozumel, Mexico

2008-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

The many sandy beaches and beautiful stretches of coastline are the main reason that the island of Cozumel has become one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations. Bordering the warm, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel's main beaches and resorts are scattered along the western and southern side of the island.

A handful of quality beaches are also located on the western coast and particularly close to the town of San Miguel de Cozumel, such as the Playa la Ceiba. Next to the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Hotel and the Bahia Chankanaab (Chankanaab Bay), the Playa la Ceiba features a gentle surf and can be found directly north of the Parque Chankanaab and to the south-west of Cozumel International Airport.

Tulum, Mexico

2008-12-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

todotulum.com presents unbiased information on Tulum Mexico and the Riviera Maya. We offer the finest selection of beachfront and downtown, including online reservations and a travel guide for Tulum restaurants and beach clubs. We also provide Tulum real estate property listings and Tulum vacation rentals for selected dream villas, tulum houses for rent and condos.
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todotulum has the most complete and accurate maps of Tulum: the Tulum hotels zone map, the downtown Tulum map and the Tulum Mayan Ruins map as well as a Yucatan Peninsula roadmap showcasing the Cenotes and the Mayan vestiges. Use the Travel Planner to save on your favorite Tulum hotels or boutique hotels, Tulum houses for rent, Tulum restaurants, Tulum tours or whatever you find useful while surfing the site. Take notes and add comments and when your travel planner is prepared send it to the todotulum travel specialist who will help you to find the best deals in Tulum hotels and tours.
The Mayan culture is everywhere. There are lots of ruins, Sacred places and Mayan towns to visit. The best way to move around Tulum is to rent a car. www.todotulum.com offers the best deals in car rentals and Tulum airport transfers. You still can do what most Tulum travelers do: just lay on the white sand under the Mexican Caribbean sun and when it's too hot swim in the turquoise water then go back to your initial position.
todotulum.com is commited to make your Tulum Mexico vacation one you won't ever forget.
Welcome to Tulum.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

2008-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is a fantastic sun destination and its beaches are definitely a top reason. The Central area has great sand but can get quite packed because of the restaurants and vendors that surround it. That is why we have chosen North Playa del Carmen. Seeing this beach stretch out before you is a beautiful site to behold. The sand here is absolutely spectacular and there is a lot of it. Your little ones will love building sandcastles here. The water is also perfect for snorkeling and whatever other water activities you might enjoy. Relax at one of these great

Muriwai Beach, New Zealand

2008-12-31T09:20:00.000-08:00

For most tourists arriving in Auckland, Piha Beach is the logical destination for a first glimpse of New Zealand's pristine North Island coastline.

For an even keener local look at the Kiwi surf lifestyle, make the half-hour drive west of Auckland to Muriwai Beach. The oceanfront here is beautifully rugged, with black sand beaches, pounding surf and rocky headlands where you can forage for New Zealand's famed green lip mussels at low tide.

Surfers love Maori Bay - just around the headland from the main beach - for its consistent beach break, and the fact that the horseshoe stretch of sand here is sheltered in a cove, making it a good place to toss down a towel for the day. A rocky outcropping between the bay and the beach is home to New Zealand's largest onshore gannet (sea birds) colony.

EAT: Kiwis get kudos for their great coffee, and latte lovers will adore the espresso drink called a 'flat white.' The weekend breakfast scene at Sand Dunz, near the main beach parking lot, sees locals mingling with city dwellers visiting from Auckland. Try the eggs benedict and ask about the local photography on display.

STAY: A short drive from the beach, the Muriwai Beach Farmstay is set in verdant surrounds, with New Zealand's iconic sheep dotting the hillsides.

Key West, Fl

2008-12-31T08:26:00.000-08:00

Key West is on the silvery ribbon of islands that trail off the southern shore of Florida. Thanks to the ever present warm temperatures and glistening seas, the islands have long been an escapist's nirvana. Eclectic and eccentric, wild and warm, blessed with some of Florida's most colorful characters and equally blessed with some of its most spectacular sea scenery, the Keys are a wonderland paradise.

Key West

Key West is a rather small island that is about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. Whether you want to relax on the beach or spend the day shopping, Key West has plenty to offer.

Duval Street is the center of Key West life, with many hotels, guest houses, inns and bed & breakfasts, plus dozens of shops and restaurants, nestled into its tropical ambiance. Wreckers Museum is an old house and museum where you can observe and learn more about the treasures salvaged from shipwrecks. If you get thirsty stop in for a cocktail and a snack at Duval Beach Club .

The Historic Seaport is the perfect place to walk down Harborwalk and enjoy the ocean along with shops and restaurants. Watch the free daily turtle feedings at Turtle Kraals Museum . Then stop for a bite to eat at Conch Republic Seafood Company or Half Shell Raw Bar .

If you get tired of the beach head to Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory where you can observe about 60 species of butterflies. You should also go to Key West Aquarium where you can learn more about sea life. The aquarium is the perfect place to take the kids since there are interactive exhibits where you can touch marine creatures.

Kaanapali, Hawaii

2008-12-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

When American Factors (Amfac), the owners of the Pioneer Sugar Mill, decided in 1957 to transform the oceanfront cane fields of KA'ANAPALI into a luxury tourist resort, they established a pattern that has been repeated throughout Hawaii ever since. There had never been a town at Ka'anapali, just a small plantation wharf served by a short railroad from the sugar mill at Lahaina. What Ka'anapali did have, however, was a superb white-sand beach – far better than anything at Lahaina – backed by a tract of land that was ripe for development and more than twice the size of Waikiki.

Ka'anapali's first hotel opened in 1963 and has been followed by half a dozen similar giants, whose four thousand rooms now welcome half a million visitors each year. It took a good twenty years before the resort began to feel at all lived in, however, and there's still nothing else here apart from the central, anodyne Whaler's Village mall. Ka'anapali is a pretty enough place, with its two rolling golf courses and sunset views of the island of Lanai filling the western horizon, but it's only worth staying here if you know you're happy with the same bland lifestyle you could find at a hundred tropical resorts around the world.

As for Ka'anapali Beach, it's divided into two separate long strands by the forbidding, 300-foot cinder cone of Pu'u Keka'a, known as the Black Rock. The sand shelves away abruptly from both sections, so swimmers soon find themselves in deep water, but bathing is usually safe outside periods of high winter surf. The rugged lava coastline around the Black Rock itself is one of the best snorkeling spots on Maui.

Nonguests of Ka'anapali's hotels are free to use the main beach, but there are also a couple of public beach parks just around the headland to the south. Both Hanaka'o'o and Wahikuli are right alongside Hwy-30; swimming is generally safer at Wahikuli, but the facilities and general ambience are more appealing at Hanaka'o'o

Punta del Este, Uruguay

2008-12-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

Punta del Este isn't your typical Celebrity hot spot, on the other hand, it's the place where Celebrities come to hide from the paparazzi and still be surrounded by nature and friends. Usually Uruguayans aren't too interested in having their picture taken next to a famous person. I remember when Colin Farrel filmed Miami Vice in Montevideo (capital of Uruguay), he wasn't harassed at all. He even went to Punta and hung out at Moby Dick where he had a good time.

Here is a list of some of the people who frequent Punta del Este, you might have heard of them...

James Hetfield, lead singer of the group Metallica. I can’t say exactly where he stays but he comes here with his family in summer.
Naomi Campbell comes to Punta del Este every year! Apparently she hangs out at the nudist beach, Chihuahua.
Shakira owns a beautiful farm in Jose Ignacio.
Uma Thurman has visited Punta del Este.
Tara Reid has been seen suntanning at Punta del Este Beaches.
The President of Angola owns a fabulous house in Punta Ballena.
Ralph Laurent, Luciano Benetton and Julio Iglesias also own property in Punta del Este.
Oscar de la Renta is building a mansion in Jose Ignacio.
Dancing With the Stars Winner Brooke Burke adores Punta del Este and spends a lot of time here, and a lot more Celebrities come to this Place.

Punta is actually a reference to several located near each other. The main town of Punta del Este is on a small peninsula where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean. The town is connected to Maldonado, the capital of the Department of Maldonado. Punta del Este and its surrounding towns have over 50km (31 miles) of waterfront, stretching along both coasts. The majority of the city's major hotels are on the calmer river side. The sprawling Conrad Hotel and Casino complex dominates the riverbanks, and serves as a defacto social center even for those who aren't staying at the hotel. Sandy dunes stretch out along the Atlantic side, with rougher waves. The beaches on this side are less crowded. At night, as the tide gets stronger, you'll see many youths carrying surfboards and heading to catch the waves along the coastal highway Ruta 10. As a general rule, the farther you get from the center, the less crowded the beaches. Little of historical value is left anymore in this former fishing village, filled with high-rise hotels and condominiums, reminiscent of development in south Florida. The very heart of the peninsula still has a few historical buildings, such as the Faro or Lighthouse, churches, schoolhouses, and turn-of-the-20th-century buildings -- a reminder of earlier, quieter times, before mass development in the 1950s and 1960s forever changed the way of life here. The port is often jammed with yachts in the summer.

Like any place that gets a reputation and becomes a part of package tours, Punta has lost some of its higher-end clients, who have gone elsewhere to look for greater exclusivity. About 10km (6 miles) up from Punta del Este is the small town of La Barra. It looks more like a little town grown up on Ruta 10, which serves as its main street, lined with bars, small hotels, clubs, and art galleries. It's more expensive to stay here. Visitors who have been to California's Laguna Beach will see more than a passing resemblance. Many young beachgoers flock here; at night, in high season, teenagers throw tailgate parties, parking their cars along the road to drink, hang out, dance along the road's shoulders, and blare car stereos. It's never quiet in La Barra in high season.

Fanari Villas, Oia, Santorini, Greece 2

2008-12-30T20:36:00.001-08:00

Hotel facilities
The private parking area is located two minutes walk from the complex.
Our fresh water Swimming pool is half open and half cave covered with it's own Jacuzzi next to the Sauna. And in our Pool bar you can enjoy fresh fruits cocktails, delicious ice creams and refreshments. On the sun terrace you can obtain umbrellas for the hot days of summer and sun beds for relaxing. Of course, pool towels are available during the stay.
Moreover, on the terrace, in the main snack bar, under the reception, you can enjoy special Santorinian breakfast, light lunch or evening "aperitif" accompanied by light snacks, while watching the everlasting Santorinian sunset.
Daily Maid service, Room service, Linen change every two days and fresh Towels daily are at your disposal during the whole period of your stay.
Here in the hotel we can also arrange Excursions by bus or boat visiting the volcano or the nearer islands, Car rentals, Transfers, Currency exchange transactions, Flights confirmations, Restaurants and Hotels reservations, Fax use, Baby sitting, Flowers or Sweets delivery, Massage or Coiffeuse appointments upon request.

Room facilities
Both the kitchenette and the bathroom keep Santorinian volcanic architecture and are equipped at the same time with modern facilities, such as mini Oven, Fridge, Coffeemaker, Boiler and Hair dryer.
Some of our bathrooms have Showers and some have simple Bath tubs or Jacuzzi ones. Also at your disposal are Direct telephone, Colour TV, Radio, Safe deposit boxes, and individually controlled climate system.

Fanari Villas, Oia, Santorini, Greece

2008-12-30T20:23:00.000-08:00

Fanari Villas are located in the Oia village. This marvelous and amazing resort is a perfect place for people looking for the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The exceptional white washed windmill goes us back in distant and wonderful times. Light and soft colour of Fanari Villas creates relaxing and tranquil surrounding. Fanari Villas resort is perched on the cliff, some 180 meters above the sea level and is famous for its spectacular sunsets. At the nearby tavernas, situated in the small port of Ammoudi, a wide range of “fresh fish and sea food” dishes will be offered to you.
Worshippers of exciting Santorinian night life can take advantages of the favorable location close to the main points of entertainments. It will take you five minutes walk to get to important Oia’s shops.
Fanari Villas offers you well furnished rooms with unusual carved shelves. The building of Fanari Villas consists of the volcanic lava and the “Santorinian earth”, representing basic building materials.

Cancun's Beaches

2008-12-30T11:31:00.000-08:00

beaches are probably one of the main reasons for your visit. The powdery, incredibly white sand of the Caribbean lines all of the beaches in Cancun. The water of the Caribbean Sea is unusually warm with incredibly blue water and, most of the times, is very calm. Take a look at any beach, at almost any time of the day and you will see people enjoying the calming effects of the ocean waves.

Topless bathing is an activity that is quietly accepted in Cancun and many of the surrounding areas along the Mayan Rivera. Total nudity is rare (as well as illegal), especially on the major beaches.

If you are searching for calm, peaceful days to enjoy the sun and the sand, the indigo seas, romantic Caribbean nights, world class hotels, restaurants and nightlife, you are thinking about Cancun vacations!

A little more than twenty years ago, Cancun was the Mayan name of a little town located on a stretch of sun-drenched land on the northeastern tip of the Yucatan peninsula. Now it has become a resort where you can keep busy 24 hours a day with all the activities and tours available but still relax to your heart's content.

On your Cancun vacations, you can choose a pace and lifestyle to suit any frame of mind, from ultra chic to funky laidback beach bum. Cancun is a resort for everybody, from college students on a strict budget to the rich and famous from all over the world. The city caters to all who visit and anyone who hasn't been should experience what this city is all about.

Cancun is definitely Mexico's showcase resort. Few resorts in the world have the infrastructure and amenities that were built into Cancun from the beginning, which is one of the reasons why Cancun is Mexico's most popular vacation spot.

2008-12-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

Mexico City
The famed “many Mexicos” of this rich and diverse country are reflected in this teeming, chaotic, noisy, and colorful capital. The historic region, studded by lakes, is now a city of superlatives, rippling with many millions of lights by night, peppered with neighborhoods steeped in tradition such as Xochimilco and gleaming financial districts like Santa Fe, as well as the inevitable shanty towns that fringe its ever-expanding outskirts. Trendy art deco zones with cafés and boutiques compete with leafy bohemian neighborhoods such as Frida Kahlo’s Coyoacán and Polanco, a diverse area of the city that is now the magnet for upscale shopping and dining. Amid food stalls and street vendors vociferously hawking their wares, the heart of the Great Tenochtitlan resonates still with the violent and magnificent history of the conquest of the Americas, with the exposed ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor elbow to elbow with the great Metropolitan Cathedral, the first on the continent, sun bleached and tilted picturesquely by quakes.

2008-12-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

London
The United Kingdom’s capital city—covering 610 square miles (1,580 square kilometers)—is huge. Founded in A.D. 43, it’s also old. And powerful. London is a hub of culture, business, and politics—and center of the once glorious British Empire that can still throw its weight around the globe. Served by a fabulous subway system, numerous tour buses, and the iconic black taxis, London is not difficult to find your way around in. And despite the city’s enormity, the center is small enough to make walking a good option—just mind the warnings painted on the curb to look right when crossing the street. Drivers come at you, unexpectedly, along the left side of the road.

2008-12-02T21:58:00.001-08:00

Rio de Janeiro
Marvelous city, full of a thousand charms,” sang Aurora Miranda, in a 1934 Carnival hit that’s now Rio de Janeiro’s anthem. To put this song to the test, each year as many people visit Rio as live there—riding cable cars up to Pão de Açúcar, and trams through Santa Teresa; going inside belle epoque palaces at Cinelândia, and pleasure palaces at Copacabana; climbing to the Rocinha favela (shanty town) by minivan, and to “Christ the Redeemer” by train; shouting samba lyrics at the Sambódromo parade grounds, and “gol!” at Maracanã soccer stadium. In any other city, this would be exceptional. In Rio, you still have 992 delights to go.

2008-12-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

The Talmud teaches that “Ten measures of beauty descended on the world—nine were taken by Jerusalem, one by the rest of the world. There is no beauty like the beauty of Jerusalem.” Mark Twain, however, complained in The Innocents Abroad that, “The sights are too many. They swarm about you at every step; no single foot of ground in all Jerusalem or within its neighborhood seems to be without a stirring and important history of its own.” Since Twain’s visit to the Holy Land, more than a century of strife and division have imbued the ancient city, sacred to three major world religions, with contemporary drama and made it even more multicultural and significant than ever. Jerusalem today is a schizophrenic, volatile, and fascinating meeting of ancient and modern, Israeli and Arab, religious and secular, and political and spiritual.

2008-12-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Florence
A city-size shrine to the Renaissance, Florence offers frescoes, sculptures, churches, palaces, and other monuments from the richest cultural flowering the world has known. Names from its dazzling historical past—Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli—are some of the most resonant of the medieval age. But to see the Tuscan capital simply as Europe’s preeminent city of art would be to ignore not only its role as a dynamic and cosmopolitan metropolis, but also to overlook its more unsung charms—Italy’s most visited gardens (and its best ice-cream parlor), idyllic strolls on balmy summer evenings, a broad range of specialty shopping, sweeping views over majestic cityscapes, eating experiences that range from historic cafés to the country’s most highly rated restaurants, and the kind of seductive and romantic pleasures that somehow only Italy knows how to provide.

2008-12-02T21:41:00.001-08:00

Dublin
In the last 20 years, the Republic of Ireland’s capital city has transformed itself from a quiet, economically depressed, old-fashioned town into a modern, thriving, affluent, and youthful (around 35 percent of the city’s million-plus people are under the age of 25) European city. Ancient pubs, lively nightclubs, hundreds of live music venues, and elegant restaurants share rain-soaked sod with hundreds of years of troubled, painful, and fascinating history carved into stone. The Liffey River divides the city into two distinct areas, both of which have seen an upswing in recent years. But as Joyce, Yeats, Swift, and their modern counterparts have eloquently demonstrated, every corner pub, emerald green, and Georgian square of Ireland’s largest city holds a story waiting to be shared.

2008-12-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Dubai
From sleepy trading port to global gateway in 25 years, the Middle East metropolis of Dubai has sprung up out of the desert sands. Once centered on bustling Dubai Creek, from where old dhows (boats) still sail to Iran, Dubai now sprawls south toward the United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu Dhabi. While oil revenues fueled its early development, now trade and tourism power this city-state’s phenomenal growth rate. Travelers come for sun, sand, shopping, and a touch of the exotic, and Dubai delivers. While it might not have the ancient sites of Cairo or Damascus, Dubai just gets on with making history as one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

2008-12-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

Delhi
With one foot deeply grounded in time-revered traditions and the other dipping more than just a few toes in the dotcom domain, Delhi embraces diversity with verve and gritty gumption. Modern Delhi has only been India’s capital since 1931, but thanks to its location—a strategic gateway city—it has long played a critical role in shaping the subcontinent’s history. Today, Delhi is one of India’s most multifaceted cities, with the downtown swish restaurants and chichi boutiques serving as a stark contrast to the old city’s medieval-flavored bazaars and historic masterpieces like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid.

2008-12-02T21:20:00.001-08:00

Chicago
Poet Carl Sandburg immortalized Chicago as the “City of the Big Shoulders,” paying tribute to Chicago’s formative brawn. The self-made, industrious town rebuilt after a devastating 1871 fire, nurturing new styles of architecture and distinct flare for innovation. A green apron of lakefront parks buffers the city’s 29 miles (47 kilometers) of Lake Michigan shoreline from which 77 neighborhoods unfurl westward spanning the downtown Loop, the elegant Gold Coast, the bohemian Wicker Park, and deep ethnic pockets such as Chinatown. The combination of grit and grandeur here is somehow purely American. Loving Chicago, said author Nelson Algren, is “like loving a woman with a broken nose, you may well find lovelier lovelies. But never a lovely so real.”

2008-12-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

Cape Town
What’s not to love about Cape Town? From iconic Table Mountain, several hundred million years in the making, to the hip watering holes of Camps Bay, South Africa’s “Mother City” is the brightest light in the reborn rainbow nation. Inspirational landscape, sugary sand beaches, centuries old vineyards, and colonial mansions, plus a host of adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities are among Cape Town’s many blessings. Factor in a colorful creative vibe and a lively social scene—manifesting itself in outstanding places to stay, eat, shop, and party—and you’ll soon realize why the city is South Africa's favorite playground.

2008-12-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

Buenos Aires is often called the “Paris of South America,” for its soaring architecture and rich European heritage. But the city and its people, known as porteños, are a study in contrasts: European sensibilities and Latin American passion; wide boulevards and cobblestone alleys; steamy tango and romping rock and roll; sidewalk cafés and soccer fanatics; bejeweled ladies draped in fur coats and children rummaging through garbage for cardboard scraps. Buenos Aires, which sprawls over 78 square miles (202 square kilometers) and has a population of about three million, is a patchwork of distinct, fascinating communities, from the frenetic downtown and working-class tanguero neighborhoods such as La Boca and San Telmo, to wealthy districts such as Recoleta and trendy Palermo, to middle-class barrios such as Belgrano and Caballito.

2008-12-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

Budapest—a city of thermal baths, cafés, striking turn-of-the-century architecture, and most of all, a city of the Danube, “whose gentle waves,” according to the great Hungarian poet Attila József, “embrace past, present, and future.” Straddling the wide river, which separates hilly Buda from level Pest, the Hungarian capital offers one of the most striking metropolitan panoramas in Europe. Budapest is a city of music, from the classics of Bartók and Kodály to the contemporary fusion of folk, klezmer, jazz, and Gypsy sounds. Long hidden behind the Iron Curtain, Budapest is rightfully regaining its reputation as one of the most vibrant capitals of central Europe.

2008-12-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

Boston
Here’s a fresh observation: Boston is on the water. Who knew? For decades, ugly elevated highways crisscrossed the waterfront, blighting downtown. It took about 15 years and nearly $15 billion to put those highways underground in a sometimes controversial project known locally as “the Big Dig,” but Boston has reclaimed its status as a great port city with new parks, walkways, freshly renovated restaurants, newly built hotels, and a sense of excitement that has energized the whole city. New downtown attractions like the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (on the site of what used to be Interstate 93) and the Harborwalk (a walking and running path that lines Boston’s waterfront) are spawning an explosion in great hotels, cafés, and hot spots.

2008-12-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

Berlin
Berlin has had a more wrenching history than most cities on Earth. It’s been ravaged by war, enslaved by fascism, bisected during the Cold War, and rejoined at the fall of the Wall. Out of such chaos has grown a city that’s adaptable in the extreme. Its waves of immigrants, expats, and creatives ensure that tolerance is its greatest value. Nightlife and partying here are akin to religious rites, and new trends emerge 24/7. But Berlin is also a place of incredible beauty in its forests, rivers, and historical sites. Culture blossoms everywhere, and dining is an international smorgasbord. You’ll find any version of Berlin you envision and, in the process, perhaps find a new version of yourself.

2008-12-02T20:24:00.000-08:00

Barcelona
Long pegged as a mere “smokestack city,”Barcelona has come into its own since the 1992 Olympics, and today is one of the liveliest tourist destinations in Europe. Cradled between the Mediterranean and the Serra de Collserola hills, Spain’s second largest metropolis arguably eclipses Madrid as a showcase for the arts, music, and cutting-edge design. A morning’s walk can take you from the original Roman settlement, much of it still intact under the narrow streets of the medieval Barri Gòtic, to the palaces and churches of the city’s 12th- and 13th-century golden age and on to the 19th-century L’Eixample neighborhood, where every avenue seems to be lined with flights of architectural fancy in stained glass and wrought iron, ornamental brick, and ceramic tile.