Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Anglesey Experience its Award Winning Beaches

Anglesey - Experience its Award Winning Beaches
By David M Phillips

The beautiful island of Anglesey is found off the North West coast of Wales. One of its main attractions are its exceptionally fine sandy beaches and sea views. In fact the beaches are perfect for swimming, sailing and a whole range of water sports.

Here you will find clean, blue waters which can attract even the most sceptical of beach visitors. The highly respected European Blue Flag Award Scheme has again given top marks to a number of Anglesey beaches.

So whether you are an international traveller or from elsewhere in the UK, when you see the Blue Flag you can be confident the waters are of the highest standards for bathing. And support facilities are also excellent which means a visitor can have further confidence in whats on offer.

On Holy Island, a smaller island off the West coast of Anglesey, is Trearddur Bay beach. This vast south-west facing beach is popular with swimmers and sailors. If you prefer a swim, thats fine. Youre safe from power boats and jet skis which have to observe speed restrictions and stay outside a line marked by buoys.

Behind the concrete promenade is the Millennium Cross which was erected to commemorate AD 2000. The cross bears the name St. Ffraid, the patron Saint of Trearddur. Originally, from Faughart in Ireland, legend has it that St. Ffraid was carried across the Irish Sea on a green square turf.

Moving further along to a smaller beach called Porth Diana you will find a slipway for the sailing dinghies and other craft which use these coastal waters. One of the most spectacular sights is when all the different sail boats gather during the Annual Regatta in August. The sea is full of colour.

Here you will see different shaped sail boats, white, green, and yellow sails and spinnakers against a steady blue horizon to the west. It was the red sails of these boats that inspired the famous song Red Sails at Sunset.

To the south of the island is another Blue Flag winning beach called Llanddwyn. Approaching from the famous village of Newborough, you can choose to walk through a fascinating coniferous forest with its abundant wildlife a stimulus to the senses.

Emerging from the forest, you will witness a wide panorama with the blue sea before you and the soft earthy browns and greens of the Snowdon mountain range touching the horizon to your left.

Then there is the famous Llanddwyn Island, with its old church ruins and a white lighthouse at the southernmost point. This is where Dwynwen, patron saint of lovers is said to have been buried. And it was here that Demi Moore filmed Half Light, a film soon to be released.

On the eastern side of Anglesey is the Blue Flag Beach at Llanddona. To approach this beach you need to drive down some narrow country lanes, as the village by the same name is one of the highest points on the island.

Its well worth taking the time to appreciate the magnificent and breathtaking views from the top before you descend to the beach itself. To the left is the red Wharf Bay and the nearby coastal village of Benllech. Looking further north along the coast, the eye reaches Moelfre, famous over the years for the heroics of its Lifeboat crew in some mammoth sea conditions.

Facing the east, Llanddona beach is sheltered from the prevailing south westerly winds, and its great for family watersports. From here you may well see on the horizon a distant ship on passage to Liverpool.

So, whether you want to swim, sail, jet ski or just visit interesting sites and take in the beautiful sea views, Angleseys clean, quality beaches have much to offer the international traveller.

David M Phillips is with Anglesey Today, a journal and news resource on Anglesey life at http://www.anglesey-today.com.

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Monday, 13 October 2008

Daytona Beach Spring Break

Daytona Beach Spring Break
By Kent Pinkerton

One of the most famous rituals in college is the spring break. Thousands of college students head to beach during this season and most of them go to Daytona Beach for a week-long party. They come in buses or cars with only beach gear in their bags. They come for the beach and the company of fellow students glad to be out of their colleges and universities. Organizers put up free concerts and games, and the environment is simply lots of fun. This has been a tradition that only gets bigger every year.

Famous celebrities grace these activities to add to the excitement. Many of them debut new albums at these concerts and parties, testing acceptance from their main market: students.

Spring Break in Daytona

The spring break activities usually begin the second week of March and last about two weeks. The 23 miles of sandy beaches are perfect for spring break activities that include campfire parties, concerts, surfing contests, and many others.

Daytona Beach spring breaks have become famous worldwide for its wild concerts, bikini clad co-eds, and downright outrageous booze parties. Students from other countries come and join the fun too.

From the beach, these revelers go to clubs at night to party. The clubs take this opportunity to rake in sales by organizing exciting activities too. Lately however, there have been ordinances that limit some of the activities of spring break. They have not spoiled the fun for students who continue to go to Daytona Beach for partying, even if there are more rules than there used to be.

Accommodations

Students usually check in groups at hotels, inns and apartments. Some organize their own parties at resorts and rental homes. Most of these establishments offer special student discounts during this time. More bohemian spirited college students pitch tents or rent cottages on the beachfront. These usually happen when accommodations get fully booked. As a result, campfire parties right on the beach are organized spontaneously.

Daytona Beach provides detailed information on Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Hotels, Daytona Beach Vacation Rentals, Daytona Beach Spring Break and more. Daytona Beach is affiliated with Panama City Beach Hotels.

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The Top 5 Amenities of a Miami Beach Hotel

The Top 5 Amenities of a Miami Beach Hotel
By Michael Buczek

Miami Beach is fast becoming one of the top vacation destinations for families and travelers alike. Miami Beach offers sun, fun and a variety of activities to choose from. No that you have decided to vacation in Miami Beach, it is time to choose the hotel that you will reside in for your vacation. With a plethora of hotel options how does one pick the perfect Miami Beach hotel? A good way to choose a hotel is by the amenities that the hotel has to offer. One of the biggest disappointments that I have encountered is getting to a hotel and expecting a service that the hotel does not offer. With all the travel tools that are available on the web, you can do a little research before you go to make sure you get what you want. Listed below are what I feel are the top 5 amenities that a hotel can offer to you and your family to make your accommodation choice perfect for you.

#1 Amenity Beach Access and Pool
When you are in Miami you are there for a reason. Chances are you are there to have fun on the beach. Many hotels in Miami have beach access right at the hotel. While some dont, chances are there is a beach not far, usually within walking distance from the hotel. When it comes to beach access, determine how much time you will be spending on the beach, and how long you want to travel to get to one. Another consideration is cost. Hotels that have private beach access tend to be more expensive than hotels that dont.

When choosing a Miami Beach hotel, consider whether or not you would like the hotel to have a pool, and make sure that the pool is open. Hotels do go through renovations and sometimes they dont list whether the pool is open while you are there. It can ruin a vacation if the kids want to go to the pool and you find out it is closed due to renovation while you are there. A hotel may list that they have a poll on their website, but it is still a good ides to give the hotel a call to make sure the pool will be open while you are there.

#2 Amenity Onsite Dining
While it is nice to experience dining outside your hotel, sometimes vacationing can make you tired and you may not want to leave your hotel. When choosing a hotel, check to see what kind of dining options the hotel offers. Some hotels offer only 1 or 2 choices for dining, while others offer an assortment of options. Many of the hotels offer fine dining in the evening so it might be good to check on what type of attire is suitable for this type of restaurant.

#3 Amenity Spa and/or Health Club
Many Hotels today offer an onsite spa or fitness center. If you are looking to pamper yourself while you are on vacation, check into these choices. While some hotels offer onsite spas and fitness centers, others offer affiliate programs. These programs offer discounts to nearby spas or fitness centers. A lot of times when a spa is offsite the hotel will provide transportation. It is still a good idea to check with the hotel to see what they do and do not offer in regards to a spa and health club. Many hotels also offer spa packages or specials that are included in the packages, so check into this and save some money by booking it all together.

#4 Amenity Childrens Activities
Miami Beach is a great family destination. When choosing a hotel, make sure it offers something for everyone. Many hotels offer things for children, such as a kiddy pool and playground equipment. Others offer activities for older children such as table games and arcades right in the hotel. Check these out before you go to make sure the whole family is happy.

#5 Amenity Onsite Entertainment
Many hotels offer entertainment right at the hotel. This can be a major consideration when booking a room. While many people enjoy the onsite entertainment some people dont. Check to see what kind of entertainment the hotel offers, and what time it ends. If events end later than you would like, and you still like the hotel, request a room away from the area where the entertainment or event is being held. If onsite entertainment is your thing, it is a good idea to talk with the hotels concierge to get a list of events going on at the hotel.

Every Miami Beach Hotel offers something a little bit different. Before choosing one, consider the above amenities and others that I have not mentioned before planning your next vacation. View the hotels website as well as other online sources to see what other guests have said about the hotel you are thinking about.

Mike Buczek works for Blizzard Internet Marketing representing Newport Beachside Resort and Hotel. For more information on a Miami Beach hotel go to http://www.newportbeachsideresort.com/.

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Tips for Getting the Most from Beach House Rentals

Tips for Getting the Most from Beach House Rentals
By Morgan Hamilton

For more than twenty years, my family has planned a beach trip for each year. We always try to get adjoining hotel rooms so that we can walk back and forth and have more room. However, we simply have outgrown the concept of getting adjoining rooms now that our family has grown up, and some have married and have children. It has become clear that we need something much larger.

My mother and I decided that we should probably start looking for some beach house rentals. We also planned to cut the costs by having everyone contribute. I immediately hopped on the World-Wide-Web to look for beach house rentals in the town that we always vacation in. However, finding a house to rent was much easier said than done, even if my intentions were good. I did find a lot of advertisements for real estate agencies in the areas. I also wanted to make my own plans because I didn't want to go through an agent.

However, I wasn't very impressed with most of the places that offered beach house rentals. I finally gave in after a few weeks and called a real estate company in the town. I asked them to mail me some information on beach house rentals and anything that would be helpful. I received a package in the mail that contained lots of catalogs, brochures, flyers and information on all of the rentals that they dealt with several days later. I was overwhelmed but confident that we'd find something in the pile that I was trying to organize.

I found that most of the beach house rentals were much more expensive than the hotel rooms that we had outgrown. However, the costs would be reduced because there would be several families staying there. We wanted to find a house that had enough of bedrooms so that everyone had privacy and didn't have to feel so cramped. We can save money on food because all of the beach house rentals had kitchens. We do not have to worry about where we were going to be eating breakfast or dinner on any given day because we could easily cook the majority of the meals.

We quickly learned that you are responsible for your own cleaning with beach house rentals. This is because there is no housekeeping that comes in daily to make your beds and sweep the sand out of the house. You have to do all of that on your own. Fortunately, we were able to find a wonderful beach house that we reserved for our normal vacation week. Im sure that well be returning in the future because it turned out to be absolutely perfect.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Beach House Rentals. Visit our site for more helpful information about North Myrtle Beach House Rentals and other similar topics.

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Beaches and Weather in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya Mexico

Beaches and Weather in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya Mexico
By Steve Moen

Millions of people a year flock to Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya, to escape cold weather, get a reprieve from work pressures, and take time off for serious rest and relaxation. The major attractions to the area are the white sandy beaches, the amazing crystalline waters, the laid back Caribbean attitude, and the warm tropical weather.

The climate in the Riviera Maya is semi-tropical, with an average yearly temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius), which can rise to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius) in the hot summer months. June first is official start of hurricane season and ends on November 30th. From November to April, which is considered high season here;it is hot and sunny during the day and cool and breezy at night.

  • February to May February, March, April, and May are beautiful in The Rivera Maya. The Caribbean Sea is calm and clear and as summer approaches the water temperatures gradually rise. With warmer waters by May this is usually the time that the jelly fish, or agua mala come to our shores. So May is a perfect time of year to go cenote hunting! Nights can still be cool, but a sweater is rarely needed.
  • June to August During the summer months Playa del Carmen and The Rivera Maya are hot, hot, hot! The humidity rises so afternoons are steamy and hot. We highly recommend you stay close to a water source. The Caribbean is so warm you can float the day away, and the cenotes stay at an even 78 degrees (25.5C) which is always refreshing. There is some rainfall in the afternoon and evenings, but it never lasts very long. The nights do not get much cooler so for a truly good night sleep air-conditioning and a good fan are highly recommended.
  • September and October September and October are considered the height of the hurricane and tropical storm season. We also can get a fair amount of rain during these months, however it doesn't rain everyday. It is still hot and humid with days and evenings registering similar temperatures.
  • November to January These are the coolest months in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas, which means it is warm and sunny during the day and cool and breezy in the evenings. Rain is very rare during this time of year, but evenings can bring temps in the high 60's (15.5C) so a sweater is recommended.
Warm weather wear: Playa del Carmen and The Rivera Maya's weather does not fluctuate that significantly though out the year. It is the tropics so lightweight cotton clothing, beach wraps (pareos),, and bathing suits are what you spend the majority of your time in. During the day, the climate is hot and light clothing, such as shorts and tank tops, are recommended. During the evenings you may need a light sweater or jacket depending on the time of year. For trips into the jungle, you should wear pants, long-sleeved shirts and shoes in order to fend off mosquitoes and other insect bites. Sturdy shoes should always be worn if you plan on going to see any archeological sights to keep you sure footed and able to explore.

Beaches and Beach Clubs in Playa del Carmen and The Rivera Maya

Nuddy Beach Club and Bar: Located both in Playa del Carmen and in Tulum, Nuddy beach, pronounced nudie, is the quintessential beach club with lounger beds, bathing beauties, trendy tunes, and buckets of beers. Located just south of Mamitas Beach in Playa del Carmen, and about a mile south of the ruins in Tulum, it is a great place to people watch and enjoy everything the Mayan Rivera has to offer.

Mamitas Beach: Located in Playa del Carmen, Mamitas Beach and Beach Club has been around for years, but after being severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma, it has received a major facelift, and it is a favorite beach spot for both locals and visitors. It has beautiful covered beach beds, beach volleyball, excellent beach access, great tunes, and a restaurant and bar on site. It is also the annual host for the fashion show produced by Fashion TV. The best way to get to Mamitas is by the access road on Avenue First South between 28th and 30th Streets.

Tukan Beach: Tukan Beach and Beach Club is located directly between Mamitas and Nuddy Beach. Recently it also had a major face lift similar to Mamitas. Actually Tukan and Mamitas kind of just meld together to create the ultimate beach experience. Beautiful beaches, beautiful people, yummy food, water sports, and premiere lounging spots, you will not be disappointed.

Coco Beach: Considered as the northern beach this is a bit of a jaunt from Playa Mamitas and Playa Tukan, Coco Beach is considered to be more laid back and less trendy then its sister beaches to the south. But keep in mind that it is getting developed and there is a beach club in the works for the upcoming season.

Xpu-ha Beach: Located just south of Puerto Aventuras you can access this amazing stretch of beach by a sign that reads La Playa on your left hand side. If you miss the turn you can go a bit further south and there is a very small access road just north of the Copacabana Resort. This stretch of beach is a true slice of heaven with palm trees sprinkled along the shoreline, excellent snorkeling, and various cafes and bars that you can grab a bite to eat or a cold beer. Although there are a few resorts that have access to this beach that have yet to take over completely and you can definitely while away an afternoon relaxing, and enjoying this quiet and tranquil Caribbean beach.

Tulum Beach and Playa Paraiso: Just to the south of the Tulum ruins there is an incredible stretch of beach even less populated then Xpu Ha. There are small palapa style hotelitos and cabanas along this beach that you can stay in that are relatively inexpensive. At the same time there are also trendy and chic beach resorts such as Mezzanine that will pamper you silly. Tulum is a very popular spot for kite boarding so you are likely to see the skyline peppered with colorful kites on a windy day. Overall this is one of our favorite beach spots that is in our area.

Topless beaches in Playa del Carmen and The Rivera Maya: Although it is actually illegal to sunbathe nude or topless on Mexico beaches, in Playa del Carmen and the Rivera Maya, it is tolerated. Due to the major European influences in the area most beaches you will see topless sun worshippers trying to get as much sun on their bare bodies. There are also clothing optional resorts and spas that cater to couples who want to vacation in the buff. Some remote area beaches you can strip down and bare it all. Keep in mind that Mexican Nationals are a conservative bunch so respect the locals, and if you are in a remote area keep a beach wrap close by. In addition women should always practice caution and safely if sunbathing nude or topless in a tucked away location or low traffic area.

Enjoy your stay in Playa del Carmen!

Steve and Sara Moen is a travel journalist and the editor of Playa Maya News located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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Sunday, 12 October 2008

An Introduction To Myrtle Beach Hotels

An Introduction To Myrtle Beach Hotels
By Marcus Peterson

South Carolina, with its long coastline boasts a number of tourist attractions. In fact, Kiawah Island has been voted as one of the most romantic beaches in the US. Besides beaches, there are number of historic spots such as Charleston.

Between Little River and Charleston lies the Grand Strand. The Grand Strand is 60 miles long with pristine beaches, state parks and quaint fishing villages. The hub of Grand Strand is Myrtle Beach -- famous as a hot tourist attraction. According to the official tourism website of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach attracts 12 million visitors annually.

Myrtle Beach derives its name from a shrub that was found during the early settlement period. The beach is known for its stretch of white sand and a warm, temperate climate throughout the year. Myrtle Beach is also known for golf courses. According to an estimate, there are more than 100 courses, making it the golf capital of the world. Myrtle Beach has seen an explosive growth because of its pleasant climate and golfing.

The growing tourism industry has complimented the growth of the hospitality industry that caters to every segment of the tourist population from families, students, budget tourists and the rich. The hospitality industry has responded to the tourist segments through five star hotels, condominiums, bed and breakfast hotels and oceanfront hotels most with magnificent views. There are around 70,000 hotels in Myrtle Beach.

The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Hospitality Association will provide you with more information about the lodging facilities. Reservations can be made through online websites and tour operators. Due to its popularity, it is difficult to find bargains for the better hotels. However, going to Myrtle Beach websites will give you lots of information.

Myrtle Beach Hotels provides detailed information on Myrtle Beach Hotels, North Myrtle Beach Hotels, Myrtle Beach Hotel Rates, Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Hotels and more. Myrtle Beach Hotels is affiliated with Myrtle Beach Vacation Homes.

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Dreaming of Laguna Beach

Dreaming of Laguna Beach
By Caitlin Moore

So ideal that it serves as the backdrop to a television show about privileged teenagers with nothing better to do than tan and talk about their love lives, Laguna Beach is a gorgeous locale that, for smarter people anyway, tends to inspire more delight than drama. Head here for a temporary break from reality (not a lifetime one) and enjoy a vacation that will make you feel like a superstar.

The scenery and beach activities are what give Laguna Beach its toehold when it comes to surpassing most other places as a hot vacation destination, but theres a lot to do besides frolic in the surf wearing your new bikini. This city in Orange County is actually brimming with art festivals, nature facilities, heritage tours and much more. The expected shopping, spas, tennis and golf are all up for grabs as well, but dont think that this place is as vacuous as the silly kids who represent it.

The Festival of Arts held here each summer has reached a world-renowned status thanks to the living portraits presented to music and narration. The Sawdust Art Festival is more low-key and focuses on local talents, while the Laguna Dance Festival attracts dancers and dance-lovers for a showcase of grace, beauty and athleticism each October. If any of these have snagged your attention, check your calendar so that your visit coincides with one of these hot-ticket special events.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park offers the chance for adventure and exercise seekers to take a three hour hike, and Crystal Cove State Park reveals a string of tide pools to examine. Ocean kayaking, dolphin and whale watching, surfing and scuba diving can all be arranged, too, so check out the offerings of Mother Nature and relish the untainted beauty of this area.

Laguna has its very own winery, so if youve always wanted to see grapes go from solid to liquid here is your chance. Sample the tasty results and pick up a bottle to bring back as the perfect souvenir. On the topic of taste buds, a culinary school will give you a few lessons if you feel like brushing up on your kitchen skills, or if youd rather let someone else do the work, visit one of the many fabulous restaurants. California takes dining very seriously, and youll find this area to be dotted with a number of incredible restaurants. From Asian fusion to old-school Italian, theres something here for every taste.

Work off those calories (they were well worth it) by tying on your tennis shoes and hitting the courts. The greens will also call to all golfers out there, and no coastal vacation is complete without a high-spirited game of beach volleyball. Biking and walking the palm tree-lined streets are also excellent ways to stay fit and feel good, so embrace the activity-oriented atmosphere and keep moving all the way through your trip.

If youre a nightlife kind of person, take comfort in knowing that there are plenty of spots to groove and sip until the break of day, so settle into a comfy booth with your love or hit the dance floor and meet new people, whatever you desire will surely find an outlet in this fun loving place. Thats one Southern California stereotype thats true; they like to party down here.

Whether you have art acquiring, sun tanning, or celebrity gazing in mind, it can all be best accomplished by means of a Laguna Beach Vacation Rental. These fabulous properties will house you in comfort and style while giving you a bit of privacy; theyll also encourage you to pretend youre off on holiday, awaiting your next big break from HollywoodEven if you have no aspirations to fame, consider a trip to Laguna Beach so that, at the very least, you can try to understand the mindset of those lucky young residents of this stunning place. Just dont let all the sunshine and beauty go to your head.

Visit HomeAway.com for all your vacation rental needs.

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