Destination Archives - Page 18 of 44

November 18, 2014 by Jeremy

The world’s premiere paradise: things to do in French Polynesia

Don’t wait for tomorrow. Decide now to explore one of the world’s most sublime paradise island chains, as pursuing the top things to do in French Polynesia will create memories that will last for a lifetime. French Polynesia has a great deal of activities to choose from and a lot of famous tourist attractions that will captivate you in more ways than one.

At first glance, the islands of French Polynesia may appear to the perfect place to take a plunge into lukewarm blue waters and to take the most serene snooze in an overwater bungalow afterward, much like most other Southern Pacific paradise isles.

Apart from that, the chief atolls which comprise of Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, Tuamotu Atolls and Rangiroa feature outdoor activities that will tickle your fancies.

One of the top things to do in French Polynesia are its land excursions. Numerous tour agencies can organize tours on almost all islands in French Polynesia such as Bora Bora, Tahiti, Nuku Hiva and Moorea.

Land tours offer exploration by four wheel drive, biking and horseback riding. Other agencies also provide more exciting and unique tour selections such as the Maeva Village Archaeology tour that is facilitated by the Island Eco Tours on the atoll of Huahine.

If you want an extraordinary tour of the islands and you have a heftier budget to spend then you might want to try a fifteen minute helicopter excursion with Tahiti Helicopters.

If you truly enjoyed the land tours in French Polynesia, just wait till you experience exciting water sports such as jet skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and outrigger canoe which are just overflowing with enthusiastic tourists clamoring to get the most out of their French Polynesian experience.

Tourists in Rangiroa and Moorea can take advantage on the opportunity to witness the world beneath the waves on a glass-bottomed boat excursion. Shark-feeding adventures are also offered for a more electrifying and unforgettable experience either underwater or aboard the boat.

If you have the luxury of more time and money then you may take on the larger-than-life cruise on the Aranui 3, where tourists are taken for a fourteen day getaway from the stunning Papeete to the Marquesas atolls.

Noting all the above mentioned things to do in French Polynesia, it just goes to show that there is much more splendor to discover here than what we have already listed. So if you plan to include French Polynesia in your bucket list, make sure that you prepare for your itinerary well so you might have a truly memorable vacation.

October 8, 2014 by jfalbelda

The most adventurous things to do in Australia!

What’s life without a little adventure every now and then? To escape from the routine of life, you sometimes need to break through the chains that bind and restrict, confront the things that you fear, and allow yourself to experience something new, even if the thought of doing this scares you to death. There are two quotes that express this sentiment perfectly:

‘Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom.”

Mary Ferguson

“Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to step up and strike.”

Arthur Ashe

If you’re in Australia, I would recommend you take the opportunity to explore your adventurous side, with myriad of activities to choose from, a few of which are outlined below:

Fly in a Tiger Moth biplane

Used by the British Royal Air Force during World War II, The Tiger Moth promises a truly unforgettable adventure. I felt as though I’d stepped back in time as I donned my leather helmet and goggles, and felt the wind beating on my face in the open-air cockpit.

The fact that the cockpit is open injects quite a dose of adrenalin into your veins, as at any moment, you may feel that you could fall out. However, the flight is completely safe and definitely a worthwhile experience.

Swim with dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is possibly the best way to transcend your everyday awareness, and to connect with something in an almost spiritual way. There are no words to describe the feeling I had whilst in close proximity to these beautiful creatures, and a feeling of serenity completely encompassed me as I was surrounded by the vast and deep ocean. There are few other things that compare to the sight of the dolphins jumping out of the water playfully, and hearing the sounds they use to communicate.

Go white water rafting

I visited the Franklin River, located in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, and had an incredible white river rafting experience. I recommend that you immerse yourself in the surging rapids, and float down the still waters as you take in the surrounding beauty of nature. There is a lush rainforest to entice the eyeballs, with wildlife that includes platypus, wallabies and sea eagles.

Go surfing

Australia has a great selection of beautiful beaches, and if you’re keen on taking your beach experience to the next level, grab a surfboard and take to the waves. Beaches like Agnes Water, Bells Beach and Bondi Beach are my particular favourites.

Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous beach, and is packed with tourists and surfers. Byron Bay is also a pretty popular surf spot, and of course, the aptly named Surfers Point, which is the perfect beach to ride waves, with some waves reaching up to 500 meters.

Go skydiving

There are few things that compare to the feeling I got while free-falling through open air with the world beneath me and the wind beating against my entire body. For some people, skydiving is a terrifying experience, while for others, it’s the most exhilarating activity imaginable. There are tons of skydiving packages available in Australia and a variety of locations to choose from, all at reasonable prices.

Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef

One of the most famous spots in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is an absolute must-see. The biggest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef consists of 2,900 individual reefs over 900 islands. Home to multiple endangered species, the reef is also home to whales, dolphins, porpoises, thousands of fish species and saltwater crocodiles.
My experience of Australia was unlike any other, and I left with a completely new perspective and appreciation for life. It’s like discovering a new aspect to life, kind of like discovering Euro Palace Mobile Casino and finding out that you can game on the go, whilst all this time you’ve been confining yourself to fixed locations in land-based casinos. You never know what you’re missing until you take the plunge.

September 17, 2014 by Jeremy

The Top Five Historical Places to Visit in Havana

Cuba is a country steeped in rich and diverse history, from discoveries to revolutions, to Communist blockades and missile crises. The past has certainly left a real impression on the island, with some of the biggest imprints on the nation’s capital, Havana.

By far the Caribbean isle’s largest city with a population of over two million, Havana has as much to offer historically as it does weather-wise and if you are considering a visit you can find some great deals online.

When you have sorted your travel arrangements you will definitely want to visit some – if not all – of the following historical sights:

One – Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)

Dating back as far as the 1770s and supposedly built on the site of Havana’s original church, this beautiful museum is located on the west side of the vast Plaza de Armas. The amazing Baroque architecture is matched only by the incredibly detailed breakdown of the country’s history, from inception to the present day.

Two – Catedral de San Cristobel (Saint Christopher’s Cathedral)

Havana’s astonishing cathedral was constructed between 1748 and 1787 and is one of the oldest in the Americas. Famed for its vast but uniquely unequal towers, visitors flock here as tourists but also for religious purposes to observe Mass.

Three – Museo de la Revolución (Museum of the Revolution)

You can’t visit Havana and not want to find out about the legendary revolutionaries that put the country on the map. This former Presidential Palace now houses documents, photographs and paraphernalia from some of the most important historical events in Cuba’s history, as well as popular sections dedicated to the famous Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.

Four – Ernest Hemingway Museum

Despite his American nationality, this controversial but respected author spent a great deal of his time at his home just outside Havana. Hemingway is often considered to be an honorary Cuban by many. In this museum you will a fascinating collection of his belongings and works– one for tourists and literati alike.

Five – Habana Vieja (Old Havana) itself

This entire section of Havana is teeming with areas of historical interest. It was founded in 1519 as an important naval port of colonial Spain, as well as being a favoured haunt of the fabled Pirates of the Caribbean. Also during the American Prohibition years, the Americans came in their hordes to enjoy cheap drink and all of the other activities that followed, which is well documented in the buildings around you.

Subsequently you can barely walk a few feet without finding something of historical significance, meaning you will never be bored in Old Havana.

September 12, 2014 by jfalbelda

Top Tourist Attractions In Croatia

Picturesque sceneries and ancient landmarks, the top tourist attractions in Croatia are a great addition to anyone’s bucket list. Officially the Republic of Croatia, this country in the Balkans and in Central Europe boasts of some of the most beautiful coasts in Europe.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Croatia:

Euphrasian Basilica

The 6^th century Basilica is the highlight of the town of Porec, a 2000 year old town in the Istria district. The interior and the architecture of the Basilica feature early Byzantine architecture. While the basilica has gone through earthquakes, fires and accidents, it has still maintained its shape and glory, with only a few repairs here and there.

Mljet

One of the top tourist attractions in Croatia, the Mljet is an island off the southern coast of Croatia. 72% of the island is still covered in thick forests and lush vegetation, while flecks of fields, vineyards and small villages dot the Mljet landscape. Mljet has two salt lakes: Veliko and Malo Jezero. Veliko Jezero has a small island in the middle with an old Benedictine Monastery, which is worth a visit. The easiest way to get here is to check for flights to Dubrovnik and then take the ferry from the mainland to the island.

Diocletian’s Palace

The palace was built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian for his retirement. The Roman Emperor spent his last days in the palace, tending on his vegetable garden.

After the Roman’s abandon of Croatia, the palace remained empty for centuries. But in the 7^th century, the Diocletian Palace became the nearby residents’ refuge against invading barbarians. Since then, the walls of the palace have been home to these residents.

Today, shops and restaurants (as well as some of the old homes) can be found inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace.

Plitvice Lakes

Breathtaking and impressive, the Plitvice Lakes are one of the most beautiful destinations in the whole of Europe. The system of 16, interlinked lakes with unique colors such as azure, green, blue and gray and the surrounding forest is home to a plethora of animal and plant life, including the European brown bear and lynx. The lakes and the surrounding forest were set aside as a national park in 1949, with efforts to preserve its pristine beauty.

Do you have any other recommendations for the top tourist attractions in Croatia?

September 7, 2014 by Jeremy

Why Costa Adeje is one of the best beaches on Tenerife

With September well underway, winter holiday planning season is practically in full swing. While there are many destinations that sun-starved northerners abscond to, Tenerife is a popular choice for many excellent reasons.

Among them, its beaches lead the charge, as its lusty shores have attracted sunbathers the world over for generations. Recently, after doing some research into Tenerife’s many seaside accommodation options, seeing a picture of one of its envy-inducing beach has led you to check for cheap all inclusive hotels in Costa Adeje, which is a completely understandable reaction.

Since you are halfway towards going on a trip to this amazing place, we figured we would let you know exactly why we think that Costa Adeje is one of the best beaches on Tenerife. So pack your sunscreen and your two piece swimsuit, because once you are done with this list, you will be booking your plane ticket to Tenerife in short order.

1) It’s a classy place to go on holiday

The more popular places on Tenerife aren’t exactly the most glitziest, as pub culture can cause the main streets of Santa Cruz to resemble one massive uni bar crawl at times. Development in Costa Adeje has focused on more upmarket restaurants, lounges and resorts, making it an ideal base for those that have outgrown the sophomoric party scene on the other side of Tenerife.

2) Like a decent round of golf? Swing away to your heart’s content here!

For many, golf is a lifestyle that often influences one’s choices in holiday destinations. If you wish to marry an excellent beach scene with abundant quality courses, Costa Adeje has you covered. A championship set of links awaits you here, with 27 separate holes available to test your game in every faculty. With views to die for everywhere you shoot, perhaps your biggest challenge will be focusing on the task in front of you!

3) Got a family? You’re well catered for in this corner of Tenerife…

The holiday scene in many parts of Tenerife is often slanted towards those who possess interests of more mature persuasions, leading for a dearth of things to do for families, and ample opportunity for awkward encounters.

Costa Adeje is much more tame, and has attractions that are perfect for the family looking to stay busy with more wholesome pursuits. Water and amusement parks, go-kart tracks, bowling and much more stand ready to compensate for days when you wish to take a break from the beach, and you won’t have to worry about continually covering the eyes of your kids.