Travel Ideas For Christmas Breaks

Christmas breaks meant being at home with your close family and friends. Given the pressures of modern life, many people are now choosing to spend it away from home. They may travel to a nearby town, state or even to a different country so that they can make the most of the long holiday.

Some relish the idea of a white Christmas and book a holiday at a fancy ski resort. While those who want to leave the winter blues behind, head to a tropical paradise and a sunny beach.

If you are looking forward to skiing, USA and Canada have some fantastic resorts. States like Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont, California, Utah and New Mexico in America offer fine powder in December along with varied terrains. In Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario have some famous resorts suitable for beginners as well as expert skiers.

Europeans love to travel and come winter, resorts in France and Switzerland are swarming with skiers. Italy, Austria and Lapland too are known for their fine skiing. Over the last few years, the Eastern European countries have begun attracting visitors. Not only are these countries relatively undiscovered but many of them, like Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Russia, also have UNESCO-listed world heritage sites not too far away from the ski resorts. So it’s possible to add history and culture to your skiing holiday. In Asia, Japan’s Tohoku and Chubu regions attract domestic as well as international tourists.

Beaches beckon those who have had enough of the cold. The idea of spending December in a warm climate itself is an exciting proposition. From the Caribbean and Europe, to Asia and Australia, there are loads of pristine beaches where the weather is warm and the sun’s always shining.

The beauty of a beach holiday is that you can do as little or as much as you want. You can simply laze on the beach and work on your tan or go snorkeling, scuba diving or try your hand at an array of water sports. Perhaps the best part about a beach break over Christmas is going back to work in January and flaunting a perfect tan.

Most countries around the world celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve either in a big or small way. So whether you are spending your holiday at a ski resort or by the seaside, you can be sure of a festive atmosphere. Live entertainment in parks and bars, special menus in restaurants, festive lighting on streets etc. will add a cheerful touch to your holiday. So even if you are away from your family and friends, your Christmas will still be fun and exciting.

Dominic Jones has written about Top Destinations for Christmas Breaks at Ski Resorts. He has also recommended Top Destinations for Christmas Breaks on the Beach to help you plan your holiday travel.

Gold Coast Australia Makes the Perfect Winter Getaway

As the weather starts to cool off in the States, many may be looking for a vacation escape. The Gold Coast in Australia may be the answer to your prayers. With warm weather and white sandy beaches, it is the perfect retreat from the winter blues.

Of course the weather is only one reason to travel to Australia, which provides beautiful scenery and gorgeous sites year round. The temperature in Australia is moderate all year, which means no matter when you visit you will have great beach weather. There is an added benefit of going to Australia during our winter, since you get to experience the great summer climate in Australia, and you also get to avoid the cold here, but really any time of year is a great time to visit.

No more tanning booths in the winter time just plan a vacation to the Gold Coast, and you will enter paradise. Surf or snorkel the days away and party all night long, in Surfers Paradise you will find some of the most incredible nightlife and sun and surfing by day. These regions of Australia contain perhaps some of the most incredible beaches in the entire world.

Australia is more then just beaches, and fun in the sun, though. There is also the Outback, the rainforests, rural areas and of course gorgeous cities to see. You can lay in bed listening to the sound of the ocean, or head to theme parks that are fun for the whole family. There are so many things to see and do in Australia, that after your first visit you will absolutely want to keep coming back.

In the middle of all the excitement you will find accommodation in the center of the rainforests, or in the heart of all the hustle and bustle city life. From shopping to galleries, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are accommodation that caters to golfers, romantic getaways and family vacations. So when you are looking to escape the feeling of cabin fever, during those winter months, book a flight and head to the Gold Coast region of Australia. It will be just what you need to get you through the winter gloom.

Eco tourism In Costa Rica: Tirimbina Rainforest Center

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Eco tourism in Costa Rica takes many shapes and forms and is experienced or enjoyed in different ways. Indeed, the word “eco tourism” means different things and has different connotations to different people.

For many travelers, Costa Rica eco tourism is about enjoying and experiencing Costa Rica’s biological diversity. This little country comprises only about 1/10,000 of the world’s land surface (the size of West Virginia) yet, unbelievably, nearly one of every five species of plant and animal on the globe are found in Costa Rica. The country has more kinds of butterflies than in all of the countries on the entire African continent put together. Costa Rica has recorded almost 900 different kinds of birds, nearly as many as are in the continental United States. The world’s largest Green Sea Turtle preserve has been created off the Caribbean Coast at Tortuguero National Park. 35% of the world’s different species of whales and porpoises (cetaceans) are found in its offshore waters. Humpback whales from Antarctica travel thousands of miles north to Costa Rica every year while Arctic humpbacks swim thousands of miles south to the very same waters. For that reason, Costa Rica has the longest humpback viewing season anywhere. Corcovado National Park is just 20 miles long and some 8 miles wide but, according to National Geographic, is “the most biologically intense place” on the globe. Tens of thousands of persons visit Costa Rica annually to see or experience these kinds of things. I call them “vacation eco tourists.”

But, Costa Rica eco tourism is more diverse than Costa Rica whale watching, or a Costa Rica photography tour, scuba diving off magnificent Cocos Island, or hiking lovely jungle trails to waterfalls. And, few places exemplify that diversity of eco tourism experience better than the Tirimbina Rainforest Center. I bet you never heard of it.

The Tirimbina Rainforest Center sits on about 345 hectares, or 850 acres, of primary rain forest. This is the original rain forest that covered 99% of Central America when Christopher Columbus explored its Caribbean coast in 1502. Indeed, when you visit primary rain forest you will literally see trees that have been around since Columbus’ es time. Unfortunately, over the following five centuries, burning and logging decimated most of the Central American rain forests. Today, only vestiges of this important resource remain.

The Center’s history goes back to 1960 when an American, Robert Hunter, went to Costa Rica to work for the Inter-American Institute for Science and Agriculture and bought the land now occupied by the Center. He invited American scientists to the property, one of whom was Dr. Allen Young of the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Public Museum, and an internationally acknowledged expert on rain forests and cacao cultivation. Dr. Young, and others, like him, who have visited the Center over the last decades are “research eco tourists.” Their professional curiosity and work on rain forests have proved invaluable.

Dr. Young ‘s fascination with Tirimbina carried over to the Milwaukee Public Museum itself. In 1986, it created a permanent exhibit about the tropical rain forest that it called “Exploring Life on Earth.” Over the next several decades hundreds of thousands of children, men, and women visited the Tirimbina exhibit as “virtual eco tourists” and their increasing awareness of the importance–and fragility-of rain forests have contributed to tropical forest preservation demands by the public. The Museum bought the Tirimbina Rainforest Center and managed it until its 2006 sale to a Milwaukee nonprofit called the Pura Vida Foundation. Today, the Center belongs to a Costa Rica nonprofit organization, the Asociacion Tirimbina Para La Conservacion, Investigacion y Educacion.

Should you be interested in conservation and eco tourism I recommend visiting the Tirimbina Rainforest Center if you are: (a) A “tropical research eco tourist.” The Center is a working rain forest research site with many national and international projects. For 30 years, doctorate research, graduate studies, and museum related projects have taken place there as well; (b) An undergraduate looking for a unique study abroad opportunity. Recently, Ball State University of Indianapolis announced a new Study Abroad in Costa Rica program that will be at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center starting Spring Semester 2010. Students will get college credits and live with local families. Modeled after two very popular Ball State study abroad programs in London and Australia, it will have a uniquely Costa Rica flavor. Each participant will be a “student eco tourist”‘; or (c) Looking to see or visit a working tropical forest research center that also hosts family activities and educational projects like hiking through primary rain forest (there are five miles of trails); a frog tour; a bird tour; a bat tour; even a chocolate tour. There is an aerial tram tour and boat tour as well plus a great number of optional activities (visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center website for a list). Accommodations and a restaurant are on site for “family ecotourists” who want to stay overnight or for several days.

Even though the tropical rain forest research community has known about the Tirimbina Rainforest Center for over 40 years, just 8,000 Costa Rica eco tourists a year typically visit. It is off the beaten path but if you are planning to travel to Costa Rica and are a serious eco tourist, give the Center serious consideration.

Holidays in Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is the fastest growing resort on the popular holiday island of Lanzarote.  Offering visitors great weather all year round, wonderful beaches and high standards of accommodation.

Playa Blanca is located right at the southern tip of Lanzarote – just 8km across the Bocaina Straits from the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura.  And has developed rapidly from a small fishing village into the second busiest resort on the island.

The town is named after the small white beach – Playa Blanca – that still lies at it’s heart.  And is essentially a set of thee coves set within one much larger sheltered bay, all of which is united by a delightful seafront promenade.

Beach lovers adore Playa Blanca as there are three excellent stretches of sand within the resort; Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and Playa Blanca itself.  Whilst just fifteen minutes walk from the town centre lies the breathtaking coves and bays of Papagayo (or Parrot in Spanish).  Which are widely regarded to be amongst the best beaches in the whole of the Canaries.  All still totally natural and unspoiled.

There are plenty of accomodation options for visitors.  Some of the best four star hotels in Lanzarote such as the Timanfaya Palace and the Hesperia Playa Dorada line the shoreline.  Offering guests great views and a frontline position.  Whilst there’s also a large choice of apartments and villas in Playa Blanca available for rent for those who prefer self catering accommodation.

Prices for a standard two bedroom villa with private pool start at around €450 per week.  Whilst four star hotel accommodation prices begin at €70 per night – which is the cost per room, not per person.  The resort is located around thirty minutes from Lanzarote’s sole international airport at Arrecife – which is serviced by all of the main leading low cost flight operators.  Whilst all of the main British travel companies also offer holidays in and around the resort.

Playa Blanca makes an ideal base for anyone who wants to visit Lanzarote´s leading tourist attraction – the Timanfaya Volcano Park.  As this is just fifteen minutes drive away.  And it’s also possible to enjoy a spot of island hopping by taking the ferry service that runs regularly throughout the day from the harbour area to Fuerteventura.

The luxurious Rubicon Marina was created in 2003.  Providing berths for luxury yachts as well as a great backdrop for anyone eating out or shopping in the upmarket environs of the marina.

Cocos Island: One of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders

Cocos Island is one of the treasures of the planet. The famous Jacques Cousteau called this Costa Rica island the most beautiful island he had ever seen , Costa Ricans have voted this little national park one of its Seven Wonders, and it is being considered as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Though it is a small island located nearly 350 miles off the Costa Rica Pacific coast, it is world famous for its incredible scuba diving. Indeed, its waters are filled with fish, porpoises, whales, and sea turtles, and there are sometimes so many sharks, it is often called Shark Island. Experienced scuba divers travel here from across the planet because it is renowned as the greatest place in the world to dive with large sea animals.

The island has been famous for pirates, real and imagined, for centuries. It is believed by many that Cocos was the inspiration for Robert Lewis Stevenson’s famous pirate adventure Treasure Island but sometimes real pirates sailed to it to escape the English fleet and to bury their treasure. Two great treasures, the Devonshire Treasure and the Lima Treasure, worth hundreds of millions of dollars today, may still be buried there.

It also fired the imagination of Michael Crichton whose world famous Jurassic Park is set off the coast of Costa Rica.

The island is uninhabited except for a few Costa Rica park rangers who are stationed there to protect its waters from poaching. For eons its isolation safeguarded the island’s rainforest and undersea creatures from depredation .

If you are one of the lucky few who get to visit Cocos, you will need previous permission from the rangers to go ashore and you will not be allowed to camp overnight. But, as you walk the shores, thinking of pirates and imagining where the buried treasure is, you will see many rocks along the shore bearing inscriptions from sailors over the centuries. Way before Kilroy was here, sailors wrote their names and dates of visits. There is even find one bearing the name of Jacque Cousteau’s son, who signed a rock a couple of decades ago.

Costa Rica Beaches: First Discovered by Columbus And Now You

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, world-famous for its beaches, tropical mountains, and volcanoes. Beaches in Costa Rica are unbeatable in their beauty. There are white, brown, and black sand beaches, coral beaches, and rugged boulder strewn beaches with magnificent surf, along two oceans.

The Caribbean beaches were first discovered and explored by Christopher Columbus, who was so taken that he named his discovery Costa Rica, the rich coast. The Spanish were soon followed by English sea captains like Sir Francis Drake (he is the same fellow who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588). Indeed, Drake Bay along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is named for this captain who docked there on his explorations.

Fortunately, Columbus and Drake left a lot of places to discover for yourself. With nearly 800 miles of coastline, you’ll find some special place for you. There are popular beaches with beautiful girls and mile-after-mile of virtually deserted beaches for peace and quiet. The Caribbean has a reggie, Bob Marley, feel to it while the Pacific has attraction after attraction close at hand, not to mention places where the magnificent tropical forests nearly come to the beach.

With year-round warm weather, a great tourism infrastructure, and friendly folks who like Americans, Canadians, and Europeans (and everybody else) tourists flock to Costa Rica. They take advantage of warm, clean waters, two fantastic coastlines, and almost limitless attractions close-at-hand. Fishing, surfing, rafting, hiking, ecotourism, swimming, adult nightlife, volcanoes, and tropical mountains are just a few of the attractions.

There are so many beaches to explore that you could spend months, even years, in Costa Rica and still not manage to see them all. Many tourists and expats travel to or live on the magnificent Nicoya Peninsula along the country’s north-central coast. It is filled with spectacular beaches and the area is replete with non-beach attractions.

One of the more famous beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula is Playa Grande. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of an ancient people because it is situated on the site of their burial ground. It is a great beach for surfing, and there is camping in the area, though you may find some clothing optional folks.

It is impossible to name or describe all the wonderful beaches in Costa Rica. This little country is dedicated to sustainable development and takes pride in what it calls its Blue Flag beaches. In a country filled with great beaches these are the cleanest, most pristine of them all. For those who like to be alone on the beach, Playa Grande, Mal Pais, Bahia Ballena, and Hermosa (not to mention hundreds more) beckon like a siren. For those who like the beach and an active adult nightlife, Jaco and Tamarindo are very popular.

Regardless of which beach you choose, whether Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal, Tambor, or some beach without a name, if you enjoy beach life, a wonderful experience is awaiting you. Some of the beaches are easy to reach by car or bus. Others require more unconventional means, like flying into nearby areas or boating or even hiking. But the trouble of getting to them makes the stay all that much more worthwhile.

Hawaiian Tropics: At its Finest!

Who would ever forget the movies Lilo and Stitch and 50 First dates? What do these popular films have in common? Well, both films are shot at the wonderful island of Hawaii. Hawaii is a state of the United State that is an archipelago surrounded by water. Hawaii has a tropical climate which makes it a great vacation destination for tourists. Beaches are popular in Hawaii. Dreaming of a grand beach vacation? Hawaii is the place to stay!

Whether to chill under the sun and get that gorgeous sun, or play beach volley with your most treasured friends, being in a Hawaii is being in Tropical paradise. The sun and the sand amidst a perfect backdrop of the Hawaii Sea is a perfect summer getaway. Rows of hotels, condominium units and cabanas for rent all lined up behind the shores of Hawaii. Tourists who bask in the sun all day can enjoy a night off with their gorgeous hotel amenities that are equally exciting and relaxing.

Hawaii is like Spains Ibiza or Philippines Boracay, equally powerful tourist destinations that sends foreigners and visitors around the globe coming back for more. When traveling to Hawaii it is important to keep in mind to bring along loose, thin comfortable clothes as it is usually warm there especially during summer season. Hawaii is the best place to go to, to spend your family vacation or plan your dream wedding or honeymoon. Hawaii boasts of 6 different unique islands that are equally stunning and gorgeous.

Hawaii Choral Festival is an event which features Hawaiis brilliant and talented souls as they share their talents among festival goers. The festival features performances in music, singing, performing arts, group singing and individual voice performances. The talents behind the Hawaii Choral Festival are Hawaii locals who are never selfish to part their God-given abilities to the public. The Hawaii Choral Festival is held on Pearl City, Hawaii on March 2009. The Festival will host performances and workshops.

If visiting in Hawaii don’t forget to catch a preview of the Hawaiian Chorale festival. Meet fresh local Hawaiian talents and be amazed at the arts and performance that is uniquely Hawaii!

It May Be Time To Escape To Tropical Mexico

Budget Friendly Vacationing in Mexico is right in front of you, just look!

Has the thought of high prices interrupted your dreams of visiting a different country? Is cabin fever taking control of your life leaving you with the urge to just get away? Even if you are on a budget, you can still visit the beautiful country of Mexico and enjoy yourself while you are there without going broke.

One of the biggest misconceptions of travel is that you are on a budget and cannot afford to do so. Many people forget that with the proper planning and negotiating, you can save a bundle of money and still have a wonderful experience in one of the many Mexican travel destinations.

Let?s start with travel expenses. Did you know that you can save money on airfare just by having an extra stop in your flight? Did you know that changing your travel date from a weekday to the weekend may also save you money? There are many other deals that may suit your needs if you just do a little research. You may find that you save a high percentage of your budget, just by asking around and not accepting the first price that you are quoted. Your local travel agent may have even more deals for you. Asking questions and doing research is the key. So what are you waiting for? Mexico is waiting on you.

Accommodations are another great way to save money. If you have family of friends that live in Mexico, ask them if you can stay with them for all or part of your stay. If you do not, there are many nice places that you can stay and still keep your budget in tact. You can plan to do anything from camping to staying at a luxury resort, depending on your budget of course. Most travel agents can offer you great package deals on hotel accommodations, that may even have the airfare included. Most hotel packages will include a free breakfast for you, thereby saving you a little on your dining expenses.

Everyone loves Mexican food. There is no doubt that once you get there you are going to want to taste some of the best cooking in the world. When sticking to a strict budget ask the locals where they like to eat. Those will likely be less expensive than the usual tourist traps and the food will likely be of better quality. There are alternative ways to eat while in Mexico too by shopping their outside street vendors for fresh produce and meat.

From the hottest peppers to the sweetest fruits, you can find them all in their daily markets. The local people would be more than willing to show you these fine locations and you can save a considerable amount of money this way. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is also healthy. HINT: Make sure you wash the vegetables before you eat them and make it a habit to practice safe food handling.

You can also save by preplanning your travel while you are inside the country. Taking a bus may be cheaper than renting a vehicle and your local travel agent may be able to include that in a package deal as well. This way you will know exactly what your travel costs will be from the start. Always make sure that Taxi?s are arranged by the hotel that you are staying at.

Speaking of busses, you may want to consider taking a bus when traveling into the country. Some of the major bus lines such as Greyhound offer travel straight into the country. This could make your whole vacation more affordable for you.

Don’t let your budget stop you from enjoying one of the greatest vacation places in the world. Let it help you learn that you can travel a lot more, with just a little planning.