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islands

Destination TipsRoyal at SeaRoyal CaribbeanRoyal Holiday

These are 13 of the best islands to vacation

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Where to travel? For the undecided, here’s a list of some of the best paradise-like islands in the world.

  1. Bali. Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, it is one of the 17,500 islands of the Indonesian archipelago. But, thanks to its colorful people and years of tourism development, it stands out for its unparalleled beauty. White sand beaches, surrounded by green foliage and ancient Hindu temples, which speaks of profound peace and spirituality that is breathed in the air of the place.
  1. Galapagos. This archipelago of 13 large islands, 6 small ones and 40 islets, located 950 kilometers from Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean, has a temperature of between 18 and 22 degrees celsius. It is notable for its incredible combination of wildlife, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and goldfish; and a flora of unique species in the world.
  1. Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia). This place is located on the Atlantic coast of Canada, so unlike the aforementioned it can seem somewhat fresh to us during the winter, but with an ideal climate in summer. It is the reserve of Nordic and Indian cultures, such as Scottish, Celtic, Acadian and Mi’kmaq. One of its attractions are the outdoor activities: canoeing, rowing, sailing. The best are the sunsets you can get to see.
  1. Kauai. Also known as the “Garden Island”, it is the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is of volcanic origin and one of the most humid in the world, which is why rainfall eroded it, carving valleys with idyllic waterfalls.
  1. Mount Desert Island. It is the sixth largest in the United States, and the second on the east coast, behind Long Island. It is north of the country, near the border with Canada, and its main attraction is the Acadia National Park and summer camps.

    Image courtesy of Peter Rintels at Flickr.com

    Image courtesy of Peter Rintels at Flickr.com

  1. Maui. Named after a Polynesian demigod, who according to the legend created it by fishing it out of the seabed. Formed by two volcanoes, it is the second largest Hawaiian archipelago island and it is also known as the “Valley Island” for the isthmus that forms between the two mountains. With a high humidity and rainfall, its annual temperature is between 20 and 29 degrees celsius.
  1. Aeolian Islands. They are in Italy, in the Tyrrhenian Sea near the northeast coast of Sicily. It is part of a V-shaped archipelago of islands, with the others: Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea. Its largest city is just a small town of 11 thousand inhabitants.
  1. Maldives. They are in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It has a tropical and humid climate. Its population is Islamic, even though after being a Portuguese, Dutch and British colony, the influence resulted in an interesting local culture.
  1. Big Island. Another one of the Hawaiian Islands, it is of volcanic origin and the largest in the United States. According to the Polynesian legend, it is the place where the gods went when they died. It has a population of over 200,000 inhabitants.
  1. Vancouver Island. Located on the west coast of Canada and bathed by the waters of the Pacific, it can also seem somewhat cold, it is known for its nature reserves and large forests with native fauna.
  1. Corfu (Greece): The so-called Island of Happiness must be for a reason. To begin, due to its intense relationship with nature and authentic local life. The sumptuous nature full of hibiscus, lemon, almond, olive trees and bougainvillea will perfume your memories. When bathing, remember the trilogy: Glyfada, the longest beach; Pelekas, the one of the most beautiful sunsets; and Agios Gordios, the amazing mix of golden sands and green cliffs.
  2. Skye (United Kingdom): between Ireland and Britain, on top of the Atlantic and cut by dizzying cliffs, the island of Skye will surprise you with its overweening green beauty. You might not take a baths, since the water temperature is not a joke, but if you can walk through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Hiking is a must, as are the sunsets on the porch of their cozy B&B, while enjoying an exquisite malt whiskey overlooking the sea, and memorize some of the many enigmatic legends of the island. Do not leave without taking a walk around Loch Duich, which is unforgettable.
  3. Malta (Malta): The Island of Knights will overwhelm you from the horizon, due to its intense accumulation of historical buildings. If you love art, this is a must, and there’s much to discover. Start by Valletta, the capital, a stone maze of ocher and Renaissance buildings which highlights the great Cathedral of St. John. Get the best view from the fort of St. Elmo and admire the strength of its other three cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Kalkara. At night, don’t hesitate to have a few glasses of wine with tapas in the wine bars of Vittoriosa and head out for Golden Sands during the day, the only sandy beach of the island, an almost red horizon of fine sand and lively bars.
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Destination TipsRoyal at SeaRoyal CaribbeanRoyal Holiday

Meet these breathtaking islands of the South Pacific

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

  1. Wakaya (Fiji): A $200 bargain

Wakaya is a truly beautiful and well preserved private island, purchased in the nineteenth century for $200. And there, in this dreamy place of the Fiji archipelago, its current owner, David Gilmour, has built one of the best hotels in the Pacific. For his friends and for those who can appreciate a true paradise.

Wakaya is not one of those islets that you can drive around in five minutes. In its 13 square kilometers, there are hills a few hundred meters high ending in towering cliffs, there are closed forests where deer roam, and there are beaches that look like the last corner of the world, the perfect place to hide. This is the place that customers of the Wakaya Club can enjoy, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Pacific.

Wakaya is within the Lomaiviti group of islands, just east of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. There is only one way to get there: to fly in a small aircraft that is the whole fleet of Air Wakaya. It’s a 15-minute flight from the airport of Suva -the capital- flying over the sparkling ocean and some islands surrounded by reefs.

  1. Maui (United States): The charm of Hawaii

It is one of the islands that form the most exotic archipelago of the US, but it’s not just any island. Maui is a special place where the beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls and even dawn seem taken from a tale. It is a place where nature seems unreal, no wonder it’s known as “the magical island”.

The sound of “aloha” welcomes you, necklaces and flower tiaras, surfers and pretty girls with hula skirts make up that preconceived popular image of Hawaii, the one you may have seen in countless movies and TV shows. It is obviously much more than that. And within that “much more”, Maui has always had a prominent place. The second largest island of Hawaii boasts, in the South Pacific, having taken a good slice of natural charms when volcanoes distributed its beauty through the archipelago. Hawaiians themselves admit this with their Maui no ka oi, “Maui is the best”, and even the legend tells it: the demigod named Maui pulled out all the islands from the bottom of the sea with his magical hook. And the island that he named must have kept much of that magic, as it has been crowned the best island in the world by the international press on many occasions. Different from the other Hawaiian islands, with small towns, a leisurely lifestyle and natural wonders such as the Haleakala National Park, Maui is famous for its long beaches, waterfalls, romantic sunsets and a broad variety of adventurous activities.

  1. Palau (Republic of Palau): Diving in private

There are thousands of islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean that offer the best gifts of nature. But if what you really like is to enjoy a unique place, where besides dreaming you can go diving in the strictest privacy with 350 species of coral and 1,400 species of fish, that place is the archipelago of Palau.

The Palau have never been involved in any headlines in the international press nor are they excessively known by the general public. Perhaps that is why they have become the secret refuge of such characters as the director of Titanic, James Cameron; and Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. A set of islands that no more than a hundred years ago were under Spanish sovereignty until they were sold to Germany in 1899, along with the Mariana and the Caroline Islands. The nature here is impressive. The feeling of paradise that invades its landscapes is overwhelming. The transparency of its crystalline waters is almost insulting, and splendor of its nature is immeasurable. So many adjectives that have led them to become, in recent years, one of the five preferred destinations for scuba divers.

  1. New Caledonia (France): An almost perfect cocktail

In a shaker, we put a bunch of Melanesian culture, a few drops of Eastern exoticism and a nature so primitive that it would seem as if it were taken from an album of children’s cards. We then add the finest essence of French “savoir-faire” and place it in the Pacific Ocean. An almost perfect cocktail. It’s called New Caledonia.

  1. Aitutaki (Cook Islands): The dream of the South Seas

Aitutaki seamlessly combines all the elements that define the dream island of the South Seas: a barrier reef surrounding a lagoon of waters of impossible color, white sandy beaches, palm trees, and the most admired dancers in Polynesia. 

  1. Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia): A goal of artists and adventurers

We know the innermost archipelago in the planet by the paintings of Paul Gauguin, the trips of famous adventurers and the works of great writers such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Herman Melville, or Jack London. They created a myth that still captivates those seeking a holiday in peace.

  1. Tonga (Kingdom of Tonga): The land where time is born

Tonga, the Kingdom of 169 islands, is a place where so many Western beliefs contradict themselves that it could only be born in a different time. A favored place of humpback whales, this is the only nation in the Pacific that has never been colonized and it is just above where the time zone ends… or begins.

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Here are 12 dreamy islands for an awesome vacation

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

  1. Formentera (Balearic islands): The detained island

Just twelve miles of navigation separate the ports of Ibiza and Formentera, a boundary of space and time that made the difference in character between these two Pityusic islands. Its pristine sands of incredible beauty, its leisurely pace and its small size turn the smallest of the Balearic Islands into a true paradise.

  1. Cies Islands (Galicia): The islands of the Gods

Legend has it that, after six arduous days of creating the world, God rested on the seventh day on Earth and, by placing his hand in it, he created the Galician estuaries. The Cies Islands, in the Rias Baixas, are all a whim of supernatural beauty with a beach which was declared the best in the world. Since 2002 the Cies Islands are part of the National Maritime Terrestrial Park of the Atlantic Islands.

  1. Laccadives Islands (India): On the route of Captain Nemo

Seen from above, they look like tiny bits of India that one day split off the continent to get lost at sea. The Laccadives are other of the fortunate Indian Ocean islands, thirty terroir protected by beautiful coral reefs and dressed with atolls. They are the dream of every diver. Only part of the Laccadives is open to tourism and provides access to their atolls.

  1. Madeira (Portugal): The green heart

Paths between volcanic slopes next to kilometric mechanisms that carry water to the crops of delicious fruits and beautiful tropical flowers, stylish hotels and locations of deep Portuguese tradition, cellars where you can taste universal wines… And the nature is always present. That and more is in Madeira. Porto Santo is a 9-kilometer beach.

  1. Saona Island (Dominican Republic): Out of range

It has no airport or hotel infrastructure. Only a few hundred inhabitants live there, but this place is visited by thousands of people every year. This Dominican paradise is part of the National Park of the East and its pristine beaches and coral reefs can make you fall in love with them. This is so true that many visitors come back to do the tour all over again.

Image courtesy of felicidade at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of felicidade at Flickr.com

  1. Saint Martin (French and Dutch): One island, two styles

The island with two names -Saint Martin in French and Sint Maarten in Dutch- is one of the best Caribbean destinations for those who do not want complications: Direct flights to Europe, good hotels and a wide variety of attractions, among which are some of the best casinos in the islands. The Caribbean in its most pure form. With 37 beaches, the waters of Saint Martin allow you to practice a variety of sports.

  1. Bora Bora (French Polynesia): In the blue lagoon

For decades, this island in the archipelago of the Îles de la Société, whose singular landscape has remained unchanged since the first European expeditions arrived in the eighteenth century, has been on the lists of the most desired and valued destinations in the world. It has beauty and luxurious hotels. The coral reef of the island shows the evolution of sharks and sea turtles.

  1. Hayman and the Whitsundays (Australia): In the Great Barrier

Consisting of nearly a hundred islands and islets with a subtropical climate and welt with mangroves, the Whitsundays Australian archipelago coexists with the Great Barrier Reef, the largest underwater spectacle of the planet and home to some of the best beaches in the world.

  1. Bazaruto and Quirimbas (Mozambique): Intact beaches, full of life

Some of the most attractive destinations arise in countries that have not normally been included in the list of the most touristic ones. Forgotten by travelers for decades, Mozambique has been for over fifteen years gradually forging a reputation of being a quiet place, full of natural parks and islands to discover. Portuguese traders found in these waters the best pearls of the Indian ocean.

Image courtesy of E at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of E at Flickr.com

  1. Mykonos (Greece): The darling of the Cyclades

The island where it is said that Apollo and Artemis were born is now famous for its lively nightlife.

Small and arid, it could be just another one among the 5,000 islands scattered in the Aegean Sea. But the gods did not forget about it. Its precious and austere architecture, its coves and its famous nightlife have made of it one of the preferred destinations in Greece.

  1. Corsica (France): The mountain that rises from the sea

South of the Cote d’Azur, Corsica is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean, which has a deep historical past that is reflected in a rich architectural and cultural heritage. Its curious terrain, where it is not uncommon to find snowy peaks and bays that are difficult to access, create a landscape of great beauty.

  1. Cyprus: Nine thousand years of civilization

At the far end of the Mediterranean Sea, between Africa, Asia and Europe is an island designed for travelers who love art and history. Rich in Byzantine churches, Roman mosaics, mosques and Greek temples, the only problem you’ll encounter in Cyprus is finding the time to lie by the sea. In addition to good beaches, the coast of Cyprus is home to natural, archeological and historical treasures.

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Here are 10 of Thailand’s most beautiful islands

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

If you happen to be in Thailand, why not take a few days to enjoy some its tropical beaches and a wonderful weather? White sand and clear waters, that’s what you can expect.

  1. Koh Chang: Elephant Island

Koh Chang is the second largest island in the country and a good destination for backpackers or families who want to do more activities -other than being on the beach- and do not want to be in a very crowded environment. Koh Chang is a quiet island with lots of jungle and peaks up to 744 meters tall, you can go on excursions, visit waterfalls, hop on elephants and there’s even a small adventure park to jump from one tree to another.

Image courtesy of JP Newell at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of JP Newell at Flickr.com

  1. Koh Mak: The small and quiet one

Koh Mak is a very tiny island near Koh Chang, so it close to Bangkok but it is farther from the coast. You can walk from one side to another of the island in just over an hour, and it is quite flat. Perfect for families, couples or people who are only interested in going to the beach, snorkeling, kayaking and relaxing on a hammock. Beware of mosquitoes, though! Protect yourself with coconut oil and you’ll be fine.

  1. Koh Phangan: Ibiza, Thai style

Koh Phangan is where the famous Full Moon Party, a sort of rave on the beach that is quite well known in the backpacking world, takes place. The party happens monthly, of course, under the full moon. If you’re not there by then, don’t worry: there is also the Half Moon party and many others. The main party is on the beach of Haad Rin, so if you want peace and quiet you should run away from there! Some beaches in the northeast of the island are quiet and perfect for family tourism.

  1. Koh Samet: Bangkok’s Beach

Koh Samet is a small island only 2-3 hours by van from Bangkok and just 20 minutes from the coast via boat. Therefore it is quite exploited, even though some beaches are still quite well preserved. It’s perfect if you go during the rainy season because it is one of the least monsoon-affected islands. The food at the beach is affordable, and it is particularly good at the beach restaurants of Hat Sai Kaew.

  1. Koh Tao: The one with diving courses

Koh Tao is an ideal place for those who want tranquility and a diving destination. The beaches around the island are perfect for diving. You will find several agencies that offer all kinds of courses.

  1. Koh Lanta: The one for family tourism

Koh Lanta is a zone of ​​several islands, so when we talk about Koh Lanta, generally we’re referring to Koh Lanta Yai. This is an escape for those who find Southern Thailand (Phuket) too agitated. Koh Lanta has long and quiet beaches, perfect for strolling through them while the watching the sun set on the horizon.

  1. Similan Islands: The best diving experiences in the country

The Similan Islands is a natural park often labeled as the best place to dive in Thailand and probably the best in the world, because of its corals, marine life and white sand beaches. You can visit this park on daily excursions organized in Phuket or Khao Lak, or in cruises that last about 4 days.

  1. Koh Phi Phi: A movie setting

There are six islands in the region of Koh Phi Phi, all considered some of the most beautiful islands on the planet. The island of Ko Phi Phi Leh was where the famous movie about backpackers who created a paradise in a secret beach was filmed. The beauty of this beach wowed spectators, and since then thousands of tourists have visited Maya Bay every year. In this part of the country most of the inhabitants are Muslims.

  1. Rai Leh in Krabi: A paradise for climbers

Rai Leh (or Railay) is not an island, but a bay which is only accessible by sea because of the high cliffs that surround it. It is one of the best beach destinations in the country. The cliffs also make it an ideal site for climbers. There are not many places for beginners, so if you decide to come to climb here note that you must have at least some experience. There are also several caves to explore and they’re accessible to everyone, and there are other activities such as trekking, kayaking or diving.

  1. Koh Samui: The most popular one and the third largest in the country

    Image courtesy of JIN at Flickr.com

    Image courtesy of JIN at Flickr.com

    Koh Samui is an island with over 40,000 inhabitants. Famous for the beauty of its landscapes and nature, it is highly developed and can be reached by plane from Bangkok. Koh Samui offers a bunch of activities and it’s perfect for renting a motorbike and going from one beach to another. However, the best beaches are on the islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park, a protected natural park that will leave you speechless. You can also get there from Koh Tao or Koh Phagnan.

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Top 3 islands for birdwatching

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Birdwatching, also called birding, is an outdoors activity that promotes wildlife observation. The activity’s main purpose is the observation of birds in their natural environment. Hence, cities are not the proper space to do it, you need to go further and look for natural reservations or forests near or far from where you live. Depending on the chosen place, you will be able to see different kinds of birds. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes or just go and look for some bird sounds. Or, by listening, many species are more easily detected and identified than by watching. The main purpose of this activity is for recreational purposes unlike ornithologists (ornithology is the branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds) engage with this activity with scientific purposes. Therefore, their methods as well as instruments are more sophisticated.

This activity has recently become as the perfect excuse for traveling. There exist in many countries agencies or people who offer bird tourism for those bird lovers who don’t care about traveling if new bird species can be seen. The following list is about the three of the best islands for birdwatching and it also includes some endemic species you can see there.

  1. The Faroe Islands:  this island country belongs to Kingdom of Denmark and consists of an archipelago of small islands between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately in the halfway between Norway and Iceland. Even though its location seems to be inaccessible, there are very good connections to mainland Europe either by Faroese ferry company Smyril Line or by their national carrier Atlantic Airways. By air, there are direct flights from Denmark, England, Iceland and Norway year round. And, by sea There is a direct ferry link to Hirtshals in north of Jutland in Denmark twice a week during the summer and once a week during the winter with the ferry “Norröna”. During spring the arrival of millions of migrating birds will transform sky. Approximately 300 different bird species have been recorded in the Faroe Islands, among them 200 migrating bird species. Among these 200 is the Puffin bird, known as “lundin” in Faroese. This bird is well-known around these parts of the world, and is understandably one of the star attractions for visitors to the Faroe Islands, whether they are ornithologists or not. And unlike most wild birds, the puffin is very approachable.
  2. Canary Islands: also called the Canaries, this archipelago belongs to Spain and is located on the southern coast of Morocco. The Canaries is one of the Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. The arrival there is easier since there are eight airports, ports and highways. More than 400 species have been identified in the archipelago, six of them are endemic: Bolle’s Pigeon Columba bollii Laurel Pigeon Columba junoniae Canary Islands Chat Saxicola dacotiae Canary Islands Kinglet Regulus teneriffae Canary Islands Chiffchaff Phylloscopus canariensis Teydefinch Fringilla teydea. They have experts for guiding tourists into the birdwatching activity. Every single island captivates tourists since each one of them has different bird and plant species.
  3. Antigua and Barbuda: is a twin-island country in the Americas, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Getting to Barbuda, where the bird sanctuary is located on, requires a little extra effort because first you need to fly into the international airport in Antigua and then take a 90-minute ferry. No trip to Barbuda is complete without a guide-accompanied boat ride to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary at the Codrington Lagoon in Wa’Omoni Beach Park. Five species of large frigate birds home in the sanctuary. This birds are also known as ‘Man o’ War’ because of their impressive seven-foot wingspan and the fact that they often swoop down and grab meals away from smaller birds. Male birds are easily recognizable because of the bright red gullets they inflate to attract females. While the sanctuary is the largest nesting colony of frigate birds in the Caribbean, it actually shelters a total of 150 bird species, including kingfishers, pelicans and herons. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary can only be reached by boat.
Image courtesy of Xavier Sandel at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of Xavier Sandel at Flickr.com

There are a lot of islands where to do birdwatching, you only need to define what species you want to see and then pack. This list is a short list because in Asia hundreds of islands are the home of the beautiful birds from paradise that are the most impressive nature expression for birds’ lovers. Do not miss the chance of appreciate them on live. For your lists ebird.org is an excellent page where you can keep your personal list of birds you have seen and also include description you want to do about them.  

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Amazing Beaches to Delight in Thrilling Saint Petersburg Islands

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

A terrific paradise is hidden in Tampa Bay, Florida. Tampa International Airport is only a 20 minutes drive away from delightful beaches and incredible nightlife of St. Pete islands, whereas Orlando is a 40 minutes drive away. Even though Saint Petersburg islands are usually home for both American and Canadian travelers, the amazing relaxation activities and unique tranquility through the year have put this destination on top for European vacationers too. This is not random, though. As a matter of fact, all the 365 days the sun shines over the white beaches of Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, what makes it even a better option for tourists to go on holiday thanks to that extra day that 2016 has.

It is not an exaggeration to say that sun shines every single day over warm, clear water in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, a proper name by the way. Whether an option for extreme seasons like summer vacations or an option to escape from snowy winter, these islands and beaches are perfect for relaxing, tanning, and basking. As a matter of fact, people from around the world are starting to discover this wonderful destination in Florida, which is defined by some travelers as heaven on earth. That is quite a plausible definition since beach area reaches the 30 miles of white sand beaches and amazing landscapes which are perfectly sound despite the large amount of annual visitors.

Honeymoon Island State Park

Perhaps one of the best features of St. Petersburg islands is the fact that all 25 islets are linked by a driveway, so it makes it possible to visit them all by car. Great news for those who can not make it through on a boat! This way, exploring this island through its green areas is a marvelous experience, not to mention its white sand that makes you want to stay forever. Plus, if you are one of those travelers that like to bring your pet with you, Honeymoon island is perfect for a good walk with your dog. Also, seashell hunting is one of the most favorite activities for tourists because of their beauty and abundance on the beach. The Honeymoon Island State Park also feature 4 miles of white sand and lots of fun for everybody: loners, couples, families and even large groups of friends.

Fort de Soto Park

One of the issues that most tourists struggle with while traveling is finding proper destinations for kids. Let truth be told, when traveling with youngsters it is often difficult to find fun beaches that please them. However, Fort de Soto Park is considered one of the best beach destinations for minors because of its various activities such as fishing, kayaking, biking, and even camping, throughout the seven miles of charming beaches. Undoubtedly these features make Fort de Soto one of the kids’ favorite to have fun in those sunny days off. It seems like a perfect place for children; nevertheless, the whole five small islands that form Fort de Soto Park also feature adult kind activities such as bird sighting due to the islands’ fauna richness, as well as a good hike around the islets, everything surrounded by the ocean, naturally.

Pier 60

The perfect balance between nightlife and daylight activities is Pier 60. It is truly a beach for both children and adults since it offers activities with no age restrictions. Activities range from artistic performances, magic, jugglers, fire eater, and circus-like shows, to outdoor movie projection at sunset. Pier 60 is with no doubts a great option when visiting the Gulf of Mexico, a place to vary fun activities whether to take advantage of the sun, or to have fun after sunset. Are you coming with your kids? No worries. There is a comfortable, welcoming playground to gather the youngest of the family.

Image courtesy of Matthew Paulson at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of Matthew Paulson at Flickr.com

St. Petersburg and Clearwater islands have clearly quite many more options than those referred above. It depends upon likes and preferences while traveling that vacationers will find some beaches better than other, or some activities more fun than other. Chances are, you will have fun and enjoy more a big beach party if you are a night owl, than those early birds who prefer hiking and activities involving nature. The best part is that both kinds of personalities are acceptable and fit the St. Petersburg and Clearwater lifestyle.

Definitely, the wonderful white beaches of St. Petersburg and Clearwater have you looking forward to coming to Tampa Bay. Dreams must not stay dreams. The time has come for you to stop daydreaming and make great vacations become real. Grasp that beach towel and come now!

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5 of the best islands to travel and surf

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

The ocean, the spots, the people, the atmosphere. All of this makes surfing a very attractive and popular water sport around the world. We have seen movies about it; we have seen tournaments in  the coasts of our country; we know somebody that surfs or is into surfing; we have heard about crazy surfer stories; we have enjoyed seeing people surf the waves and sometimes we have tried to surf ourselves at a vacation time we spent at the sea.  There are even artificial waves in resorts and cruises so people can enjoy the excitement.

Surfers enjoy the most beautiful places and get the adrenaline rush needed to be happy for the rest of the day. There are some islands that are the perfect places to go surf and to enjoy what the place has to offer. We are taking a look at only 5 of them that are in the top of mind of surfers around the globe.

Bali: they say Bali is a living postcard and it closer to a fantasy than to reality. It has white sand beaches, coral ridges, a lush jungle with stone temples and a good amount of monkeys, apart from all the cultural dance performances, the yoga meditations and, of course, the surf spots. For surfers, it is a paradise on earth due to the consistent waves that come from the Indian Ocean. It has been a surfer’s paradise since the early 70s  and the mixture of the surfing world with the local Hindu culture and the charm and feeling of the local people, make Bali one of the best, if not the best, destination to surf and travel.

Tavarua, Fiji: it is an island and resort with the shape of a heart, it is 29 acres big and it is close to Viti Levu, the main island in Fiji. Clear waters make this island idyllic to relax and forget about everything. Fishing and surfing are amazing in this island. For surfers it has easy access to the waves and it is home to the very popular “Cloud Break” surf spot that is voted as one of the 10 best and most Challenging waves in the world. Tavarua Island faces south by southwest into the South Pacific and is perfectly positioned to catch all swells coming up from the Southern Ocean.

Oahu, Hawaii.  Oahu is the third largest island  in Hawaii, and the one where most people from Hawaii live and work, almost  1 million inhabitants.  This is the island where the capital, Honolulu is located, the historic and well known Pearl Harbor and the infamous Waikiki beach. History and beauty are just around the corner in this island if you want to go to special landmarks like the historic Chinatown, the Punchbowl, a crater-turned-cemetery, Pearl Harbor and the  USS Arizona Memorial. For surfers, well it is just paradise and history.  Since the early 30s with the Waikiki beach boys and the many competitions around the island, makes it perfect to really live the surfing life.  It is home to the Triple Crown of Surfing competition and festival held every winter in November where the pros meet to showcase the best surfing in the world.

Image courtesy of DJHeini at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of DJHeini at Flickr.com

Barbados.  This island is in the eastern Caribbean,  and it is part of the British Commonwealth. Bridgetown, the capital, is a paradise for cruises and a mandatory stop for almost any cruise ship. It features things like shopping places, colonial buildings and one of the Western Hemisphere’s oldest synagogues. When it comes to surfing, The island’s location far out in the Atlantic Ocean is key to the waves that  travel thousands of kilometers on the bottom of the sea to just release  all the power during its long journey over Barbados’ coral reefs. The surfing is consistent and waves are guaranteed all year around in this island. There are truck rentals available to carry all the equipment and look for the best waves.

Santa Catarina, Brazil.  Santa Catarina has this European vibe that makes you want to stay. You can find amazing beaches in the best tropical weather and resorts of all kinds. It is a trendy city with education levels that amaze any tourist and very low crime rates comparing it to the rest of Brazil. It is an escape from the busy metropolis like Sao  Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. It used to be a surfers paradise  and now hosts all types of tourists. Beaches like Joaquina and Campeche offer more than 40 surfable waves in the months of March, April, September and October.

Image courtesy of Dauro Veras at Flickr.com

Image courtesy of Dauro Veras at Flickr.com

If you are interested in water sports like surfing or kitesurfing, these are some islands you can include in your travel schedule. Surf, enjoy and relax at these amazing islands around the world and enjoy the adrenaline that water can bring while you are there.

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