Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic

When people go to the Dominican Republic, they typically want to hit the beach. If you are planning on visiting the DR, you want to make sure you go to the best beaches in the area. That will allow you to make the most out of your vacation and have a great time.

While there are many great beaches in the Dominican Republic, there are some you certainly do not want to miss out on. Take the time to visit the best beaches in the Dominican Republic and you will be sure to have a great time.

One of the best beaches you will find in the Dominican Republic is located between Rio San Juan and Cabrera. The beach is the Playa Grande, and it is the perfect place to go if you want to have fun by the water. The view at this beach is amazing. The location of the beach is at a cove, and there are cliffs around the beach. You will be able to have a great time and enjoy gorgeous scenery when you visit this beach.

You will also be able to enjoy clear water and gorgeous sand. This is a fun beach that has quite a bit to offer tourists and locals.

If you love a view while at the beach, you can also go to the Playa Sousa. When you visit this beach, you will be able to see mountains in the distance and water as far as the eyes can see. This is the perfect place to swim, sunbathe and also go snorkeling. The water is very clear, which makes this an ideal beach.

Many tourists and locals frequent this beach because of the wonderful conditions. It is a great place to go if you want beautiful scenery and wonderful water.

If you want to enjoy a beach with several other people, you can go to the La Minitas Beach. This beach is one of the most popular in the Dominican Republic, and you will be amazed by the things you can do while at this beach. With restaurants that surround the shore, along with water sports and other opportunities for adventure, this is a great place to go in order to have a good time.

When you go to this beach, be prepared to pack in an entire day of fun. You will be able to go from one activity to the next. You will manage to fill up your entire day and have a great time.

In the Southwest, you can visit San Rafael, which is more than just a gorgeous beach great for swimming. You can also enjoy a waterfall and take advantage of the great swimming. This is a perfect place to use as a romantic getaway.

When you go to this beach, you can hike along the shore and look at the many sights, and also relax by the water. You will be able to pack in as much or as little activity as you want while at San Rafael.

If you like to scuba dive, you can go to the Isla Catalina. Not only will you get to see some of the best coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, but you will also be able to look at the sand dunes. This is a tourist favorite and it is a place you will want to check out during your visit.

The Dominican Republic is known for its great beaches, and when you visit you will not be disappointed. The beaches offer great sights, as well as amazing sun and water. No matter if you want to take part in water sports, swim or sunbathe, you will be able to find what you are looking for with one of the beaches in the DR.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Rio Frio Caves - Belize

During my stay in Belize, one of my visits was to Rio Frio Caves. I had been in Belize for several days, and because we had received a record eleven inches of rain in three days we experienced a lot of muddy, pothole ridden roads.

The humidity was so high that my cameras were growing mold on the inside of the lenses, and I had several rolls of infrared film with me that had been ruined by the extreme humidity.

Traveling as light as possible I packed only a couple changes of clothes , so I didn't wear clean clothing every day. On this particular day I had put on a new change of clothing, vowing to stay clean and dry for at least half a day.

So , off we five Americans and our two Maya guides went for a day trip to Rio Frio Caves located north of San Ignacio. After traveling for about an hour on a crowned clay road, we happened to meet a school bus who decided that they weren't going to give us our half of the road. So ended my dreams of staying dry and clean as our van slid into a 3 foot ditch along side of the road.!

Experience had told me that no one in Belize owned a chain and we would have to wait until enough people came along to push us out.

Sure enough after about half an hour several people gathered and we proceeded to push the van out of the ditch, during the ensuing endeavor, we all became covered with mud and so ended my dream of staying clean for a day.

After stopping for a few photo ops in this beautiful country, we arrived at the Rio Frio Caves. The caves have much spiritual meaning to the local Maya population, I could almost feel the energy emitting from the caves

. It turned out to be well worth our hazardous trip and taught me that sometimes the road in life will be hazardous, but to succeed, we have to remember the final goal.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Walking South Africa - Beaches of the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape boasts one of the most diverse terrains for a holiday walking South Africa's stunning landscape. From traversing the mountainous regions with traditional villages and abundant wildlife; to strolling along the picturesque beaches of Transkei's Wild Coast, the Eastern Cape never fails to astound. South Africa's beaches are nothing short of spectacular with pristine sands and fantastic swells. Whether your idea of the perfect beach is a deserted bay on a windswept coastline, or an activity-packed family beach where you can engage in all kinds of water-sports; the 800 km coastline along the Eastern Cape has the best of both worlds.

Jeffrey's Bay

Famous all over the world, at least amongst the surfing community, Jeffrey's Bay has reputedly one of the best swells in the world. The annual international surfing competition the 'Billabong Pro' has been held here for many years. Walking South Africa's most famous surf beach, you may catch sight of some well-known faces from the pro-surfing circuit and, for those with a taste for adventure, it is the perfect place to try out that long-held ambition to 'hang ten' with your 'toes on the nose'! Popular sites for the more experienced surfers are Magna Tubes, Kitchen Windows, Boneyards, Supertubes and Tubes.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is another town popular with surfers, but don't worry, if surfing isn't your thing, there are plenty of other activities to keep you occupied. With over 40km of wide, sandy beaches, Port Elizabeth caters for pretty much every type of holiday maker. The warm, calm waters are tempting enough to entice even the most timid swimmer; and the seemingly endless stretches of golden beaches are ideal for leisurely walking. South Africa has a wonderful marine-life and Port Elizabeth is the ideal place to experience it; treat yourself to the thrill of a lifetime on a whale-watching cruise along the coast.

East London

No, this is not a misprint; the beaches of East London on South Africa's Eastern Cape are renowned as amongst the world's most sublime. Walking South Africa's version of East London could not be more different than its European namesake. Many of the beaches are completely unspoilt in terms of development. Spend a day at the delightful Igoda Beach and, although you will need to take a picnic lunch with you, the experience of strolling along a deserted beach with only the waves to keep you company, can make you feel like the last person on earth.

Kariega Beach - Kenton on Sea

Kareiga Beach is so fantastic it was once voted the best beach in South Africa. Walking along its famed shores, it's easy to see why. Completely safe and with wonderful facilities, it has retained its charm despite being a popular tourist haven. As well as being an ideal place to while away the hours in the sun or take a dip in the warm waters, it is also a great beach to explore on long rambling walks. Situated between two rivers, years of ebbs and tide flows, have created a fascinating mosaic of tidal pools to explore.

Winter Vacations For You

When your body is cold and your nose is sprouting icicles, then you are sure to decide that it is time for some warm weather and winter vacations. Birds go south for the winter, so why not you? Think about some warm and sunny spots and consider taking some winter trips to warm up your body.

Antigua or Barbuda is a beautiful sunny spot for you to consider escaping that cold weather. Sand between the toes and skiing on the beautiful warm water will help to release you from those winter blues. There are over 300 beaches that will offer you the relaxation and enjoyment that you need and want. Snorkel the coral reefs, visit historical sites, and relax. You will enjoy visiting these beautiful islands during the winter or any other time of the year.

Rio de Janeiro is another sunny and warm place that you may want to consider for your winter holidays. From dancing all night to enjoying the sites to lying on the beach, there is a ton for you to do and see in Rio. The wanton festival of "Carnaval" is something that most people visit this part of the world for, but there are plenty of activities to enjoy, even if you come at a different time of the year. Fun, relaxation, and getting away from it all are all achievable goals in Rio de Janeiro.

Perth, Australia is another place for you to check into for one of your winter holidays. There are many different activities for you to enjoy in Perth. From desert to ocean and more, you can enjoy many different things in Perth. Ride the waves, take a train ride, or explore King's Park. There is plenty to do in the city and around the city. If you are tired of being cold and shivery, then you will want to consider Perth. King's Park, the Swan River, and Monkey Mia are all places that you will want to consider visiting while you are in Perth.

Singapore is a city that you may want to think about for one of your winter vacations. Singapore has four official languages, including English, so you are sure to find that you can understand or find someone that will help you to understand and communicate with the citizens of the country. Hot noodles are something that you will definitely want to try and there are other foods and sights to try and visit, too. You will have fun exploring this island city of Singapore to help reduce that winter depression.

What about a quick trip to the Sunshine State? There are many different things that you can enjoy in Florida, including Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and more. If theme parks are not what you are looking for, then consider one of the many different beaches that is in Florida. You will be amazed at the different places that you can visit in Florida that are located close together for your convenience. All of the sun and warmth that you can imagine can be found in Florida. Nothing else chases the cold away like one of these many winter trips!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Sport Activities In Rio De Janeiro

Thanks to the fact that Rio de Janeiro benefits from wonderful climate throughout the entire year, there are plenty of outdoor activities for locals and tourists. Either it is on the beach/water, off the beach, or any other area, Rio has definitely something to offer to kill the time in a fun way. With this article we will try to offer a few ideas about where and how to spend your time in this one of a kind city.

Due to the fact that Rio has a beach culture like no other city in the world, there are a lot of activities focused around the beach and the ocean. The most important water activities would have to be surfing, bodyboarding and kite surfing. For those of you that want to stay on the beach, you could play volleyball, football and "fute volei" - a combination of volleyball and football which is basically a volleyball game using football rules, without hands of course. An alternative to all the previous mentioned would have to be fresco ball which is played by two people with paddles hitting a rubber ball back and forth.

Going off the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, you will find a lot of separate pathways for runner/walkers and bicycles. More than that, on Sundays and holidays, the closest road to the beach is entirely closed to cars and it turns into a giant pedestrian walkway. Lagoa is a lake right in the middle of the city and Zona Sul. Around this lake tourists can find generous sideways where they have the possibility to walk, run and bike.

A good alternative for solid physical activity is hiking or climbing. The most important hiking route available is to climb up Pedra da Gavea, which is another Rio landmark. Around the city there are a couple of good mountains suitable for rope climbing - Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. For people that want something even more exciting, hang gliding is an option. The jumping off point is Sao Conrado, which is surrounded by the exquisite Tijuca National Park and other landmarks. These flights offer one of a kind view of the beautiful mountains and the famous beaches of the city.

An article about the sport activities in Rio de Janeiro is not complete without mentioning golf. In Rio, golfers can go to the Gavea Golf Club or in Teresopolis, Buzios and Angra dos Reis. These offer nice public courses (unlike Gavea Golf Club), but are at a 2 ½ hour's drive from Rio.

Football (soccer) is an icon in

Saturday, December 11, 2010

A Vacation in Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a paradise for people of every walk of life. It doesn't matter if you like fishing, sailing, relaxing on the beach sipping various rum concoctions or practicing Brazillian Jiu Jitsu with the Gracie family. The sandy white beaches of Rio have something for everyone and chances are you will love your time there.

What better place is there than Rio to go scuba diving and see some of the most spectacular sights in the known world then to return to the surface and ride the cable car atop Sugarloaf to see a 130 ft tall statue of Christ the Redeemer or O Cristo Redentor as the Portugese speaking Brazilian citizens fondly call it. It is a paradise to soak up the sun and learn to dance the fiery hot Samba or Bossa Nova.

For the men, there is a sea of beautiful women and considering there is Ipanema beach there you might find yourself humming that tune as you toast a cocktail with your new found love affair. Magic is simply in the air in Rio de Janeiro and there is no question as to why. It is interesting to point out that it was once the capital city of Brazil and once again it doesn't seem to be the biggest surprise.

Carnival is one of the most amazing festivals on the planet, a much more risque and provocative event compared to Mardi Gras. Thousands of scantily clad women wearing large plumes on their heads and not much more otherwise than some floss and a nice smile. The music and dancing seems like a never ending parade to usher in yet another gorgeous year for a gorgeous travel destination. Thousands gather to see this each year at an avenue designed just for Carnival called the Sambadrome.

It doesn't matter if it is diving, climbing mountains, sightseeing, relaxing on the beach, or viewing one of the most spectacular events known on this amazing planet where we live, Rio De Janeiro has something for everyone. It is a small piece of heaven which should be witnessed by everyone at least once in life. So next time you think of an international paradise to visit, make sure to clear a week or two off of your calendar around the time Carnival occurs (which is usually during the month of February) and see the stuff dreams are made of.

Brazil Travel Destinations - Must See Places in Brazil

Entertainment would be the exact term for identifying Brazil. A country in South America, Brazil has miles of coastline, brilliant sunshine, joyful nightlife, relaxation, kinds of beaches, historical places and various activities, festivals and much more. The country Brazil offers lifetime experiences. Brazil is also known as the land of contrasts. The hospitality of Brazilian people make the place more attractive. The country has always been a popular tourist destination.

Among the cities of Brazil, there are Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Manaus, Florianópolis, Galinhas, Recife, Buzios, Natal, Brasilia, Belem, Buzios. The Capital of Brazil is Brasilia. Previously, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil however due to the position of Brasilia, it has become the capital.Brasilia has an architectural spectacle. In Brazil, each city has its own beauty.

Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Rio de Janeiro is the home of world-famous Copacabana beach which is a must see place. Also Rio de Janeiro welcomes visitors with that big statue of an open-armed Jesus on top of Corcovado, - the Christ the Redeemer statue- and this is also world famous. Rio de Janeiro is totally a mustsee place. It is a fantastic city. Rio also has some wonderful museums such as the Museu Historico Nacional and the Museu da Republica. Tijuca Forest, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Jardim Botânico are places to see, too. Rio's famous glitzy Carnaval is fantastic and very famous all over the world.

São Paulo is Brazil's largest and most cosmopolitan city. The city owns famed nightlife and offers shopping opportunities. Some of the attractions are Teatro Municipal, Casa do Grito e Capela Imperial, Memorial da America Latina, Niemeyer's Edifício Copan, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Patío do Colégio, Santa Fe Plaza etc.

Some of the most interesting places to visit in and attractions to see in Brazil are Fernando de Noronha Island, Ouro Preto, Olinda, Iguacu Falls, Colonial Towns of Minas Gerais, Pantanal, Aquario Natural, Chapada Diamantina, Ubatuba, Rio Novo, Aeroporto de UFO, Cidade Alta, Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Cidade Alta, Encontro das Águas, Fernando de Noronha, Igreja de Santa Efigênia dos Pretos, Parque Estadual do Caracol, Parque Nacional Sete Cidades, Bonito, Manaus Opera House and much more.

The sunshine with warm weather, brilliant sunshine call the visitors to the world famous beaches of Brazil. Brazil's coastal cities are well known for their beautiful beaches, mainly Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Carnival, The Amazon Rainforest, Capoeira are also most pronounced words about Brazil.

The Carnival occurs annually as a festival and continues for 40 days before Easter. The streets become lively as the people dance and play music. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for its parades staged by the city's samba schools in the Sambadrome. Sambadrome is one of Rio's major tourist attractions. Also in Brazil, there are several carnivals and these hold some important carnival parades.For example, Minas Gerais Carnaval, Pernambuco Carnival, Bahia Carnival etc.The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. The forest still has its own secrets and is a house for thousands of species.Capoeira has originated in Brazil.It is regarded as a kind of dance, game, sport or martial art. As a visitor, one can even learn Capoeira.

Brazil is a lively country in which one can find lots to do according to his/her wills. In order to see what can be done and where can be visited, you can watch the videos of Brazil at Travelovideo.com