By Roy Witman

How do you make a tropical paradise? Mix one central location with two warm bodies of water and three fun-filled destinations. The result is the western Caribbean!

Situated between Cuba and Belize, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, are three little islands with big reputations for adventure. If departing from the U.S. and traveling through the Gulf of Mexico, cruise passengers would quickly find themselves approaching Cozumel, Mexico; the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Let’s visit each one and discover why these ports always rank high on vacation and honeymoon wish lists.

Cozumel, Mexico

Located off the eastern shore of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel boasts an annual average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit. With white-sand beaches and water that seems to swirl from aqua to azure blue, the island is home to some of the best beaches in the world.

Playa Uvas Beach is the preferred location for sunning for many vacationers. More than sand and surf, Playa Uvas has its own restaurant and lounge offering something cool to sip on a hot day. With covered dining as well as a shaded, grassy area that offers an escape from the heat, this beach caters to those who expect the best. You can even get a massage! Comfortable beds with crisp white sheets are arranged under canopies right by the shore for a relaxation experience you won’t soon forget.

But Cozumel is more than just beaches. Deep-sea fishing offers the thrill of reeling in huge marlin, sailfish and even barracuda that brings an adrenaline rush which leaves you begging for more. Avid scuba divers (including the late Jacques Cousteau!) love these waters and return year after year to experience the enormous variety of sea life found here. Massive sea turtles, brilliantly colored fish and some of the most interesting marine plants in the world are within reach. From exhilarating ATV jungle safaris to windsurfing and more, Cozumel will leave you breathless.

The Cayman Islands

Comprised of three islands, this colorful grouping of hotspots is vibrant, lively and one of the most sought-after scuba retreats in the world. Whether you choose Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, you’re in for more fun on, in and under the water than you’ve ever imagined!

Crystal-clear water, two local shipwrecks, an abundance of coral reefs, and a huge variety of plant and animal marine life make the Cayman Islands an elite destination. Scuba divers from around the globe flock to the Caymans every year because the sights are always changing.

From Cayman Turtle Farm (with over 16,000 turtles of different varieties) to Stingray City (a fascinating way to view hundreds of stingrays in their natural environment) to the spectacular show of naturally forming blowholes, Grand Cayman is a true delight.

Jamaica

A wonderful contradiction of mountains and beaches, Jamaica is eclectic, interesting and a world of fun! From championship golf to scuba diving in Montego Bay, you’ll wonder why you never came here before.

Ever been river rafting on an island? You can on Jamaica! Bamboo rafting is a prime pastime in Montego Bay. Hop aboard and hold on tight as you’re whisked away down one of three rivers. Rather dive deeper into your vacation? Scuba is a favorite pursuit here. From canyon and wall diving to exploration of the protected waters of Montego Bay Marine Park to the nearby shipwrecks, it’s a wonderland just waiting to unfold before you.

At day’s end, head out and partake of an active nightlife filled with fine dining and exciting discos. Dance till dawn then start your adventure all over again!

With balmy breezes, bright sunshine and warm temperatures; you’ll love soaking up the rays and the scenery of the western Caribbean. Many cruises offer itineraries that call on all three of these ports. Check with your favorite travel agent today for more details and pricing on this family-friendly, exhilarating destination.

About Author
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com offering the best deals including
Celebrity Cruise Line. © 2008, All Rights Reserved

Source: ArticleTrader.com

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Article - Spain Travel Tips

With many tourists now choosing to travel to Spain, it’s clear that it has become known throughout the world as a country that is exciting and fun to visit. This is because there are so many good places to visit in Spain. Places like the Costa Del Sol and Costa Blanca, and other towns and villages such as Alicante, Valencia, Granada, Benidorm, Murcia, Seville, and of course Madrid. Each offers a variety of attractions, entertainment, and recreational attractions. When you choose to go to Spain for your vacation what awaits you is a wonderfully entertaining experience, with a little something for everyone in your party to enjoy.

When choosing a vacation destination people generally want one that offers a fair amount of variety. We’re looking for spot that has perfect weather, cultural attractions, beautiful natural surroundings, a wealth of history and culture and perfect beaches, and you have found vacation Nirvana. That’s exactly what you get with a Spain vacation, and people take their vacation in Spain for the following reasons.

There are many resort areas to choose from, like Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, where you can visit towns such as Alicante, Valencia, and Murcia. Or you could choose a vacation in a city such as Granada, Seville or Madrid.

There is virtually no end to the choice of Spanish destinations that will offer any vacationer a wonderful combination of entertainment and relaxation. If you travel with a family or a group, there is sure to be something for everyone.

With all these areas to choose from, with each offering its own unique type of experience, you’re sure to find a spot that’s perfect for your vacation.

It doesn’t really matter where in Spain you decide to spend your vacation. You’ll have a wonderful time and come away with memories that will last a lifetime. Many who go on a Spain Vacation leave already planning to return to Spain for their next vacation.

About Author
When planning your next trip to Spain, choose Madrid and Beyond for the ultimate in personal tours of Spain.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

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Travel Tip - Alaska Adventure Travel, Great For Your Health

When looking for the right type of holiday to suit you, if you are looking for adventure and fun then Alaska and Yukon adventure travel may just be what you are looking for. However, it is not exactly a location for the faint hearted. If you complain if you just have to walk around the block then this is definitely not the right type of holiday to suit you. However, if you are up for nature watching, hiking, kayaking and camping then Alaska and Yukon adventure travel is certainly worth considering.Planning Your Adventure

If you do decide to travel to Alaska for a Yukon adventure, then I recommend that you plan it thoroughly. Whilst you can have an absolutely fantastic time, there is plenty to think about before you go and if you don’t then you could end up not enjoying yourself as much as you could.

One particular factor that you will need to take into account is how is your health? Adventure travel does require a lot of strength and so it is advisable that you ensure that you are 100% capable of doing everything that you have planned. Try to book at least three months in advance so that you have plenty of time to get yourself into shape. That way even if you do prefer to spend most of your time at home, you can have plenty of time to prepare for something a little more athletic and you will have a decreased chance of getting an injury whilst you are on holiday.

You also need to think about the length of time that you want to go for. With many Alaska and Yukon adventure packages, they tend to run for a couple of weeks. There is not always the option to have a Yukon adventure for less time than that and so you really will need to look into this. When you think about when you are going to go, you should also consider traveling during the week as that way it will be cheaper and also a lot easier too as there will not be as much of a rush. You should also consider the refund policy just in case you have to cancel your holiday at any point before you go. It is not always possible to get a refund so you should be absolutely clear as to what would happen before you book.

Finally you will need to think about the equipment which you may need for the vacations. Depending upon which type of adventure travel you are taking part in, you may need some extra equipment with you that the adventure company doesn’t provide.

Overall there are things that you need to consider before you book your adventure travel. So it is always better to keep these things in mind.

Peter Mason frequently writes detailed articles on latest developments in maps of apts in benidorm. You can have a look at his contributions on apartments in benidorm over at http://www.alicante-spain.com .

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Article - advice on what to see at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked all kinds of travel questions.
A client recently enquired about travelling to Egypt for the first time and wanted my advice on what to see at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Here are my tips….

There are over 120,000 items in the Egyptian Museum, so assuming on a typical holidays in Egypt, you will spend a maximum of 1 day there, here is my suggestion for the must see objects in the museum.

The Cairo Museum or the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to give it its full name, should definitely be high on the list of anyone who is planning on visiting Cairo. You do have to keep in mind however that if you spent 1 minute looking at each exhibit it would take you approximately nine months to see everything – not really practical (unless you are planning a really long visit !)

The Museum Collection started in 1830 and was created to attempt to help stem the flow of items being stolen or removed out of the country. The current Egyptian Museum itself was opened on November the 15th 1902 and was designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon.

The range of items is vast and many people assume that the museum holds just “Pharaonic” artefacts whereas in fact it actually holds exhibits dating from Prehistoric Egypt right through to the end of Roman times.

There are 42 rooms on the first floor and 47on the second and they are “generally” in chronological order. The 1st floor has a large atrium with the larger exhibits including a massive pair of statues of Rameses II and Amenhotep III and his wife Tiye. These are actually best viewed from above (from the 2nd floor)

Not surprisingly the most popular exhibits are to be found in the Tutankamun gallery. This amazing collection of items was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. 3000 items are to be found here including the most famous of all, his “death” mask and other items such as his coffin, throne and various items of jewellery etc.

The famous Rosetta stone is also here in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This stone is vitally important as it went a long way to helping us understand the ancient Egyptian writings and carvings. The Rosetta stone importantly carries 3 different scripts

The first is hieroglyphic, which was the script used in those times for many important and / or religious documents. The second is demotic which was the traditional daily / common script of Ancient Egypt. The final / third is Greek which was considered to be the language of the rulers of Egypt.

The final must see exhibit has to be the Mummy Room. There is an extra charge to visit here, but it is well worth it. There are up to 27 Mummies on display at anytime and it’s a truly amazing site to see. They are incredibly well preserved and you can even see teeth, hair and finger nails. In my opinion this is the closest contact you can really make to ancient Egypt and the people who would have walked the “dunes” in those ancient times.

In closing, the above are no doubt the most important items you should try and take in, but ultimately visiting the museum and what you get out of it is a state of mind. There is definitely an argument for being guided around the museum and making sure you take in all the best items, but also just consider wandering at your leisure and just take in whatever you find. There is no doubt that whilst some of the items are less popular, they are without doubt no less fascinating.

Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and, having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience. One World Tours / The

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