Thursday, August 03, 2006

Venice Beach California

On the face of it, Venice Beach, California is a nothing but a three-mile long sandy beach. However, it is known to the world as the roller skating capital, as well as rich cultural history that includes a tradition of music, Beatnick poetry, and good times. Tourism is now alive and well in Venice Beach, California. It has an array of activities to offer. During the entire summer season and on the weekends, one can find every intersection of the city laced with a gamut of street entertainment artists like musicians, singers, jugglers, acrobats, mimes, comics, magicians, prophets, fortune tellers, and other assorted entertainers.

Tourists should not be enticed by visions of a balmy summer in this town. Vail receives an average of 300 days of sunshine a year with little-to-no humidity. The weather can change in a matter of hours, so it is a good idea to be prepared with extra layering when heading outdoors. Near the onset of summer, the weather can be very deceptive; temperatures at ground level can drop to freezing at night. During the summer, the average daytime temperature is an enjoyable 75 degrees, while the average evening temperature is a cool 45 degrees. The daytime highs in the hottest month, July, hit the low 70s, with lows still touching the high 30s.

There are many hotels and other types of accommodations available to stay in when you go to vacation in Venice Beach. Everything from luxury hotels to youth hostels can be found. Make your choice, and have fun.


Venice provides detailed information on Venice, Venice Italy, Venice Beach California, Venice Florida and more. Venice is affiliated with Cheap Flights Rome.

Daytona Beach

For your next spring vacation, take your family out to one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the United States: Daytona Beach. Experience the relaxing yet fun atmosphere of 23 miles of sparkling sand and warm sea. And enjoy the most exciting dining and entertainment scenes this part of Florida.

If you haven’t been to Daytona Beach or Florida, check out various Daytona Beach Web sites for more information and details. Some of these sites feature live feeds from cameras in the area. Get a feel of the local scene through this footage and images.

Things to Do in Daytona Beach

Soak up the sun on the sandy beaches a short walk away from the nearest hotels. Or ride the waves in East Coast’s surfing hotspot and experience once again the thrill of your first spring break. Break out of the normal beach experience and join bike riders as you explore the stretch of the beach.

Spend a relaxing day with the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat as you read your favorite book, get a sun tan or hook some fish. Or get out of the relaxing mood and have some wild water adventure by jet skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing. At night, you can take your family out for boat cruise and admire the lights of the bay. And then head out to a good restaurant for some dinner and music.

Break from the Beach

Over the course of your vacation, make sure you also check out the other attractions of Daytona Beach. Bring your family out for a river cruise and some fishing activities. Then you can drive back to your hotel. Some areas of the beach are open to vehicles. Spend the afternoons watching the sunsets and enjoying hotdogs and cotton candy. There are also tons of entertainment and shopping centers in the area -- be sure to buy souvenirs for the people back home, because they’ll want some of the nice items you can pick up in Daytona Beach, for certain!

Daytona Beach provides detailed information on Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Hotels, Daytona Beach Vacation Rentals, Daytona Beach Spring Break and more. Daytona Beach is affiliated with Panama City Beach Hotels.

World's Best Beaches from Yahoo Travel

World's Best Beaches

1. Kaanapali, Hawaii

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

3. Cancun, Mexico

4. Miami, Florida

5. Panama City, Florida

6. Montego Bay, Jamaica

7. Phuket, Thailand

8. Santa Barbara, California

9. Mikonos, Greece

10. Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Best Beaches in Asia

Been to Malibu more times than you can count? Feeling sick of those overly tanned socialites in the Hamptons? If you need a respite from American beaches, Asia is dotted with hundreds (or maybe thousands) of beaches that look as if they were custom made to fit your description of paradise. Good exchange rates and a visit during the off season (from May to September) make your stay a little cheaper, especially if you stay away from touristy areas. Of course, the plane tickets will be more expensive, but it may be worth it just to get your own little slice of heaven. Here are some of Asia's best beaches – places where you can forget all about the corporate cage.


Phi Islands, Thailand

Although heavily affected by the 2004 tsunami, the larger of the two Phi Phi islands, Phi Phi Don, is speedily rebuilding. Nevertheless, some parts of the island were virtually untouched, and some people claim that the waters are clearer and the sand even whiter than before. Known for its towering limestone cliffs, beautiful coral reefs and turquoise waters, it's hard to imagine that a place as beautiful as this even exists. Although August is the rainy season in Thailand, the off season usually brings less crowds and cheaper accommodations. Locals are quick to point out that it does not rain all day, and that there are usually only about 10 rainy days in a month. Its smaller neighbor, Phi Phi Le, is uninhabited and is a veritable Eden—it was where “The Beach” was filmed. Phi Phi Don can be reached only by boat—there are no cars on the island, meaning no blaring car alarms to jolt you from your sleep, or rude honking to ruin your sun bathing. The downside: more and more tourists are discovering the Phi Phi islands—a sign that you should plan a trip sooner rather than later.

Insider's Tip: Want to see a shark? Hin Phae is a popular place to go shark watching.



Cheju Island, Korea

Known for its popularity with honeymooners, Cheju Island (or Jeju Island), is often called the “Hawaii of the Orient” because of its volcanic origins and beautiful beaches. Located about an hour's plane ride from Seoul, Cheju island is centered around Mt. Halla, or Halla San, a dead volcano that last erupted over 1000 years ago. The big stone lava structures and carvings around the island give it an earthy, mysterious charm, and it is easy to believe in the many myths and legends told about the island. Cheju Island is ideal for those not just interested in sun bathing, even though its beaches are beautiful. Its underwater caves and rock formations make perfect homes for marine life, and in the spring, wildflowers turn rolling fields into a sea of yellow. Still relatively unknown by non-Korean tourists, Cheju Island is definitely worth discovering.

Insider's Tip: Cheju Island has a deep history that is appealing to many tourists. Its isolation from Korea in earlier centuries gave rise to a matrilineal society, and its folk villages and haenyo—women who dive into the sea in search of abalone and conch—are some of Cheju Island's biggest attractions.



Palolem, Goa, India

Goa is known for its miles of beaches, and Palolem is without a doubt one of its most beautiful. With its crescent shaped, mile long beach dotted with bamboo huts and swaying coconut trees, it's easy to feel as if you've somehow stepped into another world. Unlike some of the other beaches on Goa's coast, Palolem's sole purpose for existing is to provide beach enthusiasts with a place to relax. There are no nightclubs, and no tales of partying for four days straight, just its clear, calm waters perfect for swimming. Accommodations can be found near the beach; the bamboo huts and guest houses are much more abundant than luxury hotels. Palolem also offers dolphin watching and fishing for those who are bored with sunbathing, although its best offering is its beach. After a few days at Palolem, you'll feel as if you don't have a care in the world—and will be sorely tempted to extend your vacation for the rest of your life.

Insider's Tip: Need refreshments? Fresh fruit juices and good food can be found in the small shacks around the beach.



Boracay, Philippines

Although one might be tempted to simply bask in Boracay's white sand beaches and sparkling aqua waters, Boracay offers more than enough activities to make any sport enthusiast happy. From mountain biking to windsurfing to beach volleyball, Boracay has built up a reputation for being one of the world's best places to be active. Annual tournaments are held in both windsurfing and beach volleyball, and more customary beach sports, such as diving and snorkeling, are also very popular. But if sports aren't your cup of tea (or coconut juice), there are plenty of other things to do. The hike up to Mt. Luho promises a great view, and once up there, a nap in a hammock is a great reward for your efforts. Boracay also has a number of natural attractions, from bat caves on the northeast coast to a forest of dead trees to the south. A tour of the Dead Forest on a night of a full moon may be a fun alternative to a sweaty club. Horseback riding on the shore and island hopping are also favorites of visitors to Boracay, and massages can be had either at the beach or at a spa for as low as $10 an hour. One thing's for sure—you'll never be bored in Boracay.

Insider's Tip: The famous White Beach is often overcrowded, and justifiably so—it's breathtakingly gorgeous. But smaller sandy bays around the coast of the island can be a great (and less hectic) alternative to the crowds.



Pulau Tioman, Malaysia –where Bali Hai comes to life

Home of the fictional Bali Hai in “South Pacific”, Pulau Tioman is a haven for nature lovers who want some sun bathing on the side. Part of a string of islands off Malaysia's east coast, Pulau Tioman boasts beautiful white sand beaches along its edges and an unspoiled jungle interior. The water is clear to a depth of 100 feet, and plenty of coral reefs surround the island. Snorkeling and diving are especially popular due to the abundant marine life—parrotfish and butterfly fish are frequent sights. The jungle interior is also one of Pulau Tioman's greatest attractions, as many tourists choose to go on walking trails to discover waterfalls of their own. Pulau Tioman is sometimes thought of as Malaysia's “Galapagos Islands”, as its hills host rarities such as the Coelogyne tiomanensis orchid, which can only be found in Tioman's jungle. New species of reptiles have been discovered as recently as 2003. No doubt about it, Tioman is a unique place—a tropical paradise still yet to be fully explored.
Insider's Tip: Love fishing? Visitors to Tioman can easily rent out a boat for the day and go fishing either right by the coast or out into the deeper sea. It's perfect for a barbecue right on the beach.


Source: http://www.ialink.tv

Best Beaches for Surfers, Lushes, Nudists ...

This aricle in The Everything Guide to the Caribbean
from http://nymetro.com (New York Magazine)


(1) Surfers:

Spanish Wall Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico


(2) Nudists:

Saline Beach, St. Barts


(3) Snorkeling:

Hol Chan, Caye Caulker, Belize


(4) Solitude:

North Lee Bay Beach, Fallen Jerusalem, BVI


(5) Gays:

Cupecoy Beach, Sint Maarten



(6) Billionaires:

Pinney’s Beach, Nevis



(7) Sunset:

Pink Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas



(8) Drunks:

Mullins Beach, St. Peter Parish, Barbados



(9) Ganja:

Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica



(10) Nonswimmers:

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands



(11) Doctors:

Grand Anse, Grenada



(12) Shelling:

The JC Beach, Eleuthera Island, Bahamas



(13) Celebs:

Platinum Coast, Barbados

The Best Beaches in Vietnam

Nha Trang

Vietnam's Ocean City is very crowded in the summertime with domestic tourists, but it's a great escape. The city has a few worthy sights -- otherwise a cluttered market town -- but there are some great new resorts and the best seafood going.

Mui Ne Beach

Phan Thiet: Just a few hours from Saigon, Phan Thiet is the latest getaway for Saigon expats. There's a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, the seafood is good, and there are some great day trips to remote sand dunes and smaller fishing villages.

Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc boasts vast tracts of interior forestland and far-flung beaches great for exploring by motorbike. For now there's just a small clutch of mid- to low-end resorts, but the times they are a-changin' and development is on the way. Get here fast.

Source: frommers.com

South America - Secluded Beaches - Best of the New World

17. Mexico's best place for a delicious nap - The beaches at the Si'aan Kaan Biosphere offer white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. This nature preserve, located on the Yucatan peninsula-just outside Tulum-is also home to iguanas and exotic sea birds. Chances are, it'll just be you, a good book and the animals here. Should you nod off, the only thing likely to wake you will be the roar of the surf.

18. Nicaragua's best sunset views - Rancho Santana, a 1,700-acre reserve along the southern coast of Nicaragua, consists of two miles of coastline and three secluded beaches: Playa Rosada (Rose Beach), Playa Dorada (Golden Beach) and Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach). Set on a hillside, the reserve affords spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Don't be in too much of a hurry to leave after sunbathing-sunset here is unbelievably beautiful.

19. Panama's shimmering secret - Less than 25 miles from Panama City, Contadora Island boasts white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, hidden coves and wildlife viewing. The beaches here are far less crowded than at the country's tourist resort areas. However, for a truly private experience, you can visit the beaches of other islands by boat or jet ski.

20. Argentina's best chill-out session - The Atlantic Coast of Argentina-just 200 miles from Buenos Aires-offers beautiful scenery, numerous sports activities, as well as a fair amount of solitude. The beaches in the small resort town of Pinamar are pristine and comparatively uncrowded. Located adjacent to a natural pine forest, this area is one of the most beautiful in the country. What's more, the seafood restaurants here are excellent.

21. Brazil's best place for gliders and voyeurs - Sใo Conrado beach, while not too far from the center of Rio de Janeiro, is far less crowded than Ipanema or Copacabana-and the water is cleaner. What's more, the conditions here are perfect for hang gliding. If you're not up for the experience of hovering in the air for hours, watching the gliders is a particularly satisfying leisure activity.

22. Brazil's best reason to drive 90 miles - Cabo Frio, located some 90 miles north of Rio, offers even more seclusion than Sใo Conrado. The beach here is practically deserted and is adjacent to a 17th-century convent and forts, which lend a gothic sense of drama to the experience. Beachgoers are cautioned to leave valuables in their hotel safes as thieves from nearby favelas (slums) are known to target the area.

23. Ecuador's best of both worlds - For fans of natural beaches (as opposed to theme parks), Salinas offers white sand, clear turquoise water and excellent whale watching. While this area is technically on the Pacific "Route of the Sun", (known for its numerous tourists resorts), it tends to be less crowded and more friendly. On the other hand, if you need a bit of excitement, the main road here offers relaxed strolls, shops, restaurants and even a few discos.

24. Uruguay's best place to go when you "vant to be alone" - Punta del Este is widely known for its outstanding resorts and, as such, tends to be rather touristy. The good news is that you don't have to charter a flight to get to more secluded environs. Just 52 miles from the crowds of Punta del Este, Bahํa Grande boasts beautiful beaches (wider, in fact, than their Punta del Este counterparts), a mere smattering of people and blue-green water. Visit the beachfront town of La Paloma, which is known for its remarkable lighthouse.

By
Michael Russell
http://travel-guided.com/

Best beaches for families in US

From USATODAY.com

1. Nantucket, Mass.

2. Hilton Head Island, S.C.

3. South Walton, Fla.

4. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

5. La Jolla Beach, San Diego, Calif.

Best Beaches of Europe

Tourist resorts appeal to the traveler who enjoys the convenience of nearby restaurants, nightclubs and bars, as well as the many on-site amenities provided. But you may have found that the added stress inherent in these overcrowded facilities outweighs the benefits of the hot stone massages you can have there. You're not exactly antisocial. Perhaps you've just had sand kicked in your face one too many times. or you're tired of dodging Frisbees and footballs on the beach. Now it's time for some peace and quiet.

So what to do? Pack a picnic lunch, a good read and a swimsuit (or not!) and head for the road less traveled. Here's a list of undiscovered beaches to help you navigate that road. And where does it lead? Away from the crowds. Wear sunscreen and enjoy your book!

1. Croatia's best beach for bathing in your birthday suit - If you're a sun worshipper who prefers to bathe sans swimsuit, Croatia boasts some 20 official naturist resorts as well as numerous naturist beaches and hidden coves. Nudist Camp Beach, Vrboska, Hvar, has a bistro and grocery store as well as a pleasant pebble beach. Take the ferry from Trogir and get off at Starigrad. Go straight out the exit road and look for signs. A friendly, multi-purpose beach, this place attracts Czech, Danish, German and British visitors, but is rarely crowded. Wind surfing in the buff? Why not give it a whirl?

2. France's best strolling tan - The secluded, sandy beaches of Belle Ile en Mer are accessible by ferry from Quiberon. Located just off the coast of Brittany, this is the largest of the French islands in the Atlantic; its powdery sand beaches, freshwater creeks and excellent water-sports conditions are unsurpassed in the region, yet the area tends to be relatively uncrowded. The beach at Locmaria has delightful footpaths along which visitors can explore the coastal landscape at their leisure-while getting a remarkable tan.

3. Germany's sunny secret - Germany's East Frisian Islands, along the North Sea coastline, have miles of sandy beaches frequented mainly by nude sunbathers. Few visitors are aware of this stretch and, as such, you're likely to have a beach to yourself. These islands also have quaint fishing villages, seal watching opportunities, as well as an ancient language and culture.

4. Greece: What Greek locals know - While most of Greece's beaches are pebbly, Skiathos boasts soft sand as well as a quaint Old Town section. What's more, this area is relatively undiscovered when compared to touristy Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu. As a result, Skiathos is said to be the Greeks' favorite island. It is one of the Sporades group in the northwestern Aegean and can be reached by ferry from either Kimi or Volos.

5. Italy: Sardinia's best bronzing - Far from the crowds and about 31 miles southwest of Cagliari, La Costa del Sud has unspoiled beaches and many hidden coves to explore. The area also boasts crystal clear water and a temperate climate. Torre di Chia beach is easily accessible by bus from Cagliari. Capo Spartivento-the next beach over-is quite a bit larger and has two lovely islands on which to bronze oneself.

6. Spain's shy person's pick - If you're in need of some quiet time away from the crowds, head for the Costa Brava. This rugged coast, which stretches from Blanes to the French border, boasts rocky cliffs and miles of sandy beaches. The drive along this coastal road is spectacular: Greek, Roman, Phoenician and Arabic ruins dot the landscape as do fortified villages from the days of the pirate invasions. The beaches along the route are the country's most secluded.

7. Spain's original (and still best) nude beaches - Ibiza was the first place in Spain to offer nude beaches and it still has some great beaches for those who like to let it all hang out! El Cavallet in Cabo Falcon-with it's rolling sand dunes and many secluded areas-offers great sunbathing. Families flock to the northern end, while the south is a popular gay hangout. Another beach worth donning the birthday suit to is nearby Aguas Blancas. Be warned, it can get very crowded in July and August.

8. Ireland's rugged best - Just seven miles from Wexford Town, Curracloe Beach is an unspoiled and sandy white strand. Adjacent to a protected pine forest, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The water here is like champagne and the beach is rarely crowded. If you've seen Saving Private Ryan, you may feel a sense of d้jเ vu as you stroll along the strand: the D-Day Normandy landing scenes were filmed here.

By
Michael Russell
http://travel-guided.com