Mexico's Riviera Maya

Mexico's Riviera Maya: The New Caribbean Vacation Hot Spot

Travelers who are looking for a fantastic all-inclusive resort destination that is priced far below most tropical destinations in and around the Caribbean should look into Mexico's Riviera Maya. This area has fast become a very popular tropical vacation getaway for travelers from around the world.

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The Riviera Maya is located on the Caribbean side of Mexico and encompasses the stretch of coastline ranging from about 5 miles to 60 miles south of Cancun.

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Don't be misled into thinking that because you fly into Cancun to get to the Riviera Maya that it is anything like Cancun and its spring break, party-like atmosphere...it is far from it. The Riviera Maya has been set aside by the Mexican government as a semi-protected area, and as such it cannot become the touristy, high-rise resort type of destination you find in the Cancun hotel zone. Resorts can only be built 3-stories or less in height and they have to be constructed to embrace the surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and topography. It is a much more family-friendly and romantic vacation destination.

Resorts in the Riviera Maya are primarily all-inclusive properties. Because of the remote locations of many of the properties there are very few offsite dining areas. All-inclusive resorts give the traveler the benefit of having everything paid for prior to their arrival. All meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non-motorized watersports, and other amenities are included in package prices. The more upscale all-inclusive resorts of 4-star and higher quality typically have many different restaurant options ranging from buffet to world-class a la carte cuisine....all-included! Some of the more popular resort chains in the Riviera Maya include Iberostar Resorts, Palace Resorts, and Secrets Resorts & Spas. Resorts run anywhere from more family-related types of properties or resorts for the budget-minded to very upscale adults-only spa resorts.

One of the best reasons to choose the Mexico Riviera Maya for your next vacation is not just for the superb quality resorts and great value, but also for the fantastic tours and excursions that are available in around the Yucatan Peninsula region. This area is teeming with Mayan ruins and ancient architecture that are very popular with tourists. The most majestic of the local Mayan ruins are the pyramids of Chichen Itza. These incredibly preserved pyramids date back to 400AD and this awe-inspiring tour will leave with you many wonderful memories. There are many other Mayan ruins tours you can take as well. In addition to ruins you can also experience many eco-based tours that take you to game and marine preserves where you will find amazing wildlife and snorkeling that is nothing short of amazing. Another popular day-trip for those staying in the Riviera Maya region is the island of Cozumel. You can reach this quaint island by ferry from the town of Playa del Carmen located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. It is a short 45 minute ferry ride and once there you will find duty-free shopping, great dining, and some of the world's best SCUBA diving and snorkeling.

If you have taken tropical vacations in the Caribbean or Hawaii and are looking for a new destination to go to the Riviera Maya is an excellent choice that will definitely impress and have you ready to come back to again and again.

Driving in the Outer Hebrides

When you think of the Outer Hebrides, you normally think of sandy beaches, ancient standing stones and lilting Scottish accents. You don't normally associate the Outer Hebrides with some of the best driving in the British Isles...

I certainly didn't expect to enjoy the driving so much when I visited the Western Isles (the other name for the Outer Hebrides) in Scotland recently.

It certainly isn't speed that makes the roads in the Outer Hebrides so exhilarating. In fact, for much of the time I didn't get out of third gear...

The roads are often single track with passing places. And where they are single track, often there are rocky ditches either side of a surprisingly narrow track. If you are at all in doubt of the width of your car, don't drive on the Outer Hebrides!

If the width of the roads wasn't enough, there are other distractions to keep you busy. The first are sheep. There are several times as many sheep on the Outer Hebrides as there are people, and for some reason sheep enjoy standing around in the middle of the road. Lambs are particularly lively and you have to take care when passing.

The other distraction is the often jaw-dropping scenery. Sometimes it's all too tempting to look at the view when you should be watching the road...

The roads themselves are often sinuous, snaking their way through rugged scenery. You can't relax for a moment when you're behind the wheel in the Outer Hebrides.

Fortunately there isn't much other traffic. And while it's always polite to wave to someone who pulls over to let you pass (and return their wave), you quickly find that everyone waves anyway - even where you don't need to pull over. (One chap painting his fence even waved as we drove past.)

The combination of sinuous, single-track roads with awesome scenery populated by obstructive sheep and polite drivers makes driving in the Outer Hebrides such a pleasure.

My top tips for driving in the Outer Hebrides:

Makes sure you have a car with a good third gear. You'll send most of your time in third.
The B8011 from Calanais to Uig Sands on Lewis is fantastic. The beach at Uig Sands is wonderful, but it's worth going there for the drive alone.
If you have a passenger with you, get them to help by spotting approaching cars. An extra pair of eyes can be invaluable.

And although I have now returned from the Outer Hebrides, I have found that I've brought a little of the islands with me: I'm much more patient and polite than I used to be behind the wheel - and that can only be a good thing.

 

Bunbury Western Australia - A Holiday Destination For All

Bunbury is located approximately 172kms south of Perth. Bunbury is a water wonderland visited by day trippers and holiday makers alike all year round. The towns population is approximately 30,000 and continuing to grow.

There is so much to see and do in and around Bunbury too. We have pristine beaches, superb yachting facilities, awesome Karri Forests, caves and inlets, beach and sea fishing, breathtaking dives including the amazing 'Lena Wreck', playful dolphins, whale watching, great shopping, sumptuous restaurants and a cosmopolitan cappuccino strip, magnificent art galleries, delightful wineries, world-class golfing, lovely lagoons and of course excellent accommodation. Our harbour is one of the most picturesque in W.A. and you can drive along the breakwater all the way to Koombana Bay. Now, you must not leave Bunbury without visiting the dolphins at Koombana Beach (near the inlet mouth of the harbour). Of course we can't promise that they will turn up on time, but this is one of the few places that you can see these magnificent creatures up close and personal. In Bunbury between June and September watch out for magnificent humpback and southern right whales, who pause to play a while !

in the surrounding waters before migrating to the Antarctic.

Bunbury is the major seaport of the South-West region, and the largest centre in Western Australia outside the metropolitan area. It is an expanding regional centre with a wealth of natural and man-made resources. It is surrounded by much of WA's best agricultural land, and the area is also rich in minerals. Bunbury, however, is primarily a holiday centre, and each year thousands come here to enjoy their holidays. The city is also used as a base to visit many beauty spots of the South-West.

Mandurah - Western Australia - A Holiday Destination For All

Mandurah is located approximately 72kms south of Perth - Western Australia. Mandurah is a water wonderland visited by day trippers and holiday makers alike all year round. The towns population is approximately 50,000 and continuing to grow. In fact Mandurah is the fastest growing regional town in Western Australia! It won Tourism Town of the year 2003 and It is now home to activities such as surfing, swimming, crabbing, dolphin watching, boating, fishing and world-class golfing, and that's just scratching the surface!

The town centre of Mandurah is situated around Mandjar Bay and it's foreshore is lined with wonderful parkways, barbeque facilities cafe's, restaurants and a great boardwalk, which is just one of the many other walks available. During weekends and holiday seasons the Mandurah foreshore is packed solid with visitor's enjoying the beautiful surroundings and watching the dolphins at play. At night the Foreshore lights up to produce a spectacular display of coloured lights which are reflected on the water. Its a fabulous lifestyle!

There is so much to do in and around Mandurah that even the locals don't know what they are missing. At MyMandurah.com we intend to make as much information available to visitors and locals alike so that we all get to enjoy the variety of attractions that this beautiful town has to offer. Come and see Mandurah for yourself, you'll love it! I came for a weeks holiday and relocated here 2 months later!

Using credit cards while traveling is a good idea for a number of reasons:

You have a record of your expenditures for record-keeping and tax purposes (especially important if you travel for business)
You may get a better exchange rate when obtaining foreign currency when using your credit card.
Credit card companies can refund disputed charges and may offer extra guarantees, special deals or warranties.
Your liability in the case of a stolen credit card is limited to $50

But, traveling these days is often a juggling act of luggage, boarding passes, identification cards, passports and a gauntlet of security measures. These identification acrobatics can leave you distracted and even a little bit addled, perhaps putting you more at risk of being targeted by an enterprising pickpocket or purse snatcher.

And, even though your liability is limited, costs can quickly add up if multiple cards are involved. Factor in the hassle and increased risk of identity theft, and it is apparent a few preemptive measures can save you from a boatload of heartache.

Consider the following tips as guidelines to traveling safely and affordably with your credit cards....

Plan Ahead:

Anytime you travel you should make photo copies of all of your credit cards airline tickets and documents, both front and back. You should leave these photocopies with a friend or family member.

Be aware that if you make copies of your cards and documents to take with you, you may be giving thieves another opportunity to rip off your personal information. Consider blacking out details such as expiration dates, verification codes and social security numbers.

If you decide not to carry photocopies of your credit cards, be sure to have the card cancellation numbers from the backs of the cards written down and stashed in your luggage.

Leave a Paper Trail:

Save receipts and keep track of the places you used your card. Make sure receipts are stored in a safe place so they can be checked against your credit card statement to ensure unauthorized charges have not been made and/or gone unnoticed.

His & Hers:

When traveling with other family members, even spouses, bring different credit cards that are on separate accounts. When a card is lost or stolen and must be cancelled, all cards on the account are cancelled as well. Having at least two cards from separate accounts will prevent the situation from leaving you stranded.

Lighten Up:

Carry only the personal information absolutely necessary for vacation, such as a passport or driver's license. The less personal information you have, the better off you will be if your purse or wallet is stolen.

When traveling by air, always keep copies of important documents in a separate part of your luggage, such as a carry-on bag.

Keep cards on your person. Most travel stores carry small bags that you can keep cards, cash, and other items you will need to access while out and about. Consider a money belt or security wallet.

Look out for fees:

When traveling abroad and using a credit card, watch out for the conversion fee that many banks levy to convert charges in foreign currencies to dollars, generally 1% of the purchase amount. Some banks charge a fee and some don't so, if you have several cards, it's worth checking with the issuers to see which one has the best deal. Even with the conversion charge, many times ATM machines will have the best possible exchange rates and the lowest fees.

With proper planning, credit cards are a convenient, secure

1. Free lodging!

Find a pen friend. Maybe you haven’t thought of this. It’s the best solution to your budget problems, but you can’t have it overnight! Greek people are hospitable and so are other countries’ people if you become friends with. It’s the simplest thing to do if you like writing letters or just exchanging cards and souvenirs. I’ve done it and a lot of other people have, why not you? Your friend will probably be happy to put you up for a couple of nights and show you around as well. The other alternative is to exchange your house/flat with somebody else’s abroad. There is a site online that will help you find a place .

2. Low cost travel

Stay at campsites. The cheapest alternative to free lodging, at least in Greece. You save money and have fun . Find a campsite at www.greecetravel.com/campsites

3. Invest on a bike.

If you like cycling, then you can do it. In Greece you can cycle to most places and see areas that are worth visiting. You can easily rent a bike , and if you are in Corfu you can try

4. Rent a room in a village or at the port

There are families who rent rooms in their own house ; cheaper than hotel rooms but you have to follow the rules. Where can you find them?

Watch the port area if you come by ship. There are people who approach you and tell you about their own rooms around the area, at low prices. Sometimes you can even bargain to get a better price.

Well, if all these don’t suit you and you may own a caravan , you don’t have to worry about lodgings. You can stay at campsites at low cost, at the side of the road or even in a field for free. You can also hire a caravan and share the expenses, if you travel with friends.

and cost-effective means of payment when traveling. Just keep these tips in mind, and the next time you're balancing on one foot at the security gate, you'll be glad you did.

Albany Western Australia is a city of approximately 30,000 people in the south-west corner of Western Australia, approximately 409km from Perth . The city is nestled between three large hills, Mount Clarence, Mount Melville and Mount Adelaide, facing the beautiful King George III Sound.

The main industries of Albany Western Australia consist of tourism, fishing and agriculture, although before the 1950s whaling was one of the major sources of income and employment for the population. One of Albany's old Whaling stations has now become one of the biggest tourist attractions for the area.

Since that time, Albany has become popular destination for a variety of visitors enjoying the fresh air, clean beaches, and fine views over the Southern Ocean, while still proving to be a thriving regional centre.

There is so much to see and do in and around Albany too. We have pristine beaches, superb yachting facilities, awesome wildflowers (in season), caves and inlets, beach and sea fishing, breathtaking dives, whale watching, great shopping, sumptuous restaurants and a cosmopolitan cappuccino strip, magnificent art galleries, delightful wineries, world-class golfing, lovely lagoons and of course excellent accommodation. Our harbour is one of the most picturesque in W.A. too!

In Albany between June and September watch out for magnificent humpback and southern right whales, who pause to play a while in the surrounding waters before migrating north to the warmer waters to breed.

Albany is the major seaport of the Great Southern region, and the largest centre in Western Australia outside the metropolitan area. It is an expanding regional centre with a wealth of natural and man-made resources. It is surrounded by much of WA's best agricultural land, and the area is also rich in minerals. Albany, however, is primarily a holiday centre, and each year thousands come here to enjoy their holidays. The city is also used as a base to visit many beauty spots of the Great Southern.