I love Caneel Bay

Racking up quite a few awards and recommendations throughout its existence, the Caneel Bay resort arguably offers low key luxury at its best. Perhaps that’s why it’s been a favorite of discerning travelers for decades now. Hailed as the first eco-resort in the Caribbean, Caneel Bay was the brainchild of millionaire Laurance S. Rockefeller, who conceived the idea for the property in the mid-1950's. It’s found on the glorious island of St John, which is one of the main United States Virgin Islands. Since two-thirds of St John has been dedicated as a U.S. National Park, those seeking the great outdoors on their USVI vacation will certainly find plenty of nature here. According to some, St John is the prettiest of the United States Virgin Islands, and when you choose to stay at the Cannel Bay St John resort, you’ll be enjoying not only a beautiful setting, but also an exceedingly fun and relaxing time.


One of the best attributes of Caneel Bay is its location. An exclusive resort, Caneel Bay offers a pristine setting with no less than 7 staggering beaches to choose from. Since the resort is found within the Virgin Islands National Park, guests can feel free to properly disconnect themselves from the hectic world they’ve likely left behind. With 170 lush acres on hand, there seems little end to the amount of exploration that Caneel Bay guests can enjoy, and when it’s time to refuel, the resort’s excellent cuisine surely hits the spot. Dine at the elegant Turtle Bay Estate House, and you’ll not only savor the sumptuous food, but also the inspiring views out over the peninsula. Perhaps in the afternoon you’ll be up for a nice cocktail or cup of tea on the Turtle Bay Estate terrace. For those looking to enjoy something a bit more action-packed, there are plenty of other things to get into at the Caneel Bay St John resort as well.


As mentioned earlier, seven glorious beaches can be taken advantage of by those staying at the Caneel Bay resort. Regardless of which Caneel Bay beach you choose, you can expect coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade, soft white sand for comfort, and rich blue-green water to round everything out. Chances are good that your experience at a Caneel Bay beach will be an ideal one. Perhaps you’ll just be up for sunbathing, or maybe you’ll grab some complimentary snorkeling gear to see what lies beneath the sea’s surface. An introductory scuba clinic is offered in the rates as a Caneel Bay package bonus, so if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at scuba diving, the Caneel Bay St John resort is an excellent place to get started. There are also kayaks and small sailboats available to guests free of charge, as well as a list of other complimentary services. If you have room in the budget, there are also scores of activities here to enjoy at an additional charge. They include sailing trips, guided snorkeling tours, tours of St John, power boat rentals, and scuba diving instruction, to name a few.

Of course, if you’re thinking of arranging a Caneel Bay vacation, you might be wondering about the resort’s rooms. There are 166 guest units to choose from at Caneel Bay, and they are spread out over much of the resort’s lush grounds. Each guest room is luxuriously decorated, being mindful of not going way over the top. Hand-crafted furniture, premium fabrics, and native stonework are just some of the added touches that make the Caneel Bay guest rooms so wonderful. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans are standard amenities throughout, but you won’t find any televisions or telephones in the rooms here. No sir, you’re here to unwind and leave it all behind. The rooms here are exceedingly comfortable, though, and since they are equipped with coffee makers, bathrobes, safes, mini-bars, free bottled water, bath products, and more, you’ll certainly enjoy a sufficient amount of modern conveniences. Outside of the rooms, there are telephone pavilions for guests to use, so if you should need to make some calls to arrange tours or things the like, you will be able to do so.

There are different room choices available for those planning a Caneel Bay vacation, and arguably, the 5 rooms in Cottage #7 are the most desirable. You’ll hardly be upset whichever room you choose, though, especially since you’ll likely be spending quite a bit of time outside your quarters. There are a dozen tennis courts on-hand if you like to play, and as mentioned, you can enjoy a number of activities at a Caneel Bay Beach. There is a children’s center that can come in quite handy if you are traveling with kids, and the fitness center and pool are ideal spots to spend some down time. If you can’t make it over to St Croix for a tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery, you might entertain the notion of attending a rum-tasting demonstration at Caneel Bay. There’s just so much to talk about when it comes to the Caneel Bay St John resort. So plan your Caneel Bay vacation today, and see firsthand why it’s easily one of the top United States Virgin Islands resorts. As a side note, most guests at Caneel Bay fly first into the island of St Thomas. There is a Caneel Bay reception area at the St Thomas airport, and from there you’ll be transported via bus and ferry to the resort on St John.

by : destination360.com

Best Mediterranean Beaches for Family Fun

If you are planning a family getaway to Europe and you love the beach, perhaps Mediterranean beaches are the best option for you. The Mediterranean Sea divides Europe from Africa and makes the boundary for over a dozen nations such as Greece, Italy, France, and Spain. Countries like Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and Cyprus are pretty popular with the tourists and showcase the Mediterranean's exotic beaches.

Nature lovers say that the Mediterranean is not just a place but in fact it is a state of mind. The mild climate in the Mediterranean and its hot dry summers makes for perfect beach weather. The deep blue waters are accentuated with the warm hospitality of the Mediterranean people who are well known as being passionate with a real zest for life.

The best time to visit the Mediterranean is between the fall and spring. If you are planning your holidays for August, be sure to make the arrangements way in advance. This is because the coastal towns are often full with vacationing Europeans during this time.

Italy, France and Corsica have some of the most beautiful beaches in this area. Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera and is well-known for its sandy beaches which are animated all year round. You can expect to see people sunbathing and swimming right through the winter months. There are lots of private beach clubs where you can eat or rent a lounger for the day and at either end there are public beaches, and a municipal beach where you can rent deck chair and watch the world go by.

Corsica is an Island and is sophisticated, flashy, and perhaps among the best places in the Mediterranean for water sports. Corsica's 600 miles coastline comprises a number of secluded coves and deserted shores. St Restitude, located near Calvi north-west, is best for a peaceful hideaway. It has a secluded small beach with clean water, soft sand, and adorable pine woods in plenty. There is also Palombaggia Beach, Golfe di Sogno Beach, and Santa-Giulia Beach near the couth-east Porto-Vecchio, an upmarket resort town situated on a rocky hill. The town is very popular among the tourists for its beaches, cafes, restaurants, yacht marina, lively streets, and a wide range of accommodation. The best beach in this town is Palombaggia Beach, a perfect crescent of white sand that is sandwiched between the blue sea and dune clusters.

One of best beaches in Italy is Terracina, situated at 1.5 hours south-west of Rome towards Naples. The Terracina beach is among the best beaches on Italy's mainland and is very long, wide with plenty of soft sand to offer its visitors. Cap de Begur, situated nearly 40 mins from Girona offers plentiful Spanish culture both old and new together with a collection of beautiful small beaches such as Aiguablava, the nudist (families beware) L'Illa Roja, and the family-oriented Llanfranc and Platja de Raco.

you can find great ideas for family beach vacations and family travel in Europe.

Banzai Pipeline - One of World's Best Surfing Beaches

Banzai Pipeline is the world's most spectacular tubular wave found in the North Shore of Oahu. It is the tube that every expert surfer of shooting that when surfers compete for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, they'd patiently wait for days and weeks for the sea to curl into the world's most challenging surf reef break.

To view the waves, locals and tourists have to go to the home of the Banzai Pipeline: the Ehukai Beach Park. Ehukai Beach Park is located on Ke Nui Road off Kamehameha Highway in front of the Sunset Elementary School. Ehukai, which means "reddish tinged water" in Hawaiian, is a white sand beach is fronted by an acre of green grass and shady trees.

Because of its world-famous , the 1.2 acre Ehukai Beach Park gets hordes of visitors especially during winter months.

Spectators, journalists, and photographers crowd the beach as well to watch the surfers ride the world's most dangerous waves.

The beach's pounding waves are for experts only; inexperienced surfers and swimmers have to wait for spring and summer waves to enjoy the waves over the sandbar. Even in summer, however, the waves breaking near the shore and the rip currents are something that swimmers have to negotiate.

Services and amenities: lifeguards, restrooms, showers, parking, picnic areas and tables, phones

5 unique things about Ehukai Beach Park

• Banzai Pipeline got its name in 1961 when surfing movie producer Bruce Brown stopped at the yet-unnamed surf site up Ehukai Beach Park. Coincidentally, a pipeline was being constructed on nearby Kamehameha Highway. California surfer Mike Diffenderfer who was with Brown at the time suggested to name the wave Pipeline. The name was first used in Brown's fourth movie, Surfing Hollow Days. Since the beach that fronted the pipeline was then known as Banzai Beach, Banzai was appended to Pipeline; hence the compound name Banzai Pipeline.
• Ehukai Beach Park is the home of the world's hardest and deadliest surf break, the Banzai Pipeline. More people (surfers and even photographers) have higher statistics of death or serious injury than in any other surf spot.
• Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the world's greatest and most challenging surfing competition, is held here.
• Ehukai Beach Park covers three areas: the Ehukai Beach, Banzai, and Pipeline.
• The sub-plot of the Hollywood film "Blue Crush" starring Kate Bosworth was about shooting the Pipeline.

Book your Hawaii resort and come to enjoy Banzai Pipeline and other Hawaii Attractions.

Best Family Beach Vacations in Anguilla

If it is your first visit to Anguilla, you are bound to be surprised by the level of hospitality the tiny island with a population of a mere 12,000 people will offer you. The number of Anguillions is undoubtedly small, but their hearts are big and smiles welcoming. The island is popular for its tranquility and has every natural ingredient to make you feel how beautiful life is when you're in nature's lap.

Anguilla is renowned for its beaches. Its 35-mile coastline has over 33 beaches, of which, many rank among the best in the Caribbean. The beauty of the soft white sand sloping calmly into the shallow blue waters is breathtaking. What is special about the island is the fact that it has beaches of a wide variety to suit individual preferences. There are beaches that are quiet and secluded, some others that are busier, some ideal for a romantic walk, and some that are coves specially designed for snorkeling, diving, and conducting romantic picnics. All these beaches are serene and spectacular, with cleanliness all around. The most spectacular sight is that of the saltwater ponds that shelter snowy egrets and great blue herons.

Standards of accommodation in Anguilla are very high, and so is the famous gourmet cuisine's quality. There are plenty of hotels on the island specializing in offering a luxurious stay. One also has a variety of options in budget accommodations to choose from.

Here are some resorts we recommend for family vacations in Anguilla:

Malliouhana Hotel & Spa
Arawak Beach Inn
La Sirena Hotel
Carimar Beach Club
Rendezvous Bay Hotel & Villas
Shoal Bay Villas

If you are traveling with younger kids, you may want to primarily focus on hotels that offer an organized children's program or babysitting. Or if you're vacationing in Anguilla with kids that are older, you might want to pay particular attention to hotels that provide a game room or arcade, and also offer outdoor activities like a swimming pool, water sports, and tennis. No matter what amenities are important for your family, Anguilla has a resort that will be perfect for your family beach vacation.

Interestingly, no visitor can get lost in the island, as there is only one main road, aptly called the Main Road. This road branches off beautifully to bays and beaches that nature lovers, swimmers, divers, and sun worshippers are mesmerized with, and would never want to leave.

St John USVI - Some of the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

St John USVI is the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands. Its sister islands are St Thomas and St Croix. The exotic beaches here are unique among the beaches of the Caribbean and the world.

The island is only nine miles long and three miles wide and two thirds of the island is the Virgin Islands National Park and therefore protected by the USA Park Rangers.

But, most of the tourists arrive in St John for its beaches. They are unspoiled and surrounded by pristine waters touching the while sand beaches.

It is located to the east of St Thomas on a 20 minute ride by ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay in St John. Coming from St Thomas that is populated and very busy, you will notice that you arrived to a place totally the opposite, St John is laid back, relaxed and the calm can be felt all over.

Beaches

• Trunk Bay

This is one of the most famous destinations in the Virgin Islands. It is located about two miles from Cruz Bay. It is a hearth shaped spectacular beach. This beach has visitor's facilities, like showers, changing areas, restrooms, food area, as well as picnic facilities.

The white powdered sands are surrounded on one side by coconut pal trees and on the other side by crystal clear blue waters.

When visiting Trunk Bay pay a visit to the Archaeological dig where many prehistoric artifacts were found. You'll see remnants of bones and plant material.

This is an ideal beach for Family Vacations, since the place is children friendly with many water sports and calm waters. And at the same time very popular with groups of cruise lines passengers, that like to spend the day here.

Trunk Bay is easily accessible by public bus, taxi or car; there is a scenic ferry ride across Pillsbury Sound to St. John.

• Cinnamon Bay

Larger than Trunk Bay, this beach offers beautiful jungle like surroundings, featuring mango and cacao trees, as well as great underwater life and water sports.

It is located three miles distance of Cruz Bay on North Shore Road. The beach is great for kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving or swimming through flagrant corals and colorful tropical fish. You will also find here all facilities for visitors like changing rooms, showers, lockers and a local restaurant. There are also facilities for picnics and family reunions.

• Salt Pond Bay

This is a fairly unknown beach along the southern coast of the island. It features a salt pond where locals take salt from. The salt is formed from sea water that enters the pond via subterranean tunnels. Once the water evaporates it leaves a white foamy residue of sea salt.

• Blue Cobblestone Beach

This beach gets its name from the cobblestones along the beach. It is great for a snorkeling adventure along the large rocks. This area is also renowned for bird watching because the area is more secluded and the birds abound here.

• Caneel Bay

Cannel Bay is am idyllic resort area. The beaches are made of powdered white sands great for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling.

To get there you will take a ferry from St Thomas provided by the resort and dock in their private pier. Or if you are already on the island you'll take route 20 and turn left where the sign tells you to get to the beach.

• Hawksnest Beach

This beach is very accessible and popular among locals in St John. It is a short drive from Cruz Bay. The parking for this beach is very close to the sea, making it very easy to carry all you need for a great beach day.

They have all facilities for picnics and barbeques. The corals and tropical fish here are incredibly beautiful. Some of the fish you'll find here are the grunt, fry and goatfish. Your entire family will love the scene under the sea regardless of age.

• Maho Bay

This beach offers a lot to families with small children and those who like calm and shallow waters for swimming.

You can get to this beach going past Cinnamon Bay one more mile. You may park below one of the maho Trees and enjoy your day. There are no signs or parking spots, just plain beach. The road is lined by coconut palm trees.

The snorkeling between Maho Beach and Little Maho is great. You'll enjoy and array of tropical fish and exotic coral reefs.

Salomon Beach, St John

It used to be a Nude Beach, but since the new legislation on public nudity, this is no longer possible. Those breaking the law may get fines of hundreds of dollars and even jail time.

It has become a family beach, but it is accessible only by boat or by hiking through a guided trail. This trail is one of many provided by the authorities.

The waters are calm and shallow in Salomon Beach and the coral reefs are spectacular. This is a great place for beginning snorkelers. The reefs between Salomon Beach and Honeymoon Bay are unique.

Villas or Resorts

You will find in St John accommodation for any budget and two luxury resorts. You can find here a large variety of restaurants offering Continental and Caribbean Cuisine and many bars offering entertainment featuring the best musicians attracted to St John.

There are million dollar villas that are available for rent through local agents. These villas offer all amenities expected by those looking for a deluxe vacation including concierge and maid services.

A visit to St John in the American Virgin Islands is an unforgettable experience. You'll be happy you came.

Getting the Best Deals on Miami Beach Condos

Settling down in Miami Beach requires a residential unit that will fit your specification of a family home. Considering that the city is a hodgepodge of cultures, you can practically see dozens of different architectural designs available that will suit your taste.

One of the most sought after residential properties in Miami Beach are the condominiums. These luxurious homes are prized among the rest considering the functionality and the convenience of having one for your very own. Despite the fact that Miami Beach condos are quite expensive to acquire, as compared to other residential units like single-family homes or apartments, having one under your name is a big change in regards to your daily upkeep and lifestyle.

Finding The Right One

If you want to maximize your condo acquisition, you need to decide on several factors that will determine its usefulness for your needs. First, you need to do a little research regarding the prices of condominiums in Miami Beach. Though most of them are quite expensive for your taste, some of these residential complex do exists that providers lower rates than the rest.

Aside from the price, you need to look into the different amenities and facilities in a condo unit so that you can decide on which one would be perfect for your needs. Take into consideration the amenities of each unit, like the number of rooms, floor area, furniture and fixtures, and so on. Check also the available facilities that you will jointly own with the rest of the residents, such as swimming pools, housekeeping staff, security and privacy features, entertainment and recreational facilities, and so on.

The Status Of The Miami Beach Real Estate Market

If you want to purchase these luxury units at the lower price, then you need to keep a close eye on the real estate market of Miami Beach. We can never deny the fact that the prices of assorted residential units fluctuate depending on the status of the real estate market, as well as the demands and availability of these units for acquisition.

You might want to exercise a little bit of patience and wait until the prices of condo units in Miami Beach is at its lowest. You can consult a real estate agent to get the info you need, or hire their services to look for a Miami Beach condo that will fit your budget.

Considering that the real estate market of Miami Beach is currently recovering from the effects of the housing crisis that hit the entire U.S. You can safely say that the market will be returning to normal in a few years time, but the demand for such commodities is high considering that the prices are still lower compared to the market boom in the last decade.

Swansea - Britain's Best Beach

Swansea, fondly called Copperpolis, is situated on the sandy South West Wales coast.

Bounded by Swansea Bay and the Bristol Channel to the south, you will never run out of things to do in Swansea. The beaches at Langland, Caswell and Limeslade attract swimmers and tourists because of its safety making ideal for families and children. Swansea Bay on the other hand has a good community of water-sports enthusiasts. It offers an impressive range of activities that include sailing, water skiing, surfing, coasteering, kayaking, scuba diving, canoeing and wakeboarding.

Hiking is also an attraction. Thanks to the coastal paths that connect most of the Gower bays and Swansea Bay itself, countryside views have been made possible all throughout the year. Swansea offers breathtaking views of mountain landscapes.

Mumbles, a former fishing village, has a Victorian pier with a good number of restaurants, pubs and coffee shops. The promenade at Mumbles offers a panoramic view of Swansea Bay.

Swansea has a range of pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and two casinos with the majority of city centre bars lining up on fabulous Wind Street. Most of the popular clubs, including Oceana, are located on the Kingsway. Live music is also played in some venues. The Mumbles Mile, formerly "one of Wales' best-known pub crawls" as described by the BBC is located in Swansea.

Swansea boasts over three miles (5 km) of soft, golden sands, making it the ideal family getaway. Its beaches have received a lot of attention and numerous praises from travel magazines. Travel writers visiting more than 1,000 beaches all over the world in search of the perfect sands in 2007 have declared Oxwich Bay on the Gower peninsula as the most beautiful beach in Britain. The Travel Magazine put its stamp of approval on Oxwich's "magnificent and unspoiled" scenery and as a "great place for adults and children to explore". In addition, The Guardian awarded it as one of Britain's top 10 category beaches in 2007.

Cap Juluca In Anguilla

Cap Juluca is an exclusive Caribbean hotel that is located to the southwest coast of Anguilla, of the British Virgin Islands. The resort is set on 179 tranquil acres, and surrounded by white sandy beaches, palm trees, and water so clear that you can see to the bottom.

Guests of the Cap Juluca resort are accommodated in 18 beachfront style villas which will house no more than six rooms each. The rooms measure
at least 700 square feet in size and feature large marble bathrooms, white tile floors, and louvered doors which will open wide to let in the cool sea breezes. During the morning, guests can enjoy complimentary continental breakfast which is served on their own private terrace.

The Cap Juluca also offers six pool villas which are surrounded by foliage on the edge of the beach. The pool villas offer either a private or shared swimming pool, sundeck, and even golf carts to help you travel around the property.

The resort design features exotic arches, domes,turrets, and parapets. The white villas, which are situated along the white sands of the mile long Maundays Bay, is surround by tropical flowers, palm trees, and breathtaking fountains.

This beach vacation also offers a number of great activities which include water sports, croquet, a health club, herb and endangered species gardens, children's program, nature trails and even tennis. Cove and Maundays Bay offer a mile of beach, where you can enjoy kayaking, sail, snorkeling, waterski, and even windsurfing.

You can also arrange for island tours at the Cap Juluca in Anguilla to explore the many beaches, go scuba diving, or even deep sea fishing. When it comes to fun on the water, this resort has something to offer everyone in your family.

The spa services at the Cap Juluca include specialized treatments such as Cap Juluca for two, a Thai massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and even kinesiology.

Cap Juluca offers guests two restaurants and a 24 hour room service. One of them, George's, features pool and beachfront dining, serving guests contemporary tropical cuisine that includes salads, seafood, burgers, and even sandwiches.

The other restaurant, Pimms, is decorated with white Moorish arches and serves French-Asian cuisine within walking distance of the Caribbean Sea.

If you've been looking for a great beach vacation, the Cap Juluca in Anguilla will provide just what you need. There's something here for the
entire family, no matter what your family likes to do. Waking up on an island with the ocean at your back door is truly an amazing feeling - which is what Cap Juluca is truly all about.

Cotton House Beach Vacation

The only hotel on the exotic island of Mustique, the cotton house offers luxurious service, privacy, and plenty of secluded beaches. You can spend your days exploring the marine life, relaxing by the pool, or getting pampered by the enticing spa.

The spa at the Cotton House offers an amazing array of services, such as massages, facials, reflexology, wraps, and fully body treatments. You can catch a spa in one of the four treatment rooms, just steps from the beach, or even in the privacy of your own room.


Situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the 1,400 acre Mustique Island offers a tennis club, nine secluded and beautiful beaches,
which are perfect for scuba diving, windsurfing, and even snorkeling.

Rooms and suites
The Cotton House offers just 19 luxurious guest rooms, cottages, and suites, most offering private patios and panoramic views of the ocean. The amentities offered by the Cotton House include soft French cotton linens, a pillow menu, air, flat screen televisions, and maid service twice a day.

If you are planning a honeymoon twist to your beach vacation, you can splurge on one of the cottages with a private plunge pool, or even book the two bedroom Cotton Hill Residence which offers a private swimming pool and its own staff that are dedicated to you.

Eating
From dining in your cottage, ordering a picnic basket and going to an empty beach, or just having a romantic candlelit dinner, Mustique leaves the choices up to you. A traditional afternoon tea is served each day in the Great Room, while there are weekly cocktail parties held by the Cotton
House as well.

Getting there
There are three ways that you can fly to Mustique. You can go via Barbados, via Martinique, or via Saint Vincent. From Barbados, you can take a Grenadines Airways flight to Mustique for around $400 per person - round trip flight.