Tropical Beaches

All Inclusive Accommodation

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:10:27 +0000

So you want to go on holiday and not lift a finger? To have everything on your door step? Then all inclusive accommodation is the answer for you. Three daily meals are included and more often than not drinks are too, so sit back, relax, unwind and make the most of lazing in the sun.

Generally speaking a lot of all inclusive holidays are based around the more exotic locations of the Caribbean, Asia and South America. When booking it is best to bear in mind that accommodation in such destinations can have more relaxed hygiene standards than what you might expect, so it is advisable to check for reviews online of the quality of the catering of your chosen resort. That being said the food can be exquisite and as the destinations are generally exotic you are in for a treat of sampling some fantastic world cuisine that you may not normally come across.

All inclusive resorts attract more middle age holiday makers and you will find a lot of couples also that choose this type of holiday, as it offers more opportunity to spend time together and the company of a loved one. It is common for honeymooners to book all inclusive holidays in typical destination like the Maldives. All inclusive resorts are best avoided if you are a lone traveler and single as you will not find many people in the same situation.

Some of the top destinations for all inclusive holidays are:

Mauritius
Maldives
Dubai
Caribbean
Dominican Republic
Goa
Seychelles

Half Board Accommodation

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:10:01 +0000

Like many of us these days we are all looking to economise and get the most out of what we buy. For this reason half board holidays can make a lot of sense. Half board includes breakfast and normally an evening meal, both of which are generally of a buffet style. This gives you the affordability of self catering with the luxury of avoiding the cooking and cleaning. Quite often the food on offer is varied and the quality is dependent on the hotel you are boarding at.

The negative aspect for half board holidays is the lack of flexibility. As many of us enjoy a few extra hours in bed when on holiday, if you do not wake up in time for breakfast you can miss it completely. Likewise evening meals can be missed if you spend the afternoon on a travel tour or you happen to have travelled a long distance from you hotel, thus making it not possible to get back for your evening meal in time. Some hotels will be flexible and will even save you the evening meal if you specifically inform them you will not back in time for service.

Overall half board is recommended for those that are happy with the early morning breakfast schedule and do not venture too far from the hotel in the evenings. It is very convenient and can be economical too.

Beach essentials

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:06:59 +0000

It may seem obvious what you should take to the beach with you, but what isn’t obvious is what NOT to take with you. If you plan to go in the sea whilst at the beach then do not take your designer sunglasses. If they drop into the sea you will never get them back, leave them on the beach and someone may take them or they could get scratched by the sand. Instead have a pair of cheap sunglasses specifically for the beach.

Do not take lots of money or any important documents. Your passport should be left at your hotel reception or safe along with your room key and you should only have just enough money to buy a couple of drinks and pay for your beach bed and/or parasol. Take a large bottle of water and drink it! High factor, waterproof, sun lotion and a sun hat. Sun hats are great when soaked in the cold sea water and then put on your head for instant relief from the burning sun. It is great to capture moments on the beach on your camera but again, don not take your very expensive camera that can be easily broken by the sand, water or taken by a passer by. Buy a disposable camera for the beach so no one is tempted to take it. You can now get waterproof disposable cameras to which are great for under water shots. An old towel and pair of flip flops are the only other things you will need.

Topless & nudist guide

admin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:05:54 +0000

It may come as no surprise that nine of the top ten nudist beaches are in Europe, the other being in Florida. That being said there are actually three nudist beaches in Asia; two of which are in India and the other in the Philippines. You can also find nudist beaches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and some countries in Africa. There are NO nudist beaches in the Middle East. Turkey did open a nudist resort in May this year (2010) near the popular holiday destination of Marmaris, however just six days after opening the authorities closed it due to ‘architectural problems’. The resort has still not reopened and locals don not expect it to.

Topless sunbathing is widely accepted around the world however you should still enquire before going ahead, especially in strict religious countries like Dubai where you may be imprisoned for doing so. As a rule I suggest you always check before going topless anywhere out of Europe. Although other continents do participate in some nude and topless bathing as mentioned above; you may have to travel far and wide to get to them.

Life’s a beach

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:04:53 +0000

Being on a tropical beach is not all about sunbathing. The breath taking views, crystal clear waters and glorious sunshine are the perfect settings for most of us to lie down and relax, however many beaches offer so much more. Whether you are going to the beaches of Cornwall or Hawaii you will be sure to find water sports and boat tours that offer something for everyone. There will be chances to see caves & caverns, local wildlife, mountains, further fascinating views and historical sites.

For the adventurer you will have opportunities to jet ski, water ski, surfing, para-send, snorkel and scuba dive to explore the ocean and it’s amazing marine life.

On tour you will usually be accompanied by a helpful guide that will give you interesting facts and answer any questions. Swimming with the dolphins, glass bottom boats, pedallos and banana boat rides are just some of the varieties on offer. Lunch, photos and champagne diving are among the things included on many tours plus the opportunity to explore on foot places that are inaccessible on land. If none of these take your fancy then there is always fishing. Sea fishing can be a fast paced exciting thrill on a large boat or a relaxed afternoon on the pier. From novice to professional there are opportunities for everyone and you will
even be able to eat your catch of the day.

Whatever you chose to do at the beach one thing you are all guaranteed to enjoy is the magical sunset over the ocean at the end of the day. There really is something for everyone at the beach.

Safety in the sea

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:03:54 +0000

There is nothing more refreshing than taking a swim in the sea to cool down on a hot day in beautiful surroundings. But before you get sucked into the wonderful atmosphere be aware that the sea is one of the most unpredictable places on Earth and sadly many people drown is circumstances that can be avoided. The typical victim is a middle aged male with alcohol in his system although that does not mean the rest of us are immune to the sea’s wrath.

In Finland 200 people have drowned in the sea this year alone (2010) along with many more around the world. This doesn’t mean you should avoid swimming in the sea altogether you just need to be sensible and take precautions. If you are not a strong swimmer then do not attempt to swim further than your depth. Be aware of any sudden drops in the sea bed and ask locals about undercurrents. Do not attempt to swim in rough waters or allow yourself to drift afar when on a Lillo or other inflatable. Be aware of the tides and of how long you have been in the water. You do not want to allow yourself to become too tired to swim ashore.

It may seem obvious that you should not swim after drinking alcohol but many of us still do it even though it is one of the worst things you can do. If you really must drink alcohol then have a glass of water in-between each drink to keep the alcohol level down in your blood. Remember that millions of people swim in the sea every year without a scratch so go and enjoy! Just be sensible.

Benefits of sandy beaches

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:00:39 +0000

Sand may be annoying when it gets into your food and stuck everywhere that you don not want it to be however there are many benefits of sand to. Apart from the fact that it is much more bearable to walk on when compared to a pebble or shingle beach it is also an excellent exfoliator for the skin.

If you take a little sand and use it mixed with your shower gel or soap you will be amazed at the beautifully soft skin that it produces – although it will also scrub away some of your tan to. Even if you just swim in the sea and spend a day on the beach your skin will benefit from the wonderful effects of the natural elements.

Sand is also excellent for exercise; when running on the sand or playing beach games such as Frisbee and volleyball you will actually burn more calories than if you were on grass and it is easier on your joints to. Sand is also great fun to play with, children and adults alike will have hours of fun making sand castles, digging holes and burying each other in the sand. It is long believed in China that being buried in the sand has many medical benefits to! These include better circulation, metabolism and growth to name but a few.

10 things not to do on the beach

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:47:35 +0000

1. Don not get burnt. Always apply regular sun lotion, especially when getting out of the water.
2. Don not get drunk. Apart from making a fool of yourself you will dehydrate much faster when drinking alcohol in the sun.
3. Don not get sun stroke. Always wear a hat and don not spend long hours in the sun without getting some shade.
4. Don not get dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water; this will also help prevent headaches and sunstroke.
5. Don not go naked. Although being topless is widely accepted in Europe; you will find many people get offended on other continents. Even some parts of America frown upon topless sunbathing so always check what is acceptable before revealing yourself especially if you want a nudist beach!
6. Don not have sex. Although the concept of ‘making love’ on a beach is very romantic – especially in the movies – you really should avoid it or at least be aware of the following before going ahead: In places such as Dubai where it is illegal to even kiss in public; you will face up to 6 years in prison plus a hefty fine. If you can get away with it there is also the sand to consider. Sand getting caught in the thrusts of penetration will leave you both very sore, open to infection and probably not having very much more sex on your holiday.
7. Don not BBQ on the beach. In many places a BBQ is classed as a ‘fire’ and fires in public places are widely not allowed although it may not actually be ‘law’. Local authorities will issue guide lines which you should check out before deciding to have a beach BBQ. In the UK it is punishable by up to a £500 fine. Always get permission first.
8. Don not sleep. You may wake up to the tide coming in, especially if over-night, being burnt or finding you have been robbed!
9. Don not leave bags unattended. You may think other people will watch out for anyone taking your bags but they all have better things to do on their holiday. Not only could someone take your camera, money and designer sunglasses but you could also have your hotel room or apartment robbed if the keys are in your bag.
10. Don not go to the beach without research. To avoid all of the above and more, make sure you know what is and is not acceptable on the beach that you are going to. Stick to the guide lines and enjoy it without breaking the rules.

What to wear

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:34:50 +0000

Before you head off to buy your bikini for your next beach holiday, here’s something to consider; did you know that there are several types of bikini including the string bikini, tankini, seekini, monokini, microkini, sling bikini and the trikini. They are available in various different fabrics; paper, tan-through, neoprene (rubber used to make wetsuits), crochet, lace, PVC, fur or even a platinum bikini which will set you back $9500!

We all want to look good and feel confident on the beach but for most of us who don not have the physique of a super model it can be daunting. Here’s a quick guide to help you get the most out of your bikini according to your shape:

Large Tummy: To slim your tummy a one piece swim suit is best in bright colours and jazzy patterns. A tankini is also good and slimming to the upper half.

Large Bottom & Thighs: To hide your bottom large bottoms or ‘shorts type’ bikinis are best with a plunging top piece to remove attention away from the bottom. Plain colours on the bottom with a patterned top piece also help. This is also good for large hips.

Large Bust: Good supportive top piece is essential with a large bust and a high neck will help to conceal it. High legs on the bottoms will also add length to your legs drawing attention away from the bust.

Enhance a Small Bust: Halter-neck and strapless top pieces help boost a small bust. Plunging neck lines should be avoided as should any ill-fitting top pieces.

What to do if stung by a jellyfish

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:30:48 +0000

It is quite uncommon to be stung by a jellyfish and very uncommon to be stung with fatal effects. However jellyfish are found in every ocean in the world so it’s useful to have a little knowledge on how to deal with it if you are one of the unlucky few.

In the first instance; get out of the water. Wash the sting in the salt water of the sea where you were stung. Jellyfish release thousands of nematocysts which are injected into your skin and continuously release venom until removed. Fresh water or ice can actually encourage the release of additional venom, as can alcohol, urine and ammonia so NONE of these must be used. Make sure you use a cloth as you can still be stung should any of the jelly come into contact with any other part of your body (In 2010 pieces of a single dead jellyfish on a New Hampshire beach stung between 125 and 150 people).

Once the area has been cleaned with the salt water you should shave over the area with a knife or credit card to remove any remaining nematocysts. Once this has been done a paste can be made from baking soda and water then applied to the affected area to remove the venom. This may be necessary to reapply every 15 minutes.

In all cases seek medical attention even if you do not feel that you need it. Chances are the local doctor/hospital will have good knowledge on the species of jellyfish and may even have an anti-venom. They will probably also provide you with antihistamines to help with skin irritation.