Let’s Plan Our Holiday

Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, consists of over 300 islands of which about a 100 are permanently inhabited. The two largest islands are Viti Levu (capital Suva) and Vanua Levu. Other more important islands are: Taveuni, Kadavu, Ovalau, Rotuma and Beachcomber Island. Towns like Suva and Levuka (first capital, Ovalau Island) show the mixture of the colonial and modern architecture. The local colourful markets can not be missed. Nadi (Viti Levu) is the 3rd largest city, and although the town is not particularly interesting, this would be the perfect starting point to organise some of your activities during your stay (golf, diving, rafting, jet-boat …). Plan a trip to the Lau Group or the Mamanuca Group (groups of islets), as your favourite diving, snorkelling spot or just as a daytrip to the reefs and colourful fish that surround these islets. If you are a hiker, you may want to explore Nausori Highlands with a stop in the traditional town of Navala.

From Suva you could easily arrange a visit to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park or the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park (make the climb to the summit of Castle Rock, to get magnificent scenic views over Mamanucas and Yasawas). At the Island of Taveuni you can visit Bouma National Heritage Park, where you can explore the rainforest and swim in the natural pools of the three Tavoro Waterfalls. Also visit: Nananu-i-Ra Island, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Vanua Levu Island.

The Virgin Islands is an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The Islands are divided into the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Island (Puerto Rican territory). The US Virgin Island consist of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Water Island, and many smaller islands. The British part consists of the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke and many smaller islands and cays. Culebra and Vieques, and numerous smaller islands and islets form the Spanish Virgin Islands. Temperature is warm all year round, but during August and September a tropical storm is always possible.

You can enter the islands through St. Thomas, St. Croix or Tortola Airports (usually taking off from San Juan in Puerto Rico) or take a cruise to arrive in one of the main harbours on the islands. You can then take a ferry to the islands in the region. If looking for cheap flights searching at Expedia, Orbitz, Travel Zoo and Travelocity might be helpful.

The Islands have many cultural and historic sites to visit. There are also several national parks, wildlife and ecological reserves. Whether on land or in the water, a great variety of activities is possible: swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving; sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, hiking and bird watching; or just admiring the coral reefs, the turquoise sea, and the magnificent scenery. The Virgin Islands are a true paradise to spend your holiday.

For a teaser - check out this video of a wedding in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - it’s so cozy!

Read this post about villas in alanya, turkey on Real Estate Kid, which lead me to this site called Real Estate Alanya. It’s well worth a visit!

Haiti shares the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It’s the only French speaking country in the Caribbean, although the Creole language is generally used. The landscape is mountainous, rough and not very fertile. Once the country was largely covered with tropical forest, but almost all has been cut down for the production of charcoal and lumber trade. Even if this country is considered one of the poorest in Latin America, there are some wonderful things to be discovered: The fantastic waterfalls of the cobalt-blue Bassins Blue, Lake Etang Saumâtre with the flamingo, crocodiles and over a 100 different species of water birds, the National Park of La Citadelle, a fortress at the top of Pic la Ferrière overlooking Cap-Haïtien.

Cap-Haïtien is the seconds largest city of the country It breaths a very Latin atmosphere because of its Hispanic-influenced architecture. It has some wonderful beaches to explore. Port-au-Prince, the Capital and largest harbour in the country, is perhaps not the safest and cleanest place in the country still a visit to the French-built quay, the Univ. of Haiti, the National Palace, the National Museum, and the Basilica of Notre Dame are worth to be done. Haïti is not the safest place to travel at the moment and kidnappings and regular shouting is part of daily life.

Uruguay, in the southern South-America, is the second smallest country of the continent, neighbouring giant countries like Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay is known for its Gauchos, giant barbecues, typical music styles and of course its football. Montevideo is the Capital, the main port of the country and by far the most populated city, with about 1.5 million inhabitants. Plaza Independencia is the heart of the old city and a starting point to explore the surprising colonial heritage of this city. The Mercado del Puerto (port market) is a wonderful place if you are looking for good restaurants and great atmosphere (open only in the afternoons).

Uruguay’s main tourist feature is the famous Punta del Este. The Atlantic Coast beaches will offer you a wonderful vacation. If you are looking for a quieter holiday go to Playas de Piriápolis or Playas de José Ignacio. For a family holiday, Playa Solanas and Playas de La Barra would be the better places to stay. All beaches offer off-shore sports, good hotels and restaurants. Punta del Este is the perfect holiday destination where you can always find some promotional hotel deals, are some special vacation packages.

If you are looking for a cultural detour you must visit Colonia del Sacramento (World Heritage site). If you want to explore some of nature’s beauty you should visit Santa Teresa or San Miguel National Park. You can also go to the River Plate area and visit Parque Anchorena.

Lisbon is the capital of one of the world’s major economic, political, and cultural powers of the past. Situated on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, it boarders the Atlantic Ocean which has determined this country’s vocation to the sea. Major discoveries initiated here and the important cities worship the monuments of that glorious period.

Porto the capital of the country’s most Northern Province is not only famous for its wine, it is a beauty to visit (classified by UNESCO as world Heritage site). In the central region of Portugal, cities like Coimbra, Aveiro, Guarda, Viseu all reveal treasures of a great historical past. Lisbon spreads out along the right bank of the river Tagus. Places to visit: the city centre, the Cathedral, the cultural centre of Belém with de Torre de Belém and Jeronimos monastery, St. George’s Castle, the Bairro Alto and Madragoa.

To the south of the country the province of Algarve spreads out like a warm blanket, sun all year round. Its coastline consists of sandy beaches, extraordinary red cliffs and fantastic grottoes. This is the ideal destination for golf players, water sports fanatics or tourists looking for a relaxing holiday. All modern tourist facilities can be found here.

Its towns like Bern (Capital), Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, that makes this country famous for its Financial Institutions, its watch making. Swiss chocolate and fine cheeses are also appreciated all over the world. But is the diversity of this mountainous country both in landscape and language that makes it a unique experience. Mountains and lakes make this country an absolute beauty all year long.

There are three main regions in this country namely the Plateau, the more urbanised part of the country which stretches out from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance in the north east. From lake Geneva north to the Rhine we visit the Jura Region, a limestone mountain range. And finally we come to the Alps, the high mountains that cover the largest part of the country. Here rivers like the Rhone, Reuss, Ticino and upper Rhine meanders through the mountains and provide the most fascinating scenery. The Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Jungfrau, Schreckhorn, Corvatsch, Diavollezza, Piz Nair, all these mountain tops suggest a wide range of winter sports possibilities. Truly Switzerland is top the world in this discipline and Names like St. Moritz give prove to that.

New Zealand consists of two large islands and several small ones in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The South Island is the larger of the two and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps. Here Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest peak of the country and the National Park that stretches out along its slopes is partly covered with glaciers (Tasman, Hooker, Murchison and Mueller Glacier). Further south Fiordland National Park is a World Heritage site. Mount Aspiring National Park (loved by climbers) is the land of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. Another mountaineering hotspot is Arthur’s Pass National Park. The Nelson Lakes National Park is known for its beech forests with spectacular native birds. Hiking through the mountainous park, offers fantastic scenery looking down on the lakes. At Paparoa National Park you can explore the blowholes, caves and famous Rocks of Punakaiki.

On the North Island, Egmont National Park holds Mount Taranaki, New Zealand‘s most climbed mountain (dormant volcano). Whanganui National Park named to the river that passes through the mountain slopes is a paradise for bird watchers. Tongariro National Park with the Volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu is a Wold Heritage Site with Steaming craters, old lava flows and thermal lakes. In Te Urewera National Park that holds the largest native forest of the island, Lake Waikaremoana is the main attraction.

Auckland is the largest city, a perfect landing point to New Zealand, a dream city to stay with its multicultural atmosphere, and a perfect departing point for all other destinations. Wellington, the capital, is a rather small city positioned between the harbour and green hills. Wairarapa in the south-east corner of the North Island is where you’ll find vineyards, acres of apple orchards, fields of lavender, olive groves, wonderful food and lovely wine. Queenstown, at Lake Wakatipu is known for its First Class Holiday Resort and offers great skiing possibilities in winter. Roturora is the most preferred tourist destination on the North Island. The area is known for the thermal activity (geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools).

We just mentioned Morro Castle in our post about Cuba Tourist Highlights, and I found this video of Morro Castle and decided it was worth a quick post. Enjoy!

The Island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and some adjacent small isles make up the Republic of Cuba. It’s situated where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish colonial city of Havana is the Capital of this tropical Island. The old city centre is an exceptional example of colonial heritage in Latin America. Places to visit: Morro Castle, Malecon Avenue, La Cabana Fortress, Fortress of San Salvador de la Punta, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Catedral de San Cristobal, the National Capitol. Santiago de Cuba (overlooking the Bahia de Santiago de Cuba) is the counties 2nd largest city. It has not the colonial beauty of Havana but the area around Parque Cespedes and Santa Iglesia Basilica Metropolitana is interesting to visit. The city of Trinidad is another example of architectural beauty. The Plaza Mayor and the Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad are the mayor highlights.

Other places to visit: Valle de los Ingenios (where ruins of sugar mills, slave quarters and manor houses or scattered along the Valley), Mirador de Bacunayagua (scenic views), the botanical garden La Jungla de Jones, Cueva Punta Del Este (over 200 ancient Indian paintings in Cave). But of course one of Cuba’s main tourist attractions is the gorgeous beaches, especially along the northern coastline. The well-priced Resorts offer all outside activities and can rival any Caribbean destination.