Cocos Islands are discovered in 1609, they were settled and owned by a single family from 1872 until the Australian Government acquired them in 1978. A pristine white beach is so typical of the beautiful Cocos Islands. The 27 coral islands are formed into two large, heavily vegetated atolls. They are the only atolls that Darwin ever visited but the coral ecosystem remains intact – and you can still see in their pristine conditions, exactly why they played such an important part in his theory of evolution.

North Keeling, set apart from the other islands, isn’t even inhabited, but you can come across extreme rarities like the Cocos buff-banded rail, robber land crabs, and both green and hawksbill turtles among other wonders, under its protection as Pulu Keeling National Park.

The Cocos islanders live on Home and West Islands, both given over to copra and coconut plantations that only add to their tropical glamour. There is no tourist industry at all. Wild place populated with divers and kite-surfers. However there are facilities for visitors, sponsored by the islanders who take in personal interest everyone who come. If you happen to be there, you are welcome to participate in the school fete, sports day or concert night. The tradition of hospitality is both, Australian and Malay.

The islanders, as much as the islands themselves, have retained a form of unpolluted innocence, and share a mutual respect that visitors immediately respond to. These islands are a dreamscape worthy to travel for.
When to go: Year-round. The winds last from April to September. But between that period the islands is second home for professional kite maniacs. Rain is most intense between March and July and usually falls in the evening after long sunny day. Population: 446. Getting there: By air, from Perth, to West Island, Cocos Islands. Photos by: Christian Bartens

The Marmara Bodrum Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in Bodrum and is the newest addition to the Marmara Hotels and Residences. It is a modern property with unique architecture inspired by Bodrum Castle, located three kilometres above the resort town ofBodrum, Turkey.  Hotel is near the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum Castle, and other sites. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World!

100 air conditioned guestrooms. All rooms offers TV,  Minibar, Music, Direct Dial Telephone, Safe Box, Private Bathroom , Shower and Toilet, Hair Dryer, Balcony.

Amenities: Disabled Access, High-speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Room Service, Business Center, Pool, Spa and  Concierge.

The onsite Tuti Restaurant offers an inventive cuisine of Turkish and international specials. Situated of the top floor of the hotel is a new, casual restaurant serving a variety of sushi and nigiri specials. The Lounge and Pool Bars both offer delicious snacks.

Near The Marmara Bodrum-Scuba diving, horse riding, water sports, golf, tennis, Myndos Gate, Mausoleum, Temple of Apollo.

El Nido Resorts began 20 years ago as a 15-cottage dive camp built in an isolated island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Miniloc Island, with a total land area of 224 hectares, is one of the largest islands in the El Nido Protected Area. The resort is encircled by limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters.  It’s a great place to relax. The island is a part of the still unspoiled chain of 45 limestone island jewels that make up El Nido, Palawan.

Miniloc Island Resort composed of 50 rooms with a variety of accommodation styles. Standard Rooms are 21 sqm, with garden and partial bay views. They are fitted with a queen size bed or 2 single beds. 25 air conditioned seaview room with separate shower and toilet facilities, Hot and cold water, Mini bar, Reception area.

There are water cottages built on stilts over the water. There are also seaview rooms with an adjoining verandah, directly overlooking the sea.

Amenities: Business Center, High-speed Internet, Restaurant and more.

The waters fronting the resort are rich in marine life.

It also has a Marine Sports Center, complete with water sports equipment such as diving and snorkeling, kayak, windsurfer, and hobie cat.

Kia Ora Sauvage is a little heaven of peace on a private “motu” islet. On the atoll of Rangiroa, just an hour by plane from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Created with traditional, natural, Polynesian materials – each bungalow is a work of art. For the visitor who truly wants to get away from it all!

It only has 5 beautifully decorated beach bungalows bordering white sand beaches. Each thatched-roof bungalow has been hand-crafted from native wood, bamboo and palm. The bungalows equipped with Mosquitoes net, shower (hot water). Rooms with a king size bed and a single bed.

Simple, healthful meals emphasizing fresh seafood; a cocktail and snack bar.

Activities: canoes, snorkeling and skin diving, deep sea fishing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, glass-bottom boat excursion, boat rental with pilot, bicycles, table tennis, volleyball, petanque.

Offers outdoor tables, with  views of the lagoon by day and stars arching overhead at night.

Just one kilometre long and 500 metres wide, Daydream is always popular with its easy access from Hamilton Island. The resort is located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The low rise resort buildings, pools, restaurants and sporting facilities blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island’s waterfalls, secluded beaches, lagoons, rainforest and  gardens.

Of its three beaches one is fringed by outcrops of coral and colorful fishlife.

It has a unique outdoor aquarium, with exotic sea life from the barrier reef. The aquarium has about 80 different types of sea life.

You’ll be able to snorkel directly off the beach to the fringing reef or go sea kayaking, water skiing or even windsurfing. Budding golfer’s can practise their putting skills on the 19-hole themed mini golf course.

You can fly direct to nearby Hamilton Island from most Australian cities and transfer to Daydream by launch. Or, fly to Proserpine on the coast, travel by coach to Shute Harbour, and then by launch. Helijet or seaplane also available.

Cabo de la Vela is a headland in the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia with an adjacent small fishing village. Facing the Caribbean Sea and Venezuela in the northern most part of South America. The department capital city is Riohacha.

Cabo de la Vela is the most visited tourist destination of La Guajira. It has paradisaical beaches and an excellent landscape.This truely special region is well worth a visit. From Riohacha you have to go by car over to Cuarto Vias then up through Uribia to Cabo de la Vela probably another 70/80 km.

There’s over 60 guesthouses  in Cabo de la Vela – all offer pretty basic accommodation in either cabanas with beds or in hammock. Seafood is the number one and only option and lots of beach restaurants have fresh langostas and fish on the menu.

Just as the Guajira is the ideal place for adventure tourism. Camping, bicycle tours, water sports, cultural exchanges, dances and festivals in the region.

It is a nice place and the sunset in Cabo de la Vela is amazing!

Durban is the 3rd largest city in South Africa. Blessed being right on the warm Indian Ocean it is surrounded by miles of golden sandy beaches. The subtropical climate provides more than 200 sunny days a year, which offers a huge variety of outdoor activities such as canoeing, surfing, diving and sailing.

Durban is one of the most surf world-class spots cities in the world. The city also hosts to many international sporting events, ranging from golf, and surfing world champion shops, to cricket world cup. Home to South Africa’s only surfing museum, Durban also got Kings Park, which is a large stadium where many big rugby matches are held.
 

Cultural attractions: Zulu cultural villages to visit, township tours and visits to mosques or the beautiful Temple of Understanding. Durban has number of fantastic shopping complexes that offer a wide variety of options. Visit the bustling Victoria Street market to pick up a bargain or head for the city hall which houses an art gallery and natural science museum. Durban is also very cosmopolitan and after dark, offers range of nightlife activities, ranging from elegant restaurants and bars to trendy nightclubs.

Halfway up the Mozambique coast lies a chain of five islands making up the Bazaruto Archipelago. Form from sand deposited by the Limpopo River, fine beaches and coral reefs come naturally; and having long been a national park, so does the wildlife. Bazurato, Benguerra and Magaruque are the largest islands, with Santa Carolina and finally Bangue coming in on the small side. Photo by: André Pipa

Thanks to their protected status and relative isolation from the ravages of war, nature has been free to flourish here. Bazurato Island itself is 37 km long, and there gaudy pink flamingos strut the tidal flats, while large Nile crocodiles lurk in the inland freshwater lakes. The west is cloaked in grassland and thicket while the east coast is built entirely of impressive sand dunes. Photo by: yobosayo

Banguerra is about 11 km long and its blend of forest, savanah and wetlands provides rich pickings for local wildlife. Cashew nuts are native to the island and grow mainly on the seaward side. Photo by: yobosayo

Wild orange trees and sisal trees abound, as do mlala palms – the leaves of which are used in the waving of mats, baskets and hats. Nature lovers, sun worshipers and water sorts enthusiasts alike are drawn there. It may be said of other places, but this is a true tropical paradise with clear turquoise waters and endless palm-dotted beaches. Everyday you can snorkel and surf and run coral pink sand through your fingers. There are no roads, no shops and no tourist attractions, just the nature and the lovely everyday sun. Photo by: Brad Hunter Surrey Vancouver BC

When to go: Year-round but avoid the cyclone season in February. Little rainfall between April and November. Population: 3,500. How to get there: Flights into Viklankulo with connections onto the archipelago. You should know: The locals use the husks from the harvested cashews to make very intoxicating liquor. Photo by: darrenornitz

The Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resort are located just steps from the Tamarijn Aruba at Dutch Village. The Tamarijn Aruba family vacation getaway is perfect for families.

Hotel offer 97 suites, all with fully-equipped kitchenettes, jetted bathtubs, and furnished balconies with pool or garden views.

Rooms with 1 king or 2 queens include balcony, Mini Refridgerator, Color Satellite TV, In Room Video on demand with Internet Acess, Ironing board/Iron and Hairdryers.

The resorts new optional amenity, the Indulgence by the Sea Spa, features pampering treatments from massages to facials to body .

A 65-foot freshwater swimming pool and fitness center are also on site.

Water sports including kayaks, floats, sunfish sailing, beginner’s windsurfing, volleyball, tennis courts, snorkeling equipment and snorkel clinic and tour.

There are nine great dining choices, seven bars to choose from, live entertainment every night and the nearby Alhambra Casino.

Ericeira is a fishing village only few km from Lisbon and Sintra, located where the high cliffs of the rocky coast meet the Atlantic Ocean. A prime target for surfers, famous for its beautiful beaches Ericeira is internationally renowned as one of the best surfing spots in Europe. And it attracts tourists who come from all over the world to take advantage of the powerful Atlantic waves that can be found here.

However, Ericeira offers a lot more besides surfing to those interested in sport. Body-boarding, skim-boarding, windsurfing, fishing, diving, sailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and beach-volley are some of the activities enjoyed at the beaches of the village. Walking down through the old village with its picturesque painted houses and cobbled streets the visitor passes a variety of restaurants, all offering exceptional seafood menus.

Its fine seafood restaurants have made the town very popular as a place to enjoy an evening out with friends. Good views, and good seafood, it is also one of the first ideas when someone decides to go out without knowing where.

San Sebastian is situated on the Cantabrican coast 20 km from the border with France. Set between the mountains and the sea it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It has been a popular tourist destination for many years. Famous for its contrast – crystal-blue sea’ waters and green mountains, San Sebastian is the undisputed queen of Basque resorts. There are almost 90 km of coast consisting of steep cliffs, beautiful beaches and fishing ports.

The city spreads around three beaches – La Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Zurriola. La Concha and Ondarretta are the best for swimming and spending a day at the seaside while the Zurriola beach attract a lot of surfers looking to ride the Atlantic waves who can be seen there throughout the year.

The main tourist attractions: “Palacio del Mar” – a major aquarium complex, featuring many tanks of colorful fish and an underwater tunnel; “Monte Igeldo Amusement Park” – with a number of roller coasters and fast rides; “Plaza de la Constitucion” – an important public square, surrounded by historical buildings; “Funicular Railway” – a short and inexpensive ride up a particularly steep cliff, offering superb views La Concha Bay; “El Puerto”- a bustling port with many waterfront tourist attractions and restaurants, etc.

The biggest annual event is Aste Nagusia which is a full week of partying in mid-August which includes traditional Basque music and dance as well as gastronomic and sporting events. September is another popular time for tourists when the San Sebastian International Film Festival takes place and the second half of July is the annual International Jazz Festival.

Hotel Si Como No located in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica, is a hotel surrounded by lush tropical rainforest also sand beaches, and nearby rafting rivers.

Guests also enjoy a variety of water sports and local shopping, including the hotel’s Gift Shop and Art Gallery.

The Hotel is 58 rooms. There are five types of accommodations: Standard, Superior, and Deluxe Rooms, and Deluxe and Honeymoon Suites. Standard Rooms offer ocean or jungle vistas, private baths, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and telephones.

Hotel Amenities: Private theater, Business Center, Car Rental Desk, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Mini Bar, Beach View, Jacuzzi, Spa, Outdoor Parking, Restaurant.

The pool also features a whirlpool spa, swim-up bar, and spectacular ocean and jungle vistas. For guests over 18.

Spectacular sunsets paint the sky and clouds with a breathtaking array of crimson, orange, pink and gold, easing visitors into the soothing tropical night.

Negril, on the west side of Jamaica, is about a 1.5-hour drive from Montego Bay. The Grand Lido is situated on a 2.5-mile crescent of private beach north of town. The resort was built in 1989. Grand Lido Negril is a Super All Inclusive Resort suitable for couples and adult families 16 years and older.

210 suites, all the rooms are all suites or junior suites, complete with king beds, sitting areas, large baths, and satellite TVs.

The suites include balconies or patios and refrigerators stocked with soft drinks, beer, and water.

The resort pampers with Super-Inclusive amenities including complimentary manicures and pedicures, 24-hour room service, dry cleaning, land and water sports, and a choice of four gourmet dinner restaurants.

Water Sports include windsurfing, sunfish sailing, water-skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, underwater-vision boat rides, scuba diving with daily dives for beginners.

In the day, there are a myriad of new discoveries: the state-of-the-art fitness center, a spirit-and-body soothing spa and the centuries old cotton tree in the gardens.

The Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida opened its doors on New Years Eve in 1920 to great acclaim.A great hotel with high ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors and an overall elegant atmosphere.

Nestled along the southern edge of the island – spanning more than 1,100 feet of private beach. Casa Marina is a flawless merging of old Key West ambiance and contemporary luxury.

311 Rooms, 4 Floors, Meeting Facilities, Room Service and other.

Room amenities include air conditioning, coffee maker, ironing board, hairdryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, cable television, toiletries, multiple closets, high speed Internet, alarm clock and radio, and direct dial telephone.

Full-service massage studio, offering an array of treatments. Jacuzzi and spa.

Pools are very warm and completely over chlorinated, and the beach area is too rocky with very slimy ladders for entry and exits.

Water activities – jet ski rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat charters, deep sea fishing.

The hotel amenities five restaurants, six bars, and disco.

The Dutch island of Terschelling lies along the Dutch coast for 29 km creating a barrier between the North and Wadden Seas. It is most accessible of the West Frisian Islands, with miles of sandy shoreline and a wonderfully varied landscape for its size. The north coast is a white-sand beach up to 1 km wide, backed by windswept dunes with a hinterland of pine forest. To the south is salt marsh – lush meadowland where catle graze and cranberries grow. The entire eastern end of the island is a nature reserve for migratorybirds.

The main town is called West-Terschelling, which is a charming port on the south coast, steeped in maritime history. The islanders are renowned for their seamanship, resilience and resourcefulness. There are walks, cycle paths and bridleways that take you all over the island, superb beaches for sand yachting and surfing, and plenty of opportunities for sailing or just mucking around on a boat. There is a real sense of being at one with nature here – a wonderful sense of freedom and space. 

When to go: June to September. Population: 4,702. How to get there: Ferry from Harlingen (The Netherlands) to West-Terschelling. You shoul know: Don’t bother to bring a car here. There are plenty of buses and taxis but the best way of getting around is by bike.

Photos by: proudof7