Travel | Vacation Guides

Archive for December, 2011

Benefits Of Traveling By Cruise

With thousands of vacation options around the world it can be difficult to narrow down your options to just a single destination. However one of the most popular choices for leisure travel is the cruise. Cruises leave from ports all over the world and for many vacationers this is the best travel choice. Could a cruise work for you? Consider the many benefits to this kind of trip.

Primarily with a cruise you are not going to have many extra expenses so it is easy to fit into a budget. Some cruises are allinclusive and while others are not most include all of the basics you need for a great vacation. If you work with a travel agent you can combine a cruise and flight for even bigger savings. You will find that most cruises include meals and entertainment but on some you have to pay for drinks and shore excursions.

Beyond budgeting a cruise is super easy to plan. Instead of having to put together an itinerary yourself you just cruise along literally. The company running the cruise determines the entertainment as well as set the course taking you to various ports of interest. While some may find this a bit limiting most enjoy the stressfree idea of not having to plan a vacation they do the planning for you!

Cruises come in all shapes and sizes giving you tons of variety. One of the best features of a cruise is the flexibility it offers. You can literally go to a local travel agent and name your port or at least a general area from which you want to leave. In the United States alone cruises leave from Alaska Florida California and a number of other states. Caribbean cruises are popular of course but you can also find cruises in Europe Africa and other countries throughout the world.

Location is not the only thing that is flexible. With a cruise you can also be flexible about the amount of time you want to spend on vacation. Some cruises are very long lasting 10 to 14 days. On the other hand most cruise lines offer shorter 3day cruises for those with lower budgets or those who do not want to spend their entire vacation on a ship. You can also find short day cruises so if you are going on vacation near a coast you might want to look into an evening casino cruise daylong sightseeing cruise or other short tourist option.

Another great aspect of cruising is your ability to see so many different places in such a short amount of time. Most cruises even short 3day cruises allow you to see at least two ports. On a longer cruise you might dock at a different port almost every night. What is great about this is the fact that you do not have to worry about spending time traveling to all of these locations. Your travel arrangement is the ship itself so if you are afraid to fly or simply want to try something new a cruise is the perfect way to travel. A cruise ship is a very comfortable travel option with everything you need available to you.

Do not forget that cruises also offer opportunities you would not get elsewhere. For example if the cruise goes out deep into open waters you might see some marine life that you could never see from land. Of course this depends on your overall location.

Cruises are also available in themes allowing you to find the best option for your vacation. You can find cruises sponsored by certain organizations but some of the most popular are the singles and couples cruises offered by most major cruise lines. On a singles cruise you must be traveling alone or at least romantically unattached. The whole point is to meet people! Couples cruises usually have romantic activities and more privacy. You can also find family cruises Like Disney cruises which include meet and greet options with all of the Disney characters.

Lastly cruises are extremely safe. While you are on a cruise ship you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry much about crime. In addition ships have fewer accidents than other travel options and even when you get to port cruise lines take great care to ensure that you are docking in safe parts of the city you are visiting.

Booking a cruise is extremely easy. You can find out about cruise options or you can call a travel agent to discuss your cruising wishes. By working with a travel agent or company you can choose a great cruise that works for you and your travel companions. A cruise is available in many different themes such as a family cruise or a singles cruise. These are all great options and your travel agent can help you choose the best option for you.

About the writer:  Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about vacation destinations and travel deals often discussing travel tips one would find through working with a travel agency.

Bali Villas Villa Puri Bhawana Estate Canggu Bali

The Estate is resourcefully integrated into the natural terraced contours of a hill. Its Bali luxury villa is comprised of a series of thatched pavilions housing a remarkable open living pavilion an elevated dining pavilion an entertainment Room two kitchens and five bedrooms completed by additional smaller bedroom suitable for kids or a nanny.

The buildings are linked by pergolacovered walkways achieving a unique sense of space within a natural setting. Maximizing the spectacular views and the natural light and catching the cool breezes even at the hottest time of year this Bali property offers a blend of airconditioned comfort and tropical openair living.

There are numerous relaxation areas so guests will always find a private spot for peace and quiet. It is ideal for large groups or families with children. The Estate also boasts a membership at the Canggu Club which means its guests enjoy access to the numerous sporting and social facilities featured at the country club.

Bedrooms
The airconditioned Master Suite at this Bali villa features a warm timber floor and sliding glass doors on three sides under a high roof. The modern furnishings include a kingsize four poster bed a couch and a desk and chair.

A flat screen TV with DVD is hidden within a rising cabinet that appears at the press of a button. This bedroom is complemented by a spacious timber balcony which looks across the river to the rice terraces beyond. Here two cushioned daybeds provide the facility for complete relaxation.

A dressing area and wardrobes complete with a safe deposit box are built in behind the bed and linked to the ensuite airconditioned bathroom which features a black terrazzo floor and twin washbasins upon a central vanity unit with two mirrors. A toilet and walkin raindrop shower are located in two separate cubicles with frosted glass doors. The bathroom extends into a large and private walled garden planted with travellers palms spider lilies and torch ginger. Here a romantic oversized bathtub rests in the open air sheltered from the elements by the overhanging roof. There is also an openair shower.

Suites 2 3 are located in the family building. Suite 2 is furnished with twin beds that can be converted into a double bed if required while Suite 3 presents a kingsize bed. Similar in style to the Master Suite with glass on two sides both suites feature cool terrazzo floors and are equipped with airconditioning ceiling fans daybeds reading lights iPod docking stations safe deposit boxes desks and chairs.

Both suites feature a private dressing and vanity area each with wardrobes double washbasins an indoor shower and a toilet. Suite 2 is complemented by a private garden bathroom similar to that of the Master Suite complete with an openair bathtub sheltered by the roof. Suite 3 overlooks the expansive lily pond with its beautiful raised infinityedge moon pool and cascading waterfall. Guests in Suite 3 can relax on an adjoining timber deck and enjoy the delights of a sheltered open air bathtub beside the watergarden.

Suites 4 5 are housed within a twostorey building and each is equipped with airconditioning ceiling fans daybeds reading lights iPod docking stations safe deposit boxes desks and chairs. Suite 4 is located on the lower level and is similar to the other suites with a king size bed and the additional provision of a walkin wardrobe a teak shelf unit a floating vanity unit with double washbasins and a combined shower and toilet fashioned from white tumbled marble.

The garden bathroom is characterised by an openair rainshower beside the lily pond and waterfall. There is also a relaxing area with builtin seats and shelves in the garden bathroom complete with an outdoor bathtub. An external staircase leads up to Suite 5 the only upstairs bedroom at the villa affording gorgeous views of the rice fields and river valley.

The bedroom is furnished with a kingsize bed and an ottoman upon a timber floor under a soaring roof. Behind the sleeping space is a dressing area complete with floating vanity unit with twin washbasins an indoor shower and toilet and a builtin wardrobe. An ornately tiled outdoor bathtub is positioned upon a breezy balcony where there is also a cushioned daybed. Additionally there is an openair shower and to one side a glassless window presents a wonderful view that guests can enjoy from a cozy windowseat.

Kids Bedroom / Nannys Room
A staircase leads down under the Dining Pavilion to a small spillover room which can sleep up to five kids. It is fitted with bunk beds and is also suitable for a childrens nanny. There is a bathroom next door with a toilet shower and washbasin.

Living Pavilion
The magnificent Living Pavilion presides over the property. It is flanked by a terrace laid with grassedged Palimanan paving stones and overlooks the swimming pool terraced gardens and rice fields. This opensided pavilion is modelled upon the traditional Balinese Wantilan or village meeting place with a soaring twotiered roof supported by pillars complete with pendulous lanterns and ceiling fans above a mintwhite sandstone floor. The expansive space is furnished with two comfortable sofas ottomans a coffee table a decorative antique Javanese daybed and a pair of white coconut shell chairs with a small matching table. The Living Pavilion is linked to the rest of this Bali villa by a covered colonnaded walkway with black and white chequered tiles. Off the walkway is situated a guest washroom decorated with Indian stone tiles and accessed by a colourful antique Balinese door.

Dining Pavilion
The opensided Dining Pavilion is elevated above a high buttresses composed of indigenous serai stone portraying a geometric jigsaw of shapes. A long suar wood dining table seats up to 14 dinner guests. The pavilion is cooled by natural breezes and ceiling fans and commands fabulous views of the bordering rice fields.

Kitchens
There are two fully equipped kitchens at Puri Bawana Estate servicing this bali villa one is the service kitchen and the other is a stateoftheart kitchen positioned next to the dining pavilion and linked by a large service bar. This immaculate designer kitchen reveals a discriminating taste for functional beauty and cuttingedge style. Crafted in black marble with a central island silver grey units and glassless shuttered windows it is equipped with a hob oven wine fridge coffee machine and other high tech appliances. There is even the provision of a sound system.

TV Entertainment Room
Also located under the Dining Pavilion is the airconditioned TV and Entertainment Room. The room is equipped with a ceiling fan teak wall units and a large satellite TV mounted upon the wall complete with surround sound a DVD/CD player and a Wii Game System. The furnishings?two large sofas a glasstopped antique coffee table and two ottomans?can be pushed back against the wall to create an impressive party space. In one corner is a bar that can double as a DJs nook. Glass doors open from the Entertainment Room onto a terrace with a pergola supported by serai stone pillars beside the pool deck. Furnished with an outdoor dining table for eight this is a great spot for a barbeque.

Swimming Pool Garden
The swimming pool is 30 metres in length incorporating a kids pool at one end. It is lined with rustic blue Java stone and the curved infinity edge follows the contour of the rice terraces. The Palimanan stone pool deck is furnished with sun loungers and there is an opensided bale relaxation pavilion positioned within the pool and accessed by stepping stones. Additionally a raised walkway leads to an elevated bale a traditional lazy breezy gazebo with a thatched roof open sides and a cushioned floor. There is an outdoor dining table with seats for 8 that is often used for outdoor barbeques and casual daytime dining. This is the place to relax contemplate and meditate overlooking the river and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature butterflies and birds. A wide flat lawn planted with four palms is the ideal setting for parties weddings and events. A pathway leads down to the river and the gardens spill out into the padi fields to a traditional pavilion designed for wedding ceremonies. There is also an herb garden and an environmentallyfriendly waste water garden. If the timing is right guests will have the opportunity to plant some rice. Many of the rice fields that surrounded the villa are part of the estate. On the far side of the river a picturesque rice terrace is carved like an amphitheatre into the contours of the land.

About the writer:  Simple Balinese…proud to be a balinese

Bahamas Vacation Is A Grand Getaway For Holiday Lovers

Going for a vacation to the Bahamas Island is on the top list for many. After all this is a beautiful place that has many naturally beautiful places and beaches to woo tourist to visit the place again year after year. The more then 600 islands that are located in the Bahamas have their own unique features and one can find enjoyment of various types when they go on a Bahamas vacation. Make sure that you have all the information which you can about the place and the enjoyments and activities that one can have at Bahamas. The coral reefs white beaches long stretching beaches and clear waters are a delight and one who has been on a Bahamas vacation will certainly testify this.

If you are planning to go on Honeymoon with your spouse or just want to spend time with your spouse of your partner a Bahamas vacation is what you must opt for. This is one of the most romantic getaways and preferred by people all over the world. What you can do is get hold of a Bahamas vacation guide. Through the Bahamas vacation guide one can come to know anything and everything that is required to be known about a vacation in the Bahamas. Here one can find the list of hotels resorts and other must visit places on the island. Area wise maps can also be found and one can get that to find their way there. It is fun to travel and explore the island on your own. You must make sure that you try doing this during your stay in the island during the Bahamas vacation.

For people those who love to indulge in water sports and other water related activities this is just the perfect place. Diving snorkeling scuba diving and other under water activities are a fun thing to do here. Some of the islands among the many that are very popular tourist destination are Paradise and Nassau Island Andros Island Abaco Island and Bimini Island. Most of these islands have wonderful facilities for staying and you can choose from hotels resorts villas and bungalows. When you talk to your tour operator you can book any of these facilities where you what to stay during the vacation. If you are going there with your family it will be better if you can stay in a villa or a bungalow. They vials are very big and spacious where your kids can easily indulge in various activities that they like.

One thing you must take special care of while booking for this vacation is to make all the arrangements beforehand. Well if you do not do so you can face certain problems. You would surely not want to land there with your spouse and kids and then find out that your accommodation has not been arranged by the tour operator in the place where you wanted to. One way to avoid this is to make call before you take off for the vacation. So even if you find that somethings have not been arranged you can always make sure that everything is taken good care of before you reach the island to enjoy your vacation.

About the writer:  Suzane Gray has been offering Bahama travel and vacation packages advice for quite some time. She is working as a consultant for GoBahama. To find Cheap Bahamas vacation packagesspring break bahamasdiscount Bahamas vacation packagebahamas vacation at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit www.gobahama.com