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Things to do on holiday in Mauritius

Mauritius, also known as the “Jewel of the Indian ocean” is renown as one of the most incredible tourist destinations in the world.

This holiday paradise naturally has so much to offer when it comes to luxurious hotels, resorts, sports, social activities, breathtaking scenery, excellent food and great service!

For an unforgettable holiday experience, the following resorts are highly recommended: Le Paridis, One & Only Le Saint Gran, Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa, One & Only Le Touessrok and Royal Palm Grand Baie.

Mauritius has seven superb championship golf courses to offer, which are found near to or inside the resorts. Most of the golf resorts have pro-shops and offer caddies as well as professional instructors for private lessons. An experience not to be missed is at the La Vanille Crocodile Park in the southern part of Mauritius in the fame fatal rain forest. La Vanille Crocodile Park boasts over a thousand Nile crocodiles, giant tortoises, monkeys and bats. You also have the opportunity to walk among the giant tortoises and even ride on them.

For a totally unique experience, go for an undersea walk. Once all kitted up in your clear bubble helmet, rubber shoes, oxygen hose and the rest of the equipment you then take a leisurely stroll along the sandy sea bed while the fish nibble food from your hands. Even if you cant swim you can still do the undersea walk. Just awesome! The undersea walk is all in all about half an hour long.

Ever been in a submarine? If not then Grand Baie is the place to be. Blue Safari Submarine, has two vessels, the BS 600 (a small submarine) and the BS1100 (a large submarine). You are taken on a one-hour trip down to depths of 40 meters for fantastic views of the coral-life, fish as well as the wreck of an old Japanese fishing boat called the “Star Hope”. And to add more to the experience, you can even stop deep down under for some lunch and wine!

For the keen fishermen, Mauritius is the ideal destination for superb deep-sea fishing. Large game species include; barracuda, tuna, marlin and a variety of sharks such as hammerhead, tiger and black fin. For organised deep-sea fishing trips the best locations are at the Trou Aux Biches and Grand Baie.

A holiday in Mauritius, with its abundance of water sports such as parasailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing, catamarans, snorkelling and scuba diving and much more packs the day full of action and adventure.

If you enjoy diving then you will be blown away by the stunning coral reefs and the numerous fish species to be seen. Come face-to-face eagle rays and sharks! Other species you may encounter on dives include dolphins, whales and the ever-graceful turtles.

Diving trips can be organised through the following companies: Aquarius Diving Ltd at Grand Baie, Seafan Diving Centre at Le Palmer or Atlantis Diving Centre and Nautilus Diving Centre at Trou Aux Biches.

So as you can see, Mauritius, as a holiday destination is unquestionably a travellers tropical paradise, an island so beautiful, you wont want to leave.

What to do on Holiday in the Canaries

The Canary Islands are visited by thousands of tourists each year. With the year round sun and mild temperatures the Canaries are the perfect holiday spot for both a Summer and Winter holiday destination.

Parque Natural de Corralejo

A protected Parque Natural de Corralejo is made up of beach dunes and stretch along the East Coast for around 10km. It is a famous spot amongst wind surfers and kite boarders.

As it can be know to be a windy spot the locals have added a fortresses of loose stones to help and protect sunbathers from the wind. It is free to enter and you can hire sun beds and umbrellas from outside the hotels.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Sat on the end of the Playa de Los Cristianos beach are boats that offer two, three and five hour cruises for those that would like to experience whale and dolphin watching.

A favorite amongst many British here the cruises offer food, drink and let you have a quick dip in the ocean whilst out at sea.

Cable Car of El Teide

The famous Volcano on the Canaries biggest Island Tenerife. The cable car ride up El Teide is the easiest and most popular way to get to see the Volcano.

It takes only 8 minutes to get up there and the views are stunning. From the top you will see the islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro sticking up from the Atlantic.

Camel Safari Park La Baranda

Now if you want to get into the swing of things and are looking for something a little different this is for you. Camel Safari Park has over 70 camels for that Oriental ride of a life time.

The site is surrounded in palm trees, avocado and citrus trees that give it that tropical feel. After working up an appetite you can enjoy a meal in the onsite restaurant.

Torre del Conde

Considered to be the Canary Islands most important military architecture. Torre del Conde in San Sebastin de la Gomera is a tower which sticks out in the middle of the valley.

Built in 1447, it was the first building to be built on any of the Islands. It is about the only one to have been perfectly preserved in its original state.

Pyramids de Gimar

The Pyramids de Gimar are in the town of Gmar on the southeast coast of Tenerife. There are five structures in the form of stepped pyramids.

You can also find the museum “Casa Chacona” with replicas of sculptures, models, ceramics, photographs and an auditorium with interesting projections.

Loro Parque

Loro Parque know in English as “Parrot Park” is a zoo located on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife. The park houses over 300 land, water and air species and claims to be one of the largest in Europe.

A great family day out, Loro Parque has the largest Shark Tunnel in Europe and has a Thailand village for a Oriental feel.

Country villas, cortijos and sea view apartments make perfect Canaries holiday rentals for you to stay in whilst you enjoy the many attractions that can be found throughout the Islands.

Vacation and holiday home rental – 4 things you must know!

Want to rent a holiday home, but don’t want to get scammed or waste money on the house that you THOUGHT was your best choice, only to find out that you made a big mistake? Or are you interested in getting cheap holiday homes or even package deals!
Below are some solid tips you can use to find and rent your vacation home without any hassles or problems, and even save money.
Know what your getting
When you look for short-term vacation rentals, everything should be included. Always double-check for hidden charges on the invoice. Do you have Wi-Fi or internet? Is it basic or premium? Does the price involve the whole months cost? Maybe the internet is free up to the first 5 Gigabyte.

What if you have to leave early? will you get a partial refund? They might tell you that everything is included, but check the invoices just to make sure, because it might be up to some amount.

Knowing the manager
Knowing the manager of the holiday house is very important. Your contract should say they’re exact contact information for when you need help. What if your washing machine breaks, or the hot water won’t work anymore and you need to stay another 3 weeks on holiday.

Try keeping the contact information in and out the holiday home, so you can always get in touch. If you can get a second person to contact, do it! Make sure you have at least the telephone and e-mail of the owner.

Family and Pet friendly
If you are with a pet, look for pet friendly vacation rentals! Imagine traveling all the way to your holiday home just to find out that pets are not allowed in the house. Some people don’t like it when the previous guests had a pet (hygiene).

Or if you have 3 kids and the guest-room only has a king-sized bed, this could be a big problem. Make sure you see enough pictures of the house, to make sure. Check the location, is it safe for the kids? Is it close to local activities?

Booking early
Book early to make sure that everything will be as promised. Certain times in the year, villa rentals are very busy due to holiday seasons, so try to book early. You can look for holiday homes with the availability slightly out of season time, to get better deals.

Don’t be shy and contacts the owner/manager of the property, most of these villa renters have package deals. They might be able to offer a rental car, cheap flights, attraction tickets, and more. Just ask and see for yourself. Now you have the tips needed to rent a holiday home that fits your needs. But… this final tip is the most important one. Especially if you’re from out of the country, and don’t want to get scammed, conned or your money taken…

Learn to rent holiday homes safe and smart.

Cyprus Villa Holiday Experience

If you are planning for a getaway to a beautiful island in the Mediterranean, then Cyprus is a fantastic choice. This country, which is advantageously situated in the junctures of Asia, Africa and Europe, is renowned for its mixture of its mythical story of Aphrodite, culture, interesting history, fantastic sunny days, and beautiful beaches.

Cyprus, being in the Mediterranean, caters to various types of tourists as a destination and offers a wide array of activities, sights and experiences. It is a great place for romance, adventure, and especially for a family vacation. The island of Aphrodite as it is known, is a perfect paradise for romantic celebrations such as weddings, honeymoons, marriage proposals, and wedding anniversaries. A traveler more inclined to fun and adventure would also surely love this little island with great mountain spots for hiking during sunny days, all year round natural rambling routes, waterskiing, cycling and mountain biking as well assnow skiing in winter time. The all year round mild climate means that all these activities are available all year round. In most of the seaside towns such as Limassol, Paphos or Larnaca, visitors can go for some sailing, hiking, and fishing.

For a family vacation, Cyprus has always been a favourite holiday spot. A family can enjoy days out swimming at the beach, walking along stunning shore lines, dining together to in family friendly restaurants serving Cypriot cuisine coupled with its famous wine produced by its picturesque wine-making villages.Protaras also offers a variety of great spots where the entire family can have a fun time in theme parks, beautiful beaches, and appreciate cuisine from all corners of the world as well as Cypriotrestaurants.

Among the many wonderful tourist attractions in Cyprus here are some of the much loved places and are worth visiting:

The Paphos mosaics it is famous for its complex Roman mosaics which were encountered during the 1960s. Paphos Harbour and Castle multicolored fishing boats in the harbor at Paphos are a terrific sight to behold. The 1390s castle that the Venetians destroyed later became a dungeon and then a salt storehouse later on. Ayia Napa is attracting a sizeable number of tourists and offers impressive water sports amenities and a variety of activities for youngsters and adults. You can enjoy relaxing on the beautiful white sandy beaches with family or enjoy the large number of excellent dance clubs and top DJs on offer every night near the village square. Protaras one of the most stunning resorts on the island with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Protaras offers family friendly fun with nearby water parks, activities and an excellent array of restaurants. Fig Tree Bay is one of most popular sandy beaches of Protaras and took its name from the many fig trees across the beach planted many years ago. You can enjoy swimming in the sparkling clear waters of the sea or you can try one of the many water sports on offer. Profitis Elias is another highly recommended place to visit when enjoying your villa holidays in Cyprus. Profitis Elias is a church in Protaras, located on the top of a hill at 115 metres height and is aged centuries back. Once you climb the 156 steps to the church, you can enjoy spectacular views of the whole town of Protaras and the Cape called Cavo Greco, a stunning natural picturesque landscape. Protaras is also known for its wonderful walking trails. Families will also enjoy the spectacular show of the “Magic Dancing Waters” in the centre of Protaras square. Here you can watch colorful combinations of waters literally dancing to the rhythm of “Zorbas” a unique experience for holidays in Protaras.

A Socialites Guide to the Holidays

If December means a calendar fool of obligations then this article is for you. Making it through the holiday season in one semi sane piece isn’t easy, but with these holiday tips you’ll be sashaying from party to party effortlessly and stress free.
Pack Light: While we all know the advantages of having a nice big purse to lug around everything you may ever need at any given time, during the holiday festivities its just not practical. Before the holiday party season gets underway, you should either clean out your over packed purse or buy a cute, compact wallet size clutch that you can carry only the essentials in. What are the essentials you ask? Limit the contents of your purse to some lipstick or gloss, keys, cell phone, and a few other fashion emergency items like clear nail polish and a needle and thread.

Think Ahead: The average adult spends most of the day on the go. Between work, errands, family, and personal needs, there is barely enough time to breath let alone figure out what to wear. The key to lowering the stress often brought on by busy holiday schedules is to plan well in advance. Planning doesnt necessarily mean that you have to try the outfit on weeks in advance, but it does mean you should start piecing together outfits and make lists in your head so you have a point of reference when you hit the stores.

Dress for the Occasion: Are you going to a party inside or outside? Is it a short get together or an all day affair? By asking yourself these questions you should be able to rule out what not to wear to your holiday get together. If youre going to be standing around for several hours, you may want to live the super high ultra skinny heels at home and look for something a little more practical and comfortable. If youre going to be at a party held out doors or in less than cozy conditions, make sure you dress warm and leave your strapless cocktail dress at home on the hanger.

Bring a Gift: If youre going to a gathering at someones house and you are basically enjoying a night of entertainment, food, and beverages all on the hosts bank account, its a good idea to bring a small token of thanks. It doesnt need to be elaborate or expensive. A small bottle of wine or a Christmas decoration is just fine.

Mingle: Holiday parties are a great time to chat with people you don’t normally get a chance to see. When you get to the party, say hello to the host/s, chat with them a bit, and then move on. Not only do you need to make your way around the room, but the individual/s responsible for the party have a million things to do, including speaking to guests. Save the deep discussions for later on in the party when the party has calmed down a bit and your host has time to have a conversation.